which had
befallen him, casting dust upon his head, and groaning deeply, and
watering himself with his tears, and telling the aged man the full tale
of his loathly deeds. He, well skilled in the saving of a soul and the
snatching it from the jaw of the wily serpent, charmed away his sorrow
with words of salvation, and pledged him forgiveness and promised him a
merciful Judge. Then, after he had instructed and charged him to fast
many days, he cleansed him in Holy Baptism. And all the days of his
life Theudas heartily repented him of his misdeeds, with tears and
sighs seeking the favour of God.

XXXIII.

As for the king, when things fortuned thus, he was completely
bewildered, and plainly showed his sore vexation and tumult of soul.
So again he called all his senators together, and considered what means
were still his to deal with his son. Many men put forward many
counsels, but that Araches, of whom we have spoken, the most famous in
his office, and first of his councillors, spake unto the king, saying,
"What was there to be done with thy son, O king, that we have not done,
to induce him to follow our doctrines and serve our gods? But, as I
perceive, we aim at the impossible. By nature, or, it may be, by
chance, he is contentious and implacable. Now, if it be thy purpose to
deliver him to torture and punishment, thou shalt do contrary to
nature, and be no more called a father; and thou shalt lose thy son,
willing, as he is, to lay down his life for Christ his sake. This,
then, alone remaineth: to divide thy kingdom with him, and entrust him
with the dominion of that part which falleth to his lot; and if the
course of events, and the care of the business of life, draw him to
embrace our aim and way, then the thing shall be according to our
purpose; for habits, firmly established in the soul, are difficult to
obliterate, and yield quicker to persuasion than to violence. But if
he shall continue in the Christian religion, yet shall it be some
solace to time in thy distress, that thou hast not lost thy son." Thus
spake Araches, and all bare witness that they welcomed his proposal.
Therefore also the king agreed that this matter should thus be settled.
So at day-break he called his son, and said unto him, "This is now my
latest word with thee, my son. Unless thou be obedient thereto, and in
this way heal my heart, know thou well, that I shall no longer spare
thee." When his son enquired the meaning of his w