Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 7, 1896.djvu/139

Rh to the sick in heart it giveth health." The trusty slave said to him: "I behold in thee a wise man and of firm common sense; yet I hear thee speak foolish words. Stones and pearls of great size and vast value I have seen in the homes of our kings; but such as thou speakest of I have never either heard of nor seen. But shew it unto me, that I may see whether it be as thou sayest. Then will I instantly bring thee before the king's son, and many presents wilt thou receive from him. For I cannot say aught that is false before the lord my king."

The old man Baralam replied: "Thou didst well to say that thou hadst never heard or seen such a pearl; but since thou didst ask to see my precious pearl, I must tell thee that, for all its powers, it has this drawback, that he who is sick in spirit cannot see it. I am acquainted also with the healing art, and I see in thine eyes that thou hast not perfect health. And therefore thou canst not see the beautiful pearl. However be not obstinate, but hasten to tell thy lord, lest through thee he should forfeit this precious pearl." And the slave answered that it should be so, and said: "I will make it known concerning thee to my lord the king's son." And forthwith he went unto Jovasaph and told him all; but he was filled with joy at the tale, and he straightway commanded that the man should be summoned before him. And Baralam having come in bowed low in reverence for the son of the king, who bade him be seated, and after brief converse said to him: "Shew to me thy pearl of great price."

Baralam said: "Let thy servants quit our presence, for of a truth the pearl seemeth a fine one to my lord the king." And when all the slaves had gone out, Jovasaph again said: "Shew me thy pearl, that I may behold it."

Baralam answered: Tis not meet that I should speak aught but the truth before the king, and all I have said is true. But first I will test thy mind and will afterwards shew thee the precious pearl; for the lord and sovereign whom I worship spake thus: 'Behold a sower went out to sow; and as he sowed, there was some that fell by the wayside, and the birds of the heaven devoured it. And other seed fell on rocky ground, and because there was no moisture in the place it was dried up when the sun arose. Other fell amidst thorns and straightway the thorns sprang up and choked it. But some fell on good soil and rich, and brought forth fruit.' And I, if I find in thy heart fruitful soil, will not delay to sow therein and make known unto thee the great mystery. But if thy mind be rocky, or full of tares, or trampled on by the many, then it were better not to acquaint thee; for it is written: 'Give not my holy things to dogs, neither cast thy pearls before swine.' But if thou believest in my words, then I will tell thee the truth, and will also shew unto thee the pearl of great price, that with its light thou mayest be lightened, and mayest bring forth fruit an hundredfold for one."

Jovasaph said: "O venerable old man, I have a great desire to hear some