XXI.

With such moral words did the reverend elder exhort the king's son, and then withdrew to his own hospice. But the young prince's servants and tutors marvelled to see the frequency of Barlaam's visits to the palace; and one of the chiefest among them, whom, for his fidelity and prudence, the king had set over his son's palace, named Zardan, said to the prince, "Thou knowest well, sir, how much I dread your father, and how great is my faith toward him: wherefore he ordered me, for my faithfulness, to wait upon you. Now, when I see this stranger constantly conversing with you, I fear he may be of the Christian religion, toward which your father has a deadly hate; and I shall be found subject to the penalty of death. Either then make known to your father this man's business, or in future cease to converse with him. Else cast me forth from your presence, that I be not blameable, and ask your father to appoint another in my room."

The king's son said unto him, "This do, Zardan, first of all. Sit you down behind the curtain, and hear his communication with me: and then thus will I tell you what you oughtest to do."

So when Barlaam was about to enter into his presence, Ioasaph hid Zardan within the curtain, and said to the elder, "Sum me up the matter of your divine teaching, that it may the more firmly be implanted in my heart." Barlaam took up his parable and uttered many sayings touching God, and righteousness toward him, and how we must love him alone with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind, and keep his commandments with fear and love-and how he is the Maker of all things visible and invisible. Thereon he called to remembrance the creation of the first man, the command given unto him, and his transgression thereof, and the sentence pronounced by the Creator for this transgression. Then he reckoned up in order the good things wherefrom we excluded ourselves by the disannulling of his commandment. Again he made mention of the many grievous misfortunes that unhappily overtook man, after the loss of the blessings. Besides this he brought forward God's love toward mankind; how our Maker, heedful of our salvation, sent forth teachers and prophets proclaiming the Incarnation of the Only-begotten. Then he spoke of the Son, his dwelling among men, his deeds of kindness, his miracles, his sufferings for us thankless creatures, his Cross, his spear, his voluntary death; finally, of our recovery and recall, our return to our first good estate; after this, of the kingdom of heaven awaiting such as are worthy thereof; of the torment in store for the wicked; the fire that is not quenched, the never ending darkness, the undying worm, and all the other tortures which the slaves of sin have laid up in store for themselves. When he had fully related these matters, he ended his speech with moral instruction, and dwelt much upon purity of life, and utterly condemned the vanity of things present, and proved the utter misery of such as cleave thereto, and finally made an end with prayer. And therewith he prayed for the prince, that he might hold fast the profession of the Catholick Faith without turning and without wavering, and keep his life blameless and his conversation pure, and so ending with prayer again withdrew to his hospice.

But the king's son called Zardan forth, and, to try his disposition, said unto him, "Thou hast heard what sort of discourses this babbler makes me, endeavouring to be-jape me with his specious follies, and rob me of this pleasing happiness and enjoyment, to worship a strange God." Zardan answered, "Why has it pleased you, O prince, to prove me that am your servant? I wot that the words of that man have sunk deep into your heart; for, otherwise, you hadst not listened gladly and unceasingly to his words. Yea, and we also are not ignorant of this preaching. But from the time when your father stirred up truceless warfare against the Christians, the men have been banished hence, and their teaching is silenced. But if now their doctrine commend itself unto you, and if you have the strength to accept its austerity, may your wishes be guided straight toward the good! But for myself, what shall I do, that am unable to bear the very sight of such austerity, and through fear of the King am divided in soul with pain and anguish? What excuse shall I make, for neglecting his orders, and giving this fellow access unto you?"

The King's son said unto him, "I knew full well that in none other wise could I requite you worthily for your much kindness, and therefore have I tasked myself to make known unto you this more than human good, which doth even exceed the worth of your good service, that you might know to what end you wast born, and acknowledge your Creator, and, leaving darkness, run to the light. And I hoped that when you heardest thereof you wouldst follow it with irresistible desire. But, as I perceive, I am disappointed of my hope, seeing that you are listless to that which has been spoken. But if you reveal these secrets to the king my father, you shalt but distress his mind with sorrows and griefs. If you be well disposed to him, on no account reveal this matter to him until a convenient season." Speaking thus, he seemed to be only casting seed upon the water; for wisdom shall not enter into a soul void of understanding.

Upon the morrow came Barlaam and spoke of his departure: but Ioasaph, unable to bear the separation, was distressed at heart, and his eyes filled with tears. The elder made a long discourse, and adjured him to continue unshaken in good works, and with words of exhortation established his heart, and begged him to send him cheerfully on his way; and at the same time he foretold that they should shortly be at one, never to be parted more. But Ioasaph, unable to impose fresh labours on the elder, and to restrain his desire to be on his way, and suspecting moreover that the man Zardan might make known his case to the King and subject him to punishment, said unto Barlaam, "Since it seemeth you good, my spiritual father, best of teachers and minister of all good to me, to leave me to live in the vanity of the world, while you journeyest to your place of spiritual rest, I dare no longer let and hinder you. Depart therefore, with the peace of God for your guardian, and ever in your worthy prayers, for the Lord's sake, think upon my misery, that I may be enabled to overtake you, and behold your honoured face for ever. But fulfil this my one request; since you couldest not receive aught for your fellow monks, yet for thyself accept a little money for sustenance, and a cloak to cover you." But Barlaam answered and said unto him, "Seeing that I would not receive aught for my brethren (for they need not grasp at the world's chattels which they have chosen to forsake), how shall I acquire for myself that which I have denied them? If the possession of money were a good thing, I should have let them share it before me. But, as I understand that the possession thereof is deadly, I will hazard neither them nor myself in such snares."

But when Ioasaph had failed once again to persuade Barlaam, 'twas but a sign for a second petition, and he made yet another request, that Barlaam should not altogether overlook his prayer, nor plunge him in utter despair, but should leave him that stiff shirt and rough mantle, both to remind him of his teacher's austerities and to safe-guard him from all the workings of Satan, and should take from him another cloak instead, in order that "When you see my gift," said he, "you mayest bear my lowliness in remembrance."

But the elder said, "It is not lawful for me to give you my old and worn out vestment, and take one that is new, lest I be condemned to receive here the recompense of my slight labour. But, not to thwart your willing mind, let the garments given me by you be old ones, nothing different from mine own." So the king's son sought for old shirts of hair, which he gave the aged man, rejoicing to receive his in exchange, deeming them beyond compare more precious than any regal purple.

Now saintly Barlaam, all but ready for to start, spoke concerning his journey, and delivered Ioasaph his last lesson, saying, "Brother beloved, and dearest son, whom I have begotten through the Gospel, you knowest of what King you are the soldier, and with whom you hast made your covenant. This you must keep steadfastly, and readily perform the duties of your service, even as you didst promise the Lord of all in the script of your covenant, with the whole heavenly host present to attest it, and record the terms; which if you keep, you shalt be blessed. Esteem therefore nought in the present world above God and his blessings. For what terror of this life can be so terrible as the Gehenna of eternal fire, that burneth and yet has no light, that punisheth and never ceases? And which of the goodly things of this world can give such gladness as that which the great God gives to those that love him? Whose beauty is unspeakable, and power invincible, and glory everlasting; whose good things, prepared for his friends, exceed beyond comparison all that is seen; which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man: whereof mayest you be shown an inheritor, preserved by the mighty hand of God!"

Here the king's son burst into tears of pain and vexation, unable to bear the parting from a loving father and excellent teacher. "And who," quoth he, "shall fill your place, O my father? And whom like unto you shall I find to be shepherd and guide of my soul's salvation? What consolation may I find in my loss of you? Behold you hast brought me, the wicked and rebellious servant, back to God, and set me in the place of son and heir! Thou hast sought me that was lost and astray on the mountain, a prey for every evil beast, and folded me amongst the sheep that had never wandered. Thou hast shown me the direct road to truth, bringing me out of darkness and the shadow of death, and, changing the course of my feet from the slippery, deadly, crooked and winding pathway, hast ministered to me great and marvellous blessings, whereof speech would fail to recount the exceeding excellence. Great be the gifts that you receivest at God's hand, on account of me who am small! And may the Lord, who in the rewards of his gifts alone overpasseth them that love him, supply that which is lacking to my gratitude!"

Here Barlaam cut short his lamentation, and rose and stood up to pray, lifting up his either hand, and saying, "O God and Father of our Lord Jesu Christ, which didst illuminate the things that once were darkened, and bring this visible and invisible creation out of nothing, and didst turn again this your handiwork, and sufferedst us not to walk after our foolishness, we give thanks to you and to your Wisdom and Might, our Lord Jesu Christ, by whom you didst make the worlds, didst raise us from our fall, didst forgive us our trespasses, didst restore us from wandering, didst ransom us from captivity, didst quicken us from death by the precious blood of your Son our Lord. Upon you I call, and upon your only begotten Son, and upon the Holy Ghost. Look upon this your spiritual sheep that has come to be a sacrifice unto you through me your unworthy servant, and do you sanctify his soul with your might and grace. Visit this vine, which was planted by your Holy Spirit, and grant it to bear fruit, the fruit of righteousness. Strengthen him, and confirm in him your covenant, and rescue him from the deceit of the devil. With the wisdom of your good Spirit teach him to do your will, and take not your succour from him, but grant unto him, with me your unprofitable servant, to become an inheritor of your everlasting bliss, because you are blessed and glorified for ever, Amen."

When that he had ended his prayer, he turned him round and embraced Ioasaph, now a son of his heavenly father, wishing him eternal peace and salvation, and he departed out of the palace, and went his way, rejoicing and giving thanks to God, who had well ordered his steps for good.

XXI

Τοιούτοις οὖν ἠθικοῖς ῥήμασι νουθετήσας ὁ τιμιώτατος γέρων τὸν τοῦ βασιλέως υἱόν, εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν ἀπῄει ξενίαν. οἱ δὲ ὑπηρέται τοῦ νέου καὶ παιδαγωγοὶ τὴν συχνὴν αὐτοῦ εἰσέλευσιν ἐν τῷ παλατίῳ ὁρῶντες ἐθαύμαζον. εἷς δὲ τῶν προεχόντων ἐν αὐτοῖς, ὃν ὡς πιστότατον καὶ εὐγνώμονα κατέστησεν ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐπὶ τοῦ παλατίου τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ, Ζαρδὰν καλούμενος, φησὶ πρὸς τὸν τοῦ βασιλέως υἱόν: Οἶδας πάντως, ὦ δέσποτα, ὅσος ἐπ' ἐμοὶ ὁ τοῦ σοῦ πατρὸς φόβος καὶ ὅση μου ἡ πρὸς αὐτὸν πίστις: διό με ὡς οἰκέτην πιστότατον καθυπηρετεῖν σοι παρεκελεύσατο. νυνὶ δὲ τὸν ἄνδρα τοῦτον τὸν ξένον συχνῶς ὁρῶν ὁμιλοῦντά σοι, δέδοικα μή ποτε τῆς τῶν Χριστιανῶν εἴη θρησκείας, πρὸς ἣν λίαν ἀπεχθῶς ὁ σὸς πατὴρ διάκειται: καὶ τῆς θανατηφόρου εὑρεθήσομαι ὑπεύθυνος ψήφου. εἴτε οὖν τῷ βασιλεῖ τὰ περὶ αὐτοῦ γνώρισον, εἴτε τοῦ λοιποῦ παῦσαι τούτῳ προσομιλεῖν: εἰ δὲ μή, ἔκβαλόν με τοῦ σοῦ προσώπου, ὡς ἂν μὴ μεμπτέος ὦ, καὶ ἄλλον αἴτησαι τὸν πατέρα σου ἀγαγεῖν ἐνταῦθα.

Ὁ δὲ τοῦ βασιλέως υἱὸς ἔφη πρὸς αὐτόν: Τοῦτο πρὸ πάντων, ὦ Ζαρδάν, ποίησον. καθέσθητι σὺ ἔνδοθεν τοῦ παραπετάσματος, καὶ ἄκουσον τῆς αὐτοῦ πρός με ὁμιλίας: καὶ εἶθ' οὕτως λαλήσω σοι τί δεῖ ποιῆσαι.

Μέλλοντος δὲ τοῦ Βαρλαὰμ εἰσελθεῖν πρὸς αὐτόν, εἰσήγαγε τὸν Ζαρδὰν ἐντὸς τοῦ παραπετάσματος, καὶ λέγει τῷ γέροντι: Ἀνακεφαλαίωσαί μοι τὰ τῆς ἐνθέου σου διδασκαλίας, ὡς ἂν κραταιότερον ἐμφυτευθῇ μου τῇ καρδίᾳ. ὑπολαβὼν δὲ ὁ Βαρλαὰμ πολλὰ περὶ Θεοῦ καὶ τῆς εἰς αὐτὸν εὐσεβείας ἐφθέγγετο, καὶ ὡς αὐτὸν μόνον δεῖ ἀγαπᾶν ἐξ ὅλης καρδίας, καὶ ἐξ ὅλης ψυχῆς, καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς διανοίας, καὶ τὰς αὐτοῦ φυλάττειν ἐντολὰς φόβῳ τε καὶ πόθῳ. καὶ ὅτι αὐτός ἐστιν ὁ ποιητὴς ὁρατῶν τε πάντων καὶ ἀοράτων. ἐφ' οἷς καὶ τὴν τοῦ πρώτου ἀνθρώπου διάπλασιν ὑπεμίμνησκε, τήν τε δοθεῖσαν αὐτῷ ἐντολὴν καὶ τὴν ταύτης παράβασιν, καὶ τὴν ἐπὶ τῇ παραβάσει τοῦ πλάσαντος καταδίκην. εἶτα καθεξῆς τὰ ἀγαθὰ ἀπηριθμεῖτο, ὧν ἀθετήσαντες τὴν ἐντολὴν ἑαυτοὺς ἀπεκλείσαμεν: καὶ αὖθις ἐμέμνητο τῶν λυπηρῶν, ὅσα μετὰ τὴν ἐκείνων ἀποτυχίαν κατέλαβεν ἀθλίως ἡμᾶς. ἐπὶ τούτοις τὰ τῆς φιλανθρωπίας ἐπῆγεν, ὅπως τῆς ἡμετέρας φροντίζων ὁ Δημιουργὸς σωτηρίας διδασκάλους ἀπέστειλε καὶ προφήτας τὴν τοῦ Μονογενοῦς κηρύττοντας σάρκωσιν: ἔπειτα καὶ τὴν ἐκείνου κάθοδον, τὴν ἐνανθρώπησιν, τὰς εὐεργεσίας, τὰ θαύματα, καὶ τὰ ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν τῶν ἀχαρίστων παθήματα, τὸν σταυρόν, τὴν λόγχην, τὸν ἑκούσιον θάνατον: τέλος, τὴν ἐπανόρθωσιν ἡμῶν, τὴν ἀνάκλησιν, τὴν εἰς τὸ πρῶτον ἀγαθὸν ἐπάνοδον: μετὰ ταῦτα, τὴν ἐκδεχομένην τοὺς ἀξίους τῶν οὐρανῶν βασιλείαν, τὴν ἀποκειμένην τοῖς φαύλοις βάσανον, τὸ μὴ σβεννύμενον πῦρ, τὸ μὴ λῆγον σκότος, τὸν ἀθάνατον σκώληκα, καὶ ὅσην ἄλλην οἱ τῆς ἁμαρτίας δοῦλοι κόλασιν ἑαυτοῖς ἐθησαύρισαν. ταῦτα διεξελθὼν καὶ εἰς ἠθικὴν διδασκαλίαν τὸν λόγον τελέσας, πολλά τε περὶ καθαρότητος βίου διαλεχθείς, καὶ τῆς τῶν παρόντων ματαιότητος καταγνούς, τὴν ἀθλιότητά τε τῶν τούτοις προστετηκότων διελέγξας, εἰς εὐχὴν κατέληξε. καὶ ἀπερίτρεπτον αὐτῷ ἐπευξάμενος καὶ ἀκλινῆ τὴν ὁμολογίαν τῆς ὀρθοδόξου πίστεως, ἀνεπίληπτόν τε τὸν βίον καὶ καθαρωτάτην τὴν πολιτείαν, ὁ μέν, τέλος ἐπιθεὶς τῇ εὐχῇ, πρὸς τὴν ξενίαν αὖθις ἀπῄει.

Ὁ δὲ τοῦ βασιλέως υἱός, τὸν Ζαρδὰν προσκαλεσάμενος καὶ τὴν αὐτοῦ γυμνάζων διάθεσιν, ἔφη: Ἤκουσας ὁποῖά μοι ὁ σπερμολόγος οὗτος διαλέγεται, ἀπατῆσαί με ταῖς κεναῖς αὐτοῦ πιθανολογίαις πειρώμενος καὶ ἀποστερῆσαι τῆς τερπνῆς ταύτης εὐφροσύνης καὶ ἀπολαύσεως, καὶ ξένῳ λατρεῦσαι Θεῷ; ὁ δὲ Ζαρδάν: Τί σοι ἔδοξεν, ἔφη, ὦ βασιλεῦ, πειράζειν με τὸν σὸν οἰκέτην; οἶδα κατὰ βάθος εἰσδῦναί σου τῇ καρδίᾳ τοὺς λόγους τοῦ ἀνδρός: εἰ μὴ γὰρ τοῦτο ἦν, οὐκ ἂν αὐτῷ ἡδέως τε καὶ ἀδιαλείπτως ὡμίλεις. καί γε ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἀγνοοῦμεν τουτὶ τὸ κήρυγμα: ἀλλ' ἐξ ὅτου ὁ σὸς πατὴρ διωγμὸν ἄσπονδον κατὰ τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἐξήγειρεν, ἀπηλάθησαν αὐτοὶ τῶν ἐντεῦθεν, καὶ ἐσίγησε τὸ κήρυγμα αὐτῶν. εἰ δὲ νῦν ἀρεστόν σοι τὸ δόγμα κατεφάνη καὶ τὸ σκληρὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπίπονον ἀναδέξασθαι ἰσχύεις, κατευθυνθείη σου τὰ θελήματα εἰς τὸ ἀγαθόν. ἐγὼ δὲ τί ποιήσω, πρὸς μὲν τὴν τοιαύτην σκληρότητα μηδ' ἀντοφθαλμῆσαι δυνάμενος, τῷ δὲ φόβῳ τοῦ βασιλέως τὴν ψυχὴν ἐν ὀδύναις καὶ ἀλγηδόσι μεριζόμενος; τί ἀπολογήσομαι αὐτῷ, ἀμελῶς τοῖς αὐτοῦ διατεθεὶς προστάγμασι, καὶ τῷ ἀνδρὶ τούτῳ τῆς πρὸς σὲ παραχωρήσας εἰσόδου;

Ἔφη δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ τοῦ βασιλέως υἱός: Ἐγὼ μέν, τῆς πολλῆς σου πρός με εὐγνωμοσύνης μηδεμίαν ἄλλην ἀξίαν ἀμοιβὴν γινώσκων, ταύτην καὶ ὑπεραξίαν εὑρηκὼς ἐπ' εὐεργεσίᾳ τῇ σῇ, κατάδηλον ποιῆσαί σοι τὸ ὑπὲρ φύσιν ἀγαθὸν ἔργον πεποίηκα, τοῦ γνωρίσαι σε εἰς ὃ γεγένησαι καὶ τὸν Δημιουργὸν ἐπιγνῶναι ἀπολιπόντα τε τὸ σκότος τῷ φωτὶ προσδραμεῖν: καὶ ἤλπιζον ἅμα τῷ ἀκοῦσαί σε πόθῳ ἀσχέτῳ τούτῳ ἀκολουθῆσαι. ἀλλ' ἐψεύσθην, καθὼς ὁρῶ, τῆς ἐλπίδος, χλιαρῶς σε βλέπων πρὸς τὰ λαληθέντα διακείμενον. τῷ δὲ βασιλεῖ καὶ πατρί μου εἰ ταῦτα δηλώσεις, οὐδὲν ἕτερον ποιήσεις ἢ μερίμναις αὐτοῦ καὶ λύπαις τὴν ψυχὴν ἀηδίσεις. ἀλλ', εἴπερ αὐτῷ εὐγνωμονεῖς, μηδόλως ἄχρι καιροῦ τοῦ προσήκοντος ἀναγγείλῃς τι περὶ τούτων. ταῦτα μὲν πρὸς αὐτὸν λαλήσας, ἐφ' ὑδάτων ἐδόκει σπείρειν: εἰς ψυχὴν γὰρ ἀσύνετον οὐκ εἰσελεύσεται σοφία.

Τῇ ἐπαύριον δὲ ὁ Βαρλαὰμ ἐλθὼν τὰ τῆς ἀποδημίας ὡμίλει: ὁ δέ, τὸν τούτου μὴ φέρων χωρισμόν, τὴν ψυχὴν ἠνιᾶτο καὶ δακρύων τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς ἐπεπλήρωτο. πολλὰ δὲ ὁ γέρων αὐτῷ διαλεχθείς, καὶ ἀκλόνητον διαμένειν ἐν τῷ ἀγαθῷ μαρτυράμενος, λόγοις τε παρακλητικοῖς στηρίξας αὐτοῦ τὴν καρδίαν, ἱλαρῶς αὐτὸν ἐξαποστεῖλαι ἠξίου: ἅμα δὲ καὶ προέλεγεν οὐκ εἰς μακρὸν αὐτοὺς ἑνοῦσθαι ἑνώσει ἀδιαιρέτῳ. ὁ δὲ τοῦ βασιλέως υἱός, μὴ δυνάμενος ἐπὶ πλεῖον κόπους τῷ γέροντι παρέχειν καὶ τῆς ποθουμένης αὐτὸν κωλύειν ὁδοῦ, ἅμα δὲ καὶ ὑφορώμενος μὴ δῆλα τὰ περὶ αὐτὸν ὁ Ζαρδὰν ἐκεῖνος τῷ βασιλεῖ ποιήσηται καὶ τιμωρίαις αὐτὸν ὑποβάλῃ, λέγει πρὸς αὐτόν: Ἐπείπερ σοι τοῦτο ἔδοξε, πάτερ πνευματικὲ καὶ διδασκάλων ἄριστε καὶ καλοῦ παντὸς ἐμοὶ πρόξενε, τοῦ καταλιπεῖν με τῇ τοῦ κόσμου ματαιότητι συναναστρέφεσθαι καὶ σὲ πορευθῆναι εἰς τὸν τῆς πνευματικῆς ἀναπαύσεως τόπον, οὐκ ἔτι σε κατέχειν καὶ παρεμποδίζειν τολμῶ. ἄπιθι οὖν τῇ τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰρήνῃ φρουρούμενος, καὶ τῆς ἐμῆς ἀθλιότητος ἐν ταῖς τιμίαις σου εὐχαῖς διὰ παντὸς μέμνησο διὰ τὸν Κύριον, ἵνα δυνηθῶ καταλαβεῖν σε καὶ τὸ σὸν βλέπειν τίμιον πρόσωπον πάντοτε. ποίησον δέ μου μίαν αἴτησιν: καί, ἐπείπερ οὐκ ἠθέλησάς τι λαβεῖν ὑπὲρ τῶν συνασκητῶν σου, δέξαι κἂν ὑπὲρ σεαυτοῦ μικρόν τι χρῆμα εἰς διατροφὴν καὶ ἱμάτιον εἰς ἀμφίασιν. ὁ δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν ἀπεκρίνατο: Εἰ ὑπὲρ τῶν ἀδελφῶν μου οὐκ ἐδεξάμην τι παρὰ σοῦ (οὐδὲ γὰρ ἐκεῖνοι χρῄζουσιν ἐπιλαβέσθαι τῶν ὑλῶν τοῦ κόσμου ὧν ἑκόντες ἐμάκρυναν), πῶς ἐμαυτῷ περιποιήσομαι ὅπερ ἐκείνοις ἀπηγόρευσα; εἰ μὲν γὰρ καλὸν ἦν ἡ τῶν χρημάτων κτῆσις, ἐκείνοις ἂν πρὸ ἐμοῦ τούτων μετέδωκα: ἐπεὶ δὲ ὀλεθρίαν τὴν αὐτῶν ἐπίσταμαι κτῆσιν, οὔτε ἐκείνους, οὔτε μὴν ἐμαυτὸν τοῖς τοιούτοις ὑποβαλῶ βρόχοις.

Ὡς δὲ καὶ ἐν τούτῳ πείθειν οὐκ εἶχε, δευτέρας ἱκετηρίας ἀρχή, καὶ δευτέραν πάλιν αἴτησιν ποιεῖται, μὴ πάντη αὐτοῦ παριδεῖν τὰς δεήσεις, μηδὲ πᾶσαν αὐτῷ καταχέαι τὴν ἀθυμίαν, ἀλλὰ καταλιπεῖν αὐτῷ τὸ ἐρρικνωμένον ἱμάτιον ἐκεῖνο καὶ τραχὺ παλλίον, ἅμα μὲν εἰς μνήμην τῆς τοῦ διδασκάλου ἀσκήσεως, ἅμα δὲ εἰς φυλακτήριον αὐτῷ ἀπὸ πάσης σατανικῆς ἐνεργείας, λαβεῖν δὲ παρ' αὐτοῦ ἕτερον ἀντ' ἐκείνου: Ὡς ἄν, τὸ παρ' ἐμοῦ, φησί, δοθὲν ὁρῶν, τὴν ἐμὴν ἐπὶ μνήμης φέρῃς ταπεινότητα.

Ὁ δὲ γέρων ἔφη: Τὸ μὲν παλαιὸν καὶ διερρωγὸς δοῦναί σοι καὶ λαβεῖν καινὸν ἔνδυμα, οὐ θέμις, ἵνα μὴ τοῦ μικροῦ κόπου μου τὴν ἀμοιβὴν ἐνθάδε ἀπολαβεῖν κατακριθῶ: ἵνα δέ σου τὴν προθυμίαν μὴ ἐγκόψω, παλαιὰ καὶ μηδὲν τῶν ἐμῶν διαφέροντα ἔστωσαν τὰ διδόμενά μοι παρὰ σοῦ. ζητήσας δὲ ὁ τοῦ βασιλέως υἱὸς τρίχινα ῥάκη παλαιά, καὶ ταῦτα δοὺς τῷ γέροντι, τὰ ἐκείνου λαβὼν ἔχαιρε, πάσης πορφύρας καὶ βασιλικῆς ἁλουργίδος τιμιώτερα ταῦτα ἀσυγκρίτως ἡγούμενος.

Ὁ δὲ θειότατος Βαρλαάμ, ἀπιέναι ὅσον οὔπω βουλόμενος, τὰ τῆς ἐκδημίας ὡμίλει, καὶ τελευταίαν αὐτῷ διδασκαλίαν προσῆγεν: Ἀδελφέ, λέγων, ἠγαπημένε καὶ τέκνον γλυκύτατον, ὃ διὰ τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου ἐγέννησα, οἶδας τίνι ἐστρατεύθης βασιλεῖ καὶ πρὸς τίνα τὰς ὁμολογίας σου διέθου. δεῖ οὖν βεβαίας ταύτας φυλάξαι, καὶ τὰ τῆς στρατείας προθύμως τελέσαι, ὅσα ὑπέσχου ἐν τῇ τῆς ὁμολογίας χάρτῃ τῷ πάντων Δεσπότῃ, πάσης παρούσης τῆς ἐπουρανίου στρατιᾶς καὶ συμμαρτυρούσης, ἅμα δὲ καὶ ἀπογραφομένης τὰ ὁμολογηθέντα, ἅτινα φυλάττων μακάριος ἔσῃ. μηδὲν οὖν τῶν παρόντων Θεοῦ καὶ τῶν αὐτοῦ προκρίνῃς ἀγαθῶν. τί γὰρ ἂν οὕτω φοβερὸν εἴη τῶν παρόντων, ὡς γέεννα πυρὸς αἰωνίου, μήτε τοῦ καίοντος ὅλως φῶς ἔχοντος, μήτε τοῦ κολάζοντός ποτε λήγοντος; τί δὲ πάλιν τῶν τοῦ κόσμου καλῶν τηλικοῦτον εὐφράνοι, ὡς Θεὸς αὐτὸς ἐκεῖνος τοῖς ἀγαπήσασι χαριζόμενος; οὗπερ τὸ κάλλος μὲν ἄφατον, δυναστεία δὲ ἄμαχος καὶ ἡ δόξα ἀΐδιος: οὗπερ τὰ ἀγαθά, τὰ τοῖς αὐτοῦ φίλοις ἀποκείμενα, πάντων τῶν ὁρωμένων ἀσυγκρίτως ὑπερέχει, ἃ ὀφθαλμὸς οὐκ εἶδε, καὶ οὖς οὐκ ἤκουσε, καὶ ἐπὶ καρδίαν ἀνθρώπου οὐκ ἀνέβη: ὧν κληρονόμος ἀναδειχθείης, τῇ τοῦ Θεοῦ φρουρούμενος κραταιοτάτῃ χειρί.

Ὁ δὲ τοῦ βασιλέως υἱός, δάκρυσι συγκεχυμένος, ἠνιᾶτο καὶ ἤσχαλλε, φιλοστόργου πατρὸς καὶ διδασκάλου ἀρίστου ἀπολειφθῆναι μὴ ἀνεχόμενος: Καὶ τίς μοι, φησίν, ὦ πάτερ, τὴν σὴν πληρώσει τάξιν; ὑπὸ τίνι δὲ ἐγὼ τοιούτῳ ποιμένι καὶ ὁδηγῷ ψυχικῆς σωτηρίας γενήσομαι; τί τοῦ σοῦ παραμύθιον ποιήσομαι πόθου; ἰδοὺ γὰρ ἐμὲ τὸν πονηρὸν δοῦλον καὶ ἀποστάτην τῷ Θεῷ προσήγαγες, καὶ εἰς υἱοῦ καὶ κληρονόμου κατέστησας τάξιν, καὶ τὸν ἀπολωλότα καὶ ὀρειάλωτον, τὸν παντὶ θηρίῳ ἕτοιμον εἰς βοράν, ἐζήτησας, καὶ τοῖς ἀπλανέσι κατέμιξας Θεοῦ προβάτοις: καὶ ἔδειξάς μοι τὴν ἐπίτομον τῆς ἀληθείας ὁδόν, ἐξαγαγών με τοῦ σκότους καὶ τῆς σκιᾶς τοῦ θανάτου, καί, τοὺς πόδας μου μεταγαγὼν ἐκ τῆς ὀλισθηρᾶς καὶ θανατηφόρου καὶ σκολιωτάτης καὶ καμπύλης ἀτραποῦ, μεγάλων καὶ θαυμασίων μοι γέγονας πρόξενος ἀγαθῶν, καὶ ὧν οὐδεὶς ἐξαρκέσειε λόγος τὸ ὑπερέχον διηγήσασθαι. μεγάλων καὶ αὐτὸς ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ τοῦ μικροῦ μετάσχοις τοῦ Θεοῦ δωρεῶν: καὶ τῆς ἐμῆς εὐχαριστίας ὑστέρημα πληρώσαι Κύριος, ὁ μόνος νικῶν ταῖς τῶν δωρεῶν ἀντιδόσεσι τοὺς αὐτὸν ἀγαπῶντας.

Ὁ δὲ Βαρλαάμ, τῆς θρηνῳδίας αὐτὸν ἐκκόπτων, ἀναστὰς εἰς εὐχὴν ἵστατο, καὶ τὼ χεῖρε εἰς οὐρανοὺς διάρας: Ὁ Θεός, ἔλεγε, καὶ Πατὴρ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὁ φωτίσας τὰ πρὶν ἐσκοτισμένα, καὶ τὴν ὁρατὴν ταύτην καὶ ἀόρατον κτίσιν ἐκ τοῦ μὴ ὄντος παραγαγών, ὁ τὸ σὸν ἐπιστρέψας πλάσμα καὶ μὴ ἐάσας ἡμᾶς ὀπίσω τῆς ἀφροσύνης ἡμῶν πορεύεσθαι, εὐχαριστοῦμέν σοι, καὶ τῇ σῇ σοφίᾳ καὶ δυνάμει τῷ Κυρίῳ ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ, δι' οὗ καὶ τοὺς αἰῶνας ἐποίησας, πεσόντας τε ἡμᾶς ἀνέστησας, καὶ πεπλημμεληκόσι τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἀφῆκας, πλανηθέντας ἐπανήγαγες, αἰχμαλωτισθέντας ἐλυτρώσω, τεθνηκότας ἐζωποίησας τῷ τιμίῳ τοῦ Υἱοῦ σου καὶ δεσποτικῷ αἵματι. σὲ οὖν ἐπικαλοῦμαι, καὶ τὸν μονογενῆ σου Υἱόν, καὶ τὸ πανάγιόν σου Πνεῦμα: ἔπιδε ἐπὶ τὸ λογικόν σου πρόβατον τοῦτο, τὸ προσελθὸν δι' ἐμοῦ τοῦ ἀναξίου εἰς θυσίαν σοι, καὶ ἁγίασον αὐτοῦ τὴν ψυχὴν τῇ σῇ δυνάμει καὶ χάριτι: ἐπίσκεψαι τὴν ἄμπελον ταύτην τὴν φυτευθεῖσαν διὰ τοῦ Ἁγίου σου Πνεύματος, καὶ δὸς αὐτὴν καρποφορῆσαι καρπὸν δικαιοσύνης: ἐνίσχυσον αὐτόν, βεβαιῶν ἐν αὐτῷ τὴν διαθήκην σου, καὶ ἐξελοῦ τῆς ἀπάτης τοῦ διαβόλου. τῇ σοφίᾳ τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ σου Πνεύματος δίδαξον αὐτὸν ποιεῖν τὸ θέλημά σου, καὶ τὴν βοήθειάν σου μὴ ἀφέλῃς ἀπ' αὐτοῦ, ἀξιῶν σὺν ἐμοὶ τῷ ἀχρείῳ σου οἰκέτῃ τῶν ἀτελευτήτων σου ἀγαθῶν κληρονόμον γενέσθαι, ὅτι εὐλογητὸς εἶ καὶ δεδοξασμένος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας. ἀμήν.

Τελέσας δὲ τὴν εὐχὴν καὶ ἐπιστραφείς, κατησπάσατο τὸ τέκνον ἤδη τοῦ ἐπουρανίου Πατρός. εἰρήνην τε αὐτῷ ἐπευξάμενος καὶ σωτηρίαν αἰώνιον, ἐξῆλθε τοῦ παλατίου, καὶ ἀπῄει χαίρων καὶ εὐχαριστῶν τῷ Θεῷ, τῷ εὐοδώσαντι τὴν ὁδὸν αὐτοῦ εἰς ἀγαθόν.