barlaam and ioasaph-第16节
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l things are vanity and vexation of spirit； and many are the changes that they bring in a moment； for they are slighter than dreams and a shadow； or the breeze that bloweth the air。 Small and short…lived is their charm； that is after all no charm； but illusion and deception of the wickedness of the world； which world we have been taught to love not at all； but rather to hate with all our heart。 Yea； and verily it is worthy of hatred and abhorrence； for whatsoever gifts it giveth to its friends； these in turn in passion it taketh away； and shall hand over its victims； stripped of all good things； clad in the garment of shame； and bound under heavy burdens； to eternal tribulation。 And those again whom it exalteth； it quickly abaseth to the utmost wretchedness； making them a foot…stool and a laughing stock for their enemies。 Such are its charms； such its bounties。 For it is an enemy of its friends； and traitor to such as carry out its wishes： dasheth to dire destruction all them that lean upon it； and enervateth those that put their trust therein。 It maketh covenants with fools and fair false promises； only that it may allure them to itself。 But； as they have dealt treacherously； it proveth itself treacherous and false in fulfilling none of its pledges。 To…day it tickleth their gullet with pleasant dainties； to…morrow it maketh them nought but a gobbet for their enemies。 To…day it maketh a man a king： to…morrow it delivereth him into bitter servitude。 To…day its thrall is fattening on a thousand good things； to…morrow he is a beggar； and drudge of drudges。 To…day it placeth on his head a crown of glory； to…morrow it dasheth his face upon the ground。 To…day it adorneth his neck with brilliant badges of dignity； to…morrow it humbleth him with a collar of iron。 For a little while it causeth him to be the desire of all men； but after a time it maketh him their hate and abomination。 To…day it gladdeneth him： but to…morrow it weareth him to a shadow with lamentations and wailings。 What is the end thereof； thou shalt hear。 Ruthlessly it bringeth its former lovers to dwell in hell。 Such is ever its mind； such its purposes。 It lamenteth not its departed； nor pitieth the survivor。 For after that it hath cruelly duped and entangled in its meshes the one party； it immediately transferreth the resources of its ingenuity against the other； not willing that any should escape its cruel snares；
〃These men that have foolishly alienated themselves from a good and kind master； to seek the service of so harsh and savage a lord； that are all agog for present joys and are glued thereto； that take never a thought for the future； that always grasp after bodily enjoyments； but suffer their souls to waste with hunger； and to be worn with myriad ills； these I consider to be like a man flying before the face of a rampant unicorn； who； unable to endure the sound of the beast's cry； and its terrible bellowing； to avoid being devoured； ran away at full speed。 But while he ran hastily； he fell into a great pit； and as he fell； he stretched forth his hands； and laid hold on a tree； to which he held tightly。 There he established some sort of foot…hold and thought himself from that moment in peace and safety。 But he looked and descried two mice； the one white； the other black； that never ceased to gnaw the root of the tree whereon he hung； and were all but on the point of severing it。 Then he looked down to the bottom of the pit and espied below a dragon； breathing fire； fearful for eye to see； exceeding fierce and grim； with terrible wide jaws； all agape to swallow him。 Again looking closely at the ledge whereon his feet rested； he discerned four heads of asps projecting from the wall whereon he was perched。 Then he lift up his eyes and saw that from the branches of the tree there dropped a little honey。 And thereat he ceased to think of the troubles whereby he was surrounded； how； outside； the unicorn was madly raging to devour him： how； below； the fierce dragon was yawning to swallow him： how the tree； which he had clutched； was all but severed； and how his feet rested on slippery； treacherous ground。 Yea； he forgat； without care； all those sights of awe and terror； and his whole mind hung on the sweetness of that tiny drop of honey。
〃This is the likeness of those who cleave to the deceitfulness of this present life； the interpretation whereof I will declare to thee anon。 The unicorn is the type of death； ever in eager pursuit to overtake the race of Adam。 The pit is the world； full of all manner of ills and deadly snares。 The tree； which was being continually fretted by the two mice； to which the man clung； is the course of every man's life； that spendeth and consuming itself hour by hour； day and night； and gradually draweth nigh its severance。 The fourfold asps signify the structure of man's body upon four treacherous and unstable elements which； being disordered and disturbed； bring that body to destruction。 Furthermore； the fiery cruel dragon betokeneth the maw of hell that is hungry to receive those who choose present pleasures rather than future blessings。 The dropping of honey denoteth the sweetness of the delights of the world； whereby it deceiveth its own friends； nor suffereth them to take timely thought for their salvation。〃
XIII。
Ioasaph received this parable with great joy and said； 〃How true this story is； and most apt！ Grudge not； then； to shew me other such like figures； that I may know for certain what the manner of our life is； and what it hath in store for its friends。〃
The elder answered； 〃Again； those who are enamoured of the pleasures of life； and glamoured by the sweetness thereof； who prefer fleeting and paltry objects to those which are future and stable； are like a certain man who had three friends。 On the first two of these he was extravagantly lavish of his honours； and clave passionately to their love； fighting to the death and deliberately hazarding his life for their sakes。 But to the third he bore himself right arrogantly； never once granting him the honour nor the love that was his due； but only making show of some slight and inconsiderable regard for him。 Now one day he was apprehended by certain dread and strange soldiers； that made speed to hale him to the king； there to render account for a debt of ten thousand talents。 Being in a great strait； this debtor sought for a helper； able to take his part in this terrible reckoning with the king。 So he ran to his first and truest friend of all； and said； ‘Thou wottest； friend； that I ever jeopardied my life for thy sake。 Now to…day I require help in a necessity that presseth me sore。 In how many talents wilt thou undertake to assist me now？ What is the hope that I may count upon at thy hands； O my dearest friend？' The other answered and said unto him； ‘Man； I am not thy friend： I know not who thou art。 Other friends I have； with whom I must needs make merry to…day； and so win their friendship for the time to come。 But； see； I present thee with two ragged garments； that thou mayest have them on the way whereon thou goest； though they will do thee no manner of good。 Further help from me thou mayest expect none。' The other； hearing this； despaired of the succour whereon he had reckoned； and went to his second friend； saying； ‘Friend； thou rememberest how much honour and kindness thou hast enjoyed at my hands。 To…day I have fallen into tribulation and sorrow； and need a helping hand。 To what extent then canst thou share my labour？ Tell me at once。' Said he； ‘I have on leisure today to share thy troubles。 I too have fallen among cares and perils； and am myself in tribulation。 Howbeit； I will go a little way with thee； even if I shall fail to be of service to thee。 Then will I turn quickly homeward； and busy myself with mine own anxieties。' So the man returned from him too empty…handed and baulked at every turn； and he cried misery on himself for his vain hope in those ungrateful friends； and the unavailing hardships that he had endured through love of them。 At the last he went away to the third friend； whom he had never courted； nor invited to share his happiness。 With countenance ashamed and downcast； he said unto him； ‘I can scarce open my lips to speak with thee； knowing full well that I have never done thee service； or shown thee any kindness that thou mightest now remember。 But seeing that a heavy misfortune hath overtaken me； and that I have found nowhere among my friends any hope of deliverance； I address myself to thee； praying thee； if it lie in thy power； to afford me some little aid。 Bear no grudge for my past unkindness； and refuse me not。' The other with a smiling and gracious countenance answered； ‘Assuredly I own thee my very true friend。 I have not forgotten those slight services of thine： and I will repay them to…day with interest。 Fear not therefore； neither be afraid。 I will go before thee and entreat the king for thee； and will by no means deliver thee into the hands of thine enemies。 Wherefore be of good courage； dear friend； and fret not thyself。' Then； pricked at heart； the other said with tears； ‘Wo is me！ Which shall I first lament； or which first deplore？ Condemn my vain preference for my forgetf
