earned to know God, and
were redeemed from error, and found rest from every ill. What
remaineth us after thou art gone? What evils shall not befall us?"
Thus saying, they smote upon their breasts, and bewailed the misfortune
that had overtaken them. But he with words of comfort hushed their
sobs, and promised to be with them still in the spirit though he might
no longer abide with them in the body. And when he had thus spoken, in
the sight of all he went forth from the palace. And immediately all
the people followed him. They despaired of his return; they ran from
the city, as from a sight that they could no longer endure. But when
they were outside the city, Ioasaph addressed them with sharp words,
and chode with them harshly; and so they were parted from him, and
unwillingly went home, often turning round to look on him, and
stumbling on their road. And some of the hotter spirits also followed
afar off weeping, until the shades of night parted them one from
another.

XXXVII.

Thus this noble man went forth from his palace rejoicing, as when after
long exile a man returneth with joy to his own country. Outwardly he
wore the robes that he was wont to wear, but beneath was the hair-shirt
which Barlaam had given him. That night he halted at a poor man's
cabin, and stripped himself of his outer raiment, which, as his last
alms, he bestowed upon his poor host, and thus by the prayers of that
poor man, as well as of so many others, he made God his ally, and put
on his grace and help as a garment of salvation; and, clad in a coat of
gladness, thus went he off to his hermit-life, carrying with him
neither bread, nor water, nor any necessary food, with no garment upon
him save the aforesaid rough shirt. For his heart was wounded with a
marvellous longing and divine love for Christ the immortal King; he was
beside himself with longing, mad for God, possessed by love of him;
"For love," he saith, "is strong as fire." So drunken was he with this
heavenly love, so parched with thirst, according to him that saith,
"Like as the hart desireth the water-brooks, so longeth my soul after
time, O God. My soul is athirst for the mighty and living God"; or, as
the soul that is sick of love crieth in the Song of Songs, "Thou hast
ravished us, ravished us with the desire of thee"; and, "Let me see thy
countenance, and let me hear thy voice, for thy voice is a sweet voice,
and thy countenance is comely."

It was the desire fo