felt a strange joy and spiritual gladness breathing into his
heart, and, like one inspired, bade bring in the man forthwith.

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