thou 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 thy place, O my father? And whom like unto thee
shall I find to be shepherd and guide of my soul's salvation? What
consolation may I find in my loss of thee? Behold thou 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 thou 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 thine handiwork, and sufferedst us not to walk after
our foolishness, we give thanks to thee and to thy Wisdom and Might,
our Lord Jesu Christ, by whom thou 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 thy Son our Lord. Upon thee I call, and
upon thine only begotten Son, and upon the Holy Ghost. Look upon this
thy spiritual sheep that hath come to be a sacrifice unto thee through
me thine unworthy servant, and do thou sanctify his soul with thy might
and grace. Visit this vine, which was planted by thy Holy Spirit, and
grant it to bear fruit, the fruit of righteousness. Strengthen him,
and confirm in him thy covenant, and rescue him from the deceit of the
devil. With the wisdom of thy good Spirit teach him to do thy will,
and take not thy succour from him, but grant unto him, with me thine
unprofi