this
fellow access unto thee?"

The King's son said unto him, "I knew full well that in none other wise
could I requite thee worthily for thy much kindness, and therefore have
I tasked myself to make known unto thee this more than human good,
which doth even exceed the worth of thy good service, that thou
mightest know to what end thou wast born, and acknowledge thy Creator,
and, leaving darkness, run to the light. And I hoped that when thou
heardest thereof thou wouldst follow it with irresistible desire. But,
as I perceive, I am disappointed of my hope, seeing that thou art
listless to that which hath been spoken. But if thou reveal these
secrets to the king my father, thou shalt but distress his mind with
sorrows and griefs. If thou be well disposed to him, on no account
reveal this matter to him until a convenient season." Speaking thus,
he seemed to be only casting seed upon the water; for wisdom shall not
enter into a soul void of understanding.

Upon the morrow came Barlaam and spake of his departure: but Ioasaph,
unable to bear the separation, was distressed at heart, and his eyes
filled with tears. The elder made a long discourse, and adjured him to
continue unshaken in good works, and with words of exhortation
established his heart, and begged him to send him cheerfully on his
way; and at the same time he foretold that they should shortly be at
one, never to be parted more. But Ioasaph, unable to impose fresh
labours on the elder, and to restrain his desire to be on his way, and
suspecting moreover that the man Zardan might make known his case to
the King and subject him to punishment, said unto Barlaam, "Since it
seemeth thee good, my spiritual father, best of teachers and minister
of all good to me, to leave me to live in the vanity of the world,
while thou journeyest to thy place of spiritual rest, I dare no longer
let and hinder thee. Depart therefore, with the peace of God for thy
guardian, and ever in thy worthy prayers, for the Lord's sake, think
upon my misery, that I may be enabled to overtake thee, and behold
thine honoured face for ever. But fulfil this my one request; since
thou couldest not receive aught for thy fellow monks, yet for thyself
accept a little money for sustenance, and a cloak to cover thee." But
Barlaam answered and said unto him, "Seeing that I would not receive
aught for my brethren (for they need not grasp at the world's chattels
which they have chosen to forsake), h