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 spake 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
maketh 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 hath it pleased thee, O prince, to prove me
that am thy servant? I wot that the words of that man have sunk deep
into thine heart; for, otherwise, thou hadst not listened gladly and
unceasingly to his words. Yea, and we also are not ignorant of this
preaching. But from the time when thy 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 thee, and if thou have the strength to accept its austerity, may
thy 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