s. There was one of the senators
first in favour with Ioasaph, a man honoured for his godliness and
dignity, Barachias by name, who, as hath been already told, when
Nachor, feigning to be Barlaam, was disputing with the philosophers,
alone was ready to stand by Nachor and fight for him, for his heart was
fired with heavenly love. Him the king took apart, and spake gently
with him, and earnestly besought him to receive the kingdom, and, in
the fear of God, to shepherd his people; in order that he himself might
take the journey that he desired.

But Barachias would put aside and reject his offer, saying, "O king,
how wrongful is thy judgement, and thy word contrary to divine command!
If thou hast learned to love thy neighbour as thyself, with what right
art thou eager to shift the burden off thy back and lay it upon mine?
If it be good to be king, keep the good to thy self: but, if it be a
stone of stumbling and rock of offence to thy soul, why put it in my
pathway and seek to trip me up?" When Ioasaph perceived that he spake
thus, and that his purpose was fixed, he ceased from communing with
him. And now, at about the dead of night, he wrote his people a
letter, full of much wisdom, expounding to them all godliness; telling
them what they should think concerning God, what life, what hymns and
what thanksgiving they should offer unto him. Next, he charged them to
receive none other than Barachias to be ruler of the kingdom. Then left
he in his bed-chamber the roll containing his letter, and, unobserved
of all, went forth from his palace. But he might not win through
undetected, for, early on the morrow, the tidings, that he was
departed, anon made commotion and mourning among the people, and, in
much haste, forth went every man for to seek him; they being minded by
all means to cut off his flight. And their zeal was not spent in vain;
for, when they had occupied all the high-ways, and encompassed all the
mountains, and surrounded the pathless ravines, they discovered him in
a watercourse, his hands uplifted to heaven, saying the prayer proper
of the Sixth Hour.

When they beheld him, they surrounded him, and besought him with team,
upbraiding him for departing from them. "But," said he, "why labour ye
in vain? No longer hope to have me to your king." Yet gave he way to
their much opposition, and turned again to his palace. And, when he had
assembled all the folk, he signified his will. Then with oath he
confirmed