Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 7, 1896.djvu/144

122 men. But the dragon, big with fire and terrible, is the belly of hell, which awaits all those who have enjoyed the good things of this life. And the drop of sweet honey (which distilled from the bough) is the sweetness of this world (and of sins) which hinder the salvation of those who love them."

And Jovasaph was very pleased at the parable spoken by the old man, and besought him to tell him another like unto it.

Baralam said: "Those who put their hopes in the riches of this world are like unto a certain man who had three friends. And the two of them he loved to excess and made much of them, and was ready to die rather than thwart their wishes; but the third friend he held in contempt, nor ever deigned to honour him or his wishes in the same way as theirs. But on a sudden there came to him soldiers, who arrested him in haste and set out to take him before the king, to whom he was deeply in debt. So they came and carried him away, that he might account to the king for many thousand talents which he owed. And being hard pressed by them that summoned him, he sought for one of his friends to come and help him in the dread tribunal of the judge. And he went first to the first of his friends and said:

Dost thou know, my friend, how at all times I have laid down my life for you? Now then, I beseech thee, help me this day; for the king summons me.'

"But the friend he most honoured answered and said: 'I cannot in anywise help thee in this matter; but I can only give thee two linen raiments for thy journey, wherein thou art not profited.'

"And when the man heard this he went to his second friend, and said: 'Thou knowest me, O my friend and companion, how I have loved thee all the days of my life. Now therefore help me, for much trouble has come upon me to-day.'

"But his friend answered and said: 'What straits are they which beset thee?'

"And he said: 'The king summons me, and I desire thee to share in my adversity, and to aid me as far as the king's court, and there intercede for me.'

"But the other said: 'I am not at leisure to go with thee, for I have many cares. But I will escort thee a little way, and then return.'

"So he, being disappointed of his two friends, went to the third, whom he despised and whom he had never thought worthy of his full affection. And he said to him, with his face full of shame: 'I have not the face to address a prayer to thee, for I have never been a sharer of thy joy. And this I remember to-day, yet speak boldly to thee. Yet I have never done thee any kindness, which thou mayest remember, and help me. Help me, then, merely as one whom thou knowest by sight; for sore trouble has come upon me; and from my other friends I have received no help. So I have come to beseech thee, if thou canst help me in my trouble to-day, not to remember