History of Armenia, by Father Michael Chamich; from B. C. 2247 to ...

HISTORY OF ARMENIA. 249
first went on very well, guiding his conduct by
the strictest probity ;
but led away by his youth
and inexperience, he at length fell into habits of
effeminacy and sensu ility. He had, however,
a certain respect for virtue, which prevented him
from violating decency in public, and he was
accustomed to gratify his vicious inclinations in
secret.
Being at length discovered by St. Isaac,
he was several times admonished by him. On
these occasions the young monarch never failed
to deny the charge, but nevertheless became
more and more a slave to his vices. The chiefs, a. d. 427.
relinquishing all hope of his reform, went to
St. Isaac, and besought him to join with them
in soliciting from Viram the deposition of Artashir
from the
throne, and the appointment of a
Persian governor in his room.
St. Isaac rejected
their proposal with indignation. " I cannot
consent," said
he, " to betray the smaller criminal
into the hands of the greater, or to exchange
my infirm sheep for a healthy wolf." The
chiefs then proceeded to Viram, and complained
both of Artashir and the saint. The Persian
king immediately sent for the accused, saying
to the complainants, " It is not customary with
us to decide on the guilt of the accused on the
bare assertion of their accusers. Let us hear
also their defence."
Artashir and the Saint being arrived in Perkk