ther's express command.
Nevertheless he feared to ask him; it was not to be believed that his
father intended aught but his good; and again, if it were so by his
father's will, his father would not reveal the true reason, for all his
asking. Wherefore he determined to learn the secret from some other
source. There was one of his tutors nearer and dearer to him than the
rest, whose devotion he won even further by handsome gifts. To him he
put the question what his father might mean by thus enclosing him
within those walls, adding, "If thou wilt plainly tell me this, of all
thou shalt stand first in my favour, and I will make with thee a
covenant of everlasting friendship." The tutor, himself a prudent man,
knowing how bright and mature was the boy's wit and that he would not
betray him, to his peril, discovered to him the whole matter the
persecution of the Christians and especially of the anchorets decreed
by the king, and how they were driven forth and banished from the
country round about; also the prophecies of the astrologers at his
birth. "'Twas in order," said he, "that thou mightest never hear of
their teaching, and choose it before our religion, that the king hath
thus devised that none but a small company should dwell with thee, and
hath commanded us to acquaint thee with none of the woes of life."
When the young prince heard this he said never a word more, but the
word of salvation took hold of his heart, and the grace of the
Comforter began to open wide the eyes of his understanding, leading him
by the hand to the true God, as our tale in its course shall tell.

Now the king his father came oftentimes to see his boy, for he loved
him passing well. On a day his son said unto him, "There is something
that I long to learn from thee, my lord the king, by reason of which
continual grief and unceasing care consumeth my soul." His father was
grieved at heart at the very word, and said, "Tell me, darling child,
what is the sadness that constraineth thee, and straightway I will do
my diligence to turn it into gladness." The boy said, "What is the
reason of mine imprisonment here? Wily hast thou barred me within
walls and doors, never going forth and seen of none?" His father
replied, "Because I will not, my son, that thou shouldest behold
anything to embitter thy heart or mar thy happiness. I intend that
thou shalt spend all thy days in luxury unbroken, and in all manner joy
and pleasaunce." "But," said the s