ith.

So when Barlaam was come in, and had in due order wished him Peace!,
the prince bade him be seated. Then his tutor withdrew, and Ioasaph
said unto the elder, "Shew me the precious gem, concerning which, as my
tutor hath narrated, thou tellest such great and marvellous tales."
Then began Barlaam to discourse with him thus: "It is not fitting, O
prince, that I should say anything falsely or unadvisedly to thine
excellent majesty. All that hath been signified to thee from me is
true and may not be gainsaid. But, except I first make trial of thy
mind, it is not lawful to declare to thee this mystery; for my master
saith, 'There went out a sower to sow his seed: and, as he sowed, some
seeds fell by the wayside, and the fowls of the air came and devoured
them up: some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth:
and forthwith they sprang up, because they had no deepness of earth:
and when the sun was up, they were scorched: and because they had no
root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns
sprung up and choked them: but others fell upon good ground, and
brought forth fruit an hundredfold.' Now, if I find in thine heart
fruit-bearing ground, and good, I shall not be slow to plant therein
the heavenly seed, and manifest to thee the mighty mystery. But and if
the ground be stony and thorny, and the wayside trodden down by all who
will, it were better never to let fall this seed of salvation, nor to
cast it for a prey to fowls and beasts, before which I have been
charged not to cast pearls. But I am 'persuaded better things of thee,
and things that accompany salvation,'--how that thou shalt see the
priceless stone, and it shall be given thee in the light of that stone
to become light, and bring forth fruit an hundredfold. Aye, for thy
sake I gave diligence and accomplished a long journey, to shew thee
things which thou hast never seen, and teach thee things which thou
hast never heard."

Ioasaph said unto him, "For myself, reverend elder, I have a longing,
all irresistible passion to hear some new and goodly word, and in mine
heart there is kindled fire, cruelly burning and urging me to learn the
answer to some questions that will not rest. But until now I never
happened on one that could satisfy me as touching them. But if I meet
with some wise and understanding man, and hear the word of salvation, I
shall not deliver it to the fowls of the air, I trow, nor yet to the
beasts