all his private councils: besides which the man was
learned in star-lore. When he was come, with much despondency and
dejection the king told him of that which had happened. He, seeing the
king's trouble and confusion of mind, said, "O king, trouble and
distress thyself no more. We are not without hope that the prince will
yet change for the better: nay, I know for very certain that he will
speedily renounce the teaching of this deceiver, and conform to thy
will."

By these words then did Araches set the king in happier frame of mind;
and they turned their thoughts to the thorough sifting of the matter.
"This, O king," said Araches, "do we first of all. Make we haste to
apprehend that infamous Barlaam. If we take him, I am assured that we
shall not miss the mark, nor be cheated of our hope. Barlaam himself
shall be persuaded, either by persuasion or by divers engines of
torture, against his will to confess that he hath been talking falsely
and at random, and shall persuade my lord, thy son, to cleave to his
father's creed. But if we fail to take Barlaam, I know of an eremite,
Nachor by name, in every way like unto him: it is impossible to
distinguish the one from the other. He is of our opinion, and was my
teacher in studies. I will give him the hint, and go by night, and
tell him the full tale. Then will we blazon it abroad that Barlaam
hath been caught; but we shall exhibit Nachor, who, calling himself
Barlaam, shall feign that he is pleading the cause of the Christians
and standing forth as their champion. Then, after much disputation, he
shall be worsted and utterly discomfited. The prince, seeing Barlaam
worsted, and our side victorious, will doubtless join the victors; the
more so that he counteth it a great duty to reverence thy majesty, and
do thy pleasure. Also the man who hath played the part of Barlaam
shall be converted, and stoutly proclaim that he hath been in error."

Tim king was delighted with his words, and rocked himself on idle
hopes, and thought it excellent counsel. Thereupon, learning that
Barlaam was but lately departed, he was zealous to take him prisoner.
He therefore occupied most of the passes with troops and captains, and,
himself, mounting his chariot, gave furious chase along the one road of
which he was especially suspicious, being minded to surprise Barlaam at
all costs. But though he toiled by the space of six full days, his
labour was but spent in vain. Then he himself re