and enjoyable, that his heart, revelling in these delights, might not
gain strength to consider the future, nor ever hear the bare mention of
the tale of Christ and his doctrines. For he was heedful of the
astrologer's warning, and it was this most that he was minded to
conceal from his son. And if any of the attendants chanced to fall
sick, he commanded to have him speedily removed, and put another plump
and well-favoured servant in his place, that the boy's eyes might never
once behold anything to disquiet them. Such then was the intent and
doing of the king, for, 'seeing, he did not see, and hearing, he did
not understand.'

But, learning that some monks still remained, of whom he fondly
imagined that not a trace was left, he became angry above measure, and
his fury was hotly kindled against them. And he commanded heralds to
scour all the city and all the country, proclaiming that after three
days no monk whatsoever should be found therein. But and if any were
discovered after the set time, they should be delivered to destruction
by fire and sword. "For," said he, "these be they that persuade the
people to worship the Crucified as God." Meanwhile a thing befell,
that made the king still more angry and bitter against the monks.

IV.

There was at court a man pre-eminent among the rulers, of virtuous life
and devout in religion. But while working out his own salvation, as
best he might, he kept it secret for fear of the king. Wherefore
certain men, looking enviously on his free converse with the king,
studied how they might slander him; and this was all their thought. On
a day, when the king went forth a-hunting with his bodyguard, as was
his wont, this good man was of the hunting party. While he was walking
alone, by divine providence, as I believe, he found a man in a covert,
cast to the ground, his foot grievously crushed by a wild-beast.
Seeing him passing by, the wounded man importuned him not to go his
way, but to pity his misfortune, and take him to his own home, adding
thereto: "I hope that I shall not be found unprofitable, nor altogether
useless unto thee." Our nobleman said unto him, "For very charity I
will take thee up, and render thee such service as I may. But what is
this profit which thou saidest that I should receive of thee?" The
poor sick man answered, "I am a physician of words. If ever in speech
or converse any wound or damage be found, I will heal it with befitting
medicines,