Barlaam and Josaphat by Gui de Cambrai

Author:Gui de Cambrai
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2014-02-25T05:00:00+00:00

The Greeks join the disputation

Maximilian, a cleric who was very learned about the Greek’s religion, saw that the wise Chaldeans had been silenced, so he rose and addressed the king. “My lord, I do not know what to say. The Chaldeans spoke well and Barlaam refuted them. But we do not share the same religion. As I understand it, the Chaldeans worship all the elements, and it is fitting that they do so. But this devil leads us astray. Let him now ready his tongue to meet our challenge.

“We have gods and we know that they are gods. Our gods have proven themselves worthy, for they come to the aid of all those who pray to them for mercy. I will speak the truth about Saturn, who is one of our gods.1 He is worthy of great honor, for his deity is great. He is the lord of the elements. He is the god who first formed all the firmament, and he made all people. In his first book, Ovid tells us that Saturn commanded the world to be created, and for this reason everything exists according to his design.”

“Listen, King, to how senseless this religion is,” Nachor said. “The Greeks believe foolish things, and they make gods from twin images, some male, some female. Their belief is greatly impoverished and they do not know what they say. Now they make a god of Saturn! Certainly he is no god, for Jupiter, his son, killed him, as Ovid tells us. He cast his father into hell and conquered the sky, to become its lord and commander. And he threw the good members of his father into the deep sea. There Venus, the goddess of love, was conceived in a wave, and then there was no longer night or day. Woe to him who would recount this story as if it were true and have us believe it! It is nothing but an invented fable, and those who would have us believe it are servants of the devil.”

At these words Mandran rose, grieved by what he heard. “What?” he asked. “What do you mean? That Jupiter is not lord of the gods with power over the heavens? What Ovid recounted is true, for we find it in holy books, and Ovid was a wise man who spoke only the truth. You will not dare to attack Jupiter! He changes into many forms, and we should serve him. He acts as he pleases and he is an exalted and powerful god. He is so wise and valiant that no one can oppose him without abasing himself. I do not think you will dare to confront him, for even if you only appeared to slander him, he would take a cruel vengeance. I warn you to say nothing against him. You would not be able to oppose him unless you used some trick or ruse.”

Nachor laughed. “Friend,” he asked, “have you lost your mind? You speak like a madman. You say that Jupiter

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