enjoyable, that his heart, revelling in these delights, might not
gain strength to consider the future, nor ever hear the bare
mention of the tale of Christ and his doctrines. For he was
heedful of the astrologer's warning, and it was this most that he
was minded to conceal from his son. And if any of the attendants
chanced to fall sick, he commanded to have him speedily removed,
and put another plump and well-favoured servant in his place,
that the boy's eyes might never once behold anything to disquiet
them. Such then was the intent and doing of the king, for,
'seeing, he did not see, and hearing, he did not understand.'

But, learning that some monks still remained, of whom he fondly
imagined that not a trace was left, he became angry above
measure, and his fury was hotly kindled against them. And he
commanded heralds to scour all the city and all the country,
proclaiming that after three days no monk whatsoever should be
found therein. But and if any were discovered after the set
time, they should be delivered to destruction by fire and sword.
"For," said he, "these be they that persuade the people to
worship the Crucified as God." Meanwhile a thing befell, that
made the king still more angry and bitter against the monks.


IV.

There was at court a man pre-eminent among the rulers, of
virtuous life and devout in religion. But while working out his
own salvation, as best he might, he kept it secret for fear of
the king. Wherefore certain men, looking enviously on his free
converse with the king, studied how they might slander him; and