ht cause.

But the king, although furiously enraged with Nachor, was nevertheless
unable to do him any mischief, because of the proclamation already read
before all, wherein he urged him to plead without fear in behalf of the
Christians. So he himself made answer in many words, and by dark
speeches hinted that Nachor should relax his resistance, and be worsted
by the argument of the orators. But Nachor the more mightily
prevailed, tearing to pieces all their propositions and conclusions and
exposing the fallacy of their error. After the debate had been
prolonged till well-nigh eventide, the king dismissed the assembly,
making as though he would renew the discussion on the morrow.

Then said Ioasaph to the king his father, "As at the beginning, Sir,
thou commandedst that the trial should be just, so too crown the end
thereof with justice, by doing one or other of these two things.
Either allow my teacher to tarry with me to-night, that we may take
counsel together as touching those things which we must say unto our
adversaries tomorrow: and do thou in turn take thine advisers unto
thee, and duly practise yourselves as ye will. Or else deliver thy
counsellors to me this night, and take mine to thyself. But if both
sides be with thee, mine advocate in tribulation and fear, but thine in
joy and refreshment, me thinketh it is not a fair trial, but a
tyrannical misuse of power, and a breaking of the covenants." The
king, compelled to yield by the gracefulness of this speech took his
wise men and priests to himself, and delivered Nachor to his son, still
having hopes of him and thinking fit to keep his agreement.

The king's son, therefore, departed unto his own palace, like a
conqueror in the Olympic games, and with him went Nachor. When alone,
the prince called him and said, "Think not that I am ignorant of thy
tale, for I wot, of a surety, that thou art not saintly Barlaam, but
Nachor the astrologer; and I marvel how it seemed thee good to act this
play, and to think that thou couldst so dull my sight at mid-day, that
I should mistake a wolf for a sheep. But well sung is the proverb,
'The heart of a fool will conceive folly.' So this your device and
counsel was stale and utterly senseless; but the work that thou hast
accomplished is full of wisdom. Wherefore, rejoice, Nachor, and be
exceeding glad. I render thee many thanks, that thou hast been to-day
advocate of the truth, and hast not polluted thy lips with f