Of the Holy Confessor Barlaam and Josaphat.

Numbers 24. ...also do not believe that he will be deprived of his hope. This Astrologus astrologer or expert in the stars said this, just as in ancient times the Eßlin Balam donkey of Balaam spoke the truth from a false astrology. God wishes to show the truth through contrary things so that He may take all excuses away from the godless.

When the King heard the words and prophecy of this master of the course of the heavens and stars, he was very troubled in his mind by this announcement. This sadness took away a large part of the joy he had received at the birth of this child. Therefore, he began to build a lovely, precious, beautiful, and magnificent palace in a secluded place in the city. He had the rooms and chambers decorated very sensibly and artistically with silver and gold. He gave it to his son to live in.

When the child grew past his early years, the King forbade anyone from having access to him. However, he assigned him Hoff- vnd Zuchtmeister court tutors and masters of discipline. He gave him the most beautiful youths in body, form, and age. He commanded and ordered them that they should show his son nothing of the way of the world. They were not to say anything that might make him sad, whether concerning sickness, death, old age, or poverty. Nor should they speak of other things that might trouble him and lessen his joy. Instead, they were to present to him all the joy, Wollust pleasure, happiness, and wealth of this world. Thus, he would not think of or learn about anything in the future that might happen to him. Additionally and most importantly, the King commanded with great earnestness that one should not say the least thing to him about the Christian faith, and that nothing of it should come to his ears...