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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/2078-0.txt b/2078-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..090f4b7 --- /dev/null +++ b/2078-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5933 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Thais, by Anatole France + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Thais + +Author: Anatole France + +Translator: Robert B. Douglas + +Release Date: March 21, 2006 [EBook #2078] +Last Updated: October 5, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THAIS *** + + + + +Produced by Dagny; and John Bickers + + + + + +THAIS + +by Anatole France + + + +Translated By Robert B. Douglas + + + +CONTENTS + + PART I. THE LOTUS + PART II. THE PAPYRUS + THE BANQUET + THE PAPYRUS (resumed) + PART III. THE EUPHORBIA + + + + + +THAIS + + + + +PART THE FIRST -- THE LOTUS + +In those days there were many hermits living in the desert. On both +banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of +branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from +each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one +another in case of need. Churches, each surmounted by a cross, stood +here and there amongst the huts, and the monks flocked to them at each +festival to celebrate the services or to partake of the Communion. There +were also, here and there on the banks of the river, monasteries, where +the cenobites lived in separate cells, and only met together that they +might the better enjoy their solitude. + +Both hermits and cenobites led abstemious lives, taking no food till +after sunset, and eating nothing but bread with a little salt and +hyssop. Some retired into the desert, and led a still more strange life +in some cave or tomb. + +All lived in temperance and chastity; they wore a hair shirt and a hood, +slept on the bare ground after long watching, prayed, sang psalms, and, +in short, spent their days in works of penitence. As an atonement +for original sin, they refused their body not only all pleasures and +satisfactions, but even that care and attention which in this age are +deemed indispensable. They believed that the diseases of our members +purify our souls, and the flesh could put on no adornment more glorious +than wounds and ulcers. Thus, they thought they fulfilled the words of +the prophet, “The desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.” + +Amongst the inhabitants of the holy Thebaid, there were some who +passed their days in asceticism and contemplation; others gained their +livelihood by plaiting palm fibre, or by working at harvest-time for +the neighbouring farmers. The Gentiles wrongly suspected some of them +of living by brigandage, and allying themselves to the nomadic Arabs +who robbed the caravans. But, as a matter of fact, the monks despised +riches, and the odour of their sanctity rose to heaven. + +Angels in the likeness of young men, came, staff in hand, as travellers, +to visit the hermitages; whilst demons--having assumed the form of +Ethiopians or of animals--wandered round the habitations of the hermits +in order to lead them into temptation. When the monks went in the +morning to fill their pitcher at the spring, they saw the footprints +of Satyrs and Aigipans in the sand. The Thebaid was, really and +spiritually, a battlefield, where, at all times, and more especially at +night, there were terrible conflicts between heaven and hell. + +The ascetics, furiously assailed by legions of the damned, defended +themselves--with the help of God and the angels--by fasting, prayer, +and penance. Sometimes carnal desires pricked them so cruelly that +they cried aloud with pain, and their lamentations rose to the starlit +heavens mingled with the howls of the hungry hyaenas. Then it was that +the demons appeared in delightful forms. For though the demons are, in +reality, hideous, they sometimes assume an appearance of beauty which +prevents their real nature from being recognised. The ascetics of the +Thebaid were amazed to see in their cells phantasms of delights unknown +even to the voluptuaries of the age. But, as they were under the sign +of the Cross, they did not succumb to these temptations, and the unclean +spirits, assuming again their true character, fled at daybreak, filled +with rage and shame. It was not unusual to meet at dawn one of these +beings, flying away and weeping, and replying to those who questioned +it, “I weep and groan because one of the Christians who live here has +beaten me with rods, and driven me away in ignominy.” + +The power of the old saints of the desert extended over all sinners and +unbelievers. Their goodness was sometimes terrible. They derived from +the Apostles authority to punish all offences against the true and only +God, and no earthly power could save those they condemned. Strange tales +were told in the cities, and even as far as Alexandria, how the earth +had opened and swallowed up certain wicked persons whom one of these +saints struck with his staff. Therefore they were feared by all +evil-doers, and particularly by mimes, mountebanks, married priests, and +prostitutes. + +Such was the sanctity of these holy men that even wild beasts felt their +power. When a hermit was about to die, a lion came and dug a grave with +its claws. The saint knew by this that God had called him, and he went +and kissed all his brethren on the cheek. Then he lay down joyfully, and +slept in the Lord. + +Now that Anthony, who was more than a hundred years old, had retired +to Mount Colzin with his well-beloved disciples, Macarius and Amathas, +there was no monk in the Thebaid more renowned for good works than +Paphnutius, the Abbot of Antinoe. Ephrem and Serapion had a greater +number of followers, and in the spiritual and temporal management +of their monasteries surpassed him. But Paphnutius observed the most +rigorous fasts, and often went for three entire days without taking +food. He wore a very rough hair shirt, he flogged himself night and +morning, and lay for hours with his face to the earth. + +His twenty-four disciples had built their huts near his, and imitated +his austerities. He loved them all dearly in Jesus Christ, and +unceasingly exhorted them to good works. Amongst his spiritual children +were men who had been robbers for many years, and had been persuaded by +the exhortations of the holy abbot to embrace the monastic life, and who +now edified their companions by the purity of their lives. One, who had +been cook to the Queen of Abyssinia, and was converted by the Abbot of +Antinoe, never ceased to weep. There was also Flavian, the deacon, who +knew the Scriptures, and spoke well; but the disciple of Paphnutius who +surpassed all the others in holiness was a young peasant named Paul, and +surnamed the Fool, because of his extreme simplicity. Men laughed at his +childishness, but God favoured him with visions, and by bestowing upon +him the gift of prophecy. + +Paphnutius passed his life in teaching his disciples, and in ascetic +practices. Often did he meditate upon the Holy Scriptures in order to +find allegories in them. Therefore he abounded in good works, though +still young. The devils, who so rudely assailed the good hermits, did +not dare to approach him. At night, seven little jackals sat in the +moonlight in front of his cell, silent and motionless, and with their +ears pricked up. It was believed that they were seven devils, who, owing +to his sanctity, could not cross his threshold. + +Paphnutius was born at Alexandria of noble parents, who had instructed +him in all profane learning. He had even been allured by the falsehoods +of the poets, and in his early youth had been misguided enough to +believe that the human race had all been drowned by a deluge in the days +of Deucalion, and had argued with his fellow-scholars concerning the +nature, the attributes, and even the existence of God. He then led a +life of dissipation, after the manner of the Gentiles, and he recalled +the memory of those days with shame and horror. + +“At that time,” he used to say to the brethren, “I seethed in the +cauldron of false delights.” + +He meant by that that he had eaten food properly dressed, and frequented +the public baths. In fact, until his twentieth year he had continued +to lead the ordinary existence of those times, which now seemed to +him rather death than life; but, owing to the lessons of the priest +Macrinus, he then became a new man. + +The truth penetrated him through and through, and--as he used to +say--entered his soul like a sword. He embraced the faith of Calvary, +and worshipped Christ crucified. After his baptism he remained yet a +year amongst the Gentiles, unable to cast off the bonds of old habits. +But one day he entered a church, and heard a deacon read from the Bible, +the verse, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and +give to the poor.” Thereupon he sold all that he had, gave away the +money in alms, and embraced the monastic life. + +During the ten years that he had lived remote from men, he no longer +seethed in the cauldron of false delights, but more profitably macerated +his flesh in the balms of penitence. + +One day when, according to his pious custom, he was recalling to mind +the hours he had lived apart from God, and examining his sins one by +one, that he might the better ponder on their enormity, he remembered +that he had seen at the theatre at Alexandria a very beautiful actress +named Thais. This woman showed herself in the public games, and did not +scruple to perform dances, the movements of which, arranged only too +cleverly, brought to mind the most horrible passions. Sometimes she +imitated the horrible deeds which the Pagan fables ascribe to Venus, +Leda, or Pasiphae. Thus she fired all the spectators with lust, and when +handsome young men, or rich old ones, came, inspired with love, to hang +wreaths of flowers round her door, she welcomed them, and gave herself +up to them. So that, whilst she lost her own soul, she also ruined the +souls of many others. + +She had almost led Paphnutius himself into the sins of the flesh. She +had awakened desire in him, and he had once approached the house of +Thais. But he stopped on the threshold of the courtesan’s house, partly +restrained by the natural timidity of extreme youth--he was then but +fifteen years old--and partly by the fear of being refused on account +of his want of money, for his parents took care that he should commit no +great extravagances. + +God, in His mercy, had used these two means to prevent him from +committing a great sin. But Paphnutius had not been grateful to Him for +that, because at that time he was blind to his own interests, and did +not know that he was lusting after false delights. Now, kneeling in +his cell, before the image of that holy cross on which hung, as in a +balance, the ransom of the world, Paphnutius began to think of Thais, +because Thais was a sin to him, and he meditated long, according to +ascetic rules, on the fearful hideousness of the carnal delights with +which this woman had inspired him in the days of his sin and ignorance. +After some hours of meditation the image of Thais appeared to him +clearly and distinctly. He saw her again, as he had seen her when she +tempted him, in all the beauty of the flesh. At first she showed herself +like a Leda, softly lying upon a bed of hyacinths, her head bowed, her +eyes humid and filled with a strange light, her nostrils quivering, her +mouth half open, her breasts like two flowers, and her arms smooth and +fresh as two brooks. At this sight Paphnutius struck his breast and +said-- + +“I call Thee to witness, my God, that I have considered how heinous has +been my sin.” + +Gradually the face of the image changed its expression. Little by little +the lips of Thais, by lowering at the corners of the mouth, expressed a +mysterious suffering. Her large eyes were filled with tears and lights; +her breast heaved with sighs, like the sighing of a wind that precedes +a tempest. At this sight Paphnutius was troubled to the bottom of his +soul. Prostrating himself on the floor, he uttered this prayer-- + +“Thou who hast put pity in our hearts, like the morning dew upon the +fields, O just and merciful God, be Thou blessed! Praise! praise be unto +Thee! Put away from Thy servant that false tenderness which tempts to +concupiscence, and grant that I may only love Thy creatures in Thee, for +they pass away, but Thou endurest for ever. If I care for this woman, +it is only because she is Thy handiwork. The angels themselves feel +pity for her. Is she not, O Lord, the breath of Thy mouth? Let her not +continue to sin with many citizens and strangers. There is great pity +for her in my heart. Her wickednesses are abominable, and but to think +of them makes my flesh creep. But the more wicked she is, the more do I +lament for her. I weep when I think that the devils will torment her to +all eternity.” + +As he was meditating in this way, he saw a little jackal lying at his +feet. He felt much surprised, for the door of his cell had been closed +since the morning. The animal seemed to read the Abbot’s thoughts, and +wagged its tail like a dog. Paphnutius made the sign of the cross and +the beast vanished. He knew then that, for the first time, the devil had +entered his cell, and he uttered a short prayer; then he thought again +about Thais. + +“With God’s help,” he said to himself, “I must save her.” And he slept. + +The next morning, when he had said his prayers, he went to see the +sainted Palemon, a holy hermit who lived some distance away. He found +him smiling quietly as he dug the ground, as was his custom. Palemon +was an old man, and cultivated a little garden; the wild beasts came and +licked his hands, and the devils never tormented him. + +“May God be praised, brother Paphnutius,” he said, as he leaned upon his +spade. + +“God be praised!” replied Paphnutius. “And peace be unto my brother.” + +“The like peace be unto thee, brother Paphnutius,” said Palemon; and he +wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. + +“Brother Palemon, all our discourse ought to be solely the praise of Him +who has promised to be wheresoever two or three are gathered together in +His Name. That is why I come to you concerning a design I have formed to +glorify the Lord.” + +“May the Lord bless thy design, Paphnutius, as He has blessed my +lettuces. Every morning He spreads His grace with the dew on my garden, +and His goodness causes me to glorify Him in the cucumbers and melons +which He gives me. Let us pray that He may keep us in His peace. For +nothing is more to be feared than those unruly passions which trouble +our hearts. When these passions disturb us we are like drunken men, +and we stagger from right to left unceasingly, and are like to fall +miserably. Sometimes these passions plunge us into a turbulent joy, and +he who gives way to such, sullies the air with brutish laughter. Such +false joy drags the sinner into all sorts of excess. But sometimes also +the troubles of the soul and of the senses throw us into an impious +sadness which is a thousand times worse than the joy. Brother +Paphnutius, I am but a miserable sinner, but I have found, in my long +life, that the cenobite has no foe worse than sadness. I mean by that +the obstinate melancholy which envelopes the soul as in a mist, and +hides from us the light of God. Nothing is more contrary to salvation, +and the devil’s greatest triumph is to sow black and bitter thoughts in +the heart of a good man. If he sent us only pleasurable temptations, +he would not be half so much to be feared. Alas! he excels in making +us sad. Did he not show to our father Anthony a black child of such +surpassing beauty that the very sight of it drew tears? With God’s help, +our father Anthony avoided the snares of the demon. I knew him when he +lived amongst us; he was cheerful with his disciples, and never gave +way to melancholy. But did you not come, my brother, to talk to me of +a design you had formed in your mind? Let me know what it is--if, at +least, this design has for its object the glory of God.” + +“Brother Palemon, what I propose is really to the glory of God. +Strengthen me with your counsel, for you know many things, and sin has +never darkened the clearness of your mind.” + +“Brother Paphnutius, I am not worthy to unloose the latchet of thy +sandals, and my sins are as countless as the sands of the desert. But I +am old, and I will never refuse the help of my experience.” + +“I will confide in you, then, brother Palemon, that I am stricken with +grief at the thought that there is, in Alexandria, a courtesan named +Thais, who lives in sin, and is a subject of reproach unto the people.” + +“Brother Paphnutius, that is, in truth, an abomination which we do well +to deplore. There are many women amongst the Gentiles who lead lives of +that kind. Have you thought of any remedy for this great evil?” + +“Brother Palemon, I will go to Alexandria and find this woman, and, with +God’s help, I will convert her; that is my intention; do you approve of +it, brother?” + +“Brother Paphnutius, I am but a miserable sinner, but our father Anthony +used to say, ‘In whatsoever place thou art, hasten not to leave it to go +elsewhere.’” + +“Brother Palemon, do you disapprove of my project?” + +“Dear Paphnutius, God forbid that I should suspect my brother of bad +intentions. But our father Anthony also said, ‘Fishes die on dry land, +and so is it with those monks who leave their cells and mingle with the +men of this world, amongst whom no good thing is to be found.’” + +Having thus spoken, the old man pressed his foot on the spade, and began +to dig energetically round a fig tree laden with fruit. As he was thus +engaged, there was a rustling in the bushes, and an antelope leaped +over the hedge which surrounded the garden; it stopped, surprised and +frightened, its delicate legs trembling, then ran up to the old man, and +laid its pretty head on the breast of its friend. + +“God be praised in the gazelle of the desert,” said Palemon. + +He went to his hut, the light-footed little animal trotting after him, +and brought out some black bread, which the antelope ate out of his +hand. + +Paphnutius remained thoughtful for some time, his eyes fixed upon the +stones at his feet. Then he slowly walked back to his cell, pondering on +what he had heard. A great struggle was going on in his mind. + +“The hermit gives good advice,” he said to himself; “the spirit of +prudence is in him. And he doubts the wisdom of my intention. Yet it +would be cruel to leave Thais any longer in the power of the demon who +possesses her. May God advise and conduct me.” + +As he was walking along, he saw a plover, caught in the net that a +hunter had laid on the sand, and he knew that it was a hen bird, for +he saw the male fly to the net, and tear the meshes one by one with its +beak, until it had made an opening by which its mate could escape. The +holy man watched this incident, and as, by virtue of his holiness, he +easily comprehended the mystic sense of all occurrences, he knew that +the captive bird was no other than Thais, caught in the snares of sin, +and that--like the plover that had cut the hempen threads with its +beak--he could, by pronouncing the word of power, break the invisible +bonds by which Thais was held in sin. Therefore he praised God, and was +confirmed in his first resolution. But then seeing the plover caught +by the feet, and hampered by the net it had broken, he fell into +uncertainty again. + +He did not sleep all night, and before dawn he had a vision. Thais +appeared to him again. There was no expression of guilty pleasure on her +face, nor was she dressed according to custom in transparent drapery. +She was enveloped in a shroud, which hid even a part of her face, so +that the Abbot could see nothing but the two eyes, from which flowed +white and heavy tears. + +At this sight he began to weep, and believing that this vision came from +God, he no longer hesitated. He rose, seized a knotted stick, the symbol +of the Christian faith, and left his cell, carefully closing the door, +lest the animals of the desert and the birds of the air should enter, +and befoul the copy of the Holy Scriptures which stood at the head of +his bed. He called Flavian, the deacon, and gave him authority over the +other twenty-three disciples during his absence; and then, clad only in +a long cassock, he bent his steps towards the Nile, intending to follow +the Libyan bank to the city founded by the Macedonian monarch. He walked +from dawn to eve, indifferent to fatigue, hunger, and thirst; the sun +was already low on the horizon when he saw the dreadful river, the +blood-red waters of which rolled between the rocks of gold and fire. + +He kept along the shore, begging his bread at the door of solitary +huts for the love of God, and joyfully receiving insults, refusals, or +threats. He feared neither robbers nor wild beasts, but he took great +care to avoid all the towns and villages he came near. He was afraid +lest he should see children playing at knuckle-bones before their +father’s house, or meet, by the side of the well, women in blue smocks, +who might put down their pitcher and smile at him. All things are +dangerous for the hermit; it is sometimes a danger for him to read in +the Scriptures that the Divine Master journeyed from town to town and +supped with His disciples. The virtues that the anchorites embroider so +carefully on the tissue of faith, are as fragile as they are beautiful; +a breath of ordinary life may tarnish their pleasant colours. For that +reason, Paphnutius avoided the towns, fearing lest his heart should +soften at the sight of his fellow men. + +He journeyed along lonely roads. When evening came, the murmuring of the +breeze amidst the tamarisk trees made him shiver, and he pulled his hood +over his eyes that he might not see how beautiful all things were. After +walking six days, he came to a place called Silsile. There the +river runs in a narrow valley, bordered by a double chain of granite +mountains. It was there that the Egyptians, in the days when they +worshipped demons, carved their idols. Paphnutius saw an enormous sphinx +carved in the solid rock. Fearing that it might still possess some +diabolical properties, he made the sign of the cross, and pronounced the +name of Jesus; he immediately saw a bat fly out of one of the monster’s +ears, and Paphnutius knew that he had driven out the evil spirits which +had been for centuries in the figure. His zeal increased, and picking up +a large stone, he threw it in the idol’s face. Then the mysterious face +of the sphinx expressed such profound sadness that Paphnutius was moved. +In fact, the expression of superhuman grief on the stone visage would +have touched even the most unfeeling man. Therefore Paphnutius said to +the sphinx-- + +“O monster, be like the satyrs and centaurs our father Anthony saw in +the desert, and confess the divinity of Jesus Christ, and I will bless +thee in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.” + +When he had spoken a rosy light gleamed in the eyes of the sphinx; the +heavy eyelids of the monster quivered and the granite lips painfully +murmured, as though in echo to the man’s voice, the holy name of Jesus +Christ; therefore Paphnutius stretched out his right hand, and blessed +the sphinx of Silsile. + +That being done, he resumed his journey, and the valley having grown +wider, he saw the ruins of an immense city. The temples, which still +remained standing, were supported by idols which served as columns, +and--by the permission of God--these figures with women’s heads and +cow’s horns, threw on Paphnutius a long look which made him turn pale. +He walked thus seventeen days, his only food a few raw herbs, and +he slept at night in some ruined palace, amongst the wild cats and +Pharaoh’s rats, with which mingled sometimes, women whose bodies ended +in a scaly tail. But Paphnutius knew that these women came from hell, +and he drove them away by making the sign of the cross. + +On the eighteenth day, he found, far from any village, a wretched hut +made of palm leaves, and half buried under the sand which had been +driven by the desert wind. He approached it, hoping that the hut was +inhabited by some pious anchorite. He saw inside the hovel--for there +was no door--a pitcher, a bunch of onions, and a bed of dried leaves. + +“This must be the habitation of a hermit,” he said to himself. “Hermits +are generally to be found near their hut, and I shall not fail to meet +this one. I will give him the kiss of peace, even as the holy Anthony +did when he came to the hermit Paul, and kissed him three times. We will +discourse of things eternal, and perhaps our Lord will send us, by one +of His ravens, a crust of bread, which my host will willingly invite me +to share with him.” + +Whilst he was thus speaking to himself, he walked round the hut to see +if he could find any one. He had not walked a hundred paces when he saw +a man seated, with his legs crossed, by the side of the river. The man +was naked; his hair and beard were quite white, and his body redder than +brick. Paphnutius felt sure this must be the hermit. He saluted him with +the words the monks are accustomed to use when they meet each other. + +“Peace be with you, brother! May you some day taste the sweet joys of +paradise.” + +The man did not reply. He remained motionless, and appeared not to have +heard. Paphnutius supposed this was due to one of those rhapsodies to +which the saints are accustomed. He knelt down, with his hands joined, +by the side of the unknown, and remained thus in prayer till sunset. +Then, seeing that his companion had not moved, he said to him-- + +“Father, if you are now out of the ecstasy in which you were lost, give +me your blessing in our Lord Jesus Christ.” + +The other replied without turning his head-- + +“Stranger, I understand you not, and I know not the Lord Jesus Christ.” + +“What!” cried Paphnutius. “The prophets have announced Him; legions of +martyrs have confessed His name; Caesar himself has worshipped Him, and, +but just now, I made the sphinx of Silsile proclaim His glory. Is it +possible that you do not know Him?” + +“Friend,” replied the other, “it is possible. It would even be certain, +if anything in this world were certain.” + +Paphnutius was surprised and saddened by the incredible ignorance of the +man. + +“If you know not Jesus Christ,” he said, “all your works serve no +purpose, and you will never rise to life immortal.” + +The old man replied-- + +“It is useless to act, or to abstain from acting. It matters not whether +we live or die.” + +“Eh, what?” asked Paphnutius. “Do you not desire to live through all +eternity? But, tell me, do you not live in a hut in the desert as the +hermits do?” + +“It seems so.” + +“Do I not see you naked, and lacking all things?” + +“It seems so.” + +“Do you not feed on roots, and live in chastity?” + +“It seems so.” + +“Have you not renounced all the vanities of this world?” + +“I have truly renounced all those vain things for which men commonly +care.” + +“Then you are like me, poor, chaste, and solitary. And you are +not so--as I am--for the love of God, and with a hope of celestial +happiness! That I cannot understand. Why are you virtuous if you do not +believe in Jesus Christ? Why deprive yourself of the good things of this +world if you do not hope to gain eternal riches in heaven?” + +“Stranger, I deprive myself of nothing which is good, and I flatter +myself that I have found a life which is satisfactory enough, though--to +speak more precisely--there is no such thing as a good or evil life. +Nothing is itself, either virtuous or shameful, just or unjust, pleasant +or painful, good or bad. It is our opinion which gives those qualities +to things, as salt gives savour to meats.” + +“So then, according to you there is no certainty. You deny the truth +which the idolaters themselves have sought. You lie in ignorance--like a +tired dog sleeping in the mud.” + +“Stranger, it is equally useless to abuse either dogs or philosophers. +We know not what dogs are or what we are. We know nothing.” + +“Old man, do you belong, then, to the absurd sect of sceptics? Are you +one of those miserable fools who alike deny movement and rest, and who +know not how to distinguish between the light of the sun and the shadows +of night?” + +“Friend, I am truly a sceptic, and of a sect which appears praiseworthy +to me, though it seems ridiculous to you. For the same things often +assume different appearances. The pyramids of Memphis seem at sunrise to +be cones of pink light. At sunset they look like black triangles against +the illuminated sky. But who shall solve the problem of their true +nature? You reproach me with denying appearances, when, in fact, +appearances are the only realities I recognise. The sun seems to me +illuminous, but its nature is unknown to me. I feel that fire burns--but +I know not how or why. My friend, you understand me badly. Besides, it +is indifferent to me whether I am understood one way or the other.” + +“Once more. Why do you live on dates and onions in the desert? Why do +you endure great hardships? I endure hardships equally great, and, like +you, I live in abstinence and solitude. But then it is to please God, +and to earn eternal happiness. And that is a reasonable object, for +it is wise to suffer now for a future gain. It is senseless, on the +contrary, to expose yourself voluntarily to useless fatigue and vain +sufferings. If I did not believe--pardon my blasphemy, O uncreated +Light!--if I did not believe in the truth of that which God has taught +us by the voice of the prophets, by the example of His Son, by the acts +of the Apostles, by the authority of councils, and by the testimony +of the martyrs,--if I did not know that the sufferings of the body are +necessary for the salvation of the soul--if I were, like thee, lost in +ignorance of sacred mysteries--I would return at once amongst the men of +this day, I would strive to acquire riches, that I might live in ease, +like those who are happy in this world, and I would say to the votaries +of pleasure, ‘Come, my daughters, come, my servants, come and pour out +for me your wines, your philtres, your perfumes.’ But you, foolish old +man! you deprive yourself of all these advantages; you lose without +hope of any gain; you give without hope of any return, and you imitate +foolishly the noble deeds of us anchorites, as an impudent monkey +thinks, by smearing a wall, to copy the picture of a clever artist. +What, then, are your reasons, O most besotted of men?” + +Paphnutius spoke with violence and indignation, but the old man remained +unmoved. + +“Friend,” he replied, gently, “what matter the reasons of a dog sleeping +in the dirt or a mischievous ape?” + +Paphnutius’ only aim was the glory of God. His anger vanished, and he +apologised with noble humility. + +“Pardon me, old man, my brother,” he said, “if zeal for the truth has +carried me beyond proper bounds. God is my witness, that it is thy +errors and not thyself that I hate. I suffer to see thee in darkness, +for I love thee in Jesus Christ, and care for thy salvation fills my +heart. Speak! give me your reasons. I long to know them that I may +refute them.” + +The old man replied quietly-- + +“It is the same to me whether I speak or remain silent. I will give my +reasons without asking yours in return, for I have no interest in you +at all. I care neither for your happiness nor your misfortune, and it +matters not to me whether you think one way or another. Why should I +love you, or hate you? Aversion and sympathy are equally unworthy of the +wise man. But since you question me, know then that I am named Timocles, +and that I was born at Cos, of parents made rich by commerce. My father +was a shipowner. In intelligence he much resembled Alexander, who is +surnamed the Great. But he was not so gross. In short, he was a man of +no great parts. I had two brothers, who, like him, were shipowners. As +for me, I followed wisdom. My eldest brother was compelled by my father +to marry a Carian woman, named Timaessa, who displeased him so greatly +that he could not live with her without falling into a deep melancholy. +However, Timaessa inspired our younger brother with a criminal passion, +and this passion soon turned to a furious madness. The Carian woman +hated them both equally; but she loved a flute-player, and received him +at night in her chamber. One morning he left there the wreath which he +usually wore at feasts. My two brothers, having found this wreath, swore +to kill the flute-player, and the next day they caused him to perish +under the lash, in spite of his tears and prayers. My sister-in-law +felt such grief that she lost her reason, and these three poor wretches +became beasts rather than human beings, and wandered insane along the +shores of Cos, howling like wolves and foaming at the mouth, and hooted +at by the children, who threw shells and stones at them. They died, and +my father buried them with his own hands. A little later his stomach +refused all nourishment, and he died of hunger, though he was rich +enough to have bought all the meats and fruits in the markets of Asia. +He was deeply grieved at having to leave me his fortune. I used it in +travels. I visited Italy, Greece, and Africa without meeting a single +person who was either wise or happy. I studied philosophy at Athens and +Alexandria, and was deafened by noisy arguments. At last I wandered as +far as India, and I saw on the banks of the Ganges a naked man, who had +sat there motionless with his legs crossed for more than thirty years. +Climbing plants twined round his dried up body, and the birds built +their nests in his hair. Yet he lived. At the sight of him I called to +mind Timaessa, the flute-player, my two brothers, and my father, and +I realised that this Indian was a wise man. ‘Men,’ I said to myself, +‘suffer because they are deprived of that which they believe to be good; +or because, possessing it they fear to lose it; or because they endure +that which they believe to be an evil. Put an end to all beliefs of this +kind, and the evils would disappear.’ That is why I resolved henceforth +to deem nothing an advantage, to tear myself entirely from the good +things of this world, and to live silent and motionless, like the +Indian.” + +Paphnutius had listened attentively to the old man’s story. + +“Timocles of Cos,” he replied, “I own that your discourse is not wholly +devoid of sense. It is, in truth, wise to despise the riches of this +world. But it would be absurd to despise also your eternal welfare, and +render yourself liable to be visited by the wrath of God. I grieve at +your ignorance, Timocles, and I will instruct you in the truth, in order +that knowing that there really exists a God in three hypostases, you may +obey this God as a child obeys its father.” + +Timocles interrupted him. + +“Refrain, stranger, from showing me your doctrines, and do not imagine +that you will persuade me to share your opinions. All discussions are +useless. My opinion is to have no opinion. My life is devoid of trouble +because I have no preferences. Go thy ways, and strive not to withdraw +me from the beneficent apathy in which I am plunged, as though in a +delicious bath, after the hardships of my past days.” + +Paphnutius was profoundly instructed in all things relating to the +faith. By his knowledge of the human heart, he was aware that the grace +of God had not fallen on old Timocles, and the day of salvation for this +soul so obstinately resolved to ruin itself had not yet come. He did not +reply, lest the power given for edification should turn to destruction. +For it sometimes happens, in disputing with infidels, that the means +used for their conversion may steep them still farther in sin. Therefore +they who possess the truth should take care how they spread it. + +“Farewell, then, unhappy Timocles,” he said; and heaving a deep sigh, he +resumed his pious pilgrimage through the night. + +In the morning, he saw the ibises motionless on one leg at the edge of +the water, which reflected their pale pink necks. The willows stretched +their soft grey foliage to the bank, cranes flew in a triangle in the +clear sky, and the cry of unseen herons was heard from the sedges. Far +as the eye could reach, the river rolled its broad green waters o’er +which white sails, like the wings of birds, glided, and here and there +on the shores, a white house shone out. A light mist floated along the +banks, and from out the shadow of the islands, which were laden +with palms, flowers, and fruits, came noisy flocks of ducks, geese, +flamingoes, and teal. To the left, the grassy valley extended to the +desert its fields and orchards in joyful abundance; the sun shone on +the yellow wheat, and the earth exhaled forth its fecundity in odorous +wafts. At this sight, Paphnutius fell on his knees, and cried-- + +“Blessed be the Lord, who has given a happy issue to my journey. O God, +who spreadest Thy dew upon the fig trees of the Arsiniote, pour Thy +grace upon Thais, whom Thou hast formed with Thy love, as Thou hast the +flowers and trees of the field. May she, by Thy loving care, flourish +like a sweet-scented rose in the heavenly Jerusalem.” + +And every time that he saw a tree covered with blossom, or a bird of +brilliant plumage, he thought of Thais. Keeping along the left arm of +the river and through a fertile and populous district, he reached, in +a few days, the city of Alexandria, which the Greeks have surnamed the +Beautiful and the Golden. The sun had risen an hour, when he beheld, +from the top of a hill, the vast city, the roofs of which glittered in +the rosy light. He stopped, and folded his arms on his breast. + +“There, then,” he said, “is the delightful spot where I was born in sin; +the bright air where I breathed poisonous perfumes; the sea of pleasure +where I heard the songs of the sirens. There is my cradle, after the +flesh; my native land--in the parlance of the men of these days! A rich +cradle, an illustrious country, in the judgment of men! It is natural +that thy children should reverence thee like a mother, Alexandria, and +I was begotten in thy magnificently adorned breast. But the ascetic +despises nature, the mystic scorns appearances, the Christian regards +his native land as a place of exile, the monk is not of this earth. I +have turned away my heart from loving thee, Alexandria. I hate thee! I +hate thee for thy riches, thy science, thy pleasures, and thy beauty. Be +accursed, temple of demons! Lewd couch of the Gentiles, tainted pulpit +of Arian heresy, be thou accursed! And thou, winged son of heaven who +led the holy hermit Anthony, our father, when he came from the depths of +the desert, and entered into the citadel of idolatry to strengthen the +faith of believers and the confidence of martyrs, beautiful angel of +the Lord, invisible child, first breath of God, fly thou before me, and +cleanse, by the beating of thy wings, the corrupted air I am about to +breathe amongst the princes of darkness of this world!” + +Having thus spoken, he resumed his journey. He entered the city by the +Gate of the Sun. This gate was a handsome structure of stone. In the +shadow of its arch, crowded some poor wretches, who offered lemons +and figs for sale, or with many groans and lamentations, begged for an +obolus. + +An old woman in rags, who was kneeling there, seized the monk’s cassock, +kissed it, and said-- + +“Man of the Lord, bless me, that God may bless me. I have suffered many +things in this world that I may have joys in the world to come. You +come from God, O holy man, and that is why the dust of your feet is more +precious than gold.” + +“The Lord be praised!” said Paphnutius, and with his half-closed hand he +made the sign of redemption on the old woman’s head. + +But hardly had he gone twenty paces down the street, than a band of +children began to jeer at him, and throw stones, crying-- + +“Oh, the wicked monk! He is blacker than an ape, and more bearded than +a goat! He is a skulker! Why not hang him in an orchard, like a wooden +Priapus, to frighten the birds? But no; he would draw down the hail on +the apple-blossom. He brings bad luck. To the ravens with the monk! to +the ravens!” and stones mingled with the cries. + +“My God, bless these poor children!” murmured Paphnutius. + +And he pursued his way, thinking. + +“I was worshipped by the old woman, and hated and despised by these +children. Thus the same object is appreciated differently by men who are +uncertain in their judgment and liable to error. It must be owned that, +for a Gentile, old Timocles was not devoid of sense. Though blind, he +knew he was deprived of light. His reasoning was much better than that +of these idolaters, who cry from the depths of their thick darkness, ‘I +see the day!’ Everything in this world is mirage and moving sand. God +alone is steadfast.” + +He passed through the city with rapid steps. After ten years of absence +he would still recognise every stone, and every stone was to him a stone +of reproach that recalled a sin. For that reason he struck his naked +feet roughly against the kerb-stones of the wide street, and rejoiced +to see the bloody marks of his wounded feet. Leaving on his left the +magnificent portico of the Temple of Serapis, he entered a road lined +with splendid mansions, which seemed to be drowsy with perfumes. Pines, +maples, and larches raised their heads above the red cornices and golden +acroteria. Through the half-open doors could be seen bronze statues +in marble vestibules, and fountains playing amidst foliage. No noise +troubled the stillness of these quiet retreats. Only the distant strains +of a flute could be heard. The monk stopped before a house, rather +small, but of noble proportions, and supported by columns as graceful as +young girls. It was ornamented with bronze busts of the most celebrated +Greek philosophers. + +He recognised Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Epicurus, and Zeno, and +having knocked with the hammer against the door, he waited, wrapped in +meditation. + +“It is vanity to glorify in metal these false sages; their lies are +confounded, their souls are lost in hell, and even the famous Plato +himself, who filled the earth with his eloquence, now disputes with the +devils.” + +A slave opened the door, and seeing a man with bare feet standing on the +mosaic threshold, said to him roughly-- + +“Go and beg elsewhere, stupid monk, or I will drive you away with a +stick.” + +“Brother,” replied the Abbott of Antinoe, “all that I ask is that you +conduct me to your master, Nicias.” + +The slave replied, more angrily than before-- + +“My master does not see dogs like you.” + +“My son,” said Paphnutius, “will you please do what I ask, and tell your +master that I desire to see him. + +“Get out, vile beggar!” cried the porter furiously; and he raised his +stick and struck the holy man, who, with his arms crossed upon his +breast, received unmovedly the blow, which fell full in his face, and +then repeated gently-- + +“Do as I ask you, my son, I beg.” + +The porter tremblingly murmured-- + +“Who is this man who is not afraid of suffering?” + +And he ran and told his master. + +Nicias had just left the bath. Two pretty slave girls were scraping him +with strigils. He was a pleasant-looking man, with a kind smile. There +was an expression of gentle satire in his face. On seeing the monk, he +rose and advanced with open arms. + +“It is you!” he cried, “Paphnutius, my fellow-scholar, my friend my +brother! Oh, I knew you again, though, to say the truth, you look more +like a wild animal than a man. Embrace me. Do you remember the time when +we studied grammar, rhetoric, and philosophy together? You were, even +then, of a morose and wild character, but I liked you because of your +complete sincerity. We used to say that you looked at the universe with +the eyes of a wild horse, and it was not surprising you were dull and +moody. You needed a pinch of Attic salt, but your liberality knew no +bounds. You cared nothing for either your money or your life. And you +had the eccentricity of genius, and a strange character which interested +me deeply. You are welcome, my dear Paphnutius, after ten years of +absence. You have quitted the desert; you have renounced all Christian +superstitions, and now return to your old life. I will mark this day +with a white stone.” + +“Crobyle and Myrtale,” he added, turning towards the girls, “perfume the +feet, hands, and beard of my dear guest.” + +They smiled, and had already brought the basin, the phials, and the +metal mirror. But Paphnutius stopped them with an imperious gesture, and +lowered his eyes that he might not look upon them, for they were naked. +Nicias brought cushions for him, and offered him various meats and +drinks, which Paphnutius scornfully refused. + +“Nicias,” he said, “I have not renounced what you falsely call the +Christian superstition, which is the truth of truths. ‘In the beginning +was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All +things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was +made. In Him was the life, and the life was the light of men.’” + +“My dear Paphnutius,” replied Nicias, who had now put on a perfumed +tunic, “do you expect to astonish me by reciting a lot of words jumbled +together without skill, which are no more than a vain murmur? Have you +forgotten that I am a bit of a philosopher myself? And do you think to +satisfy me with some rags, torn by ignorant men from the purple garment +of AEmilius, when AEmilius, Porphyry, and Plato, in all their glory, did +not satisfy me! The systems devised by the sages are but tales imagined +to amuse the eternal childishness of men. We divert ourselves with them, +as we do with the stories of _The Ass_, _The Tub_, and _The Ephesian +Matron_, or any other Milesian fable.” + +And, taking his guest by the arm, he led him into a room where thousands +of papyri were rolled up and lay in baskets. + +“This is my library,” he said. “It contains a small part of the various +systems which the philosophers have constructed to explain the world. +The Serapeium itself, with all its riches, does not contain them all. +Alas! they are but the dreams of sick men.” + +He compelled his guest to sit down in an ivory chair, and sat down +himself. Paphnutius scowled gloomily at all the books in the library, +and said-- + +“They ought all to be burned.” + +“Oh, my dear guest, that would be a pity!” replied Nicias. “For the +dreams of sick men are sometimes amusing. Besides, if we should destroy +all the dreams and visions of men, the earth would lose its form and +colours, and we should all sleep in a dull stupidity.” + +Paphnutius continued in the same strain as before-- + +“It is certain that the doctrines of the pagans are but vain lies. But +God, who is the truth, revealed Himself to men by miracles, and He was +made flesh, and lived among us.” + +Nicias replied-- + +“You speak well, my dear Paphnutius, when you say that he was made +flesh. A God who thinks, acts, speaks, who wanders through nature, like +Ulysses of old on the glaucous sea, is altogether a man. How do you +expect that we should believe in this new Jupiter, when the urchins of +Athens, in the time of Pericles, no longer believed in the old one? + +“But let us leave all that. You did not come here; I suppose, to +argue about the three hypostases. What can I do for you, my dear +fellow-scholar?” + +“A good deed,” replied the Abbot of Antinoe. “Lend me a perfumed tunic, +like the one you have just put on. Be kind enough to add to the tunic, +gilt sandals, and a vial of oil to anoint my beard and hair. It is +needful also, that you should give me a purse with a thousand drachmae +in it. That, O Nicias, is what I came to ask of you, for the love of +God, and in remembrance of our old friendship.” + +Nicias made Crobyle and Myrtale bring his richest tunic; it was +embroidered, after the Asiatic fashion, with flowers and animals. The +two girls held it open, and skilfully showed its bright colours, waiting +till Paphnutius should have taken off the cassock which covered him down +to his feet. But the monk having declared that they should rather tear +off his flesh than this garment, they put on the tunic over it. As the +two girls were pretty, they were not afraid of men, although they were +slaves. They laughed at the strange appearance of the monk thus clad. +Crobyle called him her dear satrap, as she presented him with the +mirror, and Myrtale pulled his beard. But Paphnutius prayed to the Lord, +and did not look at them. Having tied on the gilt sandals, and fastened +the purse to his belt, he said to Nicias, who was looking at him with an +amused expression-- + +“O Nicias, let not these things be an offence in your eyes. For know +that I shall make pious use of this tunic, this purse, and these +sandals.” + +“My dear friend,” replied Nicias, “I suspect no evil, for I believe that +men are equally incapable of doing evil or doing good. Good and evil +exist only in the opinion. The wise man has only custom and usage to +guide him in his acts. I conform with all the prejudices which prevail +at Alexandria. That is why I pass for an honest man. Go, friend, and +enjoy yourself.” + +But Paphnutius thought that it was needful to inform his host of his +intention. + +“Do you know Thais,” he said, “who acts in the games at the theatre?” + +“She is beautiful,” replied Nicias, “and there was a time when she was +dear to me. For her sake, I sold a mill and two fields of corn, and I +composed in her honour three books full of detestably bad verses. Surely +beauty is the most powerful force in the world, and were we so made that +we could possess it always, we should care as little as may be for +the demiurgos, the logos, the aeons, and all the other reveries of the +philosophers. But I am surprised, my good Paphnutius, that you should +have come from the depths of the Thebaid to talk about Thais.” + +Having said this, he sighed gently. And Paphnutius gazed at him with +horror, not conceiving it possible that a man should so calmly avow such +a sin. He expected to see the earth open, and Nicias swallowed up in +flames. But the earth remained solid, and the Alexandrian silent, his +forehead resting on his hand, and he smiling sadly at the memories of +his past youth. The monk rose, and continued in solemn tones-- + +“Know then, O Nicias, that, with the aid of God, I will snatch this +woman Thais from the unclean affections of the world, and give her as +a spouse to Jesus Christ. If the Holy Spirit does not forsake me, Thais +will leave this city and enter a nunnery.” + +“Beware of offending Venus,” replied Nicias. “She is a powerful goddess, +she will be angry with you if you take away her chief minister.” + +“God will protect me,” said Paphnutius. “May He also illumine thy heart, +O Nicias, and draw thee out of the abyss in which thou art plunged.” + +And he stalked out of the room. But Nicias followed him, and overtook +him on the threshold, and placing his hand on his shoulder whispered +into his ear the same words-- + +“Beware of offending Venus; her vengeance is terrible.” + +Paphnutius, disdainful of these trivial words, left without turning his +head. He felt only contempt for Nicias; but what he could not bear was +the idea that his former friend had received the caresses of Thais. It +seemed to him that to sin with that woman was more detestable than to +sin with any other. To him this appeared the height of iniquity, and he +henceforth looked upon Nicias as an object of execration. He had always +hated impurity, but never before had this vice appeared so heinous to +him; never before had it so seemed to merit the anger of Jesus Christ +and the sorrow of the angels. + +He felt only a more ardent desire to save Thais from the Gentiles, +and that he must hasten to see the actress in order to save her. +Nevertheless, before he could enter her house, he must wait till the +heat of the day was over, and now the morning had hardly finished. +Paphnutius wandered through the most frequented streets. He had resolved +to take no food that day, in order to be the less unworthy of the +favours he had asked of the Lord. To the great grief of his soul, he +dared not enter any of the churches in the city, because he knew they +were profaned by the Arians, who had overturned the Lord’s table. For, +in fact, these heretics, supported by the Emperor of the East, had +driven the patriarch Athanasius from his episcopate, and sown trouble +and confusion among the Christians of Alexandria. + +He therefore wandered about aimlessly, sometimes with his eyes fixed on +the ground in humility, and sometimes raised to heaven in ecstasy. After +some time, he found himself on the quay. Before him lay the harbour, +in which were sheltered innumerable ships and galleys, and beyond them, +smiling in blue and silver, lay the perfidious sea. A galley, which bore +a Nereid at its prow, had just weighed anchor. The rowers sang as the +oars struck the water; and already the white daughter of the waters, +covered with humid pearls, showed no more than a flying profile to the +monk. Steered by her pilot, she cleared the passage leading from the +basin of the Eunostos, and gained the high seas, leaving a glittering +trail behind her. + +“I also,” thought Paphnutius, “once desired to embark singing on the +ocean of the world. But I soon saw my folly, and the Nereid did not +carry me away.” + +Lost in his thoughts, he sat down upon a coil of rope, and went to +sleep. During his sleep, he had a vision. He seemed to hear the sound of +a clanging trumpet, and the sky became blood red, and he knew that the +day of judgment had come. Whilst he was fervently praying to God, he saw +an enormous monster coming towards him, bearing on its forehead a cross +of light, and he recognised the sphinx of Silsile. The monster seized +him between its teeth, without hurting him, and carried him in its +mouth, as a cat carries a kitten. Paphnutius was thus conveyed across +many countries, crossing rivers and traversing mountains, and came at +last to a desert place, covered with scowling rocks and hot cinders. The +ground was rent in many places, and through these openings came a hot +air. The monster gently put Paphnutius down on the ground, and said-- + +“Look!” + +And Paphnutius, leaning over the edge of the abyss, saw a river of fire +which flowed in the interior of the earth, between two cliffs of black +rocks. There, in a livid light, the demons tormented the souls of the +damned. The souls preserved the appearance of the bodies which had held +them, and even wore some rags of clothing. These souls seemed peaceful +in the midst of their torments. One of them, tall and white, his eyes +closed, a white fillet across his forehead, and a sceptre in his hand, +sang; his voice filled the desert shores with harmony; he sang of gods +and heroes. Little green devils pierced his lips and throat with red-hot +irons. And the shade of Homer still sang. Near by, old Anaxagoras, bald +and hoary, traced figures in the dust with a compass. A demon poured +boiling oil into his ear, yet failed, however, to disturb the sage’s +meditations. And the monk saw many other persons, who, on the dark +shore by the side of the burning river, read, or quietly meditated, or +conversed with other spirits while walking,--like the sages and pupils +under the shadow of the sycamore trees of Academe. Old Timocles alone +had withdrawn from the others, and shook his head like a man who denies. +One of the demons of the abyss shook a torch before his eyes, but +Timocles would see neither the demon nor the torch. + +Mute with surprise at this spectacle, Paphnutius turned to the monster. +It had disappeared, and, in place of the sphinx, the monk saw a veiled +woman, who said-- + +“Look and understand. Such is the obstinacy of these infidels, that, +even in hell, they remain victims of the illusions which deluded them +when on earth. Death has not undeceived them; for it is very plain that +it does not suffice merely to die in order to see God. Those who are +ignorant of the truth whilst living, will be ignorant of it always. The +demons which are busy torturing these souls, what are they but agents of +divine justice? That is why these souls neither see them nor feel them. +They were ignorant of the truth, and therefore unaware of their own +condemnation, and God Himself cannot compel them to suffer. + +“God can do all things,” said the Abbot of Antinoe. + +“He cannot do that which is absurd,” replied the veiled woman. “To +punish them, they must first be enlightened, and if they possessed the +truth, they would be like unto the elect.” + +Vexed and horrified, Paphnutius again bent over the edge of the abyss. +He saw the shade of Nicias smiling, with a wreath of flowers on his +head, sitting under a burnt myrtle tree. By his side was Aspasia of +Miletus, gracefully draped in a woollen cloak, and they seemed to talk +together of love and philosophy; the expression of her face was sweet +and noble. The rain of fire which fell on them was as a refreshing dew, +and their feet pressed the burning soil as though it had been tender +grass. At this sight Paphnutius was filled with fury. + +“Strike him, O God! strike him!” he cried. “It is Nicias! Let him weep! +let him groan! let him grind his teeth! He sinned with Thais!” + +And Paphnutius woke in the arms of a sailor, as strong as Hercules, who +cried-- + +“Quietly! quietly! my friend! By Proteus, the old shepherd of the seals, +you slumber uneasily. If I had not caught hold of you, you would have +tumbled into the Eunostos. It is as true as that my mother sold salt +fish, that I saved your life.” + +“I thank God,” replied Paphnutius. + +And, rising to his feet, he walked straight before him, meditating on +the vision which had come to him whilst he was asleep. + +“This vision,” he said to himself, “is plainly an evil one; it is an +insult to divine goodness to imagine hell is unreal. The dream certainly +came from the devil.” + +He reasoned thus because he knew how to distinguish between the dreams +sent by God and those produced by evil angels. Such discernment is +useful to the hermit, who lives surrounded by apparitions, and who, +in avoiding men, is sure to meet with spirits. The deserts are full of +phantoms. When the pilgrims drew near the ruined castle, to which the +holy hermit, Anthony, had retired, they heard a noise like that which +goes up from the public square of a large city at a great festival. The +noise was made by the devils, who were tempting the holy man. + +Paphnutius remembered this memorable example. He also called to mind +St. John the Egyptian, who for sixty years was tempted by the devil. +But John saw through all the tricks of the demon. One day, however, the +devil, having assumed the appearance of a man, entered the grotto of the +venerable John, and said to him, “John, you must continue to fast until +to-morrow evening.” And John, believing that it was an angel who spoke, +obeyed the voice of the demon, and fasted the next day until the vesper +hour. That was the only victory that the Prince of Darkness ever gained +over St. John the Egyptian, and that was but a trifling one. It was +therefore not astonishing that Paphnutius knew at once that the vision +which had visited him in his sleep was an evil one. + +Whilst he was gently remonstrating with God for having given him into +the power of the demons, he felt himself pushed and dragged amidst a +crowd of people who were all hurrying in the same direction. As he was +unaccustomed to walk in the streets of a city, he was shoved and knocked +from one passer to another like an inert mass; and being embarrassed by +the folds of his tunic, he was more than once on the point of falling. +Desirous of knowing where all these people could be going, he asked one +of them the cause of this hurry. + +“Do you not know, stranger,” replied he, “that the games are about to +begin, and that Thais will appear on the stage? All the citizens are +going to the theatre, and I also am going. Would you like to accompany +me?” + +It occurred to him at once that it would further his design to see Thais +in the games, and Paphnutius followed the stranger. In front of them +stood the theatre, its portico ornamented with shining masks, and its +huge circular wall covered with innumerable statues. Following the +crowd, they entered a narrow passage, at the end of which lay the +amphitheatre, glittering with light. They took their places on one of +the seats, which descended in steps to the stage, which was empty but +magnificently decorated. There was no curtain to hide the view, and on +the stage was a mound, such as used to be erected in old times to the +shades of heroes. This mound stood in the midst of a camp. Lances were +stacked in front of the tents, and golden shields hung from masts, +amidst boughs of laurel and wreaths of oak. On the stage all was +silence, but a murmur like the humming of bees in a hive rose from the +vast hemicycle filled with spectators. All their faces, reddened by the +reflection from the purple awning which waved above them, turned with +attentive curiosity towards the large, silent stage, with its tomb and +tents. The women laughed and ate lemons, and the regular theatre-goers +called gaily to one another from their seats. + +Paphnutius prayed inwardly, and refrained from uttering any vain words, +but his neighbour began to complain of the decline of the drama. + +“Formerly,” he said, “clever actors used to declaim, under a mask, the +verses of Euripides and Menander. Now they no longer recite dramas, they +act in dumb show; and of the divine spectacles with which Bacchus +was honoured in Athens, we have kept nothing but what a barbarian--a +Scythian even--could understand--attitude and gesture. The tragic mask, +the mouth of which was provided with metal tongues that increased the +sound of the voice; the cothurnus, which raised the actors to the height +of gods; the tragic majesty and the splendid verses that used to be +sung, have all gone. Pantomimists, and dancing girls with bare faces, +have replaced Paulus and Roscius. What would the Athenians of the days +of Pericles have said if they had seen a woman on the stage? It is +indecent for a woman to appear in public. We must be very degenerate to +permit it. It is as certain as that my name is Dorion, that woman is the +natural enemy of man, and a disgrace to human kind.” + +“You speak wisely,” replied Paphnutius; “woman is our worst enemy. She +gives us pleasure, and is to be feared on that account.” + +“By the immovable gods,” cried Dorion, “it is not pleasure that woman +gives to man, but sadness, trouble, and black cares. Love is the cause +of our most biting evils. Listen, stranger. When I was a young man +I visited Troezene, in Argolis, and I saw there a myrtle of a most +prodigious size, the leaves of which were covered with innumerable +pinholes. And this is what the Troezenians say about that myrtle. Queen +Phaedra, when she was in love with Hippolytos, used to recline idly all +day long under this same tree. To beguile the tedium of her weary life +she used to draw out the golden pin which held her fair locks, and +pierce with it the leaves of the sweet-scented bush. All the leaves were +riddled with holes. After she had ruined the poor young man whom +she pursued with her incestuous love, Phaedra, as you know, perished +miserably. She locked herself up in her bridal chamber, and hanged +herself by her golden girdle from an ivory peg. The gods willed that the +myrtle, the witness of her bitter misery, should continue to bear, in +its fresh leaves, the marks of the pin-holes. I picked one of these +leaves, and placed it at the head of my bed, that by the sight of it +I might take warning against the folly of love, and conform to the +doctrine of the divine Epicurus, my master, who taught that all lust is +to be feared. But, properly speaking, love is a disease of the liver, +and one is never sure of not catching the malady.” + +Paphnutius asked-- + +“Dorion, what are your pleasures?” + +Dorion replied sadly-- + +“I have only one pleasure, and, it must be confessed, that it is not a +very exciting one; it is meditation. When a man has a bad digestion, he +must not look for any others.” + +Taking advantage of these words, Paphnutius proceeded to initiate the +Epicurean into those spiritual joys which the contemplation of God +procures. He began-- + +“Hear the truth, Dorion, and receive the light.” + +But he saw then that all heads were turned towards him, and everybody +was making signs for him to be quiet. Dead silence prevailed in the +theatre, broken at last by the strains of heroic music. + +The play began. The soldiers left their tents, and were preparing to +depart, when a prodigy occurred--a cloud covered the summit of the +funeral pile. Then the cloud rolled away, and the ghost of Achilles +appeared, clad in golden armour. Extending his arms towards the +warriors, he seemed to say to them, “What! do you depart, children of +Danaos? do you return to the land I shall never behold again, and leave +my tomb without any offerings?” Already the principal Greek chieftains +pressed to the foot of the pile. Acamas, the son of Theseus, old Nestor, +Agamemnon, bearing a sceptre and with a fillet on his brow, gazed at the +prodigy. Pyrrhus, the young son of Achilles, was prostrate in the dust. +Ulysses, recognisable by the cap which covered his curly hair, showed +by his gestures that he acquiesced in the demand of the hero’s shade. He +argued with Agamemnon, and their words might be easily guessed-- + +“Achilles,” said the King of Ithaca, “is worthy to be honoured by us, +for he died gloriously for Hellas. He demands that the daughter of +Priam, the virgin Polyxena, should be immolated on his tomb. Greeks! +appease the manes of the hero, and let the son of Peleus rejoice in +Hades.” + +But the king of kings replied-- + +“Spare the Trojan virgins we have torn from the altars. Sufficient +misfortunes have already fallen on the illustrious race of Priam.” + +He spoke thus because he shared the couch of the sister of Polyxena, and +the wise Ulysses reproached him for preferring the couch of Cassandra to +the lance of Achilles. + +The Greeks showed they shared the opinion of Ulysses, by loudly clashing +their weapons. The death of Polyxena was resolved on, and the appeased +shade of Achilles vanished. The music--sometimes wild and sometimes +plaintive--followed the thoughts of the personages in the drama. The +spectators burst into applause. + +Paphnutius, who applied divine truth to everything murmured-- + +“This fable shows how cruel the worshippers of false gods were.” + +“All religions breed crimes,” replied the Epicurean. “Happily, a +Greek, who was divinely wise, has freed men from foolish terrors of the +unknown--” + +Just at that moment, Hecuba, her white hair dishevelled, her robe +tattered, came out of the tent in which she was kept captive. A long +sigh went up from the audience, when her woeful figure appeared. Hecuba +had been warned by a prophetic dream, and lamented her daughter’s fate +and her own. Ulysses approached her, and asked her to give up Polyxena. +The old mother tore her hair, dug her nails into her cheeks, and kissed +the hands of the cruel chieftain, who, with unpitying calmness, seemed +to say-- + +“Be wise, Hecuba, and yield to necessity. There are amongst us many old +mothers who weep for their children, now sleeping under the pines of +Ida.” + +And Hecuba, formerly queen of the most flourishing city in Asia, and now +a slave, bowed her unhappy head in the dust. + +Then the curtain in front of one of the tents was raised, and the virgin +Polyxena appeared. A tremor passed through all the spectators. They had +recognised Thais. Paphnutius saw again the woman he had come to seek. +With her white arm she held above her head the heavy curtain. Motionless +as a splendid statue, she stood, with a look of pride and resignation +in her violet eyes, and her resplendent beauty made a shudder of +commiseration pass through all who beheld her. + +A murmur of applause uprose, and Paphnutius, his soul agitated, and +pressing both hands to his heart, sighed-- + +“Why, O my God, hast thou given this power to one of Thy creatures?” + +Dorion was not so disturbed. He said-- + +“Certainly the atoms, which have momentarily met together to form this +woman, present a combination which is agreeable to the eye. But that is +but a freak of nature, and the atoms know not what they do. They will +some day separate with the same indifference as they came together. +Where are now the atoms which formed Lais or Cleopatra? I must confess +that women are sometimes beautiful. But they are liable to grievous +afflictions, and disgusting inconveniences. That is patent to all +thinking men, though the vulgar pay no attention to it. And women +inspire love, though it is absurd and ridiculous to love them.” + +Such were the thoughts of the philosopher and the ascetic as they +gazed on Thais. They neither of them noticed Hecuba, who turned to her +daughter, and seemed to say by her gestures-- + +“Try to soften the cruel Ulysses. Employ your tears, your beauty, and +your youth.” + +Thais--or rather Polyxena herself--let fall the curtain of the tent. She +made a step forward, and all hearts were conquered. And when, with firm +but light steps, she advanced towards Ulysses, her rhythmic movements, +which were accompanied by the sound of flutes, created in all present +such happy visions, that it seemed as though she were the divine centre +of all the harmonies of the world. All eyes were bent on her; the other +actors were obscured by her effulgence, and were not noticed. The play +continued, however. + +The prudent son of Laertes turned away his head, and hid his hand under +his mantle, in order to avoid the looks and kisses of the suppliant. The +virgin made a sign to him to fear nothing. Her tranquil gaze said-- + +“I follow you, Ulysses, and bow to necessity--because I wish to die. +Daughter of Priam, and sister of Hector, my couch, which was once worthy +of Kings, shall never receive a foreign master. Freely do I quit the +light of day.” + +Hecuba, lying motionless in the dust, suddenly rose and enfolded her +daughter in a last despairing embrace. Polyxena gently, but resolutely, +removed the old arms which held her. She seemed to say-- + +“Do not expose yourself, mother, to the fury of your master. Do not wait +until he drags you ignominiously on the ground in tearing me from your +arms. Better, O well-beloved mother, to give me your wrinkled hand, and +bend your hollow cheeks to my lips.” + +The face of Thais looked beautiful in its grief. The crowd felt grateful +to her for showing them the forms and passions of life endowed with +superhuman grace, and Paphnutius pardoned her present splendour on +account of her coming humility, and glorified himself in advance for the +saint he was about to give to heaven. + +The drama neared its end. Hecuba fell as though dead, and Polyxena, led +by Ulysses, advanced towards the tomb, which was surrounded by the +chief warriors. A dirge was sung as she mounted the funeral pile, on the +summit of which the son of Achilles poured out libations from a gold +cup to the manes of the hero. When the sacrificing priests stretched out +their arms to seize her, she made a sign that she wished to die free and +unbound, as befitted the daughter of so many kings. Then, tearing aside +her robe, she bared her bosom to the blow. Pyrrhus, turning away his +head, plunged his sword into her heart, and by a skilful trick, the +blood gushed forth over the dazzling white breast of the virgin, who, +with head thrown back, and her eyes swimming in the horrors of death, +fell with grace and modesty. + +Whilst the warriors enshrouded the victim with a veil, and covered her +with lilies and anemones, terrified screams and groans rent the air, and +Paphnutius, rising from his seat, prophesied in a loud voice. + +“Gentiles? vile worshippers of demons! And you Arians more infamous than +the idolaters!--learn! That which you have just seen is an image and a +symbol. There is a mystic meaning in this fable, and very soon the woman +you see there will be offered, a willing and happy sacrifice, to the +risen God.” + +But already the crowd was surging in dark waves towards the exits. The +Abbot of Antinoe, escaping from the astonished Dorion, gained the door, +still prophesying. + +An hour later he knocked at the door of the house of Thais. + +The actress then lived in the rich Racotis quarter, near the tomb of +Alexander, in a house surrounded by shady gardens, in which a brook, +bordered with poplars, flowed amidst artificial rocks. An old black +slave woman, loaded with rings, opened the door, and asked what he +wanted. + +“I wish to see Thais,” he replied. “God is my witness that I came here +for no other purpose.” + +As he wore a rich tunic, and spoke in an imperious manner, the slave +allowed him to enter. + +“You will find Thais,” she said, “in the Grotto of Nymphs.” + + + + +PART THE SECOND -- THE PAPYRUS + +Thais was born of free, but poor, parents, who were idolaters. When she +was a very little girl, her father kept, at Alexandria, near the Gate +of the Moon, an inn, which was frequented by sailors. She still +retained some vivid, but disconnected, memories of her early youth. She +remembered her father, seated at the corner of the hearth with his legs +crossed--tall, formidable, and quiet, like one of those old Pharaohs who +are celebrated in the ballads sung by blind men at the street corners. +She remembered also her thin, wretched mother, wandering like a hungry +cat about the house, which she filled with the tones of her sharp +voice, and the glitter of her phosphorescent eyes. They said in the +neighbourhood that she was a witch, and changed into an owl at night, +and flew to see her lovers. It was a lie. Thais knew well, having often +watched her, that her mother practised no magic arts, but that she was +eaten up with avarice, and counted all night the gains of the day. The +idle father and the greedy mother let the child live as best it could, +like one of the fowls in the poultry-yard. She became very clever in +extracting, one by one, the oboli from the belt of some drunken sailor, +and in amusing the drinkers with artless songs and obscene words, the +meaning of which she did not know. She passed from knee to knee, in a +room reeking with the odours of fermented drinks and resiny wine-skins; +then, her cheeks sticky with beer and pricked by rough beards, she +escaped, clutching the oboli in her little hand, and ran to buy +honey-cakes from an old woman who crouched behind her baskets under the +Gate of the Moon. Every day the same scenes were repeated, the +sailors relating their perilous adventures, then playing at dice or +knuckle-bones, and blaspheming the gods, amid their shouting for the +best beer of Cilicia. + +Every night the child was awakened by the quarrels of the drunkards. +Oyster-shells would fly across the tables, cutting the heads of those +they hit, and the uproar was terrible. Sometimes she saw, by the light +of the smoky lamps, the knives glitter, and the blood flow. + +It humiliated her to think that the only person who showed her any human +kindness in her young days was the mild and gentle Ahmes. Ahmes, the +house-slave, a Nubian blacker than the pot he gravely skimmed, was as +good as a long night’s sleep. Often he would take Thais on his knee, +and tell her old tales about underground treasure-houses constructed for +avaricious kings, who put to death the masons and architects. There +were also tales about clever thieves who married kings’ daughters, and +courtesans who built pyramids. Little Thais loved Ahmes like a father, +like a mother, like a nurse, and like a dog. She followed the slave into +the cellar when he went to fill the amphorae, and into the poultry-yard +amongst the scraggy and ragged fowls, all beak, claws, and feathers, who +flew swifter than eagles before the knife of the black cook. Often at +night, on the straw, instead of sleeping, he built for Thais little +water-mills, and ships no bigger than his hand, with all their rigging. + +He had been badly treated by his masters; one of his ears was torn, +and his body covered with scars. Yet his features always wore an air of +joyous peace. And no one ever asked him whence he drew the consolation +in his soul, and the peace in his heart. He was as simple as a child. +As he performed his heavy tasks, he sang, in a harsh voice, hymns which +made the child tremble and dream. He murmured, in a gravely joyous +tone-- + + “Tell us, Mary, what thou hast seen where thou hast been? + I saw the shroud and the linen cloths, and the angels + seated on the tomb. + And I saw the glory of the Risen One.” + +She asked him-- + +“Father, why do you sing about angels seated on a tomb?” + +And he replied-- + +“Little light of my eyes, I sing of the angels because Jesus, our Lord, +is risen to heaven.” + +Ahmes was a Christian. He had been baptised, and was known as Theodore +at the meetings of the faithful, to which he went secretly during the +hours allowed him for sleep. + +At that time the Church was suffering the severest trials. By order of +the Emperor, the churches had been thrown down, the holy books burned, +the sacred vessels and candlesticks melted. The Christians had been +deprived of all their honours, and expected nothing but death. Terror +reigned over all the community at Alexandria, and the prisons were +crammed with victims. It was whispered with horror amongst the faithful, +that in Syria, in Arabia, in Mesopotamia, in Cappadocia, in all the +empire, bishops and virgins had been flogged, tortured, crucified or +thrown to wild beasts. Then Anthony, already celebrated for his visions +and his solitary life, a prophet, and the head of all the Egyptian +believers, descended like an eagle from his desert rock on the city of +Alexandria, and, flying from church to church, fired the whole community +with his holy ardour. Invisible to the pagans, he was present at the +same time at all the meetings of Christians, endowing all with the +spirit of strength and prudence by which he was animated. Slaves, in +particular, were persecuted with singular severity. Many of them, seized +with fright, denied the faith. Others, and by far the greater number, +fled to the desert, hoping to live there, either as hermits or robbers. +Ahmes, however, frequented the meetings as usual, visited the prisoners, +buried the martyrs, and joyfully professed the religion of Christ. The +great Anthony, who saw his unshaken zeal, before he returned into the +desert, pressed the black slave in his arms, and gave him the kiss of +peace. + +When Thais was seven years old, Ahmes began to talk to her of God. + +“The good Lord God,” he said, “lived in heaven like a Pharaoh, under +the tents of His harem, and under the trees of His gardens. He was the +Ancient of Ancients, and older than the world; and He had but one Son, +the Prince Jesus, whom He loved with all His heart, and who surpassed in +beauty the virgins and the angels. And the good Lord God said to Prince +Jesus-- + +“‘Leave My harem and My palace, and My date trees and My running +waters. Descend to earth for the welfare of men. There Thou shalt +be like a little child, and Thou shalt live poor amongst the poor. +Suffering shall be Thy daily bread, and Thou shalt weep so profusely +that Thy tears shall form rivers, in which the tired slave shall bathe +with delight. Go, My Son!’ + +“Prince Jesus obeyed the good Lord, and He came down to earth, to a +place named Bethlehem of Judaea. And He walked in fields, amidst the +flowering anemones, saying to His companion-- + +“‘Blessed are they who hunger, for I will lead them to My Father’s +table! Blessed are they who thirst, for they shall drink of the +fountains of heaven! Blessed are they who weep, for I will dry their +tears with veils finer than those of the almehs!’ + +“That is why the poor loved Him, and believed in Him. But the rich hated +Him; fearing that He should raise the poor above them. At that time, +Cleopatra and Caesar were powerful on the earth. They both hated Jesus, +and they ordered the judges and priests to put Him to death. To obey the +Queen of Egypt, the princes of Syria erected a cross on a high mountain, +and they caused Jesus to die on this cross. But women washed His corpse, +and buried it; and Prince Jesus, having broken the door of His tomb, +rose again to the good Lord, His Father. + +“And, from that time, all those who believed in Him go to heaven. + +“The Lord God opens His arms, and says to them-- + +“‘Ye are welcome, because ye love the Prince, My Son. Wash, and then +eat.’ + +“They bathe to the sound of beautiful music, and, all the time they are +eating, they see almehs dancing, and they listen to tales that never +end. They are dearer to the good Lord God than the light of His eyes, +because they are His guests, and they shall have for their portion the +carpets of His house, and the pomegranates of His gardens.” + +Ahmes often spoke in this strain, and thus taught the truth to Thais. +She wondered, and said-- + +“I should like to eat the pomegranates of the good Lord.” + +Ahmes replied-- + +“Only those who are baptised may taste the fruits of heaven.” + +And Thais asked to be baptised. Seeing by this that she believed in +Jesus, the slave resolved to instruct her more fully, so that, being +baptised, she might enter the Church; and he loved her as his spiritual +daughter. + +The child, unloved and uncared for by its selfish parents, had no bed +in the house. She slept in a corner of the stable amongst the domestic +animals, and there Ahmes came to her every night secretly. + +He gently approached the mat on which she lay, and sat down on his +heels, his legs bent and his body straight--a position hereditary to his +race. His face and his body, which was clothed in black, were invisible +in the darkness; but his big white eyes shone out, and there came from +them a light like a ray of dawn through the chinks of a door. He spoke +in a husky, monotonous tone, with a slight nasal twang that gave it +the soft melody of music heard at night in the streets. Sometimes the +breathing of an ass, or the soft lowing of an ox, accompanied, like a +chorus of invisible spirits, the voice of the slave as he recited the +gospels. His words flowed gently in the darkness, which they filled +with zeal, mercy, and hope; and the neophyte, her hand in that of Ahmes, +lulled by the monotonous sounds, and the vague visions in her mind, +slept calm and smiling, amid the harmonies of the dark night and the +holy mysteries, gazed down on by a star, which twinkled between the +joists of the stable-roof. + +The initiation lasted a whole year, till the time when the Christians +joyfully celebrate the festival of Easter. One night in the holy week, +Thais, who was already asleep on her mat, felt herself lifted by the +slave, whose eyes gleamed with a strange light. He was clad, not as +usual in a pair of torn drawers, but in a long white cloak, beneath +which he pressed the child, whispering to her-- + +“Come, my soul! Come, light of my eyes! Come, little sweetheart! Come +and be clad in the baptismal robes!” + +He carried the child pressed to his breast. Frightened and yet curious, +Thais, her head out of the cloak, threw her arms round her friend’s +neck, and he ran with her through the darkness. They went down narrow, +black alleys; they passed through the Jews’ quarter; they skirted a +cemetery, where the osprey uttered its dismal cry; they traversed an +open space, passing under crosses on which hung the bodies of victims, +and on the arms of the crosses the ravens clacked their beaks. Thais +hid her head in the slave’s breast. She did not dare to peep out all +the rest of the way. Soon it seemed to her that she was going down under +ground. When she reopened her eyes she found herself in a narrow cave, +lighted by resin torches, on the walls of which were painted standing +figures, which seemed to move and live in the flickering glare of the +torches. They were men clad in long tunics and carrying branches of +palm, and around them were lambs, doves, and tendrils of vine. + +Amongst these figures, Thais recognised Jesus of Nazareth, by the +anemones flowering at his feet. In the centre of the cave, near a +large stone font filled with water, stood an old man clad in a scarlet +dalmatic embroidered with gold, and on his head a low mitre. His thin +face ended in a long beard. He looked gentle and humble, in spite of +his rich costume. This was Bishop Vivantius, an exiled dignitary of the +Church of Cyrene, who now gained his livelihood by weaving common stuffs +of goats’ hair. Two poor children stood by his side. Close by, an old +negress unfolded a little white robe. Ahmes set the child down on the +ground, and kneeling before the Bishop, said-- + +“Father, this is the little soul, the child of my soul. I have brought +her that you may, according to your promise, and if it please your +holiness, bestow on her the baptism of life.” + +At these words the Bishop opened his arms, and showed his mutilated +hands. His nails had been torn out because he had maintained the faith +in the days of persecution. Thais was frightened, and threw herself into +the arms of Ahmes. But the kind words of the priest reassured her. + +“Fear nothing, dearly beloved little one. Thou hast here a spiritual +father, Ahmes, who is called Theodore amongst the faithful, and a kind +mother in grace, who has prepared for thee, with her own hands, a white +robe.” + +And turning towards the negress-- + +“She is called Nitida,” he added, “and is a slave in this world, but in +heaven she will be a spouse of Jesus.” + +Then he said to the child neophyte-- + +“Thais, dost thou believe in God, the Father Almighty; and in His only +Son, who died for our salvation; and in all that the apostles taught?” + +“Yes,” replied together the negro and negress, who held her by each +hand. + +By the Bishop’s orders, Nitida knelt down and undressed Thais. The child +was quite naked; round her neck was an amulet. The Pontiff plunged her +three times into the baptismal font. The acolytes brought the oil, with +which Vivantius anointed the catechumen, and the salt, a morsel of +which he placed on her tongue. Then, having dried that body which was +destined, after many trials, to life immortal, the slave Nitida put on +Thais the white robe she had woven. + +The Bishop gave to each and all the kiss of peace, and, the ceremony +being terminated, took off his sacerdotal insignia. + +When they had left the crypt, Ahmes said-- + +“We ought to rejoice that we have this day brought a soul to the good +Lord God; let us go to the house of your Holiness and spend the rest of +the night in rejoicing.” + +“Thou hast well said, Theodore,” replied the Bishop, and he led the +little band to his house, which was quite near. It consisted of a single +room, furnished with a couple of looms, a heavy table, and a worn-out +carpet. As soon as they had entered, + +“Nitida,” cried the Nubian, “bring hither the stove and the jar of oil, +and we will have a good supper.” + +Saying thus, he drew from under his cloak some little fish which he had +kept concealed, and lighted a fire and fried them. The Bishop, the girl, +the two boys, and the two slaves sat in a ring on the carpet, ate the +fried fish, and blessed the Lord. Vivantius spoke of the torture he had +undergone, and prophesied the speedy triumph of the Church. His language +was grotesque, and full of word-play and rhetorical tropes. He compared +the life of the just to a tissue of purple, and to explain the mystery +of baptism, he said-- + +“The Divine Spirit floated on the waters, and that is why Christians +receive the baptism of water. But demons also inhabit the brooks; +springs consecrated to nymphs are especially dangerous, and there are +certain waters which cause various maladies, both of the soul and of the +body.” + +Sometimes he spoke enigmatically, and the child listened to him with +profound awe and wonder. At the end of the repast he offered his guests +a little wine, and this unloosed their tongues, and they began to sing +lamentations and hymns. Ahmes and Nitida then rose, and danced a Nubian +dance which they had learned as children, and which, no doubt, had been +danced by their tribe since the early ages of the world. It was a love +dance; waving their arms, and moving their bodies in rhythmic measure, +they feigned, in turn, to fly from and to pursue each other. Their big +eyes rolled, and they showed their gleaming teeth in broad grins. + +In this strange manner did Thais receive the holy rite of baptism. + +She loved amusements, and, as she grew, vague desires were created in +her mind. All day long she danced and sang with the children in the +streets, and when at night she returned to her father’s house, she was +still singing-- + +“Crooked twist, why do you stay in the house? I comb the wool, and the +Miletan threads. Crooked twist, what did your son die of? He fell from +the white horses into the sea.” + +She now began to prefer the company of boys and girls to that of the +gentle and quiet Ahmes. She did not notice that her friend was not so +often with her. The persecution having relented, the Christians were +able to assemble more regularly, and the Nubian frequented these +meetings assiduously. His zeal increased, and he sometimes uttered +mysterious threats. He said that the rich would not keep their wealth. +He went to the public places to which the poorer Christians used to +resort, and assembling together all the poor wretches who were lying in +the shade of the old walls, he announced to them that all slaves would +soon be free, and that the day of justice was at hand. + +“In the kingdom of God,” he said, “the slaves will drink new wine and +eat delicious fruits; whilst the rich, crouching at their feet like +dogs, will devour the crumbs from their table.” + +These sayings were noised abroad through all that quarter of the city, +and the masters feared that Ahmes might incite the slaves to revolt. +The innkeeper hated him intensely, though he carefully concealed his +rancour. + +One day, a silver salt-cellar, reserved for the table of the gods, +disappeared from the inn. Ahmes was accused of having stolen it--out of +hate to his master and to the gods of the empire. There was no proof +of the accusation, and the slave vehemently denied the charge. +Nevertheless, he was dragged before the tribunal, and as he had the +reputation of being a bad servant, the judge condemned him to death. + +“As you did not know how to make a good use of your hands,” he said, +“they will be nailed to the cross.” + +Ahmes heard the verdict quietly, bowed to the judge most respectfully, +and was taken to the public prison. During the three days that remained +to him, he did not cease to preach the gospel to the prisoners, and +it was related afterwards that the criminals, and the gaoler himself, +touched by his words, believed in Jesus crucified. + +He was taken to the very place which one night, less than two years +before, he had crossed so joyfully, carrying in his cloak little Thais, +the daughter of his soul, his darling flower. When his hands were nailed +to the cross, he uttered no complaint, but many times he sighed and +murmured, “I thirst.” + +His agony lasted three days and three nights. It seemed hardly possible +that human flesh could have endured such prolonged torture. Many times +it was thought he was dead; the flies clustered on his eyelids, but +suddenly he would reopen his bloodshot eyes. On the morning of the +fourth day, he sang, in a voice clearer and purer than that of a child-- + +“Tell us, Mary, what thou hast seen where thou hast been?” + +Then he smiled and said-- + +“They come, the angels of the good Lord. They bring me wine and fruit. +How refreshing is the fanning of their wings!” + +And he expired. + +His features preserved in death an expression of ecstatic happiness. +Even the soldiers who guarded the cross were struck with wonder. +Vivantius, accompanied by some of the Christian brethren, claimed the +body, and buried it with the remains of the other martyrs in the crypt +of St. John the Baptist, and the Church venerated the memory of Saint +Theodore the Nubian. + +Three years later, Constantine, the conquerer of Maxentius, issued an +edict which granted toleration to the Christians, and the believers were +not henceforth persecuted, except by heretics. + +Thais had completed her eleventh year when her friend was tortured +to death, and she felt deeply saddened and shocked. Her soul was not +sufficiently pure to allow her to understand that the slave Ahmes was +blessed both in his life and his death. The idea sprang up in her little +mind that no one can be good in this world except at the cost of +the most terrible sufferings. And she was afraid to be good, for her +delicate flesh could not bear pain. + +At an early age, she had given herself to the lads about the port, and +she followed the old men who wandered about the quarter in the evening, +and with what she received from them she bought cakes and trinkets. + +As she did not take home any of the money she gained, her mother +continually ill-treated her. To get out of reach of her mother’s arm, +she often ran, bare-footed, to the city walls, and hid with the lizards. +There she thought with envy of the ladies she had seen pass her, richly +dressed, and in a litter surrounded by slaves. + +One day, when she had been beaten more brutally than usual, she was +crouching down beside the gate, motionless and sulky, when an old woman +stopped in front of her, looked at her for some moments in silence, and +then cried-- + +“Oh, the pretty flower! the beautiful child! Happy is the father who +begot thee, and the mother who brought thee into the world!” + +Thais remained silent, with her eyes fixed on the ground. Her eyelids +were red, and it was evident she had been weeping. + +“My white violet,” continued the old woman, “is not your mother happy to +have nourished a little goddess like you, and does not your father, when +he sees you, rejoice from the bottom of his heart?” + +To which the child replied, as though talking to herself-- + +“My father is a wine-skin swollen with wine, and my mother a greedy +horse-leech.” + +The old woman glanced to right and left, to see if she were observed. +Then, in a fawning voice-- + +“Sweet flowering hyacinth, beautiful drinker of light, come with me, +and you shall have nothing to do but dance and smile. I will feed you on +honey cakes, and my son--my own son--will love you as his eyes. My son +is handsome and young; he has but little beard on his chin; his skin is +soft, and he is, as they say, a little Acharnian pig.” + +Thais replied-- + +“I am quite willing to go with you.” + +And she rose and followed the old woman out of the city. + +The old woman, who was named Moeroe, went from city to city with a +troupe of girls and boys, whom she taught to dance, and then hired out +to rich people to appear at feasts. + +Guessing that Thais would soon develop into a most beautiful woman, she +taught her--with the help of a whip--music and prosody, and she flogged +with leather thongs those beautiful legs, when they did not move in time +to the strains of the cithara. Her son--a decrepit abortion, of no age +and no sex--ill-treated the child, on whom he vented the hate he had for +all womankind. Like the dancing-girls whose grace he affected, he knew, +and taught Thais, the art of pantomime, and how to mimic, by expression, +gesture, and attitude, all human passions, and more especially the +passions of love. He was a clever master, though he disliked his work; +but he was jealous of his pupil, and as soon as he discovered that she +was born to give men pleasure, he scratched her cheeks, pinched her +arms, or pricked her legs, as a spiteful girl would have done. Thanks, +however, to his lessons, she quickly became an excellent musician, +pantomimist, and dancer. The brutality of her master did not at all +surprise her; it seemed natural to her to be badly treated. She even +felt some respect for the old woman, who knew music and drank Greek +wine. Moeroe, when she came to Antioch, praised her pupil to the +rich merchants of the city who gave banquets, both as a dancer and +a flute-player. Thais danced and pleased. She accompanied the rich +bankers, when they left the table, into the shady groves on the banks of +the Orontes. She gave herself to all, for she knew nothing of the price +of love. But one night that she had danced before the most fashionable +young men of the city, the son of the pro-consul came to her, radiant +with youth and pleasure, and said, in a voice that seemed redolent of +kisses-- + +“Why am I not, Thais, the wreath which crowns your hair, the tunic which +enfolds your beautiful form, the sandal on your pretty foot? I wish you +to tread me under foot as a sandal; I wish my caresses to be your tunic +and your wreath. Come, sweet girl! come to my house, and let us forget +the world.” + +She looked at him whilst he was speaking, and saw that he was handsome. +Suddenly she felt a cold sweat on her face. She turned green as grass; +she reeled; a cloud descended before her eyes. He again implored her to +come with him, but she refused. His ardent looks, his burning words were +vain, and when he took her in his arms to try and drag her away, she +pushed him off rudely. Then he implored her, and shed tears. But a +new, unknown, and invincible passion dominated her heart, and she still +resisted. + +“What madness!” said the guests. “Lollius is noble, handsome, and rich, +and a dancing-girl treats him with scorn!” + +Lollius returned home alone that night, quite love-sick. He came in the +morning, pale and red-eyed, and hung flowers at the dancing-girl’s door. + +But Thais was frightened and troubled; she avoided Lollius, and yet +he was continually in her mind. She suffered, and she did not know the +cause of her complaint. She wondered why she had thus changed, and why +she was melancholy. She recoiled from all her lovers; they were hateful +to her. She loathed the light of day, and lay on her bed all day, +sobbing, and with her head buried in the pillows. Lollius contrived to +gain admittance, and came many times, but neither his pleadings nor his +execrations had any effect on the obdurate girl. In his presence, she +was as timid as a virgin, and would say nothing but-- + +“I will not! I will not!” + +But at the end of a fortnight she gave in, for she knew that she loved +him; she went to his house and lived with him. They were supremely +happy. They passed their days shut up together, gazing into each other’s +eyes, and babbling a childish jargon. In the evening, they walked on the +lonely banks of the Orontes, and lost themselves in the laurel woods. +Sometimes they rose at dawn, to go and gather hyacinths on the slopes of +Sulpicus. They drank from the same cup, and he would take a grape from +between her lips with his mouth. + +Moeroe came to Lollius, and cried and shrieked that Thais should be +restored to her. + +“She is my daughter,” she said, “my daughter, who has been torn from me. +My perfumed flower--my own bowels--!” + +Lollius gave her a large sum of money, and sent her away. But, as she +came back to demand some more gold staters, the young man had her put +in prison, and the magistrates having discovered that she was guilty of +many crimes, she was condemned to death, and thrown to the wild beasts. + +Thais loved Lollius with all the passion of her mind, and the +bewilderment of innocence. She told him, and told him truly from the +bottom of her heart-- + +“I have never loved any one but you.” + +Lollius replied-- + +“You are not like any other woman.” + +The spell lasted six months, but it broke at last. Thais suddenly felt +that her heart was empty and lonely. Lollius no longer seemed the same +to her. She thought-- + +“What can have thus changed me in an instant? How is it that he is now +like any other man, and no longer like himself?” + +She left him, not without a secret desire to find Lollius again in +another, as she no longer found him in himself. She thought it would be +less dull to live with someone she had never loved, than with one she +had ceased to love. She appeared, in the company of rich debauchees, at +those sacred feasts at which naked virgins danced in the temples, and +troops of courtesans swam across the Orontes. She took part in all the +pleasures of the fashionable and depraved city; and she assiduously +frequented the theatres, at which clever mimes from all countries +performed amidst the applause of a crowd greedy for excitement. + +She carefully observed the mimes, dancers, comedians, and especially the +women, who in tragedies represented goddesses in love with young men, or +mortals loved by the gods. Having discovered the secrets by which they +pleased the audience, she thought to herself that she was more beautiful +and could act better. She went to the manager, and asked to be admitted +into the troupe. Thanks to her beauty, and to the lessons she had +received from old Moeroe, she was received, and appeared on the stage in +the part of Dirce. + +She met with but indifferent success, for she was inexperienced, and the +admiration of the spectators had not been aroused by hearing her praises +sung. But after she had played small parts for a few months, the power +of her beauty burst forth with such effect that all the city was moved. +All Antioch crowded to the theatre. The imperial magistrates and the +chief citizens were compelled, by the force of public opinion, to show +themselves there. The porters, sweepers, and dock labourers went without +bread and garlic, that they might pay for their places. Poets composed +epigrams in her honour. Bearded philosophers inveighed against her in +the baths and gymnasia; when her litter passed, Christian priests turned +away their heads. The threshold of her door was wreathed with flowers, +and sprinkled with blood. She received so much money from her lovers +that it was no longer counted, but measured by the medimnus, and all the +treasure hoarded by miserly old men was poured out at her feet. But +she was placid and unmoved. She rejoiced, with quiet pride, in the +admiration of the public and the favour of the gods, and was so much +loved that she loved herself. + +After she had several years enjoyed the admiration and affection of the +Antiochians, she was taken with a desire to revisit Alexandria, and show +her glory in that city in which, as a child, she had wandered in want +and shame, hungry and lean as a grasshopper in the middle of a dusty +road. The golden city joyfully welcomed her, and loaded her with fresh +riches; when she appeared in the games it was a triumph. Countless +admirers and lovers came to her. She received them with indifference, +for she at last despaired of meeting another Lollius. + +Amongst many others, she met the philosopher Nicias, who desired to +possess her, although he professed to have no desires. In spite of +his riches, he was intelligent and modest. But his delicate wit and +beautiful sentiments failed to charm her. She did not love him and +sometimes his refined irony even irritated her. His perpetual doubts +hurt her, for he believed in nothing, and she believed in everything. +She believed in divine providence, in the omnipotence of evil spirits, +in spells, exorcisms, and eternal justice; she believed in Jesus Christ, +and in the goddess of good of the Syrians; she believed also that +bitches barked when black Hecate passed through the streets, and that a +woman could inspire love by pouring a philtre into a cup wrapped in the +bleeding skin of a sheep. She thirsted for the unknown; she called on +nameless gods, and lived in perpetual expectation. The future frightened +her, and yet she wished to know it. She surrounded herself with priests +of Isis, Chaldean magi, pharmacopolists, and professors of the black +arts, who invariably deceived her, though she never tired of being +deceived. She feared death, and she saw it everywhere. When she yielded +to pleasure, it seemed to her that an icy finger would suddenly touch +her on the bare shoulder, and she turned pale, and cried with terror, in +the arms which embraced her. + +Nicias said to her-- + +“What does it matter, O my Thais, whether we descend to eternal night +with white locks and hollow cheeks, or, whether this very day, now +laughing to the vast sky, shall be our last? Let us enjoy life; we +shall have greatly lived if we have greatly loved. There is no knowledge +except that of the senses; to love is to understand. That which we +do not know does not exist. What good is it to worry ourselves about +nothing?” + +She replied angrily-- + +“I despise men like you, who hope for nothing and fear nothing. I wish +to know! I wish to know!” + +In order to understand the secret of life, she set to work to read the +books of the philosophers, but she did not understand them. The further +the years of her childhood receded from her, the more anxious she was +to recall them. She loved to traverse at night, in disguise, the alleys, +squares, and places where she had grown up so miserably. She was sorry +she had lost her parents, and especially that she had not been able +to love them. When she met any Christian priest, she thought of her +baptism, and felt troubled. One night, when enveloped in a long +cloak, and her fair hair hidden under a black hood, she was wandering, +according to custom, about the suburbs of the city, she found +herself--without knowing how she came there--before the poor little +church of St. John the Baptist. They were singing inside the church, +and a bright light glimmered through the chinks of the door. There was +nothing strange in that, as, for the past twenty years, the Christians, +protected by the conqueror of Maxentius, had publicly solemnised their +festivals. But these hymns seemed more like an ardent appeal to the +soul. As if she had been invited to the mysteries, she pushed the +door open with her arm, and entered the building. She found a numerous +assembly of women, children, and old men, on their knees before a tomb, +which stood against the wall. The tomb was nothing but a stone coffer, +roughly sculptured with vine tendrils and bunches of grapes; yet it had +received great honours, and was covered with green palms and wreaths +of red roses. All round, innumerable lights gleamed out of the heavy +shadow, in which the smoke of Arabian gums seemed like the folds of +angels’ robes, and the paintings on the walls visions of Paradise. +Priests, clad in white, were prostrate at the foot of the sarcophagus. +The hymns they sang with the people expressed the delight of suffering, +and mingled, in a triumphal mourning, so much joy with so much grief, +that Thais, in listening to them, felt the pleasures of life and the +terrors of death flowing, at the same time, through her re-awakened +senses. + +When they had finished singing, the believers rose, and walked in single +file to the tomb, the side of which they kissed. They were common men, +accustomed to work with their hands. They advanced with a heavy step, +the eyes fixed, the jaw dropped, but they had an air of sincerity. They +knelt down, each in turn, before the sarcophagus, and put their lips +to it. The women lifted their little children in their arms, and gently +placed their cheek to the stone. + +Thais, surprised and troubled, asked a deacon why they did so. + +“Do you not know, woman,” replied the deacon, “that we celebrate to-day +the blessed memory of St. Theodore the Nubian, who suffered for the +faith in the days of the Emperor Diocletian? He lived virtuously and +died a martyr, and that is why, robed in white, we bear red roses to his +glorious tomb.” + +On hearing these words, Thais fell on her knees, and burst into tears. +Half-forgotten recollections of Ahmes returned to her mind. On the +memory of this obscure, gentle, and unfortunate man, the blaze of +candles, the perfume of roses, the clouds of incense, the music of +hymns, the piety of souls, threw all the charms of glory. Thais thought +in the dazzling glare-- + +“He was good, and now he has become great and glorious. Why is it that +he is elevated above other men? What is this unknown thing which is more +than riches or pleasure?” + +She rose slowly, and turned towards the tomb of the saint who had loved +her, those violet eyes, now filled with tears which glittered in the +candle-light; then, with bowed head, humble, slow, and the last, with +those lips on which so many desires hung, she kissed the stone of the +slave’s tomb. + +When she returned to her house, she found Nicias, who, with his hair +perfumed, and his tunic thrown open, was reading a treatise on morals +whilst waiting for her. He advanced with open arms. + +“Naughty Thais,” he said, in a laughing voice, “whilst I was waiting for +you to come, do you know what I saw in this manuscript, written by the +gravest of Stoics? Precepts of virtue and noble maxims: No! On the staid +papyrus, I saw dance thousands and thousands of little Thaises. Each was +no bigger than my finger, and yet their grace was infinite, and all were +the only Thais. There were some who flaunted in mantles of purple and +gold; others, like a white cloud, floated in the air in transparent +drapery. Others again, motionless and divinely nude, the better to +inspire pleasure, expressed no thought. Lastly, there were two, hand in +hand; two so alike that it was impossible to distinguish one from +the other. Both smiled. The first said, ‘I am love.’ The other, ‘I am +death.’” + +Thus speaking, he pressed Thais in his arms, and not noticing the +sullen look in her downcast eyes, he went on adding thought to thought, +heedless of the fact that they were all lost upon her. + +“Yes, when I had before my eyes the line in which it was written, +‘Nothing should deter you from improving your mind,’ I read, ‘The kisses +of Thais are warmer than fire, and sweeter than honey.’ That is how +a philosopher reads the books of other philosophers--and that is your +fault, you naughty child. It is true that, as long as we are what we +are, we shall never find anything but our own thoughts in the thoughts +of others, and that all of us are somewhat inclined to read books as I +have read this one.” + +She did not hear him; her soul was still before the Nubian’s tomb. As he +heard her sigh, he kissed her on the neck, and said-- + +“Do not be sad, my child. We are never happy in this world, except when +we forget the world. + +“Come, let us cheat life--it is sure to take its revenge. Come, let us +love!” + +But she pushed him away. + +“_We_ love!” she cried bitterly. “_You_ never loved any one. And _I_ +do not love _you_! No! I do not love you! I hate you! Go! I hate you! +I curse and despise all who are happy, and all who are rich! Go! Go! +Goodness is only found amongst the unfortunate. When I was a child I +knew a black slave who died on the cross. He was good; he was filled +with love, and he knew the secret of life. You are not worthy to wash +his feet. Go! I never wish to see you again!” + +She threw herself on her face on the carpet, and passed the night +sobbing and weeping, and forming resolutions to live, in future, like +Saint Theodore, in poverty and humbleness. + +The next day, she devoted herself again to those pleasures to which she +was addicted. As she knew that her beauty, though still intact, would +not last very long, she hastened to derive all the enjoyment and all the +fame she could from it. At the theatre, where she acted and studied more +than ever, she gave life to the imagination of sculptors, painters, and +poets. Recognising that there was in the attitudes, movements, and walk +of the actress, an idea of the divine harmony which rules the spheres, +wise men and philosophers considered that such perfect grace was +a virtue in itself, and said, “Thais also is a geometrician!” The +ignorant, the poor, the humble, and the timid before whom she consented +to appear, regarded her as a blessing from heaven. Yet she was sad +amidst all the praise she received, and dreaded death more than ever. +Nothing was able to set her mind at rest, not even her house and +gardens, which were celebrated, and a proverb throughout the city. + +The gardens were planted with trees, brought at great expense from India +and Persia. They were watered by a running brook, and colonnades in +ruins, and imitation rocks, arranged by a skilful artist, were reflected +in a lake, which also mirrored the statues that stood round it. In the +middle of the garden was the Grotto of Nymphs, which owed its name to +three life-size figures of women, which stood on the threshold. They +were represented as divesting themselves of their garments, and about to +bathe. They anxiously turned their heads, fearing to be seen, and looked +as though they were alive. The only light which entered the building +came, tempered and iridescent, through thin sheets of water. All the +walls were hung--as in the sacred grottoes--with wreaths, garlands, and +votive pictures, in which the beauty of Thais was celebrated. There +were also tragic and comic masks, bright with colours; and paintings +representing theatrical scenes or grotesque figures, or fabulous +animals. On a stele in the centre stood a little ivory Eros of wonderful +antique workmanship. It was a gift from Nicias. In one of the bays was a +figure of a goat in black marble, with shining agate eyes. Six alabaster +kids crowded round its teats; but, raising its cloven hoofs and its ugly +head, it seemed impatient to climb the rocks. The floor was covered with +Byzantine carpets, pillows embroidered by the yellow men of Cathay, and +the skins of Libyan lions. Perfumed smoke arose from golden censers. +Flowering plants grew in large onyx vases. And at the far end, in the +purple shadow, gleamed the gold nails on the shell of a huge Indian +tortoise turned upside down, which served as the bed of the actress. It +was here that every day, to the murmur of the water, and amid perfumes +and flowers, Thais reclined softly, and conversed with her friends, +while awaiting the hour of supper, or meditated in solitude on +theatrical art, or on the flight of years. + +On the afternoon after the games, Thais was reposing in the Grotto of +Nymphs. She had noticed in her mirror the first signs of the decay of +her beauty, and she was frightened to think that white hair and wrinkles +would at last come. She vainly tried to comfort herself with the +assurance that she could recover her fresh complexion by burning certain +herbs and pronouncing a few magic words. A pitiless voice cried, “You +will grow old Thais; you will grow old.” And a cold sweat of terror +bedewed her forehead. Then, on looking at herself again in the mirror +with infinite tenderness, she found that she was still beautiful and +worthy to be loved. She smiled to herself, and murmured, “There is not a +woman in Alexandria who can rival me in suppleness or grace or movement, +or in splendour of arms, and the arms, my mirror, are the real chains of +love!” + +While she was thus thinking she saw an unknown man--thin, with burning +eyes and unkempt beard, and clad in a richly embroidered robe--standing +before her. She let fall her mirror, and uttered a cry of fright. + +Paphnutius stood motionless, and seeing how beautiful she was, he +murmured this prayer from the bottom of his heart-- + +“Grant, my God, that the face of this woman may not be a temptation, but +may prove salutary to Thy servant.” + +Then, forcing himself to speak, he said-- + +“Thais, I live in a far country, and the fame of thy beauty has led me +to thee. It is said that thou art the most clever of actresses and the +most irresistible of women. That which is related of thy riches and thy +love affairs seems fabulous, and calls to mind the old story of Rhodope, +whose marvellous history is known by heart to all the boatmen on the +Nile. Therefore I was seized with a desire to know thee, and I see that +the truth surpasses the rumour. Thou art a thousand times more clever +and more beautiful than is reported. And now that I see thee, I say +to myself, ‘It is impossible to approach her without staggering like a +drunken man.’” + +The words were feigned; but the monk, animated by pious zeal, uttered +them with real warmth. Thais gazed, without displeasure, at this strange +being who had frightened her. The rough, wild aspect, and the fiery +glances of his eyes, astonished her. She was curious to learn the state +of life of a man so different from all others she had met. She replied, +with gentle raillery-- + +“You seem prompt to admire, stranger. Beware that my looks do not +consume you to the bones! Beware of loving me!” + +He said-- + +“I love thee, O Thais! I love thee more than my life, and more than +myself. For thee I have quitted the desert; for thee my lips--vowed +to silence--have pronounced profane words; for thee I have seen what I +ought not to have seen, and heard what it was forbidden to me to hear; +for thee my soul is troubled, my heart is open, and the thoughts gush +out like the running springs at which the pigeons drink; for thee I +have walked day and night across sandy deserts teeming with reptiles and +vampires; for thee I have placed my bare foot on vipers and scorpions! +Yes, I love thee! I love thee, but not like those men who, burning with +the lusts of the flesh, come to thee like devouring wolves or furious +bulls. Thou art dear to them as is the gazelle to the lion. Their +ravening lusts will consume thee to the soul, O woman! I love thee in +spirit and in truth; I love thee in God, and for ever and ever; that +which is in my breast is named true zeal and divine charity. I promise +thee better things than drunkenness crowned with flowers or the dreams +of a brief night. I promise thee holy feasts and celestial suppers. +The happiness that I bring thee will never end; it is unheard-of, it +is ineffable, and such that if the happy of this world could only see a +shadow of it they would die of wonder.” + +Thais laughed mischievously. + +“Friend,” she said, “show me this wonderful love. Make haste! Long +speeches would be an insult to my beauty; let us not lose a moment. I am +impatient to taste the felicity you announce; but, to say the truth, I +fear that I shall always remain ignorant of it, and that all you have +promised me will vanish in words. It is easier to promise a great +happiness than to give it. Everyone has a talent of some sort. I fancy +that yours is to make long speeches. You speak of an unknown love. It +is so long since kisses were first exchanged that it would be very +extraordinary if there still remained secrets in love. On this subject +lovers know more than philosophers.” + +“Do not jest, Thais. I bring thee the unknown love.” + +“Friend, you come too late. I know every kind of love.” + +“The love that I bring thee abounds with glory, whilst the loves that +thou knowest breed only shame.” + +Thais looked at him with an angry eye, a frown gathered on her beautiful +face. + +“You are very bold, stranger, to offend your hostess. Look at me, and +say if I resemble a creature crushed down with shame. No, I am not +ashamed, and all others who live like me are not ashamed either, +although they are not so beautiful or so rich as I am. I have sown +pleasure in my footsteps, and I am celebrated for that all over the +world. I am more powerful than the masters of the world. I have seen +them at my feet. Look at me, look at these little feet; thousands of men +would pay with their blood for the happiness of kissing them. I am not +very big, and I do not occupy much space on the earth. To those who look +at me from the top of the Serapeium, when I pass in the street, I look +like a grain of rice; but that grain of rice has caused among men, +griefs, despairs, hates, and crimes enough to have filled Tartarus. Are +you not mad to talk to me of shame when all around proclaims my glory?” + +“That which is glory in the eyes of men, is infamy before God. O +woman, we have been nourished in countries so different, that it is not +surprising we have neither the same language nor the same thoughts! Yet +Heaven is my witness that I wish to agree with thee, and that it is my +intention not to leave thee until we share the same sentiments. Who will +inspire me with burning words that will melt thee like wax in my breath, +O woman, that the fingers of my desires may mould thee as they wish? +What virtue will deliver thee to me, O dearest of souls, that the spirit +which animates me, creating thee a second time, may imprint on thee a +fresh beauty, and that thou mayest cry, weeping for joy, ‘It is only now +that I am born’? Who will cause to gush in my heart a fount of Siloam, +in which thou mayest bathe and recover thy first purity? Who will change +me into a Jordan, the waves of which sprinkled on thee, will give thee +life eternal?” + +Thais was no longer angry. + +“This man,” she thought, “talks of life eternal and all that he says +seems written on a talisman. No doubt he is a mage, and knows secret +charms against old age and death,” and she resolved to offer herself to +him. Therefore, pretending to be afraid of him, she retired a few steps +to the end of the grotto, and sitting down on the edge of the bed, +artfully pulled her tunic across her breast; then, motionless and mute +and her eyes cast down, she waited. Her long eyelashes made a soft +shadow on her cheeks. Her entire attitude expressed modesty; her naked +feet swung gently, and she looked like a child sitting thinking on the +bank of a brook. But Paphnutius looked at her, and did not move. His +trembling knees hardly supported him, his tongue dried in his mouth, a +terrible buzzing rang in his ears. But all at once his sight failed, and +he could see nothing before him but a thick cloud. He thought that the +hand of Jesus had been laid on his eyes, to hide this woman from them. +Reassured by such succour, strengthened and fortified, he said with a +gravity worthy of an old hermit of the desert-- + +“If thou givest thyself to me, thinkest thou it is hidden from God?” + +She shook her head. + +“God? Who forces Him to keep His eye always upon the Grotto of Nymphs? +Let Him go away if we offend Him! But why should we offend Him? Since +He has created us, He can be neither angry nor surprised to see us as He +made us, and acting according to the nature He has given us. A good deal +too much is said on His behalf, and He is often credited with ideas He +never had. You yourself, stranger, do you know His true character? Who +are you that you should speak to me in His name?” + +At this question the monk, opening his borrowed robe, showed the +cassock, and said-- + +“I am Paphnutius, Abbot of Antinoe, and I come from the holy desert. The +hand that drew Abraham from Chaldaea and Lot from Sodom has separated me +from the present age. I no longer existed for the men of this century. +But thy image appeared to me in my sandy Jerusalem, and I knew that +thou wert full of corruption, and death was in thee. And now I am before +thee, woman, as before a grave, and I cry unto thee, ‘Thais, arise!’” + +At the words, Paphnutius, monk, and abbot, she had turned pale with +fright. And now, with dishevelled hair and joined hands, weeping and +groaning, she dragged herself to the feet of the saint. + +“Do not hurt me! Why have you come? What do you want of me? Do not hurt +me! I know that the saints of the desert hate women who, like me, are +made to please. I am afraid that you hate me, and want to hurt me. Go! +I do not doubt your power. But know, Paphnutius, that you should neither +despise me nor hate me. I have never, like many of the men I know, +laughed at your voluntary poverty. In your turn, do not make a crime +of my riches. I am beautiful, and clever in acting. I no more chose my +condition than my nature. I was made for that which I do. I was born to +charm men. And you yourself, did you not say just now that you loved me? +Do not use your science against me. Do not pronounce magic words which +would destroy my beauty, or change me into a statue of salt. Do not +terrify me! I am already too frightened. Do not kill me! I am so afraid +of death.” + +He made a sign to her to rise, and said-- + +“Child, have no fear. I will utter no word of shame or scorn. I come on +behalf of Him who sat on the edge of the well, and drank of the pitcher +which the woman of Samaria offered to Him; and who, also, when He supped +at the house of Simon, received the perfumes of Mary. I am not without +sin that I should throw the first stone. I have often badly employed +the abundant grace which God has bestowed upon me. It was not anger, +but pity, which took me by the hand to conduct me here. I can, without +deceit, address thee in words of love, for it is the zeal in my heart +which has brought me to thee. I burn with the fire of charity, and if +thy eyes, accustomed only to the gross sights of the flesh, could see +things in their mystic aspect, I should appear unto thee as a branch +broken off the burning bush which the Lord showed on the mountain to +Moses of old, that he might understand true love--that which envelops +us, and which, so far from leaving behind it mere coals and ashes, +purifies and perfumes for ever that which it penetrates.” + +“I believe you, monk, and no longer fear either deceit or ill-will from +you. I have often heard talk of the hermits of the Thebaid. Marvellous +things have been told concerning Anthony and Paul. Your name is not +unknown to me, and I have heard say that, though you are still young, +you equal in virtue the oldest anchorites. As soon as I saw you, and +without knowing who you were, I felt that you were no ordinary man. Tell +me! can you do for me that which neither the priests of Isis, nor of +Hermes, nor of the celestial Juno, nor the Chaldean soothsayers, nor the +Babylonian magi have been able to effect? Monk, if you love me, can you +prevent me from dying?” + +“Woman, whosoever wishes to live shall live. Flee from the abominable +delights in which thou diest for ever. Snatch from the devils, who will +burn it most horribly, that body which God kneaded with His spittle and +animated with his own breath. Thou art consumed with weariness; come, +and refresh thyself at the blessed springs of solitude; come and drink +of those fountains which are hidden in the desert, and which gush forth +to heaven. Careworn soul, come, and possess that which thou desirest! +Heart greedy for joy, come and taste true joys--poverty, retirement, +self-forgetfulness, seclusion in the bosom of God. Enemy of Christ now, +and to-morrow His well-beloved, come to Him! Come, thou whom I have +sought, and thou wilt say, ‘I have found love!’” + +Thais seemed lost in meditation on things afar. + +“Monk,” she asked, “if I adjure all pleasures and do penance, is it true +that I shall be born again in heaven, my body intact in all its beauty?” + +“Thais, I bring thee eternal life. Believe me, for that which I announce +to thee is the truth.” + +“Who will assure me that it is the truth?” + +“David and the prophets, the Scriptures, and the wonders that thou shalt +behold.” + +“Monk, I should like to believe you, for I must confess that I have not +found happiness in this world. My lot in life is better than that of +a queen, and yet I have many bitternesses and misfortunes, and I am +infinitely weary of my existence. All women envy me, and yet sometimes +I have envied the lot of a toothless old woman who, when I was a child, +sold honey-cakes under one of the city gates. Often has the idea flashed +across my mind that only the poor are good, happy, and blessed, and that +there must be great gladness in living humble and obscure. Monk, you +have agitated a storm in my soul, and brought to the surface that which +lay at the bottom. Who am I to believe, alas! and what is to become of +me--and what is life?” + +Whilst she thus spoke, Paphnutius was transfigured; celestial joy beamed +in his face. + +“Listen!” he said. “I was not alone when I entered this house. Another +accompanied me, another who stands by my side. Him thou canst not see, +because thy eyes are yet unworthy to behold Him; but soon thou shalt see +Him in all His glorious splendour, and thou wilt say, ‘He alone is to be +adored.’ But now, if He had not placed His gentle hands before my eyes, +O Thais, I should perhaps have fallen into sin with thee, for of myself +I am but weak and sinful. But He saved us both. He is as good as He is +powerful, and His name is the Saviour. He was promised to the world, by +David and the prophets, worshipped in His cradle by the shepherds and +the magi, crucified by the Pharisees, buried by the holy women, revealed +to the world by the apostles, testified to by the martyrs. And now, +having learned that thou fearest death, O woman, He has come to thy +house to prevent thee from dying. Art Thou not here present with me, +Jesus, at this moment, as Thou didst appear to the men of Galilee, in +those wonderful days when the stars, which came down with thee from +heaven, were so near the earth that the holy innocents could take them +in their hands, when they played in their mothers’ arms on the terraces +of Bethlehem? Is it not true, Jesus, that Thou art here present, and +that Thou showest me in reality Thy precious body? Is not Thy face here, +and that tear which flows down Thy cheek a real tear? Yes, the angel of +eternal justice shall receive it, and it shall be the ransom of the soul +of Thais. Art Thou not here, Jesus? Jesus, Thy loving lips open. Thou +canst speak; speak, I hear Thee! And thee, Thais, happy Thais! listen +to what the Saviour Himself says to thee; it is He who speaks, not I. +He says, ‘I have sought thee long, O My lost sheep! I have found thee +at last! Fly from Me no more. Let Me take thee by the hands, poor little +one, and I will bear thee on My shoulders to the heavenly fold. Come, My +Thais! come, My chosen one! come, and weep with Me!’” + +And Paphnutius fell on his knees, his eyes filled with ecstasy. And then +Thais saw in his face the likeness of the living Christ. + +“O vanished days of my childhood!” she sobbed. “O sweet father Ahmes! +good Saint Theodore, why did I not die in thy white mantle whilst thou +didst bear me, in the first dawn of day, yet fresh from the waters of +baptism!” + +Paphnutius advanced towards her, crying-- + +“Thou art baptised! O divine wisdom! O Providence! O great God! I know +now the power which drew me to thee. I know what rendered thee so dear +and so beautiful in my eyes. It was the virtue of the baptismal water, +which made me leave the shadow of God, where I lived, to seek thee in +the poisoned air where men dwell. A drop--a drop, no doubt, of the water +which washed thy body--has been sprinkled in my face. Come, O my sister, +and receive from thy brother the kiss of peace.” + +And the monk touched with his lips the forehead of the courtesan. + +Then he was silent, letting God speak, and nothing was heard in the +Grotto of Nymphs but the sobs of Thais, mingled with the rippling of the +running water. + +She wept without trying to stop her tears, when two black slaves +appeared, loaded with stuffs, perfumes, and garlands. + +“It was hardly the right time to weep,” she said, trying to smile. +“Tears redden the eyes and spoil the complexion, and I must sup tonight +with some friends, and want to be beautiful, for there will be women +there quick to spy out marks of care on my face. These slaves come to +dress me. Withdraw, my father, and allow them to do their work. They are +clever and experienced, and I pay them well for their services. You see +that one who wears thick rings of gold, and shows such white teeth. I +took her from the wife of the pro-consul.” + +Paphnutius had at first a thought of dissuading Thais, as earnestly as +he could, from going to this supper. But he determined to act prudently, +and asked what persons she would meet there. + +She replied that there would be the host, old Cotta, the Prefect of the +Fleet, Nicias, and several other philosophers who loved an argument, the +poet Callicrates, the high priest of Serapis, some young men whose chief +amusement was training horses, and lastly some women, of whom there was +little to be said except that they were young. Then, by a supernatural +inspiration-- + +“Go amongst them, Thais,” said the monk. “Go! But I will not leave thee. +I will go with thee to this banquet, and will remain by thy side without +saying a word.” + +She burst out laughing. And whilst her two black slaves were busy +dressing her, she cried-- + +“What will they say when they see that I have a monk of the Thebaid for +my lover?” + + + + +THE BANQUET + +When, followed by Paphnutius, Thais entered the banqueting-room, the +guests were already, for the most part, assembled, and reclining +on their couches before the horseshoe table, which was covered with +glittering vessels. In the centre of the table stood a silver basin, +surmounted by four figures of satyrs, who poured out from wine-skins +on the boiled fish a kind of pickle in which they floated. When Thais +appeared, acclamations arose from all sides. + +Greetings to the sister of the Graces! + +To the silent Melpomene, who can express all things with her looks! + +Salutation to the well-beloved of gods and men! + +To the much desired! + +To her who gives suffering and its cure! + +To the pearl of Racotis! + +To the rose of Alexandria! + +She waited impatiently till this torrent of praise had passed, and then +said to Cotta, the host-- + +“Lucius, I have brought you a monk of the desert, Paphnutius, the Abbot +of Antinoe. He is a great saint, whose words burn like fire.” + +Lucius Aurelius Cotta, the Prefect of the Fleet, rose, and replied-- + +“You are welcome, Paphnutius, you who profess the Christian faith. I +myself have some respect of a religion that has now become imperial. The +divine Constantine has placed your co-religionists in the front rank of +the friends of the empire. Latin wisdom ought, in fact, to admit your +Christ into our pantheon. It was a maxim of our forefathers that there +was something divine in every god. But no more of that. Let us drink and +enjoy ourselves while there is yet time.” + +Old Cotta spoke tranquilly. He had just studied a new model for +a galley, and had finished the sixth book of his history of the +Carthaginians. He felt sure he had not lost his day, and was satisfied +with himself and the gods. + +“Paphnutius,” he added, “you see here several men who are worthy to be +loved--Hermodorus, the High Priest of Serapis; the philosophers Dorion, +Nicias, and Zenothemis; the poet Callicrates; young Chereas and young +Aristobulus, both sons of dear old comrades; and near them Philina and +Drosea, who deserve to be praised for their beauty.” + +Nicias embraced Paphnutius, and whispered in his ear-- + +“I warned you, brother, that Venus was powerful. It is her gentle force +that has brought you here in spite of yourself. Listen: you are a man +full of piety, but if you do not confess that she is the mother of the +gods, your ruin is certain. Do you know that the old mathematician, +Melanthes, used to say, ‘I cannot demonstrate the properties of a +triangle without the aid of Venus’?” + +Dorion, who had for some seconds been looking at the new-comer, suddenly +clapped his hands and uttered a cry of surprise. + +“It is he, friends! His look, his beard, his tunic--it is he himself! +I met him at the theatre whilst our Thais was acting. He was furiously +excited, and spoke with violence, as I can testify. He is an honest man, +but he will abuse us all; his eloquence is terrible. If Marcus is the +Plato of the Christians, Paphnutius is the Demosthenes. Epicurus, in his +little garden, never heard the like.” + +Philina and Drosea, however, devoured Thais with their eyes. She wore on +her fair hair a wreath of pale violets, each flower of which recalled, +in a paler hue, the colour of her eyes, so that the flowers looked +like softened glances, and the eyes like sparkling flowers. It was the +peculiar gift of this woman; on her everything lived, and was soul and +harmony. Her robe, which was of mauve spangled with silver, trailed in +long folds with a grace that was almost melancholy and was not relieved +by either bracelets or necklaces. The chief charm of her appearance +was her beautiful bare arms. The two friends were obliged to admire, in +spite of themselves the robe and head-dress of Thais, though they said +nothing to her on the subject. + +“How beautiful you are!” said Philina. “You could not have been more +so when you came to Alexandria. Yet my mother, who remembers seeing +you then, says there were few women who were worthy to be compared with +you.” + +“Who is the new lover you have brought?” asked Drosea. “He has a +strange, wild appearance. If there are shepherds of elephants, assuredly +he must resemble one. Where did you find such a wild-looking friend, +Thais? Was it amongst the troglodytes who live under the earth, and are +grimy with the smoke of Hades?” + +But Philina put her finger on Drosea’s lips. + +“Hush! the mysteries of love must remain secret, and it is forbidden to +know them. For my own part, certainly, I would rather be kissed by the +mouth of smoking Etna than by the lips of that man. But our dear +Thais, who is beautiful and adorable as the goddesses, should, like +the goddesses, grant all requests, and not, like us, only those of nice +young men.” + +“Take care, both of you!” replied Thais. “He is a mage and an enchanter. +He hears words that are whispered, and even thoughts. He will tear out +your heart while you are asleep, and put a sponge in its place, and the +next day, when you drink water, you will be choked to death.” + +She watched them grow pale, then she turned away from them, and sat on a +couch by the side of Paphnutius. The voice of Cotta, kind but imperious, +was suddenly heard above the murmur of conversation. + +“Friends, let each take his place! Slaves, pour out the honeyed wine!” + +Then, the host raising his cup-- + +“Let us first drink to the divine Constantine and the genius of the +empire. The country should be put first of all, even above the gods, for +it contains them all.” + +All the guests raised their full cups to their lips. Paphnutius alone +did not drink, because Constantine had persecuted the Nicaean faith, and +because the country of the Christian is not of this world. + +Dorion, having drunk, murmured-- + +“What is one’s country? A flowing river. The shores change, and the +waves are incessantly renewed.” + +“I know, Dorion,” replied the Prefect of the Fleet, “that you care +little for the civic virtues, and you think that the sage ought to hold +himself aloof from all affairs. I think, on the contrary, that an honest +man should desire nothing better than to fill a responsible post in the +State. The State is a noble thing.” + +Hermodorus, the High Priest of Serapis, spoke next-- + +“Dorion has asked, ‘What is one’s country?’ I will reply that the altars +of the gods and the tombs of ancestors make one’s country. A man is a +fellow-citizen by association of memories and hopes.” + +Young Aristobulus interrupted Hermodorus. + +“By Castor! I saw a splendid horse to-day. It belonged to Demophoon. +It has a fine head, small jaw, and strong forelegs. It carries its neck +high and proud, like a cock.” + +But young Chereas shook his head. + +“It is not such a good horse as you say, Aristobulus. Its hoofs are +thin, and the pasterns are too low; the animal will soon go lame.” + +They were continuing their dispute, when Drosea uttered a piercing +shriek. + +“Oh! I nearly swallowed a fish-bone, as long and much sharper than a +style. Luckily, I was able to get it out of my throat in time! The gods +love me!” + +“Did you say, Drosea, that the gods loved you?” asked Nicias, smiling. +“Then they must share the same infirmities as men. Love presupposes +unhappiness on the part of whoever suffers from it, and is a proof of +weakness. The affection they feel for Drosea is a great proof of the +imperfection of the gods.” + +At these words Drosea flew into a great rage. + +“Nicias, your remarks are foolish and not to the point. But that is your +character--you never understand what is said, and reply in words devoid +of sense.” + +Nicias smiled again. + +“Talk away, talk away, Drosea. Whatever you say, we are glad every time +you open your mouth. Your teeth are so pretty!” + +At that moment, a grave-looking old man, negligently dressed, walking +slowly, with his head high, entered the room, and gazed at the guests +quietly. Cotta made a sign to him to take a place by his side, on the +same couch. + +“Eucrites,” he said, “you are welcome. Have you composed a new treatise +on philosophy this month? That would make, if I calculate correctly, the +ninety-second that has proceeded from the Nile reed you direct with an +Attic hand.” + +Eucrites replied, stroking his silver beard-- + +“The nightingale was created to sing, and I was created to praise the +immortal gods.” + +DORION. Let us respectfully salute, in Eucrites, the last of the stoics. +Grave and white, he stands in the midst of us like the image of an +ancestor. He is solitary amidst a crowd of men, and the words he utters +are not heard. + +EUCRITES. You deceive yourself, Dorion. The philosophy of virtue is not +dead. I have numerous disciples in Alexandria, Rome, and Constantinople. +Many of the slaves, and some of the nephews of Caesar, now know how to +govern themselves, to live independently, and being unconcerned with all +affairs, they enjoy boundless happiness. Many of them have revived, in +their own person, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius. But if it were true +that virtue were for ever extinguished upon the earth, in what way +would the loss of it affect my happiness, since it did not depend on +me whether it existed or perished? Only fools, Dorion, place their +happiness out of their own power. I desire nothing that the gods do not +wish, and I desire all that they do wish. By that means I render myself +like unto them, and share their infallible content. If virtue perishes, +I consent that it should perish, and that consent fills me with joy, as +the supreme effort of my reason or my courage. In all things my wisdom +will copy the divine wisdom, and the copy will be more valuable than the +model; it will have cost greater care and more work. + +NICIAS. I understand. You put yourself on the same level as divine +providence. But if virtue consists only in effort, Eucrites, and in that +intense application by which the disciples of Zeno pretend to render +themselves equal to the gods, the frog, which swelled itself out to try +and become as big as the ox, accomplished a masterpiece of stoicism. + +EUCRITES. You jest, Nicias, and, as usual, you excel in ridicule. But +if the ox of which you speak is really a god, like Apis, or like that +subterranean ox whose high priest I see here, and if the frog, being +wisely inspired, succeed in equalling it, would it not be, in fact, +more virtuous than the ox, and could you refrain from admiring such a +courageous little animal! + +Four servants placed on the table a wild pig, still covered with its +bristles. Little pigs, made of pastry, surrounded the animal, as though +they would suckle, to show that it was a sow. + +Zenothemis, turning towards the monk, said-- + +“Friends, a guest has come hither to join us. The illustrious +Paphnutius, who leads such an extraordinary life of solitude, is our +unexpected guest.” + +COTTA. You may even add, Zenothemis, that the place of honour is due to +him, because he came without being invited. + +ZENOTHEMIS. Therefore, we ought, my dear Lucius, to make him the more +welcome, and strive to do that which would be most agreeable to him. Now +it is certain that such a man cares less for the perfumes of meat than +for the perfumes of fine thoughts. We shall, doubtless, please him by +discussing the doctrine he professes, which is that of Jesus crucified. +For my own part, I shall the more willingly discuss this doctrine, +because it keenly interests me, on account of the number and the +diversity of the allegories it contains. If one may guess at the +spirit by the letter, it is filled with truths, and I consider that +the Christian books abound in divine revelations. But I should not, +Paphnutius, grant equal merit to the Jewish books. They were inspired +not, as it was said, by the Spirit of God, but by an evil genius. Iaveh, +who dictated them, was one of those spirits who people the lower air, +and cause the greater part of the evils, from which we suffer; but he +surpassed all the others in ignorance and ferocity. On the contrary, the +serpent with golden wings, which twined its azure coils round the tree +of knowledge, was made up of light and love. A combat between these +two powers--the one of light and the other of darkness--was, therefore, +inevitable. It occurred soon after the creation of the world. God had +hardly begun to rest after His labors; Adam and Eve, the first man and +the first woman, lived happy and naked in the Garden of Eden, when Iaveh +conceived--to their misfortune--the design of governing them and all +the generations which Eve already bore in her splendid loins. As he +possessed neither the compass nor the lyre, and was equally ignorant of +the science which commands and the art which persuades, he frightened +these two poor children by hideous apparitions, capricious threats, +and thunder-bolts. Adam and Eve, feeling his shadow upon them, pressed +closer to one another, and their love waxed stronger in fear. The +serpent took pity on them, and determined to instruct them, in order +that, possessing knowledge, they might no longer be misled by lies. Such +an undertaking required extreme prudence, and the frailty of the first +human couple rendered it almost hopeless. The well-intentioned demon +essayed it, however. Without the knowledge of Iaveh--who pretended +to see everything, but, in reality, was not very sharp-sighted--he +approached these two beings, and charmed their eyes by the splendour of +his coat and the brilliancy of his wings. Then he interested their minds +by forming before them, with his body, definite figures, such as the +circle, the ellipse, and the spiral, the wonderful properties of which +have since been recognised by the Greeks. Adam meditated on these +figures more than Eve did. But when the serpent began to speak, and +taught the most sublime truths--those which cannot be demonstrated--he +found that Adam being made of red earth, was of too dull a nature to +understand these subtle distinctions, but that Eve, on the contrary, +being more tender and more sensitive, was easily impressed. Therefore +he conversed with her alone, in the absence of her husband, in order to +initiate her first-- + +DORION. Permit me, Zenothemis, to interrupt you. I speedily recognised +in the myth you have explained to us an episode in the war of Pallas +Athene against the giants. Iaveh much resembles Typhoon, and Pallas is +represented by the Athenians with a serpent at her side. But what you +have said causes me considerable doubt as to the intelligence or good +faith of the serpent of whom you have spoken. If he had really possessed +knowledge, would he have entrusted it to a woman’s little head, which +was incapable of containing it? I should rather consider that he was +like Iaveh, ignorant and a liar, and that he chose Eve because she was +easily seduced, and he imagined that Adam would have more intelligence +and perception. + +ZENOTHEMIS. Learn, Dorion, that it is not by perception and +intelligence, but by sensibility, that the highest and purest truths are +reached. That is why women, who, generally, are less reflective but more +sensitive than men, rise more easily to the knowledge of things divine. +In them is the gift of prophecy, and it is not without reason that +Apollo Citharedes, and Jesus of Nazareth, are sometimes represented +clad, like women, in flowing robes. The initiator was therefore +wise--whatever you may say to the contrary, Dorion--in bestowing light, +not on the duller Adam, but on Eve, who was whiter than milk or the +stars. She freely listened to him, and allowed herself to be led to the +tree of knowledge, the branches of which rose to heaven, and which was +bathed with the divine spirit as with a dew. This tree was covered with +leaves which spoke all the languages of future races of men, and their +united voices formed a perfect harmony. Its abundant fruit gave to the +initiated who tasted it the knowledge of metals, stones, and plants, and +also of physical and moral laws; but this fruit was like fire, and those +who feared suffering and death did not dare to put it to their lips. +Now, as she had listened attentively to the lessons of the serpent, Eve +despised these empty terrors, and wished to taste the fruit which gave +the knowledge of God. But, as she loved Adam, and did not wish him to be +inferior to her, she took him by the hand and led him to the wonderful +tree. Then she picked one of the burning apples, bit it, and proffered +it to her companion. Unfortunately, Iaveh, who was by chance walking +in the garden, surprised them, and seeing that they had become wise, he +fell into a most ungovernable rage. It is in his jealous fits that he is +most to be feared. Assembling all his forces, he created such a turmoil +in the lower air that these two weak beings were terrified. The fruit +fell from the man’s hand, and the woman, clinging to the neck of her +luckless husband, said, “I too will be ignorant and suffer with him.” + The triumphant Iaveh kept Adam and Eve and all their seed in a condition +of hebetude and terror. His art, which consisted only in being able to +make huge meteors, triumphed over the science of the serpent, who was a +musician and geometrician. He made men unjust, ignorant, and cruel, +and caused evil to reign in the earth. He persecuted Cain and his sons +because they were skilful workmen; he exterminated the Philistines +because they composed Orphic poems, and fables like those of AEsop. He +was the implacable enemy of science and beauty, and for long ages +the human race expiated, in blood and tears, the defeat of the winged +serpent. Fortunately, there arose among the Greeks learned men, such as +Pythagoras, and Plato, who recovered by the force of genius, the figures +and the ideas which the enemy of Iaveh had vainly tried to teach the +first woman. The soul of the serpent was in them; and that is why the +serpent, as Dorion has said, is honoured by the Athenians. Finally, in +these latter days, there appeared, under human form, three celestial +spirits--Jesus of Galilee, Basilides, and Valentinus--to whom it was +given to pluck the finest fruits of that tree of knowledge, whose roots +pass through all the earth, and whose top reaches to the highest heaven. +I have said all this in vindication of the Christians, to whom the +errors of the Jews are too often imputed. + +DORION. If I understood you aright, Zenothemis, you said that three +wonderful men--Jesus, Basilides, and Valentinus--had discovered secrets +which had remained hidden from Pythagoras and Plato, and all the +philosophers of Greece, and even from the divine Epicurus, who, however, +has freed men from the dread of empty terrors. You would greatly oblige +me by telling me by what means these three mortals acquired knowledge +which had eluded the most contemplative sages. + +ZENOTHEMIS. Must I repeat to you, Dorion, that science and cogitation +are but the first steps to knowledge, and that ecstasy alone leads to +eternal truth? + +HERMODORUS. It is true, Zenothemis, that the soul is nourished on +ecstasy, as the cicada is nourished on dew. But we may even say more: +the mind alone is capable of perfect rapture. For man is of a threefold +nature, composed of material body, of a soul which is more subtle, but +also material, and of an incorruptible mind. When, emerging from the +body as from a palace suddenly given over to silence and solitude and +flying through the gardens of the soul, the mind diffuses itself in God, +it tastes the delights of an anticipated death, or rather of a future +life, for to die is to live; and in that condition, partaking of divine +purity, it possesses both infinite joy and complete knowledge. It enters +into the unity which is All. It is perfected. + +NICIAS. That is very fine; but, to say the truth, Hermodorus, I do not +see much difference between All and Nothing. Words even seem to fail to +make the distinction. Infinity is terribly like nothingness--they are +both inconceivable to the mind. In my opinion perfection costs too dear; +we pay for it with all our being, and to possess it must cease to +exist. That is a calamity from which God Himself is not free, for the +philosophers are doing their best to perfect Him. After all, if we do +not know what it is _not_ to be, we are equally ignorant what it is to +_be_. We know nothing. It is said that it is impossible for men to agree +on this question. I believe--in spite of our noisy disputes--that it is, +on the contrary, impossible for men not to become some day all at unity +buried under the mass of contradictions, a Pelion on Ossa, which they +themselves have raised. + +COTTA. I am very fond of philosophy, and study it in my leisure time. +But I never understand it well, except in Cicero’s books. Slaves, pour +out the honeyed wine! + +CALLICRATES. It is a singular thing, but when I am hungry I think of +the time when the tragic poets sat at the boards of good tyrants, and my +mouth waters. But when I have tasted the excellent wine that you give +us so abundantly, generous Lucius, I dream of nothing but civil wars and +heroic combats. I blush to live in such inglorious times; I invoke the +goddess of Liberty; and I pour out my blood--in imagination--with the +last Romans on the field of Philippi. + +COTTA. In the days of the decline of the Republic my ancestors died with +Brutus--for liberty. But there is reason to suspect that what the +Roman people called liberty was only in reality the right to govern +themselves. I do not deny that liberty is the greatest boon a nation can +have. But the longer I live the more I am persuaded that only a strong +government can bestow it on the citizens. For forty years I have filled +high positions in the State, and my long experience has shown me +that when the ruling power is weak the people are oppressed. Those, +therefore, who--like the great majority of rhetoricians--try to weaken +the government, commit an abominable crime. An autocrat, who governs by +his single will, may sometimes cause most deplorable results; but if +he governs by popular consent there is no remedy possible. Before the +majesty of the Roman arms had bestowed peace upon all the world, the +only nations which were happy were those which were ruled over by +intelligent despots. + +HERMODORUS. For my part, Lucius, I believe that there is no such thing +as a good form of government, and that we shall never discover one, +because the Greeks, who had so many excellent ideas, were never able to +find one. In that respect, therefore, all hope of ultimate success is +taken from us. Unmistakable signs show that the world is about to fall +into ignorance and barbarism. It has been our lot, Lucius, to witness +terrible events. Of all the mental satisfactions which intelligence, +learning, and virtue can give, all that remains is the cruel pleasure of +watching ourselves die. + +COTTA. It is true that the rapacity of the people, and the boldness of +the barbarians, are threatening evils. But with a good fleet, a good +army, and plenty of money---- + +HERMODORUS. What is the use of deceiving ourselves? The dying empire +will become an easy prey to the barbarians. Cities which were built +by Hellenic genius, or Latin patience, will soon be sacked by drunken +savages. Neither art nor philosophy will exist any longer on the earth. +The statues of the gods will be overturned in the temples, and in men’s +hearts as well. Darkness will overcome all minds, and the world will +die. Can we believe that the Sarmatians will ever devote themselves to +intelligent work, that the Germani will cultivate music and philosophy, +and that the Quadi and the Marcomani will adore the immortal gods? No! +we are sliding toward the abyss. Our old Egypt, which was the cradle +of the world, will be its burial vault; Serapis, the god of Death, will +receive the last adoration of mortals, and I shall have been the last +priest of the last god. + +At this moment a strange figure raised the tapestry, and the guests saw +before them a little hunchback, whose bald skull rose in a point. He was +clad, in the Asiatic fashion, in a blue tunic, and wore round his legs, +like the barbarians, red breeches, spangled with gold stars. On +seeing him, Paphnutius recognised Marcus the Arian, and fearing lest a +thunderbolt should fall from heaven, he covered his head with his arms, +and grew pale with fright. At this banquet of the demons, neither the +blasphemies of the pagans, nor the horrible errors of the philosophers, +had had any effect on him, but the mere presence of the heretic quenched +his courage. He would have fled, but his eyes met those of Thais, and +he felt at once strengthened. He read in her soul that she, who was +predestined to become a saint, already protected him. He seized the +skirt of her long, flowing robe, and inwardly prayed to the Saviour +Jesus. + +A murmur of acclamation welcomed the arrival of the personage who had +been called the Christian Plato. Hermodorus was the first to speak. + +“Most illustrious Marcus, we rejoice to see you amongst us, and it +may be said that you come at the right moment. We know nothing of the +Christian doctrine, beyond what is publicly taught. Now, it is certain +that a philosopher, like you, cannot think as the vulgar think, and +we are curious to know your opinion of the principal mysteries of the +religion you profess. Our dear friend, Zenothemis, who, as you know, +is always hunting for symbolic meanings, just now questioned the +illustrious Paphnutius concerning the Jewish books. But Paphnutius made +no reply, and we should not be surprised at that, as our guest has made +a vow of silence, and God has sealed his tongue in the desert. But +you Marcus, who have spoken at the Christian synods, and even at +the councils of the divine Constantine, can if you wish, satisfy our +curiosity by revealing to us the philosophic truths which are wrapped up +in the Christian fables. Is not the first of these truths the existence +of an only God--in whom, for my part, I fervently believe?” + +MARCUS. Yes, venerable brethren, I believe in an only God, not +begotten--the only Eternal, the origin of all things. + +NICIAS. We know, Marcus, that your God created the world. That must +certainly have been a great crisis in His existence. He had already +existed an eternity before He could make up His mind to it. But I must, +in justice, confess that His situation was a most difficult one. He must +continue inactive if He would remain perfect, and must act if He would +prove to Himself His own existence. You assure me that He decided +to act. I am willing to believe you, although it was an unpardonable +imprudence on the part of a perfect God. But tell us, Marcus, how He set +about making the world. + +MARCUS. Those who, without being Christians, possess, like Hermodorus +and Zenothemis, the principles of knowledge, are aware that God did not +create the world personally without an intermediary. He gave birth to an +only Son, by whom all things were made. + +HERMODORUS. That is quite true, Marcus; and this Son is worshipped under +the various names of Hermes, Mithra, Adonis, Apollo, and Jesus. + +MARCUS. I should not be a Christian if I gave Him any other names than +those of Jesus Christ, and Saviour. He is the true Son of God. But He +is not eternal, since He had a beginning; as to thinking that He existed +before He was begotten, we must leave that absurdity to the Nicaean +mules, and the obstinate ass who too long governed the Church of +Alexandria under the accursed name of Athanasius. + +At these words Paphnutius, white with horror and his face bedewed with +the sweat of agony made the sign of the cross, but maintained a sublime +silence. + +Marcus continued-- + +“It is clear that the foolish Nicene Creed is a treason against the +majesty of the only God, by compelling Him to share His indivisible +attributes with His own emanation--the Mediator by whom all things were +made. Cease jesting at the true God of the Christians, Nicias, and learn +that, like the lilies of the field, He toils not, neither does He spin. +It was not He who was the worker, it was His only Son, Jesus, who, +having created the world, came afterwards to repair His handiwork. For +the creation could not be perfect, and evil was necessarily mingled with +good.” + +NICIAS. What is “good,” and what is “evil”? + +There was a moment’s silence, during which Hermodorus, his arm extended +on the cloth, pointed to a little ass in Corinthian metal which bore two +baskets--the one containing white olives, the other black olives. + +“You see these olives,” he said. “The contrast between the colours is +pleasant to the eye, and we are content that these should be light +and those should be dark. But, if they were endowed with thought and +knowledge, the white would say, It is good for an olive to be white, +it is bad for it to be black; and the black olives would hate the white +olives. We judge better, for we are as much above them as the gods are +above us. For man, who only sees a part of things, evil is an evil; for +God, who understands all things, evil is a good. Doubtless ugliness is +ugly, and not beautiful; but if all were beautiful, the whole would not +be beautiful. It is, then, well that there should be evil, as the second +Plato, far greater than the first, has demonstrated.” + +EUCRITES. Let us talk more morally. Evil is an evil--not for the world, +of which it cannot destroy the indestructible harmony but for the sinner +who does it, and cannot help doing it. + +COTTA. By Jupiter? that is a good argument. + +EUCRITES. The world is a tragedy by an excellent poet. God, who composed +it, has intended each of us to play a part in it. If he wills that you +shall be a beggar, a prince, or a cripple, make the best of the part +assigned you. + +NICIAS. Assuredly it would be well that the cripple should limp like +Hephaistos: it would be well that the madman should indulge in all the +fury of Ajax, that the incestuous woman should repeat the crimes of +Phaedra, that the traitor should betray, that the rascal should lie, and +the murderer kill, and when the piece was played, all the actor--kings, +just men, bloody tyrants, pious virgins, immodest wives, noble-minded +citizens, and cowardly assassins--should receive from the poet an equal +share in the felicitations. + +EUCRITES. You distort my thought, Nicias, and change a beautiful young +girl into a hideous Gorgon. I am sorry for you, if you are so ignorant +of the nature of the gods, of justice, and of the eternal laws. + +ZENOTHEMIS. For my part, friends, I believe in the reality of good and +evil. But I am convinced that there is not a single human action--were +it even the kiss of Judas--which does not bear within itself the germ of +redemption. Evil contributes to the ultimate salvation of men, and, in +that respect issues from Good, and shares the merits belonging to +Good. This has been admirably expressed by the Christians, in the myth +concerning the man with red hair, who, in order to betray his master, +gave him the kiss of peace, and by such act assured the salvation of +men. Therefore, nothing is, in my opinion, more unjust and absurd than +the hate with which certain disciples of Paul, the tentmaker, pursue +the most unfortunate of the apostles of Jesus without realising that the +kiss of Iscariot--prophesied by Jesus Himself--was necessary, according +to their own doctrine, for the redemption of men, and that if Judas +had not received the thirty pieces, the divine wisdom would have been +impugned, Providence frustrated, its designs upset, and the world given +over to evil, ignorance, and death. + +MARCUS. Divine wisdom foresaw that Judas, though he was not obliged +to give the traitor’s kiss, would give it, notwithstanding. It thus +employed the sin of Iscariot as a stone in the marvellous edifice of the +redemption. + +ZENOTHEMIS. I spoke just now, Marcus, as though I believed that the +redemption of men had been accomplished by Jesus crucified, because I +know that such is the belief of the Christians, and I borrowed their +opinion that I might the better show the mistake of those who believe in +the eternal damnation of Judas. But, in reality, Jesus was, in my eyes, +but the precursor of Basilides and Valentinus. As to the mystery of the +redemption, I will tell you, my dear friends--if you are at all curious +to hear it--how it was really accomplished on earth. + +The guests made a sign of assent. Like the Athenian virgins with the +baskets sacred to Ceres, twelve young girls, bearing on their heads +baskets filled with pomegranates and apples, entered the room with a +light step, in time to the music of an invisible flute. They placed +the baskets on the table, the flute ceased, and Zenothemis spoke as +follows-- + +“When Eunoia, ‘the thought of God,’ had created the world, she confided +the government of the earth to the angels. But they did not preserve +the dispassion befitting masters. Seeing that the daughters of men were +fair, they surprised them in the evening by the wellside, and united +themselves to them. From these unions sprang a turbulent race, who +covered the earth with injustice and cruelty, and the dust of the roads +drank up the blood of the innocent. The sight of this caused Eunoia +infinite grief. + +“‘See what I have done!’ she sighed, leaning towards the world. ‘My +poor children are plunged in misery, and by my fault. Their suffering +is my crime, and I will expiate it. God Himself, who only thinks through +me, would be powerless to restore them to their pristine purity. That +which is done is done, and the creation will remain for ever imperfect. +But, at least, I will not forsake my creatures. If I cannot make them +happy, like me, I can make myself unhappy, like them. Since I committed +the mistake of giving them bodies which dishonour them, I will myself +assume a body like unto theirs, and will go and live amongst them.’ + +“Having thus spoken, Eunoia descended to the earth, and was incarnate +in the breast of a woman of Argos. She was born small and feeble, and +received the name of Helen. She submitted to all the labours of this +life, but soon grew in grace and beauty, and became the most desired +of women, as she had determined, in order that her mortal body might be +tried by the most supreme defilements. An inert prey to lascivious and +violent men, she suffered rape and adultery, in expiation of all the +adulteries, all the violences, all the iniquities, and caused, by her +beauty, the ruin of nations, that God might pardon the sins of the +universe. And never was the celestial thought, never was Eunoia, so +adorable as in those days when, as a woman, she prostituted herself to +heroes and shepherds. The poets surmised her divinity when they painted +her so peaceful, superb, and fatal, and when they addressed that +invocation to her, ‘A soul as serene as a calm upon the waters.’ + +“Thus was Eunoia led by pity into evil and suffering. She died, and the +Argives still show her tomb--for it was necessary that she should know +death after lust, and taste the bitter fruit she had sown. But, emerging +from the decomposed flesh of Helen, she became incarnate again as +a woman, and again suffered every form of insult and outrage. Thus, +passing from body to body, throughout all the evil ages, she takes upon +her the sins of the world. Her sacrifice will not be in vain. Joined to +us by the bonds of the flesh, loving us, and weeping with us, she will +effect her redemption and ours, and will carry us, clinging to her white +breast, into the peace of the regained paradise.” + +HERMODORUS. This myth was not unknown to me. I remembered having heard +that, in one of her metamorphoses, the divine Helen lived with the +magician, Simon, in the reign of the Emperor Tiberius. I thought, +however, that her perdition was involuntary, and that she was dragged +down by the angels in their fall. + +ZENOTHEMIS. It is true, Hermodorus, that men who were not properly +initiated in the mysteries have imagined that the sad Eunoia was not a +party to her own downfall. But if it were as they assert Eunoia would +not be the expiating courtesan, the victim covered with stains of +all sorts, the bread steeped in the wine of our shame, the pleasant +offering, the meritorious sacrifice, the holocaust, the smoke of which +rises to God. If they were not voluntary, there would be no merit in her +sins. + +CALLICRATES. Does anyone know, Zenothemis in what country, under what +name, in what adorable form, this ever-renascent Helen is living now? + +ZENOTHEMIS. A man would have to be very wise indeed to discover such a +secret. And wisdom, Callicrates, is not given to poets, who live in the +rude world of forms and amuse themselves, like children, with sounds and +empty shows. + +CALLICRATES. Beware of offending the gods, impious Zenothemis; the poets +are dear to them. The first laws were dictated in verse by the immortals +themselves, and the oracles of the gods are poems. Hymns have a pleasant +sound to celestial ears. Who does not know that the poets are prophets, +and that nothing is hidden from them? Being a poet myself, and crowned +with Apollo’s laurel, I will make known to all the last incarnation of +Eunoia. The eternal Helen is close to us; she is looking at us, and we +are looking at her. You see that woman reclining on the cushions of her +couch--so beautiful and so contemplative--whose eyes shed tears, and +whose lips abound with kisses! It is she! Lovely as in the time of Priam +and the halcyon days of Asia, Eunoia is now called Thais. + +PHILINA. What do you say, Callicrates? Our dear Thais knew Paris, +Menelaus, and the Achaians who fought before Ilion! Was the Trojan horse +big, Thais? + +ARISTOBULUS. Who speaks of a horse? + +“I have drunk like a Thracian!” cried Chereas and he rolled under the +table. + +Callicrates, raising his cup, cried-- + +“If we drink like desperate men, we die unavenged!” + +Old Cotta was asleep, and his bald head nodded slowly above his broad +shoulders. + +For some time past Dorion had seemed to be greatly excited under his +philosophic cloak. He reeled up to the couch of Thais. + +“Thais, I love you, although it is unseemly in me to love a woman.” + +THAIS. Why did you not love me before? + +DORION. Because I had not supped. + +THAIS. But I, my poor friend, have drunk nothing but water; therefore +you must excuse me if I do not love you. + +Dorion did not wait to hear more, but made towards Drosea, who had made +a sign to him in order to get him away from her friend. Zenothemis took +the place he had left, and gave Thais a kiss on the mouth. + +THAIS. I thought you more virtuous. + +ZENOTHEMIS. I am perfect, and the perfect are subject to no laws. + +THAIS. But are you not afraid of sullying your soul in a woman’s arms? + +ZENOTHEMIS. The body may yield to lust without the soul being concerned. + +THAIS. Go away! I wish to be loved with body and soul. All these +philosophers are old goats. + +The lamps died out one by one. The pale rays of dawn, which entered +between the openings of the hangings, shone on the livid faces and +swollen eyes of the guests. Aristobulus was sleeping soundly by the side +of Chereas, and, in his dreams, devoting all his grooms to the ravens. +Zenothemis pressed in his arms the yielding Philina; Dorion poured on +the naked bosom of Drosea drops of wine, which rolled like rubies on the +white breast, which was shaking with laughter, and the philosopher +tried to catch these drops with his lips, as they rolled on the slippery +flesh. Eucrites rose, and placing his arm on the shoulder of Nicias, led +him to the end of the hall. + +“Friend,” he said, smiling, “if you can still think at all--of what are +you thinking?” + +“I think that the love of women is like a garden of Adonis.” + +“What do you mean by that?” + +“Do you not know, Eucrites, that women make little gardens on the +terraces, in which they plant boughs in clay pots in honour of the lover +of Venus? These boughs flourish a little time, and then fade.” + +“What does that signify, Nicias? That it is foolish to attach importance +to that which fades?” + +“If beauty is but a shadow, desire is but a lightning flash. What +madness it is, then, to desire beauty! Is it not rational, on the +contrary, that that which passes should go with that which does not +endure, and that the lightning should devour the gliding shadow?” + +“Nicias, you seem to me like a child playing at knuckle-bones. Take my +advice--be free! By liberty only can you become a man.” + +“How can a man be free, Eucrites, when he has a body?” + +“You shall see presently, my son. Presently you will say, ‘Eucrites was +free.’” + +The old man spoke, leaning against a porphyry pillar, his face lighted +by the first rays of dawn. Hermodorus and Marcus had approached, and +stood before him by the side of Nicias; and all four, regardless of the +laughter and cries of the drinkers, conversed on things divine. Eucrites +expresses himself so wisely and eloquently, that Marcus said-- + +“You are worthy to know the true God.” + +Eucrites replied-- + +“The true God is in the heart of the wise man.” + +Then they spoke of death. + +“I wish,” said Eucrites, “that it may find me occupied in correcting +my faults, and attentive to all my duties. In the face of death I will +raise my pure hands to heaven, and I will say to the gods, ‘Your +images, gods, that you have placed in the temple of my soul, I have not +profaned; I have hung there my thoughts, as well as garlands, fillets, +and wreaths. I have lived according to your providence. I have lived +enough.’” + +Thus speaking, he raised his arms to heaven, and he remained thoughtful +a moment. Then he continued, with extreme joy-- + +“Separate thyself from life, Eucrites, like the ripe olive which falls; +returning thanks to the tree which bore thee, and blessing the earth, +thy nurse.” + +At these words, drawing from the folds of his robe a naked dagger, he +plunged it into his breast. + +Those who listened to him sprang forward to seize his hand, but the +steel point had already penetrated the heart of the sage. Eucrites had +already entered into his rest. Hermodorus and Nicias bore the pale and +bleeding body to one of the couches, amidst the shrill shrieks of the +women, the grunts of the guests disturbed in their sleep, and the heavy +breathing of the couples hidden in the shadow of the tapestry. Cotta, +an old soldier, who slept lightly, woke, approached the corpse, examined +the wound, and cried-- + +“Call Aristaeus, my physician!” + +Nicias shook his head. + +“Eucrites is no more,” he said. “He wished to die as others wish to +love. He has, like all of us, obeyed his inexpressible desire. And, lo, +now he is like unto the gods, who desire nothing.” + +Cotta struck his forehead. + +“Die! To want to die when he might still serve the State! What +nonsense!” + +Paphnutius and Thais remained motionless and mute, side by side, their +souls overflowing with disgust, horror, and hope. + +Suddenly the monk seized the hand of the actress, and stepping over the +drunkards, who had fallen close to the lascivious couples, and treading +in the wine and blood spilt upon the floor, he led her out of the house. + + + +The sun had risen over the city. Long colonnades stretched on both sides +of the deserted street, and at the end shone the dome of Alexander’s +tomb. Here and there on the pavement lay broken wreaths and extinguished +torches. Fresh wafts of the sea could be felt in the air. Paphnutius, +with a look of disgust, tore off his rich robe and trampled the +fragments under his feet. + +“Thou hast heard them, my Thais!” he cried. “They have spat forth every +sort of folly and abomination. They dragged the Divine Creator of all +things down the gemonies(*) of the devils of hell, impudently denied the +existence of Good and Evil, blasphemed Jesus, and exalted Judas. And the +most infamous of all, the jackal of darkness, the stinking beast, the +Arian full of corruption and death, opened his mouth like a yawning +sepulchre. My Thais, thou hast seen these filthy snails crawling towards +thee and defiling thee with their sticky sweat; thou hast seen others, +like brutes, sleeping under the heels of their slaves; thou hast seen +them coupling like beasts on the carpet they had fouled with their +vomit; thou hast seen a foolish old man shed a blood yet viler than +the wine which flowed at his debauch, and at the end of the orgie throw +himself in the face of the unforeseen Christ. Praise be to God! Thou +hast seen error and recognised how hideous it was. Thais, Thais, Thais, +recall to mind the follies of these philosophers, and say if thou wilt +go mad with them! Remember the looks, the gestures, the laughs of their +fitting companions, those two lascivious and malicious strumpets, and +say if thou wilt remain like unto them.” + + (*) Steps on the Aventine Hill, leading to the Tiber, to + which the bodies of executed criminals were dragged to be + thrown into the river. The word is now obsolete, but was + employed by Ben Jonson (Sejanus) and Massinger (The Roman + Actor).--TRANS. + +Thais, her heart stirred with horror and disgust at all she had seen +and heard that night, and feeling the indifference and brutality, the +malicious jealousy of women, the heavy weight of useless hours, sighed. + +“I am weary to death, O my father! Where shall I find rest? I feel +that my face is burning, my head empty, and my arms are so tired that I +should not have the strength to seize happiness were it within reach of +my hand.” + +Paphnutius gazed at her with loving pity. + +“Courage, O my sister! The hour of rest rises for thee, white and pure +as the vapours thou seest rise from the gardens and waters.” + +They were near the house of Thais, and could see, above the wall, the +tops of the sycamore and fir trees, which surrounded the Grotto of +Nymphs, tremble in the morning breeze. In front of them was a public +square, deserted, and surrounded with steles and votive statues, and +having at each end a semicircular marble seat, supported by figures of +monsters. Thais fell on one of these seats. Then, looking anxiously at +the monk, she asked-- + +“What must I do?” + +“Thou must,” replied the monk, “follow Him who has come to seek thee. He +will separate thee from this present life, as the vintager gathers +the cluster that would have rotted on the tree, and bears it to the +wine-press to change it into perfumed wine. Listen! there is, a dozen +hours from Alexandria, towards the west, not far from the sea, a +nunnery, the rules of which, a masterpiece of wisdom, deserve to be put +in lyric verse and sung to the sound of the theorbo and tambourines. +It may truly be said that the women who are there, submissive to these +rules, have their feet upon earth and their faces in heaven. They desire +to be poor, that Jesus may love them, modest, that He may gaze upon +them; chaste that He may wed them. He visits them every day in the +guise of a gardener, His feet bare, His beautiful hands open--even as He +showed Himself to Mary at the entrance of the tomb. I will conduct thee +this very day to this nunnery, my Thais, and soon, commingling with +these holy women, thou wilt share in their heavenly conversation. They +await thee as a sister. On the threshold of the convent, their mother, +the pious Albina, will give thee the kiss of peace and will say, ‘My +daughter, thou art welcome!’” + +The courtesan uttered a cry of amazement. + +“Albina! a daughter of the Caesars! The great niece of the Emperor +Carus!” + +“She herself! Albina, who, born in the purple, has donned the serge, +and a daughter of the masters of this world, has risen to the rank of +servant of Jesus Christ. She will be thy mother.” + +Thais rose and said-- + +“Take me to the house of Albina.” + +And Paphnutius, completing his victory-- + +“Surely I will conduct thee thither, and there I will place thee in a +cell, where thou shalt weep for thy sins. For it is not fitting that +thou shouldst mingle with the daughters of Albina until thou art +cleansed from thy sins. I will seal the door, and there, a happy +prisoner, thou wilt wait in tears till Jesus Himself come, as a sign of +pardon, to break the seal that I have placed. And doubt not that He will +come, Thais, and how the flesh of thy soul will tremble when thou shalt +feel the fingers of Light placed upon thy eyes to dry thy tears!” + +Thais said a second time-- + +“Take me, my father, to the house of Albina.” + +His heart filled with joy, Paphnutius gazed around him, and tasted, +almost without fear, the pleasure of contemplating the works of +creation; his eyes drank in with joy God’s light, and unknown breezes +fanned his cheeks. Suddenly, seeing at one of the corners of the public +square the little door which led to Thais’ house, and remembering that +the trees, whose foliage he had been admiring, shaded the courtesan’s +garden, he thought of all the impurities which there sullied the air, +to-day so light and pure, and his soul was so grieved that bitter tears +sprang to his eyes. + +“Thais,” he said, “we must fly without looking back. But we must not +leave behind us the instruments, the witnesses, the accomplices of thy +past crimes; those heavy hangings, those beds, carpets, perfume censers +and lamps, which would proclaim thy infamy! Dost thou wish that, +animated by the demons, and carried by the evil spirit that is in them, +those accursed belongings should pursue thee even to the desert? It is +but too true that there are tables which bring ruin, seats which serve +as the instruments of devils, which act, speak, strike the ground, and +pass through the air. Let all perish which has seen thy shame! Hasten, +Thais, and, whilst the city is yet asleep, order thy slaves to make, +in the centre of this place, a pile, upon which we will burn all the +abominable riches thy dwelling contains.” + +Thais consented. + +“Do as you will, my father,” she said. “I know that spirits often dwell +in inanimate objects. At night some articles of furniture talk, either +by giving knocks at regular intervals or by emitting little flashes of +light as signals. And even more. Have you remarked, my father, at the +entrance to the Grotto of Nymphs, on the right, a statue of a naked +woman about to bathe? One day I saw, with my own eyes, that statue turn +its head like a living person, and then return to its ordinary attitude. +I was terrified. Nicias, to whom I related this prodigy, laughed at +me; yet there must be some magic in that statue, for it inspired with +violent desires a certain Dalmatian, who was insensible to my beauty. +It is certain that I have lived amongst enchanted things, and that I +was exposed to the greatest perils, for men have been strangled by the +embraces of a bronze statue. Yet it would be a pity to destroy valuable +works made with rare skill, and to burn my carpets and tapestry would be +a great loss. The beautiful colours of some of them are truly wonderful, +and they cost much money to those who gave them to me. I also possess +cups, statues, and pictures of great price. I do not think they ought to +perish. But you know what is necessary. Do as you will, my father.” + +Thus saying, she followed the monk to the little door at which so many +garlands and wreaths had been hung, and, when it was opened, she told +the porter to call together all the slaves in the house. Four Indians, +who were employed in the kitchen, were the first to appear. They were +all four yellow men, and each had but one eye. It had cost Thais much +trouble, and given her amusement, to get together these four slaves +of the same race, and all afflicted with the same infirmity. When they +attended at table they excited the curiosity of the guests, and Thais +made them relate the story of their lives. These four waited in silence. +Their assistants followed them. Then came the stablemen, the huntsmen, +the litter-bearers, and the running footmen with muscles like iron, two +gardeners hirsute as Priapus, six ferocious looking negroes, three Greek +slaves--one a grammarian, another a poet, and the third a singer. They +all stood, ranged in order, on the public square, and were presently +joined by the negresses--curious, suspicious, rolling big round eyes, +and each with a huge mouth slit to her earrings. Lastly, adjusting their +veils and languidly dragging their feet, which were shackled with light +gold chains, appeared six sulky-looking, beautiful white slave-girls. +When they were all assembled, Thais, pointing to Paphnutius, said-- + +“Do whatever this man commands you; for the spirit of God is in him, and +if you disobey him you will fall dead.” + +For she had heard, and really believed, that the earth would open and +swallow up in flames and smoke any impious wretch whom a saint of the +desert struck with his staff. + +Paphnutius sent away the women and the Greek men-slaves, and said to the +others-- + +“Bring wood to the middle of this place, make a huge fire, and throw +into it pell-mell all that there is in the house and grotto.” + +They were astonished, and stood motionless, looking at their mistress. +And they still stood inactive and silent, and pressed against each +other, elbow to elbow, suspecting that the order was a joke. + +“Obey!” said the monk. + +Several of them were Christians. They understood the command, and went +to the house to fetch wood and torches. The others were not indisposed +to imitate them, for, being poor, they hated riches and had a natural +instinct for destruction. Whilst they were building the pile, Paphnutius +said to Thais-- + +“I thought at one time of fetching the treasurer of one of the churches +of Alexandria (if there still remain one worthy of the name of church, +and that is not defiled by the Arian beasts) and giving him thy goods, +woman, that he might distribute them to widows, and change the proceeds +of crime into the treasure of justice. But such a thought did not come +from God, and I cast it from me, for assuredly it would be a great +offence to the well-beloved of Jesus Christ to offer them the spoils +of thy lust. Thais, all that thou hast touched must be devoured by +the fire, even to its very soul. Thanks be to Heaven, these tunics and +veils, which have seen kisses more innumerable than the waves of the +sea, will only feel now the lips and tongues of the flames. Hasten, +slaves! More wood! More links and torches! And thou, woman, return to +thy house, strip thyself of thy shameful robes, and ask of the most +humble of thy slaves, as an undeserving favour, the tunic that she puts +on when she scrubs the floors.” + +Thais obeyed. Whilst the Indians knelt down and blew the embers, the +negroes threw on the pile coffers of ivory, ebony, or cedar, which broke +open and let out wreaths, garlands, and necklaces. The smoke rose in a +dark column, as in the holocausts of the old religion. Then the fire, +which had been smouldering, burst out suddenly with a roar as of some +monstrous animal, and the almost invisible flames began to devour their +valuable prey. The slaves worked more eagerly; they joyfully dragged out +rich carpets, veils embroidered with silver, and flowered tapestry. They +staggered under the weight of tables, couches, thick cushions, and +beds with gold nails. Three strong Ethiopians came hugging the coloured +statues of the nymphs, one of which had been loved as though it were a +mortal; and they looked like huge apes carrying off women. And when the +beautiful naked forms fell from the arms of these monsters, and were +broken on the stones, a deep groan was heard. + +At that moment Thais appeared, her hair unloosed and streaming over her +shoulders, barefooted, and clad in a clumsy coarse garment which seemed +redolent with divine voluptuousness merely from having touched her body. +Behind her came a gardener, carrying, half hidden in his long beard, an +ivory Eros. + +She made a sign to the man to stop, and approaching Paphnutius, showed +him the little god. + +“My father,” she asked, “should this also be thrown into the flames? It +is of marvellous antique work, and is worth a hundred times its weight +in gold. Its loss would be irreparable, for there is not a sculptor in +the world capable of making such a beautiful Eros. Remember also, my +father, that this child is Love, and he should not be harshly treated. +Believe me, Love is a virtue, and if I have sinned, it is not through +him, my father, but against him. Never shall I regret aught that he has +caused me to do, and I deplore only those things I have done contrary to +his commands. He does not allow women to give themselves to those who +do not come in his name. For that reason he ought to be honoured. Look, +Paphnutius, how pretty this little Eros is! With what grace he hides +himself in the gardener’s beard! One day Nicias, who loved me then, +brought it to me and said, ‘It will remind you of me.’ But the roguish +boy did not remind me of Nicias, but of a young man I knew at Antioch. +Enough riches have been destroyed upon this pile, my father! Preserve +this Eros, and place it in some monastery. Those who see it will +turn their hearts towards God, for love leads naturally to heavenly +thoughts.” + +The gardener, already believing that the little Eros was saved, smiled +on it as though it had been a child, when Paphnutius, snatching the god +from the arms which held it, threw it into the flames, crying-- + +“It is enough that Nicias has touched it to make it replete with every +sort of poison!” + +Then, seizing by armfuls the sparkling robes, the purple mantles, the +golden sandals, the combs, strigils, mirrors, lamps, theorbos, and +lyres, he threw them into this furnace, more costly than the funeral +pile of Sardanapalus, whilst, drunken with the rage of destruction, the +slaves danced round, uttering wild yells amid a shower of sparks and +ashes. + +One by one, the neighbours, awakened by the noise, opened the windows, +and rubbing their eyes, looked out to see whence the smoke came. Then +they came down, half dressed, and drew near the fire. + +“What does it mean?” they wondered. + +Amongst them were merchants from whom Thais had often bought perfumes +and stuffs, and they looked on anxiously with long, yellow faces, unable +to comprehend what was going on. Some young debauchees, who, returning +from a supper, passed by there, preceded by their slaves, stopped, their +heads crowned with flowers, their tunics floating, and uttered loud +cries. Attracted by curiosity, the crowd increased unceasingly, and soon +it was known that Thais had been persuaded by the Abbot of Antinoe to +burn her riches and retire to a nunnery. + +The shopkeepers thought to themselves-- + +“Thais is going to leave the city; we shall sell no more to her; it is +dreadful to think of. What will become of us without her? This monk has +driven her mad. He is ruining us. Why let him do it? What is the use of +the laws? Are there no magistrates in Alexandria? Thais does not think +about us and our wives and our poor children. It is a public scandal. +She ought to be compelled to stay in the city.” + +The young men, on their part, also thought-- + +“If Thais is going to renounce acting and love, our chief amusements +will be taken from us. She was the glory, delight, and honour of the +stage. She was the joy even of those who had never possessed her. The +women we loved, we loved in her. There were no kisses given in which she +was altogether absent, for she was the joy of all voluptuaries, and the +mere thought that she breathed amongst us excited us to pleasure.” + +Thus thought the young men, and one of them, named Cerons, who had held +her in his arms, cried out upon the abduction, and blasphemed against +Christ. In every group the conduct of Thais was severely criticised. + +“It is a shameful flight!” + +“A cowardly desertion!” + +“She is taking the bread out of our mouths.” + +“She is robbing our children.” + +“She ought at least to pay for the wreaths I have sold to her.” + +“And the sixty robes she has ordered of me.” + +“She owes money to everybody.” + +“Who will represent Iphigenia, Electra, and Polyxena when she is gone? +The handsome Polybia herself will not make such a success as she has +done.” + +“Life will be dull when her door is closed.” + +“She was the bright star, the soft moon of the Alexandrian sky.” + +All the most notorious mendicants of the city--cripples, blind men, +and paralytics--had by this time assembled in the place; and crawling +through the remnants of the riches, they groaned-- + +“How shall we live when Thais is no longer here to feed us? Every day +the fragments from her table fed two hundred poor wretches, and her +lovers, when they quitted her, threw us as they passed handfuls of +silver pieces.” + +Some thieves, too, also mingled with the crowd, and created a deafening +clamour, and pushed their neighbours, to increase disorder, and take +advantage of the tumult to filch some valuable object. + +Old Taddeus, who sold Miletan wool and Tarentan linen, and to whom Thais +owed a large sum of money, alone remained calm and silent in the +midst of the uproar. He listened and watched, and gently stroking his +goat-beard, seemed thoughtful. At last he approached young Cerons, and +pulling him by the sleeve, whispered-- + +“You are the favoured lover of Thais, handsome youth; show yourself, and +do not allow this monk to carry her off.” + +“By Pollux and his sister, he shall not!” cried Cerons. “I will speak +to Thais, and without flattering myself, I think she will listen to me +rather than to that sooty-faced Lapithan. Place! Place, dogs!” + +And striking with his fist the men, upsetting the old women and treading +on the young children, he reached Thais, and taking her aside-- + +“Dearest girl,” he said, “look at me, remember, and tell me truly if you +renounce love.” + +But Paphnutius threw himself between Thais and Cerons. + +“Impious wretch!” he cried, “beware and touch her not; she is +sacred--she belongs to God.” + +“Get away, baboon!” replied the young man furiously. “Let me speak to my +sweetheart, or if not I will drag your obscene carcase by the beard to +the fire, and roast you like a sausage.” + +And he put his hand on Thais. But, pushed away by the monk with +unexpected force, he staggered back four paces and fell at the foot of +the pile amongst the scattered ashes. + +Old Taddeus, meanwhile, had been going from one to the other, pulling +the ears of the slaves and kissing the hands of the masters, inciting +each and all against Paphnutius, and had already formed a little band +resolutely determined to oppose the monk who would steal Thais from +them. + +Cerons rose, his face black, his hair singed, and choking with smoke +and rage. He blasphemed against the gods, and threw himself amongst the +assailants, behind whom the beggars crawled, shaking their crutches. +Paphnutius was soon enclosed in a circle of menacing fists, raised +sticks, and cries of death. + +“To the ravens with the monk! to the ravens!” + +“No; throw him in the fire! Burn him alive!” + +Seizing his fair prey, he pressed her to his heart. + +“Impious men,” he cried in a voice of thunder, “strive not to tear the +dove from the eagle of the Lord. But rather copy this woman, and like +she turn your filth into gold. Imitate her example, and renounce the +false wealth which you think you hold and which holds you. Hasten! +the day is at hand, and divine patience begins to grow weary. Repent, +confess your sins, weep and pray. Walk in the footsteps of Thais. Hate +your offenses, which are as great as hers. Which of you, poor or rich, +merchants, soldiers, slaves or eminent citizens, would dare to say, +before God, that he was better than a prostitute? You are all nothing +but living filth, and it is by a miracle of divine goodness that you do +not suddenly turn into streams of mire.” + +Whilst he spoke flames shot from his eyes; an it seemed as though live +coals came from his lips and those who surrounded him were obliged to +hear him in spite of themselves. + +But old Taddeus did not remain idle. He picked up stones and oyster +shells, which he hid in the skirt of his tunic, and not daring to throw +them himself slipped them into the hands of the beggars. Soon the stones +began to fly, and a well-directed shell cut Paphnutius’ face. The blood, +which flowed down the dark face of the martyr, dropped in a new baptism +on the head of the penitent, and Thais, half stifled in the monk’s +embrace and her delicate skin scratched by the coarse cassock, felt a +thrill of horror and fright. + +At that moment a man elegantly dressed, and with a wreath of wild celery +on his head, opened a road for himself through the furious crowd, and +cried-- + +“Stop! Stop! This monk is my brother!” + +It was Nicias, who, having closed the eyes of the philosopher Eucrites, +was passing through the square to return to his house, and saw, without +very much surprise (for nothing astonished him), the smoking pile, Thais +clad an a serge cassock, and Paphnutius being stoned. + +He repeated-- + +“Stop, I tell you; spare my old fellow-scholar; respect the beloved head +of Paphnutius!” + +But, being only used to subtle disquisitions with philosophers, he did +not possess that imperious energy which commands vulgar minds. He was +not listened to. A shower of stones and shells fell on the monk, who, +protecting Thais with his body, praised the Lord whose goodness turned +his wounds into caresses. Despairing of making himself heard, and +feeling but too sure that he could not save his friend either by force +or persuasion, Nicias resigned himself to the will of the gods--in +whom he had little confidence--when the idea occurred to him to use a +stratagem which his contempt for men had suddenly suggested to him. He +took from his girdle his purse, which was full of gold and silver, for +he was a pleasure-loving and charitable man, and running up to the men +who were throwing the stones, he chinked the money in their ears. At +first they paid no attention to him, their fury being too great; but +little by little their looks turned towards the chinking gold, and soon +their arms dropped and no longer menaced their victim. Seeing that he +had attracted their eyes and minds, Nicias opened his purse and threw +some pieces of gold and silver amongst the crowd. The more greedy +of them stooped to pick it up. The philosopher, pleased at his first +success, adroitly threw deniers and drachmas here and there. At the +sound of the pieces of money rattling on the pavement, the persecutors +of Paphnutius threw themselves on the ground. Beggars, slaves, and +tradespeople scrambled after the money, whilst, grouped round Cerons, +the patricians watched the struggle and laughed heartily. Cerons +himself quite forgot his wrath. His friends encouraged the rivals, chose +competitors, and made bets, and urged on the miserable wretches as they +would have done fighting dogs. A cripple without legs having succeeded +in seizing a drachma, the applause was frenetic. The young men +themselves began to throw money, and nothing was to be seen in the +square but a multitude of backs, rising and falling like waves of the +sea, under a shower of coins. Paphnutius was forgotten. + +Nicias ran up to him, covered him with his cloak, and dragged him and +Thais into by-streets where they were safe from pursuit. They ran for +some time in silence, and when they thought they were out of reach +of their enemies, they ceased running, and Nicias said, in a tone of +raillery in which a little sadness was mingled-- + +“It is finished then! Pluto ravishes Proserpine, and Thais will follow +my fierce-looking friend whithersoever he will lead her.” + +“It is true, Nicias,” replied Thais, “that I am tired of living with men +like you, smiling, perfumed, kindly egoists. I am weary of all I know, +and I am, therefore, going to seek the unknown. I have experienced joy +that was not joy, and here is a man who teaches me that sorrow is true +joy. I believe him, for he knows the truth.” + +“And I, sweetheart,” replied Nicias, smiling, “I know the truths. He +knows but one, I know them all. I am superior to him in that respect, +but to tell the truth, it doesn’t make me any the prouder nor any the +happier.” + +Then, seeing that the monk was glaring fiercely at him-- + +“My dear Paphnutius, do not imagine that I think you extremely absurd, +or even altogether unreasonable. And if I were to compare your life with +mine, I could not say which is preferable in itself. I shall presently +go and take the bath which Crobyle and Myrtale have prepared for me; +I shall eat the wing of a Phasian pheasant; then I shall read--for the +hundredth time--some fable by Apuleius or some treatise by Porphyry. +You will return to your cell, where, leaning like a tame camel, you will +ruminate on--I know not what--formulas of incarnations you have long +chewed and rechewed, and in the evening you will swallow some radishes +without any oil. Well, my dear friend, in accomplishing these acts, so +different apparently, we are both obeying the same sentiment, the only +motive for all human actions; we are both seeking our own pleasure, and +striving to attain the same end--happiness, the impossible happiness. +It would be folly on my part to say you were wrong, dear friend, even +though I think myself in the right. + +“And you, my Thais, go and enjoy yourself, and be more happy still, if +it be possible, in abstinence and austerity than you have been in riches +and pleasure. On the whole, I should say you were to be envied. For +if in our whole lives, Paphnutius and I have pursued but one kind of +pleasurable satisfaction, you in your life, dear Thais, have tasted +diverse joys such as it is rarely given to the same person to know. +I should really like to be for one hour, a saint like our dear friend +Paphnutius. But that is not possible. Farewell, then, Thais! Go where +the secret forces of nature and your destiny conduct you! Go, and take +with you, whithersoever you go, the good wishes of Nicias! I know +that is mere foolishness, but can I give you anything more than barren +regrets and vain wishes in payment for the delicious illusions which +once enveloped me when I was in your arms, and of which only the shadow +now remains to me? Farewell, my benefactress! Farewell, goodness that is +ignorant of its own existence, mysterious virtue, joy of men! Farewell +to the most adorable of the images that nature has ever thrown--for some +unknown reasons--on the face of this deceptive world!” + +Whilst he spoke, deep wrath had been brewing in the monk’s heart, and it +now broke forth in imprecations. + +“Avaunt, cursed wretch! I scorn thee and hate thee. Go, child of hell, a +thousand times worse than those poor lost ones who just now threw stones +and insults at me! They knew not what they did, and the grace of God, +which I implored for them, may some day descend into their hearts. But +thou, detestable Nicias, thou art but a perfidious venom and a bitter +poison. Thy mouth breathes despair and death. One of thy smiles contains +more blasphemy than issues in a century from the smoking lips of Satan. +Avaunt, backslider!” + +Nicias looked at him. + +“Farewell, my brother,” he said, “and may you preserve until your life’s +end your store of faith, hate, and love. Farewell, Thais! It is in vain +that you will forget me, because I shall ever remember you.” + +On quitting them he walked thoughtfully through the winding streets in +the vicinity of the great cemetery of Alexandria, which are peopled +by the makers of funeral urns. Their shops were full of clay figures +painted in bright colours and representing gods and goddesses, mimes, +women, winged sprites, &c., such as were usually buried with the dead. +He fancied that perhaps some of the little images which he saw there +might be the companions of his eternal sleep; and it seemed to him that +a little Eros, with its tunic tucked up, laughed at him mockingly. He +looked forward to his death, and the idea was painful to him. To cure +his sadness he tried to philosophise, and reasoned thus-- + +“Assuredly,” he said to himself, “time has no reality. It is a simple +illusion of our minds. Then, if it does not exist, how can it bring +death to me? Does that mean that I shall live for ever? No, but I +conclude therefrom that my death is, always has been, as it always will +be. I do not feel it yet, but it is in me, and I ought not to fear it, +for it would be folly to dread the coming of that which has arrived. It +exists, like the last page of a book I read and have not finished.” + +This argument occupied him all the rest of the way, but without making +him more cheerful; and his mind was filled with dismal thoughts when he +arrived at the door of his house and heard the merry laughter of Crobyle +and Myrtale, who were playing at tennis whilst they were waiting for +him. + +Paphnutius and Thais left the city by the Gate of the Moon, and followed +the coast. + +“Woman,” said the monk, “all that great blue sea could not wash away thy +pollutions.” + +He spoke with scorn and anger. + +“More filthy than a bitch or a sow, thou hast prostituted to pagans and +infidels a body which the Eternal had intended for a tabernacle, and thy +impurities are such that, now that thou knowest the truth, thou canst +not unite thy lips or join thy hands without a horror of thyself rising +in thy heart.” + +She followed him meekly, over stony roads, under a burning sun. Her +knees ached from fatigue, and her throat was parched with thirst. +But, far from feeling any of the pity which softens the hearts of the +profane, Paphnutius rejoiced at these propitiatory sufferings of the +flesh which had so sinned. So infuriated was he with holy zeal that he +would have liked to cut with rods the body that had preserved its beauty +as a shining witness to its infamy. His meditations augmented his pious +fury, and remembering that Thais had received Nicias in her bed, that +idea seemed so horrible to him that his blood all flowed back to his +heart, and his breast felt ready to burst. His curses were stifled in +his throat, and he could only grind his teeth. He sprang forward +and stood before her, pale, terrible, and filled with the Spirit of +God--looked into her very soul, and then spat in her face. + +She calmly wiped her face and continued to walk on. He followed, glaring +at her in pious anger, as if she had been hell itself. He was thinking +how he could avenge Christ in order that Christ should not avenge +Himself, when he saw a drop of blood that had dripped from the foot of +Thais on the sand. Then a hitherto unknown influence entered his opened +heart, sobs rose to his lips, he wept, he ran and knelt before her, +called her his sister, and kissed her bleeding feet. He murmured a +hundred times, “My sister, my sister, my mother, O most holy!” + +He prayed-- + +“Angels of heaven, receive carefully this drop of blood, and bear it +before the throne of the Lord. And may a miraculous anemone blossom +on the sand sprinkled with the blood of Thais, that those who see the +flower may recover purity of heart and feeling. O holy, holy, most holy +Thais!” + +As he prayed and prophesied thus, a lad passed on an ass. Paphnutius +ordered him to descend, seated Thais on the ass, and led it by the +bridle. Towards evening they came to a canal shaded by fine trees; he +tied the ass to the trunk of a date palm, and sitting on a mossy stone +he shared with Thais a loaf, which they ate with salt and hyssop. They +drank fresh water in their hands, and talked of things eternal. She +said-- + +“I have never drunk water so pure nor breathed an air so light, and I +feel that God floats in the breezes that pass.” + +“Look! it is the evening, O my sister. The blue shadows of night cover +the hills. But soon thou wilt see shining in the dawn the tabernacles +of Light; soon thou wilt behold shine forth the roses of the eternal +morning.” + +They journeyed all night, and, while the crescent moon gleamed on the +silver crests of the waves, they sang psalms and hymns. When the sun +rose, the Libyan desert stretched before them like a huge lion-skin. At +the edge of the desert, and close to a few palm-trees, some white huts +shimmered in the morning light. + +“Are those the tabernacles of Light, father?” asked Thais. + +“Even so, my daughter and my sister. Yonder is the House of Salvation, +where I will confine you with my own hands.” + +Soon they saw a number of women busy around the buildings, like +bees round their hives. There were some who baked bread, or prepared +vegetables; many were spinning wool, and the light of heaven shone upon +them like a smile of God. Others meditated in the shade of the tamarisk +trees; their white hands hung by their sides, for, being filled with +love, they had chosen the part of Magdalen, and performed no work but +prayer, contemplation, and ecstasy. They were, therefore, called the +Marys, and were clad in white. Those who worked with their hands were +called the Marthas, and wore blue robes. All wore the hood, +but the younger ones allowed a few curls to show on their +foreheads--unintentionally, it is to be presumed, since it was forbidden +by the rules. A very old lady, tall and white, walked from cell to cell, +leaning on a staff of hard wood. Paphnutius approached her respectfully, +kissed the hem of her veil, and said-- + +“The peace of the Lord be with thee, venerable Albina. I have brought +to the hive, of which thou art queen, a bee I found lost on a flowerless +road. I took it in the palm of my hand, and revived it with my breath. I +give it to thee.” + +And he pointed to the actress, who knelt down before the daughter of the +Caesars. + +Albina cast a piercing glance on Thais, ordered her to rise, kissed her +on the forehead, and then, turning to the monk-- + +“We will place her,” she said, “amongst the Marys.” + +Paphnutius then related how Thais had been brought to the House of +Salvation, and asked that she should be at once confined in a cell. +The abbess consented, and led the penitent to a hut, which had remained +empty since the death of the virgin Laeta, who had sanctified it. In +this narrow chamber there was but a bed, a table, and a pitcher, and +Thais when she crossed the threshold, felt filled with ineffable joy. + +“I wish to close the door myself,” said Paphnutius, “and put thereon a +seal, which Jesus will come and break with His own hands.” + +He went to the side of the spring, and took a handful of wet clay, mixed +with it a little spittle and a hair from his head, and plastered it +across the chink of the door. Then, approaching the window, near which +Thais stood peaceful and happy, he fell on his knees and praised the +Lord three times. + +“How beautiful are the feet of her who walketh in the paths of +righteousness! How beautiful are her feet, and how resplendent her +face!” + +He rose, lowered his hood over his eyes, and walked away slowly. + +Albina called one of her virgins. + +“My daughter,” she said, “take to Thais those things which are needful +for her--bread, water, and a flute with three holes.” + + + + +PART THE THIRD -- THE EUPHORBIA + +Paphnutius had returned to the holy desert. He took, near Athribis, +the boat which went up the Nile to carry food to the monastery of Abbot +Serapion. When he disembarked, his disciples advanced to meet him with +great demonstrations of joy. Some raised their arms to heaven; others, +prostrate on the ground, kissed the Abbot’s sandals. For they knew +already what the saint had accomplished in Alexandria. The monks +generally received, by rapid and unknown means, information concerning +the safety or glory of the Church. News spread through the desert with +the rapidity of the simoon. + +When Paphnutius strode across the sand, his disciples followed +him, praising the Lord. Flavian, who was the oldest member of the +brotherhood, was suddenly seized with a pious frenzy and began to sing +an inspired hymn-- + + “O blessed day! Now is our father restored to us. + He has returned laden with fresh merits, of which we reap the + benefit. + For the virtues of the father are the wealth of the children, and + the sanctity of the Abbot illuminates every cell. + Paphnutius, our father, has given a new spouse to Jesus Christ. + By his wondrous art, he has changed a black sheep into a white + sheep. + And now, behold, he has returned to us, laden with fresh merits. + Like unto the bee of the Arsinoetid, heavy with the nectar of + flowers. + Even as the ram of Nubia, which could hardly bear the weight of its + abundant wool. + Let us celebrate this day by mingling oil with our food.” + +When they came to the door of the Abbot’s cell, they fell on their +knees, and said-- + +“Let our father bless us, and give each of us a measure of oil to +celebrate his return.” + +Paul the Fool, who alone had remained standing, asked, “Who is this +man?” and did not recognise Paphnutius. But no one paid any attention +to what he said, as he was known to be devoid of intelligence, though +filled with piety. + +The Abbot of Antinoe, locked in his cell, thought-- + +“I have at last regained the haven of my repose and happiness. I have +returned to my fortress of contentment. But how is it that this roof of +rushes, so dear to me, does not receive me as a friend, and the walls +say not to me, ‘Thou art welcome.’ Nothing has changed, since my +departure, in this abode I have chosen. There is my table and my bed. +There is the mummy’s head which has so often inspired me with salutary +thoughts; and there is the book in which I have so often sought +conceptions of God. And yet nothing that I left is here. The things +appear grievously despoiled of their customary charm, and it seems to +me as though I saw them to-day for the first time. When I look at that +table and couch, that in former days I made with my own hands, that +black, dried head, these rolls of papyrus filled with the sayings of +God, I seem to see the belongings of a dead man. After having known them +all so well, I know them no longer. Alas! since nothing around me has +really changed, it is I who am no longer what I was. I am another. I am +the dead man! What has happened, my God? What has been taken from me? +What is left unto me? And who am I?” + +And it especially perplexed him to find, in spite of himself, that his +cell was small, whereas, when viewed by the eye of faith, he ought to +consider it immense, because the infinitude of God began there. + +He began to pray, with his face against the ground, and felt a little +happier. He had hardly been an hour in prayer, when a vision of Thais +passed before his eyes. He returned thanks to God-- + +“Jesus! it is Thou who hast sent her. I acknowledge in that Thy +wonderful goodness; Thou wouldst please me, reassure me and comfort me +by the sight of her whom I have given to Thee. Thou; presentest her to +my eyes with her smile now disarmed; her grace, now become innocent; her +beauty from which I have extracted the sting. To please me, my God, thou +showest her to me as I have prepared and purified her for Thy designs, +as one friend pleasantly reminds another of the rich gift he has +received from him. Therefore I see this woman with delight, being +assured that the vision comes from Thee. Thou dost not forget that I +have given her to Thee, Jesus. Keep her, since she pleases Thee, and +suffer not her beauty to give joy to any but Thyself.” + +He could not sleep all night, and he saw Thais more distinctly than he +had seen her in the Grotto of Nymphs. He commended himself, saying-- + +“What I have done, I have done to the glory of God.” + +Yet, to his great surprise, his heart was not at ease. He sighed. + +“Why art thou sad, O my soul, and why dost thou trouble me?” + +And his mind was still perturbed. Thirty days he remained in that +condition of sadness which precedes the sore trials of a solitary monk. +The image of Thais never left him day or night. He did not try to banish +it, because he still thought it came from God, and was the image of a +saint. But one morning she visited him in a dream, her hair crowned with +violets, and her very gentleness seemed so formidable, that he uttered a +cry of fright, and woke in an icy sweat. His eyes were still heavy with +sleep, when he felt a moist warm breath on his face. A little jackal, +its two paws placed on the side of the bed, was panting its stinking +breath in his face, and grinning at him. + +Paphnutius was greatly astonished, and it seemed to him as though a +tower had given way under his feet. And, in fact, he had fallen, for his +self-confidence had gone. For some time he was incapable of thought +and when he did recover himself, his meditations only increased his +perplexity. + +“It is one of two things,” he said to himself; “either this vision, like +the preceding ones, came from God, and was a good vision, and it is my +natural perversity which has misrepresented it, as wine turns sour in +a dirty cup. I have, by my unworthiness, changed instruction into +reproach, of which this diabolical jackal immediately took advantage. +Or else this vision came, not from God, but, on the contrary, from the +devil, and was evil. In that case I should doubt whether the former ones +had, as I thought, a celestial origin. I am therefore incapable of that +discernment which is necessary for the ascetic. In either case it is +plain that God is no longer with me,--of which I feel the effects, +though I cannot explain the cause.” + +He reasoned in this way, and anxiously asked-- + +“Just God, what trials dost Thou appoint for Thy servants if the +apparitions of Thy saints are a danger for them? Give me to discern, by +an intelligible sign, that which comes from Thee, and that which comes +from the other.” + +And as God, whose designs are inscrutable, did not see fit to enlighten +his servant, Paphnutius, lost in doubt, resolved not to think of Thais +any more. But his resolutions were vain. Though absent, she was ever +with him. She gazed at him whilst he read, or meditated, or prayed, or +met his eyes wherever he looked. Her imaginary approach was heralded by +a slight sound, such as is made by a woman’s dress when she walks, and +the visions had more verisimilitude than reality itself, which moves and +is confused, whereas the phantoms which are caused by solitude are fixed +and unchangeable. She came under various appearances--sometimes pensive, +her head crowned with her last perishable wreath, clad as at the banquet +at Alexandria, in a mauve robe spangled with silver flowers; sometimes +voluptuously in a cloud of light veils, and bathed in the warm shadows +of the Grotto of Nymphs; sometimes in a serge cassock, pious and radiant +with celestial joy; sometimes tragic, her eyes swimming in the terrors +of death, and showing her bare breast bedewed with the blood from her +pierced heart. What disturbed him the most in these visions was that +the wreaths, tunics, and veils, that he had burned with his own hands, +should thus return; it became evident to him that these things had an +imperishable soul, and he cried-- + +“Lo, all the countless souls of the sins of Thais come upon me!” + +When he turned away his head, he felt that Thais was behind him, and +that made him feel still more uneasy. His torture was cruel. But as +his soul and body remained pure in the midst of all his temptations, he +trusted in God, and gently complained to Him. + +“My God, if I went so far to seek her amongst the Gentiles, it was for +Thy sake, and not for mine. It would not be just that I should suffer +for what I have done in Thy behalf. Protect me, sweet Jesus! My Saviour, +save me! Suffer not the phantom to accomplish that which the body +could not. As I have triumphed over the flesh, suffer not the shadow +to overthrow me. I know that I am now exposed to greater dangers than +I ever ran. I feel and know that the dream has more power than the +reality. And how could it be otherwise, since it is itself but a higher +reality? It is the soul of things. Plato, though he was but an idolater, +has testified to the real existence of ideas. At that banquet of demons +to which Thou accompaniedst me, Lord, I heard men--sullied with crimes +truly, but certainly not devoid of intelligence--agree to acknowledge +that we see real objects in solitude, meditation, and ecstasy; and Thy +Scriptures, my God, many times affirm the virtue of dreams, and the +power of visions formed either by Thee, great God, or by Thy adversary.” + +There was a new man in him and now he reasoned with God, but God did not +choose to enlighten him. His nights were one long dream, and his days +did not differ from his nights. One morning he awoke uttering sighs, +such as issue, by moonlight, from the tombs of the victims of crimes. +Thais had come, showing her bleeding feet, and whilst he wept, she had +slipped into his couch. There was no longer any doubt; the image of +Thais was an impure image. + +His heart filled with disgust, he leaped out of his profaned couch, and +hid his face in his hands that he might not see the daylight. The hours +passed, but they did not remove his shame. All was quiet in the cell. +For the first time for many long days, Paphnutius was alone. The phantom +had at last left him, and even its absence seemed dreadful. Nothing, +nothing to distract his mind from the recollection of the dream. Full of +horror, he thought-- + +“Why did I not drive her away? Why did I not tear myself from her cold +arms and burning knees?” + +He no longer dared to pronounce the name of God near that horrible +couch, and he feared that his cell being profaned, the demons might +freely enter at any hour. His fears did not deceive him. The seven +little jackals, which had never crossed the threshold, entered in a +file, and went and hid under the bed. At the vesper hour, there came an +eighth, the stench of which was horrible. The next day, a ninth joined +the others, and soon there were thirty, then sixty, then eighty. They +became smaller as they multiplied, and being no bigger than rats, they +covered the floor, the couch, and the stool. One of them jumped on the +little table by the side of the bed, and standing with its four feet +together on the death’s head, looked at the monk with burning eyes. And +every day fresh jackals came. + +To expiate the abominable sin of his dream, and flee from impure +thoughts, Paphnutius determined to leave his cell, which had now become +polluted, go far into the desert, and practise unheard-of austerities, +strange labours, and fresh works of grace. But before putting his design +into action, he went to see old Palemon and ask his advice. + +He found him in his garden watering his lettuces. It was the evening. +The blue Nile flowed at the foot of violet hills. The good old man was +walking slowly, in order not to frighten a pigeon that had perched on +his shoulder. + +“The Lord be with thee, brother Paphnutius,” he said. “Admire his +goodness; He sends me the animals that He has created that I may +converse with them of His works, and praise Him in the birds of the air. +Look at this pigeon; note the changing hues of its neck, and say, is +it not a beautiful work of God? But have you not come to talk with me, +brother, on some pious subject? If so, I will put down my watering-pot, +and listen to you.” + +Paphnutius told the old man about his journey, his return, the visions +of his days and the dreams of his nights,--without omitting the sinful +one--and the pack of jackals. + +“Do you not think, father,” he added, “that I ought to bury myself in +the desert, and perform some extraordinary austerities that would even +astonish the devil?” + +“I am but a poor sinner,” replied Palemon, “and I know little about men, +having passed all my life in this garden, with gazelles, little hares +and pigeons. But it seems to me, brother, that your distemper comes +from your having passed too suddenly from the noisy world to the calm of +solitude. Such sudden transitions can but do harm to the health of the +soul. You are, brother, like a man who exposes himself, almost at the +same time, to great heat and great cold. A cough shakes him, and fever +torments him. In your place, brother Paphnutius, instead of retiring +at once into some awful desert, I should take such amusements as are +fitting to a monk and a holy abbot. I should visit the monasteries in +the neighbourhood. Some of them are wonderful, it is said. That of +Abbot Serapion contains, I have been told, a thousand four hundred and +thirty-two cells, and the monks are divided into as many legions as +there are letters in the Greek alphabet. I am even informed that a +certain analogy is observed between the character of the monks and the +shape of the letter by which they are designated, and that, for example, +those who are placed under Z have a tortuous character, whilst those +under I have an upright mind. If I were you, brother, I should go and +assure myself of this with my own eyes, and I should know no rest +until I had seen such a wonderful thing. I should not fail to study the +regulations of the various communities which are scattered along the +banks of the Nile, so as to be able to compare one with another. Such +study is befitting a religious man like yourself. You have heard say, +no doubt, that Abbot Ephrem has drawn up for his monastery pious +regulations of great beauty. With his permission, you might make a copy +of them, as you are a skilful penman. I could not do so, for my hands, +accustomed to wield the spade, are too awkward to direct the thin reed +of the scribe over the papyrus. But you have the knowledge of letters, +brother, and should thank God for it, for beautiful writing cannot be +too much admired. The work of the copyist and the reader is a great +safeguard against evil thoughts. Brother Paphnutius, why do you not +write out the teachings of our fathers, Paul and Anthony? Little by +little you would recover, in these pious works, peace of soul and mind; +solitude would again become pleasant to your heart, and soon you would +be in a condition to recommence those ascetic works which your journey +has interrupted. But you must not expect much benefit from excessive +penitence. When he was amongst us, our Father Anthony used to say, +‘Excessive fasting produces weakness, and weakness begets idleness. +There are some monks who ruin their body by fasts improperly prolonged. +Of them it may be said that they plunge a dagger into their own breast, +and deliver themselves up unresistingly into the power of the devil.’ +So said the holy man, Anthony. I am but a foolish old man, but, by the +grace of God, I have remembered what our father told us.” + +Paphnutius thanked Palemon and promised to think over his advice. When +he had passed the fence of reeds which enclosed the little garden, +he turned round and saw the good old gardener engaged in watering his +salads, whilst the pigeon walked about on his bent back, and at that +sight Paphnutius felt ready to weep. + +On returning to his cell, he found there a strange turmoil, as though +it were filled with grains of sand blown about by a strong wind, and +on looking closer, he saw these moving bodies were myriads of little +jackals. That night he saw in a dream, a high stone column surmounted by +a human face, and he heard a voice which said-- + +“Ascend this pillar!” + +On awaking, he felt confident that this dream had been sent from heaven. +He called his disciples, and addressed them in these words-- + +“My beloved sons, I must leave you, and go where God sends me. During my +absence obey Flavian as you would me, and take care of our brother Paul. +Bless you. Farewell.” + +As he strode away, they remained prostrate on the ground, and when they +raised their heads, they saw his tall dark figure on the sandy horizon. + +He walked day and night until he reached the ruins of the temple, +formerly built by the idolaters, in which he had slept amongst the +scorpions and sirens on his former strange journey. The walls, covered +with magic signs, were still standing. Thirty immense columns, which +terminated in human heads or lotus flowers, still supported a heavy +stone entablature. But, at one end of the temple, a pillar had shaken +off its old burden, and stood isolated. It had for its capital the head +of a woman which smiled, with long eyes and rounded cheeks, and on her +forehead cow’s horns. + +Paphnutius, on seeing it, recognised the column which had been shown him +in his dream, and he calculated that it was thirty-two cubits high. He +went to the neighbouring village, and ordered a ladder of that height to +be made; and when the ladder was placed against the pillar, he ascended, +knelt down on the top, and said to the Lord-- + +“Here, then, O God, is the abode Thou hast chosen for me. May I remain +here, in Thy Grace, until the hour of my death.” + +He had brought no provisions with him, trusting in divine providence, +and expecting that charitable peasants would give him all that he +needed. And, in fact, the next day, about the ninth hour, women came +with their children, bringing bread, dates, and fresh water, which the +boys carried to the top of the column. + +The top of the pillar was not large enough to allow the monk to lie at +full length, so that he slept with his legs crossed and his head on +his breast, and sleep was a more cruel torture to him than his wakeful +hours. At dawn the ospreys brushed him with their wings, and he awoke +filled with pain and terror. + +It happened that the carpenter who had made the ladder feared God. +Disturbed at the thought that the saint was exposed to the sun and rain, +and fearing that he might fall in his sleep, this pious man constructed +a roof and a railing on the top of the column. + +Soon the report of this extraordinary existence spread from village to +village, and the labourers of the valley came on Sundays, with their +wives and children, to look at the stylite. The disciples of Paphnutius, +having learned with surprise the place of this wonderful retreat, came +to him, and obtained from him permission to build their huts at the foot +of the column. Every morning they came and stood in a circle round the +master, and received from him the words of instruction. + +“My sons,” he said to them, “continue like those little children whom +Jesus loved. That is the way of salvation. The sin of the flesh is the +source and origin of all sins; they spring from it as from a parent. +Pride, avarice, idleness, anger, and envy are its dearly beloved +progeny. I have seen this in Alexandria; I have seen rich men carried +away by the vice of lust, which, like a river with a turbid flood, swept +them into the gulf of bitterness.” + +The abbots Ephrem and Serapion, being informed of his strange +proceeding, wished to behold him with their own eyes. Seeing from +afar, on the river, the triangular sail which was bringing them to him, +Paphnutius could not prevent himself from thinking that God had made him +an example to all solitary monks. The two abbots, when they saw him, did +not conceal their surprise; and, having consulted together, they agreed +in condemning such an extraordinary penance, and exhorted Paphnutius to +come down. + +“Such a mode of life is contrary to all usage,” they said; “it is +peculiar, and against all rules.” + +But Paphnutius replied-- + +“What is the monastic life if not peculiar? And ought not the deeds of +a monk to be as eccentric as he is himself? It was a sign from God +that caused me to ascend here; it is a sign from God that will make me +descend.” + +Every day religious men came to join the disciples of Paphnutius, and +they built for themselves shelters round the aerial hermitage. Several +of them, to imitate the saint, mounted the ruins of the temple; but, +being reproved by their brethren, and conquered by fatigue, they soon +gave up these attempts. + +Pilgrims flocked from all parts. There were some who had come long +distances, and were hungry and thirsty. The idea occurred to a poor +widow of selling fresh water and melons. Against the foot of the column, +behind her bottles of red clay, her cups and her fruit under an awning +of blue-and-white striped canvas, she cried, “Who wants to drink?” + Following the example of this widow, a baker brought some bricks and +made an oven close by, in the hope of selling loaves and cakes to +visitors. As the crowd of visitors increased unceasingly, and the +inhabitants of the large cities of Egypt began to come, some man, greedy +of gain, built a caravanserai to lodge the guests and their servants, +camels, and mules. Soon there was, in front of the column, a market to +which the fishermen of the Nile brought their fish, and the gardeners +their vegetables. A barber, who shaved people in the open air, amused +the crowd with his jokes. The old temple, so long given over to silence +and solitude was filled with countless sights and sounds of life. The +innkeepers turned the subterranean vaults into cellars and nailed on the +old pillars signs surmounted by the figure of the holy Paphnutius, and +bearing this inscription in Greek and Egyptian--“_Pomegranate wine, fig +wine, and genuine Cilician beer sold here_.” On the walls, sculptured +with pure and graceful carvings, the shop-keepers hung ropes of onions, +and smoked fish, dead hares, and the carcases of sheep. In the evening, +the old occupants of the ruins, the rats, scuttled in a long row to the +river, whilst the ibises, suspiciously craning their necks, perched on +the high cornices, to which rose the smoke of the kitchens, the shouts +of the drinkers, and the cries of the tapsters. All around, builders +laid out streets, and masons constructed convents, chapels, and +churches. By the end of six months a city was established with a +guardhouse, a tribunal, a prison, and a school, kept by an old blind +scribe. + +The pilgrims were innumerable. Bishops and other Church dignitaries, +came, full of admiration. The Patriarch of Antioch, who chanced to be in +Egypt at that time, came with all his clergy. He highly approved of the +extraordinary conduct of the stylite, and the heads of the Libyan Church +followed, in the absence of Athanasius, the opinion of the Patriarch. +Having learned which, Abbots Ephrem and Serapion came to the feet of +Paphnutius to apologise for their former mistrust. Paphnutius replied-- + +“Know, my brothers, that the penance I endure is barely equal to the +temptations which are sent me, the number and force of which astound +me. A man, viewed externally, is but small, and, from the height of the +pillar to which God has called me, I see human beings moving about like +ants. But, considered internally, man is immense; he is as large as +the world, for he contains it. All that is spread before me--these +monasteries, these inns, the boats on the river, the villages, and what +I see in the distance of fields, canals, sand, and mountains--is nothing +in respect to what is in me. I carry in my heart countless cities +and illimitable deserts. And evil--evil and death--spread over this +immensity, cover them all, as night covers the earth. I am, in myself +alone, a universe of evil thoughts.” + +He spoke thus because the desire for woman was in him. + +The seventh month, there came from Alexandria, Bubastis and Sais, women +who had long been barren, hoping to obtain children by the intercession +of the holy man and the virtues of his pillar. They rubbed their sterile +bodies against the stone. There followed a procession, as far as the +eye could reach, of chariots, palanquins, and litters, which stopped +and pushed and jostled below the man of God. From them came sick people +terrible to see. Mothers brought to Paphnutius young boys whose limbs +were twisted, their eyes starting, their mouth foaming, their voices +hoarse. He laid his hands upon them. Blind men approached, groping with +their hands, and raising towards him a face pierced with two bleeding +holes. Paralytics displayed before him the heavy immobility, the deadly +emaciation, and the hideous contractions of their limbs; lame men showed +him their club feet; women with cancer, holding their bosoms with both +hands, uncovered before him their breasts devoured by the invisible +vulture. Dropsical women, swollen like wine skins were placed on +the ground before him. He blessed them. Nubians, afflicted with +elephantiasis, advanced with heavy steps and looked at him with +streaming eyes and expressionless countenances. He made the sign of the +cross over them. A young girl of Aphroditopolis was brought to him on +a litter; after having vomited blood, she had slept for three days. She +looked like a waxen image, and her parents, who thought she was dead, +had placed a palm leaf on her breast. Paphnutius having prayed to God, +the young girl raised her head and opened her eyes. + +As the people reported everywhere the miracles which the saint had +performed, unfortunate persons afflicted with that disease which +the Greeks call “the divine malady,” came from all parts of Egypt in +incalculable legions. As soon as they saw the pillar, they were seized +with convulsions, rolled on the ground, writhed, and twisted themselves +into a ball. And--though it is hardly to be believed--the persons +present were in their turn seized with a violent delirium, and imitated +the contortions of the epileptics. Monks and pilgrims, men and women, +wallowed and struggled pell-mell, their limbs twisted, foaming at the +mouth, eating handfuls of earth and prophesying. And Paphnutius at the +top of his pillar felt a thrill of horror pass through him, and cried to +God-- + +“I am the scapegoat, and I take upon me all the impurities of these +people, and that is why, Lord, my body is filled with evil spirits.” + +Every time that a sick person went away healed, the people applauded, +carried him in triumph, and ceased not to repeat-- + +“We behold another well of Siloam!” + +Hundreds of crutches already hung round the wonderful column; grateful +women suspended wreaths and votive images there. Some of the Greeks +inscribed distiches, and as every pilgrim carved his name, the stone +was soon covered as high as a man could reach with an infinity of Latin, +Greek, Coptic, Punic, Hebrew, Syrian, and magic characters. + +When the feast of Easter came there was such an affluence of people to +this city of miracles that old men thought that the days of the ancient +mysteries had returned. All sorts of people, in all sorts of costumes, +were to be seen there; the striped robes of the Egyptians, the burnoose +of the Arabs, the white drawers of the Nubians, the short cloak of +the Greeks, the long toga of the Romans, the scarlet breeches of the +barbarians, the gold-spangled robes of the courtesans. A veiled woman +would pass on an ass, preceded by black eunuchs, who cleared a passage +for her by the free use of their sticks. Acrobats, having spread a +carpet on the ground, juggled and performed skilful tricks before +a circle of silent spectators. Snake-charmers unrolled their living +girdles. A glittering, dusty, noisy, chattering crowd! The curses of +the camel-drivers beating the animals; the cries of the hawkers who +sold amulets against leprosy and the evil eye; the psalmody of the +monks reciting verses of the Bible; the shrieking of the women who were +prophesying; the shouting of the beggars singing old songs of the harem; +the bleating of sheep; the braying of asses; the sailors calling tardy +passengers; all these confused noises caused a deafening uproar, over +which dominated the strident voices of the little naked negro boys, +running about everywhere selling fresh dates. + +And all these human beings stifled under the white sky, in a heavy +atmosphere laden with the perfumes of women, the odour of negroes, the +fumes of cooking and the smoke of gums, which the devotees bought of the +shepherds to burn before the saint. + +When night came, fires, torches, and lanterns were lighted everywhere, +and nothing was to be seen but red shadows and black shapes. Standing +amidst a circle of squatting listeners, an old man, his face lighted +by a smoky lamp, related how, formerly, Bitiou had enchanted his heart, +torn it from his breast, placed it in an acacia, and then transformed +himself into a tree. He made gestures, which his shadow repeated with +absurd exaggerations, and the audience uttered cries of admiration. In +the taverns, the drinkers, lying on couches, called for beer and wine. +Dancing girls, with painted eyes and bare stomachs, performed before +them religious or lascivious scenes. In retired corners, young men +played dice or other games, and old men followed prostitutes. Above +all these rose the solitary, unchanging column; the head with the cow’s +horns gazed into the shadow, and above it Paphnutius watched between +heaven and earth. All at once the moon rose over the Nile, like the bare +shoulder of a goddess. The hills gleamed with blue light, and Paphnutius +thought he saw the body of Thais shinning in the glimmer of the waters +amidst the sapphire night. + +The days passed, and the saint still lived on his pillar. When the rainy +season came, the waters of heaven, filtering through the cracks in +the roof, wetted his body; his stiff limbs were incapable of movement. +Scorched by the sun, and reddened by the dew, his skin broke; large +ulcers devoured his arms and legs. But the desire of Thais still +consumed him inwardly, and he cried-- + +“It is not enough, great God! More temptations! More unclean thoughts! +More horrible desires! Lord, lay upon me all the lusts of men, that I +may expiate them all! Though it is false that the Greek bitch took upon +herself all the sins of the world, as I heard an impostor once declare, +yet there is a hidden meaning in the fable, the truth of which I now +recognise. For it is true that the sins of the people enter the soul of +the saints, and are lost there as in a well. Thus it is that the souls +of the just are polluted with more filth than is ever found in the soul +of the sinner. And, for that reason, I praise Thee, O my God, for having +made me the cesspool of the world.” + +One day, a rumour ran through the holy city, and even reached the ears +of the hermit: a very great personage, a man occupying a high position, +the Prefect of the Alexandrian fleet, Lucius Aurelius Cotta, was about +to visit the city--was, indeed, now on his way. + +The news was true. Old Cotta, who was inspecting the canals and the +navigation of the Nile, had many times expressed a desire to see the +stylite and the new city, to which the name of Stylopolis had been +given. The Stylopolitans saw the river covered with sails one morning. +Cotta appeared on board a golden galley hung with purple, and followed +by all his fleet. He landed, and advanced, accompanied by a secretary +carrying his tablets, and Aristaeus, his physician, with whom he liked +to converse. + +A numerous suite walked behind him, and the shore was covered with +_laticlaves_(*) and military uniforms. He stopped, some paces from the +column, and began to examine the stylite, wiping his face meanwhile with +the skirt of his toga. Being of a naturally curious disposition, he +had observed many things in the course of his long voyages. He liked to +remember them, and intended to write, after he had finished his Punic +history, a book on the remarkable things he had witnessed. He seemed +much interested by the spectacle before him. + + (*) The _laticlave_ was a toga, with a broad purple band, + worn by Roman senators as the distinguishing mark of their + high office. + +“This is very curious!” he said, puffing and blowing. “And--which is a +circumstance worthy of being recorded--this man was my guest. Yes, this +monk supped with me last year, after which he carried off an actress.” + +Turning to his secretary-- + +“Note that, my son, on my tablets; also the dimensions of the column, +not omitting the shape of the top of it.” + +Then, wiping his face again-- + +“Persons deserving of belief have assured me that this monk has not left +his column for a single moment since he mounted it a year ago. Is that +possible, Aristaeus?” + +“That which is possible to a lunatic or a sick man,” replied Aristaeus, +“would be impossible to a man sound in body and mind. Do you know, +Lucius, that sometimes diseases of the mind or body give to those +afflicted by them a strength which healthy men do not possess? For, as +a matter of fact, there is no such thing as good health or bad health. +There are only different conditions of the organs. Having studied what +are called maladies, I have come to consider them as necessary forms of +life. I take pleasure in studying them in order to be able to conquer +them. Some of them are worthy of admiration, and conceal, under apparent +disorder, profound harmonies; for instance, a quartan fever is certainly +a very pretty thing! Sometimes certain affections of the body cause a +rapid augmentation of the faculties of the mind. You know Creon? When he +was a child, he stuttered and was stupid. But, having cracked his skull +by tumbling off a ladder, he became an able lawyer, as you are aware. +This monk must be affected in some hidden organ. Moreover, this kind of +existence is not so extraordinary as it appears to you, Lucius. I may +remind you that the gymnosophists of India can remain motionless, not +merely for a year, but during twenty, thirty, or forty years.” + +“By Jupiter!” cried Cotta, “that is a strange madness. For man was born +to move and act, and idleness is an unpardonable crime, because it is +an injury to the State. I do not know of any religion in which such an +objectionable practice is permitted, though it possibly may be in some +of the Asiatic creeds. When I was Governor of Syria, I found _phalli_ +erected in the porches at the city of Hera. A man ascended, twice a +year, and remained there for a week. The people believed that this man +talked with the gods, and interceded with them for the prosperity of +Syria. The custom appeared senseless to me; nevertheless I did nothing +to put it down. For I consider that a functionary ought not to interfere +with the manners and customs of the people, but on the contrary, to see +that they are preserved. It is not the business of the government to +force a religion on a people, but to maintain that which exists, which, +whether good or bad, has been regulated by the spirit of the time, +the place, and the race. If it endeavours to put down a religion, it +proclaims itself revolutionary in its spirit, and tyrannical in its +acts, and is justly detested. Besides, how are you to raise yourself +above the superstitions of the vulgar, except by understanding them and +tolerating them? Aristaeus, I am of opinion that I should leave this +nephelo-coccygian(*) in the air, exposed only to the indignities the +birds shower on him. I should not gain anything by having him pulled +down, but I should by taking note of his thoughts and beliefs.” + + (*) Nephelo-coccygia, the cloud-city built by the cuckoos, + in the _Birds_ of Aristophanes. + +He puffed, coughed, and placed his hand on the secretary’s shoulder. + +“My child, note down that, amongst certain sects of Christians, it is +considered praiseworthy to carry off courtesans and live upon columns. +You may add that these customs are evidence of the worship of genetic +divinities. But on this point we ought to question him himself.” + +Then, raising his head, and shading his eyes with his hand, to keep off +the sun, he shouted-- + +“Hallo, Paphnutius! If you remember that you were once my guest, answer +me. What are you doing up there? Why did you go up, and why do you stay +there? Has this column any phallic signification in your mind?” + +Paphnutius, considering Cotta as nothing but an idolater, did not deign +to reply. But his disciple, Flavian, approached, and said-- + +“Illustrious Sir, this holy man takes the sins of the world upon him, +and cures diseases.” + +“By Jupiter! Do you hear, Aristaeus?” cried Cotta. “This +nephelo-coccygian practises medicine, like you. What do you think of so +high a rival?” + +Aristaeus shook his head. + +“It is very possible that he may cure certain diseases better than I +can; such, for instance, as epilepsy, vulgarly called the divine malady, +although all maladies are equally divine, for they all come from the +gods. But the cause of this disease lies, partly, in the imagination, +and you must confess, Lucius, that this monk, perched up on the head of +a goddess, strikes the minds of the sick people more forcibly than I, +bending over my mortars and phials in my laboratory, could ever do. +There are forces, Lucius, infinitely more powerful than reason and +science.” + +“What are they?” asked Cotta. + +“Ignorance and folly,” replied Aristaeus. + +“I have rarely seen a more curious sight,” continued Cotta, “and I hope +that some day an able writer will relate the foundation of Stylopolis. +But even the most extraordinary spectacles should not keep, longer +than is befitting, a serious and busy man from his work. Let us go and +inspect the canals. Farewell, good Paphnutius! or rather, till our +next meeting! If ever you should come down to earth again, and revisit +Alexandria, do not fail to come and sup with me.” + +These words, heard by all present, passed from mouth to mouth, and +being repeated by the believers, added greatly to the reputation of +Paphnutius. Pious minds amplified and transformed them, and it was +stated that Paphnutius, from the top of his pillar, had converted +the Prefect of the Fleet to the faith of the apostles and the Nicaean +fathers. The believers found a figurative meaning in the last words +uttered by Aurelius Cotta; to them, the supper to which this important +personage had invited the ascetic, was a holy communion, a spiritual +repast, a celestial banquet. The story of this meeting was embroidered +with wonderful details, which those who invented were the first to +believe. It was said that when Cotta, after a long argument, had +embraced the truth, an angel had come from heaven to wipe the sweat from +his brow. The physician and secretary of the Prefect of the Fleet had +also, it was asserted, been converted at the same time. And, the miracle +being public and notorious, the deacons of the principal churches of +Libya recorded it amongst the authentic facts. After that, it could be +said, without any exaggeration, that the whole world was seized with a +desire to see Paphnutius, and that, in the West as well as the East, all +Christians turned their astonished eyes towards him. The most celebrated +cities of Italy sent deputations to him, and the Roman Caesar, the +divine Constantine who favoured the Christian religion, wrote him a +letter which the legates brought to him with great ceremony. But one +night, whilst the budding city at his feet slept in the dew, he heard a +voice, which said-- + +“Paphnutius, thou art become celebrated by thy works and powerful by thy +word. God has raised thee up for His glory. He has chosen thee to work +miracles, heal the sick, convert the Pagans, enlighten sinners, confound +the Arians, and establish peace in the Church.” + +Paphnutius replied-- + +“God’s will be done!” + +The voice continued-- + +“Arise, Paphnutius, and go seek in his palace the impious Constans, who, +far from imitating the wisdom of his brother, Constantine, inclines +to the errors of Arius and Marcus. Go! The bronze gates shall fly open +before thee, and thy sandals shall resound on the golden floor of the +basilica before the throne of the Caesars, and thy awe-inspiring voice +shall change the heart of the son of Constantinus. Thou shalt reign over +a peaceful and powerful Church. And, even as the soul directs the +body, so shall the Church govern the empire. Thou shalt be placed above +senators, comites, and patricians. Thou shalt repress the greed of the +people, and check the boldness of the barbarians. Old Cotta, knowing +that thou art the head of the government, will seek the honour of +washing thy feet. At thy death thy _cilicium_ shall be taken to the +patriarch of Alexandria, and the great Athanasius, white with glory, +shall kiss it as the relic of a saint. Go!” + +Paphnutius replied-- + +“Let the will of God be accomplished!” + +And making an effort to stand up, he prepared to descend. But the voice, +divining his intention, said-- + +“Above all, descend not by the ladder. That would be to act like an +ordinary man, and to be unconscious of the gifts that are in thee. A +great saint, like thee, ought to fly through the air. Leap! the angels +are there to support thee. Leap, then!” + +Paphnutius replied-- + +“The will of God be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” + +Extending his long arms like the ragged wings of a huge sick bird, he +was about to throw himself down, when, suddenly, a hideous mocking laugh +rang in his ears. Terrified, he asked-- + +“Who laughs thus?” + +“Ah? ah!” screamed the voice, “we are yet but at the beginning of our +friendship; thou wilt some day be better acquainted with me. My friend, +it was I who caused thee to ascend here, and I ought to be satisfied at +the docility with which thou hast accomplished my wishes. Paphnutius, I +am pleased with thee.” + +Paphnutius murmured, in a voice stifled by fear-- + +“Avaunt, avaunt! I know thee now; thou art he who carried Jesus to a +pinnacle of the temple, and showed him all the kingdoms of this world.” + +He fell, affrighted, on the stone. + +“Why did I not know this sooner?” he thought. “More wretched than the +blind, deaf, and paralysed who trust in me, I have lost all knowledge of +things supernatural, and am more depraved than the maniacs who eat +earth and approach dead bodies. I can no longer distinguish between +the clamours of hell and the voices of heaven. I have lost even the +intuition of the new-born child, who cries when its nurse’s breast is +taken from it, of the dog that scents out its master’s footsteps, of the +plant that turns towards the sun. I am the laughing-stock of the devils. +So, then, it is Satan who led me here. When he elevated me on this +pedestal, lust and pride mounted with me. It is not the magnitude of my +temptations which terrifies me. Anthony, on his mountain, suffers the +same. I wish that all their swords may pierce my flesh, before the eyes +of the angels. I have even learned to like my sufferings. But God does +not speak to me, and His silence astonishes me. He has left me--and I +had but Him to look to. He leaves me alone in the horror of His absence. +He flies from me. I will follow after Him. This stone burns my feet. Let +me leave quickly, and come up with God.” + +With that he seized the ladder which stood against the column, put his +feet on it, and having descended a rung, found himself face to face with +the monster’s head; she smiled strangely. He was certain then that what +he had taken for the site of his rest and glory, was but the diabolical +instrument of his trouble and damnation. He hastily descended and +touched the soil. His feet had forgotten their use, and he reeled. But, +feeling on him the shadow of the cursed column, he forced himself to +run. All slept. He traversed, without being seen, the great square +surrounded by wine-shops, inns, and caravanserias, and threw himself +into a by-street which led towards the Libyan Hills. A dog pursued him, +barking, and stopped only at the edge of the desert. Paphnutius went +through a country where there was no road but the trail of wild beasts. +Leaving behind him the huts abandoned by the coiners, he continued all +night and all day his solitary flight. + +At last, almost ready to expire with hunger, thirst, and fatigue, and +not knowing if God was still far from him, he came to a silent city +which extended from right to left, and stretched away till it was lost +in the blue horizon. The buildings, which were widely separated and like +each other, resembled pyramids cut off at half their height. They were +tombs. The doors were broken, and in the shadow of the chambers could +be seen the gleaming eyes of hyaenas and wolves who brought forth their +young there, whilst the dead bodies lay on the threshold, despoiled +by robbers, and gnawed by the wild beasts. Having passed through this +funeral city, Paphnutius fell exhausted before a tomb which stood near a +spring surrounded by palm trees. This tomb was much ornamented, and, as +there was no door to it, he saw inside it a painted chamber, in which +serpents bred. + +“Here,” he sighed, “is the abode I have chosen; the tabernacle of my +repentance and penitence.” + +He dragged himself to it, drove out the reptiles with his feet, and +remained prostrate on the stone floor for eighteen hours, at the end +of which time he went to the spring, and drank out of his hand. Then he +plucked some dates and some stalks of lotus, the seeds of which he +ate. Thinking this kind of life was good, he made it the rule of his +existence. From morning to night he never lifted his forehead from the +stone. + +One day, whilst he was thus prostrated, he heard a voice which said-- + +“Look at these images, that thou mayest learn.” + +Then, raising his head, he saw, on the walls of the chamber, paintings +which represented lively and domestic scenes. They were of very old +work, and marvellously lifelike. There were cooks who blew the fire, +with their cheeks all puffed out; others plucked geese, or cooked +quarters of sheep in stew-pans. A little farther, a hunter carried on +his shoulders a gazelle pierced with arrows. In one place, peasants were +sowing, reaping, or gathering. In another, women danced to the sounds +of viols, flutes, and harp. A young girl played the theorbo. The lotus +flower shone in her hair, which was neatly braided. Her transparent +dress let the pure forms of her body be seen. Her bosom and mouth were +perfect. The face was turned in profile, and the beautiful eye looked +straight before her. The whole figure was exquisite. Paphnutius having +examined it, lowered his eyes, and replied to the voice-- + +“Why dost thou command me to look at these images? No doubt they +represent the terrestrial life of the idolater whose body rests here, +under my feet, at the bottom of a well, in a coffin of black basalt. +They recall the life of a dead man, and are, despite their bright +colours, the shadows of a shadow. The life of a dead man! O vanity!” + +“He is dead, but he lived,” replied the voice; “and thou wilt die, and +wilt not have lived.” + +From that day, Paphnutius had not a moment’s rest. The voice spoke to +him incessantly. The girl with the theorbo looked fixedly at him from +underneath the long lashes of her eye. At last she also spoke-- + +“Look. I am mysterious and beautiful. Love me. Exhaust in my arms the +love which torments you. What use is it to fear me? You cannot escape +me; I am the beauty of woman. Whither do you think to fly from me, +senseless fool? You will find my likeness in the radiancy of flowers, +and in the grace of the palm trees, in the flight of pigeons, in the +bounds of the gazelle, in the rippling of brooks, in the soft light of +the moon, and if you close your eyes, you will find me within yourself. +It is a thousand years since the man who sleeps here, swathed in linen, +in a bed of black stone, pressed me to his heart. It is a thousand years +since he received the last kiss from my mouth, and his sleep is yet +redolent with it. You know me well, Paphnutius. How is it you have not +recognised me? I am one of the innumerable incarnations of Thais. You +are a learned monk, and well skilled in the knowledge of things. You +have travelled, and it is by travel a man learns the most. Often a day +passed abroad will show more novelties than ten years passed at home. +You have heard that Thais lived formerly in Argos, under the name of +Helen. She had another existence in Thebes Hecatompyle. And I was Thais +of Thebes. How is it you have not guessed it? I took, when I was alive, +a large share in the sins of this world, and now reduced here to the +condition of a shadow, I am still quite capable of taking your sins +upon me, beloved monk. Whence comes your surprise? It was certain that, +wherever you went, you would find Thais again.” + +He struck his forehead against the pavement, and uttered a cry of +terror. And every night the player of the theorbo left the wall, +approached him, and spoke in a clear voice mingled with soft breathing. +And as the holy man resisted the temptations she gave him, she said to +him-- + +“Love me; yield, friend. As long as you resist me I shall torment you. +You do not know what the patience of a dead woman is. I shall wait, if +necessary, till you are dead. Being a sorceress, I shall put into your +lifeless body a spirit who will reanimate it, and who will not refuse me +what I have asked in vain of you. And think, Paphnutius, what a strange +situation when your blessed soul sees, from the height of heaven, its +own body given up to sin. God, who has promised to return you this body +after the day of judgment and the end of time, will Himself be much +puzzled. How can He place in celestial glory a human form inhabited by +a devil, and guarded by a sorceress? You have not thought of that +difficulty. Nor God either, perhaps. Between ourselves, He is not very +knowing. Any ordinary magician can easily deceive Him, and if He had not +His thunder, and the cataracts of heaven, the village urchins would pull +His beard. He has certainly not as much sense as the old serpent, His +adversary. He, indeed, is a wonderful artist. If I am so beautiful, it +is because he adorned me with all my attractions. It was he who taught +me how to braid my hair, and to make for myself rosy fingers with agate +nails. You have misunderstood him. When you came to live in this tomb, +you drove out with your feet the serpents which were here, without +troubling yourself to know whether they were of his family, and you +crushed their eggs. I am afraid, my poor friend, you will have a +troublesome business on your hands. You were warned, however, that he +was a musician and a lover. What have you done? You have quarrelled with +science and beauty. You are altogether miserable, and Iaveh does not +come to your help. It is not probable that he will come. Being as +great as all things, he cannot move for want of space, and if, by an +impossibility, he made the least movement, all creation would be pushed +out of place. My handsome hermit, give me a kiss.” + +Paphnutius was aware that great prodigies are performed by magic arts. +He thought--not without much uneasiness-- + +“Perhaps the dead man buried at my feet knows the words written in that +mysterious book which exists hidden, not far from here, at the bottom of +a royal tomb. By virtue of these words, the dead, taking the form which +they had upon earth, see the light of the sun and the smiles of women.” + +His chief fear was that the girl with the theorbo and the dead man might +come together, as they did in their lifetime, and that he should see +them unite. Sometimes he thought he heard the sound of kissing. + +He was troubled in his mind, and now, in the absence of God he feared +to think as much as to feel. One evening, when he was kneeling prostrate +according to his custom, an unknown voice said to him-- + +“Paphnutius, there are on earth more people than you imagine, and if I +were to show you what I have seen, you would die of astonishment. There +are men with a single eye in the middle of their forehead. There are +men who have but one leg, and advance by jumps. There are men who change +their sex, and the females become males. There are men-trees, who shoot +out roots in the ground. And there are men with no head, with two eyes, +a nose, and a mouth in their breast. Can you honestly believe that Jesus +Christ died for the salvation of these men?” + +Another time he had a vision. He saw, in a strong light, a broad road, +rivulets, and gardens. On the road, Aristobulus and Chereas passed at +a gallop on their Syrian horses, and the joyous ardour of the race +reddened the cheeks of the two young men. Beneath a portico, Callicrates +recited his verses; satisfied pride trembled in his voice and shone in +his eyes. In the garden, Zenothemis picked apples of gold, and caressed +a serpent with azure wings. Clad in white, and wearing a shining mitre, +Hermodorus meditated beneath a sacred persea, which bore, instead +of flowers, small heads of pure profile, wearing, like the Egyptian +goddesses, vultures, hawks, or the shining disk of the moon; whilst +in the background, by the side of a fountain, Nicias studied, on an +armillary sphere, the harmonious movements of the stars. + +Then a veiled woman approached the monk, holding in her hand a branch of +myrtle. She said to him-- + +“Look! Some seek eternal beauty, and place their ephemeral life in +the infinite. Others live without much thought. But by that alone they +submit to fair Nature, and they are happy and beautiful in the joy of +living only, and give glory to the supreme artist of all things; for man +is a noble hymn to God. All think that happiness is innocent, and that +pleasure is permitted to man. Paphnutius, if they are right, what a dupe +you have been!” + +And the vision vanished. + +Thus was Paphnutius tempted unceasingly in body and mind. Satan never +gave him a minute’s repose. The solitude of the tomb was more peopled +than the streets of a great city. The devils shouted with laughter, and +millions of imps, evil genii, and phantoms imitated all the ordinary +transactions of life. In the evening, when he went to the spring, +satyrs and nymphs capered round him, and tried to drag him into their +lascivious dances. The demons no longer feared him. They loaded him with +insults, obscene jests, and blows. One day a devil, no longer than his +arm, stole the cord he wore round his waist. + +He said to himself-- + +“Thought, whither hast thou led me?” + +And he resolved to work with his hands, in order to give his mind that +rest of which it had need. Near the spring, some banana trees, with +large leaves, grew under the shade of the palms. He cut the stalks, and +carried them to the tomb. He crushed them with a stone, and reduced them +to fibres, as he had seen ropemakers do. For he intended to make a cord, +to replace that which the devil had stolen. The demons were somewhat +displeased at this; they ceased their clamour, and the girl with the +theorbo no longer continued her magic arts, but remained quietly on the +wall. The courage and faith of Paphnutius increased whilst he pounded +the banana stems. + +“With Heaven’s help,” he said to himself, “I shall subdue the flesh. As +to my soul, its confidence is still unshaken. In vain do the devils, and +that accursed woman, try to instil into my mind doubts as to the nature +of God. I will reply to them, by the mouth of the Apostle John, ‘In the +beginning was the Word, and the Word was God.’ That I firmly believe, +and that which I believe is absurd, I believe still more firmly. In fact +it should be absurd. If it were not so, I should not believe; I should +know. And it is not that which we know which gives eternal life; it is +faith only that saves.” + +He exposed the separated fibres to the sun and the dew, and every +morning he took care to turn them, to prevent them rotting; and he +rejoiced to find that he had become as simple as a child. When he had +twisted his cord, he cut reeds to make mats and baskets. The sepulchral +chamber resembled a basket-maker’s workshop, and Paphnutius could pass +without difficulty from work to prayer. Yet still God was not merciful +to him, for one night he was awakened by a voice which froze him with +horror, for he guessed that it was the voice of the dead man. + +The voice called quickly, in a light whisper-- + +“Helen! Helen! come and bathe with me! come quickly!” + +A woman, whose mouth was close to the monk’s ear, replied-- + +“Friend, I cannot rise; a man is lying on me.” + +Paphnutius suddenly perceived that his cheek rested on a woman’s breast. +He recognised the player of the theorbo, who, partly relieved of his +weight, raised her breast. He clung tightly to the sweet, warm, perfumed +body, and consumed with the desire of damnation, he cried-- + +“Stay, stay, my heavenly one!” + +But she was already standing on the threshold. She laughed, and her +smile gleamed in the silver rays of the moon. + +“Why should I stay?” she said. “The shadow of a shadow is enough for a +lover endowed with such a lively imagination. Besides, you have sinned. +What more was needed?” + +Paphnutius wept in the night, and when the dawn came, he murmured a +prayer that was a meek complaint-- + +“Jesus, my Jesus, why hast Thou forsaken me! Thou seest the danger in +which I am. Come, and help me, sweet Saviour. Since Thy Father no longer +loves me, and does not hear me, remember that I have but Thee. From Him +nothing is to be hoped; I cannot comprehend Him, and He cannot pity me. +But Thou was born of a woman, and that is why I trust in Thee. Remember +that Thou wast a man. I pray to Thee, not because Thou art God of God, +Light of light, very God of very God, but because Thou hast lived poor +and humble on this earth where now I suffer, because Satan has tempted +Thy flesh, because the sweat of agony has bedewed Thy face. It is to Thy +humanity that I pray, Jesus, my brother Jesus!” + +When he had thus prayed, wringing his hands, a terrible peal of laughter +shook the walls of the tomb, and the voice which rang in his ears on the +top of the column, said jeeringly-- + +“That is a prayer worthy of the breviary of Marcus, the heretic. +Paphnutius is an Arian! Paphnutius is an Arian!” + +As though thunderstruck, the monk fell senseless. + +***** + +When he reopened his eyes, he saw around him monks wearing black hoods, +who poured water on his temples, and recited exorcisms. Many others were +standing outside, carrying palm leaves. + +“As we passed through the desert,” said one of them, “we heard cries +issuing from this tomb, and, having entered, we found you lying +unconscious on the floor. Doubtless the devils had thrown you down, and +had fled at our approach.” + +Paphnutius, raising his head, asked in a feeble voice-- + +“Who are you, my brothers? And why do you carry palms in your hands? Is +it for my burial?” + +One of them replied-- + +“Brother, do you not know that our father, Anthony, now a hundred and +five years old, having been warned of his approaching end, has come +down from Mount Colzin, to which he had retired, to bless his numerous +spiritual children? We are going with palm leaves to greet our holy +father. But how is it, brother, that you are ignorant of such a great +event? Can it be possible that no angel came to this tomb to inform +you?” + +“Alas!” replied Paphnutius, “I am not worthy of such a favour, and the +only denizens of this abode are demons and vampires. Pray for me. I am +Paphnutius, Abbot of Antinoe, the most wretched of the servants of God.” + +At the name of Paphnutius, all waved their palm leaves and murmured his +praises. The monk who had previously spoken, cried in surprise-- + +“Can it be that thou art that holy Paphnutius, celebrated for so many +works that it was supposed he would some day equal the great Anthony +himself? Most venerable, it was thou who convertedst to God the +courtesan, Thais, and who, raised upon a high column, was carried away +by the seraphs. Those who watched by night, at the foot of the pillar, +saw thy blessed assumption. The wings of the angels encircled thee in +a white cloud, and with thy right hand extended thou didst bless the +dwellings of man. The next day, when the people saw thou wert no longer +there, a long groan rose to the summit of the discrowned pillar. But +Flavian, thy disciple, reported the miracle, and took thy place as the +head. But a foolish man, of the name of Paul, tried to contradict the +general opinion. He asserted that he had seen thee, in a dream, carried +away by the devils; the people wanted to stone him, and it was a miracle +that he escaped death. I am Zozimus, abbot of these solitary monks whom +thou seest prostrate at thy feet. Like them, I kneel before thee, that +thou mayest bless the father with the children. Then thou shalt relate +to us the marvels which God has deigned to accomplish by thy means.” + +“Far from having favoured me as thou believest,” replied Paphnutius, +“the Lord has tried me with terrible temptations. I was not carried away +by angels. But a shadowy wall is raised in front of my eyes, and moves +before me. I have lived in a dream. Without God all is a dream. When I +made my journey to Alexandria, I heard, in a short space of time, many +discourses, and I learned that the army of errors was innumerable. It +pursues me, and I am compassed about with swords.” + +Zozimus replied-- + +“Venerable father, we must remember that the saints, and especially the +solitary saints, undergo terrible trials. If thou wast not carried to +heaven by the seraphs, it is certain that the Lord granted that favour +to thy image, for Flavian, the monks, and the people were witnesses of +thy assumption.” + +Paphnutius resolved to go and receive the blessing of Anthony. + +“Brother Zozimus,” he said, “give me one of these palm leaves, and let +us go and meet our father.” + +“Let us go,” replied Zozimus; “military order is most befitting for +monks, who are God’s soldiers. Thou and I, being abbots, will march in +front, and the others shall follow us, singing psalms.” + +They set out on their march, and Paphnutius said-- + +“God is unity, for He is the truth, which is one. The world is many, +because it is error. We should turn away from all the sights of nature, +even those which appear the most innocent. Their diversity renders them +pleasant, which is a sign that they are evil. For that reason, I cannot +see a tuft of papyrus by the side of still waters without my soul +being imbued with melancholy. All things that the senses perceive are +detestable. The least grain of sand brings danger. Everything tempts us. +Woman is but a combination of all the temptations scattered in the thin +air, on the flowering earth, in the clear waters. Happy is he whose soul +is a sealed vase! Happy is he who knows how to be deaf, dumb, and blind, +and who knows nothing of the world, in order that he may know God!” + +Zozimus, having meditated upon these words, replied as follows-- + +“Venerable father, it is fitting that I should avow my sins to thee, +since thou hast shown me thy soul. Thus we shall confess to each +other, according to the apostolic custom. Before I was a monk, I led +an abominable life. At Madaura, a city celebrated for its courtesans, +I sought out all kinds of worldly love. Every night I supped in company +with young debauchees and female flute players, and I took home with me +the one who pleased me the best. A saint like thee could never imagine +to what a pitch the fury of my desires carried me. Suffice it to +say that it spared neither matrons nor nuns, and spread adultery and +sacrilege everywhere. I excited my senses with wine, and was justly +known as the heaviest drinker in Madaura. Yet I was a Christian, and, +in all my follies, kept my faith in Jesus crucified. Having devoured my +substance in riotous living, I was beginning to feel the first attacks +of poverty, when I saw one of my companions in pleasure suddenly struck +with a terrible disease. His knees could not sustain him; his twitching +hands refused to obey him; his glazed eyes closed. Only horrible groans +came from his breast. His mind, heavier than his body, slumbered. To +punish him for having lived like a beast, God had changed him into a +beast. The loss of my property had already inspired me with salutary +reflections, but the example of my friend was of yet greater efficacy; +it made such an impression on my heart that I quitted the world and +retired into the desert. There I have enjoyed for twenty years a peace +that nothing has troubled. I work with my monks as weaver, architect, +carpenter, and even as scribe, though, to say the truth, I have little +taste for writing, having always preferred action to thought. My days +are full of joy, and my nights without dreams, and I believe that the +grace of the Lord is in me, because, even in the midst of the most +frightful sins, I have never lost hope.” + +On hearing these words, Paphnutius lifted his eyes to heaven and +murmured-- + +“Lord, Thou lookest with kindness upon this man polluted by adultery, +sacrilege, and so many crimes, and Thou turnest away from me, who have +always kept Thy commandments! How inscrutable is Thy justice, O my God! +and how impenetrable are Thy ways!” + +Zozimus extended his arms. + +“Look, venerable father! On both sides of the horizon are long, black +files that look like emigrant ants. They are our brothers, who, like us, +are going to meet Anthony.” + +When they came to the place of meeting, they saw a magnificent +spectacle. The army of monks extended, in three ranks, in an immense +semicircle. In the first rank stood the old hermits of the desert, cross +in hand, and with long beards that almost touched the ground. The monks, +governed by the abbots Ephrem and Serapion, and also all the cenobites +of the Nile, formed the second line. Behind them appeared the ascetics, +who had come from their distant rocks. Some wore, on their blackened +and dried-up bodies, shapeless rags; others had for their only clothes, +bundles of reeds held together by withies. Many of them were naked, but +God had covered them with a fell of hair as thick as a sheep’s fleece. +All held branches of palm; they looked like an emerald rainbow, or they +might have been also compared to the host of the elect--the living walls +of the city of God. + +Such perfect order reigned in the assembly, that Paphnutius found, +without difficulty, the monks he governed. He placed himself near them, +after having taken care to hide his face under his hood, that he +might remain unknown, and not disturb them in their pious expectation. +Suddenly, an immense shout arose-- + +“The saint!” they all cried. “The saint! Behold the great saint, against +whom hell has not prevailed, the well-beloved of God! Our father, +Anthony!” + +Then a great silence followed, and every forehead was lowered to the +sand. + +From the summit of a dune, in the vast void space, Anthony advanced, +supported by his beloved disciples, Macarius and Amathas. He walked +slowly, but his figure was still upright, and showed the remains of a +superhuman strength. His white beard spread over his broad chest, his +polished skull reflected the rays of sunlight like the forehead of +Moses. The keen gaze of the eagle was in his eyes; the smile of a child +shone on his round cheek. To bless his people, he raised his arms, tired +by a century of marvellous works, and his voice burst forth for the last +time, with the words of love. + +“How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!” + +Immediately, from one end to the other of the living wall, like a peal +of harmonious thunder, the psalm, “Blessed is the man that feareth the +Lord,” broke forth. + +Accompanied by Macarius and Amathas, Anthony passed along the ranks of +the old hermits, anchorites, and cenobites. This seer, who had beheld +heaven and hell; this hermit, who from a cave in the rock, governed +the Christian Church; this saint, who had sustained the faith of the +martyrs; this scholar, whose eloquence had paralysed the heretics, spoke +tenderly to each of his sons, and bade them a kindly farewell, on the +eve of the blessed death, which God, who loved him, had at last promised +him. + +He said to the abbots Ephrem and Serapion-- + +“You command large armies, and you are both great generals. Therefore, +you shall put on in heaven an armour of gold, and the Archangel Michael +shall give you the title of kiliarchs of his hosts.” + +Perceiving the old man Philemon, he embraced him, and said-- + +“Behold, the kindest and best of all my children. His soul exhales a +perfume as sweet as the flower of the beans he sows every year.” + +To Abbot Zozimus he addressed these words-- + +“Thou hast never mistrusted divine goodness, and therefore the peace +of the Lord is in thee. The lily of thy virtues has flowered upon the +dunghill of thy corruption.” + +To all he spoke words of unerring wisdom. + +To the old hermits he said-- + +“The apostle saw, round the throne of God, eighty old men seated, clad +in white robes, and wearing crowns on their heads.” + +To the young men-- + +“Be joyful; leave sadness to the happy ones of this world.” + +Thus he passed along the front of his filial army, exhorting and +comforting. Paphnutius, seeing him approach, fell on his knees, his +heart torn by fear and hope. + +“My father! my father!” he cried in his agony. “My father! come to my +help, for I perish. I have given to God the soul of Thais; I have lived +upon the top of a column, and in the chamber of a tomb. My forehead, +unceasingly in the dust, has become horny as a camel’s knee. And yet God +has gone from me. Bless me, my father, and I shall be saved; shake the +hyssop, and I shall be washed, and I shall shine as the snow.” + +Anthony did not reply. He turned to the monks of Antinoe those eyes +whose looks no man could sustain. He gazed for a long time at Paul, +called the Fool; then he made a sign to him to approach. And, as all +were astonished that the saint should address himself to a man who was +not in his senses, Anthony said-- + +“God has granted to him more grace than to any of you. Lift thy eyes, my +son Paul, and tell me what thou seest in heaven.” + +Paul the Fool raised his eyes; his face shone, and his tongue was +unloosed. + +“I see in heaven,” he said, “a bed adorned with hangings of purple +and gold. Around it three virgins keep constant watch that no soul may +approach it, except the chosen one for whom the bed is prepared.” + +Believing that this bed was the symbol of his glorification, Paphnutius +had already begun to return thanks to God. But Anthony made a sign +to him to be silent, and to listen to the Fool, who murmured in his +ecstasy-- + +“The three virgins speak to me; they say unto me: ‘A saint is about to +quit the earth; Thais of Alexandria is dying. And we have prepared the +bed of her glory, for we are her virtues--Faith, Fear, and Love.’” + +Anthony asked-- + +“Sweet child, what else seest thou?” + +Paul gazed vacantly from the zenith to the nadir, and from west to east, +when suddenly his eyes fell on the Abbot of Antinoe. His face grew pale +with a holy terror, and his eyeballs reflected invisible flames. + +“I see,” he murmured, “three demons, who, full of joy, prepare to seize +that man. One of them is like unto a tower, one to a woman, and one to +a mage. All three bear their name, marked with red-hot iron; the first +on the forehead, the second on the belly, the third on the breast, and +those names are--Pride, Lust, and Doubt. I have finished.” + +Having spoken thus, Paul, with haggard eyes and hanging jaw, returned to +his old simple ways. + +And, as the monks of Antinoe looked anxiously at Anthony, the saint +pronounced these words-- + +“God has made known His just judgment. Let us bow to Him and hold our +peace.” + +He passed. He bestowed blessings as he went. The sun, now descended to +the horizon, enveloped him in its glory, and his shadow, immeasurably +elongated by a miracle from heaven, unrolled itself behind him like an +endless carpet, as a sign of the long remembrance this great saint would +leave amongst men. + +Upright, but thunderstruck, Paphnutius saw and heard nothing more. One +word alone rang in his ears, “Thais is dying!” The thought had never +occurred to him. Twenty years had he contemplated a mummy’s head, and +yet the idea that death would close the eyes of Thais astonished him +hopelessly. + +“Thais is dying!” An incomprehensible saying! “Thais is dying!” In those +three words what a new and terrible sense! “Thais is dying!” Then why +the sun, the flowers, the brooks, and all creation? “Thais is dying!” + What good was all the universe? Suddenly he sprang forward. “To see her +again, to see her once more!” He began to run. He knew not where he was, +or whither he went, but instinct conducted him with unerring certainty; +he went straight to the Nile. A swarm of sails covered the upper waters +of the river. He sprang on board a barque manned by Nubians, and lying +in the forepart of the boat, his eyes devouring space, he cried, in +grief and rage-- + +“Fool, fool, that I was, not to have possessed Thais whilst there was +yet time! Fool to have believed that there was anything else in the +world but her! Oh, madness! I dreamed of God, of the salvation of my +soul, of life eternal--as if all that counted for anything when I had +seen Thais! Why did I not feel that blessed eternity was in a single +kiss of that woman, and that without her life was senseless, and no more +than an evil dream? Oh, stupid fool! thou hast seen her, and thou hast +desired the good things of the other world! Oh, coward! thou hast seen +her, and thou hast feared God! God! heaven! what are they? And what have +they to offer thee which are worth the least tittle of that which she +would have given thee? Oh, miserable, senseless fool, who sought divine +goodness elsewhere than on the lips of Thais! What hand was upon thy +eyes? Cursed be he who blinded thee then! Thou couldst have bought, at +the price of thy damnation, one moment of her love, and thou hast not +done it! She opened to thee her arms--flesh mingled with the perfume of +flowers--and thou wast not engulfed in the unspeakable enchantments of +her unveiled breast. Thou hast listened to the jealous voice which +said to thee, ‘Refrain!’ Dupe, dupe, miserable dupe! Oh, regrets! Oh, +remorse! Oh, despair! Not to have the joy to carry to hell the memory of +that never-to-be-forgotten hour, and to cry to God, ‘Burn my flesh, dry +up all the blood in my veins, break all my bones, thou canst not take +from me the remembrance which sweetens and refreshes me for ever and +ever!’ . . . Thais is dying! Preposterous God, if thou knewest how I +laugh at Thy hell! Thais is dying, and she will never be mine--never! +never!” + +And as the boat came down the river with the current, he remained whole +days lying on his face, and repeating-- + +“Never! never! never!” + +Then, at the idea that she had given herself to others, and not to him; +that she had poured forth an ocean of love, and he had not wetted his +lips therein, he stood up, savagely wild, and howled with grief. He tore +his breast with his nails, and bit the flesh of his arms. He thought-- + +“If I could but kill all those she has loved!” + +The idea of these murders filled him with delicious fury. He dreamed of +killing Nicias slowly and leisurely, looking him full in the eyes whilst +he murdered him. Then suddenly his fury melted away. He wept, he sobbed. +He became feeble and meek. An unknown tenderness softened his soul. +He longed to throw his arms round the neck of the companion of his +childhood and say to him, “Nicias, I love thee, because thou hast loved +her. Talk to me about her. Tell me what she said to thee.” And still, +without ceasing, the iron of that phrase entered into his soul--“Thais +is dying!” + +“Light of day, silvery shadows of night stars, heavens, trees with +trembling crests, savage beasts, domestic animals, all the anxious +souls of men, do you not hear? ‘Thais is dying!’ Disappear, ye lights, +breezes, and perfumes! Hide yourselves, ye shapes and thoughts of the +universe! ‘Thais is dying!’ She was the beauty of the world, and all +that drew near to her grew fairer in the reflection of her grace. The +old man and the sages who sat near her, at the banquet at Alexandria, +how pleasant they were, and how fascinating was their conversation! A +host of brilliant thoughts sprang to their lips, and all their ideas +were steeped in pleasure. And it was because the breath of Thais was on +them that all they said was love, beauty, truth. A delightful impiety +lent its grace to their discourse. They thoroughly expressed all human +splendour. Alas! all that is but a dream. Thais is dying! Oh, how easy +it will be to me to die of her death! But canst thou only die, withered +embryo, fetus steeped in gall and scalding tears? Miserable abortion, +dost thou think thou canst taste death, thou who hast never known life? +If only God exists, that he may damn me. I hope for it--I wish it. God, +I hate Thee--dost Thou hear? Overwhelm me with Thy damnation. To compel +Thee to, I spit in Thy face. I must find an eternal hell, to exhaust the +eternity of rage which consumes me.” + +***** + +The next day, at dawn, Albina received the Abbot of Antinoe at the +nunnery. + +“Thou art welcome to our tabernacles of peace, venerable father, for no +doubt, thou comest to bless the saint thou hast given us. Thou knowest +that God, in his mercy, has called her to Him; how couldst thou fail to +know tidings that the angels have carried from desert to desert? It +is true that Thais is about to meet her blessed death. Her labours are +accomplished, and I ought to inform thee, in a few words, as to her +conduct whilst she was still amongst us. After thy departure, when she +was confined in a cell sealed with thy seal, I sent her, with her +food, a flute, similar to those which girls of her profession play at +banquets. I did that to prevent her from falling into a melancholy mood, +and that she should not show less skill and talent before God than she +had shown before men. In this I showed prudence and foresight, for all +day long Thais praised the Lord upon the flute, and the virgins, who +were attracted by the sound of this invisible flute, said, ‘We hear the +nightingale of the heavenly groves, the dying swan of Jesus crucified.’ +Thus did Thais perform her penance, when, after sixty days, the door +which thou hadst sealed opened of itself, and the clay seal was broken +without being touched by any human hand. By that sign I knew that +the trial thou hadst imposed upon her was at an end, and that God had +pardoned the sins of the flute-player. From that time she has shared +the ordinary life of my nuns, working and praying with them. She was an +example to them by the modesty of her acts and words, and seemed like a +statue of purity amongst them. Sometimes she was sad; but those clouds +soon passed. When I saw that she was really drawn towards God by faith, +hope, and love, I did not hesitate to employ her talent, and even her +beauty, for the improvement of her sisters. I asked her to represent +before us the actions of the famous women and wise virgins of the +Scriptures. She acted Esther, Deborah, Judith, Mary, the sister of +Lazarus, and Mary, the mother of Jesus. I know, venerable father, that +thy austere mind is alarmed at the idea of these performances. But thou +thyself wouldest have been touched if thou hadst seen her in these pious +scenes, shedding real tears, and raising to heaven arms graceful as palm +leaves. I have long governed a community of women, and I make it a rule +never to oppose their nature. All seeds give not the same flowers. Not +all souls are sanctified in the same way. It must also not be forgotten +that Thais gave herself to God whilst she was still beautiful, and such +a sacrifice is, if not unexampled, at least very rare. This beauty--her +natural vesture--has not left her during the three months’ fever of +which she is dying. As, during her illness, she has incessantly asked to +see the sky, I have her carried every morning into the courtyard, near +the well, under the old fig tree, in the shade of which the abbesses of +this convent are accustomed to hold their meetings. Thou wilt find her +there, venerable father; but hasten, for God calls her, and this night +a shroud will cover that face which God made both to shame and to edify +this world.” + +Paphnutius followed her into a courtyard flooded with the morning light. +On the edge of the brick roofs, the pigeons formed a string of pearls. +On a bed, in the shade of the fig tree, Thais lay quite white, her arms +crossed. By her side stood veiled women, reciting the prayers for the +dying. + +_“Have mercy, upon me, O God, according to Thy loving kindness: +according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my +transgressions.”_ + +He called her-- + +“Thais!” + +She raised her eyelids, and turned the whites of her eyes in the +direction of the voice. + +Albina made a sign to the veiled women to retire a few paces. + +“Thais!” repeated the monk. + +She raised her head; a light breath came from her pale lips. + +“Is it thou, my father? . . . Dost thou remember the water of the +spring, and the dates that we picked? . . . That day, my father, love +was born in my heart--the love of life eternal.” + +She was silent, and her head fell back. + +Death was upon her, and the sweat of the last agony bedewed her +forehead. A pigeon broke the still silence with its plaintive cooing. +Then the sobs of the monk mingled with the psalms of the virgins. + +_“Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For +I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.”_ + +Suddenly Thais sat up in the bed. Her violet eyes opened wide, and with +a rapt gaze, her arms stretched towards the distant hills, she said in a +clear, fresh voice-- + +“Behold them--the roses of the eternal dawn!” + +Her eyes shone; a slight flush suffused her face. She had revived, more +sweet and more beautiful than ever. Paphnutius knelt down, and threw his +long black arms around her. + +“Do not die!” he cried, in a strange voice, which he himself did not +recognise. “I love thee! Do not die! Listen, my Thais. I have deceived +thee? I was but a wretched fool. God, heaven--all that is nothing. There +is nothing true but this worldly life, and the love of human beings. I +love thee! Do not die! That would be impossible--thou art too precious! +Come, come with me! Let us fly? I will carry thee far away in my arms. +Come, let us love! Hear me, O my beloved, and say, ‘I will live; I wish +to live.’ Thais, Thais, arise!” + +She did not hear him. Her eyes gazed into infinity. + +She murmured-- + +“Heaven opens. I see the angels, the prophets, and the saints. . . . The +good Theodore is amongst them, his hands filled with flowers; he smiles +on me and calls me. . . . Two angels come to me. They draw near. . . . +How beautiful they are! I see God!” + +She uttered a joyful sigh, and her head fell back motionless on the +pillow. Thais was dead. + +Paphnutius held her in a last despairing embrace; his eyes devoured her +with desire, rage, and love. + +Albina cried to him-- + +“Avaunt, accursed wretch!” + +And she gently placed her fingers on the eyelids of the dead girl. +Paphnutius staggered back, his eyes burning with flames and feeling the +earth open beneath his feet. + +The virgins chanted the song of Zacharias: + +_“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel.”_ + +Suddenly their voices stayed in their throat. They had seen the monk’s +face, and they fled in affright, crying-- + +“A vampire! A vampire!” + +He had become so repulsive, that passing his hand over his face, he felt +his own hideousness. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Thais, by Anatole France + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THAIS *** + +***** This file should be named 2078-0.txt or 2078-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/7/2078/ + +Produced by Dagny; John Bickers and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Thais + +Author: Anatole France + +Translator: Robert B. Douglas + +Release Date: March 21, 2006 [EBook #2078] +Last Updated: October 5, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THAIS *** + + + + +Produced by Dagny; John Bickers and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + THAIS + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + by Anatole France + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Translated By Robert B. Douglas + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <h2> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> THAIS </a><br /> + </h2> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PART"> PART THE FIRST — THE LOTUS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PART2"> PART THE SECOND — THE PAPYRUS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> THE BANQUET </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PART3"> PART THE THIRD — THE EUPHORBIA </a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + THAIS + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_PART" id="link2H_PART"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PART THE FIRST — THE LOTUS + </h2> + <p> + In those days there were many hermits living in the desert. On both banks + of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of branches + held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from each + other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one another + in case of need. Churches, each surmounted by a cross, stood here and + there amongst the huts, and the monks flocked to them at each festival to + celebrate the services or to partake of the Communion. There were also, + here and there on the banks of the river, monasteries, where the cenobites + lived in separate cells, and only met together that they might the better + enjoy their solitude. + </p> + <p> + Both hermits and cenobites led abstemious lives, taking no food till after + sunset, and eating nothing but bread with a little salt and hyssop. Some + retired into the desert, and led a still more strange life in some cave or + tomb. + </p> + <p> + All lived in temperance and chastity; they wore a hair shirt and a hood, + slept on the bare ground after long watching, prayed, sang psalms, and, in + short, spent their days in works of penitence. As an atonement for + original sin, they refused their body not only all pleasures and + satisfactions, but even that care and attention which in this age are + deemed indispensable. They believed that the diseases of our members + purify our souls, and the flesh could put on no adornment more glorious + than wounds and ulcers. Thus, they thought they fulfilled the words of the + prophet, “The desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.” + </p> + <p> + Amongst the inhabitants of the holy Thebaid, there were some who passed + their days in asceticism and contemplation; others gained their livelihood + by plaiting palm fibre, or by working at harvest-time for the neighbouring + farmers. The Gentiles wrongly suspected some of them of living by + brigandage, and allying themselves to the nomadic Arabs who robbed the + caravans. But, as a matter of fact, the monks despised riches, and the + odour of their sanctity rose to heaven. + </p> + <p> + Angels in the likeness of young men, came, staff in hand, as travellers, + to visit the hermitages; whilst demons—having assumed the form of + Ethiopians or of animals—wandered round the habitations of the + hermits in order to lead them into temptation. When the monks went in the + morning to fill their pitcher at the spring, they saw the footprints of + Satyrs and Aigipans in the sand. The Thebaid was, really and spiritually, + a battlefield, where, at all times, and more especially at night, there + were terrible conflicts between heaven and hell. + </p> + <p> + The ascetics, furiously assailed by legions of the damned, defended + themselves—with the help of God and the angels—by fasting, + prayer, and penance. Sometimes carnal desires pricked them so cruelly that + they cried aloud with pain, and their lamentations rose to the starlit + heavens mingled with the howls of the hungry hyaenas. Then it was that the + demons appeared in delightful forms. For though the demons are, in + reality, hideous, they sometimes assume an appearance of beauty which + prevents their real nature from being recognised. The ascetics of the + Thebaid were amazed to see in their cells phantasms of delights unknown + even to the voluptuaries of the age. But, as they were under the sign of + the Cross, they did not succumb to these temptations, and the unclean + spirits, assuming again their true character, fled at daybreak, filled + with rage and shame. It was not unusual to meet at dawn one of these + beings, flying away and weeping, and replying to those who questioned it, + “I weep and groan because one of the Christians who live here has beaten + me with rods, and driven me away in ignominy.” + </p> + <p> + The power of the old saints of the desert extended over all sinners and + unbelievers. Their goodness was sometimes terrible. They derived from the + Apostles authority to punish all offences against the true and only God, + and no earthly power could save those they condemned. Strange tales were + told in the cities, and even as far as Alexandria, how the earth had + opened and swallowed up certain wicked persons whom one of these saints + struck with his staff. Therefore they were feared by all evil-doers, and + particularly by mimes, mountebanks, married priests, and prostitutes. + </p> + <p> + Such was the sanctity of these holy men that even wild beasts felt their + power. When a hermit was about to die, a lion came and dug a grave with + its claws. The saint knew by this that God had called him, and he went and + kissed all his brethren on the cheek. Then he lay down joyfully, and slept + in the Lord. + </p> + <p> + Now that Anthony, who was more than a hundred years old, had retired to + Mount Colzin with his well-beloved disciples, Macarius and Amathas, there + was no monk in the Thebaid more renowned for good works than Paphnutius, + the Abbot of Antinoe. Ephrem and Serapion had a greater number of + followers, and in the spiritual and temporal management of their + monasteries surpassed him. But Paphnutius observed the most rigorous + fasts, and often went for three entire days without taking food. He wore a + very rough hair shirt, he flogged himself night and morning, and lay for + hours with his face to the earth. + </p> + <p> + His twenty-four disciples had built their huts near his, and imitated his + austerities. He loved them all dearly in Jesus Christ, and unceasingly + exhorted them to good works. Amongst his spiritual children were men who + had been robbers for many years, and had been persuaded by the + exhortations of the holy abbot to embrace the monastic life, and who now + edified their companions by the purity of their lives. One, who had been + cook to the Queen of Abyssinia, and was converted by the Abbot of Antinoe, + never ceased to weep. There was also Flavian, the deacon, who knew the + Scriptures, and spoke well; but the disciple of Paphnutius who surpassed + all the others in holiness was a young peasant named Paul, and surnamed + the Fool, because of his extreme simplicity. Men laughed at his + childishness, but God favoured him with visions, and by bestowing upon him + the gift of prophecy. + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius passed his life in teaching his disciples, and in ascetic + practices. Often did he meditate upon the Holy Scriptures in order to find + allegories in them. Therefore he abounded in good works, though still + young. The devils, who so rudely assailed the good hermits, did not dare + to approach him. At night, seven little jackals sat in the moonlight in + front of his cell, silent and motionless, and with their ears pricked up. + It was believed that they were seven devils, who, owing to his sanctity, + could not cross his threshold. + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius was born at Alexandria of noble parents, who had instructed him + in all profane learning. He had even been allured by the falsehoods of the + poets, and in his early youth had been misguided enough to believe that + the human race had all been drowned by a deluge in the days of Deucalion, + and had argued with his fellow-scholars concerning the nature, the + attributes, and even the existence of God. He then led a life of + dissipation, after the manner of the Gentiles, and he recalled the memory + of those days with shame and horror. + </p> + <p> + “At that time,” he used to say to the brethren, “I seethed in the cauldron + of false delights.” + </p> + <p> + He meant by that that he had eaten food properly dressed, and frequented + the public baths. In fact, until his twentieth year he had continued to + lead the ordinary existence of those times, which now seemed to him rather + death than life; but, owing to the lessons of the priest Macrinus, he then + became a new man. + </p> + <p> + The truth penetrated him through and through, and—as he used to say—entered + his soul like a sword. He embraced the faith of Calvary, and worshipped + Christ crucified. After his baptism he remained yet a year amongst the + Gentiles, unable to cast off the bonds of old habits. But one day he + entered a church, and heard a deacon read from the Bible, the verse, “If + thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor.” + Thereupon he sold all that he had, gave away the money in alms, and + embraced the monastic life. + </p> + <p> + During the ten years that he had lived remote from men, he no longer + seethed in the cauldron of false delights, but more profitably macerated + his flesh in the balms of penitence. + </p> + <p> + One day when, according to his pious custom, he was recalling to mind the + hours he had lived apart from God, and examining his sins one by one, that + he might the better ponder on their enormity, he remembered that he had + seen at the theatre at Alexandria a very beautiful actress named Thais. + This woman showed herself in the public games, and did not scruple to + perform dances, the movements of which, arranged only too cleverly, + brought to mind the most horrible passions. Sometimes she imitated the + horrible deeds which the Pagan fables ascribe to Venus, Leda, or Pasiphae. + Thus she fired all the spectators with lust, and when handsome young men, + or rich old ones, came, inspired with love, to hang wreaths of flowers + round her door, she welcomed them, and gave herself up to them. So that, + whilst she lost her own soul, she also ruined the souls of many others. + </p> + <p> + She had almost led Paphnutius himself into the sins of the flesh. She had + awakened desire in him, and he had once approached the house of Thais. But + he stopped on the threshold of the courtesan’s house, partly restrained by + the natural timidity of extreme youth—he was then but fifteen years + old—and partly by the fear of being refused on account of his want + of money, for his parents took care that he should commit no great + extravagances. + </p> + <p> + God, in His mercy, had used these two means to prevent him from committing + a great sin. But Paphnutius had not been grateful to Him for that, because + at that time he was blind to his own interests, and did not know that he + was lusting after false delights. Now, kneeling in his cell, before the + image of that holy cross on which hung, as in a balance, the ransom of the + world, Paphnutius began to think of Thais, because Thais was a sin to him, + and he meditated long, according to ascetic rules, on the fearful + hideousness of the carnal delights with which this woman had inspired him + in the days of his sin and ignorance. After some hours of meditation the + image of Thais appeared to him clearly and distinctly. He saw her again, + as he had seen her when she tempted him, in all the beauty of the flesh. + At first she showed herself like a Leda, softly lying upon a bed of + hyacinths, her head bowed, her eyes humid and filled with a strange light, + her nostrils quivering, her mouth half open, her breasts like two flowers, + and her arms smooth and fresh as two brooks. At this sight Paphnutius + struck his breast and said— + </p> + <p> + “I call Thee to witness, my God, that I have considered how heinous has + been my sin.” + </p> + <p> + Gradually the face of the image changed its expression. Little by little + the lips of Thais, by lowering at the corners of the mouth, expressed a + mysterious suffering. Her large eyes were filled with tears and lights; + her breast heaved with sighs, like the sighing of a wind that precedes a + tempest. At this sight Paphnutius was troubled to the bottom of his soul. + Prostrating himself on the floor, he uttered this prayer— + </p> + <p> + “Thou who hast put pity in our hearts, like the morning dew upon the + fields, O just and merciful God, be Thou blessed! Praise! praise be unto + Thee! Put away from Thy servant that false tenderness which tempts to + concupiscence, and grant that I may only love Thy creatures in Thee, for + they pass away, but Thou endurest for ever. If I care for this woman, it + is only because she is Thy handiwork. The angels themselves feel pity for + her. Is she not, O Lord, the breath of Thy mouth? Let her not continue to + sin with many citizens and strangers. There is great pity for her in my + heart. Her wickednesses are abominable, and but to think of them makes my + flesh creep. But the more wicked she is, the more do I lament for her. I + weep when I think that the devils will torment her to all eternity.” + </p> + <p> + As he was meditating in this way, he saw a little jackal lying at his + feet. He felt much surprised, for the door of his cell had been closed + since the morning. The animal seemed to read the Abbot’s thoughts, and + wagged its tail like a dog. Paphnutius made the sign of the cross and the + beast vanished. He knew then that, for the first time, the devil had + entered his cell, and he uttered a short prayer; then he thought again + about Thais. + </p> + <p> + “With God’s help,” he said to himself, “I must save her.” And he slept. + </p> + <p> + The next morning, when he had said his prayers, he went to see the sainted + Palemon, a holy hermit who lived some distance away. He found him smiling + quietly as he dug the ground, as was his custom. Palemon was an old man, + and cultivated a little garden; the wild beasts came and licked his hands, + and the devils never tormented him. + </p> + <p> + “May God be praised, brother Paphnutius,” he said, as he leaned upon his + spade. + </p> + <p> + “God be praised!” replied Paphnutius. “And peace be unto my brother.” + </p> + <p> + “The like peace be unto thee, brother Paphnutius,” said Palemon; and he + wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. + </p> + <p> + “Brother Palemon, all our discourse ought to be solely the praise of Him + who has promised to be wheresoever two or three are gathered together in + His Name. That is why I come to you concerning a design I have formed to + glorify the Lord.” + </p> + <p> + “May the Lord bless thy design, Paphnutius, as He has blessed my lettuces. + Every morning He spreads His grace with the dew on my garden, and His + goodness causes me to glorify Him in the cucumbers and melons which He + gives me. Let us pray that He may keep us in His peace. For nothing is + more to be feared than those unruly passions which trouble our hearts. + When these passions disturb us we are like drunken men, and we stagger + from right to left unceasingly, and are like to fall miserably. Sometimes + these passions plunge us into a turbulent joy, and he who gives way to + such, sullies the air with brutish laughter. Such false joy drags the + sinner into all sorts of excess. But sometimes also the troubles of the + soul and of the senses throw us into an impious sadness which is a + thousand times worse than the joy. Brother Paphnutius, I am but a + miserable sinner, but I have found, in my long life, that the cenobite has + no foe worse than sadness. I mean by that the obstinate melancholy which + envelopes the soul as in a mist, and hides from us the light of God. + Nothing is more contrary to salvation, and the devil’s greatest triumph is + to sow black and bitter thoughts in the heart of a good man. If he sent us + only pleasurable temptations, he would not be half so much to be feared. + Alas! he excels in making us sad. Did he not show to our father Anthony a + black child of such surpassing beauty that the very sight of it drew + tears? With God’s help, our father Anthony avoided the snares of the + demon. I knew him when he lived amongst us; he was cheerful with his + disciples, and never gave way to melancholy. But did you not come, my + brother, to talk to me of a design you had formed in your mind? Let me + know what it is—if, at least, this design has for its object the + glory of God.” + </p> + <p> + “Brother Palemon, what I propose is really to the glory of God. Strengthen + me with your counsel, for you know many things, and sin has never darkened + the clearness of your mind.” + </p> + <p> + “Brother Paphnutius, I am not worthy to unloose the latchet of thy + sandals, and my sins are as countless as the sands of the desert. But I am + old, and I will never refuse the help of my experience.” + </p> + <p> + “I will confide in you, then, brother Palemon, that I am stricken with + grief at the thought that there is, in Alexandria, a courtesan named + Thais, who lives in sin, and is a subject of reproach unto the people.” + </p> + <p> + “Brother Paphnutius, that is, in truth, an abomination which we do well to + deplore. There are many women amongst the Gentiles who lead lives of that + kind. Have you thought of any remedy for this great evil?” + </p> + <p> + “Brother Palemon, I will go to Alexandria and find this woman, and, with + God’s help, I will convert her; that is my intention; do you approve of + it, brother?” + </p> + <p> + “Brother Paphnutius, I am but a miserable sinner, but our father Anthony + used to say, ‘In whatsoever place thou art, hasten not to leave it to go + elsewhere.’” + </p> + <p> + “Brother Palemon, do you disapprove of my project?” + </p> + <p> + “Dear Paphnutius, God forbid that I should suspect my brother of bad + intentions. But our father Anthony also said, ‘Fishes die on dry land, and + so is it with those monks who leave their cells and mingle with the men of + this world, amongst whom no good thing is to be found.’” + </p> + <p> + Having thus spoken, the old man pressed his foot on the spade, and began + to dig energetically round a fig tree laden with fruit. As he was thus + engaged, there was a rustling in the bushes, and an antelope leaped over + the hedge which surrounded the garden; it stopped, surprised and + frightened, its delicate legs trembling, then ran up to the old man, and + laid its pretty head on the breast of its friend. + </p> + <p> + “God be praised in the gazelle of the desert,” said Palemon. + </p> + <p> + He went to his hut, the light-footed little animal trotting after him, and + brought out some black bread, which the antelope ate out of his hand. + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius remained thoughtful for some time, his eyes fixed upon the + stones at his feet. Then he slowly walked back to his cell, pondering on + what he had heard. A great struggle was going on in his mind. + </p> + <p> + “The hermit gives good advice,” he said to himself; “the spirit of + prudence is in him. And he doubts the wisdom of my intention. Yet it would + be cruel to leave Thais any longer in the power of the demon who possesses + her. May God advise and conduct me.” + </p> + <p> + As he was walking along, he saw a plover, caught in the net that a hunter + had laid on the sand, and he knew that it was a hen bird, for he saw the + male fly to the net, and tear the meshes one by one with its beak, until + it had made an opening by which its mate could escape. The holy man + watched this incident, and as, by virtue of his holiness, he easily + comprehended the mystic sense of all occurrences, he knew that the captive + bird was no other than Thais, caught in the snares of sin, and that—like + the plover that had cut the hempen threads with its beak—he could, + by pronouncing the word of power, break the invisible bonds by which Thais + was held in sin. Therefore he praised God, and was confirmed in his first + resolution. But then seeing the plover caught by the feet, and hampered by + the net it had broken, he fell into uncertainty again. + </p> + <p> + He did not sleep all night, and before dawn he had a vision. Thais + appeared to him again. There was no expression of guilty pleasure on her + face, nor was she dressed according to custom in transparent drapery. She + was enveloped in a shroud, which hid even a part of her face, so that the + Abbot could see nothing but the two eyes, from which flowed white and + heavy tears. + </p> + <p> + At this sight he began to weep, and believing that this vision came from + God, he no longer hesitated. He rose, seized a knotted stick, the symbol + of the Christian faith, and left his cell, carefully closing the door, + lest the animals of the desert and the birds of the air should enter, and + befoul the copy of the Holy Scriptures which stood at the head of his bed. + He called Flavian, the deacon, and gave him authority over the other + twenty-three disciples during his absence; and then, clad only in a long + cassock, he bent his steps towards the Nile, intending to follow the + Libyan bank to the city founded by the Macedonian monarch. He walked from + dawn to eve, indifferent to fatigue, hunger, and thirst; the sun was + already low on the horizon when he saw the dreadful river, the blood-red + waters of which rolled between the rocks of gold and fire. + </p> + <p> + He kept along the shore, begging his bread at the door of solitary huts + for the love of God, and joyfully receiving insults, refusals, or threats. + He feared neither robbers nor wild beasts, but he took great care to avoid + all the towns and villages he came near. He was afraid lest he should see + children playing at knuckle-bones before their father’s house, or meet, by + the side of the well, women in blue smocks, who might put down their + pitcher and smile at him. All things are dangerous for the hermit; it is + sometimes a danger for him to read in the Scriptures that the Divine + Master journeyed from town to town and supped with His disciples. The + virtues that the anchorites embroider so carefully on the tissue of faith, + are as fragile as they are beautiful; a breath of ordinary life may + tarnish their pleasant colours. For that reason, Paphnutius avoided the + towns, fearing lest his heart should soften at the sight of his fellow + men. + </p> + <p> + He journeyed along lonely roads. When evening came, the murmuring of the + breeze amidst the tamarisk trees made him shiver, and he pulled his hood + over his eyes that he might not see how beautiful all things were. After + walking six days, he came to a place called Silsile. There the river runs + in a narrow valley, bordered by a double chain of granite mountains. It + was there that the Egyptians, in the days when they worshipped demons, + carved their idols. Paphnutius saw an enormous sphinx carved in the solid + rock. Fearing that it might still possess some diabolical properties, he + made the sign of the cross, and pronounced the name of Jesus; he + immediately saw a bat fly out of one of the monster’s ears, and Paphnutius + knew that he had driven out the evil spirits which had been for centuries + in the figure. His zeal increased, and picking up a large stone, he threw + it in the idol’s face. Then the mysterious face of the sphinx expressed + such profound sadness that Paphnutius was moved. In fact, the expression + of superhuman grief on the stone visage would have touched even the most + unfeeling man. Therefore Paphnutius said to the sphinx— + </p> + <p> + “O monster, be like the satyrs and centaurs our father Anthony saw in the + desert, and confess the divinity of Jesus Christ, and I will bless thee in + the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.” + </p> + <p> + When he had spoken a rosy light gleamed in the eyes of the sphinx; the + heavy eyelids of the monster quivered and the granite lips painfully + murmured, as though in echo to the man’s voice, the holy name of Jesus + Christ; therefore Paphnutius stretched out his right hand, and blessed the + sphinx of Silsile. + </p> + <p> + That being done, he resumed his journey, and the valley having grown + wider, he saw the ruins of an immense city. The temples, which still + remained standing, were supported by idols which served as columns, and—by + the permission of God—these figures with women’s heads and cow’s + horns, threw on Paphnutius a long look which made him turn pale. He walked + thus seventeen days, his only food a few raw herbs, and he slept at night + in some ruined palace, amongst the wild cats and Pharaoh’s rats, with + which mingled sometimes, women whose bodies ended in a scaly tail. But + Paphnutius knew that these women came from hell, and he drove them away by + making the sign of the cross. + </p> + <p> + On the eighteenth day, he found, far from any village, a wretched hut made + of palm leaves, and half buried under the sand which had been driven by + the desert wind. He approached it, hoping that the hut was inhabited by + some pious anchorite. He saw inside the hovel—for there was no door—a + pitcher, a bunch of onions, and a bed of dried leaves. + </p> + <p> + “This must be the habitation of a hermit,” he said to himself. “Hermits + are generally to be found near their hut, and I shall not fail to meet + this one. I will give him the kiss of peace, even as the holy Anthony did + when he came to the hermit Paul, and kissed him three times. We will + discourse of things eternal, and perhaps our Lord will send us, by one of + His ravens, a crust of bread, which my host will willingly invite me to + share with him.” + </p> + <p> + Whilst he was thus speaking to himself, he walked round the hut to see if + he could find any one. He had not walked a hundred paces when he saw a man + seated, with his legs crossed, by the side of the river. The man was + naked; his hair and beard were quite white, and his body redder than + brick. Paphnutius felt sure this must be the hermit. He saluted him with + the words the monks are accustomed to use when they meet each other. + </p> + <p> + “Peace be with you, brother! May you some day taste the sweet joys of + paradise.” + </p> + <p> + The man did not reply. He remained motionless, and appeared not to have + heard. Paphnutius supposed this was due to one of those rhapsodies to + which the saints are accustomed. He knelt down, with his hands joined, by + the side of the unknown, and remained thus in prayer till sunset. Then, + seeing that his companion had not moved, he said to him— + </p> + <p> + “Father, if you are now out of the ecstasy in which you were lost, give me + your blessing in our Lord Jesus Christ.” + </p> + <p> + The other replied without turning his head— + </p> + <p> + “Stranger, I understand you not, and I know not the Lord Jesus Christ.” + </p> + <p> + “What!” cried Paphnutius. “The prophets have announced Him; legions of + martyrs have confessed His name; Caesar himself has worshipped Him, and, + but just now, I made the sphinx of Silsile proclaim His glory. Is it + possible that you do not know Him?” + </p> + <p> + “Friend,” replied the other, “it is possible. It would even be certain, if + anything in this world were certain.” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius was surprised and saddened by the incredible ignorance of the + man. + </p> + <p> + “If you know not Jesus Christ,” he said, “all your works serve no purpose, + and you will never rise to life immortal.” + </p> + <p> + The old man replied— + </p> + <p> + “It is useless to act, or to abstain from acting. It matters not whether + we live or die.” + </p> + <p> + “Eh, what?” asked Paphnutius. “Do you not desire to live through all + eternity? But, tell me, do you not live in a hut in the desert as the + hermits do?” + </p> + <p> + “It seems so.” + </p> + <p> + “Do I not see you naked, and lacking all things?” + </p> + <p> + “It seems so.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you not feed on roots, and live in chastity?” + </p> + <p> + “It seems so.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you not renounced all the vanities of this world?” + </p> + <p> + “I have truly renounced all those vain things for which men commonly + care.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you are like me, poor, chaste, and solitary. And you are not so—as + I am—for the love of God, and with a hope of celestial happiness! + That I cannot understand. Why are you virtuous if you do not believe in + Jesus Christ? Why deprive yourself of the good things of this world if you + do not hope to gain eternal riches in heaven?” + </p> + <p> + “Stranger, I deprive myself of nothing which is good, and I flatter myself + that I have found a life which is satisfactory enough, though—to + speak more precisely—there is no such thing as a good or evil life. + Nothing is itself, either virtuous or shameful, just or unjust, pleasant + or painful, good or bad. It is our opinion which gives those qualities to + things, as salt gives savour to meats.” + </p> + <p> + “So then, according to you there is no certainty. You deny the truth which + the idolaters themselves have sought. You lie in ignorance—like a + tired dog sleeping in the mud.” + </p> + <p> + “Stranger, it is equally useless to abuse either dogs or philosophers. We + know not what dogs are or what we are. We know nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “Old man, do you belong, then, to the absurd sect of sceptics? Are you one + of those miserable fools who alike deny movement and rest, and who know + not how to distinguish between the light of the sun and the shadows of + night?” + </p> + <p> + “Friend, I am truly a sceptic, and of a sect which appears praiseworthy to + me, though it seems ridiculous to you. For the same things often assume + different appearances. The pyramids of Memphis seem at sunrise to be cones + of pink light. At sunset they look like black triangles against the + illuminated sky. But who shall solve the problem of their true nature? You + reproach me with denying appearances, when, in fact, appearances are the + only realities I recognise. The sun seems to me illuminous, but its nature + is unknown to me. I feel that fire burns—but I know not how or why. + My friend, you understand me badly. Besides, it is indifferent to me + whether I am understood one way or the other.” + </p> + <p> + “Once more. Why do you live on dates and onions in the desert? Why do you + endure great hardships? I endure hardships equally great, and, like you, I + live in abstinence and solitude. But then it is to please God, and to earn + eternal happiness. And that is a reasonable object, for it is wise to + suffer now for a future gain. It is senseless, on the contrary, to expose + yourself voluntarily to useless fatigue and vain sufferings. If I did not + believe—pardon my blasphemy, O uncreated Light!—if I did not + believe in the truth of that which God has taught us by the voice of the + prophets, by the example of His Son, by the acts of the Apostles, by the + authority of councils, and by the testimony of the martyrs,—if I did + not know that the sufferings of the body are necessary for the salvation + of the soul—if I were, like thee, lost in ignorance of sacred + mysteries—I would return at once amongst the men of this day, I + would strive to acquire riches, that I might live in ease, like those who + are happy in this world, and I would say to the votaries of pleasure, + ‘Come, my daughters, come, my servants, come and pour out for me your + wines, your philtres, your perfumes.’ But you, foolish old man! you + deprive yourself of all these advantages; you lose without hope of any + gain; you give without hope of any return, and you imitate foolishly the + noble deeds of us anchorites, as an impudent monkey thinks, by smearing a + wall, to copy the picture of a clever artist. What, then, are your + reasons, O most besotted of men?” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius spoke with violence and indignation, but the old man remained + unmoved. + </p> + <p> + “Friend,” he replied, gently, “what matter the reasons of a dog sleeping + in the dirt or a mischievous ape?” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius’ only aim was the glory of God. His anger vanished, and he + apologised with noble humility. + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me, old man, my brother,” he said, “if zeal for the truth has + carried me beyond proper bounds. God is my witness, that it is thy errors + and not thyself that I hate. I suffer to see thee in darkness, for I love + thee in Jesus Christ, and care for thy salvation fills my heart. Speak! + give me your reasons. I long to know them that I may refute them.” + </p> + <p> + The old man replied quietly— + </p> + <p> + “It is the same to me whether I speak or remain silent. I will give my + reasons without asking yours in return, for I have no interest in you at + all. I care neither for your happiness nor your misfortune, and it matters + not to me whether you think one way or another. Why should I love you, or + hate you? Aversion and sympathy are equally unworthy of the wise man. But + since you question me, know then that I am named Timocles, and that I was + born at Cos, of parents made rich by commerce. My father was a shipowner. + In intelligence he much resembled Alexander, who is surnamed the Great. + But he was not so gross. In short, he was a man of no great parts. I had + two brothers, who, like him, were shipowners. As for me, I followed + wisdom. My eldest brother was compelled by my father to marry a Carian + woman, named Timaessa, who displeased him so greatly that he could not + live with her without falling into a deep melancholy. However, Timaessa + inspired our younger brother with a criminal passion, and this passion + soon turned to a furious madness. The Carian woman hated them both + equally; but she loved a flute-player, and received him at night in her + chamber. One morning he left there the wreath which he usually wore at + feasts. My two brothers, having found this wreath, swore to kill the + flute-player, and the next day they caused him to perish under the lash, + in spite of his tears and prayers. My sister-in-law felt such grief that + she lost her reason, and these three poor wretches became beasts rather + than human beings, and wandered insane along the shores of Cos, howling + like wolves and foaming at the mouth, and hooted at by the children, who + threw shells and stones at them. They died, and my father buried them with + his own hands. A little later his stomach refused all nourishment, and he + died of hunger, though he was rich enough to have bought all the meats and + fruits in the markets of Asia. He was deeply grieved at having to leave me + his fortune. I used it in travels. I visited Italy, Greece, and Africa + without meeting a single person who was either wise or happy. I studied + philosophy at Athens and Alexandria, and was deafened by noisy arguments. + At last I wandered as far as India, and I saw on the banks of the Ganges a + naked man, who had sat there motionless with his legs crossed for more + than thirty years. Climbing plants twined round his dried up body, and the + birds built their nests in his hair. Yet he lived. At the sight of him I + called to mind Timaessa, the flute-player, my two brothers, and my father, + and I realised that this Indian was a wise man. ‘Men,’ I said to myself, + ‘suffer because they are deprived of that which they believe to be good; + or because, possessing it they fear to lose it; or because they endure + that which they believe to be an evil. Put an end to all beliefs of this + kind, and the evils would disappear.’ That is why I resolved henceforth to + deem nothing an advantage, to tear myself entirely from the good things of + this world, and to live silent and motionless, like the Indian.” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius had listened attentively to the old man’s story. + </p> + <p> + “Timocles of Cos,” he replied, “I own that your discourse is not wholly + devoid of sense. It is, in truth, wise to despise the riches of this + world. But it would be absurd to despise also your eternal welfare, and + render yourself liable to be visited by the wrath of God. I grieve at your + ignorance, Timocles, and I will instruct you in the truth, in order that + knowing that there really exists a God in three hypostases, you may obey + this God as a child obeys its father.” + </p> + <p> + Timocles interrupted him. + </p> + <p> + “Refrain, stranger, from showing me your doctrines, and do not imagine + that you will persuade me to share your opinions. All discussions are + useless. My opinion is to have no opinion. My life is devoid of trouble + because I have no preferences. Go thy ways, and strive not to withdraw me + from the beneficent apathy in which I am plunged, as though in a delicious + bath, after the hardships of my past days.” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius was profoundly instructed in all things relating to the faith. + By his knowledge of the human heart, he was aware that the grace of God + had not fallen on old Timocles, and the day of salvation for this soul so + obstinately resolved to ruin itself had not yet come. He did not reply, + lest the power given for edification should turn to destruction. For it + sometimes happens, in disputing with infidels, that the means used for + their conversion may steep them still farther in sin. Therefore they who + possess the truth should take care how they spread it. + </p> + <p> + “Farewell, then, unhappy Timocles,” he said; and heaving a deep sigh, he + resumed his pious pilgrimage through the night. + </p> + <p> + In the morning, he saw the ibises motionless on one leg at the edge of the + water, which reflected their pale pink necks. The willows stretched their + soft grey foliage to the bank, cranes flew in a triangle in the clear sky, + and the cry of unseen herons was heard from the sedges. Far as the eye + could reach, the river rolled its broad green waters o’er which white + sails, like the wings of birds, glided, and here and there on the shores, + a white house shone out. A light mist floated along the banks, and from + out the shadow of the islands, which were laden with palms, flowers, and + fruits, came noisy flocks of ducks, geese, flamingoes, and teal. To the + left, the grassy valley extended to the desert its fields and orchards in + joyful abundance; the sun shone on the yellow wheat, and the earth exhaled + forth its fecundity in odorous wafts. At this sight, Paphnutius fell on + his knees, and cried— + </p> + <p> + “Blessed be the Lord, who has given a happy issue to my journey. O God, + who spreadest Thy dew upon the fig trees of the Arsiniote, pour Thy grace + upon Thais, whom Thou hast formed with Thy love, as Thou hast the flowers + and trees of the field. May she, by Thy loving care, flourish like a + sweet-scented rose in the heavenly Jerusalem.” + </p> + <p> + And every time that he saw a tree covered with blossom, or a bird of + brilliant plumage, he thought of Thais. Keeping along the left arm of the + river and through a fertile and populous district, he reached, in a few + days, the city of Alexandria, which the Greeks have surnamed the Beautiful + and the Golden. The sun had risen an hour, when he beheld, from the top of + a hill, the vast city, the roofs of which glittered in the rosy light. He + stopped, and folded his arms on his breast. + </p> + <p> + “There, then,” he said, “is the delightful spot where I was born in sin; + the bright air where I breathed poisonous perfumes; the sea of pleasure + where I heard the songs of the sirens. There is my cradle, after the + flesh; my native land—in the parlance of the men of these days! A + rich cradle, an illustrious country, in the judgment of men! It is natural + that thy children should reverence thee like a mother, Alexandria, and I + was begotten in thy magnificently adorned breast. But the ascetic despises + nature, the mystic scorns appearances, the Christian regards his native + land as a place of exile, the monk is not of this earth. I have turned + away my heart from loving thee, Alexandria. I hate thee! I hate thee for + thy riches, thy science, thy pleasures, and thy beauty. Be accursed, + temple of demons! Lewd couch of the Gentiles, tainted pulpit of Arian + heresy, be thou accursed! And thou, winged son of heaven who led the holy + hermit Anthony, our father, when he came from the depths of the desert, + and entered into the citadel of idolatry to strengthen the faith of + believers and the confidence of martyrs, beautiful angel of the Lord, + invisible child, first breath of God, fly thou before me, and cleanse, by + the beating of thy wings, the corrupted air I am about to breathe amongst + the princes of darkness of this world!” + </p> + <p> + Having thus spoken, he resumed his journey. He entered the city by the + Gate of the Sun. This gate was a handsome structure of stone. In the + shadow of its arch, crowded some poor wretches, who offered lemons and + figs for sale, or with many groans and lamentations, begged for an obolus. + </p> + <p> + An old woman in rags, who was kneeling there, seized the monk’s cassock, + kissed it, and said— + </p> + <p> + “Man of the Lord, bless me, that God may bless me. I have suffered many + things in this world that I may have joys in the world to come. You come + from God, O holy man, and that is why the dust of your feet is more + precious than gold.” + </p> + <p> + “The Lord be praised!” said Paphnutius, and with his half-closed hand he + made the sign of redemption on the old woman’s head. + </p> + <p> + But hardly had he gone twenty paces down the street, than a band of + children began to jeer at him, and throw stones, crying— + </p> + <p> + “Oh, the wicked monk! He is blacker than an ape, and more bearded than a + goat! He is a skulker! Why not hang him in an orchard, like a wooden + Priapus, to frighten the birds? But no; he would draw down the hail on the + apple-blossom. He brings bad luck. To the ravens with the monk! to the + ravens!” and stones mingled with the cries. + </p> + <p> + “My God, bless these poor children!” murmured Paphnutius. + </p> + <p> + And he pursued his way, thinking. + </p> + <p> + “I was worshipped by the old woman, and hated and despised by these + children. Thus the same object is appreciated differently by men who are + uncertain in their judgment and liable to error. It must be owned that, + for a Gentile, old Timocles was not devoid of sense. Though blind, he knew + he was deprived of light. His reasoning was much better than that of these + idolaters, who cry from the depths of their thick darkness, ‘I see the + day!’ Everything in this world is mirage and moving sand. God alone is + steadfast.” + </p> + <p> + He passed through the city with rapid steps. After ten years of absence he + would still recognise every stone, and every stone was to him a stone of + reproach that recalled a sin. For that reason he struck his naked feet + roughly against the kerb-stones of the wide street, and rejoiced to see + the bloody marks of his wounded feet. Leaving on his left the magnificent + portico of the Temple of Serapis, he entered a road lined with splendid + mansions, which seemed to be drowsy with perfumes. Pines, maples, and + larches raised their heads above the red cornices and golden acroteria. + Through the half-open doors could be seen bronze statues in marble + vestibules, and fountains playing amidst foliage. No noise troubled the + stillness of these quiet retreats. Only the distant strains of a flute + could be heard. The monk stopped before a house, rather small, but of + noble proportions, and supported by columns as graceful as young girls. It + was ornamented with bronze busts of the most celebrated Greek + philosophers. + </p> + <p> + He recognised Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Epicurus, and Zeno, and having + knocked with the hammer against the door, he waited, wrapped in + meditation. + </p> + <p> + “It is vanity to glorify in metal these false sages; their lies are + confounded, their souls are lost in hell, and even the famous Plato + himself, who filled the earth with his eloquence, now disputes with the + devils.” + </p> + <p> + A slave opened the door, and seeing a man with bare feet standing on the + mosaic threshold, said to him roughly— + </p> + <p> + “Go and beg elsewhere, stupid monk, or I will drive you away with a + stick.” + </p> + <p> + “Brother,” replied the Abbott of Antinoe, “all that I ask is that you + conduct me to your master, Nicias.” + </p> + <p> + The slave replied, more angrily than before— + </p> + <p> + “My master does not see dogs like you.” + </p> + <p> + “My son,” said Paphnutius, “will you please do what I ask, and tell your + master that I desire to see him. + </p> + <p> + “Get out, vile beggar!” cried the porter furiously; and he raised his + stick and struck the holy man, who, with his arms crossed upon his breast, + received unmovedly the blow, which fell full in his face, and then + repeated gently— + </p> + <p> + “Do as I ask you, my son, I beg.” + </p> + <p> + The porter tremblingly murmured— + </p> + <p> + “Who is this man who is not afraid of suffering?” + </p> + <p> + And he ran and told his master. + </p> + <p> + Nicias had just left the bath. Two pretty slave girls were scraping him + with strigils. He was a pleasant-looking man, with a kind smile. There was + an expression of gentle satire in his face. On seeing the monk, he rose + and advanced with open arms. + </p> + <p> + “It is you!” he cried, “Paphnutius, my fellow-scholar, my friend my + brother! Oh, I knew you again, though, to say the truth, you look more + like a wild animal than a man. Embrace me. Do you remember the time when + we studied grammar, rhetoric, and philosophy together? You were, even + then, of a morose and wild character, but I liked you because of your + complete sincerity. We used to say that you looked at the universe with + the eyes of a wild horse, and it was not surprising you were dull and + moody. You needed a pinch of Attic salt, but your liberality knew no + bounds. You cared nothing for either your money or your life. And you had + the eccentricity of genius, and a strange character which interested me + deeply. You are welcome, my dear Paphnutius, after ten years of absence. + You have quitted the desert; you have renounced all Christian + superstitions, and now return to your old life. I will mark this day with + a white stone.” + </p> + <p> + “Crobyle and Myrtale,” he added, turning towards the girls, “perfume the + feet, hands, and beard of my dear guest.” + </p> + <p> + They smiled, and had already brought the basin, the phials, and the metal + mirror. But Paphnutius stopped them with an imperious gesture, and lowered + his eyes that he might not look upon them, for they were naked. Nicias + brought cushions for him, and offered him various meats and drinks, which + Paphnutius scornfully refused. + </p> + <p> + “Nicias,” he said, “I have not renounced what you falsely call the + Christian superstition, which is the truth of truths. ‘In the beginning + was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things + were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In + Him was the life, and the life was the light of men.’” + </p> + <p> + “My dear Paphnutius,” replied Nicias, who had now put on a perfumed tunic, + “do you expect to astonish me by reciting a lot of words jumbled together + without skill, which are no more than a vain murmur? Have you forgotten + that I am a bit of a philosopher myself? And do you think to satisfy me + with some rags, torn by ignorant men from the purple garment of AEmilius, + when AEmilius, Porphyry, and Plato, in all their glory, did not satisfy + me! The systems devised by the sages are but tales imagined to amuse the + eternal childishness of men. We divert ourselves with them, as we do with + the stories of <i>The Ass</i>, <i>The Tub</i>, and <i>The Ephesian Matron</i>, + or any other Milesian fable.” + </p> + <p> + And, taking his guest by the arm, he led him into a room where thousands + of papyri were rolled up and lay in baskets. + </p> + <p> + “This is my library,” he said. “It contains a small part of the various + systems which the philosophers have constructed to explain the world. The + Serapeium itself, with all its riches, does not contain them all. Alas! + they are but the dreams of sick men.” + </p> + <p> + He compelled his guest to sit down in an ivory chair, and sat down + himself. Paphnutius scowled gloomily at all the books in the library, and + said— + </p> + <p> + “They ought all to be burned.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my dear guest, that would be a pity!” replied Nicias. “For the dreams + of sick men are sometimes amusing. Besides, if we should destroy all the + dreams and visions of men, the earth would lose its form and colours, and + we should all sleep in a dull stupidity.” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius continued in the same strain as before— + </p> + <p> + “It is certain that the doctrines of the pagans are but vain lies. But + God, who is the truth, revealed Himself to men by miracles, and He was + made flesh, and lived among us.” + </p> + <p> + Nicias replied— + </p> + <p> + “You speak well, my dear Paphnutius, when you say that he was made flesh. + A God who thinks, acts, speaks, who wanders through nature, like Ulysses + of old on the glaucous sea, is altogether a man. How do you expect that we + should believe in this new Jupiter, when the urchins of Athens, in the + time of Pericles, no longer believed in the old one? + </p> + <p> + “But let us leave all that. You did not come here; I suppose, to argue + about the three hypostases. What can I do for you, my dear + fellow-scholar?” + </p> + <p> + “A good deed,” replied the Abbot of Antinoe. “Lend me a perfumed tunic, + like the one you have just put on. Be kind enough to add to the tunic, + gilt sandals, and a vial of oil to anoint my beard and hair. It is needful + also, that you should give me a purse with a thousand drachmae in it. + That, O Nicias, is what I came to ask of you, for the love of God, and in + remembrance of our old friendship.” + </p> + <p> + Nicias made Crobyle and Myrtale bring his richest tunic; it was + embroidered, after the Asiatic fashion, with flowers and animals. The two + girls held it open, and skilfully showed its bright colours, waiting till + Paphnutius should have taken off the cassock which covered him down to his + feet. But the monk having declared that they should rather tear off his + flesh than this garment, they put on the tunic over it. As the two girls + were pretty, they were not afraid of men, although they were slaves. They + laughed at the strange appearance of the monk thus clad. Crobyle called + him her dear satrap, as she presented him with the mirror, and Myrtale + pulled his beard. But Paphnutius prayed to the Lord, and did not look at + them. Having tied on the gilt sandals, and fastened the purse to his belt, + he said to Nicias, who was looking at him with an amused expression— + </p> + <p> + “O Nicias, let not these things be an offence in your eyes. For know that + I shall make pious use of this tunic, this purse, and these sandals.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear friend,” replied Nicias, “I suspect no evil, for I believe that + men are equally incapable of doing evil or doing good. Good and evil exist + only in the opinion. The wise man has only custom and usage to guide him + in his acts. I conform with all the prejudices which prevail at + Alexandria. That is why I pass for an honest man. Go, friend, and enjoy + yourself.” + </p> + <p> + But Paphnutius thought that it was needful to inform his host of his + intention. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know Thais,” he said, “who acts in the games at the theatre?” + </p> + <p> + “She is beautiful,” replied Nicias, “and there was a time when she was + dear to me. For her sake, I sold a mill and two fields of corn, and I + composed in her honour three books full of detestably bad verses. Surely + beauty is the most powerful force in the world, and were we so made that + we could possess it always, we should care as little as may be for the + demiurgos, the logos, the aeons, and all the other reveries of the + philosophers. But I am surprised, my good Paphnutius, that you should have + come from the depths of the Thebaid to talk about Thais.” + </p> + <p> + Having said this, he sighed gently. And Paphnutius gazed at him with + horror, not conceiving it possible that a man should so calmly avow such a + sin. He expected to see the earth open, and Nicias swallowed up in flames. + But the earth remained solid, and the Alexandrian silent, his forehead + resting on his hand, and he smiling sadly at the memories of his past + youth. The monk rose, and continued in solemn tones— + </p> + <p> + “Know then, O Nicias, that, with the aid of God, I will snatch this woman + Thais from the unclean affections of the world, and give her as a spouse + to Jesus Christ. If the Holy Spirit does not forsake me, Thais will leave + this city and enter a nunnery.” + </p> + <p> + “Beware of offending Venus,” replied Nicias. “She is a powerful goddess, + she will be angry with you if you take away her chief minister.” + </p> + <p> + “God will protect me,” said Paphnutius. “May He also illumine thy heart, O + Nicias, and draw thee out of the abyss in which thou art plunged.” + </p> + <p> + And he stalked out of the room. But Nicias followed him, and overtook him + on the threshold, and placing his hand on his shoulder whispered into his + ear the same words— + </p> + <p> + “Beware of offending Venus; her vengeance is terrible.” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius, disdainful of these trivial words, left without turning his + head. He felt only contempt for Nicias; but what he could not bear was the + idea that his former friend had received the caresses of Thais. It seemed + to him that to sin with that woman was more detestable than to sin with + any other. To him this appeared the height of iniquity, and he henceforth + looked upon Nicias as an object of execration. He had always hated + impurity, but never before had this vice appeared so heinous to him; never + before had it so seemed to merit the anger of Jesus Christ and the sorrow + of the angels. + </p> + <p> + He felt only a more ardent desire to save Thais from the Gentiles, and + that he must hasten to see the actress in order to save her. Nevertheless, + before he could enter her house, he must wait till the heat of the day was + over, and now the morning had hardly finished. Paphnutius wandered through + the most frequented streets. He had resolved to take no food that day, in + order to be the less unworthy of the favours he had asked of the Lord. To + the great grief of his soul, he dared not enter any of the churches in the + city, because he knew they were profaned by the Arians, who had overturned + the Lord’s table. For, in fact, these heretics, supported by the Emperor + of the East, had driven the patriarch Athanasius from his episcopate, and + sown trouble and confusion among the Christians of Alexandria. + </p> + <p> + He therefore wandered about aimlessly, sometimes with his eyes fixed on + the ground in humility, and sometimes raised to heaven in ecstasy. After + some time, he found himself on the quay. Before him lay the harbour, in + which were sheltered innumerable ships and galleys, and beyond them, + smiling in blue and silver, lay the perfidious sea. A galley, which bore a + Nereid at its prow, had just weighed anchor. The rowers sang as the oars + struck the water; and already the white daughter of the waters, covered + with humid pearls, showed no more than a flying profile to the monk. + Steered by her pilot, she cleared the passage leading from the basin of + the Eunostos, and gained the high seas, leaving a glittering trail behind + her. + </p> + <p> + “I also,” thought Paphnutius, “once desired to embark singing on the ocean + of the world. But I soon saw my folly, and the Nereid did not carry me + away.” + </p> + <p> + Lost in his thoughts, he sat down upon a coil of rope, and went to sleep. + During his sleep, he had a vision. He seemed to hear the sound of a + clanging trumpet, and the sky became blood red, and he knew that the day + of judgment had come. Whilst he was fervently praying to God, he saw an + enormous monster coming towards him, bearing on its forehead a cross of + light, and he recognised the sphinx of Silsile. The monster seized him + between its teeth, without hurting him, and carried him in its mouth, as a + cat carries a kitten. Paphnutius was thus conveyed across many countries, + crossing rivers and traversing mountains, and came at last to a desert + place, covered with scowling rocks and hot cinders. The ground was rent in + many places, and through these openings came a hot air. The monster gently + put Paphnutius down on the ground, and said— + </p> + <p> + “Look!” + </p> + <p> + And Paphnutius, leaning over the edge of the abyss, saw a river of fire + which flowed in the interior of the earth, between two cliffs of black + rocks. There, in a livid light, the demons tormented the souls of the + damned. The souls preserved the appearance of the bodies which had held + them, and even wore some rags of clothing. These souls seemed peaceful in + the midst of their torments. One of them, tall and white, his eyes closed, + a white fillet across his forehead, and a sceptre in his hand, sang; his + voice filled the desert shores with harmony; he sang of gods and heroes. + Little green devils pierced his lips and throat with red-hot irons. And + the shade of Homer still sang. Near by, old Anaxagoras, bald and hoary, + traced figures in the dust with a compass. A demon poured boiling oil into + his ear, yet failed, however, to disturb the sage’s meditations. And the + monk saw many other persons, who, on the dark shore by the side of the + burning river, read, or quietly meditated, or conversed with other spirits + while walking,—like the sages and pupils under the shadow of the + sycamore trees of Academe. Old Timocles alone had withdrawn from the + others, and shook his head like a man who denies. One of the demons of the + abyss shook a torch before his eyes, but Timocles would see neither the + demon nor the torch. + </p> + <p> + Mute with surprise at this spectacle, Paphnutius turned to the monster. It + had disappeared, and, in place of the sphinx, the monk saw a veiled woman, + who said— + </p> + <p> + “Look and understand. Such is the obstinacy of these infidels, that, even + in hell, they remain victims of the illusions which deluded them when on + earth. Death has not undeceived them; for it is very plain that it does + not suffice merely to die in order to see God. Those who are ignorant of + the truth whilst living, will be ignorant of it always. The demons which + are busy torturing these souls, what are they but agents of divine + justice? That is why these souls neither see them nor feel them. They were + ignorant of the truth, and therefore unaware of their own condemnation, + and God Himself cannot compel them to suffer. + </p> + <p> + “God can do all things,” said the Abbot of Antinoe. + </p> + <p> + “He cannot do that which is absurd,” replied the veiled woman. “To punish + them, they must first be enlightened, and if they possessed the truth, + they would be like unto the elect.” + </p> + <p> + Vexed and horrified, Paphnutius again bent over the edge of the abyss. He + saw the shade of Nicias smiling, with a wreath of flowers on his head, + sitting under a burnt myrtle tree. By his side was Aspasia of Miletus, + gracefully draped in a woollen cloak, and they seemed to talk together of + love and philosophy; the expression of her face was sweet and noble. The + rain of fire which fell on them was as a refreshing dew, and their feet + pressed the burning soil as though it had been tender grass. At this sight + Paphnutius was filled with fury. + </p> + <p> + “Strike him, O God! strike him!” he cried. “It is Nicias! Let him weep! + let him groan! let him grind his teeth! He sinned with Thais!” + </p> + <p> + And Paphnutius woke in the arms of a sailor, as strong as Hercules, who + cried— + </p> + <p> + “Quietly! quietly! my friend! By Proteus, the old shepherd of the seals, + you slumber uneasily. If I had not caught hold of you, you would have + tumbled into the Eunostos. It is as true as that my mother sold salt fish, + that I saved your life.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank God,” replied Paphnutius. + </p> + <p> + And, rising to his feet, he walked straight before him, meditating on the + vision which had come to him whilst he was asleep. + </p> + <p> + “This vision,” he said to himself, “is plainly an evil one; it is an + insult to divine goodness to imagine hell is unreal. The dream certainly + came from the devil.” + </p> + <p> + He reasoned thus because he knew how to distinguish between the dreams + sent by God and those produced by evil angels. Such discernment is useful + to the hermit, who lives surrounded by apparitions, and who, in avoiding + men, is sure to meet with spirits. The deserts are full of phantoms. When + the pilgrims drew near the ruined castle, to which the holy hermit, + Anthony, had retired, they heard a noise like that which goes up from the + public square of a large city at a great festival. The noise was made by + the devils, who were tempting the holy man. + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius remembered this memorable example. He also called to mind St. + John the Egyptian, who for sixty years was tempted by the devil. But John + saw through all the tricks of the demon. One day, however, the devil, + having assumed the appearance of a man, entered the grotto of the + venerable John, and said to him, “John, you must continue to fast until + to-morrow evening.” And John, believing that it was an angel who spoke, + obeyed the voice of the demon, and fasted the next day until the vesper + hour. That was the only victory that the Prince of Darkness ever gained + over St. John the Egyptian, and that was but a trifling one. It was + therefore not astonishing that Paphnutius knew at once that the vision + which had visited him in his sleep was an evil one. + </p> + <p> + Whilst he was gently remonstrating with God for having given him into the + power of the demons, he felt himself pushed and dragged amidst a crowd of + people who were all hurrying in the same direction. As he was unaccustomed + to walk in the streets of a city, he was shoved and knocked from one + passer to another like an inert mass; and being embarrassed by the folds + of his tunic, he was more than once on the point of falling. Desirous of + knowing where all these people could be going, he asked one of them the + cause of this hurry. + </p> + <p> + “Do you not know, stranger,” replied he, “that the games are about to + begin, and that Thais will appear on the stage? All the citizens are going + to the theatre, and I also am going. Would you like to accompany me?” + </p> + <p> + It occurred to him at once that it would further his design to see Thais + in the games, and Paphnutius followed the stranger. In front of them stood + the theatre, its portico ornamented with shining masks, and its huge + circular wall covered with innumerable statues. Following the crowd, they + entered a narrow passage, at the end of which lay the amphitheatre, + glittering with light. They took their places on one of the seats, which + descended in steps to the stage, which was empty but magnificently + decorated. There was no curtain to hide the view, and on the stage was a + mound, such as used to be erected in old times to the shades of heroes. + This mound stood in the midst of a camp. Lances were stacked in front of + the tents, and golden shields hung from masts, amidst boughs of laurel and + wreaths of oak. On the stage all was silence, but a murmur like the + humming of bees in a hive rose from the vast hemicycle filled with + spectators. All their faces, reddened by the reflection from the purple + awning which waved above them, turned with attentive curiosity towards the + large, silent stage, with its tomb and tents. The women laughed and ate + lemons, and the regular theatre-goers called gaily to one another from + their seats. + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius prayed inwardly, and refrained from uttering any vain words, + but his neighbour began to complain of the decline of the drama. + </p> + <p> + “Formerly,” he said, “clever actors used to declaim, under a mask, the + verses of Euripides and Menander. Now they no longer recite dramas, they + act in dumb show; and of the divine spectacles with which Bacchus was + honoured in Athens, we have kept nothing but what a barbarian—a + Scythian even—could understand—attitude and gesture. The + tragic mask, the mouth of which was provided with metal tongues that + increased the sound of the voice; the cothurnus, which raised the actors + to the height of gods; the tragic majesty and the splendid verses that + used to be sung, have all gone. Pantomimists, and dancing girls with bare + faces, have replaced Paulus and Roscius. What would the Athenians of the + days of Pericles have said if they had seen a woman on the stage? It is + indecent for a woman to appear in public. We must be very degenerate to + permit it. It is as certain as that my name is Dorion, that woman is the + natural enemy of man, and a disgrace to human kind.” + </p> + <p> + “You speak wisely,” replied Paphnutius; “woman is our worst enemy. She + gives us pleasure, and is to be feared on that account.” + </p> + <p> + “By the immovable gods,” cried Dorion, “it is not pleasure that woman + gives to man, but sadness, trouble, and black cares. Love is the cause of + our most biting evils. Listen, stranger. When I was a young man I visited + Troezene, in Argolis, and I saw there a myrtle of a most prodigious size, + the leaves of which were covered with innumerable pinholes. And this is + what the Troezenians say about that myrtle. Queen Phaedra, when she was in + love with Hippolytos, used to recline idly all day long under this same + tree. To beguile the tedium of her weary life she used to draw out the + golden pin which held her fair locks, and pierce with it the leaves of the + sweet-scented bush. All the leaves were riddled with holes. After she had + ruined the poor young man whom she pursued with her incestuous love, + Phaedra, as you know, perished miserably. She locked herself up in her + bridal chamber, and hanged herself by her golden girdle from an ivory peg. + The gods willed that the myrtle, the witness of her bitter misery, should + continue to bear, in its fresh leaves, the marks of the pin-holes. I + picked one of these leaves, and placed it at the head of my bed, that by + the sight of it I might take warning against the folly of love, and + conform to the doctrine of the divine Epicurus, my master, who taught that + all lust is to be feared. But, properly speaking, love is a disease of the + liver, and one is never sure of not catching the malady.” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius asked— + </p> + <p> + “Dorion, what are your pleasures?” + </p> + <p> + Dorion replied sadly— + </p> + <p> + “I have only one pleasure, and, it must be confessed, that it is not a + very exciting one; it is meditation. When a man has a bad digestion, he + must not look for any others.” + </p> + <p> + Taking advantage of these words, Paphnutius proceeded to initiate the + Epicurean into those spiritual joys which the contemplation of God + procures. He began— + </p> + <p> + “Hear the truth, Dorion, and receive the light.” + </p> + <p> + But he saw then that all heads were turned towards him, and everybody was + making signs for him to be quiet. Dead silence prevailed in the theatre, + broken at last by the strains of heroic music. + </p> + <p> + The play began. The soldiers left their tents, and were preparing to + depart, when a prodigy occurred—a cloud covered the summit of the + funeral pile. Then the cloud rolled away, and the ghost of Achilles + appeared, clad in golden armour. Extending his arms towards the warriors, + he seemed to say to them, “What! do you depart, children of Danaos? do you + return to the land I shall never behold again, and leave my tomb without + any offerings?” Already the principal Greek chieftains pressed to the foot + of the pile. Acamas, the son of Theseus, old Nestor, Agamemnon, bearing a + sceptre and with a fillet on his brow, gazed at the prodigy. Pyrrhus, the + young son of Achilles, was prostrate in the dust. Ulysses, recognisable by + the cap which covered his curly hair, showed by his gestures that he + acquiesced in the demand of the hero’s shade. He argued with Agamemnon, + and their words might be easily guessed— + </p> + <p> + “Achilles,” said the King of Ithaca, “is worthy to be honoured by us, for + he died gloriously for Hellas. He demands that the daughter of Priam, the + virgin Polyxena, should be immolated on his tomb. Greeks! appease the + manes of the hero, and let the son of Peleus rejoice in Hades.” + </p> + <p> + But the king of kings replied— + </p> + <p> + “Spare the Trojan virgins we have torn from the altars. Sufficient + misfortunes have already fallen on the illustrious race of Priam.” + </p> + <p> + He spoke thus because he shared the couch of the sister of Polyxena, and + the wise Ulysses reproached him for preferring the couch of Cassandra to + the lance of Achilles. + </p> + <p> + The Greeks showed they shared the opinion of Ulysses, by loudly clashing + their weapons. The death of Polyxena was resolved on, and the appeased + shade of Achilles vanished. The music—sometimes wild and sometimes + plaintive—followed the thoughts of the personages in the drama. The + spectators burst into applause. + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius, who applied divine truth to everything murmured— + </p> + <p> + “This fable shows how cruel the worshippers of false gods were.” + </p> + <p> + “All religions breed crimes,” replied the Epicurean. “Happily, a Greek, + who was divinely wise, has freed men from foolish terrors of the unknown—” + </p> + <p> + Just at that moment, Hecuba, her white hair dishevelled, her robe + tattered, came out of the tent in which she was kept captive. A long sigh + went up from the audience, when her woeful figure appeared. Hecuba had + been warned by a prophetic dream, and lamented her daughter’s fate and her + own. Ulysses approached her, and asked her to give up Polyxena. The old + mother tore her hair, dug her nails into her cheeks, and kissed the hands + of the cruel chieftain, who, with unpitying calmness, seemed to say— + </p> + <p> + “Be wise, Hecuba, and yield to necessity. There are amongst us many old + mothers who weep for their children, now sleeping under the pines of Ida.” + </p> + <p> + And Hecuba, formerly queen of the most flourishing city in Asia, and now a + slave, bowed her unhappy head in the dust. + </p> + <p> + Then the curtain in front of one of the tents was raised, and the virgin + Polyxena appeared. A tremor passed through all the spectators. They had + recognised Thais. Paphnutius saw again the woman he had come to seek. With + her white arm she held above her head the heavy curtain. Motionless as a + splendid statue, she stood, with a look of pride and resignation in her + violet eyes, and her resplendent beauty made a shudder of commiseration + pass through all who beheld her. + </p> + <p> + A murmur of applause uprose, and Paphnutius, his soul agitated, and + pressing both hands to his heart, sighed— + </p> + <p> + “Why, O my God, hast thou given this power to one of Thy creatures?” + </p> + <p> + Dorion was not so disturbed. He said— + </p> + <p> + “Certainly the atoms, which have momentarily met together to form this + woman, present a combination which is agreeable to the eye. But that is + but a freak of nature, and the atoms know not what they do. They will some + day separate with the same indifference as they came together. Where are + now the atoms which formed Lais or Cleopatra? I must confess that women + are sometimes beautiful. But they are liable to grievous afflictions, and + disgusting inconveniences. That is patent to all thinking men, though the + vulgar pay no attention to it. And women inspire love, though it is absurd + and ridiculous to love them.” + </p> + <p> + Such were the thoughts of the philosopher and the ascetic as they gazed on + Thais. They neither of them noticed Hecuba, who turned to her daughter, + and seemed to say by her gestures— + </p> + <p> + “Try to soften the cruel Ulysses. Employ your tears, your beauty, and your + youth.” + </p> + <p> + Thais—or rather Polyxena herself—let fall the curtain of the + tent. She made a step forward, and all hearts were conquered. And when, + with firm but light steps, she advanced towards Ulysses, her rhythmic + movements, which were accompanied by the sound of flutes, created in all + present such happy visions, that it seemed as though she were the divine + centre of all the harmonies of the world. All eyes were bent on her; the + other actors were obscured by her effulgence, and were not noticed. The + play continued, however. + </p> + <p> + The prudent son of Laertes turned away his head, and hid his hand under + his mantle, in order to avoid the looks and kisses of the suppliant. The + virgin made a sign to him to fear nothing. Her tranquil gaze said— + </p> + <p> + “I follow you, Ulysses, and bow to necessity—because I wish to die. + Daughter of Priam, and sister of Hector, my couch, which was once worthy + of Kings, shall never receive a foreign master. Freely do I quit the light + of day.” + </p> + <p> + Hecuba, lying motionless in the dust, suddenly rose and enfolded her + daughter in a last despairing embrace. Polyxena gently, but resolutely, + removed the old arms which held her. She seemed to say— + </p> + <p> + “Do not expose yourself, mother, to the fury of your master. Do not wait + until he drags you ignominiously on the ground in tearing me from your + arms. Better, O well-beloved mother, to give me your wrinkled hand, and + bend your hollow cheeks to my lips.” + </p> + <p> + The face of Thais looked beautiful in its grief. The crowd felt grateful + to her for showing them the forms and passions of life endowed with + superhuman grace, and Paphnutius pardoned her present splendour on account + of her coming humility, and glorified himself in advance for the saint he + was about to give to heaven. + </p> + <p> + The drama neared its end. Hecuba fell as though dead, and Polyxena, led by + Ulysses, advanced towards the tomb, which was surrounded by the chief + warriors. A dirge was sung as she mounted the funeral pile, on the summit + of which the son of Achilles poured out libations from a gold cup to the + manes of the hero. When the sacrificing priests stretched out their arms + to seize her, she made a sign that she wished to die free and unbound, as + befitted the daughter of so many kings. Then, tearing aside her robe, she + bared her bosom to the blow. Pyrrhus, turning away his head, plunged his + sword into her heart, and by a skilful trick, the blood gushed forth over + the dazzling white breast of the virgin, who, with head thrown back, and + her eyes swimming in the horrors of death, fell with grace and modesty. + </p> + <p> + Whilst the warriors enshrouded the victim with a veil, and covered her + with lilies and anemones, terrified screams and groans rent the air, and + Paphnutius, rising from his seat, prophesied in a loud voice. + </p> + <p> + “Gentiles? vile worshippers of demons! And you Arians more infamous than + the idolaters!—learn! That which you have just seen is an image and + a symbol. There is a mystic meaning in this fable, and very soon the woman + you see there will be offered, a willing and happy sacrifice, to the risen + God.” + </p> + <p> + But already the crowd was surging in dark waves towards the exits. The + Abbot of Antinoe, escaping from the astonished Dorion, gained the door, + still prophesying. + </p> + <p> + An hour later he knocked at the door of the house of Thais. + </p> + <p> + The actress then lived in the rich Racotis quarter, near the tomb of + Alexander, in a house surrounded by shady gardens, in which a brook, + bordered with poplars, flowed amidst artificial rocks. An old black slave + woman, loaded with rings, opened the door, and asked what he wanted. + </p> + <p> + “I wish to see Thais,” he replied. “God is my witness that I came here for + no other purpose.” + </p> + <p> + As he wore a rich tunic, and spoke in an imperious manner, the slave + allowed him to enter. + </p> + <p> + “You will find Thais,” she said, “in the Grotto of Nymphs.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_PART2" id="link2H_PART2"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PART THE SECOND — THE PAPYRUS + </h2> + <p> + Thais was born of free, but poor, parents, who were idolaters. When she + was a very little girl, her father kept, at Alexandria, near the Gate of + the Moon, an inn, which was frequented by sailors. She still retained some + vivid, but disconnected, memories of her early youth. She remembered her + father, seated at the corner of the hearth with his legs crossed—tall, + formidable, and quiet, like one of those old Pharaohs who are celebrated + in the ballads sung by blind men at the street corners. She remembered + also her thin, wretched mother, wandering like a hungry cat about the + house, which she filled with the tones of her sharp voice, and the glitter + of her phosphorescent eyes. They said in the neighbourhood that she was a + witch, and changed into an owl at night, and flew to see her lovers. It + was a lie. Thais knew well, having often watched her, that her mother + practised no magic arts, but that she was eaten up with avarice, and + counted all night the gains of the day. The idle father and the greedy + mother let the child live as best it could, like one of the fowls in the + poultry-yard. She became very clever in extracting, one by one, the oboli + from the belt of some drunken sailor, and in amusing the drinkers with + artless songs and obscene words, the meaning of which she did not know. + She passed from knee to knee, in a room reeking with the odours of + fermented drinks and resiny wine-skins; then, her cheeks sticky with beer + and pricked by rough beards, she escaped, clutching the oboli in her + little hand, and ran to buy honey-cakes from an old woman who crouched + behind her baskets under the Gate of the Moon. Every day the same scenes + were repeated, the sailors relating their perilous adventures, then + playing at dice or knuckle-bones, and blaspheming the gods, amid their + shouting for the best beer of Cilicia. + </p> + <p> + Every night the child was awakened by the quarrels of the drunkards. + Oyster-shells would fly across the tables, cutting the heads of those they + hit, and the uproar was terrible. Sometimes she saw, by the light of the + smoky lamps, the knives glitter, and the blood flow. + </p> + <p> + It humiliated her to think that the only person who showed her any human + kindness in her young days was the mild and gentle Ahmes. Ahmes, the + house-slave, a Nubian blacker than the pot he gravely skimmed, was as good + as a long night’s sleep. Often he would take Thais on his knee, and tell + her old tales about underground treasure-houses constructed for avaricious + kings, who put to death the masons and architects. There were also tales + about clever thieves who married kings’ daughters, and courtesans who + built pyramids. Little Thais loved Ahmes like a father, like a mother, + like a nurse, and like a dog. She followed the slave into the cellar when + he went to fill the amphorae, and into the poultry-yard amongst the + scraggy and ragged fowls, all beak, claws, and feathers, who flew swifter + than eagles before the knife of the black cook. Often at night, on the + straw, instead of sleeping, he built for Thais little water-mills, and + ships no bigger than his hand, with all their rigging. + </p> + <p> + He had been badly treated by his masters; one of his ears was torn, and + his body covered with scars. Yet his features always wore an air of joyous + peace. And no one ever asked him whence he drew the consolation in his + soul, and the peace in his heart. He was as simple as a child. As he + performed his heavy tasks, he sang, in a harsh voice, hymns which made the + child tremble and dream. He murmured, in a gravely joyous tone— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Tell us, Mary, what thou hast seen where thou hast been? + I saw the shroud and the linen cloths, and the angels + seated on the tomb. + And I saw the glory of the Risen One.” + </pre> + <p> + She asked him— + </p> + <p> + “Father, why do you sing about angels seated on a tomb?” + </p> + <p> + And he replied— + </p> + <p> + “Little light of my eyes, I sing of the angels because Jesus, our Lord, is + risen to heaven.” + </p> + <p> + Ahmes was a Christian. He had been baptised, and was known as Theodore at + the meetings of the faithful, to which he went secretly during the hours + allowed him for sleep. + </p> + <p> + At that time the Church was suffering the severest trials. By order of the + Emperor, the churches had been thrown down, the holy books burned, the + sacred vessels and candlesticks melted. The Christians had been deprived + of all their honours, and expected nothing but death. Terror reigned over + all the community at Alexandria, and the prisons were crammed with + victims. It was whispered with horror amongst the faithful, that in Syria, + in Arabia, in Mesopotamia, in Cappadocia, in all the empire, bishops and + virgins had been flogged, tortured, crucified or thrown to wild beasts. + Then Anthony, already celebrated for his visions and his solitary life, a + prophet, and the head of all the Egyptian believers, descended like an + eagle from his desert rock on the city of Alexandria, and, flying from + church to church, fired the whole community with his holy ardour. + Invisible to the pagans, he was present at the same time at all the + meetings of Christians, endowing all with the spirit of strength and + prudence by which he was animated. Slaves, in particular, were persecuted + with singular severity. Many of them, seized with fright, denied the + faith. Others, and by far the greater number, fled to the desert, hoping + to live there, either as hermits or robbers. Ahmes, however, frequented + the meetings as usual, visited the prisoners, buried the martyrs, and + joyfully professed the religion of Christ. The great Anthony, who saw his + unshaken zeal, before he returned into the desert, pressed the black slave + in his arms, and gave him the kiss of peace. + </p> + <p> + When Thais was seven years old, Ahmes began to talk to her of God. + </p> + <p> + “The good Lord God,” he said, “lived in heaven like a Pharaoh, under the + tents of His harem, and under the trees of His gardens. He was the Ancient + of Ancients, and older than the world; and He had but one Son, the Prince + Jesus, whom He loved with all His heart, and who surpassed in beauty the + virgins and the angels. And the good Lord God said to Prince Jesus— + </p> + <p> + “‘Leave My harem and My palace, and My date trees and My running waters. + Descend to earth for the welfare of men. There Thou shalt be like a little + child, and Thou shalt live poor amongst the poor. Suffering shall be Thy + daily bread, and Thou shalt weep so profusely that Thy tears shall form + rivers, in which the tired slave shall bathe with delight. Go, My Son!’ + </p> + <p> + “Prince Jesus obeyed the good Lord, and He came down to earth, to a place + named Bethlehem of Judaea. And He walked in fields, amidst the flowering + anemones, saying to His companion— + </p> + <p> + “‘Blessed are they who hunger, for I will lead them to My Father’s table! + Blessed are they who thirst, for they shall drink of the fountains of + heaven! Blessed are they who weep, for I will dry their tears with veils + finer than those of the almehs!’ + </p> + <p> + “That is why the poor loved Him, and believed in Him. But the rich hated + Him; fearing that He should raise the poor above them. At that time, + Cleopatra and Caesar were powerful on the earth. They both hated Jesus, + and they ordered the judges and priests to put Him to death. To obey the + Queen of Egypt, the princes of Syria erected a cross on a high mountain, + and they caused Jesus to die on this cross. But women washed His corpse, + and buried it; and Prince Jesus, having broken the door of His tomb, rose + again to the good Lord, His Father. + </p> + <p> + “And, from that time, all those who believed in Him go to heaven. + </p> + <p> + “The Lord God opens His arms, and says to them— + </p> + <p> + “‘Ye are welcome, because ye love the Prince, My Son. Wash, and then eat.’ + </p> + <p> + “They bathe to the sound of beautiful music, and, all the time they are + eating, they see almehs dancing, and they listen to tales that never end. + They are dearer to the good Lord God than the light of His eyes, because + they are His guests, and they shall have for their portion the carpets of + His house, and the pomegranates of His gardens.” + </p> + <p> + Ahmes often spoke in this strain, and thus taught the truth to Thais. She + wondered, and said— + </p> + <p> + “I should like to eat the pomegranates of the good Lord.” + </p> + <p> + Ahmes replied— + </p> + <p> + “Only those who are baptised may taste the fruits of heaven.” + </p> + <p> + And Thais asked to be baptised. Seeing by this that she believed in Jesus, + the slave resolved to instruct her more fully, so that, being baptised, + she might enter the Church; and he loved her as his spiritual daughter. + </p> + <p> + The child, unloved and uncared for by its selfish parents, had no bed in + the house. She slept in a corner of the stable amongst the domestic + animals, and there Ahmes came to her every night secretly. + </p> + <p> + He gently approached the mat on which she lay, and sat down on his heels, + his legs bent and his body straight—a position hereditary to his + race. His face and his body, which was clothed in black, were invisible in + the darkness; but his big white eyes shone out, and there came from them a + light like a ray of dawn through the chinks of a door. He spoke in a + husky, monotonous tone, with a slight nasal twang that gave it the soft + melody of music heard at night in the streets. Sometimes the breathing of + an ass, or the soft lowing of an ox, accompanied, like a chorus of + invisible spirits, the voice of the slave as he recited the gospels. His + words flowed gently in the darkness, which they filled with zeal, mercy, + and hope; and the neophyte, her hand in that of Ahmes, lulled by the + monotonous sounds, and the vague visions in her mind, slept calm and + smiling, amid the harmonies of the dark night and the holy mysteries, + gazed down on by a star, which twinkled between the joists of the + stable-roof. + </p> + <p> + The initiation lasted a whole year, till the time when the Christians + joyfully celebrate the festival of Easter. One night in the holy week, + Thais, who was already asleep on her mat, felt herself lifted by the + slave, whose eyes gleamed with a strange light. He was clad, not as usual + in a pair of torn drawers, but in a long white cloak, beneath which he + pressed the child, whispering to her— + </p> + <p> + “Come, my soul! Come, light of my eyes! Come, little sweetheart! Come and + be clad in the baptismal robes!” + </p> + <p> + He carried the child pressed to his breast. Frightened and yet curious, + Thais, her head out of the cloak, threw her arms round her friend’s neck, + and he ran with her through the darkness. They went down narrow, black + alleys; they passed through the Jews’ quarter; they skirted a cemetery, + where the osprey uttered its dismal cry; they traversed an open space, + passing under crosses on which hung the bodies of victims, and on the arms + of the crosses the ravens clacked their beaks. Thais hid her head in the + slave’s breast. She did not dare to peep out all the rest of the way. Soon + it seemed to her that she was going down under ground. When she reopened + her eyes she found herself in a narrow cave, lighted by resin torches, on + the walls of which were painted standing figures, which seemed to move and + live in the flickering glare of the torches. They were men clad in long + tunics and carrying branches of palm, and around them were lambs, doves, + and tendrils of vine. + </p> + <p> + Amongst these figures, Thais recognised Jesus of Nazareth, by the anemones + flowering at his feet. In the centre of the cave, near a large stone font + filled with water, stood an old man clad in a scarlet dalmatic embroidered + with gold, and on his head a low mitre. His thin face ended in a long + beard. He looked gentle and humble, in spite of his rich costume. This was + Bishop Vivantius, an exiled dignitary of the Church of Cyrene, who now + gained his livelihood by weaving common stuffs of goats’ hair. Two poor + children stood by his side. Close by, an old negress unfolded a little + white robe. Ahmes set the child down on the ground, and kneeling before + the Bishop, said— + </p> + <p> + “Father, this is the little soul, the child of my soul. I have brought her + that you may, according to your promise, and if it please your holiness, + bestow on her the baptism of life.” + </p> + <p> + At these words the Bishop opened his arms, and showed his mutilated hands. + His nails had been torn out because he had maintained the faith in the + days of persecution. Thais was frightened, and threw herself into the arms + of Ahmes. But the kind words of the priest reassured her. + </p> + <p> + “Fear nothing, dearly beloved little one. Thou hast here a spiritual + father, Ahmes, who is called Theodore amongst the faithful, and a kind + mother in grace, who has prepared for thee, with her own hands, a white + robe.” + </p> + <p> + And turning towards the negress— + </p> + <p> + “She is called Nitida,” he added, “and is a slave in this world, but in + heaven she will be a spouse of Jesus.” + </p> + <p> + Then he said to the child neophyte— + </p> + <p> + “Thais, dost thou believe in God, the Father Almighty; and in His only + Son, who died for our salvation; and in all that the apostles taught?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied together the negro and negress, who held her by each hand. + </p> + <p> + By the Bishop’s orders, Nitida knelt down and undressed Thais. The child + was quite naked; round her neck was an amulet. The Pontiff plunged her + three times into the baptismal font. The acolytes brought the oil, with + which Vivantius anointed the catechumen, and the salt, a morsel of which + he placed on her tongue. Then, having dried that body which was destined, + after many trials, to life immortal, the slave Nitida put on Thais the + white robe she had woven. + </p> + <p> + The Bishop gave to each and all the kiss of peace, and, the ceremony being + terminated, took off his sacerdotal insignia. + </p> + <p> + When they had left the crypt, Ahmes said— + </p> + <p> + “We ought to rejoice that we have this day brought a soul to the good Lord + God; let us go to the house of your Holiness and spend the rest of the + night in rejoicing.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast well said, Theodore,” replied the Bishop, and he led the little + band to his house, which was quite near. It consisted of a single room, + furnished with a couple of looms, a heavy table, and a worn-out carpet. As + soon as they had entered, + </p> + <p> + “Nitida,” cried the Nubian, “bring hither the stove and the jar of oil, + and we will have a good supper.” + </p> + <p> + Saying thus, he drew from under his cloak some little fish which he had + kept concealed, and lighted a fire and fried them. The Bishop, the girl, + the two boys, and the two slaves sat in a ring on the carpet, ate the + fried fish, and blessed the Lord. Vivantius spoke of the torture he had + undergone, and prophesied the speedy triumph of the Church. His language + was grotesque, and full of word-play and rhetorical tropes. He compared + the life of the just to a tissue of purple, and to explain the mystery of + baptism, he said— + </p> + <p> + “The Divine Spirit floated on the waters, and that is why Christians + receive the baptism of water. But demons also inhabit the brooks; springs + consecrated to nymphs are especially dangerous, and there are certain + waters which cause various maladies, both of the soul and of the body.” + </p> + <p> + Sometimes he spoke enigmatically, and the child listened to him with + profound awe and wonder. At the end of the repast he offered his guests a + little wine, and this unloosed their tongues, and they began to sing + lamentations and hymns. Ahmes and Nitida then rose, and danced a Nubian + dance which they had learned as children, and which, no doubt, had been + danced by their tribe since the early ages of the world. It was a love + dance; waving their arms, and moving their bodies in rhythmic measure, + they feigned, in turn, to fly from and to pursue each other. Their big + eyes rolled, and they showed their gleaming teeth in broad grins. + </p> + <p> + In this strange manner did Thais receive the holy rite of baptism. + </p> + <p> + She loved amusements, and, as she grew, vague desires were created in her + mind. All day long she danced and sang with the children in the streets, + and when at night she returned to her father’s house, she was still + singing— + </p> + <p> + “Crooked twist, why do you stay in the house? I comb the wool, and the + Miletan threads. Crooked twist, what did your son die of? He fell from the + white horses into the sea.” + </p> + <p> + She now began to prefer the company of boys and girls to that of the + gentle and quiet Ahmes. She did not notice that her friend was not so + often with her. The persecution having relented, the Christians were able + to assemble more regularly, and the Nubian frequented these meetings + assiduously. His zeal increased, and he sometimes uttered mysterious + threats. He said that the rich would not keep their wealth. He went to the + public places to which the poorer Christians used to resort, and + assembling together all the poor wretches who were lying in the shade of + the old walls, he announced to them that all slaves would soon be free, + and that the day of justice was at hand. + </p> + <p> + “In the kingdom of God,” he said, “the slaves will drink new wine and eat + delicious fruits; whilst the rich, crouching at their feet like dogs, will + devour the crumbs from their table.” + </p> + <p> + These sayings were noised abroad through all that quarter of the city, and + the masters feared that Ahmes might incite the slaves to revolt. The + innkeeper hated him intensely, though he carefully concealed his rancour. + </p> + <p> + One day, a silver salt-cellar, reserved for the table of the gods, + disappeared from the inn. Ahmes was accused of having stolen it—out + of hate to his master and to the gods of the empire. There was no proof of + the accusation, and the slave vehemently denied the charge. Nevertheless, + he was dragged before the tribunal, and as he had the reputation of being + a bad servant, the judge condemned him to death. + </p> + <p> + “As you did not know how to make a good use of your hands,” he said, “they + will be nailed to the cross.” + </p> + <p> + Ahmes heard the verdict quietly, bowed to the judge most respectfully, and + was taken to the public prison. During the three days that remained to + him, he did not cease to preach the gospel to the prisoners, and it was + related afterwards that the criminals, and the gaoler himself, touched by + his words, believed in Jesus crucified. + </p> + <p> + He was taken to the very place which one night, less than two years + before, he had crossed so joyfully, carrying in his cloak little Thais, + the daughter of his soul, his darling flower. When his hands were nailed + to the cross, he uttered no complaint, but many times he sighed and + murmured, “I thirst.” + </p> + <p> + His agony lasted three days and three nights. It seemed hardly possible + that human flesh could have endured such prolonged torture. Many times it + was thought he was dead; the flies clustered on his eyelids, but suddenly + he would reopen his bloodshot eyes. On the morning of the fourth day, he + sang, in a voice clearer and purer than that of a child— + </p> + <p> + “Tell us, Mary, what thou hast seen where thou hast been?” + </p> + <p> + Then he smiled and said— + </p> + <p> + “They come, the angels of the good Lord. They bring me wine and fruit. How + refreshing is the fanning of their wings!” + </p> + <p> + And he expired. + </p> + <p> + His features preserved in death an expression of ecstatic happiness. Even + the soldiers who guarded the cross were struck with wonder. Vivantius, + accompanied by some of the Christian brethren, claimed the body, and + buried it with the remains of the other martyrs in the crypt of St. John + the Baptist, and the Church venerated the memory of Saint Theodore the + Nubian. + </p> + <p> + Three years later, Constantine, the conquerer of Maxentius, issued an + edict which granted toleration to the Christians, and the believers were + not henceforth persecuted, except by heretics. + </p> + <p> + Thais had completed her eleventh year when her friend was tortured to + death, and she felt deeply saddened and shocked. Her soul was not + sufficiently pure to allow her to understand that the slave Ahmes was + blessed both in his life and his death. The idea sprang up in her little + mind that no one can be good in this world except at the cost of the most + terrible sufferings. And she was afraid to be good, for her delicate flesh + could not bear pain. + </p> + <p> + At an early age, she had given herself to the lads about the port, and she + followed the old men who wandered about the quarter in the evening, and + with what she received from them she bought cakes and trinkets. + </p> + <p> + As she did not take home any of the money she gained, her mother + continually ill-treated her. To get out of reach of her mother’s arm, she + often ran, bare-footed, to the city walls, and hid with the lizards. There + she thought with envy of the ladies she had seen pass her, richly dressed, + and in a litter surrounded by slaves. + </p> + <p> + One day, when she had been beaten more brutally than usual, she was + crouching down beside the gate, motionless and sulky, when an old woman + stopped in front of her, looked at her for some moments in silence, and + then cried— + </p> + <p> + “Oh, the pretty flower! the beautiful child! Happy is the father who begot + thee, and the mother who brought thee into the world!” + </p> + <p> + Thais remained silent, with her eyes fixed on the ground. Her eyelids were + red, and it was evident she had been weeping. + </p> + <p> + “My white violet,” continued the old woman, “is not your mother happy to + have nourished a little goddess like you, and does not your father, when + he sees you, rejoice from the bottom of his heart?” + </p> + <p> + To which the child replied, as though talking to herself— + </p> + <p> + “My father is a wine-skin swollen with wine, and my mother a greedy + horse-leech.” + </p> + <p> + The old woman glanced to right and left, to see if she were observed. + Then, in a fawning voice— + </p> + <p> + “Sweet flowering hyacinth, beautiful drinker of light, come with me, and + you shall have nothing to do but dance and smile. I will feed you on honey + cakes, and my son—my own son—will love you as his eyes. My son + is handsome and young; he has but little beard on his chin; his skin is + soft, and he is, as they say, a little Acharnian pig.” + </p> + <p> + Thais replied— + </p> + <p> + “I am quite willing to go with you.” + </p> + <p> + And she rose and followed the old woman out of the city. + </p> + <p> + The old woman, who was named Moeroe, went from city to city with a troupe + of girls and boys, whom she taught to dance, and then hired out to rich + people to appear at feasts. + </p> + <p> + Guessing that Thais would soon develop into a most beautiful woman, she + taught her—with the help of a whip—music and prosody, and she + flogged with leather thongs those beautiful legs, when they did not move + in time to the strains of the cithara. Her son—a decrepit abortion, + of no age and no sex—ill-treated the child, on whom he vented the + hate he had for all womankind. Like the dancing-girls whose grace he + affected, he knew, and taught Thais, the art of pantomime, and how to + mimic, by expression, gesture, and attitude, all human passions, and more + especially the passions of love. He was a clever master, though he + disliked his work; but he was jealous of his pupil, and as soon as he + discovered that she was born to give men pleasure, he scratched her + cheeks, pinched her arms, or pricked her legs, as a spiteful girl would + have done. Thanks, however, to his lessons, she quickly became an + excellent musician, pantomimist, and dancer. The brutality of her master + did not at all surprise her; it seemed natural to her to be badly treated. + She even felt some respect for the old woman, who knew music and drank + Greek wine. Moeroe, when she came to Antioch, praised her pupil to the + rich merchants of the city who gave banquets, both as a dancer and a + flute-player. Thais danced and pleased. She accompanied the rich bankers, + when they left the table, into the shady groves on the banks of the + Orontes. She gave herself to all, for she knew nothing of the price of + love. But one night that she had danced before the most fashionable young + men of the city, the son of the pro-consul came to her, radiant with youth + and pleasure, and said, in a voice that seemed redolent of kisses— + </p> + <p> + “Why am I not, Thais, the wreath which crowns your hair, the tunic which + enfolds your beautiful form, the sandal on your pretty foot? I wish you to + tread me under foot as a sandal; I wish my caresses to be your tunic and + your wreath. Come, sweet girl! come to my house, and let us forget the + world.” + </p> + <p> + She looked at him whilst he was speaking, and saw that he was handsome. + Suddenly she felt a cold sweat on her face. She turned green as grass; she + reeled; a cloud descended before her eyes. He again implored her to come + with him, but she refused. His ardent looks, his burning words were vain, + and when he took her in his arms to try and drag her away, she pushed him + off rudely. Then he implored her, and shed tears. But a new, unknown, and + invincible passion dominated her heart, and she still resisted. + </p> + <p> + “What madness!” said the guests. “Lollius is noble, handsome, and rich, + and a dancing-girl treats him with scorn!” + </p> + <p> + Lollius returned home alone that night, quite love-sick. He came in the + morning, pale and red-eyed, and hung flowers at the dancing-girl’s door. + </p> + <p> + But Thais was frightened and troubled; she avoided Lollius, and yet he was + continually in her mind. She suffered, and she did not know the cause of + her complaint. She wondered why she had thus changed, and why she was + melancholy. She recoiled from all her lovers; they were hateful to her. + She loathed the light of day, and lay on her bed all day, sobbing, and + with her head buried in the pillows. Lollius contrived to gain admittance, + and came many times, but neither his pleadings nor his execrations had any + effect on the obdurate girl. In his presence, she was as timid as a + virgin, and would say nothing but— + </p> + <p> + “I will not! I will not!” + </p> + <p> + But at the end of a fortnight she gave in, for she knew that she loved + him; she went to his house and lived with him. They were supremely happy. + They passed their days shut up together, gazing into each other’s eyes, + and babbling a childish jargon. In the evening, they walked on the lonely + banks of the Orontes, and lost themselves in the laurel woods. Sometimes + they rose at dawn, to go and gather hyacinths on the slopes of Sulpicus. + They drank from the same cup, and he would take a grape from between her + lips with his mouth. + </p> + <p> + Moeroe came to Lollius, and cried and shrieked that Thais should be + restored to her. + </p> + <p> + “She is my daughter,” she said, “my daughter, who has been torn from me. + My perfumed flower—my own bowels—!” + </p> + <p> + Lollius gave her a large sum of money, and sent her away. But, as she came + back to demand some more gold staters, the young man had her put in + prison, and the magistrates having discovered that she was guilty of many + crimes, she was condemned to death, and thrown to the wild beasts. + </p> + <p> + Thais loved Lollius with all the passion of her mind, and the bewilderment + of innocence. She told him, and told him truly from the bottom of her + heart— + </p> + <p> + “I have never loved any one but you.” + </p> + <p> + Lollius replied— + </p> + <p> + “You are not like any other woman.” + </p> + <p> + The spell lasted six months, but it broke at last. Thais suddenly felt + that her heart was empty and lonely. Lollius no longer seemed the same to + her. She thought— + </p> + <p> + “What can have thus changed me in an instant? How is it that he is now + like any other man, and no longer like himself?” + </p> + <p> + She left him, not without a secret desire to find Lollius again in + another, as she no longer found him in himself. She thought it would be + less dull to live with someone she had never loved, than with one she had + ceased to love. She appeared, in the company of rich debauchees, at those + sacred feasts at which naked virgins danced in the temples, and troops of + courtesans swam across the Orontes. She took part in all the pleasures of + the fashionable and depraved city; and she assiduously frequented the + theatres, at which clever mimes from all countries performed amidst the + applause of a crowd greedy for excitement. + </p> + <p> + She carefully observed the mimes, dancers, comedians, and especially the + women, who in tragedies represented goddesses in love with young men, or + mortals loved by the gods. Having discovered the secrets by which they + pleased the audience, she thought to herself that she was more beautiful + and could act better. She went to the manager, and asked to be admitted + into the troupe. Thanks to her beauty, and to the lessons she had received + from old Moeroe, she was received, and appeared on the stage in the part + of Dirce. + </p> + <p> + She met with but indifferent success, for she was inexperienced, and the + admiration of the spectators had not been aroused by hearing her praises + sung. But after she had played small parts for a few months, the power of + her beauty burst forth with such effect that all the city was moved. All + Antioch crowded to the theatre. The imperial magistrates and the chief + citizens were compelled, by the force of public opinion, to show + themselves there. The porters, sweepers, and dock labourers went without + bread and garlic, that they might pay for their places. Poets composed + epigrams in her honour. Bearded philosophers inveighed against her in the + baths and gymnasia; when her litter passed, Christian priests turned away + their heads. The threshold of her door was wreathed with flowers, and + sprinkled with blood. She received so much money from her lovers that it + was no longer counted, but measured by the medimnus, and all the treasure + hoarded by miserly old men was poured out at her feet. But she was placid + and unmoved. She rejoiced, with quiet pride, in the admiration of the + public and the favour of the gods, and was so much loved that she loved + herself. + </p> + <p> + After she had several years enjoyed the admiration and affection of the + Antiochians, she was taken with a desire to revisit Alexandria, and show + her glory in that city in which, as a child, she had wandered in want and + shame, hungry and lean as a grasshopper in the middle of a dusty road. The + golden city joyfully welcomed her, and loaded her with fresh riches; when + she appeared in the games it was a triumph. Countless admirers and lovers + came to her. She received them with indifference, for she at last + despaired of meeting another Lollius. + </p> + <p> + Amongst many others, she met the philosopher Nicias, who desired to + possess her, although he professed to have no desires. In spite of his + riches, he was intelligent and modest. But his delicate wit and beautiful + sentiments failed to charm her. She did not love him and sometimes his + refined irony even irritated her. His perpetual doubts hurt her, for he + believed in nothing, and she believed in everything. She believed in + divine providence, in the omnipotence of evil spirits, in spells, + exorcisms, and eternal justice; she believed in Jesus Christ, and in the + goddess of good of the Syrians; she believed also that bitches barked when + black Hecate passed through the streets, and that a woman could inspire + love by pouring a philtre into a cup wrapped in the bleeding skin of a + sheep. She thirsted for the unknown; she called on nameless gods, and + lived in perpetual expectation. The future frightened her, and yet she + wished to know it. She surrounded herself with priests of Isis, Chaldean + magi, pharmacopolists, and professors of the black arts, who invariably + deceived her, though she never tired of being deceived. She feared death, + and she saw it everywhere. When she yielded to pleasure, it seemed to her + that an icy finger would suddenly touch her on the bare shoulder, and she + turned pale, and cried with terror, in the arms which embraced her. + </p> + <p> + Nicias said to her— + </p> + <p> + “What does it matter, O my Thais, whether we descend to eternal night with + white locks and hollow cheeks, or, whether this very day, now laughing to + the vast sky, shall be our last? Let us enjoy life; we shall have greatly + lived if we have greatly loved. There is no knowledge except that of the + senses; to love is to understand. That which we do not know does not + exist. What good is it to worry ourselves about nothing?” + </p> + <p> + She replied angrily— + </p> + <p> + “I despise men like you, who hope for nothing and fear nothing. I wish to + know! I wish to know!” + </p> + <p> + In order to understand the secret of life, she set to work to read the + books of the philosophers, but she did not understand them. The further + the years of her childhood receded from her, the more anxious she was to + recall them. She loved to traverse at night, in disguise, the alleys, + squares, and places where she had grown up so miserably. She was sorry she + had lost her parents, and especially that she had not been able to love + them. When she met any Christian priest, she thought of her baptism, and + felt troubled. One night, when enveloped in a long cloak, and her fair + hair hidden under a black hood, she was wandering, according to custom, + about the suburbs of the city, she found herself—without knowing how + she came there—before the poor little church of St. John the + Baptist. They were singing inside the church, and a bright light glimmered + through the chinks of the door. There was nothing strange in that, as, for + the past twenty years, the Christians, protected by the conqueror of + Maxentius, had publicly solemnised their festivals. But these hymns seemed + more like an ardent appeal to the soul. As if she had been invited to the + mysteries, she pushed the door open with her arm, and entered the + building. She found a numerous assembly of women, children, and old men, + on their knees before a tomb, which stood against the wall. The tomb was + nothing but a stone coffer, roughly sculptured with vine tendrils and + bunches of grapes; yet it had received great honours, and was covered with + green palms and wreaths of red roses. All round, innumerable lights + gleamed out of the heavy shadow, in which the smoke of Arabian gums seemed + like the folds of angels’ robes, and the paintings on the walls visions of + Paradise. Priests, clad in white, were prostrate at the foot of the + sarcophagus. The hymns they sang with the people expressed the delight of + suffering, and mingled, in a triumphal mourning, so much joy with so much + grief, that Thais, in listening to them, felt the pleasures of life and + the terrors of death flowing, at the same time, through her re-awakened + senses. + </p> + <p> + When they had finished singing, the believers rose, and walked in single + file to the tomb, the side of which they kissed. They were common men, + accustomed to work with their hands. They advanced with a heavy step, the + eyes fixed, the jaw dropped, but they had an air of sincerity. They knelt + down, each in turn, before the sarcophagus, and put their lips to it. The + women lifted their little children in their arms, and gently placed their + cheek to the stone. + </p> + <p> + Thais, surprised and troubled, asked a deacon why they did so. + </p> + <p> + “Do you not know, woman,” replied the deacon, “that we celebrate to-day + the blessed memory of St. Theodore the Nubian, who suffered for the faith + in the days of the Emperor Diocletian? He lived virtuously and died a + martyr, and that is why, robed in white, we bear red roses to his glorious + tomb.” + </p> + <p> + On hearing these words, Thais fell on her knees, and burst into tears. + Half-forgotten recollections of Ahmes returned to her mind. On the memory + of this obscure, gentle, and unfortunate man, the blaze of candles, the + perfume of roses, the clouds of incense, the music of hymns, the piety of + souls, threw all the charms of glory. Thais thought in the dazzling glare— + </p> + <p> + “He was good, and now he has become great and glorious. Why is it that he + is elevated above other men? What is this unknown thing which is more than + riches or pleasure?” + </p> + <p> + She rose slowly, and turned towards the tomb of the saint who had loved + her, those violet eyes, now filled with tears which glittered in the + candle-light; then, with bowed head, humble, slow, and the last, with + those lips on which so many desires hung, she kissed the stone of the + slave’s tomb. + </p> + <p> + When she returned to her house, she found Nicias, who, with his hair + perfumed, and his tunic thrown open, was reading a treatise on morals + whilst waiting for her. He advanced with open arms. + </p> + <p> + “Naughty Thais,” he said, in a laughing voice, “whilst I was waiting for + you to come, do you know what I saw in this manuscript, written by the + gravest of Stoics? Precepts of virtue and noble maxims: No! On the staid + papyrus, I saw dance thousands and thousands of little Thaises. Each was + no bigger than my finger, and yet their grace was infinite, and all were + the only Thais. There were some who flaunted in mantles of purple and + gold; others, like a white cloud, floated in the air in transparent + drapery. Others again, motionless and divinely nude, the better to inspire + pleasure, expressed no thought. Lastly, there were two, hand in hand; two + so alike that it was impossible to distinguish one from the other. Both + smiled. The first said, ‘I am love.’ The other, ‘I am death.’” + </p> + <p> + Thus speaking, he pressed Thais in his arms, and not noticing the sullen + look in her downcast eyes, he went on adding thought to thought, heedless + of the fact that they were all lost upon her. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, when I had before my eyes the line in which it was written, ‘Nothing + should deter you from improving your mind,’ I read, ‘The kisses of Thais + are warmer than fire, and sweeter than honey.’ That is how a philosopher + reads the books of other philosophers—and that is your fault, you + naughty child. It is true that, as long as we are what we are, we shall + never find anything but our own thoughts in the thoughts of others, and + that all of us are somewhat inclined to read books as I have read this + one.” + </p> + <p> + She did not hear him; her soul was still before the Nubian’s tomb. As he + heard her sigh, he kissed her on the neck, and said— + </p> + <p> + “Do not be sad, my child. We are never happy in this world, except when we + forget the world. + </p> + <p> + “Come, let us cheat life—it is sure to take its revenge. Come, let + us love!” + </p> + <p> + But she pushed him away. + </p> + <p> + “<i>We</i> love!” she cried bitterly. “<i>You</i> never loved any one. And + <i>I</i> do not love <i>you</i>! No! I do not love you! I hate you! Go! I + hate you! I curse and despise all who are happy, and all who are rich! Go! + Go! Goodness is only found amongst the unfortunate. When I was a child I + knew a black slave who died on the cross. He was good; he was filled with + love, and he knew the secret of life. You are not worthy to wash his feet. + Go! I never wish to see you again!” + </p> + <p> + She threw herself on her face on the carpet, and passed the night sobbing + and weeping, and forming resolutions to live, in future, like Saint + Theodore, in poverty and humbleness. + </p> + <p> + The next day, she devoted herself again to those pleasures to which she + was addicted. As she knew that her beauty, though still intact, would not + last very long, she hastened to derive all the enjoyment and all the fame + she could from it. At the theatre, where she acted and studied more than + ever, she gave life to the imagination of sculptors, painters, and poets. + Recognising that there was in the attitudes, movements, and walk of the + actress, an idea of the divine harmony which rules the spheres, wise men + and philosophers considered that such perfect grace was a virtue in + itself, and said, “Thais also is a geometrician!” The ignorant, the poor, + the humble, and the timid before whom she consented to appear, regarded + her as a blessing from heaven. Yet she was sad amidst all the praise she + received, and dreaded death more than ever. Nothing was able to set her + mind at rest, not even her house and gardens, which were celebrated, and a + proverb throughout the city. + </p> + <p> + The gardens were planted with trees, brought at great expense from India + and Persia. They were watered by a running brook, and colonnades in ruins, + and imitation rocks, arranged by a skilful artist, were reflected in a + lake, which also mirrored the statues that stood round it. In the middle + of the garden was the Grotto of Nymphs, which owed its name to three + life-size figures of women, which stood on the threshold. They were + represented as divesting themselves of their garments, and about to bathe. + They anxiously turned their heads, fearing to be seen, and looked as + though they were alive. The only light which entered the building came, + tempered and iridescent, through thin sheets of water. All the walls were + hung—as in the sacred grottoes—with wreaths, garlands, and + votive pictures, in which the beauty of Thais was celebrated. There were + also tragic and comic masks, bright with colours; and paintings + representing theatrical scenes or grotesque figures, or fabulous animals. + On a stele in the centre stood a little ivory Eros of wonderful antique + workmanship. It was a gift from Nicias. In one of the bays was a figure of + a goat in black marble, with shining agate eyes. Six alabaster kids + crowded round its teats; but, raising its cloven hoofs and its ugly head, + it seemed impatient to climb the rocks. The floor was covered with + Byzantine carpets, pillows embroidered by the yellow men of Cathay, and + the skins of Libyan lions. Perfumed smoke arose from golden censers. + Flowering plants grew in large onyx vases. And at the far end, in the + purple shadow, gleamed the gold nails on the shell of a huge Indian + tortoise turned upside down, which served as the bed of the actress. It + was here that every day, to the murmur of the water, and amid perfumes and + flowers, Thais reclined softly, and conversed with her friends, while + awaiting the hour of supper, or meditated in solitude on theatrical art, + or on the flight of years. + </p> + <p> + On the afternoon after the games, Thais was reposing in the Grotto of + Nymphs. She had noticed in her mirror the first signs of the decay of her + beauty, and she was frightened to think that white hair and wrinkles would + at last come. She vainly tried to comfort herself with the assurance that + she could recover her fresh complexion by burning certain herbs and + pronouncing a few magic words. A pitiless voice cried, “You will grow old + Thais; you will grow old.” And a cold sweat of terror bedewed her + forehead. Then, on looking at herself again in the mirror with infinite + tenderness, she found that she was still beautiful and worthy to be loved. + She smiled to herself, and murmured, “There is not a woman in Alexandria + who can rival me in suppleness or grace or movement, or in splendour of + arms, and the arms, my mirror, are the real chains of love!” + </p> + <p> + While she was thus thinking she saw an unknown man—thin, with + burning eyes and unkempt beard, and clad in a richly embroidered robe—standing + before her. She let fall her mirror, and uttered a cry of fright. + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius stood motionless, and seeing how beautiful she was, he murmured + this prayer from the bottom of his heart— + </p> + <p> + “Grant, my God, that the face of this woman may not be a temptation, but + may prove salutary to Thy servant.” + </p> + <p> + Then, forcing himself to speak, he said— + </p> + <p> + “Thais, I live in a far country, and the fame of thy beauty has led me to + thee. It is said that thou art the most clever of actresses and the most + irresistible of women. That which is related of thy riches and thy love + affairs seems fabulous, and calls to mind the old story of Rhodope, whose + marvellous history is known by heart to all the boatmen on the Nile. + Therefore I was seized with a desire to know thee, and I see that the + truth surpasses the rumour. Thou art a thousand times more clever and more + beautiful than is reported. And now that I see thee, I say to myself, ‘It + is impossible to approach her without staggering like a drunken man.’” + </p> + <p> + The words were feigned; but the monk, animated by pious zeal, uttered them + with real warmth. Thais gazed, without displeasure, at this strange being + who had frightened her. The rough, wild aspect, and the fiery glances of + his eyes, astonished her. She was curious to learn the state of life of a + man so different from all others she had met. She replied, with gentle + raillery— + </p> + <p> + “You seem prompt to admire, stranger. Beware that my looks do not consume + you to the bones! Beware of loving me!” + </p> + <p> + He said— + </p> + <p> + “I love thee, O Thais! I love thee more than my life, and more than + myself. For thee I have quitted the desert; for thee my lips—vowed + to silence—have pronounced profane words; for thee I have seen what + I ought not to have seen, and heard what it was forbidden to me to hear; + for thee my soul is troubled, my heart is open, and the thoughts gush out + like the running springs at which the pigeons drink; for thee I have + walked day and night across sandy deserts teeming with reptiles and + vampires; for thee I have placed my bare foot on vipers and scorpions! + Yes, I love thee! I love thee, but not like those men who, burning with + the lusts of the flesh, come to thee like devouring wolves or furious + bulls. Thou art dear to them as is the gazelle to the lion. Their ravening + lusts will consume thee to the soul, O woman! I love thee in spirit and in + truth; I love thee in God, and for ever and ever; that which is in my + breast is named true zeal and divine charity. I promise thee better things + than drunkenness crowned with flowers or the dreams of a brief night. I + promise thee holy feasts and celestial suppers. The happiness that I bring + thee will never end; it is unheard-of, it is ineffable, and such that if + the happy of this world could only see a shadow of it they would die of + wonder.” + </p> + <p> + Thais laughed mischievously. + </p> + <p> + “Friend,” she said, “show me this wonderful love. Make haste! Long + speeches would be an insult to my beauty; let us not lose a moment. I am + impatient to taste the felicity you announce; but, to say the truth, I + fear that I shall always remain ignorant of it, and that all you have + promised me will vanish in words. It is easier to promise a great + happiness than to give it. Everyone has a talent of some sort. I fancy + that yours is to make long speeches. You speak of an unknown love. It is + so long since kisses were first exchanged that it would be very + extraordinary if there still remained secrets in love. On this subject + lovers know more than philosophers.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not jest, Thais. I bring thee the unknown love.” + </p> + <p> + “Friend, you come too late. I know every kind of love.” + </p> + <p> + “The love that I bring thee abounds with glory, whilst the loves that thou + knowest breed only shame.” + </p> + <p> + Thais looked at him with an angry eye, a frown gathered on her beautiful + face. + </p> + <p> + “You are very bold, stranger, to offend your hostess. Look at me, and say + if I resemble a creature crushed down with shame. No, I am not ashamed, + and all others who live like me are not ashamed either, although they are + not so beautiful or so rich as I am. I have sown pleasure in my footsteps, + and I am celebrated for that all over the world. I am more powerful than + the masters of the world. I have seen them at my feet. Look at me, look at + these little feet; thousands of men would pay with their blood for the + happiness of kissing them. I am not very big, and I do not occupy much + space on the earth. To those who look at me from the top of the Serapeium, + when I pass in the street, I look like a grain of rice; but that grain of + rice has caused among men, griefs, despairs, hates, and crimes enough to + have filled Tartarus. Are you not mad to talk to me of shame when all + around proclaims my glory?” + </p> + <p> + “That which is glory in the eyes of men, is infamy before God. O woman, we + have been nourished in countries so different, that it is not surprising + we have neither the same language nor the same thoughts! Yet Heaven is my + witness that I wish to agree with thee, and that it is my intention not to + leave thee until we share the same sentiments. Who will inspire me with + burning words that will melt thee like wax in my breath, O woman, that the + fingers of my desires may mould thee as they wish? What virtue will + deliver thee to me, O dearest of souls, that the spirit which animates me, + creating thee a second time, may imprint on thee a fresh beauty, and that + thou mayest cry, weeping for joy, ‘It is only now that I am born’? Who + will cause to gush in my heart a fount of Siloam, in which thou mayest + bathe and recover thy first purity? Who will change me into a Jordan, the + waves of which sprinkled on thee, will give thee life eternal?” + </p> + <p> + Thais was no longer angry. + </p> + <p> + “This man,” she thought, “talks of life eternal and all that he says seems + written on a talisman. No doubt he is a mage, and knows secret charms + against old age and death,” and she resolved to offer herself to him. + Therefore, pretending to be afraid of him, she retired a few steps to the + end of the grotto, and sitting down on the edge of the bed, artfully + pulled her tunic across her breast; then, motionless and mute and her eyes + cast down, she waited. Her long eyelashes made a soft shadow on her + cheeks. Her entire attitude expressed modesty; her naked feet swung + gently, and she looked like a child sitting thinking on the bank of a + brook. But Paphnutius looked at her, and did not move. His trembling knees + hardly supported him, his tongue dried in his mouth, a terrible buzzing + rang in his ears. But all at once his sight failed, and he could see + nothing before him but a thick cloud. He thought that the hand of Jesus + had been laid on his eyes, to hide this woman from them. Reassured by such + succour, strengthened and fortified, he said with a gravity worthy of an + old hermit of the desert— + </p> + <p> + “If thou givest thyself to me, thinkest thou it is hidden from God?” + </p> + <p> + She shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “God? Who forces Him to keep His eye always upon the Grotto of Nymphs? Let + Him go away if we offend Him! But why should we offend Him? Since He has + created us, He can be neither angry nor surprised to see us as He made us, + and acting according to the nature He has given us. A good deal too much + is said on His behalf, and He is often credited with ideas He never had. + You yourself, stranger, do you know His true character? Who are you that + you should speak to me in His name?” + </p> + <p> + At this question the monk, opening his borrowed robe, showed the cassock, + and said— + </p> + <p> + “I am Paphnutius, Abbot of Antinoe, and I come from the holy desert. The + hand that drew Abraham from Chaldaea and Lot from Sodom has separated me + from the present age. I no longer existed for the men of this century. But + thy image appeared to me in my sandy Jerusalem, and I knew that thou wert + full of corruption, and death was in thee. And now I am before thee, + woman, as before a grave, and I cry unto thee, ‘Thais, arise!’” + </p> + <p> + At the words, Paphnutius, monk, and abbot, she had turned pale with + fright. And now, with dishevelled hair and joined hands, weeping and + groaning, she dragged herself to the feet of the saint. + </p> + <p> + “Do not hurt me! Why have you come? What do you want of me? Do not hurt + me! I know that the saints of the desert hate women who, like me, are made + to please. I am afraid that you hate me, and want to hurt me. Go! I do not + doubt your power. But know, Paphnutius, that you should neither despise me + nor hate me. I have never, like many of the men I know, laughed at your + voluntary poverty. In your turn, do not make a crime of my riches. I am + beautiful, and clever in acting. I no more chose my condition than my + nature. I was made for that which I do. I was born to charm men. And you + yourself, did you not say just now that you loved me? Do not use your + science against me. Do not pronounce magic words which would destroy my + beauty, or change me into a statue of salt. Do not terrify me! I am + already too frightened. Do not kill me! I am so afraid of death.” + </p> + <p> + He made a sign to her to rise, and said— + </p> + <p> + “Child, have no fear. I will utter no word of shame or scorn. I come on + behalf of Him who sat on the edge of the well, and drank of the pitcher + which the woman of Samaria offered to Him; and who, also, when He supped + at the house of Simon, received the perfumes of Mary. I am not without sin + that I should throw the first stone. I have often badly employed the + abundant grace which God has bestowed upon me. It was not anger, but pity, + which took me by the hand to conduct me here. I can, without deceit, + address thee in words of love, for it is the zeal in my heart which has + brought me to thee. I burn with the fire of charity, and if thy eyes, + accustomed only to the gross sights of the flesh, could see things in + their mystic aspect, I should appear unto thee as a branch broken off the + burning bush which the Lord showed on the mountain to Moses of old, that + he might understand true love—that which envelops us, and which, so + far from leaving behind it mere coals and ashes, purifies and perfumes for + ever that which it penetrates.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe you, monk, and no longer fear either deceit or ill-will from + you. I have often heard talk of the hermits of the Thebaid. Marvellous + things have been told concerning Anthony and Paul. Your name is not + unknown to me, and I have heard say that, though you are still young, you + equal in virtue the oldest anchorites. As soon as I saw you, and without + knowing who you were, I felt that you were no ordinary man. Tell me! can + you do for me that which neither the priests of Isis, nor of Hermes, nor + of the celestial Juno, nor the Chaldean soothsayers, nor the Babylonian + magi have been able to effect? Monk, if you love me, can you prevent me + from dying?” + </p> + <p> + “Woman, whosoever wishes to live shall live. Flee from the abominable + delights in which thou diest for ever. Snatch from the devils, who will + burn it most horribly, that body which God kneaded with His spittle and + animated with his own breath. Thou art consumed with weariness; come, and + refresh thyself at the blessed springs of solitude; come and drink of + those fountains which are hidden in the desert, and which gush forth to + heaven. Careworn soul, come, and possess that which thou desirest! Heart + greedy for joy, come and taste true joys—poverty, retirement, + self-forgetfulness, seclusion in the bosom of God. Enemy of Christ now, + and to-morrow His well-beloved, come to Him! Come, thou whom I have + sought, and thou wilt say, ‘I have found love!’” + </p> + <p> + Thais seemed lost in meditation on things afar. + </p> + <p> + “Monk,” she asked, “if I adjure all pleasures and do penance, is it true + that I shall be born again in heaven, my body intact in all its beauty?” + </p> + <p> + “Thais, I bring thee eternal life. Believe me, for that which I announce + to thee is the truth.” + </p> + <p> + “Who will assure me that it is the truth?” + </p> + <p> + “David and the prophets, the Scriptures, and the wonders that thou shalt + behold.” + </p> + <p> + “Monk, I should like to believe you, for I must confess that I have not + found happiness in this world. My lot in life is better than that of a + queen, and yet I have many bitternesses and misfortunes, and I am + infinitely weary of my existence. All women envy me, and yet sometimes I + have envied the lot of a toothless old woman who, when I was a child, sold + honey-cakes under one of the city gates. Often has the idea flashed across + my mind that only the poor are good, happy, and blessed, and that there + must be great gladness in living humble and obscure. Monk, you have + agitated a storm in my soul, and brought to the surface that which lay at + the bottom. Who am I to believe, alas! and what is to become of me—and + what is life?” + </p> + <p> + Whilst she thus spoke, Paphnutius was transfigured; celestial joy beamed + in his face. + </p> + <p> + “Listen!” he said. “I was not alone when I entered this house. Another + accompanied me, another who stands by my side. Him thou canst not see, + because thy eyes are yet unworthy to behold Him; but soon thou shalt see + Him in all His glorious splendour, and thou wilt say, ‘He alone is to be + adored.’ But now, if He had not placed His gentle hands before my eyes, O + Thais, I should perhaps have fallen into sin with thee, for of myself I am + but weak and sinful. But He saved us both. He is as good as He is + powerful, and His name is the Saviour. He was promised to the world, by + David and the prophets, worshipped in His cradle by the shepherds and the + magi, crucified by the Pharisees, buried by the holy women, revealed to + the world by the apostles, testified to by the martyrs. And now, having + learned that thou fearest death, O woman, He has come to thy house to + prevent thee from dying. Art Thou not here present with me, Jesus, at this + moment, as Thou didst appear to the men of Galilee, in those wonderful + days when the stars, which came down with thee from heaven, were so near + the earth that the holy innocents could take them in their hands, when + they played in their mothers’ arms on the terraces of Bethlehem? Is it not + true, Jesus, that Thou art here present, and that Thou showest me in + reality Thy precious body? Is not Thy face here, and that tear which flows + down Thy cheek a real tear? Yes, the angel of eternal justice shall + receive it, and it shall be the ransom of the soul of Thais. Art Thou not + here, Jesus? Jesus, Thy loving lips open. Thou canst speak; speak, I hear + Thee! And thee, Thais, happy Thais! listen to what the Saviour Himself + says to thee; it is He who speaks, not I. He says, ‘I have sought thee + long, O My lost sheep! I have found thee at last! Fly from Me no more. Let + Me take thee by the hands, poor little one, and I will bear thee on My + shoulders to the heavenly fold. Come, My Thais! come, My chosen one! come, + and weep with Me!’” + </p> + <p> + And Paphnutius fell on his knees, his eyes filled with ecstasy. And then + Thais saw in his face the likeness of the living Christ. + </p> + <p> + “O vanished days of my childhood!” she sobbed. “O sweet father Ahmes! good + Saint Theodore, why did I not die in thy white mantle whilst thou didst + bear me, in the first dawn of day, yet fresh from the waters of baptism!” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius advanced towards her, crying— + </p> + <p> + “Thou art baptised! O divine wisdom! O Providence! O great God! I know now + the power which drew me to thee. I know what rendered thee so dear and so + beautiful in my eyes. It was the virtue of the baptismal water, which made + me leave the shadow of God, where I lived, to seek thee in the poisoned + air where men dwell. A drop—a drop, no doubt, of the water which + washed thy body—has been sprinkled in my face. Come, O my sister, + and receive from thy brother the kiss of peace.” + </p> + <p> + And the monk touched with his lips the forehead of the courtesan. + </p> + <p> + Then he was silent, letting God speak, and nothing was heard in the Grotto + of Nymphs but the sobs of Thais, mingled with the rippling of the running + water. + </p> + <p> + She wept without trying to stop her tears, when two black slaves appeared, + loaded with stuffs, perfumes, and garlands. + </p> + <p> + “It was hardly the right time to weep,” she said, trying to smile. “Tears + redden the eyes and spoil the complexion, and I must sup tonight with some + friends, and want to be beautiful, for there will be women there quick to + spy out marks of care on my face. These slaves come to dress me. Withdraw, + my father, and allow them to do their work. They are clever and + experienced, and I pay them well for their services. You see that one who + wears thick rings of gold, and shows such white teeth. I took her from the + wife of the pro-consul.” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius had at first a thought of dissuading Thais, as earnestly as he + could, from going to this supper. But he determined to act prudently, and + asked what persons she would meet there. + </p> + <p> + She replied that there would be the host, old Cotta, the Prefect of the + Fleet, Nicias, and several other philosophers who loved an argument, the + poet Callicrates, the high priest of Serapis, some young men whose chief + amusement was training horses, and lastly some women, of whom there was + little to be said except that they were young. Then, by a supernatural + inspiration— + </p> + <p> + “Go amongst them, Thais,” said the monk. “Go! But I will not leave thee. I + will go with thee to this banquet, and will remain by thy side without + saying a word.” + </p> + <p> + She burst out laughing. And whilst her two black slaves were busy dressing + her, she cried— + </p> + <p> + “What will they say when they see that I have a monk of the Thebaid for my + lover?” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE BANQUET + </h2> + <p> + When, followed by Paphnutius, Thais entered the banqueting-room, the + guests were already, for the most part, assembled, and reclining on their + couches before the horseshoe table, which was covered with glittering + vessels. In the centre of the table stood a silver basin, surmounted by + four figures of satyrs, who poured out from wine-skins on the boiled fish + a kind of pickle in which they floated. When Thais appeared, acclamations + arose from all sides. + </p> + <p> + Greetings to the sister of the Graces! + </p> + <p> + To the silent Melpomene, who can express all things with her looks! + </p> + <p> + Salutation to the well-beloved of gods and men! + </p> + <p> + To the much desired! + </p> + <p> + To her who gives suffering and its cure! + </p> + <p> + To the pearl of Racotis! + </p> + <p> + To the rose of Alexandria! + </p> + <p> + She waited impatiently till this torrent of praise had passed, and then + said to Cotta, the host— + </p> + <p> + “Lucius, I have brought you a monk of the desert, Paphnutius, the Abbot of + Antinoe. He is a great saint, whose words burn like fire.” + </p> + <p> + Lucius Aurelius Cotta, the Prefect of the Fleet, rose, and replied— + </p> + <p> + “You are welcome, Paphnutius, you who profess the Christian faith. I + myself have some respect of a religion that has now become imperial. The + divine Constantine has placed your co-religionists in the front rank of + the friends of the empire. Latin wisdom ought, in fact, to admit your + Christ into our pantheon. It was a maxim of our forefathers that there was + something divine in every god. But no more of that. Let us drink and enjoy + ourselves while there is yet time.” + </p> + <p> + Old Cotta spoke tranquilly. He had just studied a new model for a galley, + and had finished the sixth book of his history of the Carthaginians. He + felt sure he had not lost his day, and was satisfied with himself and the + gods. + </p> + <p> + “Paphnutius,” he added, “you see here several men who are worthy to be + loved—Hermodorus, the High Priest of Serapis; the philosophers + Dorion, Nicias, and Zenothemis; the poet Callicrates; young Chereas and + young Aristobulus, both sons of dear old comrades; and near them Philina + and Drosea, who deserve to be praised for their beauty.” + </p> + <p> + Nicias embraced Paphnutius, and whispered in his ear— + </p> + <p> + “I warned you, brother, that Venus was powerful. It is her gentle force + that has brought you here in spite of yourself. Listen: you are a man full + of piety, but if you do not confess that she is the mother of the gods, + your ruin is certain. Do you know that the old mathematician, Melanthes, + used to say, ‘I cannot demonstrate the properties of a triangle without + the aid of Venus’?” + </p> + <p> + Dorion, who had for some seconds been looking at the new-comer, suddenly + clapped his hands and uttered a cry of surprise. + </p> + <p> + “It is he, friends! His look, his beard, his tunic—it is he himself! + I met him at the theatre whilst our Thais was acting. He was furiously + excited, and spoke with violence, as I can testify. He is an honest man, + but he will abuse us all; his eloquence is terrible. If Marcus is the + Plato of the Christians, Paphnutius is the Demosthenes. Epicurus, in his + little garden, never heard the like.” + </p> + <p> + Philina and Drosea, however, devoured Thais with their eyes. She wore on + her fair hair a wreath of pale violets, each flower of which recalled, in + a paler hue, the colour of her eyes, so that the flowers looked like + softened glances, and the eyes like sparkling flowers. It was the peculiar + gift of this woman; on her everything lived, and was soul and harmony. Her + robe, which was of mauve spangled with silver, trailed in long folds with + a grace that was almost melancholy and was not relieved by either + bracelets or necklaces. The chief charm of her appearance was her + beautiful bare arms. The two friends were obliged to admire, in spite of + themselves the robe and head-dress of Thais, though they said nothing to + her on the subject. + </p> + <p> + “How beautiful you are!” said Philina. “You could not have been more so + when you came to Alexandria. Yet my mother, who remembers seeing you then, + says there were few women who were worthy to be compared with you.” + </p> + <p> + “Who is the new lover you have brought?” asked Drosea. “He has a strange, + wild appearance. If there are shepherds of elephants, assuredly he must + resemble one. Where did you find such a wild-looking friend, Thais? Was it + amongst the troglodytes who live under the earth, and are grimy with the + smoke of Hades?” + </p> + <p> + But Philina put her finger on Drosea’s lips. + </p> + <p> + “Hush! the mysteries of love must remain secret, and it is forbidden to + know them. For my own part, certainly, I would rather be kissed by the + mouth of smoking Etna than by the lips of that man. But our dear Thais, + who is beautiful and adorable as the goddesses, should, like the + goddesses, grant all requests, and not, like us, only those of nice young + men.” + </p> + <p> + “Take care, both of you!” replied Thais. “He is a mage and an enchanter. + He hears words that are whispered, and even thoughts. He will tear out + your heart while you are asleep, and put a sponge in its place, and the + next day, when you drink water, you will be choked to death.” + </p> + <p> + She watched them grow pale, then she turned away from them, and sat on a + couch by the side of Paphnutius. The voice of Cotta, kind but imperious, + was suddenly heard above the murmur of conversation. + </p> + <p> + “Friends, let each take his place! Slaves, pour out the honeyed wine!” + </p> + <p> + Then, the host raising his cup— + </p> + <p> + “Let us first drink to the divine Constantine and the genius of the + empire. The country should be put first of all, even above the gods, for + it contains them all.” + </p> + <p> + All the guests raised their full cups to their lips. Paphnutius alone did + not drink, because Constantine had persecuted the Nicaean faith, and + because the country of the Christian is not of this world. + </p> + <p> + Dorion, having drunk, murmured— + </p> + <p> + “What is one’s country? A flowing river. The shores change, and the waves + are incessantly renewed.” + </p> + <p> + “I know, Dorion,” replied the Prefect of the Fleet, “that you care little + for the civic virtues, and you think that the sage ought to hold himself + aloof from all affairs. I think, on the contrary, that an honest man + should desire nothing better than to fill a responsible post in the State. + The State is a noble thing.” + </p> + <p> + Hermodorus, the High Priest of Serapis, spoke next— + </p> + <p> + “Dorion has asked, ‘What is one’s country?’ I will reply that the altars + of the gods and the tombs of ancestors make one’s country. A man is a + fellow-citizen by association of memories and hopes.” + </p> + <p> + Young Aristobulus interrupted Hermodorus. + </p> + <p> + “By Castor! I saw a splendid horse to-day. It belonged to Demophoon. It + has a fine head, small jaw, and strong forelegs. It carries its neck high + and proud, like a cock.” + </p> + <p> + But young Chereas shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “It is not such a good horse as you say, Aristobulus. Its hoofs are thin, + and the pasterns are too low; the animal will soon go lame.” + </p> + <p> + They were continuing their dispute, when Drosea uttered a piercing shriek. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I nearly swallowed a fish-bone, as long and much sharper than a + style. Luckily, I was able to get it out of my throat in time! The gods + love me!” + </p> + <p> + “Did you say, Drosea, that the gods loved you?” asked Nicias, smiling. + “Then they must share the same infirmities as men. Love presupposes + unhappiness on the part of whoever suffers from it, and is a proof of + weakness. The affection they feel for Drosea is a great proof of the + imperfection of the gods.” + </p> + <p> + At these words Drosea flew into a great rage. + </p> + <p> + “Nicias, your remarks are foolish and not to the point. But that is your + character—you never understand what is said, and reply in words + devoid of sense.” + </p> + <p> + Nicias smiled again. + </p> + <p> + “Talk away, talk away, Drosea. Whatever you say, we are glad every time + you open your mouth. Your teeth are so pretty!” + </p> + <p> + At that moment, a grave-looking old man, negligently dressed, walking + slowly, with his head high, entered the room, and gazed at the guests + quietly. Cotta made a sign to him to take a place by his side, on the same + couch. + </p> + <p> + “Eucrites,” he said, “you are welcome. Have you composed a new treatise on + philosophy this month? That would make, if I calculate correctly, the + ninety-second that has proceeded from the Nile reed you direct with an + Attic hand.” + </p> + <p> + Eucrites replied, stroking his silver beard— + </p> + <p> + “The nightingale was created to sing, and I was created to praise the + immortal gods.” + </p> + <p> + DORION. Let us respectfully salute, in Eucrites, the last of the stoics. + Grave and white, he stands in the midst of us like the image of an + ancestor. He is solitary amidst a crowd of men, and the words he utters + are not heard. + </p> + <p> + EUCRITES. You deceive yourself, Dorion. The philosophy of virtue is not + dead. I have numerous disciples in Alexandria, Rome, and Constantinople. + Many of the slaves, and some of the nephews of Caesar, now know how to + govern themselves, to live independently, and being unconcerned with all + affairs, they enjoy boundless happiness. Many of them have revived, in + their own person, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius. But if it were true that + virtue were for ever extinguished upon the earth, in what way would the + loss of it affect my happiness, since it did not depend on me whether it + existed or perished? Only fools, Dorion, place their happiness out of + their own power. I desire nothing that the gods do not wish, and I desire + all that they do wish. By that means I render myself like unto them, and + share their infallible content. If virtue perishes, I consent that it + should perish, and that consent fills me with joy, as the supreme effort + of my reason or my courage. In all things my wisdom will copy the divine + wisdom, and the copy will be more valuable than the model; it will have + cost greater care and more work. + </p> + <p> + NICIAS. I understand. You put yourself on the same level as divine + providence. But if virtue consists only in effort, Eucrites, and in that + intense application by which the disciples of Zeno pretend to render + themselves equal to the gods, the frog, which swelled itself out to try + and become as big as the ox, accomplished a masterpiece of stoicism. + </p> + <p> + EUCRITES. You jest, Nicias, and, as usual, you excel in ridicule. But if + the ox of which you speak is really a god, like Apis, or like that + subterranean ox whose high priest I see here, and if the frog, being + wisely inspired, succeed in equalling it, would it not be, in fact, more + virtuous than the ox, and could you refrain from admiring such a + courageous little animal! + </p> + <p> + Four servants placed on the table a wild pig, still covered with its + bristles. Little pigs, made of pastry, surrounded the animal, as though + they would suckle, to show that it was a sow. + </p> + <p> + Zenothemis, turning towards the monk, said— + </p> + <p> + “Friends, a guest has come hither to join us. The illustrious Paphnutius, + who leads such an extraordinary life of solitude, is our unexpected + guest.” + </p> + <p> + COTTA. You may even add, Zenothemis, that the place of honour is due to + him, because he came without being invited. + </p> + <p> + ZENOTHEMIS. Therefore, we ought, my dear Lucius, to make him the more + welcome, and strive to do that which would be most agreeable to him. Now + it is certain that such a man cares less for the perfumes of meat than for + the perfumes of fine thoughts. We shall, doubtless, please him by + discussing the doctrine he professes, which is that of Jesus crucified. + For my own part, I shall the more willingly discuss this doctrine, because + it keenly interests me, on account of the number and the diversity of the + allegories it contains. If one may guess at the spirit by the letter, it + is filled with truths, and I consider that the Christian books abound in + divine revelations. But I should not, Paphnutius, grant equal merit to the + Jewish books. They were inspired not, as it was said, by the Spirit of + God, but by an evil genius. Iaveh, who dictated them, was one of those + spirits who people the lower air, and cause the greater part of the evils, + from which we suffer; but he surpassed all the others in ignorance and + ferocity. On the contrary, the serpent with golden wings, which twined its + azure coils round the tree of knowledge, was made up of light and love. A + combat between these two powers—the one of light and the other of + darkness—was, therefore, inevitable. It occurred soon after the + creation of the world. God had hardly begun to rest after His labors; Adam + and Eve, the first man and the first woman, lived happy and naked in the + Garden of Eden, when Iaveh conceived—to their misfortune—the + design of governing them and all the generations which Eve already bore in + her splendid loins. As he possessed neither the compass nor the lyre, and + was equally ignorant of the science which commands and the art which + persuades, he frightened these two poor children by hideous apparitions, + capricious threats, and thunder-bolts. Adam and Eve, feeling his shadow + upon them, pressed closer to one another, and their love waxed stronger in + fear. The serpent took pity on them, and determined to instruct them, in + order that, possessing knowledge, they might no longer be misled by lies. + Such an undertaking required extreme prudence, and the frailty of the + first human couple rendered it almost hopeless. The well-intentioned demon + essayed it, however. Without the knowledge of Iaveh—who pretended to + see everything, but, in reality, was not very sharp-sighted—he + approached these two beings, and charmed their eyes by the splendour of + his coat and the brilliancy of his wings. Then he interested their minds + by forming before them, with his body, definite figures, such as the + circle, the ellipse, and the spiral, the wonderful properties of which + have since been recognised by the Greeks. Adam meditated on these figures + more than Eve did. But when the serpent began to speak, and taught the + most sublime truths—those which cannot be demonstrated—he + found that Adam being made of red earth, was of too dull a nature to + understand these subtle distinctions, but that Eve, on the contrary, being + more tender and more sensitive, was easily impressed. Therefore he + conversed with her alone, in the absence of her husband, in order to + initiate her first— + </p> + <p> + DORION. Permit me, Zenothemis, to interrupt you. I speedily recognised in + the myth you have explained to us an episode in the war of Pallas Athene + against the giants. Iaveh much resembles Typhoon, and Pallas is + represented by the Athenians with a serpent at her side. But what you have + said causes me considerable doubt as to the intelligence or good faith of + the serpent of whom you have spoken. If he had really possessed knowledge, + would he have entrusted it to a woman’s little head, which was incapable + of containing it? I should rather consider that he was like Iaveh, + ignorant and a liar, and that he chose Eve because she was easily seduced, + and he imagined that Adam would have more intelligence and perception. + </p> + <p> + ZENOTHEMIS. Learn, Dorion, that it is not by perception and intelligence, + but by sensibility, that the highest and purest truths are reached. That + is why women, who, generally, are less reflective but more sensitive than + men, rise more easily to the knowledge of things divine. In them is the + gift of prophecy, and it is not without reason that Apollo Citharedes, and + Jesus of Nazareth, are sometimes represented clad, like women, in flowing + robes. The initiator was therefore wise—whatever you may say to the + contrary, Dorion—in bestowing light, not on the duller Adam, but on + Eve, who was whiter than milk or the stars. She freely listened to him, + and allowed herself to be led to the tree of knowledge, the branches of + which rose to heaven, and which was bathed with the divine spirit as with + a dew. This tree was covered with leaves which spoke all the languages of + future races of men, and their united voices formed a perfect harmony. Its + abundant fruit gave to the initiated who tasted it the knowledge of + metals, stones, and plants, and also of physical and moral laws; but this + fruit was like fire, and those who feared suffering and death did not dare + to put it to their lips. Now, as she had listened attentively to the + lessons of the serpent, Eve despised these empty terrors, and wished to + taste the fruit which gave the knowledge of God. But, as she loved Adam, + and did not wish him to be inferior to her, she took him by the hand and + led him to the wonderful tree. Then she picked one of the burning apples, + bit it, and proffered it to her companion. Unfortunately, Iaveh, who was + by chance walking in the garden, surprised them, and seeing that they had + become wise, he fell into a most ungovernable rage. It is in his jealous + fits that he is most to be feared. Assembling all his forces, he created + such a turmoil in the lower air that these two weak beings were terrified. + The fruit fell from the man’s hand, and the woman, clinging to the neck of + her luckless husband, said, “I too will be ignorant and suffer with him.” + The triumphant Iaveh kept Adam and Eve and all their seed in a condition + of hebetude and terror. His art, which consisted only in being able to + make huge meteors, triumphed over the science of the serpent, who was a + musician and geometrician. He made men unjust, ignorant, and cruel, and + caused evil to reign in the earth. He persecuted Cain and his sons because + they were skilful workmen; he exterminated the Philistines because they + composed Orphic poems, and fables like those of AEsop. He was the + implacable enemy of science and beauty, and for long ages the human race + expiated, in blood and tears, the defeat of the winged serpent. + Fortunately, there arose among the Greeks learned men, such as Pythagoras, + and Plato, who recovered by the force of genius, the figures and the ideas + which the enemy of Iaveh had vainly tried to teach the first woman. The + soul of the serpent was in them; and that is why the serpent, as Dorion + has said, is honoured by the Athenians. Finally, in these latter days, + there appeared, under human form, three celestial spirits—Jesus of + Galilee, Basilides, and Valentinus—to whom it was given to pluck the + finest fruits of that tree of knowledge, whose roots pass through all the + earth, and whose top reaches to the highest heaven. I have said all this + in vindication of the Christians, to whom the errors of the Jews are too + often imputed. + </p> + <p> + DORION. If I understood you aright, Zenothemis, you said that three + wonderful men—Jesus, Basilides, and Valentinus—had discovered + secrets which had remained hidden from Pythagoras and Plato, and all the + philosophers of Greece, and even from the divine Epicurus, who, however, + has freed men from the dread of empty terrors. You would greatly oblige me + by telling me by what means these three mortals acquired knowledge which + had eluded the most contemplative sages. + </p> + <p> + ZENOTHEMIS. Must I repeat to you, Dorion, that science and cogitation are + but the first steps to knowledge, and that ecstasy alone leads to eternal + truth? + </p> + <p> + HERMODORUS. It is true, Zenothemis, that the soul is nourished on ecstasy, + as the cicada is nourished on dew. But we may even say more: the mind + alone is capable of perfect rapture. For man is of a threefold nature, + composed of material body, of a soul which is more subtle, but also + material, and of an incorruptible mind. When, emerging from the body as + from a palace suddenly given over to silence and solitude and flying + through the gardens of the soul, the mind diffuses itself in God, it + tastes the delights of an anticipated death, or rather of a future life, + for to die is to live; and in that condition, partaking of divine purity, + it possesses both infinite joy and complete knowledge. It enters into the + unity which is All. It is perfected. + </p> + <p> + NICIAS. That is very fine; but, to say the truth, Hermodorus, I do not see + much difference between All and Nothing. Words even seem to fail to make + the distinction. Infinity is terribly like nothingness—they are both + inconceivable to the mind. In my opinion perfection costs too dear; we pay + for it with all our being, and to possess it must cease to exist. That is + a calamity from which God Himself is not free, for the philosophers are + doing their best to perfect Him. After all, if we do not know what it is + <i>not</i> to be, we are equally ignorant what it is to <i>be</i>. We know + nothing. It is said that it is impossible for men to agree on this + question. I believe—in spite of our noisy disputes—that it is, + on the contrary, impossible for men not to become some day all at unity + buried under the mass of contradictions, a Pelion on Ossa, which they + themselves have raised. + </p> + <p> + COTTA. I am very fond of philosophy, and study it in my leisure time. But + I never understand it well, except in Cicero’s books. Slaves, pour out the + honeyed wine! + </p> + <p> + CALLICRATES. It is a singular thing, but when I am hungry I think of the + time when the tragic poets sat at the boards of good tyrants, and my mouth + waters. But when I have tasted the excellent wine that you give us so + abundantly, generous Lucius, I dream of nothing but civil wars and heroic + combats. I blush to live in such inglorious times; I invoke the goddess of + Liberty; and I pour out my blood—in imagination—with the last + Romans on the field of Philippi. + </p> + <p> + COTTA. In the days of the decline of the Republic my ancestors died with + Brutus—for liberty. But there is reason to suspect that what the + Roman people called liberty was only in reality the right to govern + themselves. I do not deny that liberty is the greatest boon a nation can + have. But the longer I live the more I am persuaded that only a strong + government can bestow it on the citizens. For forty years I have filled + high positions in the State, and my long experience has shown me that when + the ruling power is weak the people are oppressed. Those, therefore, who—like + the great majority of rhetoricians—try to weaken the government, + commit an abominable crime. An autocrat, who governs by his single will, + may sometimes cause most deplorable results; but if he governs by popular + consent there is no remedy possible. Before the majesty of the Roman arms + had bestowed peace upon all the world, the only nations which were happy + were those which were ruled over by intelligent despots. + </p> + <p> + HERMODORUS. For my part, Lucius, I believe that there is no such thing as + a good form of government, and that we shall never discover one, because + the Greeks, who had so many excellent ideas, were never able to find one. + In that respect, therefore, all hope of ultimate success is taken from us. + Unmistakable signs show that the world is about to fall into ignorance and + barbarism. It has been our lot, Lucius, to witness terrible events. Of all + the mental satisfactions which intelligence, learning, and virtue can + give, all that remains is the cruel pleasure of watching ourselves die. + </p> + <p> + COTTA. It is true that the rapacity of the people, and the boldness of the + barbarians, are threatening evils. But with a good fleet, a good army, and + plenty of money—— + </p> + <p> + HERMODORUS. What is the use of deceiving ourselves? The dying empire will + become an easy prey to the barbarians. Cities which were built by Hellenic + genius, or Latin patience, will soon be sacked by drunken savages. Neither + art nor philosophy will exist any longer on the earth. The statues of the + gods will be overturned in the temples, and in men’s hearts as well. + Darkness will overcome all minds, and the world will die. Can we believe + that the Sarmatians will ever devote themselves to intelligent work, that + the Germani will cultivate music and philosophy, and that the Quadi and + the Marcomani will adore the immortal gods? No! we are sliding toward the + abyss. Our old Egypt, which was the cradle of the world, will be its + burial vault; Serapis, the god of Death, will receive the last adoration + of mortals, and I shall have been the last priest of the last god. + </p> + <p> + At this moment a strange figure raised the tapestry, and the guests saw + before them a little hunchback, whose bald skull rose in a point. He was + clad, in the Asiatic fashion, in a blue tunic, and wore round his legs, + like the barbarians, red breeches, spangled with gold stars. On seeing + him, Paphnutius recognised Marcus the Arian, and fearing lest a + thunderbolt should fall from heaven, he covered his head with his arms, + and grew pale with fright. At this banquet of the demons, neither the + blasphemies of the pagans, nor the horrible errors of the philosophers, + had had any effect on him, but the mere presence of the heretic quenched + his courage. He would have fled, but his eyes met those of Thais, and he + felt at once strengthened. He read in her soul that she, who was + predestined to become a saint, already protected him. He seized the skirt + of her long, flowing robe, and inwardly prayed to the Saviour Jesus. + </p> + <p> + A murmur of acclamation welcomed the arrival of the personage who had been + called the Christian Plato. Hermodorus was the first to speak. + </p> + <p> + “Most illustrious Marcus, we rejoice to see you amongst us, and it may be + said that you come at the right moment. We know nothing of the Christian + doctrine, beyond what is publicly taught. Now, it is certain that a + philosopher, like you, cannot think as the vulgar think, and we are + curious to know your opinion of the principal mysteries of the religion + you profess. Our dear friend, Zenothemis, who, as you know, is always + hunting for symbolic meanings, just now questioned the illustrious + Paphnutius concerning the Jewish books. But Paphnutius made no reply, and + we should not be surprised at that, as our guest has made a vow of + silence, and God has sealed his tongue in the desert. But you Marcus, who + have spoken at the Christian synods, and even at the councils of the + divine Constantine, can if you wish, satisfy our curiosity by revealing to + us the philosophic truths which are wrapped up in the Christian fables. Is + not the first of these truths the existence of an only God—in whom, + for my part, I fervently believe?” + </p> + <p> + MARCUS. Yes, venerable brethren, I believe in an only God, not begotten—the + only Eternal, the origin of all things. + </p> + <p> + NICIAS. We know, Marcus, that your God created the world. That must + certainly have been a great crisis in His existence. He had already + existed an eternity before He could make up His mind to it. But I must, in + justice, confess that His situation was a most difficult one. He must + continue inactive if He would remain perfect, and must act if He would + prove to Himself His own existence. You assure me that He decided to act. + I am willing to believe you, although it was an unpardonable imprudence on + the part of a perfect God. But tell us, Marcus, how He set about making + the world. + </p> + <p> + MARCUS. Those who, without being Christians, possess, like Hermodorus and + Zenothemis, the principles of knowledge, are aware that God did not create + the world personally without an intermediary. He gave birth to an only + Son, by whom all things were made. + </p> + <p> + HERMODORUS. That is quite true, Marcus; and this Son is worshipped under + the various names of Hermes, Mithra, Adonis, Apollo, and Jesus. + </p> + <p> + MARCUS. I should not be a Christian if I gave Him any other names than + those of Jesus Christ, and Saviour. He is the true Son of God. But He is + not eternal, since He had a beginning; as to thinking that He existed + before He was begotten, we must leave that absurdity to the Nicaean mules, + and the obstinate ass who too long governed the Church of Alexandria under + the accursed name of Athanasius. + </p> + <p> + At these words Paphnutius, white with horror and his face bedewed with the + sweat of agony made the sign of the cross, but maintained a sublime + silence. + </p> + <p> + Marcus continued— + </p> + <p> + “It is clear that the foolish Nicene Creed is a treason against the + majesty of the only God, by compelling Him to share His indivisible + attributes with His own emanation—the Mediator by whom all things + were made. Cease jesting at the true God of the Christians, Nicias, and + learn that, like the lilies of the field, He toils not, neither does He + spin. It was not He who was the worker, it was His only Son, Jesus, who, + having created the world, came afterwards to repair His handiwork. For the + creation could not be perfect, and evil was necessarily mingled with + good.” + </p> + <p> + NICIAS. What is “good,” and what is “evil”? + </p> + <p> + There was a moment’s silence, during which Hermodorus, his arm extended on + the cloth, pointed to a little ass in Corinthian metal which bore two + baskets—the one containing white olives, the other black olives. + </p> + <p> + “You see these olives,” he said. “The contrast between the colours is + pleasant to the eye, and we are content that these should be light and + those should be dark. But, if they were endowed with thought and + knowledge, the white would say, It is good for an olive to be white, it is + bad for it to be black; and the black olives would hate the white olives. + We judge better, for we are as much above them as the gods are above us. + For man, who only sees a part of things, evil is an evil; for God, who + understands all things, evil is a good. Doubtless ugliness is ugly, and + not beautiful; but if all were beautiful, the whole would not be + beautiful. It is, then, well that there should be evil, as the second + Plato, far greater than the first, has demonstrated.” + </p> + <p> + EUCRITES. Let us talk more morally. Evil is an evil—not for the + world, of which it cannot destroy the indestructible harmony but for the + sinner who does it, and cannot help doing it. + </p> + <p> + COTTA. By Jupiter? that is a good argument. + </p> + <p> + EUCRITES. The world is a tragedy by an excellent poet. God, who composed + it, has intended each of us to play a part in it. If he wills that you + shall be a beggar, a prince, or a cripple, make the best of the part + assigned you. + </p> + <p> + NICIAS. Assuredly it would be well that the cripple should limp like + Hephaistos: it would be well that the madman should indulge in all the + fury of Ajax, that the incestuous woman should repeat the crimes of + Phaedra, that the traitor should betray, that the rascal should lie, and + the murderer kill, and when the piece was played, all the actor—kings, + just men, bloody tyrants, pious virgins, immodest wives, noble-minded + citizens, and cowardly assassins—should receive from the poet an + equal share in the felicitations. + </p> + <p> + EUCRITES. You distort my thought, Nicias, and change a beautiful young + girl into a hideous Gorgon. I am sorry for you, if you are so ignorant of + the nature of the gods, of justice, and of the eternal laws. + </p> + <p> + ZENOTHEMIS. For my part, friends, I believe in the reality of good and + evil. But I am convinced that there is not a single human action—were + it even the kiss of Judas—which does not bear within itself the germ + of redemption. Evil contributes to the ultimate salvation of men, and, in + that respect issues from Good, and shares the merits belonging to Good. + This has been admirably expressed by the Christians, in the myth + concerning the man with red hair, who, in order to betray his master, gave + him the kiss of peace, and by such act assured the salvation of men. + Therefore, nothing is, in my opinion, more unjust and absurd than the hate + with which certain disciples of Paul, the tentmaker, pursue the most + unfortunate of the apostles of Jesus without realising that the kiss of + Iscariot—prophesied by Jesus Himself—was necessary, according + to their own doctrine, for the redemption of men, and that if Judas had + not received the thirty pieces, the divine wisdom would have been + impugned, Providence frustrated, its designs upset, and the world given + over to evil, ignorance, and death. + </p> + <p> + MARCUS. Divine wisdom foresaw that Judas, though he was not obliged to + give the traitor’s kiss, would give it, notwithstanding. It thus employed + the sin of Iscariot as a stone in the marvellous edifice of the + redemption. + </p> + <p> + ZENOTHEMIS. I spoke just now, Marcus, as though I believed that the + redemption of men had been accomplished by Jesus crucified, because I know + that such is the belief of the Christians, and I borrowed their opinion + that I might the better show the mistake of those who believe in the + eternal damnation of Judas. But, in reality, Jesus was, in my eyes, but + the precursor of Basilides and Valentinus. As to the mystery of the + redemption, I will tell you, my dear friends—if you are at all + curious to hear it—how it was really accomplished on earth. + </p> + <p> + The guests made a sign of assent. Like the Athenian virgins with the + baskets sacred to Ceres, twelve young girls, bearing on their heads + baskets filled with pomegranates and apples, entered the room with a light + step, in time to the music of an invisible flute. They placed the baskets + on the table, the flute ceased, and Zenothemis spoke as follows— + </p> + <p> + “When Eunoia, ‘the thought of God,’ had created the world, she confided + the government of the earth to the angels. But they did not preserve the + dispassion befitting masters. Seeing that the daughters of men were fair, + they surprised them in the evening by the wellside, and united themselves + to them. From these unions sprang a turbulent race, who covered the earth + with injustice and cruelty, and the dust of the roads drank up the blood + of the innocent. The sight of this caused Eunoia infinite grief. + </p> + <p> + “‘See what I have done!’ she sighed, leaning towards the world. ‘My poor + children are plunged in misery, and by my fault. Their suffering is my + crime, and I will expiate it. God Himself, who only thinks through me, + would be powerless to restore them to their pristine purity. That which is + done is done, and the creation will remain for ever imperfect. But, at + least, I will not forsake my creatures. If I cannot make them happy, like + me, I can make myself unhappy, like them. Since I committed the mistake of + giving them bodies which dishonour them, I will myself assume a body like + unto theirs, and will go and live amongst them.’ + </p> + <p> + “Having thus spoken, Eunoia descended to the earth, and was incarnate in + the breast of a woman of Argos. She was born small and feeble, and + received the name of Helen. She submitted to all the labours of this life, + but soon grew in grace and beauty, and became the most desired of women, + as she had determined, in order that her mortal body might be tried by the + most supreme defilements. An inert prey to lascivious and violent men, she + suffered rape and adultery, in expiation of all the adulteries, all the + violences, all the iniquities, and caused, by her beauty, the ruin of + nations, that God might pardon the sins of the universe. And never was the + celestial thought, never was Eunoia, so adorable as in those days when, as + a woman, she prostituted herself to heroes and shepherds. The poets + surmised her divinity when they painted her so peaceful, superb, and + fatal, and when they addressed that invocation to her, ‘A soul as serene + as a calm upon the waters.’ + </p> + <p> + “Thus was Eunoia led by pity into evil and suffering. She died, and the + Argives still show her tomb—for it was necessary that she should + know death after lust, and taste the bitter fruit she had sown. But, + emerging from the decomposed flesh of Helen, she became incarnate again as + a woman, and again suffered every form of insult and outrage. Thus, + passing from body to body, throughout all the evil ages, she takes upon + her the sins of the world. Her sacrifice will not be in vain. Joined to us + by the bonds of the flesh, loving us, and weeping with us, she will effect + her redemption and ours, and will carry us, clinging to her white breast, + into the peace of the regained paradise.” + </p> + <p> + HERMODORUS. This myth was not unknown to me. I remembered having heard + that, in one of her metamorphoses, the divine Helen lived with the + magician, Simon, in the reign of the Emperor Tiberius. I thought, however, + that her perdition was involuntary, and that she was dragged down by the + angels in their fall. + </p> + <p> + ZENOTHEMIS. It is true, Hermodorus, that men who were not properly + initiated in the mysteries have imagined that the sad Eunoia was not a + party to her own downfall. But if it were as they assert Eunoia would not + be the expiating courtesan, the victim covered with stains of all sorts, + the bread steeped in the wine of our shame, the pleasant offering, the + meritorious sacrifice, the holocaust, the smoke of which rises to God. If + they were not voluntary, there would be no merit in her sins. + </p> + <p> + CALLICRATES. Does anyone know, Zenothemis in what country, under what + name, in what adorable form, this ever-renascent Helen is living now? + </p> + <p> + ZENOTHEMIS. A man would have to be very wise indeed to discover such a + secret. And wisdom, Callicrates, is not given to poets, who live in the + rude world of forms and amuse themselves, like children, with sounds and + empty shows. + </p> + <p> + CALLICRATES. Beware of offending the gods, impious Zenothemis; the poets + are dear to them. The first laws were dictated in verse by the immortals + themselves, and the oracles of the gods are poems. Hymns have a pleasant + sound to celestial ears. Who does not know that the poets are prophets, + and that nothing is hidden from them? Being a poet myself, and crowned + with Apollo’s laurel, I will make known to all the last incarnation of + Eunoia. The eternal Helen is close to us; she is looking at us, and we are + looking at her. You see that woman reclining on the cushions of her couch—so + beautiful and so contemplative—whose eyes shed tears, and whose lips + abound with kisses! It is she! Lovely as in the time of Priam and the + halcyon days of Asia, Eunoia is now called Thais. + </p> + <p> + PHILINA. What do you say, Callicrates? Our dear Thais knew Paris, + Menelaus, and the Achaians who fought before Ilion! Was the Trojan horse + big, Thais? + </p> + <p> + ARISTOBULUS. Who speaks of a horse? + </p> + <p> + “I have drunk like a Thracian!” cried Chereas and he rolled under the + table. + </p> + <p> + Callicrates, raising his cup, cried— + </p> + <p> + “If we drink like desperate men, we die unavenged!” + </p> + <p> + Old Cotta was asleep, and his bald head nodded slowly above his broad + shoulders. + </p> + <p> + For some time past Dorion had seemed to be greatly excited under his + philosophic cloak. He reeled up to the couch of Thais. + </p> + <p> + “Thais, I love you, although it is unseemly in me to love a woman.” + </p> + <p> + THAIS. Why did you not love me before? + </p> + <p> + DORION. Because I had not supped. + </p> + <p> + THAIS. But I, my poor friend, have drunk nothing but water; therefore you + must excuse me if I do not love you. + </p> + <p> + Dorion did not wait to hear more, but made towards Drosea, who had made a + sign to him in order to get him away from her friend. Zenothemis took the + place he had left, and gave Thais a kiss on the mouth. + </p> + <p> + THAIS. I thought you more virtuous. + </p> + <p> + ZENOTHEMIS. I am perfect, and the perfect are subject to no laws. + </p> + <p> + THAIS. But are you not afraid of sullying your soul in a woman’s arms? + </p> + <p> + ZENOTHEMIS. The body may yield to lust without the soul being concerned. + </p> + <p> + THAIS. Go away! I wish to be loved with body and soul. All these + philosophers are old goats. + </p> + <p> + The lamps died out one by one. The pale rays of dawn, which entered + between the openings of the hangings, shone on the livid faces and swollen + eyes of the guests. Aristobulus was sleeping soundly by the side of + Chereas, and, in his dreams, devoting all his grooms to the ravens. + Zenothemis pressed in his arms the yielding Philina; Dorion poured on the + naked bosom of Drosea drops of wine, which rolled like rubies on the white + breast, which was shaking with laughter, and the philosopher tried to + catch these drops with his lips, as they rolled on the slippery flesh. + Eucrites rose, and placing his arm on the shoulder of Nicias, led him to + the end of the hall. + </p> + <p> + “Friend,” he said, smiling, “if you can still think at all—of what + are you thinking?” + </p> + <p> + “I think that the love of women is like a garden of Adonis.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean by that?” + </p> + <p> + “Do you not know, Eucrites, that women make little gardens on the + terraces, in which they plant boughs in clay pots in honour of the lover + of Venus? These boughs flourish a little time, and then fade.” + </p> + <p> + “What does that signify, Nicias? That it is foolish to attach importance + to that which fades?” + </p> + <p> + “If beauty is but a shadow, desire is but a lightning flash. What madness + it is, then, to desire beauty! Is it not rational, on the contrary, that + that which passes should go with that which does not endure, and that the + lightning should devour the gliding shadow?” + </p> + <p> + “Nicias, you seem to me like a child playing at knuckle-bones. Take my + advice—be free! By liberty only can you become a man.” + </p> + <p> + “How can a man be free, Eucrites, when he has a body?” + </p> + <p> + “You shall see presently, my son. Presently you will say, ‘Eucrites was + free.’” + </p> + <p> + The old man spoke, leaning against a porphyry pillar, his face lighted by + the first rays of dawn. Hermodorus and Marcus had approached, and stood + before him by the side of Nicias; and all four, regardless of the laughter + and cries of the drinkers, conversed on things divine. Eucrites expresses + himself so wisely and eloquently, that Marcus said— + </p> + <p> + “You are worthy to know the true God.” + </p> + <p> + Eucrites replied— + </p> + <p> + “The true God is in the heart of the wise man.” + </p> + <p> + Then they spoke of death. + </p> + <p> + “I wish,” said Eucrites, “that it may find me occupied in correcting my + faults, and attentive to all my duties. In the face of death I will raise + my pure hands to heaven, and I will say to the gods, ‘Your images, gods, + that you have placed in the temple of my soul, I have not profaned; I have + hung there my thoughts, as well as garlands, fillets, and wreaths. I have + lived according to your providence. I have lived enough.’” + </p> + <p> + Thus speaking, he raised his arms to heaven, and he remained thoughtful a + moment. Then he continued, with extreme joy— + </p> + <p> + “Separate thyself from life, Eucrites, like the ripe olive which falls; + returning thanks to the tree which bore thee, and blessing the earth, thy + nurse.” + </p> + <p> + At these words, drawing from the folds of his robe a naked dagger, he + plunged it into his breast. + </p> + <p> + Those who listened to him sprang forward to seize his hand, but the steel + point had already penetrated the heart of the sage. Eucrites had already + entered into his rest. Hermodorus and Nicias bore the pale and bleeding + body to one of the couches, amidst the shrill shrieks of the women, the + grunts of the guests disturbed in their sleep, and the heavy breathing of + the couples hidden in the shadow of the tapestry. Cotta, an old soldier, + who slept lightly, woke, approached the corpse, examined the wound, and + cried— + </p> + <p> + “Call Aristaeus, my physician!” + </p> + <p> + Nicias shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “Eucrites is no more,” he said. “He wished to die as others wish to love. + He has, like all of us, obeyed his inexpressible desire. And, lo, now he + is like unto the gods, who desire nothing.” + </p> + <p> + Cotta struck his forehead. + </p> + <p> + “Die! To want to die when he might still serve the State! What nonsense!” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius and Thais remained motionless and mute, side by side, their + souls overflowing with disgust, horror, and hope. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the monk seized the hand of the actress, and stepping over the + drunkards, who had fallen close to the lascivious couples, and treading in + the wine and blood spilt upon the floor, he led her out of the house. + </p> + <p> + The sun had risen over the city. Long colonnades stretched on both sides + of the deserted street, and at the end shone the dome of Alexander’s tomb. + Here and there on the pavement lay broken wreaths and extinguished + torches. Fresh wafts of the sea could be felt in the air. Paphnutius, with + a look of disgust, tore off his rich robe and trampled the fragments under + his feet. + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast heard them, my Thais!” he cried. “They have spat forth every + sort of folly and abomination. They dragged the Divine Creator of all + things down the gemonies(*) of the devils of hell, impudently denied the + existence of Good and Evil, blasphemed Jesus, and exalted Judas. And the + most infamous of all, the jackal of darkness, the stinking beast, the + Arian full of corruption and death, opened his mouth like a yawning + sepulchre. My Thais, thou hast seen these filthy snails crawling towards + thee and defiling thee with their sticky sweat; thou hast seen others, + like brutes, sleeping under the heels of their slaves; thou hast seen them + coupling like beasts on the carpet they had fouled with their vomit; thou + hast seen a foolish old man shed a blood yet viler than the wine which + flowed at his debauch, and at the end of the orgie throw himself in the + face of the unforeseen Christ. Praise be to God! Thou hast seen error and + recognised how hideous it was. Thais, Thais, Thais, recall to mind the + follies of these philosophers, and say if thou wilt go mad with them! + Remember the looks, the gestures, the laughs of their fitting companions, + those two lascivious and malicious strumpets, and say if thou wilt remain + like unto them.” + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (*) Steps on the Aventine Hill, leading to the Tiber, to + which the bodies of executed criminals were dragged to be + thrown into the river. The word is now obsolete, but was + employed by Ben Jonson (Sejanus) and Massinger (The Roman + Actor).—TRANS. +</pre> + <p> + Thais, her heart stirred with horror and disgust at all she had seen and + heard that night, and feeling the indifference and brutality, the + malicious jealousy of women, the heavy weight of useless hours, sighed. + </p> + <p> + “I am weary to death, O my father! Where shall I find rest? I feel that my + face is burning, my head empty, and my arms are so tired that I should not + have the strength to seize happiness were it within reach of my hand.” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius gazed at her with loving pity. + </p> + <p> + “Courage, O my sister! The hour of rest rises for thee, white and pure as + the vapours thou seest rise from the gardens and waters.” + </p> + <p> + They were near the house of Thais, and could see, above the wall, the tops + of the sycamore and fir trees, which surrounded the Grotto of Nymphs, + tremble in the morning breeze. In front of them was a public square, + deserted, and surrounded with steles and votive statues, and having at + each end a semicircular marble seat, supported by figures of monsters. + Thais fell on one of these seats. Then, looking anxiously at the monk, she + asked— + </p> + <p> + “What must I do?” + </p> + <p> + “Thou must,” replied the monk, “follow Him who has come to seek thee. He + will separate thee from this present life, as the vintager gathers the + cluster that would have rotted on the tree, and bears it to the wine-press + to change it into perfumed wine. Listen! there is, a dozen hours from + Alexandria, towards the west, not far from the sea, a nunnery, the rules + of which, a masterpiece of wisdom, deserve to be put in lyric verse and + sung to the sound of the theorbo and tambourines. It may truly be said + that the women who are there, submissive to these rules, have their feet + upon earth and their faces in heaven. They desire to be poor, that Jesus + may love them, modest, that He may gaze upon them; chaste that He may wed + them. He visits them every day in the guise of a gardener, His feet bare, + His beautiful hands open—even as He showed Himself to Mary at the + entrance of the tomb. I will conduct thee this very day to this nunnery, + my Thais, and soon, commingling with these holy women, thou wilt share in + their heavenly conversation. They await thee as a sister. On the threshold + of the convent, their mother, the pious Albina, will give thee the kiss of + peace and will say, ‘My daughter, thou art welcome!’” + </p> + <p> + The courtesan uttered a cry of amazement. + </p> + <p> + “Albina! a daughter of the Caesars! The great niece of the Emperor Carus!” + </p> + <p> + “She herself! Albina, who, born in the purple, has donned the serge, and a + daughter of the masters of this world, has risen to the rank of servant of + Jesus Christ. She will be thy mother.” + </p> + <p> + Thais rose and said— + </p> + <p> + “Take me to the house of Albina.” + </p> + <p> + And Paphnutius, completing his victory— + </p> + <p> + “Surely I will conduct thee thither, and there I will place thee in a + cell, where thou shalt weep for thy sins. For it is not fitting that thou + shouldst mingle with the daughters of Albina until thou art cleansed from + thy sins. I will seal the door, and there, a happy prisoner, thou wilt + wait in tears till Jesus Himself come, as a sign of pardon, to break the + seal that I have placed. And doubt not that He will come, Thais, and how + the flesh of thy soul will tremble when thou shalt feel the fingers of + Light placed upon thy eyes to dry thy tears!” + </p> + <p> + Thais said a second time— + </p> + <p> + “Take me, my father, to the house of Albina.” + </p> + <p> + His heart filled with joy, Paphnutius gazed around him, and tasted, almost + without fear, the pleasure of contemplating the works of creation; his + eyes drank in with joy God’s light, and unknown breezes fanned his cheeks. + Suddenly, seeing at one of the corners of the public square the little + door which led to Thais’ house, and remembering that the trees, whose + foliage he had been admiring, shaded the courtesan’s garden, he thought of + all the impurities which there sullied the air, to-day so light and pure, + and his soul was so grieved that bitter tears sprang to his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Thais,” he said, “we must fly without looking back. But we must not leave + behind us the instruments, the witnesses, the accomplices of thy past + crimes; those heavy hangings, those beds, carpets, perfume censers and + lamps, which would proclaim thy infamy! Dost thou wish that, animated by + the demons, and carried by the evil spirit that is in them, those accursed + belongings should pursue thee even to the desert? It is but too true that + there are tables which bring ruin, seats which serve as the instruments of + devils, which act, speak, strike the ground, and pass through the air. Let + all perish which has seen thy shame! Hasten, Thais, and, whilst the city + is yet asleep, order thy slaves to make, in the centre of this place, a + pile, upon which we will burn all the abominable riches thy dwelling + contains.” + </p> + <p> + Thais consented. + </p> + <p> + “Do as you will, my father,” she said. “I know that spirits often dwell in + inanimate objects. At night some articles of furniture talk, either by + giving knocks at regular intervals or by emitting little flashes of light + as signals. And even more. Have you remarked, my father, at the entrance + to the Grotto of Nymphs, on the right, a statue of a naked woman about to + bathe? One day I saw, with my own eyes, that statue turn its head like a + living person, and then return to its ordinary attitude. I was terrified. + Nicias, to whom I related this prodigy, laughed at me; yet there must be + some magic in that statue, for it inspired with violent desires a certain + Dalmatian, who was insensible to my beauty. It is certain that I have + lived amongst enchanted things, and that I was exposed to the greatest + perils, for men have been strangled by the embraces of a bronze statue. + Yet it would be a pity to destroy valuable works made with rare skill, and + to burn my carpets and tapestry would be a great loss. The beautiful + colours of some of them are truly wonderful, and they cost much money to + those who gave them to me. I also possess cups, statues, and pictures of + great price. I do not think they ought to perish. But you know what is + necessary. Do as you will, my father.” + </p> + <p> + Thus saying, she followed the monk to the little door at which so many + garlands and wreaths had been hung, and, when it was opened, she told the + porter to call together all the slaves in the house. Four Indians, who + were employed in the kitchen, were the first to appear. They were all four + yellow men, and each had but one eye. It had cost Thais much trouble, and + given her amusement, to get together these four slaves of the same race, + and all afflicted with the same infirmity. When they attended at table + they excited the curiosity of the guests, and Thais made them relate the + story of their lives. These four waited in silence. Their assistants + followed them. Then came the stablemen, the huntsmen, the litter-bearers, + and the running footmen with muscles like iron, two gardeners hirsute as + Priapus, six ferocious looking negroes, three Greek slaves—one a + grammarian, another a poet, and the third a singer. They all stood, ranged + in order, on the public square, and were presently joined by the negresses—curious, + suspicious, rolling big round eyes, and each with a huge mouth slit to her + earrings. Lastly, adjusting their veils and languidly dragging their feet, + which were shackled with light gold chains, appeared six sulky-looking, + beautiful white slave-girls. When they were all assembled, Thais, pointing + to Paphnutius, said— + </p> + <p> + “Do whatever this man commands you; for the spirit of God is in him, and + if you disobey him you will fall dead.” + </p> + <p> + For she had heard, and really believed, that the earth would open and + swallow up in flames and smoke any impious wretch whom a saint of the + desert struck with his staff. + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius sent away the women and the Greek men-slaves, and said to the + others— + </p> + <p> + “Bring wood to the middle of this place, make a huge fire, and throw into + it pell-mell all that there is in the house and grotto.” + </p> + <p> + They were astonished, and stood motionless, looking at their mistress. And + they still stood inactive and silent, and pressed against each other, + elbow to elbow, suspecting that the order was a joke. + </p> + <p> + “Obey!” said the monk. + </p> + <p> + Several of them were Christians. They understood the command, and went to + the house to fetch wood and torches. The others were not indisposed to + imitate them, for, being poor, they hated riches and had a natural + instinct for destruction. Whilst they were building the pile, Paphnutius + said to Thais— + </p> + <p> + “I thought at one time of fetching the treasurer of one of the churches of + Alexandria (if there still remain one worthy of the name of church, and + that is not defiled by the Arian beasts) and giving him thy goods, woman, + that he might distribute them to widows, and change the proceeds of crime + into the treasure of justice. But such a thought did not come from God, + and I cast it from me, for assuredly it would be a great offence to the + well-beloved of Jesus Christ to offer them the spoils of thy lust. Thais, + all that thou hast touched must be devoured by the fire, even to its very + soul. Thanks be to Heaven, these tunics and veils, which have seen kisses + more innumerable than the waves of the sea, will only feel now the lips + and tongues of the flames. Hasten, slaves! More wood! More links and + torches! And thou, woman, return to thy house, strip thyself of thy + shameful robes, and ask of the most humble of thy slaves, as an + undeserving favour, the tunic that she puts on when she scrubs the + floors.” + </p> + <p> + Thais obeyed. Whilst the Indians knelt down and blew the embers, the + negroes threw on the pile coffers of ivory, ebony, or cedar, which broke + open and let out wreaths, garlands, and necklaces. The smoke rose in a + dark column, as in the holocausts of the old religion. Then the fire, + which had been smouldering, burst out suddenly with a roar as of some + monstrous animal, and the almost invisible flames began to devour their + valuable prey. The slaves worked more eagerly; they joyfully dragged out + rich carpets, veils embroidered with silver, and flowered tapestry. They + staggered under the weight of tables, couches, thick cushions, and beds + with gold nails. Three strong Ethiopians came hugging the coloured statues + of the nymphs, one of which had been loved as though it were a mortal; and + they looked like huge apes carrying off women. And when the beautiful + naked forms fell from the arms of these monsters, and were broken on the + stones, a deep groan was heard. + </p> + <p> + At that moment Thais appeared, her hair unloosed and streaming over her + shoulders, barefooted, and clad in a clumsy coarse garment which seemed + redolent with divine voluptuousness merely from having touched her body. + Behind her came a gardener, carrying, half hidden in his long beard, an + ivory Eros. + </p> + <p> + She made a sign to the man to stop, and approaching Paphnutius, showed him + the little god. + </p> + <p> + “My father,” she asked, “should this also be thrown into the flames? It is + of marvellous antique work, and is worth a hundred times its weight in + gold. Its loss would be irreparable, for there is not a sculptor in the + world capable of making such a beautiful Eros. Remember also, my father, + that this child is Love, and he should not be harshly treated. Believe me, + Love is a virtue, and if I have sinned, it is not through him, my father, + but against him. Never shall I regret aught that he has caused me to do, + and I deplore only those things I have done contrary to his commands. He + does not allow women to give themselves to those who do not come in his + name. For that reason he ought to be honoured. Look, Paphnutius, how + pretty this little Eros is! With what grace he hides himself in the + gardener’s beard! One day Nicias, who loved me then, brought it to me and + said, ‘It will remind you of me.’ But the roguish boy did not remind me of + Nicias, but of a young man I knew at Antioch. Enough riches have been + destroyed upon this pile, my father! Preserve this Eros, and place it in + some monastery. Those who see it will turn their hearts towards God, for + love leads naturally to heavenly thoughts.” + </p> + <p> + The gardener, already believing that the little Eros was saved, smiled on + it as though it had been a child, when Paphnutius, snatching the god from + the arms which held it, threw it into the flames, crying— + </p> + <p> + “It is enough that Nicias has touched it to make it replete with every + sort of poison!” + </p> + <p> + Then, seizing by armfuls the sparkling robes, the purple mantles, the + golden sandals, the combs, strigils, mirrors, lamps, theorbos, and lyres, + he threw them into this furnace, more costly than the funeral pile of + Sardanapalus, whilst, drunken with the rage of destruction, the slaves + danced round, uttering wild yells amid a shower of sparks and ashes. + </p> + <p> + One by one, the neighbours, awakened by the noise, opened the windows, and + rubbing their eyes, looked out to see whence the smoke came. Then they + came down, half dressed, and drew near the fire. + </p> + <p> + “What does it mean?” they wondered. + </p> + <p> + Amongst them were merchants from whom Thais had often bought perfumes and + stuffs, and they looked on anxiously with long, yellow faces, unable to + comprehend what was going on. Some young debauchees, who, returning from a + supper, passed by there, preceded by their slaves, stopped, their heads + crowned with flowers, their tunics floating, and uttered loud cries. + Attracted by curiosity, the crowd increased unceasingly, and soon it was + known that Thais had been persuaded by the Abbot of Antinoe to burn her + riches and retire to a nunnery. + </p> + <p> + The shopkeepers thought to themselves— + </p> + <p> + “Thais is going to leave the city; we shall sell no more to her; it is + dreadful to think of. What will become of us without her? This monk has + driven her mad. He is ruining us. Why let him do it? What is the use of + the laws? Are there no magistrates in Alexandria? Thais does not think + about us and our wives and our poor children. It is a public scandal. She + ought to be compelled to stay in the city.” + </p> + <p> + The young men, on their part, also thought— + </p> + <p> + “If Thais is going to renounce acting and love, our chief amusements will + be taken from us. She was the glory, delight, and honour of the stage. She + was the joy even of those who had never possessed her. The women we loved, + we loved in her. There were no kisses given in which she was altogether + absent, for she was the joy of all voluptuaries, and the mere thought that + she breathed amongst us excited us to pleasure.” + </p> + <p> + Thus thought the young men, and one of them, named Cerons, who had held + her in his arms, cried out upon the abduction, and blasphemed against + Christ. In every group the conduct of Thais was severely criticised. + </p> + <p> + “It is a shameful flight!” + </p> + <p> + “A cowardly desertion!” + </p> + <p> + “She is taking the bread out of our mouths.” + </p> + <p> + “She is robbing our children.” + </p> + <p> + “She ought at least to pay for the wreaths I have sold to her.” + </p> + <p> + “And the sixty robes she has ordered of me.” + </p> + <p> + “She owes money to everybody.” + </p> + <p> + “Who will represent Iphigenia, Electra, and Polyxena when she is gone? The + handsome Polybia herself will not make such a success as she has done.” + </p> + <p> + “Life will be dull when her door is closed.” + </p> + <p> + “She was the bright star, the soft moon of the Alexandrian sky.” + </p> + <p> + All the most notorious mendicants of the city—cripples, blind men, + and paralytics—had by this time assembled in the place; and crawling + through the remnants of the riches, they groaned— + </p> + <p> + “How shall we live when Thais is no longer here to feed us? Every day the + fragments from her table fed two hundred poor wretches, and her lovers, + when they quitted her, threw us as they passed handfuls of silver pieces.” + </p> + <p> + Some thieves, too, also mingled with the crowd, and created a deafening + clamour, and pushed their neighbours, to increase disorder, and take + advantage of the tumult to filch some valuable object. + </p> + <p> + Old Taddeus, who sold Miletan wool and Tarentan linen, and to whom Thais + owed a large sum of money, alone remained calm and silent in the midst of + the uproar. He listened and watched, and gently stroking his goat-beard, + seemed thoughtful. At last he approached young Cerons, and pulling him by + the sleeve, whispered— + </p> + <p> + “You are the favoured lover of Thais, handsome youth; show yourself, and + do not allow this monk to carry her off.” + </p> + <p> + “By Pollux and his sister, he shall not!” cried Cerons. “I will speak to + Thais, and without flattering myself, I think she will listen to me rather + than to that sooty-faced Lapithan. Place! Place, dogs!” + </p> + <p> + And striking with his fist the men, upsetting the old women and treading + on the young children, he reached Thais, and taking her aside— + </p> + <p> + “Dearest girl,” he said, “look at me, remember, and tell me truly if you + renounce love.” + </p> + <p> + But Paphnutius threw himself between Thais and Cerons. + </p> + <p> + “Impious wretch!” he cried, “beware and touch her not; she is sacred—she + belongs to God.” + </p> + <p> + “Get away, baboon!” replied the young man furiously. “Let me speak to my + sweetheart, or if not I will drag your obscene carcase by the beard to the + fire, and roast you like a sausage.” + </p> + <p> + And he put his hand on Thais. But, pushed away by the monk with unexpected + force, he staggered back four paces and fell at the foot of the pile + amongst the scattered ashes. + </p> + <p> + Old Taddeus, meanwhile, had been going from one to the other, pulling the + ears of the slaves and kissing the hands of the masters, inciting each and + all against Paphnutius, and had already formed a little band resolutely + determined to oppose the monk who would steal Thais from them. + </p> + <p> + Cerons rose, his face black, his hair singed, and choking with smoke and + rage. He blasphemed against the gods, and threw himself amongst the + assailants, behind whom the beggars crawled, shaking their crutches. + Paphnutius was soon enclosed in a circle of menacing fists, raised sticks, + and cries of death. + </p> + <p> + “To the ravens with the monk! to the ravens!” + </p> + <p> + “No; throw him in the fire! Burn him alive!” + </p> + <p> + Seizing his fair prey, he pressed her to his heart. + </p> + <p> + “Impious men,” he cried in a voice of thunder, “strive not to tear the + dove from the eagle of the Lord. But rather copy this woman, and like she + turn your filth into gold. Imitate her example, and renounce the false + wealth which you think you hold and which holds you. Hasten! the day is at + hand, and divine patience begins to grow weary. Repent, confess your sins, + weep and pray. Walk in the footsteps of Thais. Hate your offenses, which + are as great as hers. Which of you, poor or rich, merchants, soldiers, + slaves or eminent citizens, would dare to say, before God, that he was + better than a prostitute? You are all nothing but living filth, and it is + by a miracle of divine goodness that you do not suddenly turn into streams + of mire.” + </p> + <p> + Whilst he spoke flames shot from his eyes; an it seemed as though live + coals came from his lips and those who surrounded him were obliged to hear + him in spite of themselves. + </p> + <p> + But old Taddeus did not remain idle. He picked up stones and oyster + shells, which he hid in the skirt of his tunic, and not daring to throw + them himself slipped them into the hands of the beggars. Soon the stones + began to fly, and a well-directed shell cut Paphnutius’ face. The blood, + which flowed down the dark face of the martyr, dropped in a new baptism on + the head of the penitent, and Thais, half stifled in the monk’s embrace + and her delicate skin scratched by the coarse cassock, felt a thrill of + horror and fright. + </p> + <p> + At that moment a man elegantly dressed, and with a wreath of wild celery + on his head, opened a road for himself through the furious crowd, and + cried— + </p> + <p> + “Stop! Stop! This monk is my brother!” + </p> + <p> + It was Nicias, who, having closed the eyes of the philosopher Eucrites, + was passing through the square to return to his house, and saw, without + very much surprise (for nothing astonished him), the smoking pile, Thais + clad an a serge cassock, and Paphnutius being stoned. + </p> + <p> + He repeated— + </p> + <p> + “Stop, I tell you; spare my old fellow-scholar; respect the beloved head + of Paphnutius!” + </p> + <p> + But, being only used to subtle disquisitions with philosophers, he did not + possess that imperious energy which commands vulgar minds. He was not + listened to. A shower of stones and shells fell on the monk, who, + protecting Thais with his body, praised the Lord whose goodness turned his + wounds into caresses. Despairing of making himself heard, and feeling but + too sure that he could not save his friend either by force or persuasion, + Nicias resigned himself to the will of the gods—in whom he had + little confidence—when the idea occurred to him to use a stratagem + which his contempt for men had suddenly suggested to him. He took from his + girdle his purse, which was full of gold and silver, for he was a + pleasure-loving and charitable man, and running up to the men who were + throwing the stones, he chinked the money in their ears. At first they + paid no attention to him, their fury being too great; but little by little + their looks turned towards the chinking gold, and soon their arms dropped + and no longer menaced their victim. Seeing that he had attracted their + eyes and minds, Nicias opened his purse and threw some pieces of gold and + silver amongst the crowd. The more greedy of them stooped to pick it up. + The philosopher, pleased at his first success, adroitly threw deniers and + drachmas here and there. At the sound of the pieces of money rattling on + the pavement, the persecutors of Paphnutius threw themselves on the + ground. Beggars, slaves, and tradespeople scrambled after the money, + whilst, grouped round Cerons, the patricians watched the struggle and + laughed heartily. Cerons himself quite forgot his wrath. His friends + encouraged the rivals, chose competitors, and made bets, and urged on the + miserable wretches as they would have done fighting dogs. A cripple + without legs having succeeded in seizing a drachma, the applause was + frenetic. The young men themselves began to throw money, and nothing was + to be seen in the square but a multitude of backs, rising and falling like + waves of the sea, under a shower of coins. Paphnutius was forgotten. + </p> + <p> + Nicias ran up to him, covered him with his cloak, and dragged him and + Thais into by-streets where they were safe from pursuit. They ran for some + time in silence, and when they thought they were out of reach of their + enemies, they ceased running, and Nicias said, in a tone of raillery in + which a little sadness was mingled— + </p> + <p> + “It is finished then! Pluto ravishes Proserpine, and Thais will follow my + fierce-looking friend whithersoever he will lead her.” + </p> + <p> + “It is true, Nicias,” replied Thais, “that I am tired of living with men + like you, smiling, perfumed, kindly egoists. I am weary of all I know, and + I am, therefore, going to seek the unknown. I have experienced joy that + was not joy, and here is a man who teaches me that sorrow is true joy. I + believe him, for he knows the truth.” + </p> + <p> + “And I, sweetheart,” replied Nicias, smiling, “I know the truths. He knows + but one, I know them all. I am superior to him in that respect, but to + tell the truth, it doesn’t make me any the prouder nor any the happier.” + </p> + <p> + Then, seeing that the monk was glaring fiercely at him— + </p> + <p> + “My dear Paphnutius, do not imagine that I think you extremely absurd, or + even altogether unreasonable. And if I were to compare your life with + mine, I could not say which is preferable in itself. I shall presently go + and take the bath which Crobyle and Myrtale have prepared for me; I shall + eat the wing of a Phasian pheasant; then I shall read—for the + hundredth time—some fable by Apuleius or some treatise by Porphyry. + You will return to your cell, where, leaning like a tame camel, you will + ruminate on—I know not what—formulas of incarnations you have + long chewed and rechewed, and in the evening you will swallow some + radishes without any oil. Well, my dear friend, in accomplishing these + acts, so different apparently, we are both obeying the same sentiment, the + only motive for all human actions; we are both seeking our own pleasure, + and striving to attain the same end—happiness, the impossible + happiness. It would be folly on my part to say you were wrong, dear + friend, even though I think myself in the right. + </p> + <p> + “And you, my Thais, go and enjoy yourself, and be more happy still, if it + be possible, in abstinence and austerity than you have been in riches and + pleasure. On the whole, I should say you were to be envied. For if in our + whole lives, Paphnutius and I have pursued but one kind of pleasurable + satisfaction, you in your life, dear Thais, have tasted diverse joys such + as it is rarely given to the same person to know. I should really like to + be for one hour, a saint like our dear friend Paphnutius. But that is not + possible. Farewell, then, Thais! Go where the secret forces of nature and + your destiny conduct you! Go, and take with you, whithersoever you go, the + good wishes of Nicias! I know that is mere foolishness, but can I give you + anything more than barren regrets and vain wishes in payment for the + delicious illusions which once enveloped me when I was in your arms, and + of which only the shadow now remains to me? Farewell, my benefactress! + Farewell, goodness that is ignorant of its own existence, mysterious + virtue, joy of men! Farewell to the most adorable of the images that + nature has ever thrown—for some unknown reasons—on the face of + this deceptive world!” + </p> + <p> + Whilst he spoke, deep wrath had been brewing in the monk’s heart, and it + now broke forth in imprecations. + </p> + <p> + “Avaunt, cursed wretch! I scorn thee and hate thee. Go, child of hell, a + thousand times worse than those poor lost ones who just now threw stones + and insults at me! They knew not what they did, and the grace of God, + which I implored for them, may some day descend into their hearts. But + thou, detestable Nicias, thou art but a perfidious venom and a bitter + poison. Thy mouth breathes despair and death. One of thy smiles contains + more blasphemy than issues in a century from the smoking lips of Satan. + Avaunt, backslider!” + </p> + <p> + Nicias looked at him. + </p> + <p> + “Farewell, my brother,” he said, “and may you preserve until your life’s + end your store of faith, hate, and love. Farewell, Thais! It is in vain + that you will forget me, because I shall ever remember you.” + </p> + <p> + On quitting them he walked thoughtfully through the winding streets in the + vicinity of the great cemetery of Alexandria, which are peopled by the + makers of funeral urns. Their shops were full of clay figures painted in + bright colours and representing gods and goddesses, mimes, women, winged + sprites, &c., such as were usually buried with the dead. He fancied + that perhaps some of the little images which he saw there might be the + companions of his eternal sleep; and it seemed to him that a little Eros, + with its tunic tucked up, laughed at him mockingly. He looked forward to + his death, and the idea was painful to him. To cure his sadness he tried + to philosophise, and reasoned thus— + </p> + <p> + “Assuredly,” he said to himself, “time has no reality. It is a simple + illusion of our minds. Then, if it does not exist, how can it bring death + to me? Does that mean that I shall live for ever? No, but I conclude + therefrom that my death is, always has been, as it always will be. I do + not feel it yet, but it is in me, and I ought not to fear it, for it would + be folly to dread the coming of that which has arrived. It exists, like + the last page of a book I read and have not finished.” + </p> + <p> + This argument occupied him all the rest of the way, but without making him + more cheerful; and his mind was filled with dismal thoughts when he + arrived at the door of his house and heard the merry laughter of Crobyle + and Myrtale, who were playing at tennis whilst they were waiting for him. + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius and Thais left the city by the Gate of the Moon, and followed + the coast. + </p> + <p> + “Woman,” said the monk, “all that great blue sea could not wash away thy + pollutions.” + </p> + <p> + He spoke with scorn and anger. + </p> + <p> + “More filthy than a bitch or a sow, thou hast prostituted to pagans and + infidels a body which the Eternal had intended for a tabernacle, and thy + impurities are such that, now that thou knowest the truth, thou canst not + unite thy lips or join thy hands without a horror of thyself rising in thy + heart.” + </p> + <p> + She followed him meekly, over stony roads, under a burning sun. Her knees + ached from fatigue, and her throat was parched with thirst. But, far from + feeling any of the pity which softens the hearts of the profane, + Paphnutius rejoiced at these propitiatory sufferings of the flesh which + had so sinned. So infuriated was he with holy zeal that he would have + liked to cut with rods the body that had preserved its beauty as a shining + witness to its infamy. His meditations augmented his pious fury, and + remembering that Thais had received Nicias in her bed, that idea seemed so + horrible to him that his blood all flowed back to his heart, and his + breast felt ready to burst. His curses were stifled in his throat, and he + could only grind his teeth. He sprang forward and stood before her, pale, + terrible, and filled with the Spirit of God—looked into her very + soul, and then spat in her face. + </p> + <p> + She calmly wiped her face and continued to walk on. He followed, glaring + at her in pious anger, as if she had been hell itself. He was thinking how + he could avenge Christ in order that Christ should not avenge Himself, + when he saw a drop of blood that had dripped from the foot of Thais on the + sand. Then a hitherto unknown influence entered his opened heart, sobs + rose to his lips, he wept, he ran and knelt before her, called her his + sister, and kissed her bleeding feet. He murmured a hundred times, “My + sister, my sister, my mother, O most holy!” + </p> + <p> + He prayed— + </p> + <p> + “Angels of heaven, receive carefully this drop of blood, and bear it + before the throne of the Lord. And may a miraculous anemone blossom on the + sand sprinkled with the blood of Thais, that those who see the flower may + recover purity of heart and feeling. O holy, holy, most holy Thais!” + </p> + <p> + As he prayed and prophesied thus, a lad passed on an ass. Paphnutius + ordered him to descend, seated Thais on the ass, and led it by the bridle. + Towards evening they came to a canal shaded by fine trees; he tied the ass + to the trunk of a date palm, and sitting on a mossy stone he shared with + Thais a loaf, which they ate with salt and hyssop. They drank fresh water + in their hands, and talked of things eternal. She said— + </p> + <p> + “I have never drunk water so pure nor breathed an air so light, and I feel + that God floats in the breezes that pass.” + </p> + <p> + “Look! it is the evening, O my sister. The blue shadows of night cover the + hills. But soon thou wilt see shining in the dawn the tabernacles of + Light; soon thou wilt behold shine forth the roses of the eternal + morning.” + </p> + <p> + They journeyed all night, and, while the crescent moon gleamed on the + silver crests of the waves, they sang psalms and hymns. When the sun rose, + the Libyan desert stretched before them like a huge lion-skin. At the edge + of the desert, and close to a few palm-trees, some white huts shimmered in + the morning light. + </p> + <p> + “Are those the tabernacles of Light, father?” asked Thais. + </p> + <p> + “Even so, my daughter and my sister. Yonder is the House of Salvation, + where I will confine you with my own hands.” + </p> + <p> + Soon they saw a number of women busy around the buildings, like bees round + their hives. There were some who baked bread, or prepared vegetables; many + were spinning wool, and the light of heaven shone upon them like a smile + of God. Others meditated in the shade of the tamarisk trees; their white + hands hung by their sides, for, being filled with love, they had chosen + the part of Magdalen, and performed no work but prayer, contemplation, and + ecstasy. They were, therefore, called the Marys, and were clad in white. + Those who worked with their hands were called the Marthas, and wore blue + robes. All wore the hood, but the younger ones allowed a few curls to show + on their foreheads—unintentionally, it is to be presumed, since it + was forbidden by the rules. A very old lady, tall and white, walked from + cell to cell, leaning on a staff of hard wood. Paphnutius approached her + respectfully, kissed the hem of her veil, and said— + </p> + <p> + “The peace of the Lord be with thee, venerable Albina. I have brought to + the hive, of which thou art queen, a bee I found lost on a flowerless + road. I took it in the palm of my hand, and revived it with my breath. I + give it to thee.” + </p> + <p> + And he pointed to the actress, who knelt down before the daughter of the + Caesars. + </p> + <p> + Albina cast a piercing glance on Thais, ordered her to rise, kissed her on + the forehead, and then, turning to the monk— + </p> + <p> + “We will place her,” she said, “amongst the Marys.” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius then related how Thais had been brought to the House of + Salvation, and asked that she should be at once confined in a cell. The + abbess consented, and led the penitent to a hut, which had remained empty + since the death of the virgin Laeta, who had sanctified it. In this narrow + chamber there was but a bed, a table, and a pitcher, and Thais when she + crossed the threshold, felt filled with ineffable joy. + </p> + <p> + “I wish to close the door myself,” said Paphnutius, “and put thereon a + seal, which Jesus will come and break with His own hands.” + </p> + <p> + He went to the side of the spring, and took a handful of wet clay, mixed + with it a little spittle and a hair from his head, and plastered it across + the chink of the door. Then, approaching the window, near which Thais + stood peaceful and happy, he fell on his knees and praised the Lord three + times. + </p> + <p> + “How beautiful are the feet of her who walketh in the paths of + righteousness! How beautiful are her feet, and how resplendent her face!” + </p> + <p> + He rose, lowered his hood over his eyes, and walked away slowly. + </p> + <p> + Albina called one of her virgins. + </p> + <p> + “My daughter,” she said, “take to Thais those things which are needful for + her—bread, water, and a flute with three holes.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_PART3" id="link2H_PART3"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PART THE THIRD — THE EUPHORBIA + </h2> + <p> + Paphnutius had returned to the holy desert. He took, near Athribis, the + boat which went up the Nile to carry food to the monastery of Abbot + Serapion. When he disembarked, his disciples advanced to meet him with + great demonstrations of joy. Some raised their arms to heaven; others, + prostrate on the ground, kissed the Abbot’s sandals. For they knew already + what the saint had accomplished in Alexandria. The monks generally + received, by rapid and unknown means, information concerning the safety or + glory of the Church. News spread through the desert with the rapidity of + the simoon. + </p> + <p> + When Paphnutius strode across the sand, his disciples followed him, + praising the Lord. Flavian, who was the oldest member of the brotherhood, + was suddenly seized with a pious frenzy and began to sing an inspired hymn— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “O blessed day! Now is our father restored to us. + He has returned laden with fresh merits, of which we reap the + benefit. + For the virtues of the father are the wealth of the children, and + the sanctity of the Abbot illuminates every cell. + Paphnutius, our father, has given a new spouse to Jesus Christ. + By his wondrous art, he has changed a black sheep into a white + sheep. + And now, behold, he has returned to us, laden with fresh merits. + Like unto the bee of the Arsinoetid, heavy with the nectar of + flowers. + Even as the ram of Nubia, which could hardly bear the weight of its + abundant wool. + Let us celebrate this day by mingling oil with our food.” + </pre> + <p> + When they came to the door of the Abbot’s cell, they fell on their knees, + and said— + </p> + <p> + “Let our father bless us, and give each of us a measure of oil to + celebrate his return.” + </p> + <p> + Paul the Fool, who alone had remained standing, asked, “Who is this man?” + and did not recognise Paphnutius. But no one paid any attention to what he + said, as he was known to be devoid of intelligence, though filled with + piety. + </p> + <p> + The Abbot of Antinoe, locked in his cell, thought— + </p> + <p> + “I have at last regained the haven of my repose and happiness. I have + returned to my fortress of contentment. But how is it that this roof of + rushes, so dear to me, does not receive me as a friend, and the walls say + not to me, ‘Thou art welcome.’ Nothing has changed, since my departure, in + this abode I have chosen. There is my table and my bed. There is the + mummy’s head which has so often inspired me with salutary thoughts; and + there is the book in which I have so often sought conceptions of God. And + yet nothing that I left is here. The things appear grievously despoiled of + their customary charm, and it seems to me as though I saw them to-day for + the first time. When I look at that table and couch, that in former days I + made with my own hands, that black, dried head, these rolls of papyrus + filled with the sayings of God, I seem to see the belongings of a dead + man. After having known them all so well, I know them no longer. Alas! + since nothing around me has really changed, it is I who am no longer what + I was. I am another. I am the dead man! What has happened, my God? What + has been taken from me? What is left unto me? And who am I?” + </p> + <p> + And it especially perplexed him to find, in spite of himself, that his + cell was small, whereas, when viewed by the eye of faith, he ought to + consider it immense, because the infinitude of God began there. + </p> + <p> + He began to pray, with his face against the ground, and felt a little + happier. He had hardly been an hour in prayer, when a vision of Thais + passed before his eyes. He returned thanks to God— + </p> + <p> + “Jesus! it is Thou who hast sent her. I acknowledge in that Thy wonderful + goodness; Thou wouldst please me, reassure me and comfort me by the sight + of her whom I have given to Thee. Thou; presentest her to my eyes with her + smile now disarmed; her grace, now become innocent; her beauty from which + I have extracted the sting. To please me, my God, thou showest her to me + as I have prepared and purified her for Thy designs, as one friend + pleasantly reminds another of the rich gift he has received from him. + Therefore I see this woman with delight, being assured that the vision + comes from Thee. Thou dost not forget that I have given her to Thee, + Jesus. Keep her, since she pleases Thee, and suffer not her beauty to give + joy to any but Thyself.” + </p> + <p> + He could not sleep all night, and he saw Thais more distinctly than he had + seen her in the Grotto of Nymphs. He commended himself, saying— + </p> + <p> + “What I have done, I have done to the glory of God.” + </p> + <p> + Yet, to his great surprise, his heart was not at ease. He sighed. + </p> + <p> + “Why art thou sad, O my soul, and why dost thou trouble me?” + </p> + <p> + And his mind was still perturbed. Thirty days he remained in that + condition of sadness which precedes the sore trials of a solitary monk. + The image of Thais never left him day or night. He did not try to banish + it, because he still thought it came from God, and was the image of a + saint. But one morning she visited him in a dream, her hair crowned with + violets, and her very gentleness seemed so formidable, that he uttered a + cry of fright, and woke in an icy sweat. His eyes were still heavy with + sleep, when he felt a moist warm breath on his face. A little jackal, its + two paws placed on the side of the bed, was panting its stinking breath in + his face, and grinning at him. + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius was greatly astonished, and it seemed to him as though a tower + had given way under his feet. And, in fact, he had fallen, for his + self-confidence had gone. For some time he was incapable of thought and + when he did recover himself, his meditations only increased his + perplexity. + </p> + <p> + “It is one of two things,” he said to himself; “either this vision, like + the preceding ones, came from God, and was a good vision, and it is my + natural perversity which has misrepresented it, as wine turns sour in a + dirty cup. I have, by my unworthiness, changed instruction into reproach, + of which this diabolical jackal immediately took advantage. Or else this + vision came, not from God, but, on the contrary, from the devil, and was + evil. In that case I should doubt whether the former ones had, as I + thought, a celestial origin. I am therefore incapable of that discernment + which is necessary for the ascetic. In either case it is plain that God is + no longer with me,—of which I feel the effects, though I cannot + explain the cause.” + </p> + <p> + He reasoned in this way, and anxiously asked— + </p> + <p> + “Just God, what trials dost Thou appoint for Thy servants if the + apparitions of Thy saints are a danger for them? Give me to discern, by an + intelligible sign, that which comes from Thee, and that which comes from + the other.” + </p> + <p> + And as God, whose designs are inscrutable, did not see fit to enlighten + his servant, Paphnutius, lost in doubt, resolved not to think of Thais any + more. But his resolutions were vain. Though absent, she was ever with him. + She gazed at him whilst he read, or meditated, or prayed, or met his eyes + wherever he looked. Her imaginary approach was heralded by a slight sound, + such as is made by a woman’s dress when she walks, and the visions had + more verisimilitude than reality itself, which moves and is confused, + whereas the phantoms which are caused by solitude are fixed and + unchangeable. She came under various appearances—sometimes pensive, + her head crowned with her last perishable wreath, clad as at the banquet + at Alexandria, in a mauve robe spangled with silver flowers; sometimes + voluptuously in a cloud of light veils, and bathed in the warm shadows of + the Grotto of Nymphs; sometimes in a serge cassock, pious and radiant with + celestial joy; sometimes tragic, her eyes swimming in the terrors of + death, and showing her bare breast bedewed with the blood from her pierced + heart. What disturbed him the most in these visions was that the wreaths, + tunics, and veils, that he had burned with his own hands, should thus + return; it became evident to him that these things had an imperishable + soul, and he cried— + </p> + <p> + “Lo, all the countless souls of the sins of Thais come upon me!” + </p> + <p> + When he turned away his head, he felt that Thais was behind him, and that + made him feel still more uneasy. His torture was cruel. But as his soul + and body remained pure in the midst of all his temptations, he trusted in + God, and gently complained to Him. + </p> + <p> + “My God, if I went so far to seek her amongst the Gentiles, it was for Thy + sake, and not for mine. It would not be just that I should suffer for what + I have done in Thy behalf. Protect me, sweet Jesus! My Saviour, save me! + Suffer not the phantom to accomplish that which the body could not. As I + have triumphed over the flesh, suffer not the shadow to overthrow me. I + know that I am now exposed to greater dangers than I ever ran. I feel and + know that the dream has more power than the reality. And how could it be + otherwise, since it is itself but a higher reality? It is the soul of + things. Plato, though he was but an idolater, has testified to the real + existence of ideas. At that banquet of demons to which Thou accompaniedst + me, Lord, I heard men—sullied with crimes truly, but certainly not + devoid of intelligence—agree to acknowledge that we see real objects + in solitude, meditation, and ecstasy; and Thy Scriptures, my God, many + times affirm the virtue of dreams, and the power of visions formed either + by Thee, great God, or by Thy adversary.” + </p> + <p> + There was a new man in him and now he reasoned with God, but God did not + choose to enlighten him. His nights were one long dream, and his days did + not differ from his nights. One morning he awoke uttering sighs, such as + issue, by moonlight, from the tombs of the victims of crimes. Thais had + come, showing her bleeding feet, and whilst he wept, she had slipped into + his couch. There was no longer any doubt; the image of Thais was an impure + image. + </p> + <p> + His heart filled with disgust, he leaped out of his profaned couch, and + hid his face in his hands that he might not see the daylight. The hours + passed, but they did not remove his shame. All was quiet in the cell. For + the first time for many long days, Paphnutius was alone. The phantom had + at last left him, and even its absence seemed dreadful. Nothing, nothing + to distract his mind from the recollection of the dream. Full of horror, + he thought— + </p> + <p> + “Why did I not drive her away? Why did I not tear myself from her cold + arms and burning knees?” + </p> + <p> + He no longer dared to pronounce the name of God near that horrible couch, + and he feared that his cell being profaned, the demons might freely enter + at any hour. His fears did not deceive him. The seven little jackals, + which had never crossed the threshold, entered in a file, and went and hid + under the bed. At the vesper hour, there came an eighth, the stench of + which was horrible. The next day, a ninth joined the others, and soon + there were thirty, then sixty, then eighty. They became smaller as they + multiplied, and being no bigger than rats, they covered the floor, the + couch, and the stool. One of them jumped on the little table by the side + of the bed, and standing with its four feet together on the death’s head, + looked at the monk with burning eyes. And every day fresh jackals came. + </p> + <p> + To expiate the abominable sin of his dream, and flee from impure thoughts, + Paphnutius determined to leave his cell, which had now become polluted, go + far into the desert, and practise unheard-of austerities, strange labours, + and fresh works of grace. But before putting his design into action, he + went to see old Palemon and ask his advice. + </p> + <p> + He found him in his garden watering his lettuces. It was the evening. The + blue Nile flowed at the foot of violet hills. The good old man was walking + slowly, in order not to frighten a pigeon that had perched on his + shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “The Lord be with thee, brother Paphnutius,” he said. “Admire his + goodness; He sends me the animals that He has created that I may converse + with them of His works, and praise Him in the birds of the air. Look at + this pigeon; note the changing hues of its neck, and say, is it not a + beautiful work of God? But have you not come to talk with me, brother, on + some pious subject? If so, I will put down my watering-pot, and listen to + you.” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius told the old man about his journey, his return, the visions of + his days and the dreams of his nights,—without omitting the sinful + one—and the pack of jackals. + </p> + <p> + “Do you not think, father,” he added, “that I ought to bury myself in the + desert, and perform some extraordinary austerities that would even + astonish the devil?” + </p> + <p> + “I am but a poor sinner,” replied Palemon, “and I know little about men, + having passed all my life in this garden, with gazelles, little hares and + pigeons. But it seems to me, brother, that your distemper comes from your + having passed too suddenly from the noisy world to the calm of solitude. + Such sudden transitions can but do harm to the health of the soul. You + are, brother, like a man who exposes himself, almost at the same time, to + great heat and great cold. A cough shakes him, and fever torments him. In + your place, brother Paphnutius, instead of retiring at once into some + awful desert, I should take such amusements as are fitting to a monk and a + holy abbot. I should visit the monasteries in the neighbourhood. Some of + them are wonderful, it is said. That of Abbot Serapion contains, I have + been told, a thousand four hundred and thirty-two cells, and the monks are + divided into as many legions as there are letters in the Greek alphabet. I + am even informed that a certain analogy is observed between the character + of the monks and the shape of the letter by which they are designated, and + that, for example, those who are placed under Z have a tortuous character, + whilst those under I have an upright mind. If I were you, brother, I + should go and assure myself of this with my own eyes, and I should know no + rest until I had seen such a wonderful thing. I should not fail to study + the regulations of the various communities which are scattered along the + banks of the Nile, so as to be able to compare one with another. Such + study is befitting a religious man like yourself. You have heard say, no + doubt, that Abbot Ephrem has drawn up for his monastery pious regulations + of great beauty. With his permission, you might make a copy of them, as + you are a skilful penman. I could not do so, for my hands, accustomed to + wield the spade, are too awkward to direct the thin reed of the scribe + over the papyrus. But you have the knowledge of letters, brother, and + should thank God for it, for beautiful writing cannot be too much admired. + The work of the copyist and the reader is a great safeguard against evil + thoughts. Brother Paphnutius, why do you not write out the teachings of + our fathers, Paul and Anthony? Little by little you would recover, in + these pious works, peace of soul and mind; solitude would again become + pleasant to your heart, and soon you would be in a condition to recommence + those ascetic works which your journey has interrupted. But you must not + expect much benefit from excessive penitence. When he was amongst us, our + Father Anthony used to say, ‘Excessive fasting produces weakness, and + weakness begets idleness. There are some monks who ruin their body by + fasts improperly prolonged. Of them it may be said that they plunge a + dagger into their own breast, and deliver themselves up unresistingly into + the power of the devil.’ So said the holy man, Anthony. I am but a foolish + old man, but, by the grace of God, I have remembered what our father told + us.” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius thanked Palemon and promised to think over his advice. When he + had passed the fence of reeds which enclosed the little garden, he turned + round and saw the good old gardener engaged in watering his salads, whilst + the pigeon walked about on his bent back, and at that sight Paphnutius + felt ready to weep. + </p> + <p> + On returning to his cell, he found there a strange turmoil, as though it + were filled with grains of sand blown about by a strong wind, and on + looking closer, he saw these moving bodies were myriads of little jackals. + That night he saw in a dream, a high stone column surmounted by a human + face, and he heard a voice which said— + </p> + <p> + “Ascend this pillar!” + </p> + <p> + On awaking, he felt confident that this dream had been sent from heaven. + He called his disciples, and addressed them in these words— + </p> + <p> + “My beloved sons, I must leave you, and go where God sends me. During my + absence obey Flavian as you would me, and take care of our brother Paul. + Bless you. Farewell.” + </p> + <p> + As he strode away, they remained prostrate on the ground, and when they + raised their heads, they saw his tall dark figure on the sandy horizon. + </p> + <p> + He walked day and night until he reached the ruins of the temple, formerly + built by the idolaters, in which he had slept amongst the scorpions and + sirens on his former strange journey. The walls, covered with magic signs, + were still standing. Thirty immense columns, which terminated in human + heads or lotus flowers, still supported a heavy stone entablature. But, at + one end of the temple, a pillar had shaken off its old burden, and stood + isolated. It had for its capital the head of a woman which smiled, with + long eyes and rounded cheeks, and on her forehead cow’s horns. + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius, on seeing it, recognised the column which had been shown him + in his dream, and he calculated that it was thirty-two cubits high. He + went to the neighbouring village, and ordered a ladder of that height to + be made; and when the ladder was placed against the pillar, he ascended, + knelt down on the top, and said to the Lord— + </p> + <p> + “Here, then, O God, is the abode Thou hast chosen for me. May I remain + here, in Thy Grace, until the hour of my death.” + </p> + <p> + He had brought no provisions with him, trusting in divine providence, and + expecting that charitable peasants would give him all that he needed. And, + in fact, the next day, about the ninth hour, women came with their + children, bringing bread, dates, and fresh water, which the boys carried + to the top of the column. + </p> + <p> + The top of the pillar was not large enough to allow the monk to lie at + full length, so that he slept with his legs crossed and his head on his + breast, and sleep was a more cruel torture to him than his wakeful hours. + At dawn the ospreys brushed him with their wings, and he awoke filled with + pain and terror. + </p> + <p> + It happened that the carpenter who had made the ladder feared God. + Disturbed at the thought that the saint was exposed to the sun and rain, + and fearing that he might fall in his sleep, this pious man constructed a + roof and a railing on the top of the column. + </p> + <p> + Soon the report of this extraordinary existence spread from village to + village, and the labourers of the valley came on Sundays, with their wives + and children, to look at the stylite. The disciples of Paphnutius, having + learned with surprise the place of this wonderful retreat, came to him, + and obtained from him permission to build their huts at the foot of the + column. Every morning they came and stood in a circle round the master, + and received from him the words of instruction. + </p> + <p> + “My sons,” he said to them, “continue like those little children whom + Jesus loved. That is the way of salvation. The sin of the flesh is the + source and origin of all sins; they spring from it as from a parent. + Pride, avarice, idleness, anger, and envy are its dearly beloved progeny. + I have seen this in Alexandria; I have seen rich men carried away by the + vice of lust, which, like a river with a turbid flood, swept them into the + gulf of bitterness.” + </p> + <p> + The abbots Ephrem and Serapion, being informed of his strange proceeding, + wished to behold him with their own eyes. Seeing from afar, on the river, + the triangular sail which was bringing them to him, Paphnutius could not + prevent himself from thinking that God had made him an example to all + solitary monks. The two abbots, when they saw him, did not conceal their + surprise; and, having consulted together, they agreed in condemning such + an extraordinary penance, and exhorted Paphnutius to come down. + </p> + <p> + “Such a mode of life is contrary to all usage,” they said; “it is + peculiar, and against all rules.” + </p> + <p> + But Paphnutius replied— + </p> + <p> + “What is the monastic life if not peculiar? And ought not the deeds of a + monk to be as eccentric as he is himself? It was a sign from God that + caused me to ascend here; it is a sign from God that will make me + descend.” + </p> + <p> + Every day religious men came to join the disciples of Paphnutius, and they + built for themselves shelters round the aerial hermitage. Several of them, + to imitate the saint, mounted the ruins of the temple; but, being reproved + by their brethren, and conquered by fatigue, they soon gave up these + attempts. + </p> + <p> + Pilgrims flocked from all parts. There were some who had come long + distances, and were hungry and thirsty. The idea occurred to a poor widow + of selling fresh water and melons. Against the foot of the column, behind + her bottles of red clay, her cups and her fruit under an awning of + blue-and-white striped canvas, she cried, “Who wants to drink?” Following + the example of this widow, a baker brought some bricks and made an oven + close by, in the hope of selling loaves and cakes to visitors. As the + crowd of visitors increased unceasingly, and the inhabitants of the large + cities of Egypt began to come, some man, greedy of gain, built a + caravanserai to lodge the guests and their servants, camels, and mules. + Soon there was, in front of the column, a market to which the fishermen of + the Nile brought their fish, and the gardeners their vegetables. A barber, + who shaved people in the open air, amused the crowd with his jokes. The + old temple, so long given over to silence and solitude was filled with + countless sights and sounds of life. The innkeepers turned the + subterranean vaults into cellars and nailed on the old pillars signs + surmounted by the figure of the holy Paphnutius, and bearing this + inscription in Greek and Egyptian—“<i>Pomegranate wine, fig wine, + and genuine Cilician beer sold here</i>.” On the walls, sculptured with + pure and graceful carvings, the shop-keepers hung ropes of onions, and + smoked fish, dead hares, and the carcases of sheep. In the evening, the + old occupants of the ruins, the rats, scuttled in a long row to the river, + whilst the ibises, suspiciously craning their necks, perched on the high + cornices, to which rose the smoke of the kitchens, the shouts of the + drinkers, and the cries of the tapsters. All around, builders laid out + streets, and masons constructed convents, chapels, and churches. By the + end of six months a city was established with a guardhouse, a tribunal, a + prison, and a school, kept by an old blind scribe. + </p> + <p> + The pilgrims were innumerable. Bishops and other Church dignitaries, came, + full of admiration. The Patriarch of Antioch, who chanced to be in Egypt + at that time, came with all his clergy. He highly approved of the + extraordinary conduct of the stylite, and the heads of the Libyan Church + followed, in the absence of Athanasius, the opinion of the Patriarch. + Having learned which, Abbots Ephrem and Serapion came to the feet of + Paphnutius to apologise for their former mistrust. Paphnutius replied— + </p> + <p> + “Know, my brothers, that the penance I endure is barely equal to the + temptations which are sent me, the number and force of which astound me. A + man, viewed externally, is but small, and, from the height of the pillar + to which God has called me, I see human beings moving about like ants. + But, considered internally, man is immense; he is as large as the world, + for he contains it. All that is spread before me—these monasteries, + these inns, the boats on the river, the villages, and what I see in the + distance of fields, canals, sand, and mountains—is nothing in + respect to what is in me. I carry in my heart countless cities and + illimitable deserts. And evil—evil and death—spread over this + immensity, cover them all, as night covers the earth. I am, in myself + alone, a universe of evil thoughts.” + </p> + <p> + He spoke thus because the desire for woman was in him. + </p> + <p> + The seventh month, there came from Alexandria, Bubastis and Sais, women + who had long been barren, hoping to obtain children by the intercession of + the holy man and the virtues of his pillar. They rubbed their sterile + bodies against the stone. There followed a procession, as far as the eye + could reach, of chariots, palanquins, and litters, which stopped and + pushed and jostled below the man of God. From them came sick people + terrible to see. Mothers brought to Paphnutius young boys whose limbs were + twisted, their eyes starting, their mouth foaming, their voices hoarse. He + laid his hands upon them. Blind men approached, groping with their hands, + and raising towards him a face pierced with two bleeding holes. Paralytics + displayed before him the heavy immobility, the deadly emaciation, and the + hideous contractions of their limbs; lame men showed him their club feet; + women with cancer, holding their bosoms with both hands, uncovered before + him their breasts devoured by the invisible vulture. Dropsical women, + swollen like wine skins were placed on the ground before him. He blessed + them. Nubians, afflicted with elephantiasis, advanced with heavy steps and + looked at him with streaming eyes and expressionless countenances. He made + the sign of the cross over them. A young girl of Aphroditopolis was + brought to him on a litter; after having vomited blood, she had slept for + three days. She looked like a waxen image, and her parents, who thought + she was dead, had placed a palm leaf on her breast. Paphnutius having + prayed to God, the young girl raised her head and opened her eyes. + </p> + <p> + As the people reported everywhere the miracles which the saint had + performed, unfortunate persons afflicted with that disease which the + Greeks call “the divine malady,” came from all parts of Egypt in + incalculable legions. As soon as they saw the pillar, they were seized + with convulsions, rolled on the ground, writhed, and twisted themselves + into a ball. And—though it is hardly to be believed—the + persons present were in their turn seized with a violent delirium, and + imitated the contortions of the epileptics. Monks and pilgrims, men and + women, wallowed and struggled pell-mell, their limbs twisted, foaming at + the mouth, eating handfuls of earth and prophesying. And Paphnutius at the + top of his pillar felt a thrill of horror pass through him, and cried to + God— + </p> + <p> + “I am the scapegoat, and I take upon me all the impurities of these + people, and that is why, Lord, my body is filled with evil spirits.” + </p> + <p> + Every time that a sick person went away healed, the people applauded, + carried him in triumph, and ceased not to repeat— + </p> + <p> + “We behold another well of Siloam!” + </p> + <p> + Hundreds of crutches already hung round the wonderful column; grateful + women suspended wreaths and votive images there. Some of the Greeks + inscribed distiches, and as every pilgrim carved his name, the stone was + soon covered as high as a man could reach with an infinity of Latin, + Greek, Coptic, Punic, Hebrew, Syrian, and magic characters. + </p> + <p> + When the feast of Easter came there was such an affluence of people to + this city of miracles that old men thought that the days of the ancient + mysteries had returned. All sorts of people, in all sorts of costumes, + were to be seen there; the striped robes of the Egyptians, the burnoose of + the Arabs, the white drawers of the Nubians, the short cloak of the + Greeks, the long toga of the Romans, the scarlet breeches of the + barbarians, the gold-spangled robes of the courtesans. A veiled woman + would pass on an ass, preceded by black eunuchs, who cleared a passage for + her by the free use of their sticks. Acrobats, having spread a carpet on + the ground, juggled and performed skilful tricks before a circle of silent + spectators. Snake-charmers unrolled their living girdles. A glittering, + dusty, noisy, chattering crowd! The curses of the camel-drivers beating + the animals; the cries of the hawkers who sold amulets against leprosy and + the evil eye; the psalmody of the monks reciting verses of the Bible; the + shrieking of the women who were prophesying; the shouting of the beggars + singing old songs of the harem; the bleating of sheep; the braying of + asses; the sailors calling tardy passengers; all these confused noises + caused a deafening uproar, over which dominated the strident voices of the + little naked negro boys, running about everywhere selling fresh dates. + </p> + <p> + And all these human beings stifled under the white sky, in a heavy + atmosphere laden with the perfumes of women, the odour of negroes, the + fumes of cooking and the smoke of gums, which the devotees bought of the + shepherds to burn before the saint. + </p> + <p> + When night came, fires, torches, and lanterns were lighted everywhere, and + nothing was to be seen but red shadows and black shapes. Standing amidst a + circle of squatting listeners, an old man, his face lighted by a smoky + lamp, related how, formerly, Bitiou had enchanted his heart, torn it from + his breast, placed it in an acacia, and then transformed himself into a + tree. He made gestures, which his shadow repeated with absurd + exaggerations, and the audience uttered cries of admiration. In the + taverns, the drinkers, lying on couches, called for beer and wine. Dancing + girls, with painted eyes and bare stomachs, performed before them + religious or lascivious scenes. In retired corners, young men played dice + or other games, and old men followed prostitutes. Above all these rose the + solitary, unchanging column; the head with the cow’s horns gazed into the + shadow, and above it Paphnutius watched between heaven and earth. All at + once the moon rose over the Nile, like the bare shoulder of a goddess. The + hills gleamed with blue light, and Paphnutius thought he saw the body of + Thais shinning in the glimmer of the waters amidst the sapphire night. + </p> + <p> + The days passed, and the saint still lived on his pillar. When the rainy + season came, the waters of heaven, filtering through the cracks in the + roof, wetted his body; his stiff limbs were incapable of movement. + Scorched by the sun, and reddened by the dew, his skin broke; large ulcers + devoured his arms and legs. But the desire of Thais still consumed him + inwardly, and he cried— + </p> + <p> + “It is not enough, great God! More temptations! More unclean thoughts! + More horrible desires! Lord, lay upon me all the lusts of men, that I may + expiate them all! Though it is false that the Greek bitch took upon + herself all the sins of the world, as I heard an impostor once declare, + yet there is a hidden meaning in the fable, the truth of which I now + recognise. For it is true that the sins of the people enter the soul of + the saints, and are lost there as in a well. Thus it is that the souls of + the just are polluted with more filth than is ever found in the soul of + the sinner. And, for that reason, I praise Thee, O my God, for having made + me the cesspool of the world.” + </p> + <p> + One day, a rumour ran through the holy city, and even reached the ears of + the hermit: a very great personage, a man occupying a high position, the + Prefect of the Alexandrian fleet, Lucius Aurelius Cotta, was about to + visit the city—was, indeed, now on his way. + </p> + <p> + The news was true. Old Cotta, who was inspecting the canals and the + navigation of the Nile, had many times expressed a desire to see the + stylite and the new city, to which the name of Stylopolis had been given. + The Stylopolitans saw the river covered with sails one morning. Cotta + appeared on board a golden galley hung with purple, and followed by all + his fleet. He landed, and advanced, accompanied by a secretary carrying + his tablets, and Aristaeus, his physician, with whom he liked to converse. + </p> + <p> + A numerous suite walked behind him, and the shore was covered with <i>laticlaves</i>(*) + and military uniforms. He stopped, some paces from the column, and began + to examine the stylite, wiping his face meanwhile with the skirt of his + toga. Being of a naturally curious disposition, he had observed many + things in the course of his long voyages. He liked to remember them, and + intended to write, after he had finished his Punic history, a book on the + remarkable things he had witnessed. He seemed much interested by the + spectacle before him. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (*) The <i>laticlave</i> was a toga, with a broad purple band, + worn by Roman senators as the distinguishing mark of their + high office. +</pre> + <p> + “This is very curious!” he said, puffing and blowing. “And—which is + a circumstance worthy of being recorded—this man was my guest. Yes, + this monk supped with me last year, after which he carried off an + actress.” + </p> + <p> + Turning to his secretary— + </p> + <p> + “Note that, my son, on my tablets; also the dimensions of the column, not + omitting the shape of the top of it.” + </p> + <p> + Then, wiping his face again— + </p> + <p> + “Persons deserving of belief have assured me that this monk has not left + his column for a single moment since he mounted it a year ago. Is that + possible, Aristaeus?” + </p> + <p> + “That which is possible to a lunatic or a sick man,” replied Aristaeus, + “would be impossible to a man sound in body and mind. Do you know, Lucius, + that sometimes diseases of the mind or body give to those afflicted by + them a strength which healthy men do not possess? For, as a matter of + fact, there is no such thing as good health or bad health. There are only + different conditions of the organs. Having studied what are called + maladies, I have come to consider them as necessary forms of life. I take + pleasure in studying them in order to be able to conquer them. Some of + them are worthy of admiration, and conceal, under apparent disorder, + profound harmonies; for instance, a quartan fever is certainly a very + pretty thing! Sometimes certain affections of the body cause a rapid + augmentation of the faculties of the mind. You know Creon? When he was a + child, he stuttered and was stupid. But, having cracked his skull by + tumbling off a ladder, he became an able lawyer, as you are aware. This + monk must be affected in some hidden organ. Moreover, this kind of + existence is not so extraordinary as it appears to you, Lucius. I may + remind you that the gymnosophists of India can remain motionless, not + merely for a year, but during twenty, thirty, or forty years.” + </p> + <p> + “By Jupiter!” cried Cotta, “that is a strange madness. For man was born to + move and act, and idleness is an unpardonable crime, because it is an + injury to the State. I do not know of any religion in which such an + objectionable practice is permitted, though it possibly may be in some of + the Asiatic creeds. When I was Governor of Syria, I found <i>phalli</i> + erected in the porches at the city of Hera. A man ascended, twice a year, + and remained there for a week. The people believed that this man talked + with the gods, and interceded with them for the prosperity of Syria. The + custom appeared senseless to me; nevertheless I did nothing to put it + down. For I consider that a functionary ought not to interfere with the + manners and customs of the people, but on the contrary, to see that they + are preserved. It is not the business of the government to force a + religion on a people, but to maintain that which exists, which, whether + good or bad, has been regulated by the spirit of the time, the place, and + the race. If it endeavours to put down a religion, it proclaims itself + revolutionary in its spirit, and tyrannical in its acts, and is justly + detested. Besides, how are you to raise yourself above the superstitions + of the vulgar, except by understanding them and tolerating them? + Aristaeus, I am of opinion that I should leave this nephelo-coccygian(*) + in the air, exposed only to the indignities the birds shower on him. I + should not gain anything by having him pulled down, but I should by taking + note of his thoughts and beliefs.” + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + (*) Nephelo-coccygia, the cloud-city built by the cuckoos, + in the <i>Birds</i> of Aristophanes. +</pre> + <p> + He puffed, coughed, and placed his hand on the secretary’s shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “My child, note down that, amongst certain sects of Christians, it is + considered praiseworthy to carry off courtesans and live upon columns. You + may add that these customs are evidence of the worship of genetic + divinities. But on this point we ought to question him himself.” + </p> + <p> + Then, raising his head, and shading his eyes with his hand, to keep off + the sun, he shouted— + </p> + <p> + “Hallo, Paphnutius! If you remember that you were once my guest, answer + me. What are you doing up there? Why did you go up, and why do you stay + there? Has this column any phallic signification in your mind?” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius, considering Cotta as nothing but an idolater, did not deign to + reply. But his disciple, Flavian, approached, and said— + </p> + <p> + “Illustrious Sir, this holy man takes the sins of the world upon him, and + cures diseases.” + </p> + <p> + “By Jupiter! Do you hear, Aristaeus?” cried Cotta. “This nephelo-coccygian + practises medicine, like you. What do you think of so high a rival?” + </p> + <p> + Aristaeus shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “It is very possible that he may cure certain diseases better than I can; + such, for instance, as epilepsy, vulgarly called the divine malady, + although all maladies are equally divine, for they all come from the gods. + But the cause of this disease lies, partly, in the imagination, and you + must confess, Lucius, that this monk, perched up on the head of a goddess, + strikes the minds of the sick people more forcibly than I, bending over my + mortars and phials in my laboratory, could ever do. There are forces, + Lucius, infinitely more powerful than reason and science.” + </p> + <p> + “What are they?” asked Cotta. + </p> + <p> + “Ignorance and folly,” replied Aristaeus. + </p> + <p> + “I have rarely seen a more curious sight,” continued Cotta, “and I hope + that some day an able writer will relate the foundation of Stylopolis. But + even the most extraordinary spectacles should not keep, longer than is + befitting, a serious and busy man from his work. Let us go and inspect the + canals. Farewell, good Paphnutius! or rather, till our next meeting! If + ever you should come down to earth again, and revisit Alexandria, do not + fail to come and sup with me.” + </p> + <p> + These words, heard by all present, passed from mouth to mouth, and being + repeated by the believers, added greatly to the reputation of Paphnutius. + Pious minds amplified and transformed them, and it was stated that + Paphnutius, from the top of his pillar, had converted the Prefect of the + Fleet to the faith of the apostles and the Nicaean fathers. The believers + found a figurative meaning in the last words uttered by Aurelius Cotta; to + them, the supper to which this important personage had invited the + ascetic, was a holy communion, a spiritual repast, a celestial banquet. + The story of this meeting was embroidered with wonderful details, which + those who invented were the first to believe. It was said that when Cotta, + after a long argument, had embraced the truth, an angel had come from + heaven to wipe the sweat from his brow. The physician and secretary of the + Prefect of the Fleet had also, it was asserted, been converted at the same + time. And, the miracle being public and notorious, the deacons of the + principal churches of Libya recorded it amongst the authentic facts. After + that, it could be said, without any exaggeration, that the whole world was + seized with a desire to see Paphnutius, and that, in the West as well as + the East, all Christians turned their astonished eyes towards him. The + most celebrated cities of Italy sent deputations to him, and the Roman + Caesar, the divine Constantine who favoured the Christian religion, wrote + him a letter which the legates brought to him with great ceremony. But one + night, whilst the budding city at his feet slept in the dew, he heard a + voice, which said— + </p> + <p> + “Paphnutius, thou art become celebrated by thy works and powerful by thy + word. God has raised thee up for His glory. He has chosen thee to work + miracles, heal the sick, convert the Pagans, enlighten sinners, confound + the Arians, and establish peace in the Church.” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius replied— + </p> + <p> + “God’s will be done!” + </p> + <p> + The voice continued— + </p> + <p> + “Arise, Paphnutius, and go seek in his palace the impious Constans, who, + far from imitating the wisdom of his brother, Constantine, inclines to the + errors of Arius and Marcus. Go! The bronze gates shall fly open before + thee, and thy sandals shall resound on the golden floor of the basilica + before the throne of the Caesars, and thy awe-inspiring voice shall change + the heart of the son of Constantinus. Thou shalt reign over a peaceful and + powerful Church. And, even as the soul directs the body, so shall the + Church govern the empire. Thou shalt be placed above senators, comites, + and patricians. Thou shalt repress the greed of the people, and check the + boldness of the barbarians. Old Cotta, knowing that thou art the head of + the government, will seek the honour of washing thy feet. At thy death thy + <i>cilicium</i> shall be taken to the patriarch of Alexandria, and the + great Athanasius, white with glory, shall kiss it as the relic of a saint. + Go!” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius replied— + </p> + <p> + “Let the will of God be accomplished!” + </p> + <p> + And making an effort to stand up, he prepared to descend. But the voice, + divining his intention, said— + </p> + <p> + “Above all, descend not by the ladder. That would be to act like an + ordinary man, and to be unconscious of the gifts that are in thee. A great + saint, like thee, ought to fly through the air. Leap! the angels are there + to support thee. Leap, then!” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius replied— + </p> + <p> + “The will of God be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” + </p> + <p> + Extending his long arms like the ragged wings of a huge sick bird, he was + about to throw himself down, when, suddenly, a hideous mocking laugh rang + in his ears. Terrified, he asked— + </p> + <p> + “Who laughs thus?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah? ah!” screamed the voice, “we are yet but at the beginning of our + friendship; thou wilt some day be better acquainted with me. My friend, it + was I who caused thee to ascend here, and I ought to be satisfied at the + docility with which thou hast accomplished my wishes. Paphnutius, I am + pleased with thee.” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius murmured, in a voice stifled by fear— + </p> + <p> + “Avaunt, avaunt! I know thee now; thou art he who carried Jesus to a + pinnacle of the temple, and showed him all the kingdoms of this world.” + </p> + <p> + He fell, affrighted, on the stone. + </p> + <p> + “Why did I not know this sooner?” he thought. “More wretched than the + blind, deaf, and paralysed who trust in me, I have lost all knowledge of + things supernatural, and am more depraved than the maniacs who eat earth + and approach dead bodies. I can no longer distinguish between the clamours + of hell and the voices of heaven. I have lost even the intuition of the + new-born child, who cries when its nurse’s breast is taken from it, of the + dog that scents out its master’s footsteps, of the plant that turns + towards the sun. I am the laughing-stock of the devils. So, then, it is + Satan who led me here. When he elevated me on this pedestal, lust and + pride mounted with me. It is not the magnitude of my temptations which + terrifies me. Anthony, on his mountain, suffers the same. I wish that all + their swords may pierce my flesh, before the eyes of the angels. I have + even learned to like my sufferings. But God does not speak to me, and His + silence astonishes me. He has left me—and I had but Him to look to. + He leaves me alone in the horror of His absence. He flies from me. I will + follow after Him. This stone burns my feet. Let me leave quickly, and come + up with God.” + </p> + <p> + With that he seized the ladder which stood against the column, put his + feet on it, and having descended a rung, found himself face to face with + the monster’s head; she smiled strangely. He was certain then that what he + had taken for the site of his rest and glory, was but the diabolical + instrument of his trouble and damnation. He hastily descended and touched + the soil. His feet had forgotten their use, and he reeled. But, feeling on + him the shadow of the cursed column, he forced himself to run. All slept. + He traversed, without being seen, the great square surrounded by + wine-shops, inns, and caravanserias, and threw himself into a by-street + which led towards the Libyan Hills. A dog pursued him, barking, and + stopped only at the edge of the desert. Paphnutius went through a country + where there was no road but the trail of wild beasts. Leaving behind him + the huts abandoned by the coiners, he continued all night and all day his + solitary flight. + </p> + <p> + At last, almost ready to expire with hunger, thirst, and fatigue, and not + knowing if God was still far from him, he came to a silent city which + extended from right to left, and stretched away till it was lost in the + blue horizon. The buildings, which were widely separated and like each + other, resembled pyramids cut off at half their height. They were tombs. + The doors were broken, and in the shadow of the chambers could be seen the + gleaming eyes of hyaenas and wolves who brought forth their young there, + whilst the dead bodies lay on the threshold, despoiled by robbers, and + gnawed by the wild beasts. Having passed through this funeral city, + Paphnutius fell exhausted before a tomb which stood near a spring + surrounded by palm trees. This tomb was much ornamented, and, as there was + no door to it, he saw inside it a painted chamber, in which serpents bred. + </p> + <p> + “Here,” he sighed, “is the abode I have chosen; the tabernacle of my + repentance and penitence.” + </p> + <p> + He dragged himself to it, drove out the reptiles with his feet, and + remained prostrate on the stone floor for eighteen hours, at the end of + which time he went to the spring, and drank out of his hand. Then he + plucked some dates and some stalks of lotus, the seeds of which he ate. + Thinking this kind of life was good, he made it the rule of his existence. + From morning to night he never lifted his forehead from the stone. + </p> + <p> + One day, whilst he was thus prostrated, he heard a voice which said— + </p> + <p> + “Look at these images, that thou mayest learn.” + </p> + <p> + Then, raising his head, he saw, on the walls of the chamber, paintings + which represented lively and domestic scenes. They were of very old work, + and marvellously lifelike. There were cooks who blew the fire, with their + cheeks all puffed out; others plucked geese, or cooked quarters of sheep + in stew-pans. A little farther, a hunter carried on his shoulders a + gazelle pierced with arrows. In one place, peasants were sowing, reaping, + or gathering. In another, women danced to the sounds of viols, flutes, and + harp. A young girl played the theorbo. The lotus flower shone in her hair, + which was neatly braided. Her transparent dress let the pure forms of her + body be seen. Her bosom and mouth were perfect. The face was turned in + profile, and the beautiful eye looked straight before her. The whole + figure was exquisite. Paphnutius having examined it, lowered his eyes, and + replied to the voice— + </p> + <p> + “Why dost thou command me to look at these images? No doubt they represent + the terrestrial life of the idolater whose body rests here, under my feet, + at the bottom of a well, in a coffin of black basalt. They recall the life + of a dead man, and are, despite their bright colours, the shadows of a + shadow. The life of a dead man! O vanity!” + </p> + <p> + “He is dead, but he lived,” replied the voice; “and thou wilt die, and + wilt not have lived.” + </p> + <p> + From that day, Paphnutius had not a moment’s rest. The voice spoke to him + incessantly. The girl with the theorbo looked fixedly at him from + underneath the long lashes of her eye. At last she also spoke— + </p> + <p> + “Look. I am mysterious and beautiful. Love me. Exhaust in my arms the love + which torments you. What use is it to fear me? You cannot escape me; I am + the beauty of woman. Whither do you think to fly from me, senseless fool? + You will find my likeness in the radiancy of flowers, and in the grace of + the palm trees, in the flight of pigeons, in the bounds of the gazelle, in + the rippling of brooks, in the soft light of the moon, and if you close + your eyes, you will find me within yourself. It is a thousand years since + the man who sleeps here, swathed in linen, in a bed of black stone, + pressed me to his heart. It is a thousand years since he received the last + kiss from my mouth, and his sleep is yet redolent with it. You know me + well, Paphnutius. How is it you have not recognised me? I am one of the + innumerable incarnations of Thais. You are a learned monk, and well + skilled in the knowledge of things. You have travelled, and it is by + travel a man learns the most. Often a day passed abroad will show more + novelties than ten years passed at home. You have heard that Thais lived + formerly in Argos, under the name of Helen. She had another existence in + Thebes Hecatompyle. And I was Thais of Thebes. How is it you have not + guessed it? I took, when I was alive, a large share in the sins of this + world, and now reduced here to the condition of a shadow, I am still quite + capable of taking your sins upon me, beloved monk. Whence comes your + surprise? It was certain that, wherever you went, you would find Thais + again.” + </p> + <p> + He struck his forehead against the pavement, and uttered a cry of terror. + And every night the player of the theorbo left the wall, approached him, + and spoke in a clear voice mingled with soft breathing. And as the holy + man resisted the temptations she gave him, she said to him— + </p> + <p> + “Love me; yield, friend. As long as you resist me I shall torment you. You + do not know what the patience of a dead woman is. I shall wait, if + necessary, till you are dead. Being a sorceress, I shall put into your + lifeless body a spirit who will reanimate it, and who will not refuse me + what I have asked in vain of you. And think, Paphnutius, what a strange + situation when your blessed soul sees, from the height of heaven, its own + body given up to sin. God, who has promised to return you this body after + the day of judgment and the end of time, will Himself be much puzzled. How + can He place in celestial glory a human form inhabited by a devil, and + guarded by a sorceress? You have not thought of that difficulty. Nor God + either, perhaps. Between ourselves, He is not very knowing. Any ordinary + magician can easily deceive Him, and if He had not His thunder, and the + cataracts of heaven, the village urchins would pull His beard. He has + certainly not as much sense as the old serpent, His adversary. He, indeed, + is a wonderful artist. If I am so beautiful, it is because he adorned me + with all my attractions. It was he who taught me how to braid my hair, and + to make for myself rosy fingers with agate nails. You have misunderstood + him. When you came to live in this tomb, you drove out with your feet the + serpents which were here, without troubling yourself to know whether they + were of his family, and you crushed their eggs. I am afraid, my poor + friend, you will have a troublesome business on your hands. You were + warned, however, that he was a musician and a lover. What have you done? + You have quarrelled with science and beauty. You are altogether miserable, + and Iaveh does not come to your help. It is not probable that he will + come. Being as great as all things, he cannot move for want of space, and + if, by an impossibility, he made the least movement, all creation would be + pushed out of place. My handsome hermit, give me a kiss.” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius was aware that great prodigies are performed by magic arts. He + thought—not without much uneasiness— + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps the dead man buried at my feet knows the words written in that + mysterious book which exists hidden, not far from here, at the bottom of a + royal tomb. By virtue of these words, the dead, taking the form which they + had upon earth, see the light of the sun and the smiles of women.” + </p> + <p> + His chief fear was that the girl with the theorbo and the dead man might + come together, as they did in their lifetime, and that he should see them + unite. Sometimes he thought he heard the sound of kissing. + </p> + <p> + He was troubled in his mind, and now, in the absence of God he feared to + think as much as to feel. One evening, when he was kneeling prostrate + according to his custom, an unknown voice said to him— + </p> + <p> + “Paphnutius, there are on earth more people than you imagine, and if I + were to show you what I have seen, you would die of astonishment. There + are men with a single eye in the middle of their forehead. There are men + who have but one leg, and advance by jumps. There are men who change their + sex, and the females become males. There are men-trees, who shoot out + roots in the ground. And there are men with no head, with two eyes, a + nose, and a mouth in their breast. Can you honestly believe that Jesus + Christ died for the salvation of these men?” + </p> + <p> + Another time he had a vision. He saw, in a strong light, a broad road, + rivulets, and gardens. On the road, Aristobulus and Chereas passed at a + gallop on their Syrian horses, and the joyous ardour of the race reddened + the cheeks of the two young men. Beneath a portico, Callicrates recited + his verses; satisfied pride trembled in his voice and shone in his eyes. + In the garden, Zenothemis picked apples of gold, and caressed a serpent + with azure wings. Clad in white, and wearing a shining mitre, Hermodorus + meditated beneath a sacred persea, which bore, instead of flowers, small + heads of pure profile, wearing, like the Egyptian goddesses, vultures, + hawks, or the shining disk of the moon; whilst in the background, by the + side of a fountain, Nicias studied, on an armillary sphere, the harmonious + movements of the stars. + </p> + <p> + Then a veiled woman approached the monk, holding in her hand a branch of + myrtle. She said to him— + </p> + <p> + “Look! Some seek eternal beauty, and place their ephemeral life in the + infinite. Others live without much thought. But by that alone they submit + to fair Nature, and they are happy and beautiful in the joy of living + only, and give glory to the supreme artist of all things; for man is a + noble hymn to God. All think that happiness is innocent, and that pleasure + is permitted to man. Paphnutius, if they are right, what a dupe you have + been!” + </p> + <p> + And the vision vanished. + </p> + <p> + Thus was Paphnutius tempted unceasingly in body and mind. Satan never gave + him a minute’s repose. The solitude of the tomb was more peopled than the + streets of a great city. The devils shouted with laughter, and millions of + imps, evil genii, and phantoms imitated all the ordinary transactions of + life. In the evening, when he went to the spring, satyrs and nymphs + capered round him, and tried to drag him into their lascivious dances. The + demons no longer feared him. They loaded him with insults, obscene jests, + and blows. One day a devil, no longer than his arm, stole the cord he wore + round his waist. + </p> + <p> + He said to himself— + </p> + <p> + “Thought, whither hast thou led me?” + </p> + <p> + And he resolved to work with his hands, in order to give his mind that + rest of which it had need. Near the spring, some banana trees, with large + leaves, grew under the shade of the palms. He cut the stalks, and carried + them to the tomb. He crushed them with a stone, and reduced them to + fibres, as he had seen ropemakers do. For he intended to make a cord, to + replace that which the devil had stolen. The demons were somewhat + displeased at this; they ceased their clamour, and the girl with the + theorbo no longer continued her magic arts, but remained quietly on the + wall. The courage and faith of Paphnutius increased whilst he pounded the + banana stems. + </p> + <p> + “With Heaven’s help,” he said to himself, “I shall subdue the flesh. As to + my soul, its confidence is still unshaken. In vain do the devils, and that + accursed woman, try to instil into my mind doubts as to the nature of God. + I will reply to them, by the mouth of the Apostle John, ‘In the beginning + was the Word, and the Word was God.’ That I firmly believe, and that which + I believe is absurd, I believe still more firmly. In fact it should be + absurd. If it were not so, I should not believe; I should know. And it is + not that which we know which gives eternal life; it is faith only that + saves.” + </p> + <p> + He exposed the separated fibres to the sun and the dew, and every morning + he took care to turn them, to prevent them rotting; and he rejoiced to + find that he had become as simple as a child. When he had twisted his + cord, he cut reeds to make mats and baskets. The sepulchral chamber + resembled a basket-maker’s workshop, and Paphnutius could pass without + difficulty from work to prayer. Yet still God was not merciful to him, for + one night he was awakened by a voice which froze him with horror, for he + guessed that it was the voice of the dead man. + </p> + <p> + The voice called quickly, in a light whisper— + </p> + <p> + “Helen! Helen! come and bathe with me! come quickly!” + </p> + <p> + A woman, whose mouth was close to the monk’s ear, replied— + </p> + <p> + “Friend, I cannot rise; a man is lying on me.” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius suddenly perceived that his cheek rested on a woman’s breast. + He recognised the player of the theorbo, who, partly relieved of his + weight, raised her breast. He clung tightly to the sweet, warm, perfumed + body, and consumed with the desire of damnation, he cried— + </p> + <p> + “Stay, stay, my heavenly one!” + </p> + <p> + But she was already standing on the threshold. She laughed, and her smile + gleamed in the silver rays of the moon. + </p> + <p> + “Why should I stay?” she said. “The shadow of a shadow is enough for a + lover endowed with such a lively imagination. Besides, you have sinned. + What more was needed?” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius wept in the night, and when the dawn came, he murmured a prayer + that was a meek complaint— + </p> + <p> + “Jesus, my Jesus, why hast Thou forsaken me! Thou seest the danger in + which I am. Come, and help me, sweet Saviour. Since Thy Father no longer + loves me, and does not hear me, remember that I have but Thee. From Him + nothing is to be hoped; I cannot comprehend Him, and He cannot pity me. + But Thou was born of a woman, and that is why I trust in Thee. Remember + that Thou wast a man. I pray to Thee, not because Thou art God of God, + Light of light, very God of very God, but because Thou hast lived poor and + humble on this earth where now I suffer, because Satan has tempted Thy + flesh, because the sweat of agony has bedewed Thy face. It is to Thy + humanity that I pray, Jesus, my brother Jesus!” + </p> + <p> + When he had thus prayed, wringing his hands, a terrible peal of laughter + shook the walls of the tomb, and the voice which rang in his ears on the + top of the column, said jeeringly— + </p> + <p> + “That is a prayer worthy of the breviary of Marcus, the heretic. + Paphnutius is an Arian! Paphnutius is an Arian!” + </p> + <p> + As though thunderstruck, the monk fell senseless. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + When he reopened his eyes, he saw around him monks wearing black hoods, + who poured water on his temples, and recited exorcisms. Many others were + standing outside, carrying palm leaves. + </p> + <p> + “As we passed through the desert,” said one of them, “we heard cries + issuing from this tomb, and, having entered, we found you lying + unconscious on the floor. Doubtless the devils had thrown you down, and + had fled at our approach.” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius, raising his head, asked in a feeble voice— + </p> + <p> + “Who are you, my brothers? And why do you carry palms in your hands? Is it + for my burial?” + </p> + <p> + One of them replied— + </p> + <p> + “Brother, do you not know that our father, Anthony, now a hundred and five + years old, having been warned of his approaching end, has come down from + Mount Colzin, to which he had retired, to bless his numerous spiritual + children? We are going with palm leaves to greet our holy father. But how + is it, brother, that you are ignorant of such a great event? Can it be + possible that no angel came to this tomb to inform you?” + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” replied Paphnutius, “I am not worthy of such a favour, and the + only denizens of this abode are demons and vampires. Pray for me. I am + Paphnutius, Abbot of Antinoe, the most wretched of the servants of God.” + </p> + <p> + At the name of Paphnutius, all waved their palm leaves and murmured his + praises. The monk who had previously spoken, cried in surprise— + </p> + <p> + “Can it be that thou art that holy Paphnutius, celebrated for so many + works that it was supposed he would some day equal the great Anthony + himself? Most venerable, it was thou who convertedst to God the courtesan, + Thais, and who, raised upon a high column, was carried away by the + seraphs. Those who watched by night, at the foot of the pillar, saw thy + blessed assumption. The wings of the angels encircled thee in a white + cloud, and with thy right hand extended thou didst bless the dwellings of + man. The next day, when the people saw thou wert no longer there, a long + groan rose to the summit of the discrowned pillar. But Flavian, thy + disciple, reported the miracle, and took thy place as the head. But a + foolish man, of the name of Paul, tried to contradict the general opinion. + He asserted that he had seen thee, in a dream, carried away by the devils; + the people wanted to stone him, and it was a miracle that he escaped + death. I am Zozimus, abbot of these solitary monks whom thou seest + prostrate at thy feet. Like them, I kneel before thee, that thou mayest + bless the father with the children. Then thou shalt relate to us the + marvels which God has deigned to accomplish by thy means.” + </p> + <p> + “Far from having favoured me as thou believest,” replied Paphnutius, “the + Lord has tried me with terrible temptations. I was not carried away by + angels. But a shadowy wall is raised in front of my eyes, and moves before + me. I have lived in a dream. Without God all is a dream. When I made my + journey to Alexandria, I heard, in a short space of time, many discourses, + and I learned that the army of errors was innumerable. It pursues me, and + I am compassed about with swords.” + </p> + <p> + Zozimus replied— + </p> + <p> + “Venerable father, we must remember that the saints, and especially the + solitary saints, undergo terrible trials. If thou wast not carried to + heaven by the seraphs, it is certain that the Lord granted that favour to + thy image, for Flavian, the monks, and the people were witnesses of thy + assumption.” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius resolved to go and receive the blessing of Anthony. + </p> + <p> + “Brother Zozimus,” he said, “give me one of these palm leaves, and let us + go and meet our father.” + </p> + <p> + “Let us go,” replied Zozimus; “military order is most befitting for monks, + who are God’s soldiers. Thou and I, being abbots, will march in front, and + the others shall follow us, singing psalms.” + </p> + <p> + They set out on their march, and Paphnutius said— + </p> + <p> + “God is unity, for He is the truth, which is one. The world is many, + because it is error. We should turn away from all the sights of nature, + even those which appear the most innocent. Their diversity renders them + pleasant, which is a sign that they are evil. For that reason, I cannot + see a tuft of papyrus by the side of still waters without my soul being + imbued with melancholy. All things that the senses perceive are + detestable. The least grain of sand brings danger. Everything tempts us. + Woman is but a combination of all the temptations scattered in the thin + air, on the flowering earth, in the clear waters. Happy is he whose soul + is a sealed vase! Happy is he who knows how to be deaf, dumb, and blind, + and who knows nothing of the world, in order that he may know God!” + </p> + <p> + Zozimus, having meditated upon these words, replied as follows— + </p> + <p> + “Venerable father, it is fitting that I should avow my sins to thee, since + thou hast shown me thy soul. Thus we shall confess to each other, + according to the apostolic custom. Before I was a monk, I led an + abominable life. At Madaura, a city celebrated for its courtesans, I + sought out all kinds of worldly love. Every night I supped in company with + young debauchees and female flute players, and I took home with me the one + who pleased me the best. A saint like thee could never imagine to what a + pitch the fury of my desires carried me. Suffice it to say that it spared + neither matrons nor nuns, and spread adultery and sacrilege everywhere. I + excited my senses with wine, and was justly known as the heaviest drinker + in Madaura. Yet I was a Christian, and, in all my follies, kept my faith + in Jesus crucified. Having devoured my substance in riotous living, I was + beginning to feel the first attacks of poverty, when I saw one of my + companions in pleasure suddenly struck with a terrible disease. His knees + could not sustain him; his twitching hands refused to obey him; his glazed + eyes closed. Only horrible groans came from his breast. His mind, heavier + than his body, slumbered. To punish him for having lived like a beast, God + had changed him into a beast. The loss of my property had already inspired + me with salutary reflections, but the example of my friend was of yet + greater efficacy; it made such an impression on my heart that I quitted + the world and retired into the desert. There I have enjoyed for twenty + years a peace that nothing has troubled. I work with my monks as weaver, + architect, carpenter, and even as scribe, though, to say the truth, I have + little taste for writing, having always preferred action to thought. My + days are full of joy, and my nights without dreams, and I believe that the + grace of the Lord is in me, because, even in the midst of the most + frightful sins, I have never lost hope.” + </p> + <p> + On hearing these words, Paphnutius lifted his eyes to heaven and murmured— + </p> + <p> + “Lord, Thou lookest with kindness upon this man polluted by adultery, + sacrilege, and so many crimes, and Thou turnest away from me, who have + always kept Thy commandments! How inscrutable is Thy justice, O my God! + and how impenetrable are Thy ways!” + </p> + <p> + Zozimus extended his arms. + </p> + <p> + “Look, venerable father! On both sides of the horizon are long, black + files that look like emigrant ants. They are our brothers, who, like us, + are going to meet Anthony.” + </p> + <p> + When they came to the place of meeting, they saw a magnificent spectacle. + The army of monks extended, in three ranks, in an immense semicircle. In + the first rank stood the old hermits of the desert, cross in hand, and + with long beards that almost touched the ground. The monks, governed by + the abbots Ephrem and Serapion, and also all the cenobites of the Nile, + formed the second line. Behind them appeared the ascetics, who had come + from their distant rocks. Some wore, on their blackened and dried-up + bodies, shapeless rags; others had for their only clothes, bundles of + reeds held together by withies. Many of them were naked, but God had + covered them with a fell of hair as thick as a sheep’s fleece. All held + branches of palm; they looked like an emerald rainbow, or they might have + been also compared to the host of the elect—the living walls of the + city of God. + </p> + <p> + Such perfect order reigned in the assembly, that Paphnutius found, without + difficulty, the monks he governed. He placed himself near them, after + having taken care to hide his face under his hood, that he might remain + unknown, and not disturb them in their pious expectation. Suddenly, an + immense shout arose— + </p> + <p> + “The saint!” they all cried. “The saint! Behold the great saint, against + whom hell has not prevailed, the well-beloved of God! Our father, + Anthony!” + </p> + <p> + Then a great silence followed, and every forehead was lowered to the sand. + </p> + <p> + From the summit of a dune, in the vast void space, Anthony advanced, + supported by his beloved disciples, Macarius and Amathas. He walked + slowly, but his figure was still upright, and showed the remains of a + superhuman strength. His white beard spread over his broad chest, his + polished skull reflected the rays of sunlight like the forehead of Moses. + The keen gaze of the eagle was in his eyes; the smile of a child shone on + his round cheek. To bless his people, he raised his arms, tired by a + century of marvellous works, and his voice burst forth for the last time, + with the words of love. + </p> + <p> + “How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!” + </p> + <p> + Immediately, from one end to the other of the living wall, like a peal of + harmonious thunder, the psalm, “Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord,” + broke forth. + </p> + <p> + Accompanied by Macarius and Amathas, Anthony passed along the ranks of the + old hermits, anchorites, and cenobites. This seer, who had beheld heaven + and hell; this hermit, who from a cave in the rock, governed the Christian + Church; this saint, who had sustained the faith of the martyrs; this + scholar, whose eloquence had paralysed the heretics, spoke tenderly to + each of his sons, and bade them a kindly farewell, on the eve of the + blessed death, which God, who loved him, had at last promised him. + </p> + <p> + He said to the abbots Ephrem and Serapion— + </p> + <p> + “You command large armies, and you are both great generals. Therefore, you + shall put on in heaven an armour of gold, and the Archangel Michael shall + give you the title of kiliarchs of his hosts.” + </p> + <p> + Perceiving the old man Philemon, he embraced him, and said— + </p> + <p> + “Behold, the kindest and best of all my children. His soul exhales a + perfume as sweet as the flower of the beans he sows every year.” + </p> + <p> + To Abbot Zozimus he addressed these words— + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast never mistrusted divine goodness, and therefore the peace of + the Lord is in thee. The lily of thy virtues has flowered upon the + dunghill of thy corruption.” + </p> + <p> + To all he spoke words of unerring wisdom. + </p> + <p> + To the old hermits he said— + </p> + <p> + “The apostle saw, round the throne of God, eighty old men seated, clad in + white robes, and wearing crowns on their heads.” + </p> + <p> + To the young men— + </p> + <p> + “Be joyful; leave sadness to the happy ones of this world.” + </p> + <p> + Thus he passed along the front of his filial army, exhorting and + comforting. Paphnutius, seeing him approach, fell on his knees, his heart + torn by fear and hope. + </p> + <p> + “My father! my father!” he cried in his agony. “My father! come to my + help, for I perish. I have given to God the soul of Thais; I have lived + upon the top of a column, and in the chamber of a tomb. My forehead, + unceasingly in the dust, has become horny as a camel’s knee. And yet God + has gone from me. Bless me, my father, and I shall be saved; shake the + hyssop, and I shall be washed, and I shall shine as the snow.” + </p> + <p> + Anthony did not reply. He turned to the monks of Antinoe those eyes whose + looks no man could sustain. He gazed for a long time at Paul, called the + Fool; then he made a sign to him to approach. And, as all were astonished + that the saint should address himself to a man who was not in his senses, + Anthony said— + </p> + <p> + “God has granted to him more grace than to any of you. Lift thy eyes, my + son Paul, and tell me what thou seest in heaven.” + </p> + <p> + Paul the Fool raised his eyes; his face shone, and his tongue was + unloosed. + </p> + <p> + “I see in heaven,” he said, “a bed adorned with hangings of purple and + gold. Around it three virgins keep constant watch that no soul may + approach it, except the chosen one for whom the bed is prepared.” + </p> + <p> + Believing that this bed was the symbol of his glorification, Paphnutius + had already begun to return thanks to God. But Anthony made a sign to him + to be silent, and to listen to the Fool, who murmured in his ecstasy— + </p> + <p> + “The three virgins speak to me; they say unto me: ‘A saint is about to + quit the earth; Thais of Alexandria is dying. And we have prepared the bed + of her glory, for we are her virtues—Faith, Fear, and Love.’” + </p> + <p> + Anthony asked— + </p> + <p> + “Sweet child, what else seest thou?” + </p> + <p> + Paul gazed vacantly from the zenith to the nadir, and from west to east, + when suddenly his eyes fell on the Abbot of Antinoe. His face grew pale + with a holy terror, and his eyeballs reflected invisible flames. + </p> + <p> + “I see,” he murmured, “three demons, who, full of joy, prepare to seize + that man. One of them is like unto a tower, one to a woman, and one to a + mage. All three bear their name, marked with red-hot iron; the first on + the forehead, the second on the belly, the third on the breast, and those + names are—Pride, Lust, and Doubt. I have finished.” + </p> + <p> + Having spoken thus, Paul, with haggard eyes and hanging jaw, returned to + his old simple ways. + </p> + <p> + And, as the monks of Antinoe looked anxiously at Anthony, the saint + pronounced these words— + </p> + <p> + “God has made known His just judgment. Let us bow to Him and hold our + peace.” + </p> + <p> + He passed. He bestowed blessings as he went. The sun, now descended to the + horizon, enveloped him in its glory, and his shadow, immeasurably + elongated by a miracle from heaven, unrolled itself behind him like an + endless carpet, as a sign of the long remembrance this great saint would + leave amongst men. + </p> + <p> + Upright, but thunderstruck, Paphnutius saw and heard nothing more. One + word alone rang in his ears, “Thais is dying!” The thought had never + occurred to him. Twenty years had he contemplated a mummy’s head, and yet + the idea that death would close the eyes of Thais astonished him + hopelessly. + </p> + <p> + “Thais is dying!” An incomprehensible saying! “Thais is dying!” In those + three words what a new and terrible sense! “Thais is dying!” Then why the + sun, the flowers, the brooks, and all creation? “Thais is dying!” What + good was all the universe? Suddenly he sprang forward. “To see her again, + to see her once more!” He began to run. He knew not where he was, or + whither he went, but instinct conducted him with unerring certainty; he + went straight to the Nile. A swarm of sails covered the upper waters of + the river. He sprang on board a barque manned by Nubians, and lying in the + forepart of the boat, his eyes devouring space, he cried, in grief and + rage— + </p> + <p> + “Fool, fool, that I was, not to have possessed Thais whilst there was yet + time! Fool to have believed that there was anything else in the world but + her! Oh, madness! I dreamed of God, of the salvation of my soul, of life + eternal—as if all that counted for anything when I had seen Thais! + Why did I not feel that blessed eternity was in a single kiss of that + woman, and that without her life was senseless, and no more than an evil + dream? Oh, stupid fool! thou hast seen her, and thou hast desired the good + things of the other world! Oh, coward! thou hast seen her, and thou hast + feared God! God! heaven! what are they? And what have they to offer thee + which are worth the least tittle of that which she would have given thee? + Oh, miserable, senseless fool, who sought divine goodness elsewhere than + on the lips of Thais! What hand was upon thy eyes? Cursed be he who + blinded thee then! Thou couldst have bought, at the price of thy + damnation, one moment of her love, and thou hast not done it! She opened + to thee her arms—flesh mingled with the perfume of flowers—and + thou wast not engulfed in the unspeakable enchantments of her unveiled + breast. Thou hast listened to the jealous voice which said to thee, + ‘Refrain!’ Dupe, dupe, miserable dupe! Oh, regrets! Oh, remorse! Oh, + despair! Not to have the joy to carry to hell the memory of that + never-to-be-forgotten hour, and to cry to God, ‘Burn my flesh, dry up all + the blood in my veins, break all my bones, thou canst not take from me the + remembrance which sweetens and refreshes me for ever and ever!’ . . . + Thais is dying! Preposterous God, if thou knewest how I laugh at Thy hell! + Thais is dying, and she will never be mine—never! never!” + </p> + <p> + And as the boat came down the river with the current, he remained whole + days lying on his face, and repeating— + </p> + <p> + “Never! never! never!” + </p> + <p> + Then, at the idea that she had given herself to others, and not to him; + that she had poured forth an ocean of love, and he had not wetted his lips + therein, he stood up, savagely wild, and howled with grief. He tore his + breast with his nails, and bit the flesh of his arms. He thought— + </p> + <p> + “If I could but kill all those she has loved!” + </p> + <p> + The idea of these murders filled him with delicious fury. He dreamed of + killing Nicias slowly and leisurely, looking him full in the eyes whilst + he murdered him. Then suddenly his fury melted away. He wept, he sobbed. + He became feeble and meek. An unknown tenderness softened his soul. He + longed to throw his arms round the neck of the companion of his childhood + and say to him, “Nicias, I love thee, because thou hast loved her. Talk to + me about her. Tell me what she said to thee.” And still, without ceasing, + the iron of that phrase entered into his soul—“Thais is dying!” + </p> + <p> + “Light of day, silvery shadows of night stars, heavens, trees with + trembling crests, savage beasts, domestic animals, all the anxious souls + of men, do you not hear? ‘Thais is dying!’ Disappear, ye lights, breezes, + and perfumes! Hide yourselves, ye shapes and thoughts of the universe! + ‘Thais is dying!’ She was the beauty of the world, and all that drew near + to her grew fairer in the reflection of her grace. The old man and the + sages who sat near her, at the banquet at Alexandria, how pleasant they + were, and how fascinating was their conversation! A host of brilliant + thoughts sprang to their lips, and all their ideas were steeped in + pleasure. And it was because the breath of Thais was on them that all they + said was love, beauty, truth. A delightful impiety lent its grace to their + discourse. They thoroughly expressed all human splendour. Alas! all that + is but a dream. Thais is dying! Oh, how easy it will be to me to die of + her death! But canst thou only die, withered embryo, fetus steeped in gall + and scalding tears? Miserable abortion, dost thou think thou canst taste + death, thou who hast never known life? If only God exists, that he may + damn me. I hope for it—I wish it. God, I hate Thee—dost Thou + hear? Overwhelm me with Thy damnation. To compel Thee to, I spit in Thy + face. I must find an eternal hell, to exhaust the eternity of rage which + consumes me.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The next day, at dawn, Albina received the Abbot of Antinoe at the + nunnery. + </p> + <p> + “Thou art welcome to our tabernacles of peace, venerable father, for no + doubt, thou comest to bless the saint thou hast given us. Thou knowest + that God, in his mercy, has called her to Him; how couldst thou fail to + know tidings that the angels have carried from desert to desert? It is + true that Thais is about to meet her blessed death. Her labours are + accomplished, and I ought to inform thee, in a few words, as to her + conduct whilst she was still amongst us. After thy departure, when she was + confined in a cell sealed with thy seal, I sent her, with her food, a + flute, similar to those which girls of her profession play at banquets. I + did that to prevent her from falling into a melancholy mood, and that she + should not show less skill and talent before God than she had shown before + men. In this I showed prudence and foresight, for all day long Thais + praised the Lord upon the flute, and the virgins, who were attracted by + the sound of this invisible flute, said, ‘We hear the nightingale of the + heavenly groves, the dying swan of Jesus crucified.’ Thus did Thais + perform her penance, when, after sixty days, the door which thou hadst + sealed opened of itself, and the clay seal was broken without being + touched by any human hand. By that sign I knew that the trial thou hadst + imposed upon her was at an end, and that God had pardoned the sins of the + flute-player. From that time she has shared the ordinary life of my nuns, + working and praying with them. She was an example to them by the modesty + of her acts and words, and seemed like a statue of purity amongst them. + Sometimes she was sad; but those clouds soon passed. When I saw that she + was really drawn towards God by faith, hope, and love, I did not hesitate + to employ her talent, and even her beauty, for the improvement of her + sisters. I asked her to represent before us the actions of the famous + women and wise virgins of the Scriptures. She acted Esther, Deborah, + Judith, Mary, the sister of Lazarus, and Mary, the mother of Jesus. I + know, venerable father, that thy austere mind is alarmed at the idea of + these performances. But thou thyself wouldest have been touched if thou + hadst seen her in these pious scenes, shedding real tears, and raising to + heaven arms graceful as palm leaves. I have long governed a community of + women, and I make it a rule never to oppose their nature. All seeds give + not the same flowers. Not all souls are sanctified in the same way. It + must also not be forgotten that Thais gave herself to God whilst she was + still beautiful, and such a sacrifice is, if not unexampled, at least very + rare. This beauty—her natural vesture—has not left her during + the three months’ fever of which she is dying. As, during her illness, she + has incessantly asked to see the sky, I have her carried every morning + into the courtyard, near the well, under the old fig tree, in the shade of + which the abbesses of this convent are accustomed to hold their meetings. + Thou wilt find her there, venerable father; but hasten, for God calls her, + and this night a shroud will cover that face which God made both to shame + and to edify this world.” + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius followed her into a courtyard flooded with the morning light. + On the edge of the brick roofs, the pigeons formed a string of pearls. On + a bed, in the shade of the fig tree, Thais lay quite white, her arms + crossed. By her side stood veiled women, reciting the prayers for the + dying. + </p> + <p> + <i>“Have mercy, upon me, O God, according to Thy loving kindness: + according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my + transgressions.”</i> + </p> + <p> + He called her— + </p> + <p> + “Thais!” + </p> + <p> + She raised her eyelids, and turned the whites of her eyes in the direction + of the voice. + </p> + <p> + Albina made a sign to the veiled women to retire a few paces. + </p> + <p> + “Thais!” repeated the monk. + </p> + <p> + She raised her head; a light breath came from her pale lips. + </p> + <p> + “Is it thou, my father? . . . Dost thou remember the water of the spring, + and the dates that we picked? . . . That day, my father, love was born in + my heart—the love of life eternal.” + </p> + <p> + She was silent, and her head fell back. + </p> + <p> + Death was upon her, and the sweat of the last agony bedewed her forehead. + A pigeon broke the still silence with its plaintive cooing. Then the sobs + of the monk mingled with the psalms of the virgins. + </p> + <p> + <i>“Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For + I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.”</i> + </p> + <p> + Suddenly Thais sat up in the bed. Her violet eyes opened wide, and with a + rapt gaze, her arms stretched towards the distant hills, she said in a + clear, fresh voice— + </p> + <p> + “Behold them—the roses of the eternal dawn!” + </p> + <p> + Her eyes shone; a slight flush suffused her face. She had revived, more + sweet and more beautiful than ever. Paphnutius knelt down, and threw his + long black arms around her. + </p> + <p> + “Do not die!” he cried, in a strange voice, which he himself did not + recognise. “I love thee! Do not die! Listen, my Thais. I have deceived + thee? I was but a wretched fool. God, heaven—all that is nothing. + There is nothing true but this worldly life, and the love of human beings. + I love thee! Do not die! That would be impossible—thou art too + precious! Come, come with me! Let us fly? I will carry thee far away in my + arms. Come, let us love! Hear me, O my beloved, and say, ‘I will live; I + wish to live.’ Thais, Thais, arise!” + </p> + <p> + She did not hear him. Her eyes gazed into infinity. + </p> + <p> + She murmured— + </p> + <p> + “Heaven opens. I see the angels, the prophets, and the saints. . . . The + good Theodore is amongst them, his hands filled with flowers; he smiles on + me and calls me. . . . Two angels come to me. They draw near. . . . How + beautiful they are! I see God!” + </p> + <p> + She uttered a joyful sigh, and her head fell back motionless on the + pillow. Thais was dead. + </p> + <p> + Paphnutius held her in a last despairing embrace; his eyes devoured her + with desire, rage, and love. + </p> + <p> + Albina cried to him— + </p> + <p> + “Avaunt, accursed wretch!” + </p> + <p> + And she gently placed her fingers on the eyelids of the dead girl. + Paphnutius staggered back, his eyes burning with flames and feeling the + earth open beneath his feet. + </p> + <p> + The virgins chanted the song of Zacharias: + </p> + <p> + <i>“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel.”</i> + </p> + <p> + Suddenly their voices stayed in their throat. They had seen the monk’s + face, and they fled in affright, crying— + </p> + <p> + “A vampire! A vampire!” + </p> + <p> + He had become so repulsive, that passing his hand over his face, he felt + his own hideousness. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Thais, by Anatole France + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THAIS *** + +***** This file should be named 2078-h.htm or 2078-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/7/2078/ + +Produced by Dagny; John Bickers and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Douglas + +Release Date: March 21, 2006 [EBook #2078] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THAIS *** + + + + +Produced by Dagny; and John Bickers + + + + + +THAIS + +by Anatole France + + + +Translated By Robert B. Douglas + + + +CONTENTS + + PART I. THE LOTUS + PART II. THE PAPYRUS + THE BANQUET + THE PAPYRUS (resumed) + PART III. THE EUPHORBIA + + + + + +THAIS + + + + +PART THE FIRST -- THE LOTUS + +In those days there were many hermits living in the desert. On both +banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of +branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance from +each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet help one +another in case of need. Churches, each surmounted by a cross, stood +here and there amongst the huts, and the monks flocked to them at each +festival to celebrate the services or to partake of the Communion. There +were also, here and there on the banks of the river, monasteries, where +the cenobites lived in separate cells, and only met together that they +might the better enjoy their solitude. + +Both hermits and cenobites led abstemious lives, taking no food till +after sunset, and eating nothing but bread with a little salt and +hyssop. Some retired into the desert, and led a still more strange life +in some cave or tomb. + +All lived in temperance and chastity; they wore a hair shirt and a hood, +slept on the bare ground after long watching, prayed, sang psalms, and, +in short, spent their days in works of penitence. As an atonement +for original sin, they refused their body not only all pleasures and +satisfactions, but even that care and attention which in this age are +deemed indispensable. They believed that the diseases of our members +purify our souls, and the flesh could put on no adornment more glorious +than wounds and ulcers. Thus, they thought they fulfilled the words of +the prophet, "The desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose." + +Amongst the inhabitants of the holy Thebaid, there were some who +passed their days in asceticism and contemplation; others gained their +livelihood by plaiting palm fibre, or by working at harvest-time for +the neighbouring farmers. The Gentiles wrongly suspected some of them +of living by brigandage, and allying themselves to the nomadic Arabs +who robbed the caravans. But, as a matter of fact, the monks despised +riches, and the odour of their sanctity rose to heaven. + +Angels in the likeness of young men, came, staff in hand, as travellers, +to visit the hermitages; whilst demons--having assumed the form of +Ethiopians or of animals--wandered round the habitations of the hermits +in order to lead them into temptation. When the monks went in the +morning to fill their pitcher at the spring, they saw the footprints +of Satyrs and Aigipans in the sand. The Thebaid was, really and +spiritually, a battlefield, where, at all times, and more especially at +night, there were terrible conflicts between heaven and hell. + +The ascetics, furiously assailed by legions of the damned, defended +themselves--with the help of God and the angels--by fasting, prayer, +and penance. Sometimes carnal desires pricked them so cruelly that +they cried aloud with pain, and their lamentations rose to the starlit +heavens mingled with the howls of the hungry hyaenas. Then it was that +the demons appeared in delightful forms. For though the demons are, in +reality, hideous, they sometimes assume an appearance of beauty which +prevents their real nature from being recognised. The ascetics of the +Thebaid were amazed to see in their cells phantasms of delights unknown +even to the voluptuaries of the age. But, as they were under the sign +of the Cross, they did not succumb to these temptations, and the unclean +spirits, assuming again their true character, fled at daybreak, filled +with rage and shame. It was not unusual to meet at dawn one of these +beings, flying away and weeping, and replying to those who questioned +it, "I weep and groan because one of the Christians who live here has +beaten me with rods, and driven me away in ignominy." + +The power of the old saints of the desert extended over all sinners and +unbelievers. Their goodness was sometimes terrible. They derived from +the Apostles authority to punish all offences against the true and only +God, and no earthly power could save those they condemned. Strange tales +were told in the cities, and even as far as Alexandria, how the earth +had opened and swallowed up certain wicked persons whom one of these +saints struck with his staff. Therefore they were feared by all +evil-doers, and particularly by mimes, mountebanks, married priests, and +prostitutes. + +Such was the sanctity of these holy men that even wild beasts felt their +power. When a hermit was about to die, a lion came and dug a grave with +its claws. The saint knew by this that God had called him, and he went +and kissed all his brethren on the cheek. Then he lay down joyfully, and +slept in the Lord. + +Now that Anthony, who was more than a hundred years old, had retired +to Mount Colzin with his well-beloved disciples, Macarius and Amathas, +there was no monk in the Thebaid more renowned for good works than +Paphnutius, the Abbot of Antinoe. Ephrem and Serapion had a greater +number of followers, and in the spiritual and temporal management +of their monasteries surpassed him. But Paphnutius observed the most +rigorous fasts, and often went for three entire days without taking +food. He wore a very rough hair shirt, he flogged himself night and +morning, and lay for hours with his face to the earth. + +His twenty-four disciples had built their huts near his, and imitated +his austerities. He loved them all dearly in Jesus Christ, and +unceasingly exhorted them to good works. Amongst his spiritual children +were men who had been robbers for many years, and had been persuaded by +the exhortations of the holy abbot to embrace the monastic life, and who +now edified their companions by the purity of their lives. One, who had +been cook to the Queen of Abyssinia, and was converted by the Abbot of +Antinoe, never ceased to weep. There was also Flavian, the deacon, who +knew the Scriptures, and spoke well; but the disciple of Paphnutius who +surpassed all the others in holiness was a young peasant named Paul, and +surnamed the Fool, because of his extreme simplicity. Men laughed at his +childishness, but God favoured him with visions, and by bestowing upon +him the gift of prophecy. + +Paphnutius passed his life in teaching his disciples, and in ascetic +practices. Often did he meditate upon the Holy Scriptures in order to +find allegories in them. Therefore he abounded in good works, though +still young. The devils, who so rudely assailed the good hermits, did +not dare to approach him. At night, seven little jackals sat in the +moonlight in front of his cell, silent and motionless, and with their +ears pricked up. It was believed that they were seven devils, who, owing +to his sanctity, could not cross his threshold. + +Paphnutius was born at Alexandria of noble parents, who had instructed +him in all profane learning. He had even been allured by the falsehoods +of the poets, and in his early youth had been misguided enough to +believe that the human race had all been drowned by a deluge in the days +of Deucalion, and had argued with his fellow-scholars concerning the +nature, the attributes, and even the existence of God. He then led a +life of dissipation, after the manner of the Gentiles, and he recalled +the memory of those days with shame and horror. + +"At that time," he used to say to the brethren, "I seethed in the +cauldron of false delights." + +He meant by that that he had eaten food properly dressed, and frequented +the public baths. In fact, until his twentieth year he had continued +to lead the ordinary existence of those times, which now seemed to +him rather death than life; but, owing to the lessons of the priest +Macrinus, he then became a new man. + +The truth penetrated him through and through, and--as he used to +say--entered his soul like a sword. He embraced the faith of Calvary, +and worshipped Christ crucified. After his baptism he remained yet a +year amongst the Gentiles, unable to cast off the bonds of old habits. +But one day he entered a church, and heard a deacon read from the Bible, +the verse, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and +give to the poor." Thereupon he sold all that he had, gave away the +money in alms, and embraced the monastic life. + +During the ten years that he had lived remote from men, he no longer +seethed in the cauldron of false delights, but more profitably macerated +his flesh in the balms of penitence. + +One day when, according to his pious custom, he was recalling to mind +the hours he had lived apart from God, and examining his sins one by +one, that he might the better ponder on their enormity, he remembered +that he had seen at the theatre at Alexandria a very beautiful actress +named Thais. This woman showed herself in the public games, and did not +scruple to perform dances, the movements of which, arranged only too +cleverly, brought to mind the most horrible passions. Sometimes she +imitated the horrible deeds which the Pagan fables ascribe to Venus, +Leda, or Pasiphae. Thus she fired all the spectators with lust, and when +handsome young men, or rich old ones, came, inspired with love, to hang +wreaths of flowers round her door, she welcomed them, and gave herself +up to them. So that, whilst she lost her own soul, she also ruined the +souls of many others. + +She had almost led Paphnutius himself into the sins of the flesh. She +had awakened desire in him, and he had once approached the house of +Thais. But he stopped on the threshold of the courtesan's house, partly +restrained by the natural timidity of extreme youth--he was then but +fifteen years old--and partly by the fear of being refused on account +of his want of money, for his parents took care that he should commit no +great extravagances. + +God, in His mercy, had used these two means to prevent him from +committing a great sin. But Paphnutius had not been grateful to Him for +that, because at that time he was blind to his own interests, and did +not know that he was lusting after false delights. Now, kneeling in +his cell, before the image of that holy cross on which hung, as in a +balance, the ransom of the world, Paphnutius began to think of Thais, +because Thais was a sin to him, and he meditated long, according to +ascetic rules, on the fearful hideousness of the carnal delights with +which this woman had inspired him in the days of his sin and ignorance. +After some hours of meditation the image of Thais appeared to him +clearly and distinctly. He saw her again, as he had seen her when she +tempted him, in all the beauty of the flesh. At first she showed herself +like a Leda, softly lying upon a bed of hyacinths, her head bowed, her +eyes humid and filled with a strange light, her nostrils quivering, her +mouth half open, her breasts like two flowers, and her arms smooth and +fresh as two brooks. At this sight Paphnutius struck his breast and +said-- + +"I call Thee to witness, my God, that I have considered how heinous has +been my sin." + +Gradually the face of the image changed its expression. Little by little +the lips of Thais, by lowering at the corners of the mouth, expressed a +mysterious suffering. Her large eyes were filled with tears and lights; +her breast heaved with sighs, like the sighing of a wind that precedes +a tempest. At this sight Paphnutius was troubled to the bottom of his +soul. Prostrating himself on the floor, he uttered this prayer-- + +"Thou who hast put pity in our hearts, like the morning dew upon the +fields, O just and merciful God, be Thou blessed! Praise! praise be unto +Thee! Put away from Thy servant that false tenderness which tempts to +concupiscence, and grant that I may only love Thy creatures in Thee, for +they pass away, but Thou endurest for ever. If I care for this woman, +it is only because she is Thy handiwork. The angels themselves feel +pity for her. Is she not, O Lord, the breath of Thy mouth? Let her not +continue to sin with many citizens and strangers. There is great pity +for her in my heart. Her wickednesses are abominable, and but to think +of them makes my flesh creep. But the more wicked she is, the more do I +lament for her. I weep when I think that the devils will torment her to +all eternity." + +As he was meditating in this way, he saw a little jackal lying at his +feet. He felt much surprised, for the door of his cell had been closed +since the morning. The animal seemed to read the Abbot's thoughts, and +wagged its tail like a dog. Paphnutius made the sign of the cross and +the beast vanished. He knew then that, for the first time, the devil had +entered his cell, and he uttered a short prayer; then he thought again +about Thais. + +"With God's help," he said to himself, "I must save her." And he slept. + +The next morning, when he had said his prayers, he went to see the +sainted Palemon, a holy hermit who lived some distance away. He found +him smiling quietly as he dug the ground, as was his custom. Palemon +was an old man, and cultivated a little garden; the wild beasts came and +licked his hands, and the devils never tormented him. + +"May God be praised, brother Paphnutius," he said, as he leaned upon his +spade. + +"God be praised!" replied Paphnutius. "And peace be unto my brother." + +"The like peace be unto thee, brother Paphnutius," said Palemon; and he +wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. + +"Brother Palemon, all our discourse ought to be solely the praise of Him +who has promised to be wheresoever two or three are gathered together in +His Name. That is why I come to you concerning a design I have formed to +glorify the Lord." + +"May the Lord bless thy design, Paphnutius, as He has blessed my +lettuces. Every morning He spreads His grace with the dew on my garden, +and His goodness causes me to glorify Him in the cucumbers and melons +which He gives me. Let us pray that He may keep us in His peace. For +nothing is more to be feared than those unruly passions which trouble +our hearts. When these passions disturb us we are like drunken men, +and we stagger from right to left unceasingly, and are like to fall +miserably. Sometimes these passions plunge us into a turbulent joy, and +he who gives way to such, sullies the air with brutish laughter. Such +false joy drags the sinner into all sorts of excess. But sometimes also +the troubles of the soul and of the senses throw us into an impious +sadness which is a thousand times worse than the joy. Brother +Paphnutius, I am but a miserable sinner, but I have found, in my long +life, that the cenobite has no foe worse than sadness. I mean by that +the obstinate melancholy which envelopes the soul as in a mist, and +hides from us the light of God. Nothing is more contrary to salvation, +and the devil's greatest triumph is to sow black and bitter thoughts in +the heart of a good man. If he sent us only pleasurable temptations, +he would not be half so much to be feared. Alas! he excels in making +us sad. Did he not show to our father Anthony a black child of such +surpassing beauty that the very sight of it drew tears? With God's help, +our father Anthony avoided the snares of the demon. I knew him when he +lived amongst us; he was cheerful with his disciples, and never gave +way to melancholy. But did you not come, my brother, to talk to me of +a design you had formed in your mind? Let me know what it is--if, at +least, this design has for its object the glory of God." + +"Brother Palemon, what I propose is really to the glory of God. +Strengthen me with your counsel, for you know many things, and sin has +never darkened the clearness of your mind." + +"Brother Paphnutius, I am not worthy to unloose the latchet of thy +sandals, and my sins are as countless as the sands of the desert. But I +am old, and I will never refuse the help of my experience." + +"I will confide in you, then, brother Palemon, that I am stricken with +grief at the thought that there is, in Alexandria, a courtesan named +Thais, who lives in sin, and is a subject of reproach unto the people." + +"Brother Paphnutius, that is, in truth, an abomination which we do well +to deplore. There are many women amongst the Gentiles who lead lives of +that kind. Have you thought of any remedy for this great evil?" + +"Brother Palemon, I will go to Alexandria and find this woman, and, with +God's help, I will convert her; that is my intention; do you approve of +it, brother?" + +"Brother Paphnutius, I am but a miserable sinner, but our father Anthony +used to say, 'In whatsoever place thou art, hasten not to leave it to go +elsewhere.'" + +"Brother Palemon, do you disapprove of my project?" + +"Dear Paphnutius, God forbid that I should suspect my brother of bad +intentions. But our father Anthony also said, 'Fishes die on dry land, +and so is it with those monks who leave their cells and mingle with the +men of this world, amongst whom no good thing is to be found.'" + +Having thus spoken, the old man pressed his foot on the spade, and began +to dig energetically round a fig tree laden with fruit. As he was thus +engaged, there was a rustling in the bushes, and an antelope leaped +over the hedge which surrounded the garden; it stopped, surprised and +frightened, its delicate legs trembling, then ran up to the old man, and +laid its pretty head on the breast of its friend. + +"God be praised in the gazelle of the desert," said Palemon. + +He went to his hut, the light-footed little animal trotting after him, +and brought out some black bread, which the antelope ate out of his +hand. + +Paphnutius remained thoughtful for some time, his eyes fixed upon the +stones at his feet. Then he slowly walked back to his cell, pondering on +what he had heard. A great struggle was going on in his mind. + +"The hermit gives good advice," he said to himself; "the spirit of +prudence is in him. And he doubts the wisdom of my intention. Yet it +would be cruel to leave Thais any longer in the power of the demon who +possesses her. May God advise and conduct me." + +As he was walking along, he saw a plover, caught in the net that a +hunter had laid on the sand, and he knew that it was a hen bird, for +he saw the male fly to the net, and tear the meshes one by one with its +beak, until it had made an opening by which its mate could escape. The +holy man watched this incident, and as, by virtue of his holiness, he +easily comprehended the mystic sense of all occurrences, he knew that +the captive bird was no other than Thais, caught in the snares of sin, +and that--like the plover that had cut the hempen threads with its +beak--he could, by pronouncing the word of power, break the invisible +bonds by which Thais was held in sin. Therefore he praised God, and was +confirmed in his first resolution. But then seeing the plover caught +by the feet, and hampered by the net it had broken, he fell into +uncertainty again. + +He did not sleep all night, and before dawn he had a vision. Thais +appeared to him again. There was no expression of guilty pleasure on her +face, nor was she dressed according to custom in transparent drapery. +She was enveloped in a shroud, which hid even a part of her face, so +that the Abbot could see nothing but the two eyes, from which flowed +white and heavy tears. + +At this sight he began to weep, and believing that this vision came from +God, he no longer hesitated. He rose, seized a knotted stick, the symbol +of the Christian faith, and left his cell, carefully closing the door, +lest the animals of the desert and the birds of the air should enter, +and befoul the copy of the Holy Scriptures which stood at the head of +his bed. He called Flavian, the deacon, and gave him authority over the +other twenty-three disciples during his absence; and then, clad only in +a long cassock, he bent his steps towards the Nile, intending to follow +the Libyan bank to the city founded by the Macedonian monarch. He walked +from dawn to eve, indifferent to fatigue, hunger, and thirst; the sun +was already low on the horizon when he saw the dreadful river, the +blood-red waters of which rolled between the rocks of gold and fire. + +He kept along the shore, begging his bread at the door of solitary +huts for the love of God, and joyfully receiving insults, refusals, or +threats. He feared neither robbers nor wild beasts, but he took great +care to avoid all the towns and villages he came near. He was afraid +lest he should see children playing at knuckle-bones before their +father's house, or meet, by the side of the well, women in blue smocks, +who might put down their pitcher and smile at him. All things are +dangerous for the hermit; it is sometimes a danger for him to read in +the Scriptures that the Divine Master journeyed from town to town and +supped with His disciples. The virtues that the anchorites embroider so +carefully on the tissue of faith, are as fragile as they are beautiful; +a breath of ordinary life may tarnish their pleasant colours. For that +reason, Paphnutius avoided the towns, fearing lest his heart should +soften at the sight of his fellow men. + +He journeyed along lonely roads. When evening came, the murmuring of the +breeze amidst the tamarisk trees made him shiver, and he pulled his hood +over his eyes that he might not see how beautiful all things were. After +walking six days, he came to a place called Silsile. There the +river runs in a narrow valley, bordered by a double chain of granite +mountains. It was there that the Egyptians, in the days when they +worshipped demons, carved their idols. Paphnutius saw an enormous sphinx +carved in the solid rock. Fearing that it might still possess some +diabolical properties, he made the sign of the cross, and pronounced the +name of Jesus; he immediately saw a bat fly out of one of the monster's +ears, and Paphnutius knew that he had driven out the evil spirits which +had been for centuries in the figure. His zeal increased, and picking up +a large stone, he threw it in the idol's face. Then the mysterious face +of the sphinx expressed such profound sadness that Paphnutius was moved. +In fact, the expression of superhuman grief on the stone visage would +have touched even the most unfeeling man. Therefore Paphnutius said to +the sphinx-- + +"O monster, be like the satyrs and centaurs our father Anthony saw in +the desert, and confess the divinity of Jesus Christ, and I will bless +thee in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost." + +When he had spoken a rosy light gleamed in the eyes of the sphinx; the +heavy eyelids of the monster quivered and the granite lips painfully +murmured, as though in echo to the man's voice, the holy name of Jesus +Christ; therefore Paphnutius stretched out his right hand, and blessed +the sphinx of Silsile. + +That being done, he resumed his journey, and the valley having grown +wider, he saw the ruins of an immense city. The temples, which still +remained standing, were supported by idols which served as columns, +and--by the permission of God--these figures with women's heads and +cow's horns, threw on Paphnutius a long look which made him turn pale. +He walked thus seventeen days, his only food a few raw herbs, and +he slept at night in some ruined palace, amongst the wild cats and +Pharaoh's rats, with which mingled sometimes, women whose bodies ended +in a scaly tail. But Paphnutius knew that these women came from hell, +and he drove them away by making the sign of the cross. + +On the eighteenth day, he found, far from any village, a wretched hut +made of palm leaves, and half buried under the sand which had been +driven by the desert wind. He approached it, hoping that the hut was +inhabited by some pious anchorite. He saw inside the hovel--for there +was no door--a pitcher, a bunch of onions, and a bed of dried leaves. + +"This must be the habitation of a hermit," he said to himself. "Hermits +are generally to be found near their hut, and I shall not fail to meet +this one. I will give him the kiss of peace, even as the holy Anthony +did when he came to the hermit Paul, and kissed him three times. We will +discourse of things eternal, and perhaps our Lord will send us, by one +of His ravens, a crust of bread, which my host will willingly invite me +to share with him." + +Whilst he was thus speaking to himself, he walked round the hut to see +if he could find any one. He had not walked a hundred paces when he saw +a man seated, with his legs crossed, by the side of the river. The man +was naked; his hair and beard were quite white, and his body redder than +brick. Paphnutius felt sure this must be the hermit. He saluted him with +the words the monks are accustomed to use when they meet each other. + +"Peace be with you, brother! May you some day taste the sweet joys of +paradise." + +The man did not reply. He remained motionless, and appeared not to have +heard. Paphnutius supposed this was due to one of those rhapsodies to +which the saints are accustomed. He knelt down, with his hands joined, +by the side of the unknown, and remained thus in prayer till sunset. +Then, seeing that his companion had not moved, he said to him-- + +"Father, if you are now out of the ecstasy in which you were lost, give +me your blessing in our Lord Jesus Christ." + +The other replied without turning his head-- + +"Stranger, I understand you not, and I know not the Lord Jesus Christ." + +"What!" cried Paphnutius. "The prophets have announced Him; legions of +martyrs have confessed His name; Caesar himself has worshipped Him, and, +but just now, I made the sphinx of Silsile proclaim His glory. Is it +possible that you do not know Him?" + +"Friend," replied the other, "it is possible. It would even be certain, +if anything in this world were certain." + +Paphnutius was surprised and saddened by the incredible ignorance of the +man. + +"If you know not Jesus Christ," he said, "all your works serve no +purpose, and you will never rise to life immortal." + +The old man replied-- + +"It is useless to act, or to abstain from acting. It matters not whether +we live or die." + +"Eh, what?" asked Paphnutius. "Do you not desire to live through all +eternity? But, tell me, do you not live in a hut in the desert as the +hermits do?" + +"It seems so." + +"Do I not see you naked, and lacking all things?" + +"It seems so." + +"Do you not feed on roots, and live in chastity?" + +"It seems so." + +"Have you not renounced all the vanities of this world?" + +"I have truly renounced all those vain things for which men commonly +care." + +"Then you are like me, poor, chaste, and solitary. And you are +not so--as I am--for the love of God, and with a hope of celestial +happiness! That I cannot understand. Why are you virtuous if you do not +believe in Jesus Christ? Why deprive yourself of the good things of this +world if you do not hope to gain eternal riches in heaven?" + +"Stranger, I deprive myself of nothing which is good, and I flatter +myself that I have found a life which is satisfactory enough, though--to +speak more precisely--there is no such thing as a good or evil life. +Nothing is itself, either virtuous or shameful, just or unjust, pleasant +or painful, good or bad. It is our opinion which gives those qualities +to things, as salt gives savour to meats." + +"So then, according to you there is no certainty. You deny the truth +which the idolaters themselves have sought. You lie in ignorance--like a +tired dog sleeping in the mud." + +"Stranger, it is equally useless to abuse either dogs or philosophers. +We know not what dogs are or what we are. We know nothing." + +"Old man, do you belong, then, to the absurd sect of sceptics? Are you +one of those miserable fools who alike deny movement and rest, and who +know not how to distinguish between the light of the sun and the shadows +of night?" + +"Friend, I am truly a sceptic, and of a sect which appears praiseworthy +to me, though it seems ridiculous to you. For the same things often +assume different appearances. The pyramids of Memphis seem at sunrise to +be cones of pink light. At sunset they look like black triangles against +the illuminated sky. But who shall solve the problem of their true +nature? You reproach me with denying appearances, when, in fact, +appearances are the only realities I recognise. The sun seems to me +illuminous, but its nature is unknown to me. I feel that fire burns--but +I know not how or why. My friend, you understand me badly. Besides, it +is indifferent to me whether I am understood one way or the other." + +"Once more. Why do you live on dates and onions in the desert? Why do +you endure great hardships? I endure hardships equally great, and, like +you, I live in abstinence and solitude. But then it is to please God, +and to earn eternal happiness. And that is a reasonable object, for +it is wise to suffer now for a future gain. It is senseless, on the +contrary, to expose yourself voluntarily to useless fatigue and vain +sufferings. If I did not believe--pardon my blasphemy, O uncreated +Light!--if I did not believe in the truth of that which God has taught +us by the voice of the prophets, by the example of His Son, by the acts +of the Apostles, by the authority of councils, and by the testimony +of the martyrs,--if I did not know that the sufferings of the body are +necessary for the salvation of the soul--if I were, like thee, lost in +ignorance of sacred mysteries--I would return at once amongst the men of +this day, I would strive to acquire riches, that I might live in ease, +like those who are happy in this world, and I would say to the votaries +of pleasure, 'Come, my daughters, come, my servants, come and pour out +for me your wines, your philtres, your perfumes.' But you, foolish old +man! you deprive yourself of all these advantages; you lose without +hope of any gain; you give without hope of any return, and you imitate +foolishly the noble deeds of us anchorites, as an impudent monkey +thinks, by smearing a wall, to copy the picture of a clever artist. +What, then, are your reasons, O most besotted of men?" + +Paphnutius spoke with violence and indignation, but the old man remained +unmoved. + +"Friend," he replied, gently, "what matter the reasons of a dog sleeping +in the dirt or a mischievous ape?" + +Paphnutius' only aim was the glory of God. His anger vanished, and he +apologised with noble humility. + +"Pardon me, old man, my brother," he said, "if zeal for the truth has +carried me beyond proper bounds. God is my witness, that it is thy +errors and not thyself that I hate. I suffer to see thee in darkness, +for I love thee in Jesus Christ, and care for thy salvation fills my +heart. Speak! give me your reasons. I long to know them that I may +refute them." + +The old man replied quietly-- + +"It is the same to me whether I speak or remain silent. I will give my +reasons without asking yours in return, for I have no interest in you +at all. I care neither for your happiness nor your misfortune, and it +matters not to me whether you think one way or another. Why should I +love you, or hate you? Aversion and sympathy are equally unworthy of the +wise man. But since you question me, know then that I am named Timocles, +and that I was born at Cos, of parents made rich by commerce. My father +was a shipowner. In intelligence he much resembled Alexander, who is +surnamed the Great. But he was not so gross. In short, he was a man of +no great parts. I had two brothers, who, like him, were shipowners. As +for me, I followed wisdom. My eldest brother was compelled by my father +to marry a Carian woman, named Timaessa, who displeased him so greatly +that he could not live with her without falling into a deep melancholy. +However, Timaessa inspired our younger brother with a criminal passion, +and this passion soon turned to a furious madness. The Carian woman +hated them both equally; but she loved a flute-player, and received him +at night in her chamber. One morning he left there the wreath which he +usually wore at feasts. My two brothers, having found this wreath, swore +to kill the flute-player, and the next day they caused him to perish +under the lash, in spite of his tears and prayers. My sister-in-law +felt such grief that she lost her reason, and these three poor wretches +became beasts rather than human beings, and wandered insane along the +shores of Cos, howling like wolves and foaming at the mouth, and hooted +at by the children, who threw shells and stones at them. They died, and +my father buried them with his own hands. A little later his stomach +refused all nourishment, and he died of hunger, though he was rich +enough to have bought all the meats and fruits in the markets of Asia. +He was deeply grieved at having to leave me his fortune. I used it in +travels. I visited Italy, Greece, and Africa without meeting a single +person who was either wise or happy. I studied philosophy at Athens and +Alexandria, and was deafened by noisy arguments. At last I wandered as +far as India, and I saw on the banks of the Ganges a naked man, who had +sat there motionless with his legs crossed for more than thirty years. +Climbing plants twined round his dried up body, and the birds built +their nests in his hair. Yet he lived. At the sight of him I called to +mind Timaessa, the flute-player, my two brothers, and my father, and +I realised that this Indian was a wise man. 'Men,' I said to myself, +'suffer because they are deprived of that which they believe to be good; +or because, possessing it they fear to lose it; or because they endure +that which they believe to be an evil. Put an end to all beliefs of this +kind, and the evils would disappear.' That is why I resolved henceforth +to deem nothing an advantage, to tear myself entirely from the good +things of this world, and to live silent and motionless, like the +Indian." + +Paphnutius had listened attentively to the old man's story. + +"Timocles of Cos," he replied, "I own that your discourse is not wholly +devoid of sense. It is, in truth, wise to despise the riches of this +world. But it would be absurd to despise also your eternal welfare, and +render yourself liable to be visited by the wrath of God. I grieve at +your ignorance, Timocles, and I will instruct you in the truth, in order +that knowing that there really exists a God in three hypostases, you may +obey this God as a child obeys its father." + +Timocles interrupted him. + +"Refrain, stranger, from showing me your doctrines, and do not imagine +that you will persuade me to share your opinions. All discussions are +useless. My opinion is to have no opinion. My life is devoid of trouble +because I have no preferences. Go thy ways, and strive not to withdraw +me from the beneficent apathy in which I am plunged, as though in a +delicious bath, after the hardships of my past days." + +Paphnutius was profoundly instructed in all things relating to the +faith. By his knowledge of the human heart, he was aware that the grace +of God had not fallen on old Timocles, and the day of salvation for this +soul so obstinately resolved to ruin itself had not yet come. He did not +reply, lest the power given for edification should turn to destruction. +For it sometimes happens, in disputing with infidels, that the means +used for their conversion may steep them still farther in sin. Therefore +they who possess the truth should take care how they spread it. + +"Farewell, then, unhappy Timocles," he said; and heaving a deep sigh, he +resumed his pious pilgrimage through the night. + +In the morning, he saw the ibises motionless on one leg at the edge of +the water, which reflected their pale pink necks. The willows stretched +their soft grey foliage to the bank, cranes flew in a triangle in the +clear sky, and the cry of unseen herons was heard from the sedges. Far +as the eye could reach, the river rolled its broad green waters o'er +which white sails, like the wings of birds, glided, and here and there +on the shores, a white house shone out. A light mist floated along the +banks, and from out the shadow of the islands, which were laden +with palms, flowers, and fruits, came noisy flocks of ducks, geese, +flamingoes, and teal. To the left, the grassy valley extended to the +desert its fields and orchards in joyful abundance; the sun shone on +the yellow wheat, and the earth exhaled forth its fecundity in odorous +wafts. At this sight, Paphnutius fell on his knees, and cried-- + +"Blessed be the Lord, who has given a happy issue to my journey. O God, +who spreadest Thy dew upon the fig trees of the Arsiniote, pour Thy +grace upon Thais, whom Thou hast formed with Thy love, as Thou hast the +flowers and trees of the field. May she, by Thy loving care, flourish +like a sweet-scented rose in the heavenly Jerusalem." + +And every time that he saw a tree covered with blossom, or a bird of +brilliant plumage, he thought of Thais. Keeping along the left arm of +the river and through a fertile and populous district, he reached, in +a few days, the city of Alexandria, which the Greeks have surnamed the +Beautiful and the Golden. The sun had risen an hour, when he beheld, +from the top of a hill, the vast city, the roofs of which glittered in +the rosy light. He stopped, and folded his arms on his breast. + +"There, then," he said, "is the delightful spot where I was born in sin; +the bright air where I breathed poisonous perfumes; the sea of pleasure +where I heard the songs of the sirens. There is my cradle, after the +flesh; my native land--in the parlance of the men of these days! A rich +cradle, an illustrious country, in the judgment of men! It is natural +that thy children should reverence thee like a mother, Alexandria, and +I was begotten in thy magnificently adorned breast. But the ascetic +despises nature, the mystic scorns appearances, the Christian regards +his native land as a place of exile, the monk is not of this earth. I +have turned away my heart from loving thee, Alexandria. I hate thee! I +hate thee for thy riches, thy science, thy pleasures, and thy beauty. Be +accursed, temple of demons! Lewd couch of the Gentiles, tainted pulpit +of Arian heresy, be thou accursed! And thou, winged son of heaven who +led the holy hermit Anthony, our father, when he came from the depths of +the desert, and entered into the citadel of idolatry to strengthen the +faith of believers and the confidence of martyrs, beautiful angel of +the Lord, invisible child, first breath of God, fly thou before me, and +cleanse, by the beating of thy wings, the corrupted air I am about to +breathe amongst the princes of darkness of this world!" + +Having thus spoken, he resumed his journey. He entered the city by the +Gate of the Sun. This gate was a handsome structure of stone. In the +shadow of its arch, crowded some poor wretches, who offered lemons +and figs for sale, or with many groans and lamentations, begged for an +obolus. + +An old woman in rags, who was kneeling there, seized the monk's cassock, +kissed it, and said-- + +"Man of the Lord, bless me, that God may bless me. I have suffered many +things in this world that I may have joys in the world to come. You +come from God, O holy man, and that is why the dust of your feet is more +precious than gold." + +"The Lord be praised!" said Paphnutius, and with his half-closed hand he +made the sign of redemption on the old woman's head. + +But hardly had he gone twenty paces down the street, than a band of +children began to jeer at him, and throw stones, crying-- + +"Oh, the wicked monk! He is blacker than an ape, and more bearded than +a goat! He is a skulker! Why not hang him in an orchard, like a wooden +Priapus, to frighten the birds? But no; he would draw down the hail on +the apple-blossom. He brings bad luck. To the ravens with the monk! to +the ravens!" and stones mingled with the cries. + +"My God, bless these poor children!" murmured Paphnutius. + +And he pursued his way, thinking. + +"I was worshipped by the old woman, and hated and despised by these +children. Thus the same object is appreciated differently by men who are +uncertain in their judgment and liable to error. It must be owned that, +for a Gentile, old Timocles was not devoid of sense. Though blind, he +knew he was deprived of light. His reasoning was much better than that +of these idolaters, who cry from the depths of their thick darkness, 'I +see the day!' Everything in this world is mirage and moving sand. God +alone is steadfast." + +He passed through the city with rapid steps. After ten years of absence +he would still recognise every stone, and every stone was to him a stone +of reproach that recalled a sin. For that reason he struck his naked +feet roughly against the kerb-stones of the wide street, and rejoiced +to see the bloody marks of his wounded feet. Leaving on his left the +magnificent portico of the Temple of Serapis, he entered a road lined +with splendid mansions, which seemed to be drowsy with perfumes. Pines, +maples, and larches raised their heads above the red cornices and golden +acroteria. Through the half-open doors could be seen bronze statues +in marble vestibules, and fountains playing amidst foliage. No noise +troubled the stillness of these quiet retreats. Only the distant strains +of a flute could be heard. The monk stopped before a house, rather +small, but of noble proportions, and supported by columns as graceful as +young girls. It was ornamented with bronze busts of the most celebrated +Greek philosophers. + +He recognised Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Epicurus, and Zeno, and +having knocked with the hammer against the door, he waited, wrapped in +meditation. + +"It is vanity to glorify in metal these false sages; their lies are +confounded, their souls are lost in hell, and even the famous Plato +himself, who filled the earth with his eloquence, now disputes with the +devils." + +A slave opened the door, and seeing a man with bare feet standing on the +mosaic threshold, said to him roughly-- + +"Go and beg elsewhere, stupid monk, or I will drive you away with a +stick." + +"Brother," replied the Abbott of Antinoe, "all that I ask is that you +conduct me to your master, Nicias." + +The slave replied, more angrily than before-- + +"My master does not see dogs like you." + +"My son," said Paphnutius, "will you please do what I ask, and tell your +master that I desire to see him. + +"Get out, vile beggar!" cried the porter furiously; and he raised his +stick and struck the holy man, who, with his arms crossed upon his +breast, received unmovedly the blow, which fell full in his face, and +then repeated gently-- + +"Do as I ask you, my son, I beg." + +The porter tremblingly murmured-- + +"Who is this man who is not afraid of suffering?" + +And he ran and told his master. + +Nicias had just left the bath. Two pretty slave girls were scraping him +with strigils. He was a pleasant-looking man, with a kind smile. There +was an expression of gentle satire in his face. On seeing the monk, he +rose and advanced with open arms. + +"It is you!" he cried, "Paphnutius, my fellow-scholar, my friend my +brother! Oh, I knew you again, though, to say the truth, you look more +like a wild animal than a man. Embrace me. Do you remember the time when +we studied grammar, rhetoric, and philosophy together? You were, even +then, of a morose and wild character, but I liked you because of your +complete sincerity. We used to say that you looked at the universe with +the eyes of a wild horse, and it was not surprising you were dull and +moody. You needed a pinch of Attic salt, but your liberality knew no +bounds. You cared nothing for either your money or your life. And you +had the eccentricity of genius, and a strange character which interested +me deeply. You are welcome, my dear Paphnutius, after ten years of +absence. You have quitted the desert; you have renounced all Christian +superstitions, and now return to your old life. I will mark this day +with a white stone." + +"Crobyle and Myrtale," he added, turning towards the girls, "perfume the +feet, hands, and beard of my dear guest." + +They smiled, and had already brought the basin, the phials, and the +metal mirror. But Paphnutius stopped them with an imperious gesture, and +lowered his eyes that he might not look upon them, for they were naked. +Nicias brought cushions for him, and offered him various meats and +drinks, which Paphnutius scornfully refused. + +"Nicias," he said, "I have not renounced what you falsely call the +Christian superstition, which is the truth of truths. 'In the beginning +was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All +things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was +made. In Him was the life, and the life was the light of men.'" + +"My dear Paphnutius," replied Nicias, who had now put on a perfumed +tunic, "do you expect to astonish me by reciting a lot of words jumbled +together without skill, which are no more than a vain murmur? Have you +forgotten that I am a bit of a philosopher myself? And do you think to +satisfy me with some rags, torn by ignorant men from the purple garment +of AEmilius, when AEmilius, Porphyry, and Plato, in all their glory, did +not satisfy me! The systems devised by the sages are but tales imagined +to amuse the eternal childishness of men. We divert ourselves with them, +as we do with the stories of _The Ass_, _The Tub_, and _The Ephesian +Matron_, or any other Milesian fable." + +And, taking his guest by the arm, he led him into a room where thousands +of papyri were rolled up and lay in baskets. + +"This is my library," he said. "It contains a small part of the various +systems which the philosophers have constructed to explain the world. +The Serapeium itself, with all its riches, does not contain them all. +Alas! they are but the dreams of sick men." + +He compelled his guest to sit down in an ivory chair, and sat down +himself. Paphnutius scowled gloomily at all the books in the library, +and said-- + +"They ought all to be burned." + +"Oh, my dear guest, that would be a pity!" replied Nicias. "For the +dreams of sick men are sometimes amusing. Besides, if we should destroy +all the dreams and visions of men, the earth would lose its form and +colours, and we should all sleep in a dull stupidity." + +Paphnutius continued in the same strain as before-- + +"It is certain that the doctrines of the pagans are but vain lies. But +God, who is the truth, revealed Himself to men by miracles, and He was +made flesh, and lived among us." + +Nicias replied-- + +"You speak well, my dear Paphnutius, when you say that he was made +flesh. A God who thinks, acts, speaks, who wanders through nature, like +Ulysses of old on the glaucous sea, is altogether a man. How do you +expect that we should believe in this new Jupiter, when the urchins of +Athens, in the time of Pericles, no longer believed in the old one? + +"But let us leave all that. You did not come here; I suppose, to +argue about the three hypostases. What can I do for you, my dear +fellow-scholar?" + +"A good deed," replied the Abbot of Antinoe. "Lend me a perfumed tunic, +like the one you have just put on. Be kind enough to add to the tunic, +gilt sandals, and a vial of oil to anoint my beard and hair. It is +needful also, that you should give me a purse with a thousand drachmae +in it. That, O Nicias, is what I came to ask of you, for the love of +God, and in remembrance of our old friendship." + +Nicias made Crobyle and Myrtale bring his richest tunic; it was +embroidered, after the Asiatic fashion, with flowers and animals. The +two girls held it open, and skilfully showed its bright colours, waiting +till Paphnutius should have taken off the cassock which covered him down +to his feet. But the monk having declared that they should rather tear +off his flesh than this garment, they put on the tunic over it. As the +two girls were pretty, they were not afraid of men, although they were +slaves. They laughed at the strange appearance of the monk thus clad. +Crobyle called him her dear satrap, as she presented him with the +mirror, and Myrtale pulled his beard. But Paphnutius prayed to the Lord, +and did not look at them. Having tied on the gilt sandals, and fastened +the purse to his belt, he said to Nicias, who was looking at him with an +amused expression-- + +"O Nicias, let not these things be an offence in your eyes. For know +that I shall make pious use of this tunic, this purse, and these +sandals." + +"My dear friend," replied Nicias, "I suspect no evil, for I believe that +men are equally incapable of doing evil or doing good. Good and evil +exist only in the opinion. The wise man has only custom and usage to +guide him in his acts. I conform with all the prejudices which prevail +at Alexandria. That is why I pass for an honest man. Go, friend, and +enjoy yourself." + +But Paphnutius thought that it was needful to inform his host of his +intention. + +"Do you know Thais," he said, "who acts in the games at the theatre?" + +"She is beautiful," replied Nicias, "and there was a time when she was +dear to me. For her sake, I sold a mill and two fields of corn, and I +composed in her honour three books full of detestably bad verses. Surely +beauty is the most powerful force in the world, and were we so made that +we could possess it always, we should care as little as may be for +the demiurgos, the logos, the aeons, and all the other reveries of the +philosophers. But I am surprised, my good Paphnutius, that you should +have come from the depths of the Thebaid to talk about Thais." + +Having said this, he sighed gently. And Paphnutius gazed at him with +horror, not conceiving it possible that a man should so calmly avow such +a sin. He expected to see the earth open, and Nicias swallowed up in +flames. But the earth remained solid, and the Alexandrian silent, his +forehead resting on his hand, and he smiling sadly at the memories of +his past youth. The monk rose, and continued in solemn tones-- + +"Know then, O Nicias, that, with the aid of God, I will snatch this +woman Thais from the unclean affections of the world, and give her as +a spouse to Jesus Christ. If the Holy Spirit does not forsake me, Thais +will leave this city and enter a nunnery." + +"Beware of offending Venus," replied Nicias. "She is a powerful goddess, +she will be angry with you if you take away her chief minister." + +"God will protect me," said Paphnutius. "May He also illumine thy heart, +O Nicias, and draw thee out of the abyss in which thou art plunged." + +And he stalked out of the room. But Nicias followed him, and overtook +him on the threshold, and placing his hand on his shoulder whispered +into his ear the same words-- + +"Beware of offending Venus; her vengeance is terrible." + +Paphnutius, disdainful of these trivial words, left without turning his +head. He felt only contempt for Nicias; but what he could not bear was +the idea that his former friend had received the caresses of Thais. It +seemed to him that to sin with that woman was more detestable than to +sin with any other. To him this appeared the height of iniquity, and he +henceforth looked upon Nicias as an object of execration. He had always +hated impurity, but never before had this vice appeared so heinous to +him; never before had it so seemed to merit the anger of Jesus Christ +and the sorrow of the angels. + +He felt only a more ardent desire to save Thais from the Gentiles, +and that he must hasten to see the actress in order to save her. +Nevertheless, before he could enter her house, he must wait till the +heat of the day was over, and now the morning had hardly finished. +Paphnutius wandered through the most frequented streets. He had resolved +to take no food that day, in order to be the less unworthy of the +favours he had asked of the Lord. To the great grief of his soul, he +dared not enter any of the churches in the city, because he knew they +were profaned by the Arians, who had overturned the Lord's table. For, +in fact, these heretics, supported by the Emperor of the East, had +driven the patriarch Athanasius from his episcopate, and sown trouble +and confusion among the Christians of Alexandria. + +He therefore wandered about aimlessly, sometimes with his eyes fixed on +the ground in humility, and sometimes raised to heaven in ecstasy. After +some time, he found himself on the quay. Before him lay the harbour, +in which were sheltered innumerable ships and galleys, and beyond them, +smiling in blue and silver, lay the perfidious sea. A galley, which bore +a Nereid at its prow, had just weighed anchor. The rowers sang as the +oars struck the water; and already the white daughter of the waters, +covered with humid pearls, showed no more than a flying profile to the +monk. Steered by her pilot, she cleared the passage leading from the +basin of the Eunostos, and gained the high seas, leaving a glittering +trail behind her. + +"I also," thought Paphnutius, "once desired to embark singing on the +ocean of the world. But I soon saw my folly, and the Nereid did not +carry me away." + +Lost in his thoughts, he sat down upon a coil of rope, and went to +sleep. During his sleep, he had a vision. He seemed to hear the sound of +a clanging trumpet, and the sky became blood red, and he knew that the +day of judgment had come. Whilst he was fervently praying to God, he saw +an enormous monster coming towards him, bearing on its forehead a cross +of light, and he recognised the sphinx of Silsile. The monster seized +him between its teeth, without hurting him, and carried him in its +mouth, as a cat carries a kitten. Paphnutius was thus conveyed across +many countries, crossing rivers and traversing mountains, and came at +last to a desert place, covered with scowling rocks and hot cinders. The +ground was rent in many places, and through these openings came a hot +air. The monster gently put Paphnutius down on the ground, and said-- + +"Look!" + +And Paphnutius, leaning over the edge of the abyss, saw a river of fire +which flowed in the interior of the earth, between two cliffs of black +rocks. There, in a livid light, the demons tormented the souls of the +damned. The souls preserved the appearance of the bodies which had held +them, and even wore some rags of clothing. These souls seemed peaceful +in the midst of their torments. One of them, tall and white, his eyes +closed, a white fillet across his forehead, and a sceptre in his hand, +sang; his voice filled the desert shores with harmony; he sang of gods +and heroes. Little green devils pierced his lips and throat with red-hot +irons. And the shade of Homer still sang. Near by, old Anaxagoras, bald +and hoary, traced figures in the dust with a compass. A demon poured +boiling oil into his ear, yet failed, however, to disturb the sage's +meditations. And the monk saw many other persons, who, on the dark +shore by the side of the burning river, read, or quietly meditated, or +conversed with other spirits while walking,--like the sages and pupils +under the shadow of the sycamore trees of Academe. Old Timocles alone +had withdrawn from the others, and shook his head like a man who denies. +One of the demons of the abyss shook a torch before his eyes, but +Timocles would see neither the demon nor the torch. + +Mute with surprise at this spectacle, Paphnutius turned to the monster. +It had disappeared, and, in place of the sphinx, the monk saw a veiled +woman, who said-- + +"Look and understand. Such is the obstinacy of these infidels, that, +even in hell, they remain victims of the illusions which deluded them +when on earth. Death has not undeceived them; for it is very plain that +it does not suffice merely to die in order to see God. Those who are +ignorant of the truth whilst living, will be ignorant of it always. The +demons which are busy torturing these souls, what are they but agents of +divine justice? That is why these souls neither see them nor feel them. +They were ignorant of the truth, and therefore unaware of their own +condemnation, and God Himself cannot compel them to suffer. + +"God can do all things," said the Abbot of Antinoe. + +"He cannot do that which is absurd," replied the veiled woman. "To +punish them, they must first be enlightened, and if they possessed the +truth, they would be like unto the elect." + +Vexed and horrified, Paphnutius again bent over the edge of the abyss. +He saw the shade of Nicias smiling, with a wreath of flowers on his +head, sitting under a burnt myrtle tree. By his side was Aspasia of +Miletus, gracefully draped in a woollen cloak, and they seemed to talk +together of love and philosophy; the expression of her face was sweet +and noble. The rain of fire which fell on them was as a refreshing dew, +and their feet pressed the burning soil as though it had been tender +grass. At this sight Paphnutius was filled with fury. + +"Strike him, O God! strike him!" he cried. "It is Nicias! Let him weep! +let him groan! let him grind his teeth! He sinned with Thais!" + +And Paphnutius woke in the arms of a sailor, as strong as Hercules, who +cried-- + +"Quietly! quietly! my friend! By Proteus, the old shepherd of the seals, +you slumber uneasily. If I had not caught hold of you, you would have +tumbled into the Eunostos. It is as true as that my mother sold salt +fish, that I saved your life." + +"I thank God," replied Paphnutius. + +And, rising to his feet, he walked straight before him, meditating on +the vision which had come to him whilst he was asleep. + +"This vision," he said to himself, "is plainly an evil one; it is an +insult to divine goodness to imagine hell is unreal. The dream certainly +came from the devil." + +He reasoned thus because he knew how to distinguish between the dreams +sent by God and those produced by evil angels. Such discernment is +useful to the hermit, who lives surrounded by apparitions, and who, +in avoiding men, is sure to meet with spirits. The deserts are full of +phantoms. When the pilgrims drew near the ruined castle, to which the +holy hermit, Anthony, had retired, they heard a noise like that which +goes up from the public square of a large city at a great festival. The +noise was made by the devils, who were tempting the holy man. + +Paphnutius remembered this memorable example. He also called to mind +St. John the Egyptian, who for sixty years was tempted by the devil. +But John saw through all the tricks of the demon. One day, however, the +devil, having assumed the appearance of a man, entered the grotto of the +venerable John, and said to him, "John, you must continue to fast until +to-morrow evening." And John, believing that it was an angel who spoke, +obeyed the voice of the demon, and fasted the next day until the vesper +hour. That was the only victory that the Prince of Darkness ever gained +over St. John the Egyptian, and that was but a trifling one. It was +therefore not astonishing that Paphnutius knew at once that the vision +which had visited him in his sleep was an evil one. + +Whilst he was gently remonstrating with God for having given him into +the power of the demons, he felt himself pushed and dragged amidst a +crowd of people who were all hurrying in the same direction. As he was +unaccustomed to walk in the streets of a city, he was shoved and knocked +from one passer to another like an inert mass; and being embarrassed by +the folds of his tunic, he was more than once on the point of falling. +Desirous of knowing where all these people could be going, he asked one +of them the cause of this hurry. + +"Do you not know, stranger," replied he, "that the games are about to +begin, and that Thais will appear on the stage? All the citizens are +going to the theatre, and I also am going. Would you like to accompany +me?" + +It occurred to him at once that it would further his design to see Thais +in the games, and Paphnutius followed the stranger. In front of them +stood the theatre, its portico ornamented with shining masks, and its +huge circular wall covered with innumerable statues. Following the +crowd, they entered a narrow passage, at the end of which lay the +amphitheatre, glittering with light. They took their places on one of +the seats, which descended in steps to the stage, which was empty but +magnificently decorated. There was no curtain to hide the view, and on +the stage was a mound, such as used to be erected in old times to the +shades of heroes. This mound stood in the midst of a camp. Lances were +stacked in front of the tents, and golden shields hung from masts, +amidst boughs of laurel and wreaths of oak. On the stage all was +silence, but a murmur like the humming of bees in a hive rose from the +vast hemicycle filled with spectators. All their faces, reddened by the +reflection from the purple awning which waved above them, turned with +attentive curiosity towards the large, silent stage, with its tomb and +tents. The women laughed and ate lemons, and the regular theatre-goers +called gaily to one another from their seats. + +Paphnutius prayed inwardly, and refrained from uttering any vain words, +but his neighbour began to complain of the decline of the drama. + +"Formerly," he said, "clever actors used to declaim, under a mask, the +verses of Euripides and Menander. Now they no longer recite dramas, they +act in dumb show; and of the divine spectacles with which Bacchus +was honoured in Athens, we have kept nothing but what a barbarian--a +Scythian even--could understand--attitude and gesture. The tragic mask, +the mouth of which was provided with metal tongues that increased the +sound of the voice; the cothurnus, which raised the actors to the height +of gods; the tragic majesty and the splendid verses that used to be +sung, have all gone. Pantomimists, and dancing girls with bare faces, +have replaced Paulus and Roscius. What would the Athenians of the days +of Pericles have said if they had seen a woman on the stage? It is +indecent for a woman to appear in public. We must be very degenerate to +permit it. It is as certain as that my name is Dorion, that woman is the +natural enemy of man, and a disgrace to human kind." + +"You speak wisely," replied Paphnutius; "woman is our worst enemy. She +gives us pleasure, and is to be feared on that account." + +"By the immovable gods," cried Dorion, "it is not pleasure that woman +gives to man, but sadness, trouble, and black cares. Love is the cause +of our most biting evils. Listen, stranger. When I was a young man +I visited Troezene, in Argolis, and I saw there a myrtle of a most +prodigious size, the leaves of which were covered with innumerable +pinholes. And this is what the Troezenians say about that myrtle. Queen +Phaedra, when she was in love with Hippolytos, used to recline idly all +day long under this same tree. To beguile the tedium of her weary life +she used to draw out the golden pin which held her fair locks, and +pierce with it the leaves of the sweet-scented bush. All the leaves were +riddled with holes. After she had ruined the poor young man whom +she pursued with her incestuous love, Phaedra, as you know, perished +miserably. She locked herself up in her bridal chamber, and hanged +herself by her golden girdle from an ivory peg. The gods willed that the +myrtle, the witness of her bitter misery, should continue to bear, in +its fresh leaves, the marks of the pin-holes. I picked one of these +leaves, and placed it at the head of my bed, that by the sight of it +I might take warning against the folly of love, and conform to the +doctrine of the divine Epicurus, my master, who taught that all lust is +to be feared. But, properly speaking, love is a disease of the liver, +and one is never sure of not catching the malady." + +Paphnutius asked-- + +"Dorion, what are your pleasures?" + +Dorion replied sadly-- + +"I have only one pleasure, and, it must be confessed, that it is not a +very exciting one; it is meditation. When a man has a bad digestion, he +must not look for any others." + +Taking advantage of these words, Paphnutius proceeded to initiate the +Epicurean into those spiritual joys which the contemplation of God +procures. He began-- + +"Hear the truth, Dorion, and receive the light." + +But he saw then that all heads were turned towards him, and everybody +was making signs for him to be quiet. Dead silence prevailed in the +theatre, broken at last by the strains of heroic music. + +The play began. The soldiers left their tents, and were preparing to +depart, when a prodigy occurred--a cloud covered the summit of the +funeral pile. Then the cloud rolled away, and the ghost of Achilles +appeared, clad in golden armour. Extending his arms towards the +warriors, he seemed to say to them, "What! do you depart, children of +Danaos? do you return to the land I shall never behold again, and leave +my tomb without any offerings?" Already the principal Greek chieftains +pressed to the foot of the pile. Acamas, the son of Theseus, old Nestor, +Agamemnon, bearing a sceptre and with a fillet on his brow, gazed at the +prodigy. Pyrrhus, the young son of Achilles, was prostrate in the dust. +Ulysses, recognisable by the cap which covered his curly hair, showed +by his gestures that he acquiesced in the demand of the hero's shade. He +argued with Agamemnon, and their words might be easily guessed-- + +"Achilles," said the King of Ithaca, "is worthy to be honoured by us, +for he died gloriously for Hellas. He demands that the daughter of +Priam, the virgin Polyxena, should be immolated on his tomb. Greeks! +appease the manes of the hero, and let the son of Peleus rejoice in +Hades." + +But the king of kings replied-- + +"Spare the Trojan virgins we have torn from the altars. Sufficient +misfortunes have already fallen on the illustrious race of Priam." + +He spoke thus because he shared the couch of the sister of Polyxena, and +the wise Ulysses reproached him for preferring the couch of Cassandra to +the lance of Achilles. + +The Greeks showed they shared the opinion of Ulysses, by loudly clashing +their weapons. The death of Polyxena was resolved on, and the appeased +shade of Achilles vanished. The music--sometimes wild and sometimes +plaintive--followed the thoughts of the personages in the drama. The +spectators burst into applause. + +Paphnutius, who applied divine truth to everything murmured-- + +"This fable shows how cruel the worshippers of false gods were." + +"All religions breed crimes," replied the Epicurean. "Happily, a +Greek, who was divinely wise, has freed men from foolish terrors of the +unknown--" + +Just at that moment, Hecuba, her white hair dishevelled, her robe +tattered, came out of the tent in which she was kept captive. A long +sigh went up from the audience, when her woeful figure appeared. Hecuba +had been warned by a prophetic dream, and lamented her daughter's fate +and her own. Ulysses approached her, and asked her to give up Polyxena. +The old mother tore her hair, dug her nails into her cheeks, and kissed +the hands of the cruel chieftain, who, with unpitying calmness, seemed +to say-- + +"Be wise, Hecuba, and yield to necessity. There are amongst us many old +mothers who weep for their children, now sleeping under the pines of +Ida." + +And Hecuba, formerly queen of the most flourishing city in Asia, and now +a slave, bowed her unhappy head in the dust. + +Then the curtain in front of one of the tents was raised, and the virgin +Polyxena appeared. A tremor passed through all the spectators. They had +recognised Thais. Paphnutius saw again the woman he had come to seek. +With her white arm she held above her head the heavy curtain. Motionless +as a splendid statue, she stood, with a look of pride and resignation +in her violet eyes, and her resplendent beauty made a shudder of +commiseration pass through all who beheld her. + +A murmur of applause uprose, and Paphnutius, his soul agitated, and +pressing both hands to his heart, sighed-- + +"Why, O my God, hast thou given this power to one of Thy creatures?" + +Dorion was not so disturbed. He said-- + +"Certainly the atoms, which have momentarily met together to form this +woman, present a combination which is agreeable to the eye. But that is +but a freak of nature, and the atoms know not what they do. They will +some day separate with the same indifference as they came together. +Where are now the atoms which formed Lais or Cleopatra? I must confess +that women are sometimes beautiful. But they are liable to grievous +afflictions, and disgusting inconveniences. That is patent to all +thinking men, though the vulgar pay no attention to it. And women +inspire love, though it is absurd and ridiculous to love them." + +Such were the thoughts of the philosopher and the ascetic as they +gazed on Thais. They neither of them noticed Hecuba, who turned to her +daughter, and seemed to say by her gestures-- + +"Try to soften the cruel Ulysses. Employ your tears, your beauty, and +your youth." + +Thais--or rather Polyxena herself--let fall the curtain of the tent. She +made a step forward, and all hearts were conquered. And when, with firm +but light steps, she advanced towards Ulysses, her rhythmic movements, +which were accompanied by the sound of flutes, created in all present +such happy visions, that it seemed as though she were the divine centre +of all the harmonies of the world. All eyes were bent on her; the other +actors were obscured by her effulgence, and were not noticed. The play +continued, however. + +The prudent son of Laertes turned away his head, and hid his hand under +his mantle, in order to avoid the looks and kisses of the suppliant. The +virgin made a sign to him to fear nothing. Her tranquil gaze said-- + +"I follow you, Ulysses, and bow to necessity--because I wish to die. +Daughter of Priam, and sister of Hector, my couch, which was once worthy +of Kings, shall never receive a foreign master. Freely do I quit the +light of day." + +Hecuba, lying motionless in the dust, suddenly rose and enfolded her +daughter in a last despairing embrace. Polyxena gently, but resolutely, +removed the old arms which held her. She seemed to say-- + +"Do not expose yourself, mother, to the fury of your master. Do not wait +until he drags you ignominiously on the ground in tearing me from your +arms. Better, O well-beloved mother, to give me your wrinkled hand, and +bend your hollow cheeks to my lips." + +The face of Thais looked beautiful in its grief. The crowd felt grateful +to her for showing them the forms and passions of life endowed with +superhuman grace, and Paphnutius pardoned her present splendour on +account of her coming humility, and glorified himself in advance for the +saint he was about to give to heaven. + +The drama neared its end. Hecuba fell as though dead, and Polyxena, led +by Ulysses, advanced towards the tomb, which was surrounded by the +chief warriors. A dirge was sung as she mounted the funeral pile, on the +summit of which the son of Achilles poured out libations from a gold +cup to the manes of the hero. When the sacrificing priests stretched out +their arms to seize her, she made a sign that she wished to die free and +unbound, as befitted the daughter of so many kings. Then, tearing aside +her robe, she bared her bosom to the blow. Pyrrhus, turning away his +head, plunged his sword into her heart, and by a skilful trick, the +blood gushed forth over the dazzling white breast of the virgin, who, +with head thrown back, and her eyes swimming in the horrors of death, +fell with grace and modesty. + +Whilst the warriors enshrouded the victim with a veil, and covered her +with lilies and anemones, terrified screams and groans rent the air, and +Paphnutius, rising from his seat, prophesied in a loud voice. + +"Gentiles? vile worshippers of demons! And you Arians more infamous than +the idolaters!--learn! That which you have just seen is an image and a +symbol. There is a mystic meaning in this fable, and very soon the woman +you see there will be offered, a willing and happy sacrifice, to the +risen God." + +But already the crowd was surging in dark waves towards the exits. The +Abbot of Antinoe, escaping from the astonished Dorion, gained the door, +still prophesying. + +An hour later he knocked at the door of the house of Thais. + +The actress then lived in the rich Racotis quarter, near the tomb of +Alexander, in a house surrounded by shady gardens, in which a brook, +bordered with poplars, flowed amidst artificial rocks. An old black +slave woman, loaded with rings, opened the door, and asked what he +wanted. + +"I wish to see Thais," he replied. "God is my witness that I came here +for no other purpose." + +As he wore a rich tunic, and spoke in an imperious manner, the slave +allowed him to enter. + +"You will find Thais," she said, "in the Grotto of Nymphs." + + + + +PART THE SECOND -- THE PAPYRUS + +Thais was born of free, but poor, parents, who were idolaters. When she +was a very little girl, her father kept, at Alexandria, near the Gate +of the Moon, an inn, which was frequented by sailors. She still +retained some vivid, but disconnected, memories of her early youth. She +remembered her father, seated at the corner of the hearth with his legs +crossed--tall, formidable, and quiet, like one of those old Pharaohs who +are celebrated in the ballads sung by blind men at the street corners. +She remembered also her thin, wretched mother, wandering like a hungry +cat about the house, which she filled with the tones of her sharp +voice, and the glitter of her phosphorescent eyes. They said in the +neighbourhood that she was a witch, and changed into an owl at night, +and flew to see her lovers. It was a lie. Thais knew well, having often +watched her, that her mother practised no magic arts, but that she was +eaten up with avarice, and counted all night the gains of the day. The +idle father and the greedy mother let the child live as best it could, +like one of the fowls in the poultry-yard. She became very clever in +extracting, one by one, the oboli from the belt of some drunken sailor, +and in amusing the drinkers with artless songs and obscene words, the +meaning of which she did not know. She passed from knee to knee, in a +room reeking with the odours of fermented drinks and resiny wine-skins; +then, her cheeks sticky with beer and pricked by rough beards, she +escaped, clutching the oboli in her little hand, and ran to buy +honey-cakes from an old woman who crouched behind her baskets under the +Gate of the Moon. Every day the same scenes were repeated, the +sailors relating their perilous adventures, then playing at dice or +knuckle-bones, and blaspheming the gods, amid their shouting for the +best beer of Cilicia. + +Every night the child was awakened by the quarrels of the drunkards. +Oyster-shells would fly across the tables, cutting the heads of those +they hit, and the uproar was terrible. Sometimes she saw, by the light +of the smoky lamps, the knives glitter, and the blood flow. + +It humiliated her to think that the only person who showed her any human +kindness in her young days was the mild and gentle Ahmes. Ahmes, the +house-slave, a Nubian blacker than the pot he gravely skimmed, was as +good as a long night's sleep. Often he would take Thais on his knee, +and tell her old tales about underground treasure-houses constructed for +avaricious kings, who put to death the masons and architects. There +were also tales about clever thieves who married kings' daughters, and +courtesans who built pyramids. Little Thais loved Ahmes like a father, +like a mother, like a nurse, and like a dog. She followed the slave into +the cellar when he went to fill the amphorae, and into the poultry-yard +amongst the scraggy and ragged fowls, all beak, claws, and feathers, who +flew swifter than eagles before the knife of the black cook. Often at +night, on the straw, instead of sleeping, he built for Thais little +water-mills, and ships no bigger than his hand, with all their rigging. + +He had been badly treated by his masters; one of his ears was torn, +and his body covered with scars. Yet his features always wore an air of +joyous peace. And no one ever asked him whence he drew the consolation +in his soul, and the peace in his heart. He was as simple as a child. +As he performed his heavy tasks, he sang, in a harsh voice, hymns which +made the child tremble and dream. He murmured, in a gravely joyous +tone-- + + "Tell us, Mary, what thou hast seen where thou hast been? + I saw the shroud and the linen cloths, and the angels + seated on the tomb. + And I saw the glory of the Risen One." + +She asked him-- + +"Father, why do you sing about angels seated on a tomb?" + +And he replied-- + +"Little light of my eyes, I sing of the angels because Jesus, our Lord, +is risen to heaven." + +Ahmes was a Christian. He had been baptised, and was known as Theodore +at the meetings of the faithful, to which he went secretly during the +hours allowed him for sleep. + +At that time the Church was suffering the severest trials. By order of +the Emperor, the churches had been thrown down, the holy books burned, +the sacred vessels and candlesticks melted. The Christians had been +deprived of all their honours, and expected nothing but death. Terror +reigned over all the community at Alexandria, and the prisons were +crammed with victims. It was whispered with horror amongst the faithful, +that in Syria, in Arabia, in Mesopotamia, in Cappadocia, in all the +empire, bishops and virgins had been flogged, tortured, crucified or +thrown to wild beasts. Then Anthony, already celebrated for his visions +and his solitary life, a prophet, and the head of all the Egyptian +believers, descended like an eagle from his desert rock on the city of +Alexandria, and, flying from church to church, fired the whole community +with his holy ardour. Invisible to the pagans, he was present at the +same time at all the meetings of Christians, endowing all with the +spirit of strength and prudence by which he was animated. Slaves, in +particular, were persecuted with singular severity. Many of them, seized +with fright, denied the faith. Others, and by far the greater number, +fled to the desert, hoping to live there, either as hermits or robbers. +Ahmes, however, frequented the meetings as usual, visited the prisoners, +buried the martyrs, and joyfully professed the religion of Christ. The +great Anthony, who saw his unshaken zeal, before he returned into the +desert, pressed the black slave in his arms, and gave him the kiss of +peace. + +When Thais was seven years old, Ahmes began to talk to her of God. + +"The good Lord God," he said, "lived in heaven like a Pharaoh, under +the tents of His harem, and under the trees of His gardens. He was the +Ancient of Ancients, and older than the world; and He had but one Son, +the Prince Jesus, whom He loved with all His heart, and who surpassed in +beauty the virgins and the angels. And the good Lord God said to Prince +Jesus-- + +"'Leave My harem and My palace, and My date trees and My running +waters. Descend to earth for the welfare of men. There Thou shalt +be like a little child, and Thou shalt live poor amongst the poor. +Suffering shall be Thy daily bread, and Thou shalt weep so profusely +that Thy tears shall form rivers, in which the tired slave shall bathe +with delight. Go, My Son!' + +"Prince Jesus obeyed the good Lord, and He came down to earth, to a +place named Bethlehem of Judaea. And He walked in fields, amidst the +flowering anemones, saying to His companion-- + +"'Blessed are they who hunger, for I will lead them to My Father's +table! Blessed are they who thirst, for they shall drink of the +fountains of heaven! Blessed are they who weep, for I will dry their +tears with veils finer than those of the almehs!' + +"That is why the poor loved Him, and believed in Him. But the rich hated +Him; fearing that He should raise the poor above them. At that time, +Cleopatra and Caesar were powerful on the earth. They both hated Jesus, +and they ordered the judges and priests to put Him to death. To obey the +Queen of Egypt, the princes of Syria erected a cross on a high mountain, +and they caused Jesus to die on this cross. But women washed His corpse, +and buried it; and Prince Jesus, having broken the door of His tomb, +rose again to the good Lord, His Father. + +"And, from that time, all those who believed in Him go to heaven. + +"The Lord God opens His arms, and says to them-- + +"'Ye are welcome, because ye love the Prince, My Son. Wash, and then +eat.' + +"They bathe to the sound of beautiful music, and, all the time they are +eating, they see almehs dancing, and they listen to tales that never +end. They are dearer to the good Lord God than the light of His eyes, +because they are His guests, and they shall have for their portion the +carpets of His house, and the pomegranates of His gardens." + +Ahmes often spoke in this strain, and thus taught the truth to Thais. +She wondered, and said-- + +"I should like to eat the pomegranates of the good Lord." + +Ahmes replied-- + +"Only those who are baptised may taste the fruits of heaven." + +And Thais asked to be baptised. Seeing by this that she believed in +Jesus, the slave resolved to instruct her more fully, so that, being +baptised, she might enter the Church; and he loved her as his spiritual +daughter. + +The child, unloved and uncared for by its selfish parents, had no bed +in the house. She slept in a corner of the stable amongst the domestic +animals, and there Ahmes came to her every night secretly. + +He gently approached the mat on which she lay, and sat down on his +heels, his legs bent and his body straight--a position hereditary to his +race. His face and his body, which was clothed in black, were invisible +in the darkness; but his big white eyes shone out, and there came from +them a light like a ray of dawn through the chinks of a door. He spoke +in a husky, monotonous tone, with a slight nasal twang that gave it +the soft melody of music heard at night in the streets. Sometimes the +breathing of an ass, or the soft lowing of an ox, accompanied, like a +chorus of invisible spirits, the voice of the slave as he recited the +gospels. His words flowed gently in the darkness, which they filled +with zeal, mercy, and hope; and the neophyte, her hand in that of Ahmes, +lulled by the monotonous sounds, and the vague visions in her mind, +slept calm and smiling, amid the harmonies of the dark night and the +holy mysteries, gazed down on by a star, which twinkled between the +joists of the stable-roof. + +The initiation lasted a whole year, till the time when the Christians +joyfully celebrate the festival of Easter. One night in the holy week, +Thais, who was already asleep on her mat, felt herself lifted by the +slave, whose eyes gleamed with a strange light. He was clad, not as +usual in a pair of torn drawers, but in a long white cloak, beneath +which he pressed the child, whispering to her-- + +"Come, my soul! Come, light of my eyes! Come, little sweetheart! Come +and be clad in the baptismal robes!" + +He carried the child pressed to his breast. Frightened and yet curious, +Thais, her head out of the cloak, threw her arms round her friend's +neck, and he ran with her through the darkness. They went down narrow, +black alleys; they passed through the Jews' quarter; they skirted a +cemetery, where the osprey uttered its dismal cry; they traversed an +open space, passing under crosses on which hung the bodies of victims, +and on the arms of the crosses the ravens clacked their beaks. Thais +hid her head in the slave's breast. She did not dare to peep out all +the rest of the way. Soon it seemed to her that she was going down under +ground. When she reopened her eyes she found herself in a narrow cave, +lighted by resin torches, on the walls of which were painted standing +figures, which seemed to move and live in the flickering glare of the +torches. They were men clad in long tunics and carrying branches of +palm, and around them were lambs, doves, and tendrils of vine. + +Amongst these figures, Thais recognised Jesus of Nazareth, by the +anemones flowering at his feet. In the centre of the cave, near a +large stone font filled with water, stood an old man clad in a scarlet +dalmatic embroidered with gold, and on his head a low mitre. His thin +face ended in a long beard. He looked gentle and humble, in spite of +his rich costume. This was Bishop Vivantius, an exiled dignitary of the +Church of Cyrene, who now gained his livelihood by weaving common stuffs +of goats' hair. Two poor children stood by his side. Close by, an old +negress unfolded a little white robe. Ahmes set the child down on the +ground, and kneeling before the Bishop, said-- + +"Father, this is the little soul, the child of my soul. I have brought +her that you may, according to your promise, and if it please your +holiness, bestow on her the baptism of life." + +At these words the Bishop opened his arms, and showed his mutilated +hands. His nails had been torn out because he had maintained the faith +in the days of persecution. Thais was frightened, and threw herself into +the arms of Ahmes. But the kind words of the priest reassured her. + +"Fear nothing, dearly beloved little one. Thou hast here a spiritual +father, Ahmes, who is called Theodore amongst the faithful, and a kind +mother in grace, who has prepared for thee, with her own hands, a white +robe." + +And turning towards the negress-- + +"She is called Nitida," he added, "and is a slave in this world, but in +heaven she will be a spouse of Jesus." + +Then he said to the child neophyte-- + +"Thais, dost thou believe in God, the Father Almighty; and in His only +Son, who died for our salvation; and in all that the apostles taught?" + +"Yes," replied together the negro and negress, who held her by each +hand. + +By the Bishop's orders, Nitida knelt down and undressed Thais. The child +was quite naked; round her neck was an amulet. The Pontiff plunged her +three times into the baptismal font. The acolytes brought the oil, with +which Vivantius anointed the catechumen, and the salt, a morsel of +which he placed on her tongue. Then, having dried that body which was +destined, after many trials, to life immortal, the slave Nitida put on +Thais the white robe she had woven. + +The Bishop gave to each and all the kiss of peace, and, the ceremony +being terminated, took off his sacerdotal insignia. + +When they had left the crypt, Ahmes said-- + +"We ought to rejoice that we have this day brought a soul to the good +Lord God; let us go to the house of your Holiness and spend the rest of +the night in rejoicing." + +"Thou hast well said, Theodore," replied the Bishop, and he led the +little band to his house, which was quite near. It consisted of a single +room, furnished with a couple of looms, a heavy table, and a worn-out +carpet. As soon as they had entered, + +"Nitida," cried the Nubian, "bring hither the stove and the jar of oil, +and we will have a good supper." + +Saying thus, he drew from under his cloak some little fish which he had +kept concealed, and lighted a fire and fried them. The Bishop, the girl, +the two boys, and the two slaves sat in a ring on the carpet, ate the +fried fish, and blessed the Lord. Vivantius spoke of the torture he had +undergone, and prophesied the speedy triumph of the Church. His language +was grotesque, and full of word-play and rhetorical tropes. He compared +the life of the just to a tissue of purple, and to explain the mystery +of baptism, he said-- + +"The Divine Spirit floated on the waters, and that is why Christians +receive the baptism of water. But demons also inhabit the brooks; +springs consecrated to nymphs are especially dangerous, and there are +certain waters which cause various maladies, both of the soul and of the +body." + +Sometimes he spoke enigmatically, and the child listened to him with +profound awe and wonder. At the end of the repast he offered his guests +a little wine, and this unloosed their tongues, and they began to sing +lamentations and hymns. Ahmes and Nitida then rose, and danced a Nubian +dance which they had learned as children, and which, no doubt, had been +danced by their tribe since the early ages of the world. It was a love +dance; waving their arms, and moving their bodies in rhythmic measure, +they feigned, in turn, to fly from and to pursue each other. Their big +eyes rolled, and they showed their gleaming teeth in broad grins. + +In this strange manner did Thais receive the holy rite of baptism. + +She loved amusements, and, as she grew, vague desires were created in +her mind. All day long she danced and sang with the children in the +streets, and when at night she returned to her father's house, she was +still singing-- + +"Crooked twist, why do you stay in the house? I comb the wool, and the +Miletan threads. Crooked twist, what did your son die of? He fell from +the white horses into the sea." + +She now began to prefer the company of boys and girls to that of the +gentle and quiet Ahmes. She did not notice that her friend was not so +often with her. The persecution having relented, the Christians were +able to assemble more regularly, and the Nubian frequented these +meetings assiduously. His zeal increased, and he sometimes uttered +mysterious threats. He said that the rich would not keep their wealth. +He went to the public places to which the poorer Christians used to +resort, and assembling together all the poor wretches who were lying in +the shade of the old walls, he announced to them that all slaves would +soon be free, and that the day of justice was at hand. + +"In the kingdom of God," he said, "the slaves will drink new wine and +eat delicious fruits; whilst the rich, crouching at their feet like +dogs, will devour the crumbs from their table." + +These sayings were noised abroad through all that quarter of the city, +and the masters feared that Ahmes might incite the slaves to revolt. +The innkeeper hated him intensely, though he carefully concealed his +rancour. + +One day, a silver salt-cellar, reserved for the table of the gods, +disappeared from the inn. Ahmes was accused of having stolen it--out of +hate to his master and to the gods of the empire. There was no proof +of the accusation, and the slave vehemently denied the charge. +Nevertheless, he was dragged before the tribunal, and as he had the +reputation of being a bad servant, the judge condemned him to death. + +"As you did not know how to make a good use of your hands," he said, +"they will be nailed to the cross." + +Ahmes heard the verdict quietly, bowed to the judge most respectfully, +and was taken to the public prison. During the three days that remained +to him, he did not cease to preach the gospel to the prisoners, and +it was related afterwards that the criminals, and the gaoler himself, +touched by his words, believed in Jesus crucified. + +He was taken to the very place which one night, less than two years +before, he had crossed so joyfully, carrying in his cloak little Thais, +the daughter of his soul, his darling flower. When his hands were nailed +to the cross, he uttered no complaint, but many times he sighed and +murmured, "I thirst." + +His agony lasted three days and three nights. It seemed hardly possible +that human flesh could have endured such prolonged torture. Many times +it was thought he was dead; the flies clustered on his eyelids, but +suddenly he would reopen his bloodshot eyes. On the morning of the +fourth day, he sang, in a voice clearer and purer than that of a child-- + +"Tell us, Mary, what thou hast seen where thou hast been?" + +Then he smiled and said-- + +"They come, the angels of the good Lord. They bring me wine and fruit. +How refreshing is the fanning of their wings!" + +And he expired. + +His features preserved in death an expression of ecstatic happiness. +Even the soldiers who guarded the cross were struck with wonder. +Vivantius, accompanied by some of the Christian brethren, claimed the +body, and buried it with the remains of the other martyrs in the crypt +of St. John the Baptist, and the Church venerated the memory of Saint +Theodore the Nubian. + +Three years later, Constantine, the conquerer of Maxentius, issued an +edict which granted toleration to the Christians, and the believers were +not henceforth persecuted, except by heretics. + +Thais had completed her eleventh year when her friend was tortured +to death, and she felt deeply saddened and shocked. Her soul was not +sufficiently pure to allow her to understand that the slave Ahmes was +blessed both in his life and his death. The idea sprang up in her little +mind that no one can be good in this world except at the cost of +the most terrible sufferings. And she was afraid to be good, for her +delicate flesh could not bear pain. + +At an early age, she had given herself to the lads about the port, and +she followed the old men who wandered about the quarter in the evening, +and with what she received from them she bought cakes and trinkets. + +As she did not take home any of the money she gained, her mother +continually ill-treated her. To get out of reach of her mother's arm, +she often ran, bare-footed, to the city walls, and hid with the lizards. +There she thought with envy of the ladies she had seen pass her, richly +dressed, and in a litter surrounded by slaves. + +One day, when she had been beaten more brutally than usual, she was +crouching down beside the gate, motionless and sulky, when an old woman +stopped in front of her, looked at her for some moments in silence, and +then cried-- + +"Oh, the pretty flower! the beautiful child! Happy is the father who +begot thee, and the mother who brought thee into the world!" + +Thais remained silent, with her eyes fixed on the ground. Her eyelids +were red, and it was evident she had been weeping. + +"My white violet," continued the old woman, "is not your mother happy to +have nourished a little goddess like you, and does not your father, when +he sees you, rejoice from the bottom of his heart?" + +To which the child replied, as though talking to herself-- + +"My father is a wine-skin swollen with wine, and my mother a greedy +horse-leech." + +The old woman glanced to right and left, to see if she were observed. +Then, in a fawning voice-- + +"Sweet flowering hyacinth, beautiful drinker of light, come with me, +and you shall have nothing to do but dance and smile. I will feed you on +honey cakes, and my son--my own son--will love you as his eyes. My son +is handsome and young; he has but little beard on his chin; his skin is +soft, and he is, as they say, a little Acharnian pig." + +Thais replied-- + +"I am quite willing to go with you." + +And she rose and followed the old woman out of the city. + +The old woman, who was named Moeroe, went from city to city with a +troupe of girls and boys, whom she taught to dance, and then hired out +to rich people to appear at feasts. + +Guessing that Thais would soon develop into a most beautiful woman, she +taught her--with the help of a whip--music and prosody, and she flogged +with leather thongs those beautiful legs, when they did not move in time +to the strains of the cithara. Her son--a decrepit abortion, of no age +and no sex--ill-treated the child, on whom he vented the hate he had for +all womankind. Like the dancing-girls whose grace he affected, he knew, +and taught Thais, the art of pantomime, and how to mimic, by expression, +gesture, and attitude, all human passions, and more especially the +passions of love. He was a clever master, though he disliked his work; +but he was jealous of his pupil, and as soon as he discovered that she +was born to give men pleasure, he scratched her cheeks, pinched her +arms, or pricked her legs, as a spiteful girl would have done. Thanks, +however, to his lessons, she quickly became an excellent musician, +pantomimist, and dancer. The brutality of her master did not at all +surprise her; it seemed natural to her to be badly treated. She even +felt some respect for the old woman, who knew music and drank Greek +wine. Moeroe, when she came to Antioch, praised her pupil to the +rich merchants of the city who gave banquets, both as a dancer and +a flute-player. Thais danced and pleased. She accompanied the rich +bankers, when they left the table, into the shady groves on the banks of +the Orontes. She gave herself to all, for she knew nothing of the price +of love. But one night that she had danced before the most fashionable +young men of the city, the son of the pro-consul came to her, radiant +with youth and pleasure, and said, in a voice that seemed redolent of +kisses-- + +"Why am I not, Thais, the wreath which crowns your hair, the tunic which +enfolds your beautiful form, the sandal on your pretty foot? I wish you +to tread me under foot as a sandal; I wish my caresses to be your tunic +and your wreath. Come, sweet girl! come to my house, and let us forget +the world." + +She looked at him whilst he was speaking, and saw that he was handsome. +Suddenly she felt a cold sweat on her face. She turned green as grass; +she reeled; a cloud descended before her eyes. He again implored her to +come with him, but she refused. His ardent looks, his burning words were +vain, and when he took her in his arms to try and drag her away, she +pushed him off rudely. Then he implored her, and shed tears. But a +new, unknown, and invincible passion dominated her heart, and she still +resisted. + +"What madness!" said the guests. "Lollius is noble, handsome, and rich, +and a dancing-girl treats him with scorn!" + +Lollius returned home alone that night, quite love-sick. He came in the +morning, pale and red-eyed, and hung flowers at the dancing-girl's door. + +But Thais was frightened and troubled; she avoided Lollius, and yet +he was continually in her mind. She suffered, and she did not know the +cause of her complaint. She wondered why she had thus changed, and why +she was melancholy. She recoiled from all her lovers; they were hateful +to her. She loathed the light of day, and lay on her bed all day, +sobbing, and with her head buried in the pillows. Lollius contrived to +gain admittance, and came many times, but neither his pleadings nor his +execrations had any effect on the obdurate girl. In his presence, she +was as timid as a virgin, and would say nothing but-- + +"I will not! I will not!" + +But at the end of a fortnight she gave in, for she knew that she loved +him; she went to his house and lived with him. They were supremely +happy. They passed their days shut up together, gazing into each other's +eyes, and babbling a childish jargon. In the evening, they walked on the +lonely banks of the Orontes, and lost themselves in the laurel woods. +Sometimes they rose at dawn, to go and gather hyacinths on the slopes of +Sulpicus. They drank from the same cup, and he would take a grape from +between her lips with his mouth. + +Moeroe came to Lollius, and cried and shrieked that Thais should be +restored to her. + +"She is my daughter," she said, "my daughter, who has been torn from me. +My perfumed flower--my own bowels--!" + +Lollius gave her a large sum of money, and sent her away. But, as she +came back to demand some more gold staters, the young man had her put +in prison, and the magistrates having discovered that she was guilty of +many crimes, she was condemned to death, and thrown to the wild beasts. + +Thais loved Lollius with all the passion of her mind, and the +bewilderment of innocence. She told him, and told him truly from the +bottom of her heart-- + +"I have never loved any one but you." + +Lollius replied-- + +"You are not like any other woman." + +The spell lasted six months, but it broke at last. Thais suddenly felt +that her heart was empty and lonely. Lollius no longer seemed the same +to her. She thought-- + +"What can have thus changed me in an instant? How is it that he is now +like any other man, and no longer like himself?" + +She left him, not without a secret desire to find Lollius again in +another, as she no longer found him in himself. She thought it would be +less dull to live with someone she had never loved, than with one she +had ceased to love. She appeared, in the company of rich debauchees, at +those sacred feasts at which naked virgins danced in the temples, and +troops of courtesans swam across the Orontes. She took part in all the +pleasures of the fashionable and depraved city; and she assiduously +frequented the theatres, at which clever mimes from all countries +performed amidst the applause of a crowd greedy for excitement. + +She carefully observed the mimes, dancers, comedians, and especially the +women, who in tragedies represented goddesses in love with young men, or +mortals loved by the gods. Having discovered the secrets by which they +pleased the audience, she thought to herself that she was more beautiful +and could act better. She went to the manager, and asked to be admitted +into the troupe. Thanks to her beauty, and to the lessons she had +received from old Moeroe, she was received, and appeared on the stage in +the part of Dirce. + +She met with but indifferent success, for she was inexperienced, and the +admiration of the spectators had not been aroused by hearing her praises +sung. But after she had played small parts for a few months, the power +of her beauty burst forth with such effect that all the city was moved. +All Antioch crowded to the theatre. The imperial magistrates and the +chief citizens were compelled, by the force of public opinion, to show +themselves there. The porters, sweepers, and dock labourers went without +bread and garlic, that they might pay for their places. Poets composed +epigrams in her honour. Bearded philosophers inveighed against her in +the baths and gymnasia; when her litter passed, Christian priests turned +away their heads. The threshold of her door was wreathed with flowers, +and sprinkled with blood. She received so much money from her lovers +that it was no longer counted, but measured by the medimnus, and all the +treasure hoarded by miserly old men was poured out at her feet. But +she was placid and unmoved. She rejoiced, with quiet pride, in the +admiration of the public and the favour of the gods, and was so much +loved that she loved herself. + +After she had several years enjoyed the admiration and affection of the +Antiochians, she was taken with a desire to revisit Alexandria, and show +her glory in that city in which, as a child, she had wandered in want +and shame, hungry and lean as a grasshopper in the middle of a dusty +road. The golden city joyfully welcomed her, and loaded her with fresh +riches; when she appeared in the games it was a triumph. Countless +admirers and lovers came to her. She received them with indifference, +for she at last despaired of meeting another Lollius. + +Amongst many others, she met the philosopher Nicias, who desired to +possess her, although he professed to have no desires. In spite of +his riches, he was intelligent and modest. But his delicate wit and +beautiful sentiments failed to charm her. She did not love him and +sometimes his refined irony even irritated her. His perpetual doubts +hurt her, for he believed in nothing, and she believed in everything. +She believed in divine providence, in the omnipotence of evil spirits, +in spells, exorcisms, and eternal justice; she believed in Jesus Christ, +and in the goddess of good of the Syrians; she believed also that +bitches barked when black Hecate passed through the streets, and that a +woman could inspire love by pouring a philtre into a cup wrapped in the +bleeding skin of a sheep. She thirsted for the unknown; she called on +nameless gods, and lived in perpetual expectation. The future frightened +her, and yet she wished to know it. She surrounded herself with priests +of Isis, Chaldean magi, pharmacopolists, and professors of the black +arts, who invariably deceived her, though she never tired of being +deceived. She feared death, and she saw it everywhere. When she yielded +to pleasure, it seemed to her that an icy finger would suddenly touch +her on the bare shoulder, and she turned pale, and cried with terror, in +the arms which embraced her. + +Nicias said to her-- + +"What does it matter, O my Thais, whether we descend to eternal night +with white locks and hollow cheeks, or, whether this very day, now +laughing to the vast sky, shall be our last? Let us enjoy life; we +shall have greatly lived if we have greatly loved. There is no knowledge +except that of the senses; to love is to understand. That which we +do not know does not exist. What good is it to worry ourselves about +nothing?" + +She replied angrily-- + +"I despise men like you, who hope for nothing and fear nothing. I wish +to know! I wish to know!" + +In order to understand the secret of life, she set to work to read the +books of the philosophers, but she did not understand them. The further +the years of her childhood receded from her, the more anxious she was +to recall them. She loved to traverse at night, in disguise, the alleys, +squares, and places where she had grown up so miserably. She was sorry +she had lost her parents, and especially that she had not been able +to love them. When she met any Christian priest, she thought of her +baptism, and felt troubled. One night, when enveloped in a long +cloak, and her fair hair hidden under a black hood, she was wandering, +according to custom, about the suburbs of the city, she found +herself--without knowing how she came there--before the poor little +church of St. John the Baptist. They were singing inside the church, +and a bright light glimmered through the chinks of the door. There was +nothing strange in that, as, for the past twenty years, the Christians, +protected by the conqueror of Maxentius, had publicly solemnised their +festivals. But these hymns seemed more like an ardent appeal to the +soul. As if she had been invited to the mysteries, she pushed the +door open with her arm, and entered the building. She found a numerous +assembly of women, children, and old men, on their knees before a tomb, +which stood against the wall. The tomb was nothing but a stone coffer, +roughly sculptured with vine tendrils and bunches of grapes; yet it had +received great honours, and was covered with green palms and wreaths +of red roses. All round, innumerable lights gleamed out of the heavy +shadow, in which the smoke of Arabian gums seemed like the folds of +angels' robes, and the paintings on the walls visions of Paradise. +Priests, clad in white, were prostrate at the foot of the sarcophagus. +The hymns they sang with the people expressed the delight of suffering, +and mingled, in a triumphal mourning, so much joy with so much grief, +that Thais, in listening to them, felt the pleasures of life and the +terrors of death flowing, at the same time, through her re-awakened +senses. + +When they had finished singing, the believers rose, and walked in single +file to the tomb, the side of which they kissed. They were common men, +accustomed to work with their hands. They advanced with a heavy step, +the eyes fixed, the jaw dropped, but they had an air of sincerity. They +knelt down, each in turn, before the sarcophagus, and put their lips +to it. The women lifted their little children in their arms, and gently +placed their cheek to the stone. + +Thais, surprised and troubled, asked a deacon why they did so. + +"Do you not know, woman," replied the deacon, "that we celebrate to-day +the blessed memory of St. Theodore the Nubian, who suffered for the +faith in the days of the Emperor Diocletian? He lived virtuously and +died a martyr, and that is why, robed in white, we bear red roses to his +glorious tomb." + +On hearing these words, Thais fell on her knees, and burst into tears. +Half-forgotten recollections of Ahmes returned to her mind. On the +memory of this obscure, gentle, and unfortunate man, the blaze of +candles, the perfume of roses, the clouds of incense, the music of +hymns, the piety of souls, threw all the charms of glory. Thais thought +in the dazzling glare-- + +"He was good, and now he has become great and glorious. Why is it that +he is elevated above other men? What is this unknown thing which is more +than riches or pleasure?" + +She rose slowly, and turned towards the tomb of the saint who had loved +her, those violet eyes, now filled with tears which glittered in the +candle-light; then, with bowed head, humble, slow, and the last, with +those lips on which so many desires hung, she kissed the stone of the +slave's tomb. + +When she returned to her house, she found Nicias, who, with his hair +perfumed, and his tunic thrown open, was reading a treatise on morals +whilst waiting for her. He advanced with open arms. + +"Naughty Thais," he said, in a laughing voice, "whilst I was waiting for +you to come, do you know what I saw in this manuscript, written by the +gravest of Stoics? Precepts of virtue and noble maxims: No! On the staid +papyrus, I saw dance thousands and thousands of little Thaises. Each was +no bigger than my finger, and yet their grace was infinite, and all were +the only Thais. There were some who flaunted in mantles of purple and +gold; others, like a white cloud, floated in the air in transparent +drapery. Others again, motionless and divinely nude, the better to +inspire pleasure, expressed no thought. Lastly, there were two, hand in +hand; two so alike that it was impossible to distinguish one from +the other. Both smiled. The first said, 'I am love.' The other, 'I am +death.'" + +Thus speaking, he pressed Thais in his arms, and not noticing the +sullen look in her downcast eyes, he went on adding thought to thought, +heedless of the fact that they were all lost upon her. + +"Yes, when I had before my eyes the line in which it was written, +'Nothing should deter you from improving your mind,' I read, 'The kisses +of Thais are warmer than fire, and sweeter than honey.' That is how +a philosopher reads the books of other philosophers--and that is your +fault, you naughty child. It is true that, as long as we are what we +are, we shall never find anything but our own thoughts in the thoughts +of others, and that all of us are somewhat inclined to read books as I +have read this one." + +She did not hear him; her soul was still before the Nubian's tomb. As he +heard her sigh, he kissed her on the neck, and said-- + +"Do not be sad, my child. We are never happy in this world, except when +we forget the world. + +"Come, let us cheat life--it is sure to take its revenge. Come, let us +love!" + +But she pushed him away. + +"_We_ love!" she cried bitterly. "_You_ never loved any one. And _I_ +do not love _you_! No! I do not love you! I hate you! Go! I hate you! +I curse and despise all who are happy, and all who are rich! Go! Go! +Goodness is only found amongst the unfortunate. When I was a child I +knew a black slave who died on the cross. He was good; he was filled +with love, and he knew the secret of life. You are not worthy to wash +his feet. Go! I never wish to see you again!" + +She threw herself on her face on the carpet, and passed the night +sobbing and weeping, and forming resolutions to live, in future, like +Saint Theodore, in poverty and humbleness. + +The next day, she devoted herself again to those pleasures to which she +was addicted. As she knew that her beauty, though still intact, would +not last very long, she hastened to derive all the enjoyment and all the +fame she could from it. At the theatre, where she acted and studied more +than ever, she gave life to the imagination of sculptors, painters, and +poets. Recognising that there was in the attitudes, movements, and walk +of the actress, an idea of the divine harmony which rules the spheres, +wise men and philosophers considered that such perfect grace was +a virtue in itself, and said, "Thais also is a geometrician!" The +ignorant, the poor, the humble, and the timid before whom she consented +to appear, regarded her as a blessing from heaven. Yet she was sad +amidst all the praise she received, and dreaded death more than ever. +Nothing was able to set her mind at rest, not even her house and +gardens, which were celebrated, and a proverb throughout the city. + +The gardens were planted with trees, brought at great expense from India +and Persia. They were watered by a running brook, and colonnades in +ruins, and imitation rocks, arranged by a skilful artist, were reflected +in a lake, which also mirrored the statues that stood round it. In the +middle of the garden was the Grotto of Nymphs, which owed its name to +three life-size figures of women, which stood on the threshold. They +were represented as divesting themselves of their garments, and about to +bathe. They anxiously turned their heads, fearing to be seen, and looked +as though they were alive. The only light which entered the building +came, tempered and iridescent, through thin sheets of water. All the +walls were hung--as in the sacred grottoes--with wreaths, garlands, and +votive pictures, in which the beauty of Thais was celebrated. There +were also tragic and comic masks, bright with colours; and paintings +representing theatrical scenes or grotesque figures, or fabulous +animals. On a stele in the centre stood a little ivory Eros of wonderful +antique workmanship. It was a gift from Nicias. In one of the bays was a +figure of a goat in black marble, with shining agate eyes. Six alabaster +kids crowded round its teats; but, raising its cloven hoofs and its ugly +head, it seemed impatient to climb the rocks. The floor was covered with +Byzantine carpets, pillows embroidered by the yellow men of Cathay, and +the skins of Libyan lions. Perfumed smoke arose from golden censers. +Flowering plants grew in large onyx vases. And at the far end, in the +purple shadow, gleamed the gold nails on the shell of a huge Indian +tortoise turned upside down, which served as the bed of the actress. It +was here that every day, to the murmur of the water, and amid perfumes +and flowers, Thais reclined softly, and conversed with her friends, +while awaiting the hour of supper, or meditated in solitude on +theatrical art, or on the flight of years. + +On the afternoon after the games, Thais was reposing in the Grotto of +Nymphs. She had noticed in her mirror the first signs of the decay of +her beauty, and she was frightened to think that white hair and wrinkles +would at last come. She vainly tried to comfort herself with the +assurance that she could recover her fresh complexion by burning certain +herbs and pronouncing a few magic words. A pitiless voice cried, "You +will grow old Thais; you will grow old." And a cold sweat of terror +bedewed her forehead. Then, on looking at herself again in the mirror +with infinite tenderness, she found that she was still beautiful and +worthy to be loved. She smiled to herself, and murmured, "There is not a +woman in Alexandria who can rival me in suppleness or grace or movement, +or in splendour of arms, and the arms, my mirror, are the real chains of +love!" + +While she was thus thinking she saw an unknown man--thin, with burning +eyes and unkempt beard, and clad in a richly embroidered robe--standing +before her. She let fall her mirror, and uttered a cry of fright. + +Paphnutius stood motionless, and seeing how beautiful she was, he +murmured this prayer from the bottom of his heart-- + +"Grant, my God, that the face of this woman may not be a temptation, but +may prove salutary to Thy servant." + +Then, forcing himself to speak, he said-- + +"Thais, I live in a far country, and the fame of thy beauty has led me +to thee. It is said that thou art the most clever of actresses and the +most irresistible of women. That which is related of thy riches and thy +love affairs seems fabulous, and calls to mind the old story of Rhodope, +whose marvellous history is known by heart to all the boatmen on the +Nile. Therefore I was seized with a desire to know thee, and I see that +the truth surpasses the rumour. Thou art a thousand times more clever +and more beautiful than is reported. And now that I see thee, I say +to myself, 'It is impossible to approach her without staggering like a +drunken man.'" + +The words were feigned; but the monk, animated by pious zeal, uttered +them with real warmth. Thais gazed, without displeasure, at this strange +being who had frightened her. The rough, wild aspect, and the fiery +glances of his eyes, astonished her. She was curious to learn the state +of life of a man so different from all others she had met. She replied, +with gentle raillery-- + +"You seem prompt to admire, stranger. Beware that my looks do not +consume you to the bones! Beware of loving me!" + +He said-- + +"I love thee, O Thais! I love thee more than my life, and more than +myself. For thee I have quitted the desert; for thee my lips--vowed +to silence--have pronounced profane words; for thee I have seen what I +ought not to have seen, and heard what it was forbidden to me to hear; +for thee my soul is troubled, my heart is open, and the thoughts gush +out like the running springs at which the pigeons drink; for thee I +have walked day and night across sandy deserts teeming with reptiles and +vampires; for thee I have placed my bare foot on vipers and scorpions! +Yes, I love thee! I love thee, but not like those men who, burning with +the lusts of the flesh, come to thee like devouring wolves or furious +bulls. Thou art dear to them as is the gazelle to the lion. Their +ravening lusts will consume thee to the soul, O woman! I love thee in +spirit and in truth; I love thee in God, and for ever and ever; that +which is in my breast is named true zeal and divine charity. I promise +thee better things than drunkenness crowned with flowers or the dreams +of a brief night. I promise thee holy feasts and celestial suppers. +The happiness that I bring thee will never end; it is unheard-of, it +is ineffable, and such that if the happy of this world could only see a +shadow of it they would die of wonder." + +Thais laughed mischievously. + +"Friend," she said, "show me this wonderful love. Make haste! Long +speeches would be an insult to my beauty; let us not lose a moment. I am +impatient to taste the felicity you announce; but, to say the truth, I +fear that I shall always remain ignorant of it, and that all you have +promised me will vanish in words. It is easier to promise a great +happiness than to give it. Everyone has a talent of some sort. I fancy +that yours is to make long speeches. You speak of an unknown love. It +is so long since kisses were first exchanged that it would be very +extraordinary if there still remained secrets in love. On this subject +lovers know more than philosophers." + +"Do not jest, Thais. I bring thee the unknown love." + +"Friend, you come too late. I know every kind of love." + +"The love that I bring thee abounds with glory, whilst the loves that +thou knowest breed only shame." + +Thais looked at him with an angry eye, a frown gathered on her beautiful +face. + +"You are very bold, stranger, to offend your hostess. Look at me, and +say if I resemble a creature crushed down with shame. No, I am not +ashamed, and all others who live like me are not ashamed either, +although they are not so beautiful or so rich as I am. I have sown +pleasure in my footsteps, and I am celebrated for that all over the +world. I am more powerful than the masters of the world. I have seen +them at my feet. Look at me, look at these little feet; thousands of men +would pay with their blood for the happiness of kissing them. I am not +very big, and I do not occupy much space on the earth. To those who look +at me from the top of the Serapeium, when I pass in the street, I look +like a grain of rice; but that grain of rice has caused among men, +griefs, despairs, hates, and crimes enough to have filled Tartarus. Are +you not mad to talk to me of shame when all around proclaims my glory?" + +"That which is glory in the eyes of men, is infamy before God. O +woman, we have been nourished in countries so different, that it is not +surprising we have neither the same language nor the same thoughts! Yet +Heaven is my witness that I wish to agree with thee, and that it is my +intention not to leave thee until we share the same sentiments. Who will +inspire me with burning words that will melt thee like wax in my breath, +O woman, that the fingers of my desires may mould thee as they wish? +What virtue will deliver thee to me, O dearest of souls, that the spirit +which animates me, creating thee a second time, may imprint on thee a +fresh beauty, and that thou mayest cry, weeping for joy, 'It is only now +that I am born'? Who will cause to gush in my heart a fount of Siloam, +in which thou mayest bathe and recover thy first purity? Who will change +me into a Jordan, the waves of which sprinkled on thee, will give thee +life eternal?" + +Thais was no longer angry. + +"This man," she thought, "talks of life eternal and all that he says +seems written on a talisman. No doubt he is a mage, and knows secret +charms against old age and death," and she resolved to offer herself to +him. Therefore, pretending to be afraid of him, she retired a few steps +to the end of the grotto, and sitting down on the edge of the bed, +artfully pulled her tunic across her breast; then, motionless and mute +and her eyes cast down, she waited. Her long eyelashes made a soft +shadow on her cheeks. Her entire attitude expressed modesty; her naked +feet swung gently, and she looked like a child sitting thinking on the +bank of a brook. But Paphnutius looked at her, and did not move. His +trembling knees hardly supported him, his tongue dried in his mouth, a +terrible buzzing rang in his ears. But all at once his sight failed, and +he could see nothing before him but a thick cloud. He thought that the +hand of Jesus had been laid on his eyes, to hide this woman from them. +Reassured by such succour, strengthened and fortified, he said with a +gravity worthy of an old hermit of the desert-- + +"If thou givest thyself to me, thinkest thou it is hidden from God?" + +She shook her head. + +"God? Who forces Him to keep His eye always upon the Grotto of Nymphs? +Let Him go away if we offend Him! But why should we offend Him? Since +He has created us, He can be neither angry nor surprised to see us as He +made us, and acting according to the nature He has given us. A good deal +too much is said on His behalf, and He is often credited with ideas He +never had. You yourself, stranger, do you know His true character? Who +are you that you should speak to me in His name?" + +At this question the monk, opening his borrowed robe, showed the +cassock, and said-- + +"I am Paphnutius, Abbot of Antinoe, and I come from the holy desert. The +hand that drew Abraham from Chaldaea and Lot from Sodom has separated me +from the present age. I no longer existed for the men of this century. +But thy image appeared to me in my sandy Jerusalem, and I knew that +thou wert full of corruption, and death was in thee. And now I am before +thee, woman, as before a grave, and I cry unto thee, 'Thais, arise!'" + +At the words, Paphnutius, monk, and abbot, she had turned pale with +fright. And now, with dishevelled hair and joined hands, weeping and +groaning, she dragged herself to the feet of the saint. + +"Do not hurt me! Why have you come? What do you want of me? Do not hurt +me! I know that the saints of the desert hate women who, like me, are +made to please. I am afraid that you hate me, and want to hurt me. Go! +I do not doubt your power. But know, Paphnutius, that you should neither +despise me nor hate me. I have never, like many of the men I know, +laughed at your voluntary poverty. In your turn, do not make a crime +of my riches. I am beautiful, and clever in acting. I no more chose my +condition than my nature. I was made for that which I do. I was born to +charm men. And you yourself, did you not say just now that you loved me? +Do not use your science against me. Do not pronounce magic words which +would destroy my beauty, or change me into a statue of salt. Do not +terrify me! I am already too frightened. Do not kill me! I am so afraid +of death." + +He made a sign to her to rise, and said-- + +"Child, have no fear. I will utter no word of shame or scorn. I come on +behalf of Him who sat on the edge of the well, and drank of the pitcher +which the woman of Samaria offered to Him; and who, also, when He supped +at the house of Simon, received the perfumes of Mary. I am not without +sin that I should throw the first stone. I have often badly employed +the abundant grace which God has bestowed upon me. It was not anger, +but pity, which took me by the hand to conduct me here. I can, without +deceit, address thee in words of love, for it is the zeal in my heart +which has brought me to thee. I burn with the fire of charity, and if +thy eyes, accustomed only to the gross sights of the flesh, could see +things in their mystic aspect, I should appear unto thee as a branch +broken off the burning bush which the Lord showed on the mountain to +Moses of old, that he might understand true love--that which envelops +us, and which, so far from leaving behind it mere coals and ashes, +purifies and perfumes for ever that which it penetrates." + +"I believe you, monk, and no longer fear either deceit or ill-will from +you. I have often heard talk of the hermits of the Thebaid. Marvellous +things have been told concerning Anthony and Paul. Your name is not +unknown to me, and I have heard say that, though you are still young, +you equal in virtue the oldest anchorites. As soon as I saw you, and +without knowing who you were, I felt that you were no ordinary man. Tell +me! can you do for me that which neither the priests of Isis, nor of +Hermes, nor of the celestial Juno, nor the Chaldean soothsayers, nor the +Babylonian magi have been able to effect? Monk, if you love me, can you +prevent me from dying?" + +"Woman, whosoever wishes to live shall live. Flee from the abominable +delights in which thou diest for ever. Snatch from the devils, who will +burn it most horribly, that body which God kneaded with His spittle and +animated with his own breath. Thou art consumed with weariness; come, +and refresh thyself at the blessed springs of solitude; come and drink +of those fountains which are hidden in the desert, and which gush forth +to heaven. Careworn soul, come, and possess that which thou desirest! +Heart greedy for joy, come and taste true joys--poverty, retirement, +self-forgetfulness, seclusion in the bosom of God. Enemy of Christ now, +and to-morrow His well-beloved, come to Him! Come, thou whom I have +sought, and thou wilt say, 'I have found love!'" + +Thais seemed lost in meditation on things afar. + +"Monk," she asked, "if I adjure all pleasures and do penance, is it true +that I shall be born again in heaven, my body intact in all its beauty?" + +"Thais, I bring thee eternal life. Believe me, for that which I announce +to thee is the truth." + +"Who will assure me that it is the truth?" + +"David and the prophets, the Scriptures, and the wonders that thou shalt +behold." + +"Monk, I should like to believe you, for I must confess that I have not +found happiness in this world. My lot in life is better than that of +a queen, and yet I have many bitternesses and misfortunes, and I am +infinitely weary of my existence. All women envy me, and yet sometimes +I have envied the lot of a toothless old woman who, when I was a child, +sold honey-cakes under one of the city gates. Often has the idea flashed +across my mind that only the poor are good, happy, and blessed, and that +there must be great gladness in living humble and obscure. Monk, you +have agitated a storm in my soul, and brought to the surface that which +lay at the bottom. Who am I to believe, alas! and what is to become of +me--and what is life?" + +Whilst she thus spoke, Paphnutius was transfigured; celestial joy beamed +in his face. + +"Listen!" he said. "I was not alone when I entered this house. Another +accompanied me, another who stands by my side. Him thou canst not see, +because thy eyes are yet unworthy to behold Him; but soon thou shalt see +Him in all His glorious splendour, and thou wilt say, 'He alone is to be +adored.' But now, if He had not placed His gentle hands before my eyes, +O Thais, I should perhaps have fallen into sin with thee, for of myself +I am but weak and sinful. But He saved us both. He is as good as He is +powerful, and His name is the Saviour. He was promised to the world, by +David and the prophets, worshipped in His cradle by the shepherds and +the magi, crucified by the Pharisees, buried by the holy women, revealed +to the world by the apostles, testified to by the martyrs. And now, +having learned that thou fearest death, O woman, He has come to thy +house to prevent thee from dying. Art Thou not here present with me, +Jesus, at this moment, as Thou didst appear to the men of Galilee, in +those wonderful days when the stars, which came down with thee from +heaven, were so near the earth that the holy innocents could take them +in their hands, when they played in their mothers' arms on the terraces +of Bethlehem? Is it not true, Jesus, that Thou art here present, and +that Thou showest me in reality Thy precious body? Is not Thy face here, +and that tear which flows down Thy cheek a real tear? Yes, the angel of +eternal justice shall receive it, and it shall be the ransom of the soul +of Thais. Art Thou not here, Jesus? Jesus, Thy loving lips open. Thou +canst speak; speak, I hear Thee! And thee, Thais, happy Thais! listen +to what the Saviour Himself says to thee; it is He who speaks, not I. +He says, 'I have sought thee long, O My lost sheep! I have found thee +at last! Fly from Me no more. Let Me take thee by the hands, poor little +one, and I will bear thee on My shoulders to the heavenly fold. Come, My +Thais! come, My chosen one! come, and weep with Me!'" + +And Paphnutius fell on his knees, his eyes filled with ecstasy. And then +Thais saw in his face the likeness of the living Christ. + +"O vanished days of my childhood!" she sobbed. "O sweet father Ahmes! +good Saint Theodore, why did I not die in thy white mantle whilst thou +didst bear me, in the first dawn of day, yet fresh from the waters of +baptism!" + +Paphnutius advanced towards her, crying-- + +"Thou art baptised! O divine wisdom! O Providence! O great God! I know +now the power which drew me to thee. I know what rendered thee so dear +and so beautiful in my eyes. It was the virtue of the baptismal water, +which made me leave the shadow of God, where I lived, to seek thee in +the poisoned air where men dwell. A drop--a drop, no doubt, of the water +which washed thy body--has been sprinkled in my face. Come, O my sister, +and receive from thy brother the kiss of peace." + +And the monk touched with his lips the forehead of the courtesan. + +Then he was silent, letting God speak, and nothing was heard in the +Grotto of Nymphs but the sobs of Thais, mingled with the rippling of the +running water. + +She wept without trying to stop her tears, when two black slaves +appeared, loaded with stuffs, perfumes, and garlands. + +"It was hardly the right time to weep," she said, trying to smile. +"Tears redden the eyes and spoil the complexion, and I must sup tonight +with some friends, and want to be beautiful, for there will be women +there quick to spy out marks of care on my face. These slaves come to +dress me. Withdraw, my father, and allow them to do their work. They are +clever and experienced, and I pay them well for their services. You see +that one who wears thick rings of gold, and shows such white teeth. I +took her from the wife of the pro-consul." + +Paphnutius had at first a thought of dissuading Thais, as earnestly as +he could, from going to this supper. But he determined to act prudently, +and asked what persons she would meet there. + +She replied that there would be the host, old Cotta, the Prefect of the +Fleet, Nicias, and several other philosophers who loved an argument, the +poet Callicrates, the high priest of Serapis, some young men whose chief +amusement was training horses, and lastly some women, of whom there was +little to be said except that they were young. Then, by a supernatural +inspiration-- + +"Go amongst them, Thais," said the monk. "Go! But I will not leave thee. +I will go with thee to this banquet, and will remain by thy side without +saying a word." + +She burst out laughing. And whilst her two black slaves were busy +dressing her, she cried-- + +"What will they say when they see that I have a monk of the Thebaid for +my lover?" + + + + +THE BANQUET + +When, followed by Paphnutius, Thais entered the banqueting-room, the +guests were already, for the most part, assembled, and reclining +on their couches before the horseshoe table, which was covered with +glittering vessels. In the centre of the table stood a silver basin, +surmounted by four figures of satyrs, who poured out from wine-skins +on the boiled fish a kind of pickle in which they floated. When Thais +appeared, acclamations arose from all sides. + +Greetings to the sister of the Graces! + +To the silent Melpomene, who can express all things with her looks! + +Salutation to the well-beloved of gods and men! + +To the much desired! + +To her who gives suffering and its cure! + +To the pearl of Racotis! + +To the rose of Alexandria! + +She waited impatiently till this torrent of praise had passed, and then +said to Cotta, the host-- + +"Lucius, I have brought you a monk of the desert, Paphnutius, the Abbot +of Antinoe. He is a great saint, whose words burn like fire." + +Lucius Aurelius Cotta, the Prefect of the Fleet, rose, and replied-- + +"You are welcome, Paphnutius, you who profess the Christian faith. I +myself have some respect of a religion that has now become imperial. The +divine Constantine has placed your co-religionists in the front rank of +the friends of the empire. Latin wisdom ought, in fact, to admit your +Christ into our pantheon. It was a maxim of our forefathers that there +was something divine in every god. But no more of that. Let us drink and +enjoy ourselves while there is yet time." + +Old Cotta spoke tranquilly. He had just studied a new model for +a galley, and had finished the sixth book of his history of the +Carthaginians. He felt sure he had not lost his day, and was satisfied +with himself and the gods. + +"Paphnutius," he added, "you see here several men who are worthy to be +loved--Hermodorus, the High Priest of Serapis; the philosophers Dorion, +Nicias, and Zenothemis; the poet Callicrates; young Chereas and young +Aristobulus, both sons of dear old comrades; and near them Philina and +Drosea, who deserve to be praised for their beauty." + +Nicias embraced Paphnutius, and whispered in his ear-- + +"I warned you, brother, that Venus was powerful. It is her gentle force +that has brought you here in spite of yourself. Listen: you are a man +full of piety, but if you do not confess that she is the mother of the +gods, your ruin is certain. Do you know that the old mathematician, +Melanthes, used to say, 'I cannot demonstrate the properties of a +triangle without the aid of Venus'?" + +Dorion, who had for some seconds been looking at the new-comer, suddenly +clapped his hands and uttered a cry of surprise. + +"It is he, friends! His look, his beard, his tunic--it is he himself! +I met him at the theatre whilst our Thais was acting. He was furiously +excited, and spoke with violence, as I can testify. He is an honest man, +but he will abuse us all; his eloquence is terrible. If Marcus is the +Plato of the Christians, Paphnutius is the Demosthenes. Epicurus, in his +little garden, never heard the like." + +Philina and Drosea, however, devoured Thais with their eyes. She wore on +her fair hair a wreath of pale violets, each flower of which recalled, +in a paler hue, the colour of her eyes, so that the flowers looked +like softened glances, and the eyes like sparkling flowers. It was the +peculiar gift of this woman; on her everything lived, and was soul and +harmony. Her robe, which was of mauve spangled with silver, trailed in +long folds with a grace that was almost melancholy and was not relieved +by either bracelets or necklaces. The chief charm of her appearance +was her beautiful bare arms. The two friends were obliged to admire, in +spite of themselves the robe and head-dress of Thais, though they said +nothing to her on the subject. + +"How beautiful you are!" said Philina. "You could not have been more +so when you came to Alexandria. Yet my mother, who remembers seeing +you then, says there were few women who were worthy to be compared with +you." + +"Who is the new lover you have brought?" asked Drosea. "He has a +strange, wild appearance. If there are shepherds of elephants, assuredly +he must resemble one. Where did you find such a wild-looking friend, +Thais? Was it amongst the troglodytes who live under the earth, and are +grimy with the smoke of Hades?" + +But Philina put her finger on Drosea's lips. + +"Hush! the mysteries of love must remain secret, and it is forbidden to +know them. For my own part, certainly, I would rather be kissed by the +mouth of smoking Etna than by the lips of that man. But our dear +Thais, who is beautiful and adorable as the goddesses, should, like +the goddesses, grant all requests, and not, like us, only those of nice +young men." + +"Take care, both of you!" replied Thais. "He is a mage and an enchanter. +He hears words that are whispered, and even thoughts. He will tear out +your heart while you are asleep, and put a sponge in its place, and the +next day, when you drink water, you will be choked to death." + +She watched them grow pale, then she turned away from them, and sat on a +couch by the side of Paphnutius. The voice of Cotta, kind but imperious, +was suddenly heard above the murmur of conversation. + +"Friends, let each take his place! Slaves, pour out the honeyed wine!" + +Then, the host raising his cup-- + +"Let us first drink to the divine Constantine and the genius of the +empire. The country should be put first of all, even above the gods, for +it contains them all." + +All the guests raised their full cups to their lips. Paphnutius alone +did not drink, because Constantine had persecuted the Nicaean faith, and +because the country of the Christian is not of this world. + +Dorion, having drunk, murmured-- + +"What is one's country? A flowing river. The shores change, and the +waves are incessantly renewed." + +"I know, Dorion," replied the Prefect of the Fleet, "that you care +little for the civic virtues, and you think that the sage ought to hold +himself aloof from all affairs. I think, on the contrary, that an honest +man should desire nothing better than to fill a responsible post in the +State. The State is a noble thing." + +Hermodorus, the High Priest of Serapis, spoke next-- + +"Dorion has asked, 'What is one's country?' I will reply that the altars +of the gods and the tombs of ancestors make one's country. A man is a +fellow-citizen by association of memories and hopes." + +Young Aristobulus interrupted Hermodorus. + +"By Castor! I saw a splendid horse to-day. It belonged to Demophoon. +It has a fine head, small jaw, and strong forelegs. It carries its neck +high and proud, like a cock." + +But young Chereas shook his head. + +"It is not such a good horse as you say, Aristobulus. Its hoofs are +thin, and the pasterns are too low; the animal will soon go lame." + +They were continuing their dispute, when Drosea uttered a piercing +shriek. + +"Oh! I nearly swallowed a fish-bone, as long and much sharper than a +style. Luckily, I was able to get it out of my throat in time! The gods +love me!" + +"Did you say, Drosea, that the gods loved you?" asked Nicias, smiling. +"Then they must share the same infirmities as men. Love presupposes +unhappiness on the part of whoever suffers from it, and is a proof of +weakness. The affection they feel for Drosea is a great proof of the +imperfection of the gods." + +At these words Drosea flew into a great rage. + +"Nicias, your remarks are foolish and not to the point. But that is your +character--you never understand what is said, and reply in words devoid +of sense." + +Nicias smiled again. + +"Talk away, talk away, Drosea. Whatever you say, we are glad every time +you open your mouth. Your teeth are so pretty!" + +At that moment, a grave-looking old man, negligently dressed, walking +slowly, with his head high, entered the room, and gazed at the guests +quietly. Cotta made a sign to him to take a place by his side, on the +same couch. + +"Eucrites," he said, "you are welcome. Have you composed a new treatise +on philosophy this month? That would make, if I calculate correctly, the +ninety-second that has proceeded from the Nile reed you direct with an +Attic hand." + +Eucrites replied, stroking his silver beard-- + +"The nightingale was created to sing, and I was created to praise the +immortal gods." + +DORION. Let us respectfully salute, in Eucrites, the last of the stoics. +Grave and white, he stands in the midst of us like the image of an +ancestor. He is solitary amidst a crowd of men, and the words he utters +are not heard. + +EUCRITES. You deceive yourself, Dorion. The philosophy of virtue is not +dead. I have numerous disciples in Alexandria, Rome, and Constantinople. +Many of the slaves, and some of the nephews of Caesar, now know how to +govern themselves, to live independently, and being unconcerned with all +affairs, they enjoy boundless happiness. Many of them have revived, in +their own person, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius. But if it were true +that virtue were for ever extinguished upon the earth, in what way +would the loss of it affect my happiness, since it did not depend on +me whether it existed or perished? Only fools, Dorion, place their +happiness out of their own power. I desire nothing that the gods do not +wish, and I desire all that they do wish. By that means I render myself +like unto them, and share their infallible content. If virtue perishes, +I consent that it should perish, and that consent fills me with joy, as +the supreme effort of my reason or my courage. In all things my wisdom +will copy the divine wisdom, and the copy will be more valuable than the +model; it will have cost greater care and more work. + +NICIAS. I understand. You put yourself on the same level as divine +providence. But if virtue consists only in effort, Eucrites, and in that +intense application by which the disciples of Zeno pretend to render +themselves equal to the gods, the frog, which swelled itself out to try +and become as big as the ox, accomplished a masterpiece of stoicism. + +EUCRITES. You jest, Nicias, and, as usual, you excel in ridicule. But +if the ox of which you speak is really a god, like Apis, or like that +subterranean ox whose high priest I see here, and if the frog, being +wisely inspired, succeed in equalling it, would it not be, in fact, +more virtuous than the ox, and could you refrain from admiring such a +courageous little animal! + +Four servants placed on the table a wild pig, still covered with its +bristles. Little pigs, made of pastry, surrounded the animal, as though +they would suckle, to show that it was a sow. + +Zenothemis, turning towards the monk, said-- + +"Friends, a guest has come hither to join us. The illustrious +Paphnutius, who leads such an extraordinary life of solitude, is our +unexpected guest." + +COTTA. You may even add, Zenothemis, that the place of honour is due to +him, because he came without being invited. + +ZENOTHEMIS. Therefore, we ought, my dear Lucius, to make him the more +welcome, and strive to do that which would be most agreeable to him. Now +it is certain that such a man cares less for the perfumes of meat than +for the perfumes of fine thoughts. We shall, doubtless, please him by +discussing the doctrine he professes, which is that of Jesus crucified. +For my own part, I shall the more willingly discuss this doctrine, +because it keenly interests me, on account of the number and the +diversity of the allegories it contains. If one may guess at the +spirit by the letter, it is filled with truths, and I consider that +the Christian books abound in divine revelations. But I should not, +Paphnutius, grant equal merit to the Jewish books. They were inspired +not, as it was said, by the Spirit of God, but by an evil genius. Iaveh, +who dictated them, was one of those spirits who people the lower air, +and cause the greater part of the evils, from which we suffer; but he +surpassed all the others in ignorance and ferocity. On the contrary, the +serpent with golden wings, which twined its azure coils round the tree +of knowledge, was made up of light and love. A combat between these +two powers--the one of light and the other of darkness--was, therefore, +inevitable. It occurred soon after the creation of the world. God had +hardly begun to rest after His labors; Adam and Eve, the first man and +the first woman, lived happy and naked in the Garden of Eden, when Iaveh +conceived--to their misfortune--the design of governing them and all +the generations which Eve already bore in her splendid loins. As he +possessed neither the compass nor the lyre, and was equally ignorant of +the science which commands and the art which persuades, he frightened +these two poor children by hideous apparitions, capricious threats, +and thunder-bolts. Adam and Eve, feeling his shadow upon them, pressed +closer to one another, and their love waxed stronger in fear. The +serpent took pity on them, and determined to instruct them, in order +that, possessing knowledge, they might no longer be misled by lies. Such +an undertaking required extreme prudence, and the frailty of the first +human couple rendered it almost hopeless. The well-intentioned demon +essayed it, however. Without the knowledge of Iaveh--who pretended +to see everything, but, in reality, was not very sharp-sighted--he +approached these two beings, and charmed their eyes by the splendour of +his coat and the brilliancy of his wings. Then he interested their minds +by forming before them, with his body, definite figures, such as the +circle, the ellipse, and the spiral, the wonderful properties of which +have since been recognised by the Greeks. Adam meditated on these +figures more than Eve did. But when the serpent began to speak, and +taught the most sublime truths--those which cannot be demonstrated--he +found that Adam being made of red earth, was of too dull a nature to +understand these subtle distinctions, but that Eve, on the contrary, +being more tender and more sensitive, was easily impressed. Therefore +he conversed with her alone, in the absence of her husband, in order to +initiate her first-- + +DORION. Permit me, Zenothemis, to interrupt you. I speedily recognised +in the myth you have explained to us an episode in the war of Pallas +Athene against the giants. Iaveh much resembles Typhoon, and Pallas is +represented by the Athenians with a serpent at her side. But what you +have said causes me considerable doubt as to the intelligence or good +faith of the serpent of whom you have spoken. If he had really possessed +knowledge, would he have entrusted it to a woman's little head, which +was incapable of containing it? I should rather consider that he was +like Iaveh, ignorant and a liar, and that he chose Eve because she was +easily seduced, and he imagined that Adam would have more intelligence +and perception. + +ZENOTHEMIS. Learn, Dorion, that it is not by perception and +intelligence, but by sensibility, that the highest and purest truths are +reached. That is why women, who, generally, are less reflective but more +sensitive than men, rise more easily to the knowledge of things divine. +In them is the gift of prophecy, and it is not without reason that +Apollo Citharedes, and Jesus of Nazareth, are sometimes represented +clad, like women, in flowing robes. The initiator was therefore +wise--whatever you may say to the contrary, Dorion--in bestowing light, +not on the duller Adam, but on Eve, who was whiter than milk or the +stars. She freely listened to him, and allowed herself to be led to the +tree of knowledge, the branches of which rose to heaven, and which was +bathed with the divine spirit as with a dew. This tree was covered with +leaves which spoke all the languages of future races of men, and their +united voices formed a perfect harmony. Its abundant fruit gave to the +initiated who tasted it the knowledge of metals, stones, and plants, and +also of physical and moral laws; but this fruit was like fire, and those +who feared suffering and death did not dare to put it to their lips. +Now, as she had listened attentively to the lessons of the serpent, Eve +despised these empty terrors, and wished to taste the fruit which gave +the knowledge of God. But, as she loved Adam, and did not wish him to be +inferior to her, she took him by the hand and led him to the wonderful +tree. Then she picked one of the burning apples, bit it, and proffered +it to her companion. Unfortunately, Iaveh, who was by chance walking +in the garden, surprised them, and seeing that they had become wise, he +fell into a most ungovernable rage. It is in his jealous fits that he is +most to be feared. Assembling all his forces, he created such a turmoil +in the lower air that these two weak beings were terrified. The fruit +fell from the man's hand, and the woman, clinging to the neck of her +luckless husband, said, "I too will be ignorant and suffer with him." +The triumphant Iaveh kept Adam and Eve and all their seed in a condition +of hebetude and terror. His art, which consisted only in being able to +make huge meteors, triumphed over the science of the serpent, who was a +musician and geometrician. He made men unjust, ignorant, and cruel, +and caused evil to reign in the earth. He persecuted Cain and his sons +because they were skilful workmen; he exterminated the Philistines +because they composed Orphic poems, and fables like those of AEsop. He +was the implacable enemy of science and beauty, and for long ages +the human race expiated, in blood and tears, the defeat of the winged +serpent. Fortunately, there arose among the Greeks learned men, such as +Pythagoras, and Plato, who recovered by the force of genius, the figures +and the ideas which the enemy of Iaveh had vainly tried to teach the +first woman. The soul of the serpent was in them; and that is why the +serpent, as Dorion has said, is honoured by the Athenians. Finally, in +these latter days, there appeared, under human form, three celestial +spirits--Jesus of Galilee, Basilides, and Valentinus--to whom it was +given to pluck the finest fruits of that tree of knowledge, whose roots +pass through all the earth, and whose top reaches to the highest heaven. +I have said all this in vindication of the Christians, to whom the +errors of the Jews are too often imputed. + +DORION. If I understood you aright, Zenothemis, you said that three +wonderful men--Jesus, Basilides, and Valentinus--had discovered secrets +which had remained hidden from Pythagoras and Plato, and all the +philosophers of Greece, and even from the divine Epicurus, who, however, +has freed men from the dread of empty terrors. You would greatly oblige +me by telling me by what means these three mortals acquired knowledge +which had eluded the most contemplative sages. + +ZENOTHEMIS. Must I repeat to you, Dorion, that science and cogitation +are but the first steps to knowledge, and that ecstasy alone leads to +eternal truth? + +HERMODORUS. It is true, Zenothemis, that the soul is nourished on +ecstasy, as the cicada is nourished on dew. But we may even say more: +the mind alone is capable of perfect rapture. For man is of a threefold +nature, composed of material body, of a soul which is more subtle, but +also material, and of an incorruptible mind. When, emerging from the +body as from a palace suddenly given over to silence and solitude and +flying through the gardens of the soul, the mind diffuses itself in God, +it tastes the delights of an anticipated death, or rather of a future +life, for to die is to live; and in that condition, partaking of divine +purity, it possesses both infinite joy and complete knowledge. It enters +into the unity which is All. It is perfected. + +NICIAS. That is very fine; but, to say the truth, Hermodorus, I do not +see much difference between All and Nothing. Words even seem to fail to +make the distinction. Infinity is terribly like nothingness--they are +both inconceivable to the mind. In my opinion perfection costs too dear; +we pay for it with all our being, and to possess it must cease to +exist. That is a calamity from which God Himself is not free, for the +philosophers are doing their best to perfect Him. After all, if we do +not know what it is _not_ to be, we are equally ignorant what it is to +_be_. We know nothing. It is said that it is impossible for men to agree +on this question. I believe--in spite of our noisy disputes--that it is, +on the contrary, impossible for men not to become some day all at unity +buried under the mass of contradictions, a Pelion on Ossa, which they +themselves have raised. + +COTTA. I am very fond of philosophy, and study it in my leisure time. +But I never understand it well, except in Cicero's books. Slaves, pour +out the honeyed wine! + +CALLICRATES. It is a singular thing, but when I am hungry I think of +the time when the tragic poets sat at the boards of good tyrants, and my +mouth waters. But when I have tasted the excellent wine that you give +us so abundantly, generous Lucius, I dream of nothing but civil wars and +heroic combats. I blush to live in such inglorious times; I invoke the +goddess of Liberty; and I pour out my blood--in imagination--with the +last Romans on the field of Philippi. + +COTTA. In the days of the decline of the Republic my ancestors died with +Brutus--for liberty. But there is reason to suspect that what the +Roman people called liberty was only in reality the right to govern +themselves. I do not deny that liberty is the greatest boon a nation can +have. But the longer I live the more I am persuaded that only a strong +government can bestow it on the citizens. For forty years I have filled +high positions in the State, and my long experience has shown me +that when the ruling power is weak the people are oppressed. Those, +therefore, who--like the great majority of rhetoricians--try to weaken +the government, commit an abominable crime. An autocrat, who governs by +his single will, may sometimes cause most deplorable results; but if +he governs by popular consent there is no remedy possible. Before the +majesty of the Roman arms had bestowed peace upon all the world, the +only nations which were happy were those which were ruled over by +intelligent despots. + +HERMODORUS. For my part, Lucius, I believe that there is no such thing +as a good form of government, and that we shall never discover one, +because the Greeks, who had so many excellent ideas, were never able to +find one. In that respect, therefore, all hope of ultimate success is +taken from us. Unmistakable signs show that the world is about to fall +into ignorance and barbarism. It has been our lot, Lucius, to witness +terrible events. Of all the mental satisfactions which intelligence, +learning, and virtue can give, all that remains is the cruel pleasure of +watching ourselves die. + +COTTA. It is true that the rapacity of the people, and the boldness of +the barbarians, are threatening evils. But with a good fleet, a good +army, and plenty of money---- + +HERMODORUS. What is the use of deceiving ourselves? The dying empire +will become an easy prey to the barbarians. Cities which were built +by Hellenic genius, or Latin patience, will soon be sacked by drunken +savages. Neither art nor philosophy will exist any longer on the earth. +The statues of the gods will be overturned in the temples, and in men's +hearts as well. Darkness will overcome all minds, and the world will +die. Can we believe that the Sarmatians will ever devote themselves to +intelligent work, that the Germani will cultivate music and philosophy, +and that the Quadi and the Marcomani will adore the immortal gods? No! +we are sliding toward the abyss. Our old Egypt, which was the cradle +of the world, will be its burial vault; Serapis, the god of Death, will +receive the last adoration of mortals, and I shall have been the last +priest of the last god. + +At this moment a strange figure raised the tapestry, and the guests saw +before them a little hunchback, whose bald skull rose in a point. He was +clad, in the Asiatic fashion, in a blue tunic, and wore round his legs, +like the barbarians, red breeches, spangled with gold stars. On +seeing him, Paphnutius recognised Marcus the Arian, and fearing lest a +thunderbolt should fall from heaven, he covered his head with his arms, +and grew pale with fright. At this banquet of the demons, neither the +blasphemies of the pagans, nor the horrible errors of the philosophers, +had had any effect on him, but the mere presence of the heretic quenched +his courage. He would have fled, but his eyes met those of Thais, and +he felt at once strengthened. He read in her soul that she, who was +predestined to become a saint, already protected him. He seized the +skirt of her long, flowing robe, and inwardly prayed to the Saviour +Jesus. + +A murmur of acclamation welcomed the arrival of the personage who had +been called the Christian Plato. Hermodorus was the first to speak. + +"Most illustrious Marcus, we rejoice to see you amongst us, and it +may be said that you come at the right moment. We know nothing of the +Christian doctrine, beyond what is publicly taught. Now, it is certain +that a philosopher, like you, cannot think as the vulgar think, and +we are curious to know your opinion of the principal mysteries of the +religion you profess. Our dear friend, Zenothemis, who, as you know, +is always hunting for symbolic meanings, just now questioned the +illustrious Paphnutius concerning the Jewish books. But Paphnutius made +no reply, and we should not be surprised at that, as our guest has made +a vow of silence, and God has sealed his tongue in the desert. But +you Marcus, who have spoken at the Christian synods, and even at +the councils of the divine Constantine, can if you wish, satisfy our +curiosity by revealing to us the philosophic truths which are wrapped up +in the Christian fables. Is not the first of these truths the existence +of an only God--in whom, for my part, I fervently believe?" + +MARCUS. Yes, venerable brethren, I believe in an only God, not +begotten--the only Eternal, the origin of all things. + +NICIAS. We know, Marcus, that your God created the world. That must +certainly have been a great crisis in His existence. He had already +existed an eternity before He could make up His mind to it. But I must, +in justice, confess that His situation was a most difficult one. He must +continue inactive if He would remain perfect, and must act if He would +prove to Himself His own existence. You assure me that He decided +to act. I am willing to believe you, although it was an unpardonable +imprudence on the part of a perfect God. But tell us, Marcus, how He set +about making the world. + +MARCUS. Those who, without being Christians, possess, like Hermodorus +and Zenothemis, the principles of knowledge, are aware that God did not +create the world personally without an intermediary. He gave birth to an +only Son, by whom all things were made. + +HERMODORUS. That is quite true, Marcus; and this Son is worshipped under +the various names of Hermes, Mithra, Adonis, Apollo, and Jesus. + +MARCUS. I should not be a Christian if I gave Him any other names than +those of Jesus Christ, and Saviour. He is the true Son of God. But He +is not eternal, since He had a beginning; as to thinking that He existed +before He was begotten, we must leave that absurdity to the Nicaean +mules, and the obstinate ass who too long governed the Church of +Alexandria under the accursed name of Athanasius. + +At these words Paphnutius, white with horror and his face bedewed with +the sweat of agony made the sign of the cross, but maintained a sublime +silence. + +Marcus continued-- + +"It is clear that the foolish Nicene Creed is a treason against the +majesty of the only God, by compelling Him to share His indivisible +attributes with His own emanation--the Mediator by whom all things were +made. Cease jesting at the true God of the Christians, Nicias, and learn +that, like the lilies of the field, He toils not, neither does He spin. +It was not He who was the worker, it was His only Son, Jesus, who, +having created the world, came afterwards to repair His handiwork. For +the creation could not be perfect, and evil was necessarily mingled with +good." + +NICIAS. What is "good," and what is "evil"? + +There was a moment's silence, during which Hermodorus, his arm extended +on the cloth, pointed to a little ass in Corinthian metal which bore two +baskets--the one containing white olives, the other black olives. + +"You see these olives," he said. "The contrast between the colours is +pleasant to the eye, and we are content that these should be light +and those should be dark. But, if they were endowed with thought and +knowledge, the white would say, It is good for an olive to be white, +it is bad for it to be black; and the black olives would hate the white +olives. We judge better, for we are as much above them as the gods are +above us. For man, who only sees a part of things, evil is an evil; for +God, who understands all things, evil is a good. Doubtless ugliness is +ugly, and not beautiful; but if all were beautiful, the whole would not +be beautiful. It is, then, well that there should be evil, as the second +Plato, far greater than the first, has demonstrated." + +EUCRITES. Let us talk more morally. Evil is an evil--not for the world, +of which it cannot destroy the indestructible harmony but for the sinner +who does it, and cannot help doing it. + +COTTA. By Jupiter? that is a good argument. + +EUCRITES. The world is a tragedy by an excellent poet. God, who composed +it, has intended each of us to play a part in it. If he wills that you +shall be a beggar, a prince, or a cripple, make the best of the part +assigned you. + +NICIAS. Assuredly it would be well that the cripple should limp like +Hephaistos: it would be well that the madman should indulge in all the +fury of Ajax, that the incestuous woman should repeat the crimes of +Phaedra, that the traitor should betray, that the rascal should lie, and +the murderer kill, and when the piece was played, all the actor--kings, +just men, bloody tyrants, pious virgins, immodest wives, noble-minded +citizens, and cowardly assassins--should receive from the poet an equal +share in the felicitations. + +EUCRITES. You distort my thought, Nicias, and change a beautiful young +girl into a hideous Gorgon. I am sorry for you, if you are so ignorant +of the nature of the gods, of justice, and of the eternal laws. + +ZENOTHEMIS. For my part, friends, I believe in the reality of good and +evil. But I am convinced that there is not a single human action--were +it even the kiss of Judas--which does not bear within itself the germ of +redemption. Evil contributes to the ultimate salvation of men, and, in +that respect issues from Good, and shares the merits belonging to +Good. This has been admirably expressed by the Christians, in the myth +concerning the man with red hair, who, in order to betray his master, +gave him the kiss of peace, and by such act assured the salvation of +men. Therefore, nothing is, in my opinion, more unjust and absurd than +the hate with which certain disciples of Paul, the tentmaker, pursue +the most unfortunate of the apostles of Jesus without realising that the +kiss of Iscariot--prophesied by Jesus Himself--was necessary, according +to their own doctrine, for the redemption of men, and that if Judas +had not received the thirty pieces, the divine wisdom would have been +impugned, Providence frustrated, its designs upset, and the world given +over to evil, ignorance, and death. + +MARCUS. Divine wisdom foresaw that Judas, though he was not obliged +to give the traitor's kiss, would give it, notwithstanding. It thus +employed the sin of Iscariot as a stone in the marvellous edifice of the +redemption. + +ZENOTHEMIS. I spoke just now, Marcus, as though I believed that the +redemption of men had been accomplished by Jesus crucified, because I +know that such is the belief of the Christians, and I borrowed their +opinion that I might the better show the mistake of those who believe in +the eternal damnation of Judas. But, in reality, Jesus was, in my eyes, +but the precursor of Basilides and Valentinus. As to the mystery of the +redemption, I will tell you, my dear friends--if you are at all curious +to hear it--how it was really accomplished on earth. + +The guests made a sign of assent. Like the Athenian virgins with the +baskets sacred to Ceres, twelve young girls, bearing on their heads +baskets filled with pomegranates and apples, entered the room with a +light step, in time to the music of an invisible flute. They placed +the baskets on the table, the flute ceased, and Zenothemis spoke as +follows-- + +"When Eunoia, 'the thought of God,' had created the world, she confided +the government of the earth to the angels. But they did not preserve +the dispassion befitting masters. Seeing that the daughters of men were +fair, they surprised them in the evening by the wellside, and united +themselves to them. From these unions sprang a turbulent race, who +covered the earth with injustice and cruelty, and the dust of the roads +drank up the blood of the innocent. The sight of this caused Eunoia +infinite grief. + +"'See what I have done!' she sighed, leaning towards the world. 'My +poor children are plunged in misery, and by my fault. Their suffering +is my crime, and I will expiate it. God Himself, who only thinks through +me, would be powerless to restore them to their pristine purity. That +which is done is done, and the creation will remain for ever imperfect. +But, at least, I will not forsake my creatures. If I cannot make them +happy, like me, I can make myself unhappy, like them. Since I committed +the mistake of giving them bodies which dishonour them, I will myself +assume a body like unto theirs, and will go and live amongst them.' + +"Having thus spoken, Eunoia descended to the earth, and was incarnate +in the breast of a woman of Argos. She was born small and feeble, and +received the name of Helen. She submitted to all the labours of this +life, but soon grew in grace and beauty, and became the most desired +of women, as she had determined, in order that her mortal body might be +tried by the most supreme defilements. An inert prey to lascivious and +violent men, she suffered rape and adultery, in expiation of all the +adulteries, all the violences, all the iniquities, and caused, by her +beauty, the ruin of nations, that God might pardon the sins of the +universe. And never was the celestial thought, never was Eunoia, so +adorable as in those days when, as a woman, she prostituted herself to +heroes and shepherds. The poets surmised her divinity when they painted +her so peaceful, superb, and fatal, and when they addressed that +invocation to her, 'A soul as serene as a calm upon the waters.' + +"Thus was Eunoia led by pity into evil and suffering. She died, and the +Argives still show her tomb--for it was necessary that she should know +death after lust, and taste the bitter fruit she had sown. But, emerging +from the decomposed flesh of Helen, she became incarnate again as +a woman, and again suffered every form of insult and outrage. Thus, +passing from body to body, throughout all the evil ages, she takes upon +her the sins of the world. Her sacrifice will not be in vain. Joined to +us by the bonds of the flesh, loving us, and weeping with us, she will +effect her redemption and ours, and will carry us, clinging to her white +breast, into the peace of the regained paradise." + +HERMODORUS. This myth was not unknown to me. I remembered having heard +that, in one of her metamorphoses, the divine Helen lived with the +magician, Simon, in the reign of the Emperor Tiberius. I thought, +however, that her perdition was involuntary, and that she was dragged +down by the angels in their fall. + +ZENOTHEMIS. It is true, Hermodorus, that men who were not properly +initiated in the mysteries have imagined that the sad Eunoia was not a +party to her own downfall. But if it were as they assert Eunoia would +not be the expiating courtesan, the victim covered with stains of +all sorts, the bread steeped in the wine of our shame, the pleasant +offering, the meritorious sacrifice, the holocaust, the smoke of which +rises to God. If they were not voluntary, there would be no merit in her +sins. + +CALLICRATES. Does anyone know, Zenothemis in what country, under what +name, in what adorable form, this ever-renascent Helen is living now? + +ZENOTHEMIS. A man would have to be very wise indeed to discover such a +secret. And wisdom, Callicrates, is not given to poets, who live in the +rude world of forms and amuse themselves, like children, with sounds and +empty shows. + +CALLICRATES. Beware of offending the gods, impious Zenothemis; the poets +are dear to them. The first laws were dictated in verse by the immortals +themselves, and the oracles of the gods are poems. Hymns have a pleasant +sound to celestial ears. Who does not know that the poets are prophets, +and that nothing is hidden from them? Being a poet myself, and crowned +with Apollo's laurel, I will make known to all the last incarnation of +Eunoia. The eternal Helen is close to us; she is looking at us, and we +are looking at her. You see that woman reclining on the cushions of her +couch--so beautiful and so contemplative--whose eyes shed tears, and +whose lips abound with kisses! It is she! Lovely as in the time of Priam +and the halcyon days of Asia, Eunoia is now called Thais. + +PHILINA. What do you say, Callicrates? Our dear Thais knew Paris, +Menelaus, and the Achaians who fought before Ilion! Was the Trojan horse +big, Thais? + +ARISTOBULUS. Who speaks of a horse? + +"I have drunk like a Thracian!" cried Chereas and he rolled under the +table. + +Callicrates, raising his cup, cried-- + +"If we drink like desperate men, we die unavenged!" + +Old Cotta was asleep, and his bald head nodded slowly above his broad +shoulders. + +For some time past Dorion had seemed to be greatly excited under his +philosophic cloak. He reeled up to the couch of Thais. + +"Thais, I love you, although it is unseemly in me to love a woman." + +THAIS. Why did you not love me before? + +DORION. Because I had not supped. + +THAIS. But I, my poor friend, have drunk nothing but water; therefore +you must excuse me if I do not love you. + +Dorion did not wait to hear more, but made towards Drosea, who had made +a sign to him in order to get him away from her friend. Zenothemis took +the place he had left, and gave Thais a kiss on the mouth. + +THAIS. I thought you more virtuous. + +ZENOTHEMIS. I am perfect, and the perfect are subject to no laws. + +THAIS. But are you not afraid of sullying your soul in a woman's arms? + +ZENOTHEMIS. The body may yield to lust without the soul being concerned. + +THAIS. Go away! I wish to be loved with body and soul. All these +philosophers are old goats. + +The lamps died out one by one. The pale rays of dawn, which entered +between the openings of the hangings, shone on the livid faces and +swollen eyes of the guests. Aristobulus was sleeping soundly by the side +of Chereas, and, in his dreams, devoting all his grooms to the ravens. +Zenothemis pressed in his arms the yielding Philina; Dorion poured on +the naked bosom of Drosea drops of wine, which rolled like rubies on the +white breast, which was shaking with laughter, and the philosopher +tried to catch these drops with his lips, as they rolled on the slippery +flesh. Eucrites rose, and placing his arm on the shoulder of Nicias, led +him to the end of the hall. + +"Friend," he said, smiling, "if you can still think at all--of what are +you thinking?" + +"I think that the love of women is like a garden of Adonis." + +"What do you mean by that?" + +"Do you not know, Eucrites, that women make little gardens on the +terraces, in which they plant boughs in clay pots in honour of the lover +of Venus? These boughs flourish a little time, and then fade." + +"What does that signify, Nicias? That it is foolish to attach importance +to that which fades?" + +"If beauty is but a shadow, desire is but a lightning flash. What +madness it is, then, to desire beauty! Is it not rational, on the +contrary, that that which passes should go with that which does not +endure, and that the lightning should devour the gliding shadow?" + +"Nicias, you seem to me like a child playing at knuckle-bones. Take my +advice--be free! By liberty only can you become a man." + +"How can a man be free, Eucrites, when he has a body?" + +"You shall see presently, my son. Presently you will say, 'Eucrites was +free.'" + +The old man spoke, leaning against a porphyry pillar, his face lighted +by the first rays of dawn. Hermodorus and Marcus had approached, and +stood before him by the side of Nicias; and all four, regardless of the +laughter and cries of the drinkers, conversed on things divine. Eucrites +expresses himself so wisely and eloquently, that Marcus said-- + +"You are worthy to know the true God." + +Eucrites replied-- + +"The true God is in the heart of the wise man." + +Then they spoke of death. + +"I wish," said Eucrites, "that it may find me occupied in correcting +my faults, and attentive to all my duties. In the face of death I will +raise my pure hands to heaven, and I will say to the gods, 'Your +images, gods, that you have placed in the temple of my soul, I have not +profaned; I have hung there my thoughts, as well as garlands, fillets, +and wreaths. I have lived according to your providence. I have lived +enough.'" + +Thus speaking, he raised his arms to heaven, and he remained thoughtful +a moment. Then he continued, with extreme joy-- + +"Separate thyself from life, Eucrites, like the ripe olive which falls; +returning thanks to the tree which bore thee, and blessing the earth, +thy nurse." + +At these words, drawing from the folds of his robe a naked dagger, he +plunged it into his breast. + +Those who listened to him sprang forward to seize his hand, but the +steel point had already penetrated the heart of the sage. Eucrites had +already entered into his rest. Hermodorus and Nicias bore the pale and +bleeding body to one of the couches, amidst the shrill shrieks of the +women, the grunts of the guests disturbed in their sleep, and the heavy +breathing of the couples hidden in the shadow of the tapestry. Cotta, +an old soldier, who slept lightly, woke, approached the corpse, examined +the wound, and cried-- + +"Call Aristaeus, my physician!" + +Nicias shook his head. + +"Eucrites is no more," he said. "He wished to die as others wish to +love. He has, like all of us, obeyed his inexpressible desire. And, lo, +now he is like unto the gods, who desire nothing." + +Cotta struck his forehead. + +"Die! To want to die when he might still serve the State! What +nonsense!" + +Paphnutius and Thais remained motionless and mute, side by side, their +souls overflowing with disgust, horror, and hope. + +Suddenly the monk seized the hand of the actress, and stepping over the +drunkards, who had fallen close to the lascivious couples, and treading +in the wine and blood spilt upon the floor, he led her out of the house. + + + +The sun had risen over the city. Long colonnades stretched on both sides +of the deserted street, and at the end shone the dome of Alexander's +tomb. Here and there on the pavement lay broken wreaths and extinguished +torches. Fresh wafts of the sea could be felt in the air. Paphnutius, +with a look of disgust, tore off his rich robe and trampled the +fragments under his feet. + +"Thou hast heard them, my Thais!" he cried. "They have spat forth every +sort of folly and abomination. They dragged the Divine Creator of all +things down the gemonies(*) of the devils of hell, impudently denied the +existence of Good and Evil, blasphemed Jesus, and exalted Judas. And the +most infamous of all, the jackal of darkness, the stinking beast, the +Arian full of corruption and death, opened his mouth like a yawning +sepulchre. My Thais, thou hast seen these filthy snails crawling towards +thee and defiling thee with their sticky sweat; thou hast seen others, +like brutes, sleeping under the heels of their slaves; thou hast seen +them coupling like beasts on the carpet they had fouled with their +vomit; thou hast seen a foolish old man shed a blood yet viler than +the wine which flowed at his debauch, and at the end of the orgie throw +himself in the face of the unforeseen Christ. Praise be to God! Thou +hast seen error and recognised how hideous it was. Thais, Thais, Thais, +recall to mind the follies of these philosophers, and say if thou wilt +go mad with them! Remember the looks, the gestures, the laughs of their +fitting companions, those two lascivious and malicious strumpets, and +say if thou wilt remain like unto them." + + (*) Steps on the Aventine Hill, leading to the Tiber, to + which the bodies of executed criminals were dragged to be + thrown into the river. The word is now obsolete, but was + employed by Ben Jonson (Sejanus) and Massinger (The Roman + Actor).--TRANS. + +Thais, her heart stirred with horror and disgust at all she had seen +and heard that night, and feeling the indifference and brutality, the +malicious jealousy of women, the heavy weight of useless hours, sighed. + +"I am weary to death, O my father! Where shall I find rest? I feel +that my face is burning, my head empty, and my arms are so tired that I +should not have the strength to seize happiness were it within reach of +my hand." + +Paphnutius gazed at her with loving pity. + +"Courage, O my sister! The hour of rest rises for thee, white and pure +as the vapours thou seest rise from the gardens and waters." + +They were near the house of Thais, and could see, above the wall, the +tops of the sycamore and fir trees, which surrounded the Grotto of +Nymphs, tremble in the morning breeze. In front of them was a public +square, deserted, and surrounded with steles and votive statues, and +having at each end a semicircular marble seat, supported by figures of +monsters. Thais fell on one of these seats. Then, looking anxiously at +the monk, she asked-- + +"What must I do?" + +"Thou must," replied the monk, "follow Him who has come to seek thee. He +will separate thee from this present life, as the vintager gathers +the cluster that would have rotted on the tree, and bears it to the +wine-press to change it into perfumed wine. Listen! there is, a dozen +hours from Alexandria, towards the west, not far from the sea, a +nunnery, the rules of which, a masterpiece of wisdom, deserve to be put +in lyric verse and sung to the sound of the theorbo and tambourines. +It may truly be said that the women who are there, submissive to these +rules, have their feet upon earth and their faces in heaven. They desire +to be poor, that Jesus may love them, modest, that He may gaze upon +them; chaste that He may wed them. He visits them every day in the +guise of a gardener, His feet bare, His beautiful hands open--even as He +showed Himself to Mary at the entrance of the tomb. I will conduct thee +this very day to this nunnery, my Thais, and soon, commingling with +these holy women, thou wilt share in their heavenly conversation. They +await thee as a sister. On the threshold of the convent, their mother, +the pious Albina, will give thee the kiss of peace and will say, 'My +daughter, thou art welcome!'" + +The courtesan uttered a cry of amazement. + +"Albina! a daughter of the Caesars! The great niece of the Emperor +Carus!" + +"She herself! Albina, who, born in the purple, has donned the serge, +and a daughter of the masters of this world, has risen to the rank of +servant of Jesus Christ. She will be thy mother." + +Thais rose and said-- + +"Take me to the house of Albina." + +And Paphnutius, completing his victory-- + +"Surely I will conduct thee thither, and there I will place thee in a +cell, where thou shalt weep for thy sins. For it is not fitting that +thou shouldst mingle with the daughters of Albina until thou art +cleansed from thy sins. I will seal the door, and there, a happy +prisoner, thou wilt wait in tears till Jesus Himself come, as a sign of +pardon, to break the seal that I have placed. And doubt not that He will +come, Thais, and how the flesh of thy soul will tremble when thou shalt +feel the fingers of Light placed upon thy eyes to dry thy tears!" + +Thais said a second time-- + +"Take me, my father, to the house of Albina." + +His heart filled with joy, Paphnutius gazed around him, and tasted, +almost without fear, the pleasure of contemplating the works of +creation; his eyes drank in with joy God's light, and unknown breezes +fanned his cheeks. Suddenly, seeing at one of the corners of the public +square the little door which led to Thais' house, and remembering that +the trees, whose foliage he had been admiring, shaded the courtesan's +garden, he thought of all the impurities which there sullied the air, +to-day so light and pure, and his soul was so grieved that bitter tears +sprang to his eyes. + +"Thais," he said, "we must fly without looking back. But we must not +leave behind us the instruments, the witnesses, the accomplices of thy +past crimes; those heavy hangings, those beds, carpets, perfume censers +and lamps, which would proclaim thy infamy! Dost thou wish that, +animated by the demons, and carried by the evil spirit that is in them, +those accursed belongings should pursue thee even to the desert? It is +but too true that there are tables which bring ruin, seats which serve +as the instruments of devils, which act, speak, strike the ground, and +pass through the air. Let all perish which has seen thy shame! Hasten, +Thais, and, whilst the city is yet asleep, order thy slaves to make, +in the centre of this place, a pile, upon which we will burn all the +abominable riches thy dwelling contains." + +Thais consented. + +"Do as you will, my father," she said. "I know that spirits often dwell +in inanimate objects. At night some articles of furniture talk, either +by giving knocks at regular intervals or by emitting little flashes of +light as signals. And even more. Have you remarked, my father, at the +entrance to the Grotto of Nymphs, on the right, a statue of a naked +woman about to bathe? One day I saw, with my own eyes, that statue turn +its head like a living person, and then return to its ordinary attitude. +I was terrified. Nicias, to whom I related this prodigy, laughed at +me; yet there must be some magic in that statue, for it inspired with +violent desires a certain Dalmatian, who was insensible to my beauty. +It is certain that I have lived amongst enchanted things, and that I +was exposed to the greatest perils, for men have been strangled by the +embraces of a bronze statue. Yet it would be a pity to destroy valuable +works made with rare skill, and to burn my carpets and tapestry would be +a great loss. The beautiful colours of some of them are truly wonderful, +and they cost much money to those who gave them to me. I also possess +cups, statues, and pictures of great price. I do not think they ought to +perish. But you know what is necessary. Do as you will, my father." + +Thus saying, she followed the monk to the little door at which so many +garlands and wreaths had been hung, and, when it was opened, she told +the porter to call together all the slaves in the house. Four Indians, +who were employed in the kitchen, were the first to appear. They were +all four yellow men, and each had but one eye. It had cost Thais much +trouble, and given her amusement, to get together these four slaves +of the same race, and all afflicted with the same infirmity. When they +attended at table they excited the curiosity of the guests, and Thais +made them relate the story of their lives. These four waited in silence. +Their assistants followed them. Then came the stablemen, the huntsmen, +the litter-bearers, and the running footmen with muscles like iron, two +gardeners hirsute as Priapus, six ferocious looking negroes, three Greek +slaves--one a grammarian, another a poet, and the third a singer. They +all stood, ranged in order, on the public square, and were presently +joined by the negresses--curious, suspicious, rolling big round eyes, +and each with a huge mouth slit to her earrings. Lastly, adjusting their +veils and languidly dragging their feet, which were shackled with light +gold chains, appeared six sulky-looking, beautiful white slave-girls. +When they were all assembled, Thais, pointing to Paphnutius, said-- + +"Do whatever this man commands you; for the spirit of God is in him, and +if you disobey him you will fall dead." + +For she had heard, and really believed, that the earth would open and +swallow up in flames and smoke any impious wretch whom a saint of the +desert struck with his staff. + +Paphnutius sent away the women and the Greek men-slaves, and said to the +others-- + +"Bring wood to the middle of this place, make a huge fire, and throw +into it pell-mell all that there is in the house and grotto." + +They were astonished, and stood motionless, looking at their mistress. +And they still stood inactive and silent, and pressed against each +other, elbow to elbow, suspecting that the order was a joke. + +"Obey!" said the monk. + +Several of them were Christians. They understood the command, and went +to the house to fetch wood and torches. The others were not indisposed +to imitate them, for, being poor, they hated riches and had a natural +instinct for destruction. Whilst they were building the pile, Paphnutius +said to Thais-- + +"I thought at one time of fetching the treasurer of one of the churches +of Alexandria (if there still remain one worthy of the name of church, +and that is not defiled by the Arian beasts) and giving him thy goods, +woman, that he might distribute them to widows, and change the proceeds +of crime into the treasure of justice. But such a thought did not come +from God, and I cast it from me, for assuredly it would be a great +offence to the well-beloved of Jesus Christ to offer them the spoils +of thy lust. Thais, all that thou hast touched must be devoured by +the fire, even to its very soul. Thanks be to Heaven, these tunics and +veils, which have seen kisses more innumerable than the waves of the +sea, will only feel now the lips and tongues of the flames. Hasten, +slaves! More wood! More links and torches! And thou, woman, return to +thy house, strip thyself of thy shameful robes, and ask of the most +humble of thy slaves, as an undeserving favour, the tunic that she puts +on when she scrubs the floors." + +Thais obeyed. Whilst the Indians knelt down and blew the embers, the +negroes threw on the pile coffers of ivory, ebony, or cedar, which broke +open and let out wreaths, garlands, and necklaces. The smoke rose in a +dark column, as in the holocausts of the old religion. Then the fire, +which had been smouldering, burst out suddenly with a roar as of some +monstrous animal, and the almost invisible flames began to devour their +valuable prey. The slaves worked more eagerly; they joyfully dragged out +rich carpets, veils embroidered with silver, and flowered tapestry. They +staggered under the weight of tables, couches, thick cushions, and +beds with gold nails. Three strong Ethiopians came hugging the coloured +statues of the nymphs, one of which had been loved as though it were a +mortal; and they looked like huge apes carrying off women. And when the +beautiful naked forms fell from the arms of these monsters, and were +broken on the stones, a deep groan was heard. + +At that moment Thais appeared, her hair unloosed and streaming over her +shoulders, barefooted, and clad in a clumsy coarse garment which seemed +redolent with divine voluptuousness merely from having touched her body. +Behind her came a gardener, carrying, half hidden in his long beard, an +ivory Eros. + +She made a sign to the man to stop, and approaching Paphnutius, showed +him the little god. + +"My father," she asked, "should this also be thrown into the flames? It +is of marvellous antique work, and is worth a hundred times its weight +in gold. Its loss would be irreparable, for there is not a sculptor in +the world capable of making such a beautiful Eros. Remember also, my +father, that this child is Love, and he should not be harshly treated. +Believe me, Love is a virtue, and if I have sinned, it is not through +him, my father, but against him. Never shall I regret aught that he has +caused me to do, and I deplore only those things I have done contrary to +his commands. He does not allow women to give themselves to those who +do not come in his name. For that reason he ought to be honoured. Look, +Paphnutius, how pretty this little Eros is! With what grace he hides +himself in the gardener's beard! One day Nicias, who loved me then, +brought it to me and said, 'It will remind you of me.' But the roguish +boy did not remind me of Nicias, but of a young man I knew at Antioch. +Enough riches have been destroyed upon this pile, my father! Preserve +this Eros, and place it in some monastery. Those who see it will +turn their hearts towards God, for love leads naturally to heavenly +thoughts." + +The gardener, already believing that the little Eros was saved, smiled +on it as though it had been a child, when Paphnutius, snatching the god +from the arms which held it, threw it into the flames, crying-- + +"It is enough that Nicias has touched it to make it replete with every +sort of poison!" + +Then, seizing by armfuls the sparkling robes, the purple mantles, the +golden sandals, the combs, strigils, mirrors, lamps, theorbos, and +lyres, he threw them into this furnace, more costly than the funeral +pile of Sardanapalus, whilst, drunken with the rage of destruction, the +slaves danced round, uttering wild yells amid a shower of sparks and +ashes. + +One by one, the neighbours, awakened by the noise, opened the windows, +and rubbing their eyes, looked out to see whence the smoke came. Then +they came down, half dressed, and drew near the fire. + +"What does it mean?" they wondered. + +Amongst them were merchants from whom Thais had often bought perfumes +and stuffs, and they looked on anxiously with long, yellow faces, unable +to comprehend what was going on. Some young debauchees, who, returning +from a supper, passed by there, preceded by their slaves, stopped, their +heads crowned with flowers, their tunics floating, and uttered loud +cries. Attracted by curiosity, the crowd increased unceasingly, and soon +it was known that Thais had been persuaded by the Abbot of Antinoe to +burn her riches and retire to a nunnery. + +The shopkeepers thought to themselves-- + +"Thais is going to leave the city; we shall sell no more to her; it is +dreadful to think of. What will become of us without her? This monk has +driven her mad. He is ruining us. Why let him do it? What is the use of +the laws? Are there no magistrates in Alexandria? Thais does not think +about us and our wives and our poor children. It is a public scandal. +She ought to be compelled to stay in the city." + +The young men, on their part, also thought-- + +"If Thais is going to renounce acting and love, our chief amusements +will be taken from us. She was the glory, delight, and honour of the +stage. She was the joy even of those who had never possessed her. The +women we loved, we loved in her. There were no kisses given in which she +was altogether absent, for she was the joy of all voluptuaries, and the +mere thought that she breathed amongst us excited us to pleasure." + +Thus thought the young men, and one of them, named Cerons, who had held +her in his arms, cried out upon the abduction, and blasphemed against +Christ. In every group the conduct of Thais was severely criticised. + +"It is a shameful flight!" + +"A cowardly desertion!" + +"She is taking the bread out of our mouths." + +"She is robbing our children." + +"She ought at least to pay for the wreaths I have sold to her." + +"And the sixty robes she has ordered of me." + +"She owes money to everybody." + +"Who will represent Iphigenia, Electra, and Polyxena when she is gone? +The handsome Polybia herself will not make such a success as she has +done." + +"Life will be dull when her door is closed." + +"She was the bright star, the soft moon of the Alexandrian sky." + +All the most notorious mendicants of the city--cripples, blind men, +and paralytics--had by this time assembled in the place; and crawling +through the remnants of the riches, they groaned-- + +"How shall we live when Thais is no longer here to feed us? Every day +the fragments from her table fed two hundred poor wretches, and her +lovers, when they quitted her, threw us as they passed handfuls of +silver pieces." + +Some thieves, too, also mingled with the crowd, and created a deafening +clamour, and pushed their neighbours, to increase disorder, and take +advantage of the tumult to filch some valuable object. + +Old Taddeus, who sold Miletan wool and Tarentan linen, and to whom Thais +owed a large sum of money, alone remained calm and silent in the +midst of the uproar. He listened and watched, and gently stroking his +goat-beard, seemed thoughtful. At last he approached young Cerons, and +pulling him by the sleeve, whispered-- + +"You are the favoured lover of Thais, handsome youth; show yourself, and +do not allow this monk to carry her off." + +"By Pollux and his sister, he shall not!" cried Cerons. "I will speak +to Thais, and without flattering myself, I think she will listen to me +rather than to that sooty-faced Lapithan. Place! Place, dogs!" + +And striking with his fist the men, upsetting the old women and treading +on the young children, he reached Thais, and taking her aside-- + +"Dearest girl," he said, "look at me, remember, and tell me truly if you +renounce love." + +But Paphnutius threw himself between Thais and Cerons. + +"Impious wretch!" he cried, "beware and touch her not; she is +sacred--she belongs to God." + +"Get away, baboon!" replied the young man furiously. "Let me speak to my +sweetheart, or if not I will drag your obscene carcase by the beard to +the fire, and roast you like a sausage." + +And he put his hand on Thais. But, pushed away by the monk with +unexpected force, he staggered back four paces and fell at the foot of +the pile amongst the scattered ashes. + +Old Taddeus, meanwhile, had been going from one to the other, pulling +the ears of the slaves and kissing the hands of the masters, inciting +each and all against Paphnutius, and had already formed a little band +resolutely determined to oppose the monk who would steal Thais from +them. + +Cerons rose, his face black, his hair singed, and choking with smoke +and rage. He blasphemed against the gods, and threw himself amongst the +assailants, behind whom the beggars crawled, shaking their crutches. +Paphnutius was soon enclosed in a circle of menacing fists, raised +sticks, and cries of death. + +"To the ravens with the monk! to the ravens!" + +"No; throw him in the fire! Burn him alive!" + +Seizing his fair prey, he pressed her to his heart. + +"Impious men," he cried in a voice of thunder, "strive not to tear the +dove from the eagle of the Lord. But rather copy this woman, and like +she turn your filth into gold. Imitate her example, and renounce the +false wealth which you think you hold and which holds you. Hasten! +the day is at hand, and divine patience begins to grow weary. Repent, +confess your sins, weep and pray. Walk in the footsteps of Thais. Hate +your offenses, which are as great as hers. Which of you, poor or rich, +merchants, soldiers, slaves or eminent citizens, would dare to say, +before God, that he was better than a prostitute? You are all nothing +but living filth, and it is by a miracle of divine goodness that you do +not suddenly turn into streams of mire." + +Whilst he spoke flames shot from his eyes; an it seemed as though live +coals came from his lips and those who surrounded him were obliged to +hear him in spite of themselves. + +But old Taddeus did not remain idle. He picked up stones and oyster +shells, which he hid in the skirt of his tunic, and not daring to throw +them himself slipped them into the hands of the beggars. Soon the stones +began to fly, and a well-directed shell cut Paphnutius' face. The blood, +which flowed down the dark face of the martyr, dropped in a new baptism +on the head of the penitent, and Thais, half stifled in the monk's +embrace and her delicate skin scratched by the coarse cassock, felt a +thrill of horror and fright. + +At that moment a man elegantly dressed, and with a wreath of wild celery +on his head, opened a road for himself through the furious crowd, and +cried-- + +"Stop! Stop! This monk is my brother!" + +It was Nicias, who, having closed the eyes of the philosopher Eucrites, +was passing through the square to return to his house, and saw, without +very much surprise (for nothing astonished him), the smoking pile, Thais +clad an a serge cassock, and Paphnutius being stoned. + +He repeated-- + +"Stop, I tell you; spare my old fellow-scholar; respect the beloved head +of Paphnutius!" + +But, being only used to subtle disquisitions with philosophers, he did +not possess that imperious energy which commands vulgar minds. He was +not listened to. A shower of stones and shells fell on the monk, who, +protecting Thais with his body, praised the Lord whose goodness turned +his wounds into caresses. Despairing of making himself heard, and +feeling but too sure that he could not save his friend either by force +or persuasion, Nicias resigned himself to the will of the gods--in +whom he had little confidence--when the idea occurred to him to use a +stratagem which his contempt for men had suddenly suggested to him. He +took from his girdle his purse, which was full of gold and silver, for +he was a pleasure-loving and charitable man, and running up to the men +who were throwing the stones, he chinked the money in their ears. At +first they paid no attention to him, their fury being too great; but +little by little their looks turned towards the chinking gold, and soon +their arms dropped and no longer menaced their victim. Seeing that he +had attracted their eyes and minds, Nicias opened his purse and threw +some pieces of gold and silver amongst the crowd. The more greedy +of them stooped to pick it up. The philosopher, pleased at his first +success, adroitly threw deniers and drachmas here and there. At the +sound of the pieces of money rattling on the pavement, the persecutors +of Paphnutius threw themselves on the ground. Beggars, slaves, and +tradespeople scrambled after the money, whilst, grouped round Cerons, +the patricians watched the struggle and laughed heartily. Cerons +himself quite forgot his wrath. His friends encouraged the rivals, chose +competitors, and made bets, and urged on the miserable wretches as they +would have done fighting dogs. A cripple without legs having succeeded +in seizing a drachma, the applause was frenetic. The young men +themselves began to throw money, and nothing was to be seen in the +square but a multitude of backs, rising and falling like waves of the +sea, under a shower of coins. Paphnutius was forgotten. + +Nicias ran up to him, covered him with his cloak, and dragged him and +Thais into by-streets where they were safe from pursuit. They ran for +some time in silence, and when they thought they were out of reach +of their enemies, they ceased running, and Nicias said, in a tone of +raillery in which a little sadness was mingled-- + +"It is finished then! Pluto ravishes Proserpine, and Thais will follow +my fierce-looking friend whithersoever he will lead her." + +"It is true, Nicias," replied Thais, "that I am tired of living with men +like you, smiling, perfumed, kindly egoists. I am weary of all I know, +and I am, therefore, going to seek the unknown. I have experienced joy +that was not joy, and here is a man who teaches me that sorrow is true +joy. I believe him, for he knows the truth." + +"And I, sweetheart," replied Nicias, smiling, "I know the truths. He +knows but one, I know them all. I am superior to him in that respect, +but to tell the truth, it doesn't make me any the prouder nor any the +happier." + +Then, seeing that the monk was glaring fiercely at him-- + +"My dear Paphnutius, do not imagine that I think you extremely absurd, +or even altogether unreasonable. And if I were to compare your life with +mine, I could not say which is preferable in itself. I shall presently +go and take the bath which Crobyle and Myrtale have prepared for me; +I shall eat the wing of a Phasian pheasant; then I shall read--for the +hundredth time--some fable by Apuleius or some treatise by Porphyry. +You will return to your cell, where, leaning like a tame camel, you will +ruminate on--I know not what--formulas of incarnations you have long +chewed and rechewed, and in the evening you will swallow some radishes +without any oil. Well, my dear friend, in accomplishing these acts, so +different apparently, we are both obeying the same sentiment, the only +motive for all human actions; we are both seeking our own pleasure, and +striving to attain the same end--happiness, the impossible happiness. +It would be folly on my part to say you were wrong, dear friend, even +though I think myself in the right. + +"And you, my Thais, go and enjoy yourself, and be more happy still, if +it be possible, in abstinence and austerity than you have been in riches +and pleasure. On the whole, I should say you were to be envied. For +if in our whole lives, Paphnutius and I have pursued but one kind of +pleasurable satisfaction, you in your life, dear Thais, have tasted +diverse joys such as it is rarely given to the same person to know. +I should really like to be for one hour, a saint like our dear friend +Paphnutius. But that is not possible. Farewell, then, Thais! Go where +the secret forces of nature and your destiny conduct you! Go, and take +with you, whithersoever you go, the good wishes of Nicias! I know +that is mere foolishness, but can I give you anything more than barren +regrets and vain wishes in payment for the delicious illusions which +once enveloped me when I was in your arms, and of which only the shadow +now remains to me? Farewell, my benefactress! Farewell, goodness that is +ignorant of its own existence, mysterious virtue, joy of men! Farewell +to the most adorable of the images that nature has ever thrown--for some +unknown reasons--on the face of this deceptive world!" + +Whilst he spoke, deep wrath had been brewing in the monk's heart, and it +now broke forth in imprecations. + +"Avaunt, cursed wretch! I scorn thee and hate thee. Go, child of hell, a +thousand times worse than those poor lost ones who just now threw stones +and insults at me! They knew not what they did, and the grace of God, +which I implored for them, may some day descend into their hearts. But +thou, detestable Nicias, thou art but a perfidious venom and a bitter +poison. Thy mouth breathes despair and death. One of thy smiles contains +more blasphemy than issues in a century from the smoking lips of Satan. +Avaunt, backslider!" + +Nicias looked at him. + +"Farewell, my brother," he said, "and may you preserve until your life's +end your store of faith, hate, and love. Farewell, Thais! It is in vain +that you will forget me, because I shall ever remember you." + +On quitting them he walked thoughtfully through the winding streets in +the vicinity of the great cemetery of Alexandria, which are peopled +by the makers of funeral urns. Their shops were full of clay figures +painted in bright colours and representing gods and goddesses, mimes, +women, winged sprites, &c., such as were usually buried with the dead. +He fancied that perhaps some of the little images which he saw there +might be the companions of his eternal sleep; and it seemed to him that +a little Eros, with its tunic tucked up, laughed at him mockingly. He +looked forward to his death, and the idea was painful to him. To cure +his sadness he tried to philosophise, and reasoned thus-- + +"Assuredly," he said to himself, "time has no reality. It is a simple +illusion of our minds. Then, if it does not exist, how can it bring +death to me? Does that mean that I shall live for ever? No, but I +conclude therefrom that my death is, always has been, as it always will +be. I do not feel it yet, but it is in me, and I ought not to fear it, +for it would be folly to dread the coming of that which has arrived. It +exists, like the last page of a book I read and have not finished." + +This argument occupied him all the rest of the way, but without making +him more cheerful; and his mind was filled with dismal thoughts when he +arrived at the door of his house and heard the merry laughter of Crobyle +and Myrtale, who were playing at tennis whilst they were waiting for +him. + +Paphnutius and Thais left the city by the Gate of the Moon, and followed +the coast. + +"Woman," said the monk, "all that great blue sea could not wash away thy +pollutions." + +He spoke with scorn and anger. + +"More filthy than a bitch or a sow, thou hast prostituted to pagans and +infidels a body which the Eternal had intended for a tabernacle, and thy +impurities are such that, now that thou knowest the truth, thou canst +not unite thy lips or join thy hands without a horror of thyself rising +in thy heart." + +She followed him meekly, over stony roads, under a burning sun. Her +knees ached from fatigue, and her throat was parched with thirst. +But, far from feeling any of the pity which softens the hearts of the +profane, Paphnutius rejoiced at these propitiatory sufferings of the +flesh which had so sinned. So infuriated was he with holy zeal that he +would have liked to cut with rods the body that had preserved its beauty +as a shining witness to its infamy. His meditations augmented his pious +fury, and remembering that Thais had received Nicias in her bed, that +idea seemed so horrible to him that his blood all flowed back to his +heart, and his breast felt ready to burst. His curses were stifled in +his throat, and he could only grind his teeth. He sprang forward +and stood before her, pale, terrible, and filled with the Spirit of +God--looked into her very soul, and then spat in her face. + +She calmly wiped her face and continued to walk on. He followed, glaring +at her in pious anger, as if she had been hell itself. He was thinking +how he could avenge Christ in order that Christ should not avenge +Himself, when he saw a drop of blood that had dripped from the foot of +Thais on the sand. Then a hitherto unknown influence entered his opened +heart, sobs rose to his lips, he wept, he ran and knelt before her, +called her his sister, and kissed her bleeding feet. He murmured a +hundred times, "My sister, my sister, my mother, O most holy!" + +He prayed-- + +"Angels of heaven, receive carefully this drop of blood, and bear it +before the throne of the Lord. And may a miraculous anemone blossom +on the sand sprinkled with the blood of Thais, that those who see the +flower may recover purity of heart and feeling. O holy, holy, most holy +Thais!" + +As he prayed and prophesied thus, a lad passed on an ass. Paphnutius +ordered him to descend, seated Thais on the ass, and led it by the +bridle. Towards evening they came to a canal shaded by fine trees; he +tied the ass to the trunk of a date palm, and sitting on a mossy stone +he shared with Thais a loaf, which they ate with salt and hyssop. They +drank fresh water in their hands, and talked of things eternal. She +said-- + +"I have never drunk water so pure nor breathed an air so light, and I +feel that God floats in the breezes that pass." + +"Look! it is the evening, O my sister. The blue shadows of night cover +the hills. But soon thou wilt see shining in the dawn the tabernacles +of Light; soon thou wilt behold shine forth the roses of the eternal +morning." + +They journeyed all night, and, while the crescent moon gleamed on the +silver crests of the waves, they sang psalms and hymns. When the sun +rose, the Libyan desert stretched before them like a huge lion-skin. At +the edge of the desert, and close to a few palm-trees, some white huts +shimmered in the morning light. + +"Are those the tabernacles of Light, father?" asked Thais. + +"Even so, my daughter and my sister. Yonder is the House of Salvation, +where I will confine you with my own hands." + +Soon they saw a number of women busy around the buildings, like +bees round their hives. There were some who baked bread, or prepared +vegetables; many were spinning wool, and the light of heaven shone upon +them like a smile of God. Others meditated in the shade of the tamarisk +trees; their white hands hung by their sides, for, being filled with +love, they had chosen the part of Magdalen, and performed no work but +prayer, contemplation, and ecstasy. They were, therefore, called the +Marys, and were clad in white. Those who worked with their hands were +called the Marthas, and wore blue robes. All wore the hood, +but the younger ones allowed a few curls to show on their +foreheads--unintentionally, it is to be presumed, since it was forbidden +by the rules. A very old lady, tall and white, walked from cell to cell, +leaning on a staff of hard wood. Paphnutius approached her respectfully, +kissed the hem of her veil, and said-- + +"The peace of the Lord be with thee, venerable Albina. I have brought +to the hive, of which thou art queen, a bee I found lost on a flowerless +road. I took it in the palm of my hand, and revived it with my breath. I +give it to thee." + +And he pointed to the actress, who knelt down before the daughter of the +Caesars. + +Albina cast a piercing glance on Thais, ordered her to rise, kissed her +on the forehead, and then, turning to the monk-- + +"We will place her," she said, "amongst the Marys." + +Paphnutius then related how Thais had been brought to the House of +Salvation, and asked that she should be at once confined in a cell. +The abbess consented, and led the penitent to a hut, which had remained +empty since the death of the virgin Laeta, who had sanctified it. In +this narrow chamber there was but a bed, a table, and a pitcher, and +Thais when she crossed the threshold, felt filled with ineffable joy. + +"I wish to close the door myself," said Paphnutius, "and put thereon a +seal, which Jesus will come and break with His own hands." + +He went to the side of the spring, and took a handful of wet clay, mixed +with it a little spittle and a hair from his head, and plastered it +across the chink of the door. Then, approaching the window, near which +Thais stood peaceful and happy, he fell on his knees and praised the +Lord three times. + +"How beautiful are the feet of her who walketh in the paths of +righteousness! How beautiful are her feet, and how resplendent her +face!" + +He rose, lowered his hood over his eyes, and walked away slowly. + +Albina called one of her virgins. + +"My daughter," she said, "take to Thais those things which are needful +for her--bread, water, and a flute with three holes." + + + + +PART THE THIRD -- THE EUPHORBIA + +Paphnutius had returned to the holy desert. He took, near Athribis, +the boat which went up the Nile to carry food to the monastery of Abbot +Serapion. When he disembarked, his disciples advanced to meet him with +great demonstrations of joy. Some raised their arms to heaven; others, +prostrate on the ground, kissed the Abbot's sandals. For they knew +already what the saint had accomplished in Alexandria. The monks +generally received, by rapid and unknown means, information concerning +the safety or glory of the Church. News spread through the desert with +the rapidity of the simoon. + +When Paphnutius strode across the sand, his disciples followed +him, praising the Lord. Flavian, who was the oldest member of the +brotherhood, was suddenly seized with a pious frenzy and began to sing +an inspired hymn-- + + "O blessed day! Now is our father restored to us. + He has returned laden with fresh merits, of which we reap the + benefit. + For the virtues of the father are the wealth of the children, and + the sanctity of the Abbot illuminates every cell. + Paphnutius, our father, has given a new spouse to Jesus Christ. + By his wondrous art, he has changed a black sheep into a white + sheep. + And now, behold, he has returned to us, laden with fresh merits. + Like unto the bee of the Arsinoetid, heavy with the nectar of + flowers. + Even as the ram of Nubia, which could hardly bear the weight of its + abundant wool. + Let us celebrate this day by mingling oil with our food." + +When they came to the door of the Abbot's cell, they fell on their +knees, and said-- + +"Let our father bless us, and give each of us a measure of oil to +celebrate his return." + +Paul the Fool, who alone had remained standing, asked, "Who is this +man?" and did not recognise Paphnutius. But no one paid any attention +to what he said, as he was known to be devoid of intelligence, though +filled with piety. + +The Abbot of Antinoe, locked in his cell, thought-- + +"I have at last regained the haven of my repose and happiness. I have +returned to my fortress of contentment. But how is it that this roof of +rushes, so dear to me, does not receive me as a friend, and the walls +say not to me, 'Thou art welcome.' Nothing has changed, since my +departure, in this abode I have chosen. There is my table and my bed. +There is the mummy's head which has so often inspired me with salutary +thoughts; and there is the book in which I have so often sought +conceptions of God. And yet nothing that I left is here. The things +appear grievously despoiled of their customary charm, and it seems to +me as though I saw them to-day for the first time. When I look at that +table and couch, that in former days I made with my own hands, that +black, dried head, these rolls of papyrus filled with the sayings of +God, I seem to see the belongings of a dead man. After having known them +all so well, I know them no longer. Alas! since nothing around me has +really changed, it is I who am no longer what I was. I am another. I am +the dead man! What has happened, my God? What has been taken from me? +What is left unto me? And who am I?" + +And it especially perplexed him to find, in spite of himself, that his +cell was small, whereas, when viewed by the eye of faith, he ought to +consider it immense, because the infinitude of God began there. + +He began to pray, with his face against the ground, and felt a little +happier. He had hardly been an hour in prayer, when a vision of Thais +passed before his eyes. He returned thanks to God-- + +"Jesus! it is Thou who hast sent her. I acknowledge in that Thy +wonderful goodness; Thou wouldst please me, reassure me and comfort me +by the sight of her whom I have given to Thee. Thou; presentest her to +my eyes with her smile now disarmed; her grace, now become innocent; her +beauty from which I have extracted the sting. To please me, my God, thou +showest her to me as I have prepared and purified her for Thy designs, +as one friend pleasantly reminds another of the rich gift he has +received from him. Therefore I see this woman with delight, being +assured that the vision comes from Thee. Thou dost not forget that I +have given her to Thee, Jesus. Keep her, since she pleases Thee, and +suffer not her beauty to give joy to any but Thyself." + +He could not sleep all night, and he saw Thais more distinctly than he +had seen her in the Grotto of Nymphs. He commended himself, saying-- + +"What I have done, I have done to the glory of God." + +Yet, to his great surprise, his heart was not at ease. He sighed. + +"Why art thou sad, O my soul, and why dost thou trouble me?" + +And his mind was still perturbed. Thirty days he remained in that +condition of sadness which precedes the sore trials of a solitary monk. +The image of Thais never left him day or night. He did not try to banish +it, because he still thought it came from God, and was the image of a +saint. But one morning she visited him in a dream, her hair crowned with +violets, and her very gentleness seemed so formidable, that he uttered a +cry of fright, and woke in an icy sweat. His eyes were still heavy with +sleep, when he felt a moist warm breath on his face. A little jackal, +its two paws placed on the side of the bed, was panting its stinking +breath in his face, and grinning at him. + +Paphnutius was greatly astonished, and it seemed to him as though a +tower had given way under his feet. And, in fact, he had fallen, for his +self-confidence had gone. For some time he was incapable of thought +and when he did recover himself, his meditations only increased his +perplexity. + +"It is one of two things," he said to himself; "either this vision, like +the preceding ones, came from God, and was a good vision, and it is my +natural perversity which has misrepresented it, as wine turns sour in +a dirty cup. I have, by my unworthiness, changed instruction into +reproach, of which this diabolical jackal immediately took advantage. +Or else this vision came, not from God, but, on the contrary, from the +devil, and was evil. In that case I should doubt whether the former ones +had, as I thought, a celestial origin. I am therefore incapable of that +discernment which is necessary for the ascetic. In either case it is +plain that God is no longer with me,--of which I feel the effects, +though I cannot explain the cause." + +He reasoned in this way, and anxiously asked-- + +"Just God, what trials dost Thou appoint for Thy servants if the +apparitions of Thy saints are a danger for them? Give me to discern, by +an intelligible sign, that which comes from Thee, and that which comes +from the other." + +And as God, whose designs are inscrutable, did not see fit to enlighten +his servant, Paphnutius, lost in doubt, resolved not to think of Thais +any more. But his resolutions were vain. Though absent, she was ever +with him. She gazed at him whilst he read, or meditated, or prayed, or +met his eyes wherever he looked. Her imaginary approach was heralded by +a slight sound, such as is made by a woman's dress when she walks, and +the visions had more verisimilitude than reality itself, which moves and +is confused, whereas the phantoms which are caused by solitude are fixed +and unchangeable. She came under various appearances--sometimes pensive, +her head crowned with her last perishable wreath, clad as at the banquet +at Alexandria, in a mauve robe spangled with silver flowers; sometimes +voluptuously in a cloud of light veils, and bathed in the warm shadows +of the Grotto of Nymphs; sometimes in a serge cassock, pious and radiant +with celestial joy; sometimes tragic, her eyes swimming in the terrors +of death, and showing her bare breast bedewed with the blood from her +pierced heart. What disturbed him the most in these visions was that +the wreaths, tunics, and veils, that he had burned with his own hands, +should thus return; it became evident to him that these things had an +imperishable soul, and he cried-- + +"Lo, all the countless souls of the sins of Thais come upon me!" + +When he turned away his head, he felt that Thais was behind him, and +that made him feel still more uneasy. His torture was cruel. But as +his soul and body remained pure in the midst of all his temptations, he +trusted in God, and gently complained to Him. + +"My God, if I went so far to seek her amongst the Gentiles, it was for +Thy sake, and not for mine. It would not be just that I should suffer +for what I have done in Thy behalf. Protect me, sweet Jesus! My Saviour, +save me! Suffer not the phantom to accomplish that which the body +could not. As I have triumphed over the flesh, suffer not the shadow +to overthrow me. I know that I am now exposed to greater dangers than +I ever ran. I feel and know that the dream has more power than the +reality. And how could it be otherwise, since it is itself but a higher +reality? It is the soul of things. Plato, though he was but an idolater, +has testified to the real existence of ideas. At that banquet of demons +to which Thou accompaniedst me, Lord, I heard men--sullied with crimes +truly, but certainly not devoid of intelligence--agree to acknowledge +that we see real objects in solitude, meditation, and ecstasy; and Thy +Scriptures, my God, many times affirm the virtue of dreams, and the +power of visions formed either by Thee, great God, or by Thy adversary." + +There was a new man in him and now he reasoned with God, but God did not +choose to enlighten him. His nights were one long dream, and his days +did not differ from his nights. One morning he awoke uttering sighs, +such as issue, by moonlight, from the tombs of the victims of crimes. +Thais had come, showing her bleeding feet, and whilst he wept, she had +slipped into his couch. There was no longer any doubt; the image of +Thais was an impure image. + +His heart filled with disgust, he leaped out of his profaned couch, and +hid his face in his hands that he might not see the daylight. The hours +passed, but they did not remove his shame. All was quiet in the cell. +For the first time for many long days, Paphnutius was alone. The phantom +had at last left him, and even its absence seemed dreadful. Nothing, +nothing to distract his mind from the recollection of the dream. Full of +horror, he thought-- + +"Why did I not drive her away? Why did I not tear myself from her cold +arms and burning knees?" + +He no longer dared to pronounce the name of God near that horrible +couch, and he feared that his cell being profaned, the demons might +freely enter at any hour. His fears did not deceive him. The seven +little jackals, which had never crossed the threshold, entered in a +file, and went and hid under the bed. At the vesper hour, there came an +eighth, the stench of which was horrible. The next day, a ninth joined +the others, and soon there were thirty, then sixty, then eighty. They +became smaller as they multiplied, and being no bigger than rats, they +covered the floor, the couch, and the stool. One of them jumped on the +little table by the side of the bed, and standing with its four feet +together on the death's head, looked at the monk with burning eyes. And +every day fresh jackals came. + +To expiate the abominable sin of his dream, and flee from impure +thoughts, Paphnutius determined to leave his cell, which had now become +polluted, go far into the desert, and practise unheard-of austerities, +strange labours, and fresh works of grace. But before putting his design +into action, he went to see old Palemon and ask his advice. + +He found him in his garden watering his lettuces. It was the evening. +The blue Nile flowed at the foot of violet hills. The good old man was +walking slowly, in order not to frighten a pigeon that had perched on +his shoulder. + +"The Lord be with thee, brother Paphnutius," he said. "Admire his +goodness; He sends me the animals that He has created that I may +converse with them of His works, and praise Him in the birds of the air. +Look at this pigeon; note the changing hues of its neck, and say, is +it not a beautiful work of God? But have you not come to talk with me, +brother, on some pious subject? If so, I will put down my watering-pot, +and listen to you." + +Paphnutius told the old man about his journey, his return, the visions +of his days and the dreams of his nights,--without omitting the sinful +one--and the pack of jackals. + +"Do you not think, father," he added, "that I ought to bury myself in +the desert, and perform some extraordinary austerities that would even +astonish the devil?" + +"I am but a poor sinner," replied Palemon, "and I know little about men, +having passed all my life in this garden, with gazelles, little hares +and pigeons. But it seems to me, brother, that your distemper comes +from your having passed too suddenly from the noisy world to the calm of +solitude. Such sudden transitions can but do harm to the health of the +soul. You are, brother, like a man who exposes himself, almost at the +same time, to great heat and great cold. A cough shakes him, and fever +torments him. In your place, brother Paphnutius, instead of retiring +at once into some awful desert, I should take such amusements as are +fitting to a monk and a holy abbot. I should visit the monasteries in +the neighbourhood. Some of them are wonderful, it is said. That of +Abbot Serapion contains, I have been told, a thousand four hundred and +thirty-two cells, and the monks are divided into as many legions as +there are letters in the Greek alphabet. I am even informed that a +certain analogy is observed between the character of the monks and the +shape of the letter by which they are designated, and that, for example, +those who are placed under Z have a tortuous character, whilst those +under I have an upright mind. If I were you, brother, I should go and +assure myself of this with my own eyes, and I should know no rest +until I had seen such a wonderful thing. I should not fail to study the +regulations of the various communities which are scattered along the +banks of the Nile, so as to be able to compare one with another. Such +study is befitting a religious man like yourself. You have heard say, +no doubt, that Abbot Ephrem has drawn up for his monastery pious +regulations of great beauty. With his permission, you might make a copy +of them, as you are a skilful penman. I could not do so, for my hands, +accustomed to wield the spade, are too awkward to direct the thin reed +of the scribe over the papyrus. But you have the knowledge of letters, +brother, and should thank God for it, for beautiful writing cannot be +too much admired. The work of the copyist and the reader is a great +safeguard against evil thoughts. Brother Paphnutius, why do you not +write out the teachings of our fathers, Paul and Anthony? Little by +little you would recover, in these pious works, peace of soul and mind; +solitude would again become pleasant to your heart, and soon you would +be in a condition to recommence those ascetic works which your journey +has interrupted. But you must not expect much benefit from excessive +penitence. When he was amongst us, our Father Anthony used to say, +'Excessive fasting produces weakness, and weakness begets idleness. +There are some monks who ruin their body by fasts improperly prolonged. +Of them it may be said that they plunge a dagger into their own breast, +and deliver themselves up unresistingly into the power of the devil.' +So said the holy man, Anthony. I am but a foolish old man, but, by the +grace of God, I have remembered what our father told us." + +Paphnutius thanked Palemon and promised to think over his advice. When +he had passed the fence of reeds which enclosed the little garden, +he turned round and saw the good old gardener engaged in watering his +salads, whilst the pigeon walked about on his bent back, and at that +sight Paphnutius felt ready to weep. + +On returning to his cell, he found there a strange turmoil, as though +it were filled with grains of sand blown about by a strong wind, and +on looking closer, he saw these moving bodies were myriads of little +jackals. That night he saw in a dream, a high stone column surmounted by +a human face, and he heard a voice which said-- + +"Ascend this pillar!" + +On awaking, he felt confident that this dream had been sent from heaven. +He called his disciples, and addressed them in these words-- + +"My beloved sons, I must leave you, and go where God sends me. During my +absence obey Flavian as you would me, and take care of our brother Paul. +Bless you. Farewell." + +As he strode away, they remained prostrate on the ground, and when they +raised their heads, they saw his tall dark figure on the sandy horizon. + +He walked day and night until he reached the ruins of the temple, +formerly built by the idolaters, in which he had slept amongst the +scorpions and sirens on his former strange journey. The walls, covered +with magic signs, were still standing. Thirty immense columns, which +terminated in human heads or lotus flowers, still supported a heavy +stone entablature. But, at one end of the temple, a pillar had shaken +off its old burden, and stood isolated. It had for its capital the head +of a woman which smiled, with long eyes and rounded cheeks, and on her +forehead cow's horns. + +Paphnutius, on seeing it, recognised the column which had been shown him +in his dream, and he calculated that it was thirty-two cubits high. He +went to the neighbouring village, and ordered a ladder of that height to +be made; and when the ladder was placed against the pillar, he ascended, +knelt down on the top, and said to the Lord-- + +"Here, then, O God, is the abode Thou hast chosen for me. May I remain +here, in Thy Grace, until the hour of my death." + +He had brought no provisions with him, trusting in divine providence, +and expecting that charitable peasants would give him all that he +needed. And, in fact, the next day, about the ninth hour, women came +with their children, bringing bread, dates, and fresh water, which the +boys carried to the top of the column. + +The top of the pillar was not large enough to allow the monk to lie at +full length, so that he slept with his legs crossed and his head on +his breast, and sleep was a more cruel torture to him than his wakeful +hours. At dawn the ospreys brushed him with their wings, and he awoke +filled with pain and terror. + +It happened that the carpenter who had made the ladder feared God. +Disturbed at the thought that the saint was exposed to the sun and rain, +and fearing that he might fall in his sleep, this pious man constructed +a roof and a railing on the top of the column. + +Soon the report of this extraordinary existence spread from village to +village, and the labourers of the valley came on Sundays, with their +wives and children, to look at the stylite. The disciples of Paphnutius, +having learned with surprise the place of this wonderful retreat, came +to him, and obtained from him permission to build their huts at the foot +of the column. Every morning they came and stood in a circle round the +master, and received from him the words of instruction. + +"My sons," he said to them, "continue like those little children whom +Jesus loved. That is the way of salvation. The sin of the flesh is the +source and origin of all sins; they spring from it as from a parent. +Pride, avarice, idleness, anger, and envy are its dearly beloved +progeny. I have seen this in Alexandria; I have seen rich men carried +away by the vice of lust, which, like a river with a turbid flood, swept +them into the gulf of bitterness." + +The abbots Ephrem and Serapion, being informed of his strange +proceeding, wished to behold him with their own eyes. Seeing from +afar, on the river, the triangular sail which was bringing them to him, +Paphnutius could not prevent himself from thinking that God had made him +an example to all solitary monks. The two abbots, when they saw him, did +not conceal their surprise; and, having consulted together, they agreed +in condemning such an extraordinary penance, and exhorted Paphnutius to +come down. + +"Such a mode of life is contrary to all usage," they said; "it is +peculiar, and against all rules." + +But Paphnutius replied-- + +"What is the monastic life if not peculiar? And ought not the deeds of +a monk to be as eccentric as he is himself? It was a sign from God +that caused me to ascend here; it is a sign from God that will make me +descend." + +Every day religious men came to join the disciples of Paphnutius, and +they built for themselves shelters round the aerial hermitage. Several +of them, to imitate the saint, mounted the ruins of the temple; but, +being reproved by their brethren, and conquered by fatigue, they soon +gave up these attempts. + +Pilgrims flocked from all parts. There were some who had come long +distances, and were hungry and thirsty. The idea occurred to a poor +widow of selling fresh water and melons. Against the foot of the column, +behind her bottles of red clay, her cups and her fruit under an awning +of blue-and-white striped canvas, she cried, "Who wants to drink?" +Following the example of this widow, a baker brought some bricks and +made an oven close by, in the hope of selling loaves and cakes to +visitors. As the crowd of visitors increased unceasingly, and the +inhabitants of the large cities of Egypt began to come, some man, greedy +of gain, built a caravanserai to lodge the guests and their servants, +camels, and mules. Soon there was, in front of the column, a market to +which the fishermen of the Nile brought their fish, and the gardeners +their vegetables. A barber, who shaved people in the open air, amused +the crowd with his jokes. The old temple, so long given over to silence +and solitude was filled with countless sights and sounds of life. The +innkeepers turned the subterranean vaults into cellars and nailed on the +old pillars signs surmounted by the figure of the holy Paphnutius, and +bearing this inscription in Greek and Egyptian--"_Pomegranate wine, fig +wine, and genuine Cilician beer sold here_." On the walls, sculptured +with pure and graceful carvings, the shop-keepers hung ropes of onions, +and smoked fish, dead hares, and the carcases of sheep. In the evening, +the old occupants of the ruins, the rats, scuttled in a long row to the +river, whilst the ibises, suspiciously craning their necks, perched on +the high cornices, to which rose the smoke of the kitchens, the shouts +of the drinkers, and the cries of the tapsters. All around, builders +laid out streets, and masons constructed convents, chapels, and +churches. By the end of six months a city was established with a +guardhouse, a tribunal, a prison, and a school, kept by an old blind +scribe. + +The pilgrims were innumerable. Bishops and other Church dignitaries, +came, full of admiration. The Patriarch of Antioch, who chanced to be in +Egypt at that time, came with all his clergy. He highly approved of the +extraordinary conduct of the stylite, and the heads of the Libyan Church +followed, in the absence of Athanasius, the opinion of the Patriarch. +Having learned which, Abbots Ephrem and Serapion came to the feet of +Paphnutius to apologise for their former mistrust. Paphnutius replied-- + +"Know, my brothers, that the penance I endure is barely equal to the +temptations which are sent me, the number and force of which astound +me. A man, viewed externally, is but small, and, from the height of the +pillar to which God has called me, I see human beings moving about like +ants. But, considered internally, man is immense; he is as large as +the world, for he contains it. All that is spread before me--these +monasteries, these inns, the boats on the river, the villages, and what +I see in the distance of fields, canals, sand, and mountains--is nothing +in respect to what is in me. I carry in my heart countless cities +and illimitable deserts. And evil--evil and death--spread over this +immensity, cover them all, as night covers the earth. I am, in myself +alone, a universe of evil thoughts." + +He spoke thus because the desire for woman was in him. + +The seventh month, there came from Alexandria, Bubastis and Sais, women +who had long been barren, hoping to obtain children by the intercession +of the holy man and the virtues of his pillar. They rubbed their sterile +bodies against the stone. There followed a procession, as far as the +eye could reach, of chariots, palanquins, and litters, which stopped +and pushed and jostled below the man of God. From them came sick people +terrible to see. Mothers brought to Paphnutius young boys whose limbs +were twisted, their eyes starting, their mouth foaming, their voices +hoarse. He laid his hands upon them. Blind men approached, groping with +their hands, and raising towards him a face pierced with two bleeding +holes. Paralytics displayed before him the heavy immobility, the deadly +emaciation, and the hideous contractions of their limbs; lame men showed +him their club feet; women with cancer, holding their bosoms with both +hands, uncovered before him their breasts devoured by the invisible +vulture. Dropsical women, swollen like wine skins were placed on +the ground before him. He blessed them. Nubians, afflicted with +elephantiasis, advanced with heavy steps and looked at him with +streaming eyes and expressionless countenances. He made the sign of the +cross over them. A young girl of Aphroditopolis was brought to him on +a litter; after having vomited blood, she had slept for three days. She +looked like a waxen image, and her parents, who thought she was dead, +had placed a palm leaf on her breast. Paphnutius having prayed to God, +the young girl raised her head and opened her eyes. + +As the people reported everywhere the miracles which the saint had +performed, unfortunate persons afflicted with that disease which +the Greeks call "the divine malady," came from all parts of Egypt in +incalculable legions. As soon as they saw the pillar, they were seized +with convulsions, rolled on the ground, writhed, and twisted themselves +into a ball. And--though it is hardly to be believed--the persons +present were in their turn seized with a violent delirium, and imitated +the contortions of the epileptics. Monks and pilgrims, men and women, +wallowed and struggled pell-mell, their limbs twisted, foaming at the +mouth, eating handfuls of earth and prophesying. And Paphnutius at the +top of his pillar felt a thrill of horror pass through him, and cried to +God-- + +"I am the scapegoat, and I take upon me all the impurities of these +people, and that is why, Lord, my body is filled with evil spirits." + +Every time that a sick person went away healed, the people applauded, +carried him in triumph, and ceased not to repeat-- + +"We behold another well of Siloam!" + +Hundreds of crutches already hung round the wonderful column; grateful +women suspended wreaths and votive images there. Some of the Greeks +inscribed distiches, and as every pilgrim carved his name, the stone +was soon covered as high as a man could reach with an infinity of Latin, +Greek, Coptic, Punic, Hebrew, Syrian, and magic characters. + +When the feast of Easter came there was such an affluence of people to +this city of miracles that old men thought that the days of the ancient +mysteries had returned. All sorts of people, in all sorts of costumes, +were to be seen there; the striped robes of the Egyptians, the burnoose +of the Arabs, the white drawers of the Nubians, the short cloak of +the Greeks, the long toga of the Romans, the scarlet breeches of the +barbarians, the gold-spangled robes of the courtesans. A veiled woman +would pass on an ass, preceded by black eunuchs, who cleared a passage +for her by the free use of their sticks. Acrobats, having spread a +carpet on the ground, juggled and performed skilful tricks before +a circle of silent spectators. Snake-charmers unrolled their living +girdles. A glittering, dusty, noisy, chattering crowd! The curses of +the camel-drivers beating the animals; the cries of the hawkers who +sold amulets against leprosy and the evil eye; the psalmody of the +monks reciting verses of the Bible; the shrieking of the women who were +prophesying; the shouting of the beggars singing old songs of the harem; +the bleating of sheep; the braying of asses; the sailors calling tardy +passengers; all these confused noises caused a deafening uproar, over +which dominated the strident voices of the little naked negro boys, +running about everywhere selling fresh dates. + +And all these human beings stifled under the white sky, in a heavy +atmosphere laden with the perfumes of women, the odour of negroes, the +fumes of cooking and the smoke of gums, which the devotees bought of the +shepherds to burn before the saint. + +When night came, fires, torches, and lanterns were lighted everywhere, +and nothing was to be seen but red shadows and black shapes. Standing +amidst a circle of squatting listeners, an old man, his face lighted +by a smoky lamp, related how, formerly, Bitiou had enchanted his heart, +torn it from his breast, placed it in an acacia, and then transformed +himself into a tree. He made gestures, which his shadow repeated with +absurd exaggerations, and the audience uttered cries of admiration. In +the taverns, the drinkers, lying on couches, called for beer and wine. +Dancing girls, with painted eyes and bare stomachs, performed before +them religious or lascivious scenes. In retired corners, young men +played dice or other games, and old men followed prostitutes. Above +all these rose the solitary, unchanging column; the head with the cow's +horns gazed into the shadow, and above it Paphnutius watched between +heaven and earth. All at once the moon rose over the Nile, like the bare +shoulder of a goddess. The hills gleamed with blue light, and Paphnutius +thought he saw the body of Thais shinning in the glimmer of the waters +amidst the sapphire night. + +The days passed, and the saint still lived on his pillar. When the rainy +season came, the waters of heaven, filtering through the cracks in +the roof, wetted his body; his stiff limbs were incapable of movement. +Scorched by the sun, and reddened by the dew, his skin broke; large +ulcers devoured his arms and legs. But the desire of Thais still +consumed him inwardly, and he cried-- + +"It is not enough, great God! More temptations! More unclean thoughts! +More horrible desires! Lord, lay upon me all the lusts of men, that I +may expiate them all! Though it is false that the Greek bitch took upon +herself all the sins of the world, as I heard an impostor once declare, +yet there is a hidden meaning in the fable, the truth of which I now +recognise. For it is true that the sins of the people enter the soul of +the saints, and are lost there as in a well. Thus it is that the souls +of the just are polluted with more filth than is ever found in the soul +of the sinner. And, for that reason, I praise Thee, O my God, for having +made me the cesspool of the world." + +One day, a rumour ran through the holy city, and even reached the ears +of the hermit: a very great personage, a man occupying a high position, +the Prefect of the Alexandrian fleet, Lucius Aurelius Cotta, was about +to visit the city--was, indeed, now on his way. + +The news was true. Old Cotta, who was inspecting the canals and the +navigation of the Nile, had many times expressed a desire to see the +stylite and the new city, to which the name of Stylopolis had been +given. The Stylopolitans saw the river covered with sails one morning. +Cotta appeared on board a golden galley hung with purple, and followed +by all his fleet. He landed, and advanced, accompanied by a secretary +carrying his tablets, and Aristaeus, his physician, with whom he liked +to converse. + +A numerous suite walked behind him, and the shore was covered with +_laticlaves_(*) and military uniforms. He stopped, some paces from the +column, and began to examine the stylite, wiping his face meanwhile with +the skirt of his toga. Being of a naturally curious disposition, he +had observed many things in the course of his long voyages. He liked to +remember them, and intended to write, after he had finished his Punic +history, a book on the remarkable things he had witnessed. He seemed +much interested by the spectacle before him. + + (*) The _laticlave_ was a toga, with a broad purple band, + worn by Roman senators as the distinguishing mark of their + high office. + +"This is very curious!" he said, puffing and blowing. "And--which is a +circumstance worthy of being recorded--this man was my guest. Yes, this +monk supped with me last year, after which he carried off an actress." + +Turning to his secretary-- + +"Note that, my son, on my tablets; also the dimensions of the column, +not omitting the shape of the top of it." + +Then, wiping his face again-- + +"Persons deserving of belief have assured me that this monk has not left +his column for a single moment since he mounted it a year ago. Is that +possible, Aristaeus?" + +"That which is possible to a lunatic or a sick man," replied Aristaeus, +"would be impossible to a man sound in body and mind. Do you know, +Lucius, that sometimes diseases of the mind or body give to those +afflicted by them a strength which healthy men do not possess? For, as +a matter of fact, there is no such thing as good health or bad health. +There are only different conditions of the organs. Having studied what +are called maladies, I have come to consider them as necessary forms of +life. I take pleasure in studying them in order to be able to conquer +them. Some of them are worthy of admiration, and conceal, under apparent +disorder, profound harmonies; for instance, a quartan fever is certainly +a very pretty thing! Sometimes certain affections of the body cause a +rapid augmentation of the faculties of the mind. You know Creon? When he +was a child, he stuttered and was stupid. But, having cracked his skull +by tumbling off a ladder, he became an able lawyer, as you are aware. +This monk must be affected in some hidden organ. Moreover, this kind of +existence is not so extraordinary as it appears to you, Lucius. I may +remind you that the gymnosophists of India can remain motionless, not +merely for a year, but during twenty, thirty, or forty years." + +"By Jupiter!" cried Cotta, "that is a strange madness. For man was born +to move and act, and idleness is an unpardonable crime, because it is +an injury to the State. I do not know of any religion in which such an +objectionable practice is permitted, though it possibly may be in some +of the Asiatic creeds. When I was Governor of Syria, I found _phalli_ +erected in the porches at the city of Hera. A man ascended, twice a +year, and remained there for a week. The people believed that this man +talked with the gods, and interceded with them for the prosperity of +Syria. The custom appeared senseless to me; nevertheless I did nothing +to put it down. For I consider that a functionary ought not to interfere +with the manners and customs of the people, but on the contrary, to see +that they are preserved. It is not the business of the government to +force a religion on a people, but to maintain that which exists, which, +whether good or bad, has been regulated by the spirit of the time, +the place, and the race. If it endeavours to put down a religion, it +proclaims itself revolutionary in its spirit, and tyrannical in its +acts, and is justly detested. Besides, how are you to raise yourself +above the superstitions of the vulgar, except by understanding them and +tolerating them? Aristaeus, I am of opinion that I should leave this +nephelo-coccygian(*) in the air, exposed only to the indignities the +birds shower on him. I should not gain anything by having him pulled +down, but I should by taking note of his thoughts and beliefs." + + (*) Nephelo-coccygia, the cloud-city built by the cuckoos, + in the _Birds_ of Aristophanes. + +He puffed, coughed, and placed his hand on the secretary's shoulder. + +"My child, note down that, amongst certain sects of Christians, it is +considered praiseworthy to carry off courtesans and live upon columns. +You may add that these customs are evidence of the worship of genetic +divinities. But on this point we ought to question him himself." + +Then, raising his head, and shading his eyes with his hand, to keep off +the sun, he shouted-- + +"Hallo, Paphnutius! If you remember that you were once my guest, answer +me. What are you doing up there? Why did you go up, and why do you stay +there? Has this column any phallic signification in your mind?" + +Paphnutius, considering Cotta as nothing but an idolater, did not deign +to reply. But his disciple, Flavian, approached, and said-- + +"Illustrious Sir, this holy man takes the sins of the world upon him, +and cures diseases." + +"By Jupiter! Do you hear, Aristaeus?" cried Cotta. "This +nephelo-coccygian practises medicine, like you. What do you think of so +high a rival?" + +Aristaeus shook his head. + +"It is very possible that he may cure certain diseases better than I +can; such, for instance, as epilepsy, vulgarly called the divine malady, +although all maladies are equally divine, for they all come from the +gods. But the cause of this disease lies, partly, in the imagination, +and you must confess, Lucius, that this monk, perched up on the head of +a goddess, strikes the minds of the sick people more forcibly than I, +bending over my mortars and phials in my laboratory, could ever do. +There are forces, Lucius, infinitely more powerful than reason and +science." + +"What are they?" asked Cotta. + +"Ignorance and folly," replied Aristaeus. + +"I have rarely seen a more curious sight," continued Cotta, "and I hope +that some day an able writer will relate the foundation of Stylopolis. +But even the most extraordinary spectacles should not keep, longer +than is befitting, a serious and busy man from his work. Let us go and +inspect the canals. Farewell, good Paphnutius! or rather, till our +next meeting! If ever you should come down to earth again, and revisit +Alexandria, do not fail to come and sup with me." + +These words, heard by all present, passed from mouth to mouth, and +being repeated by the believers, added greatly to the reputation of +Paphnutius. Pious minds amplified and transformed them, and it was +stated that Paphnutius, from the top of his pillar, had converted +the Prefect of the Fleet to the faith of the apostles and the Nicaean +fathers. The believers found a figurative meaning in the last words +uttered by Aurelius Cotta; to them, the supper to which this important +personage had invited the ascetic, was a holy communion, a spiritual +repast, a celestial banquet. The story of this meeting was embroidered +with wonderful details, which those who invented were the first to +believe. It was said that when Cotta, after a long argument, had +embraced the truth, an angel had come from heaven to wipe the sweat from +his brow. The physician and secretary of the Prefect of the Fleet had +also, it was asserted, been converted at the same time. And, the miracle +being public and notorious, the deacons of the principal churches of +Libya recorded it amongst the authentic facts. After that, it could be +said, without any exaggeration, that the whole world was seized with a +desire to see Paphnutius, and that, in the West as well as the East, all +Christians turned their astonished eyes towards him. The most celebrated +cities of Italy sent deputations to him, and the Roman Caesar, the +divine Constantine who favoured the Christian religion, wrote him a +letter which the legates brought to him with great ceremony. But one +night, whilst the budding city at his feet slept in the dew, he heard a +voice, which said-- + +"Paphnutius, thou art become celebrated by thy works and powerful by thy +word. God has raised thee up for His glory. He has chosen thee to work +miracles, heal the sick, convert the Pagans, enlighten sinners, confound +the Arians, and establish peace in the Church." + +Paphnutius replied-- + +"God's will be done!" + +The voice continued-- + +"Arise, Paphnutius, and go seek in his palace the impious Constans, who, +far from imitating the wisdom of his brother, Constantine, inclines +to the errors of Arius and Marcus. Go! The bronze gates shall fly open +before thee, and thy sandals shall resound on the golden floor of the +basilica before the throne of the Caesars, and thy awe-inspiring voice +shall change the heart of the son of Constantinus. Thou shalt reign over +a peaceful and powerful Church. And, even as the soul directs the +body, so shall the Church govern the empire. Thou shalt be placed above +senators, comites, and patricians. Thou shalt repress the greed of the +people, and check the boldness of the barbarians. Old Cotta, knowing +that thou art the head of the government, will seek the honour of +washing thy feet. At thy death thy _cilicium_ shall be taken to the +patriarch of Alexandria, and the great Athanasius, white with glory, +shall kiss it as the relic of a saint. Go!" + +Paphnutius replied-- + +"Let the will of God be accomplished!" + +And making an effort to stand up, he prepared to descend. But the voice, +divining his intention, said-- + +"Above all, descend not by the ladder. That would be to act like an +ordinary man, and to be unconscious of the gifts that are in thee. A +great saint, like thee, ought to fly through the air. Leap! the angels +are there to support thee. Leap, then!" + +Paphnutius replied-- + +"The will of God be done, on earth as it is in heaven." + +Extending his long arms like the ragged wings of a huge sick bird, he +was about to throw himself down, when, suddenly, a hideous mocking laugh +rang in his ears. Terrified, he asked-- + +"Who laughs thus?" + +"Ah? ah!" screamed the voice, "we are yet but at the beginning of our +friendship; thou wilt some day be better acquainted with me. My friend, +it was I who caused thee to ascend here, and I ought to be satisfied at +the docility with which thou hast accomplished my wishes. Paphnutius, I +am pleased with thee." + +Paphnutius murmured, in a voice stifled by fear-- + +"Avaunt, avaunt! I know thee now; thou art he who carried Jesus to a +pinnacle of the temple, and showed him all the kingdoms of this world." + +He fell, affrighted, on the stone. + +"Why did I not know this sooner?" he thought. "More wretched than the +blind, deaf, and paralysed who trust in me, I have lost all knowledge of +things supernatural, and am more depraved than the maniacs who eat +earth and approach dead bodies. I can no longer distinguish between +the clamours of hell and the voices of heaven. I have lost even the +intuition of the new-born child, who cries when its nurse's breast is +taken from it, of the dog that scents out its master's footsteps, of the +plant that turns towards the sun. I am the laughing-stock of the devils. +So, then, it is Satan who led me here. When he elevated me on this +pedestal, lust and pride mounted with me. It is not the magnitude of my +temptations which terrifies me. Anthony, on his mountain, suffers the +same. I wish that all their swords may pierce my flesh, before the eyes +of the angels. I have even learned to like my sufferings. But God does +not speak to me, and His silence astonishes me. He has left me--and I +had but Him to look to. He leaves me alone in the horror of His absence. +He flies from me. I will follow after Him. This stone burns my feet. Let +me leave quickly, and come up with God." + +With that he seized the ladder which stood against the column, put his +feet on it, and having descended a rung, found himself face to face with +the monster's head; she smiled strangely. He was certain then that what +he had taken for the site of his rest and glory, was but the diabolical +instrument of his trouble and damnation. He hastily descended and +touched the soil. His feet had forgotten their use, and he reeled. But, +feeling on him the shadow of the cursed column, he forced himself to +run. All slept. He traversed, without being seen, the great square +surrounded by wine-shops, inns, and caravanserias, and threw himself +into a by-street which led towards the Libyan Hills. A dog pursued him, +barking, and stopped only at the edge of the desert. Paphnutius went +through a country where there was no road but the trail of wild beasts. +Leaving behind him the huts abandoned by the coiners, he continued all +night and all day his solitary flight. + +At last, almost ready to expire with hunger, thirst, and fatigue, and +not knowing if God was still far from him, he came to a silent city +which extended from right to left, and stretched away till it was lost +in the blue horizon. The buildings, which were widely separated and like +each other, resembled pyramids cut off at half their height. They were +tombs. The doors were broken, and in the shadow of the chambers could +be seen the gleaming eyes of hyaenas and wolves who brought forth their +young there, whilst the dead bodies lay on the threshold, despoiled +by robbers, and gnawed by the wild beasts. Having passed through this +funeral city, Paphnutius fell exhausted before a tomb which stood near a +spring surrounded by palm trees. This tomb was much ornamented, and, as +there was no door to it, he saw inside it a painted chamber, in which +serpents bred. + +"Here," he sighed, "is the abode I have chosen; the tabernacle of my +repentance and penitence." + +He dragged himself to it, drove out the reptiles with his feet, and +remained prostrate on the stone floor for eighteen hours, at the end +of which time he went to the spring, and drank out of his hand. Then he +plucked some dates and some stalks of lotus, the seeds of which he +ate. Thinking this kind of life was good, he made it the rule of his +existence. From morning to night he never lifted his forehead from the +stone. + +One day, whilst he was thus prostrated, he heard a voice which said-- + +"Look at these images, that thou mayest learn." + +Then, raising his head, he saw, on the walls of the chamber, paintings +which represented lively and domestic scenes. They were of very old +work, and marvellously lifelike. There were cooks who blew the fire, +with their cheeks all puffed out; others plucked geese, or cooked +quarters of sheep in stew-pans. A little farther, a hunter carried on +his shoulders a gazelle pierced with arrows. In one place, peasants were +sowing, reaping, or gathering. In another, women danced to the sounds +of viols, flutes, and harp. A young girl played the theorbo. The lotus +flower shone in her hair, which was neatly braided. Her transparent +dress let the pure forms of her body be seen. Her bosom and mouth were +perfect. The face was turned in profile, and the beautiful eye looked +straight before her. The whole figure was exquisite. Paphnutius having +examined it, lowered his eyes, and replied to the voice-- + +"Why dost thou command me to look at these images? No doubt they +represent the terrestrial life of the idolater whose body rests here, +under my feet, at the bottom of a well, in a coffin of black basalt. +They recall the life of a dead man, and are, despite their bright +colours, the shadows of a shadow. The life of a dead man! O vanity!" + +"He is dead, but he lived," replied the voice; "and thou wilt die, and +wilt not have lived." + +From that day, Paphnutius had not a moment's rest. The voice spoke to +him incessantly. The girl with the theorbo looked fixedly at him from +underneath the long lashes of her eye. At last she also spoke-- + +"Look. I am mysterious and beautiful. Love me. Exhaust in my arms the +love which torments you. What use is it to fear me? You cannot escape +me; I am the beauty of woman. Whither do you think to fly from me, +senseless fool? You will find my likeness in the radiancy of flowers, +and in the grace of the palm trees, in the flight of pigeons, in the +bounds of the gazelle, in the rippling of brooks, in the soft light of +the moon, and if you close your eyes, you will find me within yourself. +It is a thousand years since the man who sleeps here, swathed in linen, +in a bed of black stone, pressed me to his heart. It is a thousand years +since he received the last kiss from my mouth, and his sleep is yet +redolent with it. You know me well, Paphnutius. How is it you have not +recognised me? I am one of the innumerable incarnations of Thais. You +are a learned monk, and well skilled in the knowledge of things. You +have travelled, and it is by travel a man learns the most. Often a day +passed abroad will show more novelties than ten years passed at home. +You have heard that Thais lived formerly in Argos, under the name of +Helen. She had another existence in Thebes Hecatompyle. And I was Thais +of Thebes. How is it you have not guessed it? I took, when I was alive, +a large share in the sins of this world, and now reduced here to the +condition of a shadow, I am still quite capable of taking your sins +upon me, beloved monk. Whence comes your surprise? It was certain that, +wherever you went, you would find Thais again." + +He struck his forehead against the pavement, and uttered a cry of +terror. And every night the player of the theorbo left the wall, +approached him, and spoke in a clear voice mingled with soft breathing. +And as the holy man resisted the temptations she gave him, she said to +him-- + +"Love me; yield, friend. As long as you resist me I shall torment you. +You do not know what the patience of a dead woman is. I shall wait, if +necessary, till you are dead. Being a sorceress, I shall put into your +lifeless body a spirit who will reanimate it, and who will not refuse me +what I have asked in vain of you. And think, Paphnutius, what a strange +situation when your blessed soul sees, from the height of heaven, its +own body given up to sin. God, who has promised to return you this body +after the day of judgment and the end of time, will Himself be much +puzzled. How can He place in celestial glory a human form inhabited by +a devil, and guarded by a sorceress? You have not thought of that +difficulty. Nor God either, perhaps. Between ourselves, He is not very +knowing. Any ordinary magician can easily deceive Him, and if He had not +His thunder, and the cataracts of heaven, the village urchins would pull +His beard. He has certainly not as much sense as the old serpent, His +adversary. He, indeed, is a wonderful artist. If I am so beautiful, it +is because he adorned me with all my attractions. It was he who taught +me how to braid my hair, and to make for myself rosy fingers with agate +nails. You have misunderstood him. When you came to live in this tomb, +you drove out with your feet the serpents which were here, without +troubling yourself to know whether they were of his family, and you +crushed their eggs. I am afraid, my poor friend, you will have a +troublesome business on your hands. You were warned, however, that he +was a musician and a lover. What have you done? You have quarrelled with +science and beauty. You are altogether miserable, and Iaveh does not +come to your help. It is not probable that he will come. Being as +great as all things, he cannot move for want of space, and if, by an +impossibility, he made the least movement, all creation would be pushed +out of place. My handsome hermit, give me a kiss." + +Paphnutius was aware that great prodigies are performed by magic arts. +He thought--not without much uneasiness-- + +"Perhaps the dead man buried at my feet knows the words written in that +mysterious book which exists hidden, not far from here, at the bottom of +a royal tomb. By virtue of these words, the dead, taking the form which +they had upon earth, see the light of the sun and the smiles of women." + +His chief fear was that the girl with the theorbo and the dead man might +come together, as they did in their lifetime, and that he should see +them unite. Sometimes he thought he heard the sound of kissing. + +He was troubled in his mind, and now, in the absence of God he feared +to think as much as to feel. One evening, when he was kneeling prostrate +according to his custom, an unknown voice said to him-- + +"Paphnutius, there are on earth more people than you imagine, and if I +were to show you what I have seen, you would die of astonishment. There +are men with a single eye in the middle of their forehead. There are +men who have but one leg, and advance by jumps. There are men who change +their sex, and the females become males. There are men-trees, who shoot +out roots in the ground. And there are men with no head, with two eyes, +a nose, and a mouth in their breast. Can you honestly believe that Jesus +Christ died for the salvation of these men?" + +Another time he had a vision. He saw, in a strong light, a broad road, +rivulets, and gardens. On the road, Aristobulus and Chereas passed at +a gallop on their Syrian horses, and the joyous ardour of the race +reddened the cheeks of the two young men. Beneath a portico, Callicrates +recited his verses; satisfied pride trembled in his voice and shone in +his eyes. In the garden, Zenothemis picked apples of gold, and caressed +a serpent with azure wings. Clad in white, and wearing a shining mitre, +Hermodorus meditated beneath a sacred persea, which bore, instead +of flowers, small heads of pure profile, wearing, like the Egyptian +goddesses, vultures, hawks, or the shining disk of the moon; whilst +in the background, by the side of a fountain, Nicias studied, on an +armillary sphere, the harmonious movements of the stars. + +Then a veiled woman approached the monk, holding in her hand a branch of +myrtle. She said to him-- + +"Look! Some seek eternal beauty, and place their ephemeral life in +the infinite. Others live without much thought. But by that alone they +submit to fair Nature, and they are happy and beautiful in the joy of +living only, and give glory to the supreme artist of all things; for man +is a noble hymn to God. All think that happiness is innocent, and that +pleasure is permitted to man. Paphnutius, if they are right, what a dupe +you have been!" + +And the vision vanished. + +Thus was Paphnutius tempted unceasingly in body and mind. Satan never +gave him a minute's repose. The solitude of the tomb was more peopled +than the streets of a great city. The devils shouted with laughter, and +millions of imps, evil genii, and phantoms imitated all the ordinary +transactions of life. In the evening, when he went to the spring, +satyrs and nymphs capered round him, and tried to drag him into their +lascivious dances. The demons no longer feared him. They loaded him with +insults, obscene jests, and blows. One day a devil, no longer than his +arm, stole the cord he wore round his waist. + +He said to himself-- + +"Thought, whither hast thou led me?" + +And he resolved to work with his hands, in order to give his mind that +rest of which it had need. Near the spring, some banana trees, with +large leaves, grew under the shade of the palms. He cut the stalks, and +carried them to the tomb. He crushed them with a stone, and reduced them +to fibres, as he had seen ropemakers do. For he intended to make a cord, +to replace that which the devil had stolen. The demons were somewhat +displeased at this; they ceased their clamour, and the girl with the +theorbo no longer continued her magic arts, but remained quietly on the +wall. The courage and faith of Paphnutius increased whilst he pounded +the banana stems. + +"With Heaven's help," he said to himself, "I shall subdue the flesh. As +to my soul, its confidence is still unshaken. In vain do the devils, and +that accursed woman, try to instil into my mind doubts as to the nature +of God. I will reply to them, by the mouth of the Apostle John, 'In the +beginning was the Word, and the Word was God.' That I firmly believe, +and that which I believe is absurd, I believe still more firmly. In fact +it should be absurd. If it were not so, I should not believe; I should +know. And it is not that which we know which gives eternal life; it is +faith only that saves." + +He exposed the separated fibres to the sun and the dew, and every +morning he took care to turn them, to prevent them rotting; and he +rejoiced to find that he had become as simple as a child. When he had +twisted his cord, he cut reeds to make mats and baskets. The sepulchral +chamber resembled a basket-maker's workshop, and Paphnutius could pass +without difficulty from work to prayer. Yet still God was not merciful +to him, for one night he was awakened by a voice which froze him with +horror, for he guessed that it was the voice of the dead man. + +The voice called quickly, in a light whisper-- + +"Helen! Helen! come and bathe with me! come quickly!" + +A woman, whose mouth was close to the monk's ear, replied-- + +"Friend, I cannot rise; a man is lying on me." + +Paphnutius suddenly perceived that his cheek rested on a woman's breast. +He recognised the player of the theorbo, who, partly relieved of his +weight, raised her breast. He clung tightly to the sweet, warm, perfumed +body, and consumed with the desire of damnation, he cried-- + +"Stay, stay, my heavenly one!" + +But she was already standing on the threshold. She laughed, and her +smile gleamed in the silver rays of the moon. + +"Why should I stay?" she said. "The shadow of a shadow is enough for a +lover endowed with such a lively imagination. Besides, you have sinned. +What more was needed?" + +Paphnutius wept in the night, and when the dawn came, he murmured a +prayer that was a meek complaint-- + +"Jesus, my Jesus, why hast Thou forsaken me! Thou seest the danger in +which I am. Come, and help me, sweet Saviour. Since Thy Father no longer +loves me, and does not hear me, remember that I have but Thee. From Him +nothing is to be hoped; I cannot comprehend Him, and He cannot pity me. +But Thou was born of a woman, and that is why I trust in Thee. Remember +that Thou wast a man. I pray to Thee, not because Thou art God of God, +Light of light, very God of very God, but because Thou hast lived poor +and humble on this earth where now I suffer, because Satan has tempted +Thy flesh, because the sweat of agony has bedewed Thy face. It is to Thy +humanity that I pray, Jesus, my brother Jesus!" + +When he had thus prayed, wringing his hands, a terrible peal of laughter +shook the walls of the tomb, and the voice which rang in his ears on the +top of the column, said jeeringly-- + +"That is a prayer worthy of the breviary of Marcus, the heretic. +Paphnutius is an Arian! Paphnutius is an Arian!" + +As though thunderstruck, the monk fell senseless. + +***** + +When he reopened his eyes, he saw around him monks wearing black hoods, +who poured water on his temples, and recited exorcisms. Many others were +standing outside, carrying palm leaves. + +"As we passed through the desert," said one of them, "we heard cries +issuing from this tomb, and, having entered, we found you lying +unconscious on the floor. Doubtless the devils had thrown you down, and +had fled at our approach." + +Paphnutius, raising his head, asked in a feeble voice-- + +"Who are you, my brothers? And why do you carry palms in your hands? Is +it for my burial?" + +One of them replied-- + +"Brother, do you not know that our father, Anthony, now a hundred and +five years old, having been warned of his approaching end, has come +down from Mount Colzin, to which he had retired, to bless his numerous +spiritual children? We are going with palm leaves to greet our holy +father. But how is it, brother, that you are ignorant of such a great +event? Can it be possible that no angel came to this tomb to inform +you?" + +"Alas!" replied Paphnutius, "I am not worthy of such a favour, and the +only denizens of this abode are demons and vampires. Pray for me. I am +Paphnutius, Abbot of Antinoe, the most wretched of the servants of God." + +At the name of Paphnutius, all waved their palm leaves and murmured his +praises. The monk who had previously spoken, cried in surprise-- + +"Can it be that thou art that holy Paphnutius, celebrated for so many +works that it was supposed he would some day equal the great Anthony +himself? Most venerable, it was thou who convertedst to God the +courtesan, Thais, and who, raised upon a high column, was carried away +by the seraphs. Those who watched by night, at the foot of the pillar, +saw thy blessed assumption. The wings of the angels encircled thee in +a white cloud, and with thy right hand extended thou didst bless the +dwellings of man. The next day, when the people saw thou wert no longer +there, a long groan rose to the summit of the discrowned pillar. But +Flavian, thy disciple, reported the miracle, and took thy place as the +head. But a foolish man, of the name of Paul, tried to contradict the +general opinion. He asserted that he had seen thee, in a dream, carried +away by the devils; the people wanted to stone him, and it was a miracle +that he escaped death. I am Zozimus, abbot of these solitary monks whom +thou seest prostrate at thy feet. Like them, I kneel before thee, that +thou mayest bless the father with the children. Then thou shalt relate +to us the marvels which God has deigned to accomplish by thy means." + +"Far from having favoured me as thou believest," replied Paphnutius, +"the Lord has tried me with terrible temptations. I was not carried away +by angels. But a shadowy wall is raised in front of my eyes, and moves +before me. I have lived in a dream. Without God all is a dream. When I +made my journey to Alexandria, I heard, in a short space of time, many +discourses, and I learned that the army of errors was innumerable. It +pursues me, and I am compassed about with swords." + +Zozimus replied-- + +"Venerable father, we must remember that the saints, and especially the +solitary saints, undergo terrible trials. If thou wast not carried to +heaven by the seraphs, it is certain that the Lord granted that favour +to thy image, for Flavian, the monks, and the people were witnesses of +thy assumption." + +Paphnutius resolved to go and receive the blessing of Anthony. + +"Brother Zozimus," he said, "give me one of these palm leaves, and let +us go and meet our father." + +"Let us go," replied Zozimus; "military order is most befitting for +monks, who are God's soldiers. Thou and I, being abbots, will march in +front, and the others shall follow us, singing psalms." + +They set out on their march, and Paphnutius said-- + +"God is unity, for He is the truth, which is one. The world is many, +because it is error. We should turn away from all the sights of nature, +even those which appear the most innocent. Their diversity renders them +pleasant, which is a sign that they are evil. For that reason, I cannot +see a tuft of papyrus by the side of still waters without my soul +being imbued with melancholy. All things that the senses perceive are +detestable. The least grain of sand brings danger. Everything tempts us. +Woman is but a combination of all the temptations scattered in the thin +air, on the flowering earth, in the clear waters. Happy is he whose soul +is a sealed vase! Happy is he who knows how to be deaf, dumb, and blind, +and who knows nothing of the world, in order that he may know God!" + +Zozimus, having meditated upon these words, replied as follows-- + +"Venerable father, it is fitting that I should avow my sins to thee, +since thou hast shown me thy soul. Thus we shall confess to each +other, according to the apostolic custom. Before I was a monk, I led +an abominable life. At Madaura, a city celebrated for its courtesans, +I sought out all kinds of worldly love. Every night I supped in company +with young debauchees and female flute players, and I took home with me +the one who pleased me the best. A saint like thee could never imagine +to what a pitch the fury of my desires carried me. Suffice it to +say that it spared neither matrons nor nuns, and spread adultery and +sacrilege everywhere. I excited my senses with wine, and was justly +known as the heaviest drinker in Madaura. Yet I was a Christian, and, +in all my follies, kept my faith in Jesus crucified. Having devoured my +substance in riotous living, I was beginning to feel the first attacks +of poverty, when I saw one of my companions in pleasure suddenly struck +with a terrible disease. His knees could not sustain him; his twitching +hands refused to obey him; his glazed eyes closed. Only horrible groans +came from his breast. His mind, heavier than his body, slumbered. To +punish him for having lived like a beast, God had changed him into a +beast. The loss of my property had already inspired me with salutary +reflections, but the example of my friend was of yet greater efficacy; +it made such an impression on my heart that I quitted the world and +retired into the desert. There I have enjoyed for twenty years a peace +that nothing has troubled. I work with my monks as weaver, architect, +carpenter, and even as scribe, though, to say the truth, I have little +taste for writing, having always preferred action to thought. My days +are full of joy, and my nights without dreams, and I believe that the +grace of the Lord is in me, because, even in the midst of the most +frightful sins, I have never lost hope." + +On hearing these words, Paphnutius lifted his eyes to heaven and +murmured-- + +"Lord, Thou lookest with kindness upon this man polluted by adultery, +sacrilege, and so many crimes, and Thou turnest away from me, who have +always kept Thy commandments! How inscrutable is Thy justice, O my God! +and how impenetrable are Thy ways!" + +Zozimus extended his arms. + +"Look, venerable father! On both sides of the horizon are long, black +files that look like emigrant ants. They are our brothers, who, like us, +are going to meet Anthony." + +When they came to the place of meeting, they saw a magnificent +spectacle. The army of monks extended, in three ranks, in an immense +semicircle. In the first rank stood the old hermits of the desert, cross +in hand, and with long beards that almost touched the ground. The monks, +governed by the abbots Ephrem and Serapion, and also all the cenobites +of the Nile, formed the second line. Behind them appeared the ascetics, +who had come from their distant rocks. Some wore, on their blackened +and dried-up bodies, shapeless rags; others had for their only clothes, +bundles of reeds held together by withies. Many of them were naked, but +God had covered them with a fell of hair as thick as a sheep's fleece. +All held branches of palm; they looked like an emerald rainbow, or they +might have been also compared to the host of the elect--the living walls +of the city of God. + +Such perfect order reigned in the assembly, that Paphnutius found, +without difficulty, the monks he governed. He placed himself near them, +after having taken care to hide his face under his hood, that he +might remain unknown, and not disturb them in their pious expectation. +Suddenly, an immense shout arose-- + +"The saint!" they all cried. "The saint! Behold the great saint, against +whom hell has not prevailed, the well-beloved of God! Our father, +Anthony!" + +Then a great silence followed, and every forehead was lowered to the +sand. + +From the summit of a dune, in the vast void space, Anthony advanced, +supported by his beloved disciples, Macarius and Amathas. He walked +slowly, but his figure was still upright, and showed the remains of a +superhuman strength. His white beard spread over his broad chest, his +polished skull reflected the rays of sunlight like the forehead of +Moses. The keen gaze of the eagle was in his eyes; the smile of a child +shone on his round cheek. To bless his people, he raised his arms, tired +by a century of marvellous works, and his voice burst forth for the last +time, with the words of love. + +"How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!" + +Immediately, from one end to the other of the living wall, like a peal +of harmonious thunder, the psalm, "Blessed is the man that feareth the +Lord," broke forth. + +Accompanied by Macarius and Amathas, Anthony passed along the ranks of +the old hermits, anchorites, and cenobites. This seer, who had beheld +heaven and hell; this hermit, who from a cave in the rock, governed +the Christian Church; this saint, who had sustained the faith of the +martyrs; this scholar, whose eloquence had paralysed the heretics, spoke +tenderly to each of his sons, and bade them a kindly farewell, on the +eve of the blessed death, which God, who loved him, had at last promised +him. + +He said to the abbots Ephrem and Serapion-- + +"You command large armies, and you are both great generals. Therefore, +you shall put on in heaven an armour of gold, and the Archangel Michael +shall give you the title of kiliarchs of his hosts." + +Perceiving the old man Philemon, he embraced him, and said-- + +"Behold, the kindest and best of all my children. His soul exhales a +perfume as sweet as the flower of the beans he sows every year." + +To Abbot Zozimus he addressed these words-- + +"Thou hast never mistrusted divine goodness, and therefore the peace +of the Lord is in thee. The lily of thy virtues has flowered upon the +dunghill of thy corruption." + +To all he spoke words of unerring wisdom. + +To the old hermits he said-- + +"The apostle saw, round the throne of God, eighty old men seated, clad +in white robes, and wearing crowns on their heads." + +To the young men-- + +"Be joyful; leave sadness to the happy ones of this world." + +Thus he passed along the front of his filial army, exhorting and +comforting. Paphnutius, seeing him approach, fell on his knees, his +heart torn by fear and hope. + +"My father! my father!" he cried in his agony. "My father! come to my +help, for I perish. I have given to God the soul of Thais; I have lived +upon the top of a column, and in the chamber of a tomb. My forehead, +unceasingly in the dust, has become horny as a camel's knee. And yet God +has gone from me. Bless me, my father, and I shall be saved; shake the +hyssop, and I shall be washed, and I shall shine as the snow." + +Anthony did not reply. He turned to the monks of Antinoe those eyes +whose looks no man could sustain. He gazed for a long time at Paul, +called the Fool; then he made a sign to him to approach. And, as all +were astonished that the saint should address himself to a man who was +not in his senses, Anthony said-- + +"God has granted to him more grace than to any of you. Lift thy eyes, my +son Paul, and tell me what thou seest in heaven." + +Paul the Fool raised his eyes; his face shone, and his tongue was +unloosed. + +"I see in heaven," he said, "a bed adorned with hangings of purple +and gold. Around it three virgins keep constant watch that no soul may +approach it, except the chosen one for whom the bed is prepared." + +Believing that this bed was the symbol of his glorification, Paphnutius +had already begun to return thanks to God. But Anthony made a sign +to him to be silent, and to listen to the Fool, who murmured in his +ecstasy-- + +"The three virgins speak to me; they say unto me: 'A saint is about to +quit the earth; Thais of Alexandria is dying. And we have prepared the +bed of her glory, for we are her virtues--Faith, Fear, and Love.'" + +Anthony asked-- + +"Sweet child, what else seest thou?" + +Paul gazed vacantly from the zenith to the nadir, and from west to east, +when suddenly his eyes fell on the Abbot of Antinoe. His face grew pale +with a holy terror, and his eyeballs reflected invisible flames. + +"I see," he murmured, "three demons, who, full of joy, prepare to seize +that man. One of them is like unto a tower, one to a woman, and one to +a mage. All three bear their name, marked with red-hot iron; the first +on the forehead, the second on the belly, the third on the breast, and +those names are--Pride, Lust, and Doubt. I have finished." + +Having spoken thus, Paul, with haggard eyes and hanging jaw, returned to +his old simple ways. + +And, as the monks of Antinoe looked anxiously at Anthony, the saint +pronounced these words-- + +"God has made known His just judgment. Let us bow to Him and hold our +peace." + +He passed. He bestowed blessings as he went. The sun, now descended to +the horizon, enveloped him in its glory, and his shadow, immeasurably +elongated by a miracle from heaven, unrolled itself behind him like an +endless carpet, as a sign of the long remembrance this great saint would +leave amongst men. + +Upright, but thunderstruck, Paphnutius saw and heard nothing more. One +word alone rang in his ears, "Thais is dying!" The thought had never +occurred to him. Twenty years had he contemplated a mummy's head, and +yet the idea that death would close the eyes of Thais astonished him +hopelessly. + +"Thais is dying!" An incomprehensible saying! "Thais is dying!" In those +three words what a new and terrible sense! "Thais is dying!" Then why +the sun, the flowers, the brooks, and all creation? "Thais is dying!" +What good was all the universe? Suddenly he sprang forward. "To see her +again, to see her once more!" He began to run. He knew not where he was, +or whither he went, but instinct conducted him with unerring certainty; +he went straight to the Nile. A swarm of sails covered the upper waters +of the river. He sprang on board a barque manned by Nubians, and lying +in the forepart of the boat, his eyes devouring space, he cried, in +grief and rage-- + +"Fool, fool, that I was, not to have possessed Thais whilst there was +yet time! Fool to have believed that there was anything else in the +world but her! Oh, madness! I dreamed of God, of the salvation of my +soul, of life eternal--as if all that counted for anything when I had +seen Thais! Why did I not feel that blessed eternity was in a single +kiss of that woman, and that without her life was senseless, and no more +than an evil dream? Oh, stupid fool! thou hast seen her, and thou hast +desired the good things of the other world! Oh, coward! thou hast seen +her, and thou hast feared God! God! heaven! what are they? And what have +they to offer thee which are worth the least tittle of that which she +would have given thee? Oh, miserable, senseless fool, who sought divine +goodness elsewhere than on the lips of Thais! What hand was upon thy +eyes? Cursed be he who blinded thee then! Thou couldst have bought, at +the price of thy damnation, one moment of her love, and thou hast not +done it! She opened to thee her arms--flesh mingled with the perfume of +flowers--and thou wast not engulfed in the unspeakable enchantments of +her unveiled breast. Thou hast listened to the jealous voice which +said to thee, 'Refrain!' Dupe, dupe, miserable dupe! Oh, regrets! Oh, +remorse! Oh, despair! Not to have the joy to carry to hell the memory of +that never-to-be-forgotten hour, and to cry to God, 'Burn my flesh, dry +up all the blood in my veins, break all my bones, thou canst not take +from me the remembrance which sweetens and refreshes me for ever and +ever!' . . . Thais is dying! Preposterous God, if thou knewest how I +laugh at Thy hell! Thais is dying, and she will never be mine--never! +never!" + +And as the boat came down the river with the current, he remained whole +days lying on his face, and repeating-- + +"Never! never! never!" + +Then, at the idea that she had given herself to others, and not to him; +that she had poured forth an ocean of love, and he had not wetted his +lips therein, he stood up, savagely wild, and howled with grief. He tore +his breast with his nails, and bit the flesh of his arms. He thought-- + +"If I could but kill all those she has loved!" + +The idea of these murders filled him with delicious fury. He dreamed of +killing Nicias slowly and leisurely, looking him full in the eyes whilst +he murdered him. Then suddenly his fury melted away. He wept, he sobbed. +He became feeble and meek. An unknown tenderness softened his soul. +He longed to throw his arms round the neck of the companion of his +childhood and say to him, "Nicias, I love thee, because thou hast loved +her. Talk to me about her. Tell me what she said to thee." And still, +without ceasing, the iron of that phrase entered into his soul--"Thais +is dying!" + +"Light of day, silvery shadows of night stars, heavens, trees with +trembling crests, savage beasts, domestic animals, all the anxious +souls of men, do you not hear? 'Thais is dying!' Disappear, ye lights, +breezes, and perfumes! Hide yourselves, ye shapes and thoughts of the +universe! 'Thais is dying!' She was the beauty of the world, and all +that drew near to her grew fairer in the reflection of her grace. The +old man and the sages who sat near her, at the banquet at Alexandria, +how pleasant they were, and how fascinating was their conversation! A +host of brilliant thoughts sprang to their lips, and all their ideas +were steeped in pleasure. And it was because the breath of Thais was on +them that all they said was love, beauty, truth. A delightful impiety +lent its grace to their discourse. They thoroughly expressed all human +splendour. Alas! all that is but a dream. Thais is dying! Oh, how easy +it will be to me to die of her death! But canst thou only die, withered +embryo, fetus steeped in gall and scalding tears? Miserable abortion, +dost thou think thou canst taste death, thou who hast never known life? +If only God exists, that he may damn me. I hope for it--I wish it. God, +I hate Thee--dost Thou hear? Overwhelm me with Thy damnation. To compel +Thee to, I spit in Thy face. I must find an eternal hell, to exhaust the +eternity of rage which consumes me." + +***** + +The next day, at dawn, Albina received the Abbot of Antinoe at the +nunnery. + +"Thou art welcome to our tabernacles of peace, venerable father, for no +doubt, thou comest to bless the saint thou hast given us. Thou knowest +that God, in his mercy, has called her to Him; how couldst thou fail to +know tidings that the angels have carried from desert to desert? It +is true that Thais is about to meet her blessed death. Her labours are +accomplished, and I ought to inform thee, in a few words, as to her +conduct whilst she was still amongst us. After thy departure, when she +was confined in a cell sealed with thy seal, I sent her, with her +food, a flute, similar to those which girls of her profession play at +banquets. I did that to prevent her from falling into a melancholy mood, +and that she should not show less skill and talent before God than she +had shown before men. In this I showed prudence and foresight, for all +day long Thais praised the Lord upon the flute, and the virgins, who +were attracted by the sound of this invisible flute, said, 'We hear the +nightingale of the heavenly groves, the dying swan of Jesus crucified.' +Thus did Thais perform her penance, when, after sixty days, the door +which thou hadst sealed opened of itself, and the clay seal was broken +without being touched by any human hand. By that sign I knew that +the trial thou hadst imposed upon her was at an end, and that God had +pardoned the sins of the flute-player. From that time she has shared +the ordinary life of my nuns, working and praying with them. She was an +example to them by the modesty of her acts and words, and seemed like a +statue of purity amongst them. Sometimes she was sad; but those clouds +soon passed. When I saw that she was really drawn towards God by faith, +hope, and love, I did not hesitate to employ her talent, and even her +beauty, for the improvement of her sisters. I asked her to represent +before us the actions of the famous women and wise virgins of the +Scriptures. She acted Esther, Deborah, Judith, Mary, the sister of +Lazarus, and Mary, the mother of Jesus. I know, venerable father, that +thy austere mind is alarmed at the idea of these performances. But thou +thyself wouldest have been touched if thou hadst seen her in these pious +scenes, shedding real tears, and raising to heaven arms graceful as palm +leaves. I have long governed a community of women, and I make it a rule +never to oppose their nature. All seeds give not the same flowers. Not +all souls are sanctified in the same way. It must also not be forgotten +that Thais gave herself to God whilst she was still beautiful, and such +a sacrifice is, if not unexampled, at least very rare. This beauty--her +natural vesture--has not left her during the three months' fever of +which she is dying. As, during her illness, she has incessantly asked to +see the sky, I have her carried every morning into the courtyard, near +the well, under the old fig tree, in the shade of which the abbesses of +this convent are accustomed to hold their meetings. Thou wilt find her +there, venerable father; but hasten, for God calls her, and this night +a shroud will cover that face which God made both to shame and to edify +this world." + +Paphnutius followed her into a courtyard flooded with the morning light. +On the edge of the brick roofs, the pigeons formed a string of pearls. +On a bed, in the shade of the fig tree, Thais lay quite white, her arms +crossed. By her side stood veiled women, reciting the prayers for the +dying. + +_"Have mercy, upon me, O God, according to Thy loving kindness: +according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my +transgressions."_ + +He called her-- + +"Thais!" + +She raised her eyelids, and turned the whites of her eyes in the +direction of the voice. + +Albina made a sign to the veiled women to retire a few paces. + +"Thais!" repeated the monk. + +She raised her head; a light breath came from her pale lips. + +"Is it thou, my father? . . . Dost thou remember the water of the +spring, and the dates that we picked? . . . That day, my father, love +was born in my heart--the love of life eternal." + +She was silent, and her head fell back. + +Death was upon her, and the sweat of the last agony bedewed her +forehead. A pigeon broke the still silence with its plaintive cooing. +Then the sobs of the monk mingled with the psalms of the virgins. + +_"Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For +I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me."_ + +Suddenly Thais sat up in the bed. Her violet eyes opened wide, and with +a rapt gaze, her arms stretched towards the distant hills, she said in a +clear, fresh voice-- + +"Behold them--the roses of the eternal dawn!" + +Her eyes shone; a slight flush suffused her face. She had revived, more +sweet and more beautiful than ever. Paphnutius knelt down, and threw his +long black arms around her. + +"Do not die!" he cried, in a strange voice, which he himself did not +recognise. "I love thee! Do not die! Listen, my Thais. I have deceived +thee? I was but a wretched fool. God, heaven--all that is nothing. There +is nothing true but this worldly life, and the love of human beings. I +love thee! Do not die! That would be impossible--thou art too precious! +Come, come with me! Let us fly? I will carry thee far away in my arms. +Come, let us love! Hear me, O my beloved, and say, 'I will live; I wish +to live.' Thais, Thais, arise!" + +She did not hear him. Her eyes gazed into infinity. + +She murmured-- + +"Heaven opens. I see the angels, the prophets, and the saints. . . . The +good Theodore is amongst them, his hands filled with flowers; he smiles +on me and calls me. . . . Two angels come to me. They draw near. . . . +How beautiful they are! I see God!" + +She uttered a joyful sigh, and her head fell back motionless on the +pillow. Thais was dead. + +Paphnutius held her in a last despairing embrace; his eyes devoured her +with desire, rage, and love. + +Albina cried to him-- + +"Avaunt, accursed wretch!" + +And she gently placed her fingers on the eyelids of the dead girl. +Paphnutius staggered back, his eyes burning with flames and feeling the +earth open beneath his feet. + +The virgins chanted the song of Zacharias: + +_"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel."_ + +Suddenly their voices stayed in their throat. They had seen the monk's +face, and they fled in affright, crying-- + +"A vampire! A vampire!" + +He had become so repulsive, that passing his hand over his face, he felt +his own hideousness. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Thais, by Anatole France + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THAIS *** + +***** This file should be named 2078.txt or 2078.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/7/2078/ + +Produced by Dagny; John Bickers and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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THE EUPHORBIA + + + + + +THAIS + + + +PART THE FIRST + +THE LOTUS + +In those days there were many hermits living in the desert. On both +banks of the Nile numerous huts, built by these solitary dwellers, of +branches held together by clay, were scattered at a little distance +from each other, so that the inhabitants could live alone, and yet +help one another in case of need. Churches, each surmounted by a +cross, stood here and there amongst the huts, and the monks flocked to +them at each festival to celebrate the services or to partake of the +Communion. There were also, here and there on the banks of the river, +monasteries, where the cenobites lived in separate cells, and only met +together that they might the better enjoy their solitude. + +Both hermits and cenobites led abstemious lives, taking no food till +after sunset, and eating nothing but bread with a little salt and +hyssop. Some retired into the desert, and led a still more strange +life in some cave or tomb. + +All lived in temperance and chastity; they wore a hair shirt and a +hood, slept on the bare ground after long watching, prayed, sang +psalms, and, in short, spent their days in works of penitence. As an +atonement for original sin, they refused their body not only all +pleasures and satisfactions, but even that care and attention which in +this age are deemed indispensable. They believed that the diseases of +our members purify our souls, and the flesh could put on no adornment +more glorious than wounds and ulcers. Thus, they thought they +fulfilled the words of the prophet, "The desert shall rejoice and +blossom as the rose." + +Amongst the inhabitants of the holy Thebaid, there were some who +passed their days in asceticism and contemplation; others gained their +livelihood by plaiting palm fibre, or by working at harvest-time for +the neighbouring farmers. The Gentiles wrongly suspected some of them +of living by brigandage, and allying themselves to the nomadic Arabs +who robbed the caravans. But, as a matter of fact, the monks despised +riches, and the odour of their sanctity rose to heaven. + +Angels in the likeness of young men, came, staff in hand, as +travellers, to visit the hermitages; whilst demons--having assumed the +form of Ethiopians or of animals--wandered round the habitations of +the hermits in order to lead them into temptation. When the monks went +in the morning to fill their pitcher at the spring, they saw the +footprints of Satyrs and Aigipans in the sand. The Thebaid was, really +and spiritually, a battlefield, where, at all times, and more +especially at night, there were terrible conflicts between heaven and +hell. + +The ascetics, furiously assailed by legions of the damned, defended +themselves--with the help of God and the angels--by fasting, prayer, +and penance. Sometimes carnal desires pricked them so cruelly that +they cried aloud with pain, and their lamentations rose to the starlit +heavens mingled with the howls of the hungry hyaenas. Then it was that +the demons appeared in delightful forms. For though the demons are, in +reality, hideous, they sometimes assume an appearance of beauty which +prevents their real nature from being recognised. The ascetics of the +Thebaid were amazed to see in their cells phantasms of delights +unknown even to the voluptuaries of the age. But, as they were under +the sign of the Cross, they did not succumb to these temptations, and +the unclean spirits, assuming again their true character, fled at +daybreak, filled with rage and shame. It was not unusual to meet at +dawn one of these beings, flying away and weeping, and replying to +those who questioned it, "I weep and groan because one of the +Christians who live here has beaten me with rods, and driven me away +in ignominy." + +The power of the old saints of the desert extended over all sinners +and unbelievers. Their goodness was sometimes terrible. They derived +from the Apostles authority to punish all offences against the true +and only God, and no earthly power could save those they condemned. +Strange tales were told in the cities, and even as far as Alexandria, +how the earth had opened and swallowed up certain wicked persons whom +one of these saints struck with his staff. Therefore they were feared +by all evil-doers, and particularly by mimes, mountebanks, married +priests, and prostitutes. + +Such was the sanctity of these holy men that even wild beasts felt +their power. When a hermit was about to die, a lion came and dug a +grave with its claws. The saint knew by this that God had called him, +and he went and kissed all his brethren on the cheek. Then he lay down +joyfully, and slept in the Lord. + +Now that Anthony, who was more than a hundred years old, had retired +to Mount Colzin with his well-beloved disciples, Macarius and Amathas, +there was no monk in the Thebaid more renowned for good works than +Paphnutius, the Abbot of Antinoe. Ephrem and Serapion had a greater +number of followers, and in the spiritual and temporal management of +their monasteries surpassed him. But Paphnutius observed the most +rigorous fasts, and often went for three entire days without taking +food. He wore a very rough hair shirt, he flogged himself night and +morning, and lay for hours with his face to the earth. + +His twenty-four disciples had built their huts near his, and imitated +his austerities. He loved them all dearly in Jesus Christ, and +unceasingly exhorted them to good works. Amongst his spiritual +children were men who had been robbers for many years, and had been +persuaded by the exhortations of the holy abbot to embrace the +monastic life, and who now edified their companions by the purity of +their lives. One, who had been cook to the Queen of Abyssinia, and was +converted by the Abbot of Antinoe, never ceased to weep. There was +also Flavian, the deacon, who knew the Scriptures, and spoke well; but +the disciple of Paphnutius who surpassed all the others in holiness +was a young peasant named Paul, and surnamed the Fool, because of his +extreme simplicity. Men laughed at his childishness, but God favoured +him with visions, and by bestowing upon him the gift of prophecy. + +Paphnutius passed his life in teaching his disciples, and in ascetic +practices. Often did he meditate upon the Holy Scriptures in order to +find allegories in them. Therefore he abounded in good works, though +still young. The devils, who so rudely assailed the good hermits, did +not dare to approach him. At night, seven little jackals sat in the +moonlight in front of his cell, silent and motionless, and with their +ears pricked up. It was believed that they were seven devils, who, +owing to his sanctity, could not cross his threshold. + +Paphnutius was born at Alexandria of noble parents, who had instructed +him in all profane learning. He had even been allured by the +falsehoods of the poets, and in his early youth had been misguided +enough to believe that the human race had all been drowned by a deluge +in the days of Deucalion, and had argued with his fellow-scholars +concerning the nature, the attributes, and even the existence of God. +He then led a life of dissipation, after the manner of the Gentiles, +and he recalled the memory of those days with shame and horror. + +"At that time," he used to say to the brethren, "I seethed in the +cauldron of false delights." + +He meant by that that he had eaten food properly dressed, and +frequented the public baths. In fact, until his twentieth year he had +continued to lead the ordinary existence of those times, which now +seemed to him rather death than life; but, owing to the lessons of the +priest Macrinus, he then became a new man. + +The truth penetrated him through and through, and--as he used to say-- +entered his soul like a sword. He embraced the faith of Calvary, and +worshipped Christ crucified. After his baptism he remained yet a year +amongst the Gentiles, unable to cast off the bonds of old habits. But +one day he entered a church, and heard a deacon read from the Bible, +the verse, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and +give to the poor." Thereupon he sold all that he had, gave away the +money in alms, and embraced the monastic life. + +During the ten years that he had lived remote from men, he no longer +seethed in the cauldron of false delights, but more profitably +macerated his flesh in the balms of penitence. + +One day when, according to his pious custom, he was recalling to mind +the hours he had lived apart from God, and examining his sins one by +one, that he might the better ponder on their enormity, he remembered +that he had seen at the theatre at Alexandria a very beautiful actress +named Thais. This woman showed herself in the public games, and did +not scruple to perform dances, the movements of which, arranged only +too cleverly, brought to mind the most horrible passions. Sometimes +she imitated the horrible deeds which the Pagan fables ascribe to +Venus, Leda, or Pasiphae. Thus she fired all the spectators with lust, +and when handsome young men, or rich old ones, came, inspired with +love, to hang wreaths of flowers round her door, she welcomed them, +and gave herself up to them. So that, whilst she lost her own soul, +she also ruined the souls of many others. + +She had almost led Paphnutius himself into the sins of the flesh. She +had awakened desire in him, and he had once approached the house of +Thais. But he stopped on the threshold of the courtesan's house, +partly restrained by the natural timidity of extreme youth--he was +then but fifteen years old--and partly by the fear of being refused on +account of his want of money, for his parents took care that he should +commit no great extravagances. + +God, in His mercy, had used these two means to prevent him from +committing a great sin. But Paphnutius had not been grateful to Him +for that, because at that time he was blind to his own interests, and +did not know that he was lusting after false delights. Now, kneeling +in his cell, before the image of that holy cross on which hung, as in +a balance, the ransom of the world, Paphnutius began to think of +Thais, because Thais was a sin to him, and he meditated long, +according to ascetic rules, on the fearful hideousness of the carnal +delights with which this woman had inspired him in the days of his sin +and ignorance. After some hours of meditation the image of Thais +appeared to him clearly and distinctly. He saw her again, as he had +seen her when she tempted him, in all the beauty of the flesh. At +first she showed herself like a Leda, softly lying upon a bed of +hyacinths, her head bowed, her eyes humid and filled with a strange +light, her nostrils quivering, her mouth half open, her breasts like +two flowers, and her arms smooth and fresh as two brooks. At this +sight Paphnutius struck his breast and said-- + +"I call Thee to witness, my God, that I have considered how heinous +has been my sin." + +Gradually the face of the image changed its expression. Little by +little the lips of Thais, by lowering at the corners of the mouth, +expressed a mysterious suffering. Her large eyes were filled with +tears and lights; her breast heaved with sighs, like the sighing of a +wind that precedes a tempest. At this sight Paphnutius was troubled to +the bottom of his soul. Prostrating himself on the floor, he uttered +this prayer-- + +"Thou who hast put pity in our hearts, like the morning dew upon the +fields, O just and merciful God, be Thou blessed! Praise! praise be +unto Thee! Put away from Thy servant that false tenderness which +tempts to concupiscence, and grant that I may only love Thy creatures +in Thee, for they pass away, but Thou endurest for ever. If I care for +this woman, it is only because she is Thy handiwork. The angels +themselves feel pity for her. Is she not, O Lord, the breath of Thy +mouth? Let her not continue to sin with many citizens and strangers. +There is great pity for her in my heart. Her wickednesses are +abominable, and but to think of them makes my flesh creep. But the +more wicked she is, the more do I lament for her. I weep when I think +that the devils will torment her to all eternity." + +As he was meditating in this way, he saw a little jackal lying at his +feet. He felt much surprised, for the door of his cell had been closed +since the morning. The animal seemed to read the Abbot's thoughts, and +wagged its tail like a dog. Paphnutius made the sign of the cross and +the beast vanished. He knew then that, for the first time, the devil +had entered his cell, and he uttered a short prayer; then he thought +again about Thais. + +"With God's help," he said to himself, "I must save her." And he +slept. + +The next morning, when he had said his prayers, he went to see the +sainted Palemon, a holy hermit who lived some distance away. He found +him smiling quietly as he dug the ground, as was his custom. Palemon +was an old man, and cultivated a little garden; the wild beasts came +and licked his hands, and the devils never tormented him. + +"May God be praised, brother Paphnutius," he said, as he leaned upon +his spade. + +"God be praised!" replied Paphnutius. "And peace be unto my brother." + +"The like peace be unto thee, brother Paphnutius," said Palemon; and +he wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. + +"Brother Palemon, all our discourse ought to be solely the praise of +Him who has promised to be wheresoever two or three are gathered +together in His Name. That is why I come to you concerning a design I +have formed to glorify the Lord." + +"May the Lord bless thy design, Paphnutius, as He has blessed my +lettuces. Every morning He spreads His grace with the dew on my +garden, and His goodness causes me to glorify Him in the cucumbers and +melons which He gives me. Let us pray that He may keep us in His +peace. For nothing is more to be feared than those unruly passions +which trouble our hearts. When these passions disturb us we are like +drunken men, and we stagger from right to left unceasingly, and are +like to fall miserably. Sometimes these passions plunge us into a +turbulent joy, and he who gives way to such, sullies the air with +brutish laughter. Such false joy drags the sinner into all sorts of +excess. But sometimes also the troubles of the soul and of the senses +throw us into an impious sadness which is a thousand times worse than +the joy. Brother Paphnutius, I am but a miserable sinner, but I have +found, in my long life, that the cenobite has no foe worse than +sadness. I mean by that the obstinate melancholy which envelopes the +soul as in a mist, and hides from us the light of God. Nothing is more +contrary to salvation, and the devil's greatest triumph is to sow +black and bitter thoughts in the heart of a good man. If he sent us +only pleasurable temptations, he would not be half so much to be +feared. Alas! he excels in making us sad. Did he not show to our +father Anthony a black child of such surpassing beauty that the very +sight of it drew tears? With God's help, our father Anthony avoided +the snares of the demon. I knew him when he lived amongst us; he was +cheerful with his disciples, and never gave way to melancholy. But did +you not come, my brother, to talk to me of a design you had formed in +your mind? Let me know what it is--if, at least, this design has for +its object the glory of God." + +"Brother Palemon, what I propose is really to the glory of God. +Strengthen me with your counsel, for you know many things, and sin has +never darkened the clearness of your mind." + +"Brother Paphnutius, I am not worthy to unloose the latchet of thy +sandals, and my sins are as countless as the sands of the desert. But +I am old, and I will never refuse the help of my experience." + +"I will confide in you, then, brother Palemon, that I am stricken with +grief at the thought that there is, in Alexandria, a courtesan named +Thais, who lives in sin, and is a subject of reproach unto the +people." + +"Brother Paphnutius, that is, in truth, an abomination which we do +well to deplore. There are many women amongst the Gentiles who lead +lives of that kind. Have you thought of any remedy for this great +evil?" + +"Brother Palemon, I will go to Alexandria and find this woman, and, +with God's help, I will convert her; that is my intention; do you +approve of it, brother?" + +"Brother Paphnutius, I am but a miserable sinner, but our father +Anthony used to say, 'In whatsoever place thou art, hasten not to +leave it to go elsewhere.' " + +"Brother Palemon, do you disapprove of my project?" + +"Dear Paphnutius, God forbid that I should suspect my brother of bad +intentions. But our father Anthony also said, 'Fishes die on dry land, +and so is it with those monks who leave their cells and mingle with +the men of this world, amongst whom no good thing is to be found.' " + +Having thus spoken, the old man pressed his foot on the spade, and +began to dig energetically round a fig tree laden with fruit. As he +was thus engaged, there was a rustling in the bushes, and an antelope +leaped over the hedge which surrounded the garden; it stopped, +surprised and frightened, its delicate legs trembling, then ran up to +the old man, and laid its pretty head on the breast of its friend. + +"God be praised in the gazelle of the desert," said Palemon. + +He went to his hut, the light-footed little animal trotting after him, +and brought out some black bread, which the antelope ate out of his +hand. + +Paphnutius remained thoughtful for some time, his eyes fixed upon the +stones at his feet. Then he slowly walked back to his cell, pondering +on what he had heard. A great struggle was going on in his mind. + +"The hermit gives good advice," he said to himself; "the spirit of +prudence is in him. And he doubts the wisdom of my intention. Yet it +would be cruel to leave Thais any longer in the power of the demon who +possesses her. May God advise and conduct me." + +As he was walking along, he saw a plover, caught in the net that a +hunter had laid on the sand, and he knew that it was a hen bird, for +he saw the male fly to the net, and tear the meshes one by one with +its beak, until it had made an opening by which its mate could escape. +The holy man watched this incident, and as, by virtue of his holiness, +he easily comprehended the mystic sense of all occurrences, he knew +that the captive bird was no other than Thais, caught in the snares of +sin, and that--like the plover that had cut the hempen threads with +its beak--he could, by pronouncing the word of power, break the +invisible bonds by which Thais was held in sin. Therefore he praised +God, and was confirmed in his first resolution. But then seeing the +plover caught by the feet, and hampered by the net it had broken, he +fell into uncertainty again. + +He did not sleep all night, and before dawn he had a vision. Thais +appeared to him again. There was no expression of guilty pleasure on +her face, nor was she dressed according to custom in transparent +drapery. She was enveloped in a shroud, which hid even a part of her +face, so that the Abbot could see nothing but the two eyes, from which +flowed white and heavy tears. + +At this sight he began to weep, and believing that this vision came +from God, he no longer hesitated. He rose, seized a knotted stick, the +symbol of the Christian faith, and left his cell, carefully closing +the door, lest the animals of the desert and the birds of the air +should enter, and befoul the copy of the Holy Scriptures which stood +at the head of his bed. He called Flavian, the deacon, and gave him +authority over the other twenty-three disciples during his absence; +and then, clad only in a long cassock, he bent his steps towards the +Nile, intending to follow the Libyan bank to the city founded by the +Macedonian monarch. He walked from dawn to eve, indifferent to +fatigue, hunger, and thirst; the sun was already low on the horizon +when he saw the dreadful river, the blood-red waters of which rolled +between the rocks of gold and fire. + +He kept along the shore, begging his bread at the door of solitary +huts for the love of God, and joyfully receiving insults, refusals, or +threats. He feared neither robbers nor wild beasts, but he took great +care to avoid all the towns and villages he came near. He was afraid +lest he should see children playing at knuckle-bones before their +father's house, or meet, by the side of the well, women in blue +smocks, who might put down their pitcher and smile at him. All things +are dangerous for the hermit; it is sometimes a danger for him to read +in the Scriptures that the Divine Master journeyed from town to town +and supped with His disciples. The virtues that the anchorites +embroider so carefully on the tissue of faith, are as fragile as they +are beautiful; a breath of ordinary life may tarnish their pleasant +colours. For that reason, Paphnutius avoided the towns, fearing lest +his heart should soften at the sight of his fellow men. + +He journeyed along lonely roads. When evening came, the murmuring of +the breeze amidst the tamarisk trees made him shiver, and he pulled +his hood over his eyes that he might not see how beautiful all things +were. After walking six days, he came to a place called Silsile. There +the river runs in a narrow valley, bordered by a double chain of +granite mountains. It was there that the Egyptians, in the days when +they worshipped demons, carved their idols. Paphnutius saw an enormous +sphinx carved in the solid rock. Fearing that it might still possess +some diabolical properties, he made the sign of the cross, and +pronounced the name of Jesus; he immediately saw a bat fly out of one +of the monster's ears, and Paphnutius knew that he had driven out the +evil spirits which had been for centuries in the figure. His zeal +increased, and picking up a large stone, he threw it in the idol's +face. Then the mysterious face of the sphinx expressed such profound +sadness that Paphnutius was moved. In fact, the expression of +superhuman grief on the stone visage would have touched even the most +unfeeling man. Therefore Paphnutius said to the sphinx-- + +"O monster, be like the satyrs and centaurs our father Anthony saw in +the desert, and confess the divinity of Jesus Christ, and I will bless +thee in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost." + +When he had spoken a rosy light gleamed in the eyes of the sphinx; the +heavy eyelids of the monster quivered and the granite lips painfully +murmured, as though in echo to the man's voice, the holy name of Jesus +Christ; therefore Paphnutius stretched out his right hand, and blessed +the sphinx of Silsile. + +That being done, he resumed his journey, and the valley having grown +wider, he saw the ruins of an immense city. The temples, which still +remained standing, were supported by idols which served as columns, +and--by the permission of God--these figures with women's heads and +cow's horns, threw on Paphnutius a long look which made him turn pale. +He walked thus seventeen days, his only food a few raw herbs, and he +slept at night in some ruined palace, amongst the wild cats and +Pharaoh's rats, with which mingled sometimes, women whose bodies ended +in a scaly tail. But Paphnutius knew that these women came from hell, +and he drove them away by making the sign of the cross. + +On the eighteenth day, he found, far from any village, a wretched hut +made of palm leaves, and half buried under the sand which had been +driven by the desert wind. He approached it, hoping that the hut was +inhabited by some pious anchorite. He saw inside the hovel--for there +was no door--a pitcher, a bunch of onions, and a bed of dried leaves. + +"This must be the habitation of a hermit," he said to himself. +"Hermits are generally to be found near their hut, and I shall not +fail to meet this one. I will give him the kiss of peace, even as the +holy Anthony did when he came to the hermit Paul, and kissed him three +times. We will discourse of things eternal, and perhaps our Lord will +send us, by one of His ravens, a crust of bread, which my host will +willingly invite me to share with him." + +Whilst he was thus speaking to himself, he walked round the hut to see +if he could find any one. He had not walked a hundred paces when he +saw a man seated, with his legs crossed, by the side of the river. The +man was naked; his hair and beard were quite white, and his body +redder than brick. Paphnutius felt sure this must be the hermit. He +saluted him with the words the monks are accustomed to use when they +meet each other. + +"Peace be with you, brother! May you some day taste the sweet joys of +paradise." + +The man did not reply. He remained motionless, and appeared not to +have heard. Paphnutius supposed this was due to one of those +rhapsodies to which the saints are accustomed. He knelt down, with his +hands joined, by the side of the unknown, and remained thus in prayer +till sunset. Then, seeing that his companion had not moved, he said to +him-- + +"Father, if you are now out of the ecstasy in which you were lost, +give me your blessing in our Lord Jesus Christ." + +The other replied without turning his head-- + +"Stranger, I understand you not, and I know not the Lord Jesus +Christ." + +"What!" cried Paphnutius. "The prophets have announced Him; legions of +martyrs have confessed His name; Caesar himself has worshipped Him, +and, but just now, I made the sphinx of Silsile proclaim His glory. Is +it possible that you do not know Him?" + +"Friend," replied the other, "it is possible. It would even be +certain, if anything in this world were certain." + +Paphnutius was surprised and saddened by the incredible ignorance of +the man. + +"If you know not Jesus Christ," he said, "all your works serve no +purpose, and you will never rise to life immortal." + +The old man replied-- + +"It is useless to act, or to abstain from acting. It matters not +whether we live or die." + +"Eh, what?" asked Paphnutius. "Do you not desire to live through all +eternity? But, tell me, do you not live in a hut in the desert as the +hermits do?" + +"It seems so." + +"Do I not see you naked, and lacking all things?" + +"It seems so." + +"Do you not feed on roots, and live in chastity?" + +"It seems so." + +"Have you not renounced all the vanities of this world?" + +"I have truly renounced all those vain things for which men commonly +care." + +"Then you are like me, poor, chaste, and solitary. And you are not so +--as I am--for the love of God, and with a hope of celestial +happiness! That I cannot understand. Why are you virtuous if you do +not believe in Jesus Christ? Why deprive yourself of the good things +of this world if you do not hope to gain eternal riches in heaven?" + +"Stranger, I deprive myself of nothing which is good, and I flatter +myself that I have found a life which is satisfactory enough, though-- +to speak more precisely--there is no such thing as a good or evil +life. Nothing is itself, either virtuous or shameful, just or unjust, +pleasant or painful, good or bad. It is our opinion which gives those +qualities to things, as salt gives savour to meats." + +"So then, according to you there is no certainty. You deny the truth +which the idolaters themselves have sought. You lie in ignorance--like +a tired dog sleeping in the mud." + +"Stranger, it is equally useless to abuse either dogs or philosophers. +We know not what dogs are or what we are. We know nothing." + +"Old man, do you belong, then, to the absurd sect of sceptics? Are you +one of those miserable fools who alike deny movement and rest, and who +know not how to distinguish between the light of the sun and the +shadows of night?" + +"Friend, I am truly a sceptic, and of a sect which appears +praiseworthy to me, though it seems ridiculous to you. For the same +things often assume different appearances. The pyramids of Memphis +seem at sunrise to be cones of pink light. At sunset they look like +black triangles against the illuminated sky. But who shall solve the +problem of their true nature? You reproach me with denying +appearances, when, in fact, appearances are the only realities I +recognise. The sun seems to me illuminous, but its nature is unknown +to me. I feel that fire burns--but I know not how or why. My friend, +you understand me badly. Besides, it is indifferent to me whether I am +understood one way or the other." + +"Once more. Why do you live on dates and onions in the desert? Why do +you endure great hardships? I endure hardships equally great, and, +like you, I live in abstinence and solitude. But then it is to please +God, and to earn eternal happiness. And that is a reasonable object, +for it is wise to suffer now for a future gain. It is senseless, on +the contrary, to expose yourself voluntarily to useless fatigue and +vain sufferings. If I did not believe--pardon my blasphemy, O +uncreated Light!--if I did not believe in the truth of that which God +has taught us by the voice of the prophets, by the example of His Son, +by the acts of the Apostles, by the authority of councils, and by the +testimony of the martyrs,--if I did not know that the sufferings of +the body are necessary for the salvation of the soul--if I were, like +thee, lost in ignorance of sacred mysteries--I would return at once +amongst the men of this day, I would strive to acquire riches, that I +might live in ease, like those who are happy in this world, and I +would say to the votaries of pleasure, 'Come, my daughters, come, my +servants, come and pour out for me your wines, your philtres, your +perfumes.' But you, foolish old man! you deprive yourself of all these +advantages; you lose without hope of any gain; you give without hope +of any return, and you imitate foolishly the noble deeds of us +anchorites, as an impudent monkey thinks, by smearing a wall, to copy +the picture of a clever artist. What, then, are your reasons, O most +besotted of men?" + +Paphnutius spoke with violence and indignation, but the old man +remained unmoved. + +"Friend," he replied, gently, "what matter the reasons of a dog +sleeping in the dirt or a mischievous ape?" + +Paphnutius' only aim was the glory of God. His anger vanished, and he +apologised with noble humility. + +"Pardon me, old man, my brother," he said, "if zeal for the truth has +carried me beyond proper bounds. God is my witness, that it is thy +errors and not thyself that I hate. I suffer to see thee in darkness, +for I love thee in Jesus Christ, and care for thy salvation fills my +heart. Speak! give me your reasons. I long to know them that I may +refute them." + +The old man replied quietly-- + +"It is the same to me whether I speak or remain silent. I will give my +reasons without asking yours in return, for I have no interest in you +at all. I care neither for your happiness nor your misfortune, and it +matters not to me whether you think one way or another. Why should I +love you, or hate you? Aversion and sympathy are equally unworthy of +the wise man. But since you question me, know then that I am named +Timocles, and that I was born at Cos, of parents made rich by +commerce. My father was a shipowner. In intelligence he much resembled +Alexander, who is surnamed the Great. But he was not so gross. In +short, he was a man of no great parts. I had two brothers, who, like +him, were shipowners. As for me, I followed wisdom. My eldest brother +was compelled by my father to marry a Carian woman, named Timaessa, +who displeased him so greatly that he could not live with her without +falling into a deep melancholy. However, Timaessa inspired our younger +brother with a criminal passion, and this passion soon turned to a +furious madness. The Carian woman hated them both equally; but she +loved a flute-player, and received him at night in her chamber. One +morning he left there the wreath which he usually wore at feasts. My +two brothers, having found this wreath, swore to kill the flute- +player, and the next day they caused him to perish under the lash, in +spite of his tears and prayers. My sister-in-law felt such grief that +she lost her reason, and these three poor wretches became beasts +rather than human beings, and wandered insane along the shores of Cos, +howling like wolves and foaming at the mouth, and hooted at by the +children, who threw shells and stones at them. They died, and my +father buried them with his own hands. A little later his stomach +refused all nourishment, and he died of hunger, though he was rich +enough to have bought all the meats and fruits in the markets of Asia. +He was deeply grieved at having to leave me his fortune. I used it in +travels. I visited Italy, Greece, and Africa without meeting a single +person who was either wise or happy. I studied philosophy at Athens +and Alexandria, and was deafened by noisy arguments. At last I +wandered as far as India, and I saw on the banks of the Ganges a naked +man, who had sat there motionless with his legs crossed for more than +thirty years. Climbing plants twined round his dried up body, and the +birds built their nests in his hair. Yet he lived. At the sight of him +I called to mind Timaessa, the flute-player, my two brothers, and my +father, and I realised that this Indian was a wise man. 'Men,' I said +to myself, 'suffer because they are deprived of that which they +believe to be good; or because, possessing it they fear to lose it; or +because they endure that which they believe to be an evil. Put an end +to all beliefs of this kind, and the evils would disappear.' That is +why I resolved henceforth to deem nothing an advantage, to tear myself +entirely from the good things of this world, and to live silent and +motionless, like the Indian." + +Paphnutius had listened attentively to the old man's story. + +"Timocles of Cos," he replied, "I own that your discourse is not +wholly devoid of sense. It is, in truth, wise to despise the riches of +this world. But it would be absurd to despise also your eternal +welfare, and render yourself liable to be visited by the wrath of God. +I grieve at your ignorance, Timocles, and I will instruct you in the +truth, in order that knowing that there really exists a God in three +hypostases, you may obey this God as a child obeys its father." + +Timocles interrupted him. + +"Refrain, stranger, from showing me your doctrines, and do not imagine +that you will persuade me to share your opinions. All discussions are +useless. My opinion is to have no opinion. My life is devoid of +trouble because I have no preferences. Go thy ways, and strive not to +withdraw me from the beneficent apathy in which I am plunged, as +though in a delicious bath, after the hardships of my past days." + +Paphnutius was profoundly instructed in all things relating to the +faith. By his knowledge of the human heart, he was aware that the +grace of God had not fallen on old Timocles, and the day of salvation +for this soul so obstinately resolved to ruin itself had not yet come. +He did not reply, lest the power given for edification should turn to +destruction. For it sometimes happens, in disputing with infidels, +that the means used for their conversion may steep them still farther +in sin. Therefore they who possess the truth should take care how they +spread it. + +"Farewell, then, unhappy Timocles," he said; and heaving a deep sigh, +he resumed his pious pilgrimage through the night. + +In the morning, he saw the ibises motionless on one leg at the edge of +the water, which reflected their pale pink necks. The willows +stretched their soft grey foliage to the bank, cranes flew in a +triangle in the clear sky, and the cry of unseen herons was heard from +the sedges. Far as the eye could reach, the river rolled its broad +green waters o'er which white sails, like the wings of birds, glided, +and here and there on the shores, a white house shone out. A light +mist floated along the banks, and from out the shadow of the islands, +which were laden with palms, flowers, and fruits, came noisy flocks of +ducks, geese, flamingoes, and teal. To the left, the grassy valley +extended to the desert its fields and orchards in joyful abundance; +the sun shone on the yellow wheat, and the earth exhaled forth its +fecundity in odorous wafts. At this sight, Paphnutius fell on his +knees, and cried-- + +"Blessed be the Lord, who has given a happy issue to my journey. O +God, who spreadest Thy dew upon the fig trees of the Arsiniote, pour +Thy grace upon Thais, whom Thou hast formed with Thy love, as Thou +hast the flowers and trees of the field. May she, by Thy loving care, +flourish like a sweet-scented rose in the heavenly Jerusalem." + +And every time that he saw a tree covered with blossom, or a bird of +brilliant plumage, he thought of Thais. Keeping along the left arm of +the river and through a fertile and populous district, he reached, in +a few days, the city of Alexandria, which the Greeks have surnamed the +Beautiful and the Golden. The sun had risen an hour, when he beheld, +from the top of a hill, the vast city, the roofs of which glittered in +the rosy light. He stopped, and folded his arms on his breast. + +"There, then," he said, "is the delightful spot where I was born in +sin; the bright air where I breathed poisonous perfumes; the sea of +pleasure where I heard the songs of the sirens. There is my cradle, +after the flesh; my native land--in the parlance of the men of these +days! A rich cradle, an illustrious country, in the judgment of men! +It is natural that thy children should reverence thee like a mother, +Alexandria, and I was begotten in thy magnificently adorned breast. +But the ascetic despises nature, the mystic scorns appearances, the +Christian regards his native land as a place of exile, the monk is not +of this earth. I have turned away my heart from loving thee, +Alexandria. I hate thee! I hate thee for thy riches, thy science, thy +pleasures, and thy beauty. Be accursed, temple of demons! Lewd couch +of the Gentiles, tainted pulpit of Arian heresy, be thou accursed! And +thou, winged son of heaven who led the holy hermit Anthony, our +father, when he came from the depths of the desert, and entered into +the citadel of idolatry to strengthen the faith of believers and the +confidence of martyrs, beautiful angel of the Lord, invisible child, +first breath of God, fly thou before me, and cleanse, by the beating +of thy wings, the corrupted air I am about to breathe amongst the +princes of darkness of this world!" + +Having thus spoken, he resumed his journey. He entered the city by the +Gate of the Sun. This gate was a handsome structure of stone. In the +shadow of its arch, crowded some poor wretches, who offered lemons and +figs for sale, or with many groans and lamentations, begged for an +obolus. + +An old woman in rags, who was kneeling there, seized the monk's +cassock, kissed it, and said-- + +"Man of the Lord, bless me, that God may bless me. I have suffered +many things in this world that I may have joys in the world to come. +You come from God, O holy man, and that is why the dust of your feet +is more precious than gold." + +"The Lord be praised!" said Paphnutius, and with his half-closed hand +he made the sign of redemption on the old woman's head. + +But hardly had he gone twenty paces down the street, than a band of +children began to jeer at him, and throw stones, crying-- + +"Oh, the wicked monk! He is blacker than an ape, and more bearded than +a goat! He is a skulker! Why not hang him in an orchard, like a wooden +Priapus, to frighten the birds? But no; he would draw down the hail on +the apple-blossom. He brings bad luck. To the ravens with the monk! to +the ravens!" and stones mingled with the cries. + +"My God, bless these poor children!" murmured Paphnutius. + +And he pursued his way, thinking. + +"I was worshipped by the old woman, and hated and despised by these +children. Thus the same object is appreciated differently by men who +are uncertain in their judgment and liable to error. It must be owned +that, for a Gentile, old Timocles was not devoid of sense. Though +blind, he knew he was deprived of light. His reasoning was much better +than that of these idolaters, who cry from the depths of their thick +darkness, 'I see the day!' Everything in this world is mirage and +moving sand. God alone is steadfast." + +He passed through the city with rapid steps. After ten years of +absence he would still recognise every stone, and every stone was to +him a stone of reproach that recalled a sin. For that reason he struck +his naked feet roughly against the kerb-stones of the wide street, and +rejoiced to see the bloody marks of his wounded feet. Leaving on his +left the magnificent portico of the Temple of Serapis, he entered a +road lined with splendid mansions, which seemed to be drowsy with +perfumes. Pines, maples, and larches raised their heads above the red +cornices and golden acroteria. Through the half-open doors could be +seen bronze statues in marble vestibules, and fountains playing amidst +foliage. No noise troubled the stillness of these quiet retreats. Only +the distant strains of a flute could be heard. The monk stopped before +a house, rather small, but of noble proportions, and supported by +columns as graceful as young girls. It was ornamented with bronze +busts of the most celebrated Greek philosophers. + +He recognised Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Epicurus, and Zeno, and +having knocked with the hammer against the door, he waited, wrapped in +meditation. + +"It is vanity to glorify in metal these false sages; their lies are +confounded, their souls are lost in hell, and even the famous Plato +himself, who filled the earth with his eloquence, now disputes with +the devils." + +A slave opened the door, and seeing a man with bare feet standing on +the mosaic threshold, said to him roughly-- + +"Go and beg elsewhere, stupid monk, or I will drive you away with a +stick." + +"Brother," replied the Abbott of Antinoe, "all that I ask is that you +conduct me to your master, Nicias." + +The slave replied, more angrily than before-- + +"My master does not see dogs like you." + +"My son," said Paphnutius, "will you please do what I ask, and tell +your master that I desire to see him. + +"Get out, vile beggar!" cried the porter furiously; and he raised his +stick and struck the holy man, who, with his arms crossed upon his +breast, received unmovedly the blow, which fell full in his face, and +then repeated gently-- + +"Do as I ask you, my son, I beg." + +The porter tremblingly murmured-- + +"Who is this man who is not afraid of suffering?" + +And he ran and told his master. + +Nicias had just left the bath. Two pretty slave girls were scraping +him with strigils. He was a pleasant-looking man, with a kind smile. +There was an expression of gentle satire in his face. On seeing the +monk, he rose and advanced with open arms. + +"It is you!" he cried, "Paphnutius, my fellow-scholar, my friend my +brother! Oh, I knew you again, though, to say the truth, you look more +like a wild animal than a man. Embrace me. Do you remember the time +when we studied grammar, rhetoric, and philosophy together? You were, +even then, of a morose and wild character, but I liked you because of +your complete sincerity. We used to say that you looked at the +universe with the eyes of a wild horse, and it was not surprising you +were dull and moody. You needed a pinch of Attic salt, but your +liberality knew no bounds. You cared nothing for either your money or +your life. And you had the eccentricity of genius, and a strange +character which interested me deeply. You are welcome, my dear +Paphnutius, after ten years of absence. You have quitted the desert; +you have renounced all Christian superstitions, and now return to your +old life. I will mark this day with a white stone." + +"Crobyle and Myrtale," he added, turning towards the girls, "perfume +the feet, hands, and beard of my dear guest." + +They smiled, and had already brought the basin, the phials, and the +metal mirror. But Paphnutius stopped them with an imperious gesture, +and lowered his eyes that he might not look upon them, for they were +naked. Nicias brought cushions for him, and offered him various meats +and drinks, which Paphnutius scornfully refused. + +"Nicias," he said, "I have not renounced what you falsely call the +Christian superstition, which is the truth of truths. 'In the +beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was +God. All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything +made that was made. In Him was the life, and the life was the light of +men.' " + +"My dear Paphnutius," replied Nicias, who had now put on a perfumed +tunic, "do you expect to astonish me by reciting a lot of words +jumbled together without skill, which are no more than a vain murmur? +Have you forgotten that I am a bit of a philosopher myself? And do you +think to satisfy me with some rags, torn by ignorant men from the +purple garment of AEmilius, when AEmilius, Porphyry, and Plato, in all +their glory, did not satisfy me! The systems devised by the sages are +but tales imagined to amuse the eternal childishness of men. We divert +ourselves with them, as we do with the stories of /The Ass/, /The +Tub/, and /The Ephesian Matron/, or any other Milesian fable." + +And, taking his guest by the arm, he led him into a room where +thousands of papyri were rolled up and lay in baskets. + +"This is my library," he said. "It contains a small part of the +various systems which the philosophers have constructed to explain the +world. The Serapeium itself, with all its riches, does not contain +them all. Alas! they are but the dreams of sick men." + +He compelled his guest to sit down in an ivory chair, and sat down +himself. Paphnutius scowled gloomily at all the books in the library, +and said-- + +"They ought all to be burned." + +"Oh, my dear guest, that would be a pity!" replied Nicias. "For the +dreams of sick men are sometimes amusing. Besides, if we should +destroy all the dreams and visions of men, the earth would lose its +form and colours, and we should all sleep in a dull stupidity." + +Paphnutius continued in the same strain as before-- + +"It is certain that the doctrines of the pagans are but vain lies. But +God, who is the truth, revealed Himself to men by miracles, and He was +made flesh, and lived among us." + +Nicias replied-- + +"You speak well, my dear Paphnutius, when you say that he was made +flesh. A God who thinks, acts, speaks, who wanders through nature, +like Ulysses of old on the glaucous sea, is altogether a man. How do +you expect that we should believe in this new Jupiter, when the +urchins of Athens, in the time of Pericles, no longer believed in the +old one? + +"But let us leave all that. You did not come here; I suppose, to argue +about the three hypostases. What can I do for you, my dear fellow- +scholar?" + +"A good deed," replied the Abbot of Antinoe. "Lend me a perfumed +tunic, like the one you have just put on. Be kind enough to add to the +tunic, gilt sandals, and a vial of oil to anoint my beard and hair. It +is needful also, that you should give me a purse with a thousand +drachmae in it. That, O Nicias, is what I came to ask of you, for the +love of God, and in remembrance of our old friendship." + +Nicias made Crobyle and Myrtale bring his richest tunic; it was +embroidered, after the Asiatic fashion, with flowers and animals. The +two girls held it open, and skilfully showed its bright colours, +waiting till Paphnutius should have taken off the cassock which +covered him down to his feet. But the monk having declared that they +should rather tear off his flesh than this garment, they put on the +tunic over it. As the two girls were pretty, they were not afraid of +men, although they were slaves. They laughed at the strange appearance +of the monk thus clad. Crobyle called him her dear satrap, as she +presented him with the mirror, and Myrtale pulled his beard. But +Paphnutius prayed to the Lord, and did not look at them. Having tied +on the gilt sandals, and fastened the purse to his belt, he said to +Nicias, who was looking at him with an amused expression-- + +"O Nicias, let not these things be an offence in your eyes. For know +that I shall make pious use of this tunic, this purse, and these +sandals." + +"My dear friend," replied Nicias, "I suspect no evil, for I believe +that men are equally incapable of doing evil or doing good. Good and +evil exist only in the opinion. The wise man has only custom and usage +to guide him in his acts. I conform with all the prejudices which +prevail at Alexandria. That is why I pass for an honest man. Go, +friend, and enjoy yourself." + +But Paphnutius thought that it was needful to inform his host of his +intention. + +"Do you know Thais," he said, "who acts in the games at the theatre?" + +"She is beautiful," replied Nicias, "and there was a time when she was +dear to me. For her sake, I sold a mill and two fields of corn, and I +composed in her honour three books full of detestably bad verses. +Surely beauty is the most powerful force in the world, and were we so +made that we could possess it always, we should care as little as may +be for the demiurgos, the logos, the aeons, and all the other reveries +of the philosophers. But I am surprised, my good Paphnutius, that you +should have come from the depths of the Thebaid to talk about Thais." + +Having said this, he sighed gently. And Paphnutius gazed at him with +horror, not conceiving it possible that a man should so calmly avow +such a sin. He expected to see the earth open, and Nicias swallowed up +in flames. But the earth remained solid, and the Alexandrian silent, +his forehead resting on his hand, and he smiling sadly at the memories +of his past youth. The monk rose, and continued in solemn tones-- + +"Know then, O Nicias, that, with the aid of God, I will snatch this +woman Thais from the unclean affections of the world, and give her as +a spouse to Jesus Christ. If the Holy Spirit does not forsake me, +Thais will leave this city and enter a nunnery." + +"Beware of offending Venus," replied Nicias. "She is a powerful +goddess, she will be angry with you if you take away her chief +minister." + +"God will protect me," said Paphnutius. "May He also illumine thy +heart, O Nicias, and draw thee out of the abyss in which thou art +plunged." + +And he stalked out of the room. But Nicias followed him, and overtook +him on the threshold, and placing his hand on his shoulder whispered +into his ear the same words-- + +"Beware of offending Venus; her vengeance is terrible." + +Paphnutius, disdainful of these trivial words, left without turning +his head. He felt only contempt for Nicias; but what he could not bear +was the idea that his former friend had received the caresses of +Thais. It seemed to him that to sin with that woman was more +detestable than to sin with any other. To him this appeared the height +of iniquity, and he henceforth looked upon Nicias as an object of +execration. He had always hated impurity, but never before had this +vice appeared so heinous to him; never before had it so seemed to +merit the anger of Jesus Christ and the sorrow of the angels. + +He felt only a more ardent desire to save Thais from the Gentiles, and +that he must hasten to see the actress in order to save her. +Nevertheless, before he could enter her house, he must wait till the +heat of the day was over, and now the morning had hardly finished. +Paphnutius wandered through the most frequented streets. He had +resolved to take no food that day, in order to be the less unworthy of +the favours he had asked of the Lord. To the great grief of his soul, +he dared not enter any of the churches in the city, because he knew +they were profaned by the Arians, who had overturned the Lord's table. +For, in fact, these heretics, supported by the Emperor of the East, +had driven the patriarch Athanasius from his episcopate, and sown +trouble and confusion among the Christians of Alexandria. + +He therefore wandered about aimlessly, sometimes with his eyes fixed +on the ground in humility, and sometimes raised to heaven in ecstasy. +After some time, he found himself on the quay. Before him lay the +harbour, in which were sheltered innumerable ships and galleys, and +beyond them, smiling in blue and silver, lay the perfidious sea. A +galley, which bore a Nereid at its prow, had just weighed anchor. The +rowers sang as the oars struck the water; and already the white +daughter of the waters, covered with humid pearls, showed no more than +a flying profile to the monk. Steered by her pilot, she cleared the +passage leading from the basin of the Eunostos, and gained the high +seas, leaving a glittering trail behind her. + +"I also," thought Paphnutius, "once desired to embark singing on the +ocean of the world. But I soon saw my folly, and the Nereid did not +carry me away." + +Lost in his thoughts, he sat down upon a coil of rope, and went to +sleep. During his sleep, he had a vision. He seemed to hear the sound +of a clanging trumpet, and the sky became blood red, and he knew that +the day of judgment had come. Whilst he was fervently praying to God, +he saw an enormous monster coming towards him, bearing on its forehead +a cross of light, and he recognised the sphinx of Silsile. The monster +seized him between its teeth, without hurting him, and carried him in +its mouth, as a cat carries a kitten. Paphnutius was thus conveyed +across many countries, crossing rivers and traversing mountains, and +came at last to a desert place, covered with scowling rocks and hot +cinders. The ground was rent in many places, and through these +openings came a hot air. The monster gently put Paphnutius down on the +ground, and said-- + +"Look!" + +And Paphnutius, leaning over the edge of the abyss, saw a river of +fire which flowed in the interior of the earth, between two cliffs of +black rocks. There, in a livid light, the demons tormented the souls +of the damned. The souls preserved the appearance of the bodies which +had held them, and even wore some rags of clothing. These souls seemed +peaceful in the midst of their torments. One of them, tall and white, +his eyes closed, a white fillet across his forehead, and a sceptre in +his hand, sang; his voice filled the desert shores with harmony; he +sang of gods and heroes. Little green devils pierced his lips and +throat with red-hot irons. And the shade of Homer still sang. Near by, +old Anaxagoras, bald and hoary, traced figures in the dust with a +compass. A demon poured boiling oil into his ear, yet failed, however, +to disturb the sage's meditations. And the monk saw many other +persons, who, on the dark shore by the side of the burning river, +read, or quietly meditated, or conversed with other spirits while +walking,--like the sages and pupils under the shadow of the sycamore +trees of Academe. Old Timocles alone had withdrawn from the others, +and shook his head like a man who denies. One of the demons of the +abyss shook a torch before his eyes, but Timocles would see neither +the demon nor the torch. + +Mute with surprise at this spectacle, Paphnutius turned to the +monster. It had disappeared, and, in place of the sphinx, the monk saw +a veiled woman, who said-- + +"Look and understand. Such is the obstinacy of these infidels, that, +even in hell, they remain victims of the illusions which deluded them +when on earth. Death has not undeceived them; for it is very plain +that it does not suffice merely to die in order to see God. Those who +are ignorant of the truth whilst living, will be ignorant of it +always. The demons which are busy torturing these souls, what are they +but agents of divine justice? That is why these souls neither see them +nor feel them. They were ignorant of the truth, and therefore unaware +of their own condemnation, and God Himself cannot compel them to +suffer. + +"God can do all things," said the Abbot of Antinoe. + +"He cannot do that which is absurd," replied the veiled woman. "To +punish them, they must first be enlightened, and if they possessed the +truth, they would be like unto the elect." + +Vexed and horrified, Paphnutius again bent over the edge of the abyss. +He saw the shade of Nicias smiling, with a wreath of flowers on his +head, sitting under a burnt myrtle tree. By his side was Aspasia of +Miletus, gracefully draped in a woollen cloak, and they seemed to talk +together of love and philosophy; the expression of her face was sweet +and noble. The rain of fire which fell on them was as a refreshing +dew, and their feet pressed the burning soil as though it had been +tender grass. At this sight Paphnutius was filled with fury. + +"Strike him, O God! strike him!" he cried. "It is Nicias! Let him +weep! let him groan! let him grind his teeth! He sinned with Thais!" + +And Paphnutius woke in the arms of a sailor, as strong as Hercules, +who cried-- + +"Quietly! quietly! my friend! By Proteus, the old shepherd of the +seals, you slumber uneasily. If I had not caught hold of you, you +would have tumbled into the Eunostos. It is as true as that my mother +sold salt fish, that I saved your life." + +"I thank God," replied Paphnutius. + +And, rising to his feet, he walked straight before him, meditating on +the vision which had come to him whilst he was asleep. + +"This vision," he said to himself, "is plainly an evil one; it is an +insult to divine goodness to imagine hell is unreal. The dream +certainly came from the devil." + +He reasoned thus because he knew how to distinguish between the dreams +sent by God and those produced by evil angels. Such discernment is +useful to the hermit, who lives surrounded by apparitions, and who, in +avoiding men, is sure to meet with spirits. The deserts are full of +phantoms. When the pilgrims drew near the ruined castle, to which the +holy hermit, Anthony, had retired, they heard a noise like that which +goes up from the public square of a large city at a great festival. +The noise was made by the devils, who were tempting the holy man. + +Paphnutius remembered this memorable example. He also called to mind +St. John the Egyptian, who for sixty years was tempted by the devil. +But John saw through all the tricks of the demon. One day, however, +the devil, having assumed the appearance of a man, entered the grotto +of the venerable John, and said to him, "John, you must continue to +fast until to-morrow evening." And John, believing that it was an +angel who spoke, obeyed the voice of the demon, and fasted the next +day until the vesper hour. That was the only victory that the Prince +of Darkness ever gained over St. John the Egyptian, and that was but a +trifling one. It was therefore not astonishing that Paphnutius knew at +once that the vision which had visited him in his sleep was an evil +one. + +Whilst he was gently remonstrating with God for having given him into +the power of the demons, he felt himself pushed and dragged amidst a +crowd of people who were all hurrying in the same direction. As he was +unaccustomed to walk in the streets of a city, he was shoved and +knocked from one passer to another like an inert mass; and being +embarrassed by the folds of his tunic, he was more than once on the +point of falling. Desirous of knowing where all these people could be +going, he asked one of them the cause of this hurry. + +"Do you not know, stranger," replied he, "that the games are about to +begin, and that Thais will appear on the stage? All the citizens are +going to the theatre, and I also am going. Would you like to accompany +me?" + +It occurred to him at once that it would further his design to see +Thais in the games, and Paphnutius followed the stranger. In front of +them stood the theatre, its portico ornamented with shining masks, and +its huge circular wall covered with innumerable statues. Following the +crowd, they entered a narrow passage, at the end of which lay the +amphitheatre, glittering with light. They took their places on one of +the seats, which descended in steps to the stage, which was empty but +magnificently decorated. There was no curtain to hide the view, and on +the stage was a mound, such as used to be erected in old times to the +shades of heroes. This mound stood in the midst of a camp. Lances were +stacked in front of the tents, and golden shields hung from masts, +amidst boughs of laurel and wreaths of oak. On the stage all was +silence, but a murmur like the humming of bees in a hive rose from the +vast hemicycle filled with spectators. All their faces, reddened by +the reflection from the purple awning which waved above them, turned +with attentive curiosity towards the large, silent stage, with its +tomb and tents. The women laughed and ate lemons, and the regular +theatre-goers called gaily to one another from their seats. + +Paphnutius prayed inwardly, and refrained from uttering any vain +words, but his neighbour began to complain of the decline of the +drama. + +"Formerly," he said, "clever actors used to declaim, under a mask, the +verses of Euripides and Menander. Now they no longer recite dramas, +they act in dumb show; and of the divine spectacles with which Bacchus +was honoured in Athens, we have kept nothing but what a barbarian--a +Scythian even--could understand--attitude and gesture. The tragic +mask, the mouth of which was provided with metal tongues that +increased the sound of the voice; the cothurnus, which raised the +actors to the height of gods; the tragic majesty and the splendid +verses that used to be sung, have all gone. Pantomimists, and dancing +girls with bare faces, have replaced Paulus and Roscius. What would +the Athenians of the days of Pericles have said if they had seen a +woman on the stage? It is indecent for a woman to appear in public. We +must be very degenerate to permit it. It is as certain as that my name +is Dorion, that woman is the natural enemy of man, and a disgrace to +human kind." + +"You speak wisely," replied Paphnutius; "woman is our worst enemy. She +gives us pleasure, and is to be feared on that account." + +"By the immovable gods," cried Dorion, "it is not pleasure that woman +gives to man, but sadness, trouble, and black cares. Love is the cause +of our most biting evils. Listen, stranger. When I was a young man I +visited Troezene, in Argolis, and I saw there a myrtle of a most +prodigious size, the leaves of which were covered with innumerable +pinholes. And this is what the Troezenians say about that myrtle. +Queen Phaedra, when she was in love with Hippolytos, used to recline +idly all day long under this same tree. To beguile the tedium of her +weary life she used to draw out the golden pin which held her fair +locks, and pierce with it the leaves of the sweet-scented bush. All +the leaves were riddled with holes. After she had ruined the poor +young man whom she pursued with her incestuous love, Phaedra, as you +know, perished miserably. She locked herself up in her bridal chamber, +and hanged herself by her golden girdle from an ivory peg. The gods +willed that the myrtle, the witness of her bitter misery, should +continue to bear, in its fresh leaves, the marks of the pin-holes. I +picked one of these leaves, and placed it at the head of my bed, that +by the sight of it I might take warning against the folly of love, and +conform to the doctrine of the divine Epicurus, my master, who taught +that all lust is to be feared. But, properly speaking, love is a +disease of the liver, and one is never sure of not catching the +malady." + +Paphnutius asked-- + +"Dorion, what are your pleasures?" + +Dorion replied sadly-- + +"I have only one pleasure, and, it must be confessed, that it is not a +very exciting one; it is meditation. When a man has a bad digestion, +he must not look for any others." + +Taking advantage of these words, Paphnutius proceeded to initiate the +Epicurean into those spiritual joys which the contemplation of God +procures. He began-- + +"Hear the truth, Dorion, and receive the light." + +But he saw then that all heads were turned towards him, and everybody +was making signs for him to be quiet. Dead silence prevailed in the +theatre, broken at last by the strains of heroic music. + +The play began. The soldiers left their tents, and were preparing to +depart, when a prodigy occurred--a cloud covered the summit of the +funeral pile. Then the cloud rolled away, and the ghost of Achilles +appeared, clad in golden armour. Extending his arms towards the +warriors, he seemed to say to them, "What! do you depart, children of +Danaos? do you return to the land I shall never behold again, and +leave my tomb without any offerings?" Already the principal Greek +chieftains pressed to the foot of the pile. Acamas, the son of +Theseus, old Nestor, Agamemnon, bearing a sceptre and with a fillet on +his brow, gazed at the prodigy. Pyrrhus, the young son of Achilles, +was prostrate in the dust. Ulysses, recognisable by the cap which +covered his curly hair, showed by his gestures that he acquiesced in +the demand of the hero's shade. He argued with Agamemnon, and their +words might be easily guessed-- + +"Achilles," said the King of Ithaca, "is worthy to be honoured by us, +for he died gloriously for Hellas. He demands that the daughter of +Priam, the virgin Polyxena, should be immolated on his tomb. Greeks! +appease the manes of the hero, and let the son of Peleus rejoice in +Hades." + +But the king of kings replied-- + +"Spare the Trojan virgins we have torn from the altars. Sufficient +misfortunes have already fallen on the illustrious race of Priam." + +He spoke thus because he shared the couch of the sister of Polyxena, +and the wise Ulysses reproached him for preferring the couch of +Cassandra to the lance of Achilles. + +The Greeks showed they shared the opinion of Ulysses, by loudly +clashing their weapons. The death of Polyxena was resolved on, and the +appeased shade of Achilles vanished. The music--sometimes wild and +sometimes plaintive--followed the thoughts of the personages in the +drama. The spectators burst into applause. + +Paphnutius, who applied divine truth to everything murmured-- + +"This fable shows how cruel the worshippers of false gods were." + +"All religions breed crimes," replied the Epicurean. "Happily, a +Greek, who was divinely wise, has freed men from foolish terrors of +the unknown--" + +Just at that moment, Hecuba, her white hair dishevelled, her robe +tattered, came out of the tent in which she was kept captive. A long +sigh went up from the audience, when her woeful figure appeared. +Hecuba had been warned by a prophetic dream, and lamented her +daughter's fate and her own. Ulysses approached her, and asked her to +give up Polyxena. The old mother tore her hair, dug her nails into her +cheeks, and kissed the hands of the cruel chieftain, who, with +unpitying calmness, seemed to say-- + +"Be wise, Hecuba, and yield to necessity. There are amongst us many +old mothers who weep for their children, now sleeping under the pines +of Ida." + +And Hecuba, formerly queen of the most flourishing city in Asia, and +now a slave, bowed her unhappy head in the dust. + +Then the curtain in front of one of the tents was raised, and the +virgin Polyxena appeared. A tremor passed through all the spectators. +They had recognised Thais. Paphnutius saw again the woman he had come +to seek. With her white arm she held above her head the heavy curtain. +Motionless as a splendid statue, she stood, with a look of pride and +resignation in her violet eyes, and her resplendent beauty made a +shudder of commiseration pass through all who beheld her. + +A murmur of applause uprose, and Paphnutius, his soul agitated, and +pressing both hands to his heart, sighed-- + +"Why, O my God, hast thou given this power to one of Thy creatures?" + +Dorion was not so disturbed. He said-- + +"Certainly the atoms, which have momentarily met together to form this +woman, present a combination which is agreeable to the eye. But that +is but a freak of nature, and the atoms know not what they do. They +will some day separate with the same indifference as they came +together. Where are now the atoms which formed Lais or Cleopatra? I +must confess that women are sometimes beautiful. But they are liable +to grievous afflictions, and disgusting inconveniences. That is patent +to all thinking men, though the vulgar pay no attention to it. And +women inspire love, though it is absurd and ridiculous to love them." + +Such were the thoughts of the philosopher and the ascetic as they +gazed on Thais. They neither of them noticed Hecuba, who turned to her +daughter, and seemed to say by her gestures-- + +"Try to soften the cruel Ulysses. Employ your tears, your beauty, and +your youth." + +Thais--or rather Polyxena herself--let fall the curtain of the tent. +She made a step forward, and all hearts were conquered. And when, with +firm but light steps, she advanced towards Ulysses, her rhythmic +movements, which were accompanied by the sound of flutes, created in +all present such happy visions, that it seemed as though she were the +divine centre of all the harmonies of the world. All eyes were bent on +her; the other actors were obscured by her effulgence, and were not +noticed. The play continued, however. + +The prudent son of Laertes turned away his head, and hid his hand +under his mantle, in order to avoid the looks and kisses of the +suppliant. The virgin made a sign to him to fear nothing. Her tranquil +gaze said-- + +"I follow you, Ulysses, and bow to necessity--because I wish to die. +Daughter of Priam, and sister of Hector, my couch, which was once +worthy of Kings, shall never receive a foreign master. Freely do I +quit the light of day." + +Hecuba, lying motionless in the dust, suddenly rose and enfolded her +daughter in a last despairing embrace. Polyxena gently, but +resolutely, removed the old arms which held her. She seemed to say-- + +"Do not expose yourself, mother, to the fury of your master. Do not +wait until he drags you ignominiously on the ground in tearing me from +your arms. Better, O well-beloved mother, to give me your wrinkled +hand, and bend your hollow cheeks to my lips." + +The face of Thais looked beautiful in its grief. The crowd felt +grateful to her for showing them the forms and passions of life +endowed with superhuman grace, and Paphnutius pardoned her present +splendour on account of her coming humility, and glorified himself in +advance for the saint he was about to give to heaven. + +The drama neared its end. Hecuba fell as though dead, and Polyxena, +led by Ulysses, advanced towards the tomb, which was surrounded by the +chief warriors. A dirge was sung as she mounted the funeral pile, on +the summit of which the son of Achilles poured out libations from a +gold cup to the manes of the hero. When the sacrificing priests +stretched out their arms to seize her, she made a sign that she wished +to die free and unbound, as befitted the daughter of so many kings. +Then, tearing aside her robe, she bared her bosom to the blow. +Pyrrhus, turning away his head, plunged his sword into her heart, and +by a skilful trick, the blood gushed forth over the dazzling white +breast of the virgin, who, with head thrown back, and her eyes +swimming in the horrors of death, fell with grace and modesty. + +Whilst the warriors enshrouded the victim with a veil, and covered her +with lilies and anemones, terrified screams and groans rent the air, +and Paphnutius, rising from his seat, prophesied in a loud voice. + +"Gentiles? vile worshippers of demons! And you Arians more infamous +than the idolaters!--learn! That which you have just seen is an image +and a symbol. There is a mystic meaning in this fable, and very soon +the woman you see there will be offered, a willing and happy +sacrifice, to the risen God." + +But already the crowd was surging in dark waves towards the exits. The +Abbot of Antinoe, escaping from the astonished Dorion, gained the +door, still prophesying. + +An hour later he knocked at the door of the house of Thais. + +The actress then lived in the rich Racotis quarter, near the tomb of +Alexander, in a house surrounded by shady gardens, in which a brook, +bordered with poplars, flowed amidst artificial rocks. An old black +slave woman, loaded with rings, opened the door, and asked what he +wanted. + +"I wish to see Thais," he replied. "God is my witness that I came here +for no other purpose." + +As he wore a rich tunic, and spoke in an imperious manner, the slave +allowed him to enter. + +"You will find Thais," she said, "in the Grotto of Nymphs." + + + +PART THE SECOND + +THE PAPYRUS + +Thais was born of free, but poor, parents, who were idolaters. When +she was a very little girl, her father kept, at Alexandria, near the +Gate of the Moon, an inn, which was frequented by sailors. She still +retained some vivid, but disconnected, memories of her early youth. +She remembered her father, seated at the corner of the hearth with his +legs crossed--tall, formidable, and quiet, like one of those old +Pharaohs who are celebrated in the ballads sung by blind men at the +street corners. She remembered also her thin, wretched mother, +wandering like a hungry cat about the house, which she filled with the +tones of her sharp voice, and the glitter of her phosphorescent eyes. +They said in the neighbourhood that she was a witch, and changed into +an owl at night, and flew to see her lovers. It was a lie. Thais knew +well, having often watched her, that her mother practised no magic +arts, but that she was eaten up with avarice, and counted all night +the gains of the day. The idle father and the greedy mother let the +child live as best it could, like one of the fowls in the poultry- +yard. She became very clever in extracting, one by one, the oboli from +the belt of some drunken sailor, and in amusing the drinkers with +artless songs and obscene words, the meaning of which she did not +know. She passed from knee to knee, in a room reeking with the odours +of fermented drinks and resiny wine-skins; then, her cheeks sticky +with beer and pricked by rough beards, she escaped, clutching the +oboli in her little hand, and ran to buy honey-cakes from an old woman +who crouched behind her baskets under the Gate of the Moon. Every day +the same scenes were repeated, the sailors relating their perilous +adventures, then playing at dice or knuckle-bones, and blaspheming the +gods, amid their shouting for the best beer of Cilicia. + +Every night the child was awakened by the quarrels of the drunkards. +Oyster-shells would fly across the tables, cutting the heads of those +they hit, and the uproar was terrible. Sometimes she saw, by the light +of the smoky lamps, the knives glitter, and the blood flow. + +It humiliated her to think that the only person who showed her any +human kindness in her young days was the mild and gentle Ahmes. Ahmes, +the house-slave, a Nubian blacker than the pot he gravely skimmed, was +as good as a long night's sleep. Often he would take Thais on his +knee, and tell her old tales about underground treasure-houses +constructed for avaricious kings, who put to death the masons and +architects. There were also tales about clever thieves who married +kings' daughters, and courtesans who built pyramids. Little Thais +loved Ahmes like a father, like a mother, like a nurse, and like a +dog. She followed the slave into the cellar when he went to fill the +amphorae, and into the poultry-yard amongst the scraggy and ragged +fowls, all beak, claws, and feathers, who flew swifter than eagles +before the knife of the black cook. Often at night, on the straw, +instead of sleeping, he built for Thais little water-mills, and ships +no bigger than his hand, with all their rigging. + +He had been badly treated by his masters; one of his ears was torn, +and his body covered with scars. Yet his features always wore an air +of joyous peace. And no one ever asked him whence he drew the +consolation in his soul, and the peace in his heart. He was as simple +as a child. As he performed his heavy tasks, he sang, in a harsh +voice, hymns which made the child tremble and dream. He murmured, in a +gravely joyous tone-- + + "Tell us, Mary, what thou hast seen where thou hast been? + I saw the shroud and the linen cloths, and the angels seated on the tomb. + And I saw the glory of the Risen One." + +She asked him-- + +"Father, why do you sing about angels seated on a tomb?" + +And he replied-- + +"Little light of my eyes, I sing of the angels because Jesus, our +Lord, is risen to heaven." + +Ahmes was a Christian. He had been baptised, and was known as Theodore +at the meetings of the faithful, to which he went secretly during the +hours allowed him for sleep. + +At that time the Church was suffering the severest trials. By order of +the Emperor, the churches had been thrown down, the holy books burned, +the sacred vessels and candlesticks melted. The Christians had been +deprived of all their honours, and expected nothing but death. Terror +reigned over all the community at Alexandria, and the prisons were +crammed with victims. It was whispered with horror amongst the +faithful, that in Syria, in Arabia, in Mesopotamia, in Cappadocia, in +all the empire, bishops and virgins had been flogged, tortured, +crucified or thrown to wild beasts. Then Anthony, already celebrated +for his visions and his solitary life, a prophet, and the head of all +the Egyptian believers, descended like an eagle from his desert rock +on the city of Alexandria, and, flying from church to church, fired +the whole community with his holy ardour. Invisible to the pagans, he +was present at the same time at all the meetings of Christians, +endowing all with the spirit of strength and prudence by which he was +animated. Slaves, in particular, were persecuted with singular +severity. Many of them, seized with fright, denied the faith. Others, +and by far the greater number, fled to the desert, hoping to live +there, either as hermits or robbers. Ahmes, however, frequented the +meetings as usual, visited the prisoners, buried the martyrs, and +joyfully professed the religion of Christ. The great Anthony, who saw +his unshaken zeal, before he returned into the desert, pressed the +black slave in his arms, and gave him the kiss of peace. + +When Thais was seven years old, Ahmes began to talk to her of God. + +"The good Lord God," he said, "lived in heaven like a Pharaoh, under +the tents of His harem, and under the trees of His gardens. He was the +Ancient of Ancients, and older than the world; and He had but one Son, +the Prince Jesus, whom He loved with all His heart, and who surpassed +in beauty the virgins and the angels. And the good Lord God said to +Prince Jesus-- + +" 'Leave My harem and My palace, and My date trees and My running +waters. Descend to earth for the welfare of men. There Thou shalt be +like a little child, and Thou shalt live poor amongst the poor. +Suffering shall be Thy daily bread, and Thou shalt weep so profusely +that Thy tears shall form rivers, in which the tired slave shall bathe +with delight. Go, My Son!' + +"Prince Jesus obeyed the good Lord, and He came down to earth, to a +place named Bethlehem of Judaea. And He walked in fields, amidst the +flowering anemones, saying to His companion-- + +" 'Blessed are they who hunger, for I will lead them to My Father's +table! Blessed are they who thirst, for they shall drink of the +fountains of heaven! Blessed are they who weep, for I will dry their +tears with veils finer than those of the almehs!' + +"That is why the poor loved Him, and believed in Him. But the rich +hated Him; fearing that He should raise the poor above them. At that +time, Cleopatra and Caesar were powerful on the earth. They both hated +Jesus, and they ordered the judges and priests to put Him to death. To +obey the Queen of Egypt, the princes of Syria erected a cross on a +high mountain, and they caused Jesus to die on this cross. But women +washed His corpse, and buried it; and Prince Jesus, having broken the +door of His tomb, rose again to the good Lord, His Father. + +"And, from that time, all those who believed in Him go to heaven. + +"The Lord God opens His arms, and says to them-- + +" 'Ye are welcome, because ye love the Prince, My Son. Wash, and then +eat.' + +"They bathe to the sound of beautiful music, and, all the time they +are eating, they see almehs dancing, and they listen to tales that +never end. They are dearer to the good Lord God than the light of His +eyes, because they are His guests, and they shall have for their +portion the carpets of His house, and the pomegranates of His +gardens." + +Ahmes often spoke in this strain, and thus taught the truth to Thais. +She wondered, and said-- + +"I should like to eat the pomegranates of the good Lord." + +Ahmes replied-- + +"Only those who are baptised may taste the fruits of heaven." + +And Thais asked to be baptised. Seeing by this that she believed in +Jesus, the slave resolved to instruct her more fully, so that, being +baptised, she might enter the Church; and he loved her as his +spiritual daughter. + +The child, unloved and uncared for by its selfish parents, had no bed +in the house. She slept in a corner of the stable amongst the domestic +animals, and there Ahmes came to her every night secretly. + +He gently approached the mat on which she lay, and sat down on his +heels, his legs bent and his body straight--a position hereditary to +his race. His face and his body, which was clothed in black, were +invisible in the darkness; but his big white eyes shone out, and there +came from them a light like a ray of dawn through the chinks of a +door. He spoke in a husky, monotonous tone, with a slight nasal twang +that gave it the soft melody of music heard at night in the streets. +Sometimes the breathing of an ass, or the soft lowing of an ox, +accompanied, like a chorus of invisible spirits, the voice of the +slave as he recited the gospels. His words flowed gently in the +darkness, which they filled with zeal, mercy, and hope; and the +neophyte, her hand in that of Ahmes, lulled by the monotonous sounds, +and the vague visions in her mind, slept calm and smiling, amid the +harmonies of the dark night and the holy mysteries, gazed down on by a +star, which twinkled between the joists of the stable-roof. + +The initiation lasted a whole year, till the time when the Christians +joyfully celebrate the festival of Easter. One night in the holy week, +Thais, who was already asleep on her mat, felt herself lifted by the +slave, whose eyes gleamed with a strange light. He was clad, not as +usual in a pair of torn drawers, but in a long white cloak, beneath +which he pressed the child, whispering to her-- + +"Come, my soul! Come, light of my eyes! Come, little sweetheart! Come +and be clad in the baptismal robes!" + +He carried the child pressed to his breast. Frightened and yet +curious, Thais, her head out of the cloak, threw her arms round her +friend's neck, and he ran with her through the darkness. They went +down narrow, black alleys; they passed through the Jews' quarter; they +skirted a cemetery, where the osprey uttered its dismal cry; they +traversed an open space, passing under crosses on which hung the +bodies of victims, and on the arms of the crosses the ravens clacked +their beaks. Thais hid her head in the slave's breast. She did not +dare to peep out all the rest of the way. Soon it seemed to her that +she was going down under ground. When she reopened her eyes she found +herself in a narrow cave, lighted by resin torches, on the walls of +which were painted standing figures, which seemed to move and live in +the flickering glare of the torches. They were men clad in long tunics +and carrying branches of palm, and around them were lambs, doves, and +tendrils of vine. + +Amongst these figures, Thais recognised Jesus of Nazareth, by the +anemones flowering at his feet. In the centre of the cave, near a +large stone font filled with water, stood an old man clad in a scarlet +dalmatic embroidered with gold, and on his head a low mitre. His thin +face ended in a long beard. He looked gentle and humble, in spite of +his rich costume. This was Bishop Vivantius, an exiled dignitary of +the Church of Cyrene, who now gained his livelihood by weaving common +stuffs of goats' hair. Two poor children stood by his side. Close by, +an old negress unfolded a little white robe. Ahmes set the child down +on the ground, and kneeling before the Bishop, said-- + +"Father, this is the little soul, the child of my soul. I have brought +her that you may, according to your promise, and if it please your +holiness, bestow on her the baptism of life." + +At these words the Bishop opened his arms, and showed his mutilated +hands. His nails had been torn out because he had maintained the faith +in the days of persecution. Thais was frightened, and threw herself +into the arms of Ahmes. But the kind words of the priest reassured +her. + +"Fear nothing, dearly beloved little one. Thou hast here a spiritual +father, Ahmes, who is called Theodore amongst the faithful, and a kind +mother in grace, who has prepared for thee, with her own hands, a +white robe." + +And turning towards the negress-- + +"She is called Nitida," he added, "and is a slave in this world, but +in heaven she will be a spouse of Jesus." + +Then he said to the child neophyte-- + +"Thais, dost thou believe in God, the Father Almighty; and in His only +Son, who died for our salvation; and in all that the apostles taught?" + +"Yes," replied together the negro and negress, who held her by each +hand. + +By the Bishop's orders, Nitida knelt down and undressed Thais. The +child was quite naked; round her neck was an amulet. The Pontiff +plunged her three times into the baptismal font. The acolytes brought +the oil, with which Vivantius anointed the catechumen, and the salt, a +morsel of which he placed on her tongue. Then, having dried that body +which was destined, after many trials, to life immortal, the slave +Nitida put on Thais the white robe she had woven. + +The Bishop gave to each and all the kiss of peace, and, the ceremony +being terminated, took off his sacerdotal insignia. + +When they had left the crypt, Ahmes said-- + +"We ought to rejoice that we have this day brought a soul to the good +Lord God; let us go to the house of your Holiness and spend the rest +of the night in rejoicing." + +"Thou hast well said, Theodore," replied the Bishop, and he led the +little band to his house, which was quite near. It consisted of a +single room, furnished with a couple of looms, a heavy table, and a +worn-out carpet. As soon as they had entered, + +"Nitida," cried the Nubian, "bring hither the stove and the jar of +oil, and we will have a good supper." + +Saying thus, he drew from under his cloak some little fish which he +had kept concealed, and lighted a fire and fried them. The Bishop, the +girl, the two boys, and the two slaves sat in a ring on the carpet, +ate the fried fish, and blessed the Lord. Vivantius spoke of the +torture he had undergone, and prophesied the speedy triumph of the +Church. His language was grotesque, and full of word-play and +rhetorical tropes. He compared the life of the just to a tissue of +purple, and to explain the mystery of baptism, he said-- + +"The Divine Spirit floated on the waters, and that is why Christians +receive the baptism of water. But demons also inhabit the brooks; +springs consecrated to nymphs are especially dangerous, and there are +certain waters which cause various maladies, both of the soul and of +the body." + +Sometimes he spoke enigmatically, and the child listened to him with +profound awe and wonder. At the end of the repast he offered his +guests a little wine, and this unloosed their tongues, and they began +to sing lamentations and hymns. Ahmes and Nitida then rose, and danced +a Nubian dance which they had learned as children, and which, no +doubt, had been danced by their tribe since the early ages of the +world. It was a love dance; waving their arms, and moving their bodies +in rhythmic measure, they feigned, in turn, to fly from and to pursue +each other. Their big eyes rolled, and they showed their gleaming +teeth in broad grins. + +In this strange manner did Thais receive the holy rite of baptism. + +She loved amusements, and, as she grew, vague desires were created in +her mind. All day long she danced and sang with the children in the +streets, and when at night she returned to her father's house, she was +still singing-- + + "Crooked twist, why do you stay in the house? + I comb the wool, and the Miletan threads. + Crooked twist, what did your son die of? + He fell from the white horses into the sea." + +She now began to prefer the company of boys and girls to that of the +gentle and quiet Ahmes. She did not notice that her friend was not so +often with her. The persecution having relented, the Christians were +able to assemble more regularly, and the Nubian frequented these +meetings assiduously. His zeal increased, and he sometimes uttered +mysterious threats. He said that the rich would not keep their wealth. +He went to the public places to which the poorer Christians used to +resort, and assembling together all the poor wretches who were lying +in the shade of the old walls, he announced to them that all slaves +would soon be free, and that the day of justice was at hand. + +"In the kingdom of God," he said, "the slaves will drink new wine and +eat delicious fruits; whilst the rich, crouching at their feet like +dogs, will devour the crumbs from their table." + +These sayings were noised abroad through all that quarter of the city, +and the masters feared that Ahmes might incite the slaves to revolt. +The innkeeper hated him intensely, though he carefully concealed his +rancour. + +One day, a silver salt-cellar, reserved for the table of the gods, +disappeared from the inn. Ahmes was accused of having stolen it--out +of hate to his master and to the gods of the empire. There was no +proof of the accusation, and the slave vehemently denied the charge. +Nevertheless, he was dragged before the tribunal, and as he had the +reputation of being a bad servant, the judge condemned him to death. + +"As you did not know how to make a good use of your hands," he said, +"they will be nailed to the cross." + +Ahmes heard the verdict quietly, bowed to the judge most respectfully, +and was taken to the public prison. During the three days that +remained to him, he did not cease to preach the gospel to the +prisoners, and it was related afterwards that the criminals, and the +gaoler himself, touched by his words, believed in Jesus crucified. + +He was taken to the very place which one night, less than two years +before, he had crossed so joyfully, carrying in his cloak little +Thais, the daughter of his soul, his darling flower. When his hands +were nailed to the cross, he uttered no complaint, but many times he +sighed and murmured, "I thirst." + +His agony lasted three days and three nights. It seemed hardly +possible that human flesh could have endured such prolonged torture. +Many times it was thought he was dead; the flies clustered on his +eyelids, but suddenly he would reopen his bloodshot eyes. On the +morning of the fourth day, he sang, in a voice clearer and purer than +that of a child-- + + "Tell us, Mary, what thou hast seen where thou hast been?" + +Then he smiled and said-- + +"They come, the angels of the good Lord. They bring me wine and fruit. +How refreshing is the fanning of their wings!" + +And he expired. + +His features preserved in death an expression of ecstatic happiness. +Even the soldiers who guarded the cross were struck with wonder. +Vivantius, accompanied by some of the Christian brethren, claimed the +body, and buried it with the remains of the other martyrs in the crypt +of St. John the Baptist, and the Church venerated the memory of Saint +Theodore the Nubian. + +Three years later, Constantine, the conquerer of Maxentius, issued an +edict which granted toleration to the Christians, and the believers +were not henceforth persecuted, except by heretics. + +Thais had completed her eleventh year when her friend was tortured to +death, and she felt deeply saddened and shocked. Her soul was not +sufficiently pure to allow her to understand that the slave Ahmes was +blessed both in his life and his death. The idea sprang up in her +little mind that no one can be good in this world except at the cost +of the most terrible sufferings. And she was afraid to be good, for +her delicate flesh could not bear pain. + +At an early age, she had given herself to the lads about the port, and +she followed the old men who wandered about the quarter in the +evening, and with what she received from them she bought cakes and +trinkets. + +As she did not take home any of the money she gained, her mother +continually ill-treated her. To get out of reach of her mother's arm, +she often ran, bare-footed, to the city walls, and hid with the +lizards. There she thought with envy of the ladies she had seen pass +her, richly dressed, and in a litter surrounded by slaves. + +One day, when she had been beaten more brutally than usual, she was +crouching down beside the gate, motionless and sulky, when an old +woman stopped in front of her, looked at her for some moments in +silence, and then cried-- + +"Oh, the pretty flower! the beautiful child! Happy is the father who +begot thee, and the mother who brought thee into the world!" + +Thais remained silent, with her eyes fixed on the ground. Her eyelids +were red, and it was evident she had been weeping. + +"My white violet," continued the old woman, "is not your mother happy +to have nourished a little goddess like you, and does not your father, +when he sees you, rejoice from the bottom of his heart?" + +To which the child replied, as though talking to herself-- + +"My father is a wine-skin swollen with wine, and my mother a greedy +horse-leech." + +The old woman glanced to right and left, to see if she were observed. +Then, in a fawning voice-- + +"Sweet flowering hyacinth, beautiful drinker of light, come with me, +and you shall have nothing to do but dance and smile. I will feed you +on honey cakes, and my son--my own son--will love you as his eyes. My +son is handsome and young; he has but little beard on his chin; his +skin is soft, and he is, as they say, a little Acharnian pig." + +Thais replied-- + +"I am quite willing to go with you." + +And she rose and followed the old woman out of the city. + +The old woman, who was named Moeroe, went from city to city with a +troupe of girls and boys, whom she taught to dance, and then hired out +to rich people to appear at feasts. + +Guessing that Thais would soon develop into a most beautiful woman, +she taught her--with the help of a whip--music and prosody, and she +flogged with leather thongs those beautiful legs, when they did not +move in time to the strains of the cithara. Her son--a decrepit +abortion, of no age and no sex--ill-treated the child, on whom he +vented the hate he had for all womankind. Like the dancing-girls whose +grace he affected, he knew, and taught Thais, the art of pantomime, +and how to mimic, by expression, gesture, and attitude, all human +passions, and more especially the passions of love. He was a clever +master, though he disliked his work; but he was jealous of his pupil, +and as soon as he discovered that she was born to give men pleasure, +he scratched her cheeks, pinched her arms, or pricked her legs, as a +spiteful girl would have done. Thanks, however, to his lessons, she +quickly became an excellent musician, pantomimist, and dancer. The +brutality of her master did not at all surprise her; it seemed natural +to her to be badly treated. She even felt some respect for the old +woman, who knew music and drank Greek wine. Moeroe, when she came to +Antioch, praised her pupil to the rich merchants of the city who gave +banquets, both as a dancer and a flute-player. Thais danced and +pleased. She accompanied the rich bankers, when they left the table, +into the shady groves on the banks of the Orontes. She gave herself to +all, for she knew nothing of the price of love. But one night that she +had danced before the most fashionable young men of the city, the son +of the pro-consul came to her, radiant with youth and pleasure, and +said, in a voice that seemed redolent of kisses-- + +"Why am I not, Thais, the wreath which crowns your hair, the tunic +which enfolds your beautiful form, the sandal on your pretty foot? I +wish you to tread me under foot as a sandal; I wish my caresses to be +your tunic and your wreath. Come, sweet girl! come to my house, and +let us forget the world." + +She looked at him whilst he was speaking, and saw that he was +handsome. Suddenly she felt a cold sweat on her face. She turned green +as grass; she reeled; a cloud descended before her eyes. He again +implored her to come with him, but she refused. His ardent looks, his +burning words were vain, and when he took her in his arms to try and +drag her away, she pushed him off rudely. Then he implored her, and +shed tears. But a new, unknown, and invincible passion dominated her +heart, and she still resisted. + +"What madness!" said the guests. "Lollius is noble, handsome, and +rich, and a dancing-girl treats him with scorn!" + +Lollius returned home alone that night, quite love-sick. He came in +the morning, pale and red-eyed, and hung flowers at the dancing-girl's +door. + +But Thais was frightened and troubled; she avoided Lollius, and yet he +was continually in her mind. She suffered, and she did not know the +cause of her complaint. She wondered why she had thus changed, and why +she was melancholy. She recoiled from all her lovers; they were +hateful to her. She loathed the light of day, and lay on her bed all +day, sobbing, and with her head buried in the pillows. Lollius +contrived to gain admittance, and came many times, but neither his +pleadings nor his execrations had any effect on the obdurate girl. In +his presence, she was as timid as a virgin, and would say nothing +but-- + +"I will not! I will not!" + +But at the end of a fortnight she gave in, for she knew that she loved +him; she went to his house and lived with him. They were supremely +happy. They passed their days shut up together, gazing into each +other's eyes, and babbling a childish jargon. In the evening, they +walked on the lonely banks of the Orontes, and lost themselves in the +laurel woods. Sometimes they rose at dawn, to go and gather hyacinths +on the slopes of Sulpicus. They drank from the same cup, and he would +take a grape from between her lips with his mouth. + +Moeroe came to Lollius, and cried and shrieked that Thais should be +restored to her. + +"She is my daughter," she said, "my daughter, who has been torn from +me. My perfumed flower--my own bowels--!" + +Lollius gave her a large sum of money, and sent her away. But, as she +came back to demand some more gold staters, the young man had her put +in prison, and the magistrates having discovered that she was guilty +of many crimes, she was condemned to death, and thrown to the wild +beasts. + +Thais loved Lollius with all the passion of her mind, and the +bewilderment of innocence. She told him, and told him truly from the +bottom of her heart-- + +"I have never loved any one but you." + +Lollius replied-- + +"You are not like any other woman." + +The spell lasted six months, but it broke at last. Thais suddenly felt +that her heart was empty and lonely. Lollius no longer seemed the same +to her. She thought-- + +"What can have thus changed me in an instant? How is it that he is now +like any other man, and no longer like himself?" + +She left him, not without a secret desire to find Lollius again in +another, as she no longer found him in himself. She thought it would +be less dull to live with someone she had never loved, than with one +she had ceased to love. She appeared, in the company of rich +debauchees, at those sacred feasts at which naked virgins danced in +the temples, and troops of courtesans swam across the Orontes. She +took part in all the pleasures of the fashionable and depraved city; +and she assiduously frequented the theatres, at which clever mimes +from all countries performed amidst the applause of a crowd greedy for +excitement. + +She carefully observed the mimes, dancers, comedians, and especially +the women, who in tragedies represented goddesses in love with young +men, or mortals loved by the gods. Having discovered the secrets by +which they pleased the audience, she thought to herself that she was +more beautiful and could act better. She went to the manager, and +asked to be admitted into the troupe. Thanks to her beauty, and to the +lessons she had received from old Moeroe, she was received, and +appeared on the stage in the part of Dirce. + +She met with but indifferent success, for she was inexperienced, and +the admiration of the spectators had not been aroused by hearing her +praises sung. But after she had played small parts for a few months, +the power of her beauty burst forth with such effect that all the city +was moved. All Antioch crowded to the theatre. The imperial +magistrates and the chief citizens were compelled, by the force of +public opinion, to show themselves there. The porters, sweepers, and +dock labourers went without bread and garlic, that they might pay for +their places. Poets composed epigrams in her honour. Bearded +philosophers inveighed against her in the baths and gymnasia; when her +litter passed, Christian priests turned away their heads. The +threshold of her door was wreathed with flowers, and sprinkled with +blood. She received so much money from her lovers that it was no +longer counted, but measured by the medimnus, and all the treasure +hoarded by miserly old men was poured out at her feet. But she was +placid and unmoved. She rejoiced, with quiet pride, in the admiration +of the public and the favour of the gods, and was so much loved that +she loved herself. + +After she had several years enjoyed the admiration and affection of +the Antiochians, she was taken with a desire to revisit Alexandria, +and show her glory in that city in which, as a child, she had wandered +in want and shame, hungry and lean as a grasshopper in the middle of a +dusty road. The golden city joyfully welcomed her, and loaded her with +fresh riches; when she appeared in the games it was a triumph. +Countless admirers and lovers came to her. She received them with +indifference, for she at last despaired of meeting another Lollius. + +Amongst many others, she met the philosopher Nicias, who desired to +possess her, although he professed to have no desires. In spite of his +riches, he was intelligent and modest. But his delicate wit and +beautiful sentiments failed to charm her. She did not love him and +sometimes his refined irony even irritated her. His perpetual doubts +hurt her, for he believed in nothing, and she believed in everything. +She believed in divine providence, in the omnipotence of evil spirits, +in spells, exorcisms, and eternal justice; she believed in Jesus +Christ, and in the goddess of good of the Syrians; she believed also +that bitches barked when black Hecate passed through the streets, and +that a woman could inspire love by pouring a philtre into a cup +wrapped in the bleeding skin of a sheep. She thirsted for the unknown; +she called on nameless gods, and lived in perpetual expectation. The +future frightened her, and yet she wished to know it. She surrounded +herself with priests of Isis, Chaldean magi, pharmacopolists, and +professors of the black arts, who invariably deceived her, though she +never tired of being deceived. She feared death, and she saw it +everywhere. When she yielded to pleasure, it seemed to her that an icy +finger would suddenly touch her on the bare shoulder, and she turned +pale, and cried with terror, in the arms which embraced her. + +Nicias said to her-- + +"What does it matter, O my Thais, whether we descend to eternal night +with white locks and hollow cheeks, or, whether this very day, now +laughing to the vast sky, shall be our last? Let us enjoy life; we +shall have greatly lived if we have greatly loved. There is no +knowledge except that of the senses; to love is to understand. That +which we do not know does not exist. What good is it to worry +ourselves about nothing?" + +She replied angrily-- + +"I despise men like you, who hope for nothing and fear nothing. I wish +to know! I wish to know!" + +In order to understand the secret of life, she set to work to read the +books of the philosophers, but she did not understand them. The +further the years of her childhood receded from her, the more anxious +she was to recall them. She loved to traverse at night, in disguise, +the alleys, squares, and places where she had grown up so miserably. +She was sorry she had lost her parents, and especially that she had +not been able to love them. When she met any Christian priest, she +thought of her baptism, and felt troubled. One night, when enveloped +in a long cloak, and her fair hair hidden under a black hood, she was +wandering, according to custom, about the suburbs of the city, she +found herself--without knowing how she came there--before the poor +little church of St. John the Baptist. They were singing inside the +church, and a bright light glimmered through the chinks of the door. +There was nothing strange in that, as, for the past twenty years, the +Christians, protected by the conqueror of Maxentius, had publicly +solemnised their festivals. But these hymns seemed more like an ardent +appeal to the soul. As if she had been invited to the mysteries, she +pushed the door open with her arm, and entered the building. She found +a numerous assembly of women, children, and old men, on their knees +before a tomb, which stood against the wall. The tomb was nothing but +a stone coffer, roughly sculptured with vine tendrils and bunches of +grapes; yet it had received great honours, and was covered with green +palms and wreaths of red roses. All round, innumerable lights gleamed +out of the heavy shadow, in which the smoke of Arabian gums seemed +like the folds of angels' robes, and the paintings on the walls +visions of Paradise. Priests, clad in white, were prostrate at the +foot of the sarcophagus. The hymns they sang with the people expressed +the delight of suffering, and mingled, in a triumphal mourning, so +much joy with so much grief, that Thais, in listening to them, felt +the pleasures of life and the terrors of death flowing, at the same +time, through her re-awakened senses. + +When they had finished singing, the believers rose, and walked in +single file to the tomb, the side of which they kissed. They were +common men, accustomed to work with their hands. They advanced with a +heavy step, the eyes fixed, the jaw dropped, but they had an air of +sincerity. They knelt down, each in turn, before the sarcophagus, and +put their lips to it. The women lifted their little children in their +arms, and gently placed their cheek to the stone. + +Thais, surprised and troubled, asked a deacon why they did so. + +"Do you not know, woman," replied the deacon, "that we celebrate +to-day the blessed memory of St. Theodore the Nubian, who suffered for +the faith in the days of the Emperor Diocletian? He lived virtuously +and died a martyr, and that is why, robed in white, we bear red roses +to his glorious tomb." + +On hearing these words, Thais fell on her knees, and burst into tears. +Half-forgotten recollections of Ahmes returned to her mind. On the +memory of this obscure, gentle, and unfortunate man, the blaze of +candles, the perfume of roses, the clouds of incense, the music of +hymns, the piety of souls, threw all the charms of glory. Thais +thought in the dazzling glare-- + +"He was good, and now he has become great and glorious. Why is it that +he is elevated above other men? What is this unknown thing which is +more than riches or pleasure?" + +She rose slowly, and turned towards the tomb of the saint who had +loved her, those violet eyes, now filled with tears which glittered in +the candle-light; then, with bowed head, humble, slow, and the last, +with those lips on which so many desires hung, she kissed the stone of +the slave's tomb. + +When she returned to her house, she found Nicias, who, with his hair +perfumed, and his tunic thrown open, was reading a treatise on morals +whilst waiting for her. He advanced with open arms. + +"Naughty Thais," he said, in a laughing voice, "whilst I was waiting +for you to come, do you know what I saw in this manuscript, written by +the gravest of Stoics? Precepts of virtue and noble maxims: No! On the +staid papyrus, I saw dance thousands and thousands of little Thaises. +Each was no bigger than my finger, and yet their grace was infinite, +and all were the only Thais. There were some who flaunted in mantles +of purple and gold; others, like a white cloud, floated in the air in +transparent drapery. Others again, motionless and divinely nude, the +better to inspire pleasure, expressed no thought. Lastly, there were +two, hand in hand; two so alike that it was impossible to distinguish +one from the other. Both smiled. The first said, 'I am love.' The +other, 'I am death.' " + +Thus speaking, he pressed Thais in his arms, and not noticing the +sullen look in her downcast eyes, he went on adding thought to +thought, heedless of the fact that they were all lost upon her. + +"Yes, when I had before my eyes the line in which it was written, +'Nothing should deter you from improving your mind,' I read, 'The +kisses of Thais are warmer than fire, and sweeter than honey.' That is +how a philosopher reads the books of other philosophers--and that is +your fault, you naughty child. It is true that, as long as we are what +we are, we shall never find anything but our own thoughts in the +thoughts of others, and that all of us are somewhat inclined to read +books as I have read this one." + +She did not hear him; her soul was still before the Nubian's tomb. As +he heard her sigh, he kissed her on the neck, and said-- + +"Do not be sad, my child. We are never happy in this world, except +when we forget the world. + +"Come, let us cheat life--it is sure to take its revenge. Come, let us +love!" + +But she pushed him away. + +"/We/ love!" she cried bitterly. "/You/ never loved any one. And /I/ +do not love /you/! No! I do not love you! I hate you! Go! I hate you! +I curse and despise all who are happy, and all who are rich! Go! Go! +Goodness is only found amongst the unfortunate. When I was a child I +knew a black slave who died on the cross. He was good; he was filled +with love, and he knew the secret of life. You are not worthy to wash +his feet. Go! I never wish to see you again!" + +She threw herself on her face on the carpet, and passed the night +sobbing and weeping, and forming resolutions to live, in future, like +Saint Theodore, in poverty and humbleness. + +The next day, she devoted herself again to those pleasures to which +she was addicted. As she knew that her beauty, though still intact, +would not last very long, she hastened to derive all the enjoyment and +all the fame she could from it. At the theatre, where she acted and +studied more than ever, she gave life to the imagination of sculptors, +painters, and poets. Recognising that there was in the attitudes, +movements, and walk of the actress, an idea of the divine harmony +which rules the spheres, wise men and philosophers considered that +such perfect grace was a virtue in itself, and said, "Thais also is a +geometrician!" The ignorant, the poor, the humble, and the timid +before whom she consented to appear, regarded her as a blessing from +heaven. Yet she was sad amidst all the praise she received, and +dreaded death more than ever. Nothing was able to set her mind at +rest, not even her house and gardens, which were celebrated, and a +proverb throughout the city. + +The gardens were planted with trees, brought at great expense from +India and Persia. They were watered by a running brook, and colonnades +in ruins, and imitation rocks, arranged by a skilful artist, were +reflected in a lake, which also mirrored the statues that stood round +it. In the middle of the garden was the Grotto of Nymphs, which owed +its name to three life-size figures of women, which stood on the +threshold. They were represented as divesting themselves of their +garments, and about to bathe. They anxiously turned their heads, +fearing to be seen, and looked as though they were alive. The only +light which entered the building came, tempered and iridescent, +through thin sheets of water. All the walls were hung--as in the +sacred grottoes--with wreaths, garlands, and votive pictures, in which +the beauty of Thais was celebrated. There were also tragic and comic +masks, bright with colours; and paintings representing theatrical +scenes or grotesque figures, or fabulous animals. On a stele in the +centre stood a little ivory Eros of wonderful antique workmanship. It +was a gift from Nicias. In one of the bays was a figure of a goat in +black marble, with shining agate eyes. Six alabaster kids crowded +round its teats; but, raising its cloven hoofs and its ugly head, it +seemed impatient to climb the rocks. The floor was covered with +Byzantine carpets, pillows embroidered by the yellow men of Cathay, +and the skins of Libyan lions. Perfumed smoke arose from golden +censers. Flowering plants grew in large onyx vases. And at the far +end, in the purple shadow, gleamed the gold nails on the shell of a +huge Indian tortoise turned upside down, which served as the bed of +the actress. It was here that every day, to the murmur of the water, +and amid perfumes and flowers, Thais reclined softly, and conversed +with her friends, while awaiting the hour of supper, or meditated in +solitude on theatrical art, or on the flight of years. + +On the afternoon after the games, Thais was reposing in the Grotto of +Nymphs. She had noticed in her mirror the first signs of the decay of +her beauty, and she was frightened to think that white hair and +wrinkles would at last come. She vainly tried to comfort herself with +the assurance that she could recover her fresh complexion by burning +certain herbs and pronouncing a few magic words. A pitiless voice +cried, "You will grow old Thais; you will grow old." And a cold sweat +of terror bedewed her forehead. Then, on looking at herself again in +the mirror with infinite tenderness, she found that she was still +beautiful and worthy to be loved. She smiled to herself, and murmured, +"There is not a woman in Alexandria who can rival me in suppleness or +grace or movement, or in splendour of arms, and the arms, my mirror, +are the real chains of love!" + +While she was thus thinking she saw an unknown man--thin, with burning +eyes and unkempt beard, and clad in a richly embroidered robe-- +standing before her. She let fall her mirror, and uttered a cry of +fright. + +Paphnutius stood motionless, and seeing how beautiful she was, he +murmured this prayer from the bottom of his heart-- + +"Grant, my God, that the face of this woman may not be a temptation, +but may prove salutary to Thy servant." + +Then, forcing himself to speak, he said-- + +"Thais, I live in a far country, and the fame of thy beauty has led me +to thee. It is said that thou art the most clever of actresses and the +most irresistible of women. That which is related of thy riches and +thy love affairs seems fabulous, and calls to mind the old story of +Rhodope, whose marvellous history is known by heart to all the boatmen +on the Nile. Therefore I was seized with a desire to know thee, and I +see that the truth surpasses the rumour. Thou art a thousand times +more clever and more beautiful than is reported. And now that I see +thee, I say to myself, 'It is impossible to approach her without +staggering like a drunken man.' " + +The words were feigned; but the monk, animated by pious zeal, uttered +them with real warmth. Thais gazed, without displeasure, at this +strange being who had frightened her. The rough, wild aspect, and the +fiery glances of his eyes, astonished her. She was curious to learn +the state of life of a man so different from all others she had met. +She replied, with gentle raillery-- + +"You seem prompt to admire, stranger. Beware that my looks do not +consume you to the bones! Beware of loving me!" + +He said-- + +"I love thee, O Thais! I love thee more than my life, and more than +myself. For thee I have quitted the desert; for thee my lips--vowed to +silence--have pronounced profane words; for thee I have seen what I +ought not to have seen, and heard what it was forbidden to me to hear; +for thee my soul is troubled, my heart is open, and the thoughts gush +out like the running springs at which the pigeons drink; for thee I +have walked day and night across sandy deserts teeming with reptiles +and vampires; for thee I have placed my bare foot on vipers and +scorpions! Yes, I love thee! I love thee, but not like those men who, +burning with the lusts of the flesh, come to thee like devouring +wolves or furious bulls. Thou art dear to them as is the gazelle to +the lion. Their ravening lusts will consume thee to the soul, O woman! +I love thee in spirit and in truth; I love thee in God, and for ever +and ever; that which is in my breast is named true zeal and divine +charity. I promise thee better things than drunkenness crowned with +flowers or the dreams of a brief night. I promise thee holy feasts and +celestial suppers. The happiness that I bring thee will never end; it +is unheard-of, it is ineffable, and such that if the happy of this +world could only see a shadow of it they would die of wonder." + +Thais laughed mischievously. + +"Friend," she said, "show me this wonderful love. Make haste! Long +speeches would be an insult to my beauty; let us not lose a moment. I +am impatient to taste the felicity you announce; but, to say the +truth, I fear that I shall always remain ignorant of it, and that all +you have promised me will vanish in words. It is easier to promise a +great happiness than to give it. Everyone has a talent of some sort. I +fancy that yours is to make long speeches. You speak of an unknown +love. It is so long since kisses were first exchanged that it would be +very extraordinary if there still remained secrets in love. On this +subject lovers know more than philosophers." + +"Do not jest, Thais. I bring thee the unknown love." + +"Friend, you come too late. I know every kind of love." + +"The love that I bring thee abounds with glory, whilst the loves that +thou knowest breed only shame." + +Thais looked at him with an angry eye, a frown gathered on her +beautiful face. + +"You are very bold, stranger, to offend your hostess. Look at me, and +say if I resemble a creature crushed down with shame. No, I am not +ashamed, and all others who live like me are not ashamed either, +although they are not so beautiful or so rich as I am. I have sown +pleasure in my footsteps, and I am celebrated for that all over the +world. I am more powerful than the masters of the world. I have seen +them at my feet. Look at me, look at these little feet; thousands of +men would pay with their blood for the happiness of kissing them. I am +not very big, and I do not occupy much space on the earth. To those +who look at me from the top of the Serapeium, when I pass in the +street, I look like a grain of rice; but that grain of rice has caused +among men, griefs, despairs, hates, and crimes enough to have filled +Tartarus. Are you not mad to talk to me of shame when all around +proclaims my glory?" + +"That which is glory in the eyes of men, is infamy before God. O +woman, we have been nourished in countries so different, that it is +not surprising we have neither the same language nor the same +thoughts! Yet Heaven is my witness that I wish to agree with thee, and +that it is my intention not to leave thee until we share the same +sentiments. Who will inspire me with burning words that will melt thee +like wax in my breath, O woman, that the fingers of my desires may +mould thee as they wish? What virtue will deliver thee to me, O +dearest of souls, that the spirit which animates me, creating thee a +second time, may imprint on thee a fresh beauty, and that thou mayest +cry, weeping for joy, 'It is only now that I am born'? Who will cause +to gush in my heart a fount of Siloam, in which thou mayest bathe and +recover thy first purity? Who will change me into a Jordan, the waves +of which sprinkled on thee, will give thee life eternal?" + +Thais was no longer angry. + +"This man," she thought, "talks of life eternal and all that he says +seems written on a talisman. No doubt he is a mage, and knows secret +charms against old age and death," and she resolved to offer herself +to him. Therefore, pretending to be afraid of him, she retired a few +steps to the end of the grotto, and sitting down on the edge of the +bed, artfully pulled her tunic across her breast; then, motionless and +mute and her eyes cast down, she waited. Her long eyelashes made a +soft shadow on her cheeks. Her entire attitude expressed modesty; her +naked feet swung gently, and she looked like a child sitting thinking +on the bank of a brook. But Paphnutius looked at her, and did not +move. His trembling knees hardly supported him, his tongue dried in +his mouth, a terrible buzzing rang in his ears. But all at once his +sight failed, and he could see nothing before him but a thick cloud. +He thought that the hand of Jesus had been laid on his eyes, to hide +this woman from them. Reassured by such succour, strengthened and +fortified, he said with a gravity worthy of an old hermit of the +desert-- + +"If thou givest thyself to me, thinkest thou it is hidden from God?" + +She shook her head. + +"God? Who forces Him to keep His eye always upon the Grotto of Nymphs? +Let Him go away if we offend Him! But why should we offend Him? Since +He has created us, He can be neither angry nor surprised to see us as +He made us, and acting according to the nature He has given us. A good +deal too much is said on His behalf, and He is often credited with +ideas He never had. You yourself, stranger, do you know His true +character? Who are you that you should speak to me in His name?" + +At this question the monk, opening his borrowed robe, showed the +cassock, and said-- + +"I am Paphnutius, Abbot of Antinoe, and I come from the holy desert. +The hand that drew Abraham from Chaldaea and Lot from Sodom has +separated me from the present age. I no longer existed for the men of +this century. But thy image appeared to me in my sandy Jerusalem, and +I knew that thou wert full of corruption, and death was in thee. And +now I am before thee, woman, as before a grave, and I cry unto thee, +'Thais, arise!' " + +At the words, Paphnutius, monk, and abbot, she had turned pale with +fright. And now, with dishevelled hair and joined hands, weeping and +groaning, she dragged herself to the feet of the saint. + +"Do not hurt me! Why have you come? What do you want of me? Do not +hurt me! I know that the saints of the desert hate women who, like me, +are made to please. I am afraid that you hate me, and want to hurt me. +Go! I do not doubt your power. But know, Paphnutius, that you should +neither despise me nor hate me. I have never, like many of the men I +know, laughed at your voluntary poverty. In your turn, do not make a +crime of my riches. I am beautiful, and clever in acting. I no more +chose my condition than my nature. I was made for that which I do. I +was born to charm men. And you yourself, did you not say just now that +you loved me? Do not use your science against me. Do not pronounce +magic words which would destroy my beauty, or change me into a statue +of salt. Do not terrify me! I am already too frightened. Do not kill +me! I am so afraid of death." + +He made a sign to her to rise, and said-- + +"Child, have no fear. I will utter no word of shame or scorn. I come +on behalf of Him who sat on the edge of the well, and drank of the +pitcher which the woman of Samaria offered to Him; and who, also, when +He supped at the house of Simon, received the perfumes of Mary. I am +not without sin that I should throw the first stone. I have often +badly employed the abundant grace which God has bestowed upon me. It +was not anger, but pity, which took me by the hand to conduct me here. +I can, without deceit, address thee in words of love, for it is the +zeal in my heart which has brought me to thee. I burn with the fire of +charity, and if thy eyes, accustomed only to the gross sights of the +flesh, could see things in their mystic aspect, I should appear unto +thee as a branch broken off the burning bush which the Lord showed on +the mountain to Moses of old, that he might understand true love--that +which envelops us, and which, so far from leaving behind it mere coals +and ashes, purifies and perfumes for ever that which it penetrates." + +"I believe you, monk, and no longer fear either deceit or ill-will +from you. I have often heard talk of the hermits of the Thebaid. +Marvellous things have been told concerning Anthony and Paul. Your +name is not unknown to me, and I have heard say that, though you are +still young, you equal in virtue the oldest anchorites. As soon as I +saw you, and without knowing who you were, I felt that you were no +ordinary man. Tell me! can you do for me that which neither the +priests of Isis, nor of Hermes, nor of the celestial Juno, nor the +Chaldean soothsayers, nor the Babylonian magi have been able to +effect? Monk, if you love me, can you prevent me from dying?" + +"Woman, whosoever wishes to live shall live. Flee from the abominable +delights in which thou diest for ever. Snatch from the devils, who +will burn it most horribly, that body which God kneaded with His +spittle and animated with his own breath. Thou art consumed with +weariness; come, and refresh thyself at the blessed springs of +solitude; come and drink of those fountains which are hidden in the +desert, and which gush forth to heaven. Careworn soul, come, and +possess that which thou desirest! Heart greedy for joy, come and taste +true joys--poverty, retirement, self-forgetfulness, seclusion in the +bosom of God. Enemy of Christ now, and to-morrow His well-beloved, +come to Him! Come, thou whom I have sought, and thou wilt say, 'I have +found love!' " + +Thais seemed lost in meditation on things afar. + +"Monk," she asked, "if I adjure all pleasures and do penance, is it +true that I shall be born again in heaven, my body intact in all its +beauty?" + +"Thais, I bring thee eternal life. Believe me, for that which I +announce to thee is the truth." + +"Who will assure me that it is the truth?" + +"David and the prophets, the Scriptures, and the wonders that thou +shalt behold." + +"Monk, I should like to believe you, for I must confess that I have +not found happiness in this world. My lot in life is better than that +of a queen, and yet I have many bitternesses and misfortunes, and I am +infinitely weary of my existence. All women envy me, and yet sometimes +I have envied the lot of a toothless old woman who, when I was a +child, sold honey-cakes under one of the city gates. Often has the +idea flashed across my mind that only the poor are good, happy, and +blessed, and that there must be great gladness in living humble and +obscure. Monk, you have agitated a storm in my soul, and brought to +the surface that which lay at the bottom. Who am I to believe, alas! +and what is to become of me--and what is life?" + +Whilst she thus spoke, Paphnutius was transfigured; celestial joy +beamed in his face. + +"Listen!" he said. "I was not alone when I entered this house. Another +accompanied me, another who stands by my side. Him thou canst not see, +because thy eyes are yet unworthy to behold Him; but soon thou shalt +see Him in all His glorious splendour, and thou wilt say, 'He alone is +to be adored.' But now, if He had not placed His gentle hands before +my eyes, O Thais, I should perhaps have fallen into sin with thee, for +of myself I am but weak and sinful. But He saved us both. He is as +good as He is powerful, and His name is the Saviour. He was promised +to the world, by David and the prophets, worshipped in His cradle by +the shepherds and the magi, crucified by the Pharisees, buried by the +holy women, revealed to the world by the apostles, testified to by the +martyrs. And now, having learned that thou fearest death, O woman, He +has come to thy house to prevent thee from dying. Art Thou not here +present with me, Jesus, at this moment, as Thou didst appear to the +men of Galilee, in those wonderful days when the stars, which came +down with thee from heaven, were so near the earth that the holy +innocents could take them in their hands, when they played in their +mothers' arms on the terraces of Bethlehem? Is it not true, Jesus, +that Thou art here present, and that Thou showest me in reality Thy +precious body? Is not Thy face here, and that tear which flows down +Thy cheek a real tear? Yes, the angel of eternal justice shall receive +it, and it shall be the ransom of the soul of Thais. Art Thou not +here, Jesus? Jesus, Thy loving lips open. Thou canst speak; speak, I +hear Thee! And thee, Thais, happy Thais! listen to what the Saviour +Himself says to thee; it is He who speaks, not I. He says, 'I have +sought thee long, O My lost sheep! I have found thee at last! Fly from +Me no more. Let Me take thee by the hands, poor little one, and I will +bear thee on My shoulders to the heavenly fold. Come, My Thais! come, +My chosen one! come, and weep with Me!' " + +And Paphnutius fell on his knees, his eyes filled with ecstasy. And +then Thais saw in his face the likeness of the living Christ. + +"O vanished days of my childhood!" she sobbed. "O sweet father Ahmes! +good Saint Theodore, why did I not die in thy white mantle whilst thou +didst bear me, in the first dawn of day, yet fresh from the waters of +baptism!" + +Paphnutius advanced towards her, crying-- + +"Thou art baptised! O divine wisdom! O Providence! O great God! I know +now the power which drew me to thee. I know what rendered thee so dear +and so beautiful in my eyes. It was the virtue of the baptismal water, +which made me leave the shadow of God, where I lived, to seek thee in +the poisoned air where men dwell. A drop--a drop, no doubt, of the +water which washed thy body--has been sprinkled in my face. Come, O my +sister, and receive from thy brother the kiss of peace." + +And the monk touched with his lips the forehead of the courtesan. + +Then he was silent, letting God speak, and nothing was heard in the +Grotto of Nymphs but the sobs of Thais, mingled with the rippling of +the running water. + +She wept without trying to stop her tears, when two black slaves +appeared, loaded with stuffs, perfumes, and garlands. + +"It was hardly the right time to weep," she said, trying to smile. +"Tears redden the eyes and spoil the complexion, and I must sup +tonight with some friends, and want to be beautiful, for there will be +women there quick to spy out marks of care on my face. These slaves +come to dress me. Withdraw, my father, and allow them to do their +work. They are clever and experienced, and I pay them well for their +services. You see that one who wears thick rings of gold, and shows +such white teeth. I took her from the wife of the pro-consul." + +Paphnutius had at first a thought of dissuading Thais, as earnestly as +he could, from going to this supper. But he determined to act +prudently, and asked what persons she would meet there. + +She replied that there would be the host, old Cotta, the Prefect of +the Fleet, Nicias, and several other philosophers who loved an +argument, the poet Callicrates, the high priest of Serapis, some young +men whose chief amusement was training horses, and lastly some women, +of whom there was little to be said except that they were young. Then, +by a supernatural inspiration-- + +"Go amongst them, Thais," said the monk. "Go! But I will not leave +thee. I will go with thee to this banquet, and will remain by thy side +without saying a word." + +She burst out laughing. And whilst her two black slaves were busy +dressing her, she cried-- + +"What will they say when they see that I have a monk of the Thebaid +for my lover?" + + + +THE BANQUET + +When, followed by Paphnutius, Thais entered the banqueting-room, the +guests were already, for the most part, assembled, and reclining on +their couches before the horseshoe table, which was covered with +glittering vessels. In the centre of the table stood a silver basin, +surmounted by four figures of satyrs, who poured out from wine-skins +on the boiled fish a kind of pickle in which they floated. When Thais +appeared, acclamations arose from all sides. + +Greetings to the sister of the Graces! + +To the silent Melpomene, who can express all things with her looks! + +Salutation to the well-beloved of gods and men! + +To the much desired! + +To her who gives suffering and its cure! + +To the pearl of Racotis! + +To the rose of Alexandria! + +She waited impatiently till this torrent of praise had passed, and +then said to Cotta, the host-- + +"Lucius, I have brought you a monk of the desert, Paphnutius, the +Abbot of Antinoe. He is a great saint, whose words burn like fire." + +Lucius Aurelius Cotta, the Prefect of the Fleet, rose, and replied-- + +"You are welcome, Paphnutius, you who profess the Christian faith. I +myself have some respect of a religion that has now become imperial. +The divine Constantine has placed your co-religionists in the front +rank of the friends of the empire. Latin wisdom ought, in fact, to +admit your Christ into our pantheon. It was a maxim of our forefathers +that there was something divine in every god. But no more of that. Let +us drink and enjoy ourselves while there is yet time." + +Old Cotta spoke tranquilly. He had just studied a new model for a +galley, and had finished the sixth book of his history of the +Carthaginians. He felt sure he had not lost his day, and was satisfied +with himself and the gods. + +"Paphnutius," he added, "you see here several men who are worthy to be +loved--Hermodorus, the High Priest of Serapis; the philosophers +Dorion, Nicias, and Zenothemis; the poet Callicrates; young Chereas +and young Aristobulus, both sons of dear old comrades; and near them +Philina and Drosea, who deserve to be praised for their beauty." + +Nicias embraced Paphnutius, and whispered in his ear-- + +"I warned you, brother, that Venus was powerful. It is her gentle +force that has brought you here in spite of yourself. Listen: you are +a man full of piety, but if you do not confess that she is the mother +of the gods, your ruin is certain. Do you know that the old +mathematician, Melanthes, used to say, 'I cannot demonstrate the +properties of a triangle without the aid of Venus'?" + +Dorion, who had for some seconds been looking at the new-comer, +suddenly clapped his hands and uttered a cry of surprise. + +"It is he, friends! His look, his beard, his tunic--it is he himself! +I met him at the theatre whilst our Thais was acting. He was furiously +excited, and spoke with violence, as I can testify. He is an honest +man, but he will abuse us all; his eloquence is terrible. If Marcus is +the Plato of the Christians, Paphnutius is the Demosthenes. Epicurus, +in his little garden, never heard the like." + +Philina and Drosea, however, devoured Thais with their eyes. She wore +on her fair hair a wreath of pale violets, each flower of which +recalled, in a paler hue, the colour of her eyes, so that the flowers +looked like softened glances, and the eyes like sparkling flowers. It +was the peculiar gift of this woman; on her everything lived, and was +soul and harmony. Her robe, which was of mauve spangled with silver, +trailed in long folds with a grace that was almost melancholy and was +not relieved by either bracelets or necklaces. The chief charm of her +appearance was her beautiful bare arms. The two friends were obliged +to admire, in spite of themselves the robe and head-dress of Thais, +though they said nothing to her on the subject. + +"How beautiful you are!" said Philina. "You could not have been more +so when you came to Alexandria. Yet my mother, who remembers seeing +you then, says there were few women who were worthy to be compared +with you." + +"Who is the new lover you have brought?" asked Drosea. "He has a +strange, wild appearance. If there are shepherds of elephants, +assuredly he must resemble one. Where did you find such a wild-looking +friend, Thais? Was it amongst the troglodytes who live under the +earth, and are grimy with the smoke of Hades?" + +But Philina put her finger on Drosea's lips. + +"Hush! the mysteries of love must remain secret, and it is forbidden +to know them. For my own part, certainly, I would rather be kissed by +the mouth of smoking Etna than by the lips of that man. But our dear +Thais, who is beautiful and adorable as the goddesses, should, like +the goddesses, grant all requests, and not, like us, only those of +nice young men." + +"Take care, both of you!" replied Thais. "He is a mage and an +enchanter. He hears words that are whispered, and even thoughts. He +will tear out your heart while you are asleep, and put a sponge in its +place, and the next day, when you drink water, you will be choked to +death." + +She watched them grow pale, then she turned away from them, and sat on +a couch by the side of Paphnutius. The voice of Cotta, kind but +imperious, was suddenly heard above the murmur of conversation. + +"Friends, let each take his place! Slaves, pour out the honeyed wine!" + +Then, the host raising his cup-- + +"Let us first drink to the divine Constantine and the genius of the +empire. The country should be put first of all, even above the gods, +for it contains them all." + +All the guests raised their full cups to their lips. Paphnutius alone +did not drink, because Constantine had persecuted the Nicaean faith, +and because the country of the Christian is not of this world. + +Dorion, having drunk, murmured-- + +"What is one's country? A flowing river. The shores change, and the +waves are incessantly renewed." + +"I know, Dorion," replied the Prefect of the Fleet, "that you care +little for the civic virtues, and you think that the sage ought to +hold himself aloof from all affairs. I think, on the contrary, that an +honest man should desire nothing better than to fill a responsible +post in the State. The State is a noble thing." + +Hermodorus, the High Priest of Serapis, spoke next-- + +"Dorion has asked, 'What is one's country?' I will reply that the +altars of the gods and the tombs of ancestors make one's country. A +man is a fellow-citizen by association of memories and hopes." + +Young Aristobulus interrupted Hermodorus. + +"By Castor! I saw a splendid horse to-day. It belonged to Demophoon. +It has a fine head, small jaw, and strong forelegs. It carries its +neck high and proud, like a cock." + +But young Chereas shook his head. + +"It is not such a good horse as you say, Aristobulus. Its hoofs are +thin, and the pasterns are too low; the animal will soon go lame." + +They were continuing their dispute, when Drosea uttered a piercing +shriek. + +"Oh! I nearly swallowed a fish-bone, as long and much sharper than a +style. Luckily, I was able to get it out of my throat in time! The +gods love me!" + +"Did you say, Drosea, that the gods loved you?" asked Nicias, smiling. +"Then they must share the same infirmities as men. Love presupposes +unhappiness on the part of whoever suffers from it, and is a proof of +weakness. The affection they feel for Drosea is a great proof of the +imperfection of the gods." + +At these words Drosea flew into a great rage. + +"Nicias, your remarks are foolish and not to the point. But that is +your character--you never understand what is said, and reply in words +devoid of sense." + +Nicias smiled again. + +"Talk away, talk away, Drosea. Whatever you say, we are glad every +time you open your mouth. Your teeth are so pretty!" + +At that moment, a grave-looking old man, negligently dressed, walking +slowly, with his head high, entered the room, and gazed at the guests +quietly. Cotta made a sign to him to take a place by his side, on the +same couch. + +"Eucrites," he said, "you are welcome. Have you composed a new +treatise on philosophy this month? That would make, if I calculate +correctly, the ninety-second that has proceeded from the Nile reed you +direct with an Attic hand." + +Eucrites replied, stroking his silver beard-- + +"The nightingale was created to sing, and I was created to praise the +immortal gods." + +DORION. Let us respectfully salute, in Eucrites, the last of the +stoics. Grave and white, he stands in the midst of us like the image +of an ancestor. He is solitary amidst a crowd of men, and the words he +utters are not heard. + +EUCRITES. You deceive yourself, Dorion. The philosophy of virtue is +not dead. I have numerous disciples in Alexandria, Rome, and +Constantinople. Many of the slaves, and some of the nephews of Caesar, +now know how to govern themselves, to live independently, and being +unconcerned with all affairs, they enjoy boundless happiness. Many of +them have revived, in their own person, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius. +But if it were true that virtue were for ever extinguished upon the +earth, in what way would the loss of it affect my happiness, since it +did not depend on me whether it existed or perished? Only fools, +Dorion, place their happiness out of their own power. I desire nothing +that the gods do not wish, and I desire all that they do wish. By that +means I render myself like unto them, and share their infallible +content. If virtue perishes, I consent that it should perish, and that +consent fills me with joy, as the supreme effort of my reason or my +courage. In all things my wisdom will copy the divine wisdom, and the +copy will be more valuable than the model; it will have cost greater +care and more work. + +NICIAS. I understand. You put yourself on the same level as divine +providence. But if virtue consists only in effort, Eucrites, and in +that intense application by which the disciples of Zeno pretend to +render themselves equal to the gods, the frog, which swelled itself +out to try and become as big as the ox, accomplished a masterpiece of +stoicism. + +EUCRITES. You jest, Nicias, and, as usual, you excel in ridicule. But +if the ox of which you speak is really a god, like Apis, or like that +subterranean ox whose high priest I see here, and if the frog, being +wisely inspired, succeed in equalling it, would it not be, in fact, +more virtuous than the ox, and could you refrain from admiring such a +courageous little animal! + +Four servants placed on the table a wild pig, still covered with its +bristles. Little pigs, made of pastry, surrounded the animal, as +though they would suckle, to show that it was a sow. + +Zenothemis, turning towards the monk, said-- + +"Friends, a guest has come hither to join us. The illustrious +Paphnutius, who leads such an extraordinary life of solitude, is our +unexpected guest." + +COTTA. You may even add, Zenothemis, that the place of honour is due +to him, because he came without being invited. + +ZENOTHEMIS. Therefore, we ought, my dear Lucius, to make him the more +welcome, and strive to do that which would be most agreeable to him. +Now it is certain that such a man cares less for the perfumes of meat +than for the perfumes of fine thoughts. We shall, doubtless, please +him by discussing the doctrine he professes, which is that of Jesus +crucified. For my own part, I shall the more willingly discuss this +doctrine, because it keenly interests me, on account of the number and +the diversity of the allegories it contains. If one may guess at the +spirit by the letter, it is filled with truths, and I consider that +the Christian books abound in divine revelations. But I should not, +Paphnutius, grant equal merit to the Jewish books. They were inspired +not, as it was said, by the Spirit of God, but by an evil genius. +Iaveh, who dictated them, was one of those spirits who people the +lower air, and cause the greater part of the evils, from which we +suffer; but he surpassed all the others in ignorance and ferocity. On +the contrary, the serpent with golden wings, which twined its azure +coils round the tree of knowledge, was made up of light and love. A +combat between these two powers--the one of light and the other of +darkness--was, therefore, inevitable. It occurred soon after the +creation of the world. God had hardly begun to rest after His labors; +Adam and Eve, the first man and the first woman, lived happy and naked +in the Garden of Eden, when Iaveh conceived--to their misfortune--the +design of governing them and all the generations which Eve already +bore in her splendid loins. As he possessed neither the compass nor +the lyre, and was equally ignorant of the science which commands and +the art which persuades, he frightened these two poor children by +hideous apparitions, capricious threats, and thunder-bolts. Adam and +Eve, feeling his shadow upon them, pressed closer to one another, and +their love waxed stronger in fear. The serpent took pity on them, and +determined to instruct them, in order that, possessing knowledge, they +might no longer be misled by lies. Such an undertaking required +extreme prudence, and the frailty of the first human couple rendered +it almost hopeless. The well-intentioned demon essayed it, however. +Without the knowledge of Iaveh--who pretended to see everything, but, +in reality, was not very sharp-sighted--he approached these two +beings, and charmed their eyes by the splendour of his coat and the +brilliancy of his wings. Then he interested their minds by forming +before them, with his body, definite figures, such as the circle, the +ellipse, and the spiral, the wonderful properties of which have since +been recognised by the Greeks. Adam meditated on these figures more +than Eve did. But when the serpent began to speak, and taught the most +sublime truths--those which cannot be demonstrated--he found that Adam +being made of red earth, was of too dull a nature to understand these +subtle distinctions, but that Eve, on the contrary, being more tender +and more sensitive, was easily impressed. Therefore he conversed with +her alone, in the absence of her husband, in order to initiate her +first-- + +DORION. Permit me, Zenothemis, to interrupt you. I speedily recognised +in the myth you have explained to us an episode in the war of Pallas +Athene against the giants. Iaveh much resembles Typhoon, and Pallas is +represented by the Athenians with a serpent at her side. But what you +have said causes me considerable doubt as to the intelligence or good +faith of the serpent of whom you have spoken. If he had really +possessed knowledge, would he have entrusted it to a woman's little +head, which was incapable of containing it? I should rather consider +that he was like Iaveh, ignorant and a liar, and that he chose Eve +because she was easily seduced, and he imagined that Adam would have +more intelligence and perception. + +ZENOTHEMIS. Learn, Dorion, that it is not by perception and +intelligence, but by sensibility, that the highest and purest truths +are reached. That is why women, who, generally, are less reflective +but more sensitive than men, rise more easily to the knowledge of +things divine. In them is the gift of prophecy, and it is not without +reason that Apollo Citharedes, and Jesus of Nazareth, are sometimes +represented clad, like women, in flowing robes. The initiator was +therefore wise--whatever you may say to the contrary, Dorion--in +bestowing light, not on the duller Adam, but on Eve, who was whiter +than milk or the stars. She freely listened to him, and allowed +herself to be led to the tree of knowledge, the branches of which rose +to heaven, and which was bathed with the divine spirit as with a dew. +This tree was covered with leaves which spoke all the languages of +future races of men, and their united voices formed a perfect harmony. +Its abundant fruit gave to the initiated who tasted it the knowledge +of metals, stones, and plants, and also of physical and moral laws; +but this fruit was like fire, and those who feared suffering and death +did not dare to put it to their lips. Now, as she had listened +attentively to the lessons of the serpent, Eve despised these empty +terrors, and wished to taste the fruit which gave the knowledge of +God. But, as she loved Adam, and did not wish him to be inferior to +her, she took him by the hand and led him to the wonderful tree. Then +she picked one of the burning apples, bit it, and proffered it to her +companion. Unfortunately, Iaveh, who was by chance walking in the +garden, surprised them, and seeing that they had become wise, he fell +into a most ungovernable rage. It is in his jealous fits that he is +most to be feared. Assembling all his forces, he created such a +turmoil in the lower air that these two weak beings were terrified. +The fruit fell from the man's hand, and the woman, clinging to the +neck of her luckless husband, said, "I too will be ignorant and suffer +with him." The triumphant Iaveh kept Adam and Eve and all their seed +in a condition of hebetude and terror. His art, which consisted only +in being able to make huge meteors, triumphed over the science of the +serpent, who was a musician and geometrician. He made men unjust, +ignorant, and cruel, and caused evil to reign in the earth. He +persecuted Cain and his sons because they were skilful workmen; he +exterminated the Philistines because they composed Orphic poems, and +fables like those of AEsop. He was the implacable enemy of science and +beauty, and for long ages the human race expiated, in blood and tears, +the defeat of the winged serpent. Fortunately, there arose among the +Greeks learned men, such as Pythagoras, and Plato, who recovered by +the force of genius, the figures and the ideas which the enemy of +Iaveh had vainly tried to teach the first woman. The soul of the +serpent was in them; and that is why the serpent, as Dorion has said, +is honoured by the Athenians. Finally, in these latter days, there +appeared, under human form, three celestial spirits--Jesus of Galilee, +Basilides, and Valentinus--to whom it was given to pluck the finest +fruits of that tree of knowledge, whose roots pass through all the +earth, and whose top reaches to the highest heaven. I have said all +this in vindication of the Christians, to whom the errors of the Jews +are too often imputed. + +DORION. If I understood you aright, Zenothemis, you said that three +wonderful men--Jesus, Basilides, and Valentinus--had discovered +secrets which had remained hidden from Pythagoras and Plato, and all +the philosophers of Greece, and even from the divine Epicurus, who, +however, has freed men from the dread of empty terrors. You would +greatly oblige me by telling me by what means these three mortals +acquired knowledge which had eluded the most contemplative sages. + +ZENOTHEMIS. Must I repeat to you, Dorion, that science and cogitation +are but the first steps to knowledge, and that ecstasy alone leads to +eternal truth? + +HERMODORUS. It is true, Zenothemis, that the soul is nourished on +ecstasy, as the cicada is nourished on dew. But we may even say more: +the mind alone is capable of perfect rapture. For man is of a +threefold nature, composed of material body, of a soul which is more +subtle, but also material, and of an incorruptible mind. When, +emerging from the body as from a palace suddenly given over to silence +and solitude and flying through the gardens of the soul, the mind +diffuses itself in God, it tastes the delights of an anticipated +death, or rather of a future life, for to die is to live; and in that +condition, partaking of divine purity, it possesses both infinite joy +and complete knowledge. It enters into the unity which is All. It is +perfected. + +NICIAS. That is very fine; but, to say the truth, Hermodorus, I do not +see much difference between All and Nothing. Words even seem to fail +to make the distinction. Infinity is terribly like nothingness--they +are both inconceivable to the mind. In my opinion perfection costs too +dear; we pay for it with all our being, and to possess it must cease +to exist. That is a calamity from which God Himself is not free, for +the philosophers are doing their best to perfect Him. After all, if we +do not know what it is /not/ to be, we are equally ignorant what it is +to /be/. We know nothing. It is said that it is impossible for men to +agree on this question. I believe--in spite of our noisy disputes-- +that it is, on the contrary, impossible for men not to become some day +all at unity buried under the mass of contradictions, a Pelion on +Ossa, which they themselves have raised. + +COTTA. I am very fond of philosophy, and study it in my leisure time. +But I never understand it well, except in Cicero's books. Slaves, pour +out the honeyed wine! + +CALLICRATES. It is a singular thing, but when I am hungry I think of +the time when the tragic poets sat at the boards of good tyrants, and +my mouth waters. But when I have tasted the excellent wine that you +give us so abundantly, generous Lucius, I dream of nothing but civil +wars and heroic combats. I blush to live in such inglorious times; I +invoke the goddess of Liberty; and I pour out my blood--in imagination +--with the last Romans on the field of Philippi. + +COTTA. In the days of the decline of the Republic my ancestors died +with Brutus--for liberty. But there is reason to suspect that what the +Roman people called liberty was only in reality the right to govern +themselves. I do not deny that liberty is the greatest boon a nation +can have. But the longer I live the more I am persuaded that only a +strong government can bestow it on the citizens. For forty years I +have filled high positions in the State, and my long experience has +shown me that when the ruling power is weak the people are oppressed. +Those, therefore, who--like the great majority of rhetoricians--try to +weaken the government, commit an abominable crime. An autocrat, who +governs by his single will, may sometimes cause most deplorable +results; but if he governs by popular consent there is no remedy +possible. Before the majesty of the Roman arms had bestowed peace upon +all the world, the only nations which were happy were those which were +ruled over by intelligent despots. + +HERMODORUS. For my part, Lucius, I believe that there is no such thing +as a good form of government, and that we shall never discover one, +because the Greeks, who had so many excellent ideas, were never able +to find one. In that respect, therefore, all hope of ultimate success +is taken from us. Unmistakable signs show that the world is about to +fall into ignorance and barbarism. It has been our lot, Lucius, to +witness terrible events. Of all the mental satisfactions which +intelligence, learning, and virtue can give, all that remains is the +cruel pleasure of watching ourselves die. + +COTTA. It is true that the rapacity of the people, and the boldness of +the barbarians, are threatening evils. But with a good fleet, a good +army, and plenty of money---- + +HERMODORUS. What is the use of deceiving ourselves? The dying empire +will become an easy prey to the barbarians. Cities which were built by +Hellenic genius, or Latin patience, will soon be sacked by drunken +savages. Neither art nor philosophy will exist any longer on the +earth. The statues of the gods will be overturned in the temples, and +in men's hearts as well. Darkness will overcome all minds, and the +world will die. Can we believe that the Sarmatians will ever devote +themselves to intelligent work, that the Germani will cultivate music +and philosophy, and that the Quadi and the Marcomani will adore the +immortal gods? No! we are sliding toward the abyss. Our old Egypt, +which was the cradle of the world, will be its burial vault; Serapis, +the god of Death, will receive the last adoration of mortals, and I +shall have been the last priest of the last god. + +At this moment a strange figure raised the tapestry, and the guests +saw before them a little hunchback, whose bald skull rose in a point. +He was clad, in the Asiatic fashion, in a blue tunic, and wore round +his legs, like the barbarians, red breeches, spangled with gold stars. +On seeing him, Paphnutius recognised Marcus the Arian, and fearing +lest a thunderbolt should fall from heaven, he covered his head with +his arms, and grew pale with fright. At this banquet of the demons, +neither the blasphemies of the pagans, nor the horrible errors of the +philosophers, had had any effect on him, but the mere presence of the +heretic quenched his courage. He would have fled, but his eyes met +those of Thais, and he felt at once strengthened. He read in her soul +that she, who was predestined to become a saint, already protected +him. He seized the skirt of her long, flowing robe, and inwardly +prayed to the Saviour Jesus. + +A murmur of acclamation welcomed the arrival of the personage who had +been called the Christian Plato. Hermodorus was the first to speak. + +"Most illustrious Marcus, we rejoice to see you amongst us, and it may +be said that you come at the right moment. We know nothing of the +Christian doctrine, beyond what is publicly taught. Now, it is certain +that a philosopher, like you, cannot think as the vulgar think, and we +are curious to know your opinion of the principal mysteries of the +religion you profess. Our dear friend, Zenothemis, who, as you know, +is always hunting for symbolic meanings, just now questioned the +illustrious Paphnutius concerning the Jewish books. But Paphnutius +made no reply, and we should not be surprised at that, as our guest +has made a vow of silence, and God has sealed his tongue in the +desert. But you Marcus, who have spoken at the Christian synods, and +even at the councils of the divine Constantine, can if you wish, +satisfy our curiosity by revealing to us the philosophic truths which +are wrapped up in the Christian fables. Is not the first of these +truths the existence of an only God--in whom, for my part, I fervently +believe?" + +MARCUS. Yes, venerable brethren, I believe in an only God, not +begotten--the only Eternal, the origin of all things. + +NICIAS. We know, Marcus, that your God created the world. That must +certainly have been a great crisis in His existence. He had already +existed an eternity before He could make up His mind to it. But I +must, in justice, confess that His situation was a most difficult one. +He must continue inactive if He would remain perfect, and must act if +He would prove to Himself His own existence. You assure me that He +decided to act. I am willing to believe you, although it was an +unpardonable imprudence on the part of a perfect God. But tell us, +Marcus, how He set about making the world. + +MARCUS. Those who, without being Christians, possess, like Hermodorus +and Zenothemis, the principles of knowledge, are aware that God did +not create the world personally without an intermediary. He gave birth +to an only Son, by whom all things were made. + +HERMODORUS. That is quite true, Marcus; and this Son is worshipped +under the various names of Hermes, Mithra, Adonis, Apollo, and Jesus. + +MARCUS. I should not be a Christian if I gave Him any other names than +those of Jesus Christ, and Saviour. He is the true Son of God. But He +is not eternal, since He had a beginning; as to thinking that He +existed before He was begotten, we must leave that absurdity to the +Nicaean mules, and the obstinate ass who too long governed the Church +of Alexandria under the accursed name of Athanasius. + +At these words Paphnutius, white with horror and his face bedewed with +the sweat of agony made the sign of the cross, but maintained a +sublime silence. + +Marcus continued-- + +"It is clear that the foolish Nicene Creed is a treason against the +majesty of the only God, by compelling Him to share His indivisible +attributes with His own emanation--the Mediator by whom all things +were made. Cease jesting at the true God of the Christians, Nicias, +and learn that, like the lilies of the field, He toils not, neither +does He spin. It was not He who was the worker, it was His only Son, +Jesus, who, having created the world, came afterwards to repair His +handiwork. For the creation could not be perfect, and evil was +necessarily mingled with good. + +NICIAS. What is "good," and what is "evil"? + +There was a moment's silence, during which Hermodorus, his arm +extended on the cloth, pointed to a little ass in Corinthian metal +which bore two baskets--the one containing white olives, the other +black olives. + +"You see these olives," he said. "The contrast between the colours is +pleasant to the eye, and we are content that these should be light and +those should be dark. But, if they were endowed with thought and +knowledge, the white would say, It is good for an olive to be white, +it is bad for it to be black; and the black olives would hate the +white olives. We judge better, for we are as much above them as the +gods are above us. For man, who only sees a part of things, evil is an +evil; for God, who understands all things, evil is a good. Doubtless +ugliness is ugly, and not beautiful; but if all were beautiful, the +whole would not be beautiful. It is, then, well that there should be +evil, as the second Plato, far greater than the first, has +demonstrated." + +EUCRITES. Let us talk more morally. Evil is an evil--not for the +world, of which it cannot destroy the indestructible harmony but for +the sinner who does it, and cannot help doing it. + +COTTA. By Jupiter? that is a good argument. + +EUCRITES. The world is a tragedy by an excellent poet. God, who +composed it, has intended each of us to play a part in it. If he wills +that you shall be a beggar, a prince, or a cripple, make the best of +the part assigned you. + +NICIAS. Assuredly it would be well that the cripple should limp like +Hephaistos: it would be well that the madman should indulge in all the +fury of Ajax, that the incestuous woman should repeat the crimes of +Phaedra, that the traitor should betray, that the rascal should lie, +and the murderer kill, and when the piece was played, all the actor-- +kings, just men, bloody tyrants, pious virgins, immodest wives, noble- +minded citizens, and cowardly assassins--should receive from the poet +an equal share in the felicitations. + +EUCRITES. You distort my thought, Nicias, and change a beautiful young +girl into a hideous Gorgon. I am sorry for you, if you are so ignorant +of the nature of the gods, of justice, and of the eternal laws. + +ZENOTHEMIS. For my part, friends, I believe in the reality of good and +evil. But I am convinced that there is not a single human action--were +it even the kiss of Judas--which does not bear within itself the germ +of redemption. Evil contributes to the ultimate salvation of men, and, +in that respect issues from Good, and shares the merits belonging to +Good. This has been admirably expressed by the Christians, in the myth +concerning the man with red hair, who, in order to betray his master, +gave him the kiss of peace, and by such act assured the salvation of +men. Therefore, nothing is, in my opinion, more unjust and absurd than +the hate with which certain disciples of Paul, the tentmaker, pursue +the most unfortunate of the apostles of Jesus without realising that +the kiss of Iscariot--prophesied by Jesus Himself--was necessary, +according to their own doctrine, for the redemption of men, and that +if Judas had not received the thirty pieces, the divine wisdom would +have been impugned, Providence frustrated, its designs upset, and the +world given over to evil, ignorance, and death. + +MARCUS. Divine wisdom foresaw that Judas, though he was not obliged to +give the traitor's kiss, would give it, notwithstanding. It thus +employed the sin of Iscariot as a stone in the marvellous edifice of +the redemption. + +ZENOTHEMIS. I spoke just now, Marcus, as though I believed that the +redemption of men had been accomplished by Jesus crucified, because I +know that such is the belief of the Christians, and I borrowed their +opinion that I might the better show the mistake of those who believe +in the eternal damnation of Judas. But, in reality, Jesus was, in my +eyes, but the precursor of Basilides and Valentinus. As to the mystery +of the redemption, I will tell you, my dear friends--if you are at all +curious to hear it--how it was really accomplished on earth. + +The guests made a sign of assent. Like the Athenian virgins with the +baskets sacred to Ceres, twelve young girls, bearing on their heads +baskets filled with pomegranates and apples, entered the room with a +light step, in time to the music of an invisible flute. They placed +the baskets on the table, the flute ceased, and Zenothemis spoke as +follows-- + +"When Eunoia, 'the thought of God,' had created the world, she +confided the government of the earth to the angels. But they did not +preserve the dispassion befitting masters. Seeing that the daughters +of men were fair, they surprised them in the evening by the wellside, +and united themselves to them. From these unions sprang a turbulent +race, who covered the earth with injustice and cruelty, and the dust +of the roads drank up the blood of the innocent. The sight of this +caused Eunoia infinite grief. + +" 'See what I have done!' she sighed, leaning towards the world. 'My +poor children are plunged in misery, and by my fault. Their suffering +is my crime, and I will expiate it. God Himself, who only thinks +through me, would be powerless to restore them to their pristine +purity. That which is done is done, and the creation will remain for +ever imperfect. But, at least, I will not forsake my creatures. If I +cannot make them happy, like me, I can make myself unhappy, like them. +Since I committed the mistake of giving them bodies which dishonour +them, I will myself assume a body like unto theirs, and will go and +live amongst them.' + +"Having thus spoken, Eunoia descended to the earth, and was incarnate +in the breast of a woman of Argos. She was born small and feeble, and +received the name of Helen. She submitted to all the labours of this +life, but soon grew in grace and beauty, and became the most desired +of women, as she had determined, in order that her mortal body might +be tried by the most supreme defilements. An inert prey to lascivious +and violent men, she suffered rape and adultery, in expiation of all +the adulteries, all the violences, all the iniquities, and caused, by +her beauty, the ruin of nations, that God might pardon the sins of the +universe. And never was the celestial thought, never was Eunoia, so +adorable as in those days when, as a woman, she prostituted herself to +heroes and shepherds. The poets surmised her divinity when they +painted her so peaceful, superb, and fatal, and when they addressed +that invocation to her, 'A soul as serene as a calm upon the waters.' + +"Thus was Eunoia led by pity into evil and suffering. She died, and +the Argives still show her tomb--for it was necessary that she should +know death after lust, and taste the bitter fruit she had sown. But, +emerging from the decomposed flesh of Helen, she became incarnate +again as a woman, and again suffered every form of insult and outrage. +Thus, passing from body to body, throughout all the evil ages, she +takes upon her the sins of the world. Her sacrifice will not be in +vain. Joined to us by the bonds of the flesh, loving us, and weeping +with us, she will effect her redemption and ours, and will carry us, +clinging to her white breast, into the peace of the regained +paradise." + +HERMODORUS. This myth was not unknown to me. I remembered having heard +that, in one of her metamorphoses, the divine Helen lived with the +magician, Simon, in the reign of the Emperor Tiberius. I thought, +however, that her perdition was involuntary, and that she was dragged +down by the angels in their fall. + +ZENOTHEMIS. It is true, Hermodorus, that men who were not properly +initiated in the mysteries have imagined that the sad Eunoia was not a +party to her own downfall. But if it were as they assert Eunoia would +not be the expiating courtesan, the victim covered with stains of all +sorts, the bread steeped in the wine of our shame, the pleasant +offering, the meritorious sacrifice, the holocaust, the smoke of which +rises to God. If they were not voluntary, there would be no merit in +her sins. + +CALLICRATES. Does anyone know, Zenothemis in what country, under what +name, in what adorable form, this ever-renascent Helen is living now? + +ZENOTHEMIS. A man would have to be very wise indeed to discover such a +secret. And wisdom, Callicrates, is not given to poets, who live in +the rude world of forms and amuse themselves, like children, with +sounds and empty shows. + +CALLICRATES. Beware of offending the gods, impious Zenothemis; the +poets are dear to them. The first laws were dictated in verse by the +immortals themselves, and the oracles of the gods are poems. Hymns +have a pleasant sound to celestial ears. Who does not know that the +poets are prophets, and that nothing is hidden from them? Being a poet +myself, and crowned with Apollo's laurel, I will make known to all the +last incarnation of Eunoia. The eternal Helen is close to us; she is +looking at us, and we are looking at her. You see that woman reclining +on the cushions of her couch--so beautiful and so contemplative--whose +eyes shed tears, and whose lips abound with kisses! It is she! Lovely +as in the time of Priam and the halcyon days of Asia, Eunoia is now +called Thais. + +PHILINA. What do you say, Callicrates? Our dear Thais knew Paris, +Menelaus, and the Achaians who fought before Ilion! Was the Trojan +horse big, Thais? + +ARISTOBULUS. Who speaks of a horse? + +"I have drunk like a Thracian!" cried Chereas and he rolled under the +table. + +Callicrates, raising his cup, cried-- + +"If we drink like desperate men, we die unavenged!" + +Old Cotta was asleep, and his bald head nodded slowly above his broad +shoulders. + +For some time past Dorion had seemed to be greatly excited under his +philosophic cloak. He reeled up to the couch of Thais. + +"Thais, I love you, although it is unseemly in me to love a woman." + +THAIS. Why did you not love me before? + +DORION. Because I had not supped. + +THAIS. But I, my poor friend, have drunk nothing but water; therefore +you must excuse me if I do not love you. + +Dorion did not wait to hear more, but made towards Drosea, who had +made a sign to him in order to get him away from her friend. +Zenothemis took the place he had left, and gave Thais a kiss on the +mouth. + +THAIS. I thought you more virtuous. + +ZENOTHEMIS. I am perfect, and the perfect are subject to no laws. + +THAIS. But are you not afraid of sullying your soul in a woman's arms? + +ZENOTHEMIS. The body may yield to lust without the soul being +concerned. + +THAIS. Go away! I wish to be loved with body and soul. All these +philosophers are old goats. + +The lamps died out one by one. The pale rays of dawn, which entered +between the openings of the hangings, shone on the livid faces and +swollen eyes of the guests. Aristobulus was sleeping soundly by the +side of Chereas, and, in his dreams, devoting all his grooms to the +ravens. Zenothemis pressed in his arms the yielding Philina; Dorion +poured on the naked bosom of Drosea drops of wine, which rolled like +rubies on the white breast, which was shaking with laughter, and the +philosopher tried to catch these drops with his lips, as they rolled +on the slippery flesh. Eucrites rose, and placing his arm on the +shoulder of Nicias, led him to the end of the hall. + +"Friend," he said, smiling, "if you can still think at all--of what +are you thinking?" + +"I think that the love of women is like a garden of Adonis." + +"What do you mean by that?" + +"Do you not know, Eucrites, that women make little gardens on the +terraces, in which they plant boughs in clay pots in honour of the +lover of Venus? These boughs flourish a little time, and then fade." + +"What does that signify, Nicias? That it is foolish to attach +importance to that which fades?" + +"If beauty is but a shadow, desire is but a lightning flash. What +madness it is, then, to desire beauty! Is it not rational, on the +contrary, that that which passes should go with that which does not +endure, and that the lightning should devour the gliding shadow?" + +"Nicias, you seem to me like a child playing at knuckle-bones. Take my +advice--be free! By liberty only can you become a man." + +"How can a man be free, Eucrites, when he has a body?" + +"You shall see presently, my son. Presently you will say, 'Eucrites +was free.' " + +The old man spoke, leaning against a porphyry pillar, his face lighted +by the first rays of dawn. Hermodorus and Marcus had approached, and +stood before him by the side of Nicias; and all four, regardless of +the laughter and cries of the drinkers, conversed on things divine. +Eucrites expresses himself so wisely and eloquently, that Marcus +said-- + +"You are worthy to know the true God." + +Eucrites replied-- + +"The true God is in the heart of the wise man." + +Then they spoke of death. + +"I wish," said Eucrites, "that it may find me occupied in correcting +my faults, and attentive to all my duties. In the face of death I will +raise my pure hands to heaven, and I will say to the gods, 'Your +images, gods, that you have placed in the temple of my soul, I have +not profaned; I have hung there my thoughts, as well as garlands, +fillets, and wreaths. I have lived according to your providence. I +have lived enough.' " + +Thus speaking, he raised his arms to heaven, and he remained +thoughtful a moment. Then he continued, with extreme joy-- + +"Separate thyself from life, Eucrites, like the ripe olive which +falls; returning thanks to the tree which bore thee, and blessing the +earth, thy nurse." + +At these words, drawing from the folds of his robe a naked dagger, he +plunged it into his breast. + +Those who listened to him sprang forward to seize his hand, but the +steel point had already penetrated the heart of the sage. Eucrites had +already entered into his rest. Hermodorus and Nicias bore the pale and +bleeding body to one of the couches, amidst the shrill shrieks of the +women, the grunts of the guests disturbed in their sleep, and the +heavy breathing of the couples hidden in the shadow of the tapestry. +Cotta, an old soldier, who slept lightly, woke, approached the corpse, +examined the wound, and cried-- + +"Call Aristaeus, my physician!" + +Nicias shook his head. + +"Eucrites is no more," he said. "He wished to die as others wish to +love. He has, like all of us, obeyed his inexpressible desire. And, +lo, now he is like unto the gods, who desire nothing." + +Cotta struck his forehead. + +"Die! To want to die when he might still serve the State! What +nonsense!" + +Paphnutius and Thais remained motionless and mute, side by side, their +souls overflowing with disgust, horror, and hope. + +Suddenly the monk seized the hand of the actress, and stepping over +the drunkards, who had fallen close to the lascivious couples, and +treading in the wine and blood spilt upon the floor, he led her out of +the house. + + + +The sun had risen over the city. Long colonnades stretched on both +sides of the deserted street, and at the end shone the dome of +Alexander's tomb. Here and there on the pavement lay broken wreaths +and extinguished torches. Fresh wafts of the sea could be felt in the +air. Paphnutius, with a look of disgust, tore off his rich robe and +trampled the fragments under his feet. + +"Thou hast heard them, my Thais!" he cried. "They have spat forth +every sort of folly and abomination. They dragged the Divine Creator +of all things down the gemonies[*] of the devils of hell, impudently +denied the existence of Good and Evil, blasphemed Jesus, and exalted +Judas. And the most infamous of all, the jackal of darkness, the +stinking beast, the Arian full of corruption and death, opened his +mouth like a yawning sepulchre. My Thais, thou hast seen these filthy +snails crawling towards thee and defiling thee with their sticky +sweat; thou hast seen others, like brutes, sleeping under the heels of +their slaves; thou hast seen them coupling like beasts on the carpet +they had fouled with their vomit; thou hast seen a foolish old man +shed a blood yet viler than the wine which flowed at his debauch, and +at the end of the orgie throw himself in the face of the unforeseen +Christ. Praise be to God! Thou hast seen error and recognised how +hideous it was. Thais, Thais, Thais, recall to mind the follies of +these philosophers, and say if thou wilt go mad with them! Remember +the looks, the gestures, the laughs of their fitting companions, those +two lascivious and malicious strumpets, and say if thou wilt remain +like unto them." + +[*] Steps on the Aventine Hill, leading to the Tiber, to which the + bodies of executed criminals were dragged to be thrown into the + river. The word is now obsolete, but was employed by Ben Jonson + (Sejanus) and Massinger (The Roman Actor).--TRANS. + +Thais, her heart stirred with horror and disgust at all she had seen +and heard that night, and feeling the indifference and brutality, the +malicious jealousy of women, the heavy weight of useless hours, +sighed. + +"I am weary to death, O my father! Where shall I find rest? I feel +that my face is burning, my head empty, and my arms are so tired that +I should not have the strength to seize happiness were it within reach +of my hand." + +Paphnutius gazed at her with loving pity. + +"Courage, O my sister! The hour of rest rises for thee, white and pure +as the vapours thou seest rise from the gardens and waters." + +They were near the house of Thais, and could see, above the wall, the +tops of the sycamore and fir trees, which surrounded the Grotto of +Nymphs, tremble in the morning breeze. In front of them was a public +square, deserted, and surrounded with steles and votive statues, and +having at each end a semicircular marble seat, supported by figures of +monsters. Thais fell on one of these seats. Then, looking anxiously at +the monk, she asked-- + +"What must I do?" + +"Thou must," replied the monk, "follow Him who has come to seek thee. +He will separate thee from this present life, as the vintager gathers +the cluster that would have rotted on the tree, and bears it to the +wine-press to change it into perfumed wine. Listen! there is, a dozen +hours from Alexandria, towards the west, not far from the sea, a +nunnery, the rules of which, a masterpiece of wisdom, deserve to be +put in lyric verse and sung to the sound of the theorbo and +tambourines. It may truly be said that the women who are there, +submissive to these rules, have their feet upon earth and their faces +in heaven. They desire to be poor, that Jesus may love them, modest, +that He may gaze upon them; chaste that He may wed them. He visits +them every day in the guise of a gardener, His feet bare, His +beautiful hands open--even as He showed Himself to Mary at the +entrance of the tomb. I will conduct thee this very day to this +nunnery, my Thais, and soon, commingling with these holy women, thou +wilt share in their heavenly conversation. They await thee as a +sister. On the threshold of the convent, their mother, the pious +Albina, will give thee the kiss of peace and will say, 'My daughter, +thou art welcome!' " + +The courtesan uttered a cry of amazement. + +"Albina! a daughter of the Caesars! The great niece of the Emperor +Carus!" + +"She herself! Albina, who, born in the purple, has donned the serge, +and a daughter of the masters of this world, has risen to the rank of +servant of Jesus Christ. She will be thy mother." + +Thais rose and said-- + +"Take me to the house of Albina." + +And Paphnutius, completing his victory-- + +"Surely I will conduct thee thither, and there I will place thee in a +cell, where thou shalt weep for thy sins. For it is not fitting that +thou shouldst mingle with the daughters of Albina until thou art +cleansed from thy sins. I will seal the door, and there, a happy +prisoner, thou wilt wait in tears till Jesus Himself come, as a sign +of pardon, to break the seal that I have placed. And doubt not that He +will come, Thais, and how the flesh of thy soul will tremble when thou +shalt feel the fingers of Light placed upon thy eyes to dry thy +tears!" + +Thais said a second time-- + +"Take me, my father, to the house of Albina." + +His heart filled with joy, Paphnutius gazed around him, and tasted, +almost without fear, the pleasure of contemplating the works of +creation; his eyes drank in with joy God's light, and unknown breezes +fanned his cheeks. Suddenly, seeing at one of the corners of the +public square the little door which led to Thais' house, and +remembering that the trees, whose foliage he had been admiring, shaded +the courtesan's garden, he thought of all the impurities which there +sullied the air, to-day so light and pure, and his soul was so grieved +that bitter tears sprang to his eyes. + +"Thais," he said, "we must fly without looking back. But we must not +leave behind us the instruments, the witnesses, the accomplices of thy +past crimes; those heavy hangings, those beds, carpets, perfume +censers and lamps, which would proclaim thy infamy! Dost thou wish +that, animated by the demons, and carried by the evil spirit that is +in them, those accursed belongings should pursue thee even to the +desert? It is but too true that there are tables which bring ruin, +seats which serve as the instruments of devils, which act, speak, +strike the ground, and pass through the air. Let all perish which has +seen thy shame! Hasten, Thais, and, whilst the city is yet asleep, +order thy slaves to make, in the centre of this place, a pile, upon +which we will burn all the abominable riches thy dwelling contains." + +Thais consented. + +"Do as you will, my father," she said. "I know that spirits often +dwell in inanimate objects. At night some articles of furniture talk, +either by giving knocks at regular intervals or by emitting little +flashes of light as signals. And even more. Have you remarked, my +father, at the entrance to the Grotto of Nymphs, on the right, a +statue of a naked woman about to bathe? One day I saw, with my own +eyes, that statue turn its head like a living person, and then return +to its ordinary attitude. I was terrified. Nicias, to whom I related +this prodigy, laughed at me; yet there must be some magic in that +statue, for it inspired with violent desires a certain Dalmatian, who +was insensible to my beauty. It is certain that I have lived amongst +enchanted things, and that I was exposed to the greatest perils, for +men have been strangled by the embraces of a bronze statue. Yet it +would be a pity to destroy valuable works made with rare skill, and to +burn my carpets and tapestry would be a great loss. The beautiful +colours of some of them are truly wonderful, and they cost much money +to those who gave them to me. I also possess cups, statues, and +pictures of great price. I do not think they ought to perish. But you +know what is necessary. Do as you will, my father." + +Thus saying, she followed the monk to the little door at which so many +garlands and wreaths had been hung, and, when it was opened, she told +the porter to call together all the slaves in the house. Four Indians, +who were employed in the kitchen, were the first to appear. They were +all four yellow men, and each had but one eye. It had cost Thais much +trouble, and given her amusement, to get together these four slaves of +the same race, and all afflicted with the same infirmity. When they +attended at table they excited the curiosity of the guests, and Thais +made them relate the story of their lives. These four waited in +silence. Their assistants followed them. Then came the stablemen, the +huntsmen, the litter-bearers, and the running footmen with muscles +like iron, two gardeners hirsute as Priapus, six ferocious looking +negroes, three Greek slaves--one a grammarian, another a poet, and the +third a singer. They all stood, ranged in order, on the public square, +and were presently joined by the negresses--curious, suspicious, +rolling big round eyes, and each with a huge mouth slit to her +earrings. Lastly, adjusting their veils and languidly dragging their +feet, which were shackled with light gold chains, appeared six sulky- +looking, beautiful white slave-girls. When they were all assembled, +Thais, pointing to Paphnutius, said-- + +"Do whatever this man commands you; for the spirit of God is in him, +and if you disobey him you will fall dead." + +For she had heard, and really believed, that the earth would open and +swallow up in flames and smoke any impious wretch whom a saint of the +desert struck with his staff. + +Paphnutius sent away the women and the Greek men-slaves, and said to +the others-- + +"Bring wood to the middle of this place, make a huge fire, and throw +into it pell-mell all that there is in the house and grotto." + +They were astonished, and stood motionless, looking at their mistress. +And they still stood inactive and silent, and pressed against each +other, elbow to elbow, suspecting that the order was a joke. + +"Obey!" said the monk. + +Several of them were Christians. They understood the command, and went +to the house to fetch wood and torches. The others were not indisposed +to imitate them, for, being poor, they hated riches and had a natural +instinct for destruction. Whilst they were building the pile, +Paphnutius said to Thais-- + +"I thought at one time of fetching the treasurer of one of the +churches of Alexandria (if there still remain one worthy of the name +of church, and that is not defiled by the Arian beasts) and giving him +thy goods, woman, that he might distribute them to widows, and change +the proceeds of crime into the treasure of justice. But such a thought +did not come from God, and I cast it from me, for assuredly it would +be a great offence to the well-beloved of Jesus Christ to offer them +the spoils of thy lust. Thais, all that thou hast touched must be +devoured by the fire, even to its very soul. Thanks be to Heaven, +these tunics and veils, which have seen kisses more innumerable than +the waves of the sea, will only feel now the lips and tongues of the +flames. Hasten, slaves! More wood! More links and torches! And thou, +woman, return to thy house, strip thyself of thy shameful robes, and +ask of the most humble of thy slaves, as an undeserving favour, the +tunic that she puts on when she scrubs the floors." + +Thais obeyed. Whilst the Indians knelt down and blew the embers, the +negroes threw on the pile coffers of ivory, ebony, or cedar, which +broke open and let out wreaths, garlands, and necklaces. The smoke +rose in a dark column, as in the holocausts of the old religion. Then +the fire, which had been smouldering, burst out suddenly with a roar +as of some monstrous animal, and the almost invisible flames began to +devour their valuable prey. The slaves worked more eagerly; they +joyfully dragged out rich carpets, veils embroidered with silver, and +flowered tapestry. They staggered under the weight of tables, couches, +thick cushions, and beds with gold nails. Three strong Ethiopians came +hugging the coloured statues of the nymphs, one of which had been +loved as though it were a mortal; and they looked like huge apes +carrying off women. And when the beautiful naked forms fell from the +arms of these monsters, and were broken on the stones, a deep groan +was heard. + +At that moment Thais appeared, her hair unloosed and streaming over +her shoulders, barefooted, and clad in a clumsy coarse garment which +seemed redolent with divine voluptuousness merely from having touched +her body. Behind her came a gardener, carrying, half hidden in his +long beard, an ivory Eros. + +She made a sign to the man to stop, and approaching Paphnutius, showed +him the little god. + +"My father," she asked, "should this also be thrown into the flames? +It is of marvellous antique work, and is worth a hundred times its +weight in gold. Its loss would be irreparable, for there is not a +sculptor in the world capable of making such a beautiful Eros. +Remember also, my father, that this child is Love, and he should not +be harshly treated. Believe me, Love is a virtue, and if I have +sinned, it is not through him, my father, but against him. Never shall +I regret aught that he has caused me to do, and I deplore only those +things I have done contrary to his commands. He does not allow women +to give themselves to those who do not come in his name. For that +reason he ought to be honoured. Look, Paphnutius, how pretty this +little Eros is! With what grace he hides himself in the gardener's +beard! One day Nicias, who loved me then, brought it to me and said, +'It will remind you of me.' But the roguish boy did not remind me of +Nicias, but of a young man I knew at Antioch. Enough riches have been +destroyed upon this pile, my father! Preserve this Eros, and place it +in some monastery. Those who see it will turn their hearts towards +God, for love leads naturally to heavenly thoughts." + +The gardener, already believing that the little Eros was saved, smiled +on it as though it had been a child, when Paphnutius, snatching the +god from the arms which held it, threw it into the flames, crying-- + +"It is enough that Nicias has touched it to make it replete with +every sort of poison!" + +Then, seizing by armfuls the sparkling robes, the purple mantles, the +golden sandals, the combs, strigils, mirrors, lamps, theorbos, and +lyres, he threw them into this furnace, more costly than the funeral +pile of Sardanapalus, whilst, drunken with the rage of destruction, +the slaves danced round, uttering wild yells amid a shower of sparks +and ashes. + +One by one, the neighbours, awakened by the noise, opened the windows, +and rubbing their eyes, looked out to see whence the smoke came. Then +they came down, half dressed, and drew near the fire. + +"What does it mean?" they wondered. + +Amongst them were merchants from whom Thais had often bought perfumes +and stuffs, and they looked on anxiously with long, yellow faces, +unable to comprehend what was going on. Some young debauchees, who, +returning from a supper, passed by there, preceded by their slaves, +stopped, their heads crowned with flowers, their tunics floating, and +uttered loud cries. Attracted by curiosity, the crowd increased +unceasingly, and soon it was known that Thais had been persuaded by +the Abbot of Antinoe to burn her riches and retire to a nunnery. + +The shopkeepers thought to themselves-- + +"Thais is going to leave the city; we shall sell no more to her; it is +dreadful to think of. What will become of us without her? This monk +has driven her mad. He is ruining us. Why let him do it? What is the +use of the laws? Are there no magistrates in Alexandria? Thais does +not think about us and our wives and our poor children. It is a public +scandal. She ought to be compelled to stay in the city." + +The young men, on their part, also thought-- + +"If Thais is going to renounce acting and love, our chief amusements +will be taken from us. She was the glory, delight, and honour of the +stage. She was the joy even of those who had never possessed her. The +women we loved, we loved in her. There were no kisses given in which +she was altogether absent, for she was the joy of all voluptuaries, +and the mere thought that she breathed amongst us excited us to +pleasure." + +Thus thought the young men, and one of them, named Cerons, who had +held her in his arms, cried out upon the abduction, and blasphemed +against Christ. In every group the conduct of Thais was severely +criticised. + +"It is a shameful flight!" + +"A cowardly desertion!" + +"She is taking the bread out of our mouths." + +"She is robbing our children." + +"She ought at least to pay for the wreaths I have sold to her." + +"And the sixty robes she has ordered of me." + +"She owes money to everybody." + +"Who will represent Iphigenia, Electra, and Polyxena when she is gone? +The handsome Polybia herself will not make such a success as she has +done." + +"Life will be dull when her door is closed." + +"She was the bright star, the soft moon of the Alexandrian sky." + +All the most notorious mendicants of the city--cripples, blind men, +and paralytics--had by this time assembled in the place; and crawling +through the remnants of the riches, they groaned-- + +"How shall we live when Thais is no longer here to feed us? Every day +the fragments from her table fed two hundred poor wretches, and her +lovers, when they quitted her, threw us as they passed handfuls of +silver pieces." + +Some thieves, too, also mingled with the crowd, and created a +deafening clamour, and pushed their neighbours, to increase disorder, +and take advantage of the tumult to filch some valuable object. + +Old Taddeus, who sold Miletan wool and Tarentan linen, and to whom +Thais owed a large sum of money, alone remained calm and silent in the +midst of the uproar. He listened and watched, and gently stroking his +goat-beard, seemed thoughtful. At last he approached young Cerons, and +pulling him by the sleeve, whispered-- + +"You are the favoured lover of Thais, handsome youth; show yourself, +and do not allow this monk to carry her off." + +"By Pollux and his sister, he shall not!" cried Cerons. "I will speak +to Thais, and without flattering myself, I think she will listen to me +rather than to that sooty-faced Lapithan. Place! Place, dogs!" + +And striking with his fist the men, upsetting the old women and +treading on the young children, he reached Thais, and taking her +aside-- + +"Dearest girl," he said, "look at me, remember, and tell me truly if +you renounce love." + +But Paphnutius threw himself between Thais and Cerons. + +"Impious wretch!" he cried, "beware and touch her not; she is sacred-- +she belongs to God." + +"Get away, baboon!" replied the young man furiously. "Let me speak to +my sweetheart, or if not I will drag your obscene carcase by the beard +to the fire, and roast you like a sausage." + +And he put his hand on Thais. But, pushed away by the monk with +unexpected force, he staggered back four paces and fell at the foot of +the pile amongst the scattered ashes. + +Old Taddeus, meanwhile, had been going from one to the other, pulling +the ears of the slaves and kissing the hands of the masters, inciting +each and all against Paphnutius, and had already formed a little band +resolutely determined to oppose the monk who would steal Thais from +them. + +Cerons rose, his face black, his hair singed, and choking with smoke +and rage. He blasphemed against the gods, and threw himself amongst +the assailants, behind whom the beggars crawled, shaking their +crutches. Paphnutius was soon enclosed in a circle of menacing fists, +raised sticks, and cries of death. + +"To the ravens with the monk! to the ravens!" + +"No; throw him in the fire! Burn him alive!" + +Seizing his fair prey, he pressed her to his heart. + +"Impious men," he cried in a voice of thunder, "strive not to tear the +dove from the eagle of the Lord. But rather copy this woman, and like +she turn your filth into gold. Imitate her example, and renounce the +false wealth which you think you hold and which holds you. Hasten! the +day is at hand, and divine patience begins to grow weary. Repent, +confess your sins, weep and pray. Walk in the footsteps of Thais. Hate +your offenses, which are as great as hers. Which of you, poor or rich, +merchants, soldiers, slaves or eminent citizens, would dare to say, +before God, that he was better than a prostitute? You are all nothing +but living filth, and it is by a miracle of divine goodness that you +do not suddenly turn into streams of mire." + +Whilst he spoke flames shot from his eyes; an it seemed as though live +coals came from his lips and those who surrounded him were obliged to +hear him in spite of themselves. + +But old Taddeus did not remain idle. He picked up stones and oyster +shells, which he hid in the skirt of his tunic, and not daring to +throw them himself slipped them into the hands of the beggars. Soon +the stones began to fly, and a well-directed shell cut Paphnutius' +face. The blood, which flowed down the dark face of the martyr, +dropped in a new baptism on the head of the penitent, and Thais, half +stifled in the monk's embrace and her delicate skin scratched by the +coarse cassock, felt a thrill of horror and fright. + +At that moment a man elegantly dressed, and with a wreath of wild +celery on his head, opened a road for himself through the furious +crowd, and cried-- + +"Stop! Stop! This monk is my brother!" + +It was Nicias, who, having closed the eyes of the philosopher +Eucrites, was passing through the square to return to his house;. and +saw, without very much surprise (for nothing astonished him), the +smoking pile, Thais clad an a serge cassock, and Paphnutius being +stoned. + +He repeated-- + +"Stop, I tell you; spare my old fellow-scholar; respect the beloved +head of Paphnutius!" + +But, being only used to subtle disquisitions with philosophers, he did +not possess that imperious energy which commands vulgar minds. He was +not listened to. A shower of stones and shells fell on the monk, who, +protecting Thais with his body, praised the Lord whose goodness turned +his wounds into caresses. Despairing of making himself heard, and +feeling but too sure that he could not save his friend either by force +or persuasion, Nicias resigned himself to the will of the gods--in +whom he had little confidence--when the idea occurred to him to use a +stratagem which his contempt for men had suddenly suggested to him. He +took from his girdle his purse, which was full of gold and silver, for +he was a pleasure-loving and charitable man, and running up to the men +who were throwing the stones, he chinked the money in their ears. At +first they paid no attention to him, their fury being too great; but +little by little their looks turned towards the chinking gold, and +soon their arms dropped and no longer menaced their victim. Seeing +that he had attracted their eyes and minds, Nicias opened his purse +and threw some pieces of gold and silver amongst the crowd. The more +greedy of them stooped to pick it up. The philosopher, pleased at his +first success, adroitly threw deniers and drachmas here and there. At +the sound of the pieces of money rattling on the pavement, the +persecutors of Paphnutius threw themselves on the ground. Beggars, +slaves, and tradespeople scrambled after the money, whilst, grouped +round Cerons, the patricians watched the struggle and laughed +heartily. Cerons himself quite forgot his wrath. His friends +encouraged the rivals, chose competitors, and made bets, and urged on +the miserable wretches as they would have done fighting dogs. A +cripple without legs having succeeded in seizing a drachma, the +applause was frenetic. The young men themselves began to throw money, +and nothing was to be seen in the square but a multitude of backs, +rising and falling like waves of the sea, under a shower of coins. +Paphnutius was forgotten. + +Nicias ran up to him, covered him with his cloak, and dragged him and +Thais into by-streets where they were safe from pursuit. They ran for +some time in silence, and when they thought they were out of reach of +their enemies, they ceased running, and Nicias said, in a tone of +raillery in which a little sadness was mingled-- + +"It is finished then! Pluto ravishes Proserpine, and Thais will follow +my fierce-looking friend whithersoever he will lead her." + +"It is true, Nicias," replied Thais, "that I am tired of living with +men like you, smiling, perfumed, kindly egoists. I am weary of all I +know, and I am, therefore, going to seek the unknown. I have +experienced joy that was not joy, and here is a man who teaches me +that sorrow is true joy. I believe him, for he knows the truth." + +"And I, sweetheart," replied Nicias, smiling, "I know the truths. He +knows but one, I know them all. I am superior to him in that respect, +but to tell the truth, it doesn't make me any the prouder nor any the +happier." + +Then, seeing that the monk was glaring fiercely at him-- + +"My dear Paphnutius, do not imagine that I think you extremely absurd, +or even altogether unreasonable. And if I were to compare your life +with mine, I could not say which is preferable in itself. I shall +presently go and take the bath which Crobyle and Myrtale have prepared +for me; I shall eat the wing of a Phasian pheasant; then I shall read +--for the hundredth time--some fable by Apuleius or some treatise by +Porphyry. You will return to your cell, where, leaning like a tame +camel, you will ruminate on--I know not what--formulas of incarnations +you have long chewed and rechewed, and in the evening you will swallow +some radishes without any oil. Well, my dear friend, in accomplishing +these acts, so different apparently, we are both obeying the same +sentiment, the only motive for all human actions; we are both seeking +our own pleasure, and striving to attain the same end--happiness, the +impossible happiness. It would be folly on my part to say you were +wrong, dear friend, even though I think myself in the right. + +"And you, my Thais, go and enjoy yourself, and be more happy still, if +it be possible, in abstinence and austerity than you have been in +riches and pleasure. On the whole, I should say you were to be envied. +For if in our whole lives, Paphnutius and I have pursued but one kind +of pleasurable satisfaction, you in your life, dear Thais, have tasted +diverse joys such as it is rarely given to the same person to know. I +should really like to be for one hour, a saint like our dear friend +Paphnutius. But that is not possible. Farewell, then, Thais! Go where +the secret forces of nature and your destiny conduct you! Go, and take +with you, whithersoever you go, the good wishes of Nicias! I know that +is mere foolishness, but can I give you anything more than barren +regrets and vain wishes in payment for the delicious illusions which +once enveloped me when I was in your arms, and of which only the +shadow now remains to me? Farewell, my benefactress! Farewell, +goodness that is ignorant of its own existence, mysterious virtue, joy +of men! Farewell to the most adorable of the images that nature has +ever thrown--for some unknown reasons--on the face of this deceptive +world!" + +Whilst he spoke, deep wrath had been brewing in the monk's heart, and +it now broke forth in imprecations. + +"Avaunt, cursed wretch! I scorn thee and hate thee. Go, child of hell, +a thousand times worse than those poor lost ones who just now threw +stones and insults at me! They knew not what they did, and the grace +of God, which I implored for them, may some day descend into their +hearts. But thou, detestable Nicias, thou art but a perfidious venom +and a bitter poison. Thy mouth breathes despair and death. One of thy +smiles contains more blasphemy than issues in a century from the +smoking lips of Satan. Avaunt, backslider!" + +Nicias looked at him. + +"Farewell, my brother," he said, "and may you preserve until your +life's end your store of faith, hate, and love. Farewell, Thais! It is +in vain that you will forget me, because I shall ever remember you." + +On quitting them he walked thoughtfully through the winding streets in +the vicinity of the great cemetery of Alexandria, which are peopled by +the makers of funeral urns. Their shops were full of clay figures +painted in bright colours and representing gods and goddesses, mimes, +women, winged sprites, &c., such as were usually buried with the dead. +He fancied that perhaps some of the little images which he saw there +might be the companions of his eternal sleep; and it seemed to him +that a little Eros, with its tunic tucked up, laughed at him +mockingly. He looked forward to his death, and the idea was painful to +him. To cure his sadness he tried to philosophise, and reasoned thus-- + +"Assuredly," he said to himself, "time has no reality. It is a simple +illusion of our minds. Then, if it does not exist, how can it bring +death to me? Does that mean that I shall live for ever? No, but I +conclude therefrom that my death is, always has been, as it always +will be. I do not feel it yet, but it is in me, and I ought not to +fear it, for it would be folly to dread the coming of that which has +arrived. It exists, like the last page of a book I read and have not +finished." + +This argument occupied him all the rest of the way, but without making +him more cheerful; and his mind was filled with dismal thoughts when +he arrived at the door of his house and heard the merry laughter of +Crobyle and Myrtale, who were playing at tennis whilst they were +waiting for him. + +Paphnutius and Thais left the city by the Gate of the Moon, and +followed the coast. + +"Woman," said the monk, "all that great blue sea could not wash away +thy pollutions." + +He spoke with scorn and anger. + +"More filthy than a bitch or a sow, thou hast prostituted to pagans +and infidels a body which the Eternal had intended for a tabernacle, +and thy impurities are such that, now that thou knowest the truth, +thou canst not unite thy lips or join thy hands without a horror of +thyself rising in thy heart." + +She followed him meekly, over stony roads, under a burning sun. Her +knees ached from fatigue, and her throat was parched with thirst. But, +far from feeling any of the pity which softens the hearts of the +profane, Paphnutius rejoiced at these propitiatory sufferings of the +flesh which had so sinned. So infuriated was he with holy zeal that he +would have liked to cut with rods the body that had preserved its +beauty as a shining witness to its infamy. His meditations augmented +his pious fury, and remembering that Thais had received Nicias in her +bed, that idea seemed so horrible to him that his blood all flowed +back to his heart, and his breast felt ready to burst. His curses were +stifled in his throat, and he could only grind his teeth. He sprang +forward and stood before her, pale, terrible, and filled with the +Spirit of God--looked into her very soul, and then spat in her face. + +She calmly wiped her face and continued to walk on. He followed, +glaring at her in pious anger, as if she had been hell itself. He was +thinking how he could avenge Christ in order that Christ should not +avenge Himself, when he saw a drop of blood that had dripped from the +foot of Thais on the sand. Then a hitherto unknown influence entered +his opened heart, sobs rose to his lips, he wept, he ran and knelt +before her, called her his sister, and kissed her bleeding feet. He +murmured a hundred times, "My sister, my sister, my mother, O most +holy!" + +He prayed-- + +"Angels of heaven, receive carefully this drop of blood, and bear it +before the throne of the Lord. And may a miraculous anemone blossom on +the sand sprinkled with the blood of Thais, that those who see the +flower may recover purity of heart and feeling. O holy, holy, most +holy Thais!" + +As he prayed and prophesied thus, a lad passed on an ass. Paphnutius +ordered him to descend, seated Thais on the ass, and led it by the +bridle. Towards evening they came to a canal shaded by fine trees; he +tied the ass to the trunk of a date palm, and sitting on a mossy stone +he shared with Thais a loaf, which they ate with salt and hyssop. They +drank fresh water in their hands, and talked of things eternal. She +said-- + +"I have never drunk water so pure nor breathed an air so light, and I +feel that God floats in the breezes that pass." + +"Look! it is the evening, O my sister. The blue shadows of night cover +the hills. But soon thou wilt see shining in the dawn the tabernacles +of Light; soon thou wilt behold shine forth the roses of the eternal +morning." + +They journeyed all night, and, while the crescent moon gleamed on the +silver crests of the waves, they sang psalms and hymns. When the sun +rose, the Libyan desert stretched before them like a huge lion-skin. +At the edge of the desert, and close to a few palm-trees, some white +huts shimmered in the morning light. + +"Are those the tabernacles of Light, father?" asked Thais. + +"Even so, my daughter and my sister. Yonder is the House of Salvation, +where I will confine you with my own hands." + +Soon they saw a number of women busy around the buildings, like bees +round their hives. There were some who baked bread, or prepared +vegetables; many were spinning wool, and the light of heaven shone +upon them like a smile of God. Others meditated in the shade of the +tamarisk trees; their white hands hung by their sides, for, being +filled with love, they had chosen the part of Magdalen, and performed +no work but prayer, contemplation, and ecstasy. They were, therefore, +called the Marys, and were clad in white. Those who worked with their +hands were called the Marthas, and wore blue robes. All wore the hood, +but the younger ones allowed a few curls to show on their foreheads-- +unintentionally, it is to be presumed, since it was forbidden by the +rules. A very old lady, tall and white, walked from cell to cell, +leaning on a staff of hard wood. Paphnutius approached her +respectfully, kissed the hem of her veil, and said-- + +"The peace of the Lord be with thee, venerable Albina. I have brought +to the hive, of which thou art queen, a bee I found lost on a +flowerless road. I took it in the palm of my hand, and revived it with +my breath. I give it to thee." + +And he pointed to the actress, who knelt down before the daughter of +the Caesars. + +Albina cast a piercing glance on Thais, ordered her to rise, kissed +her on the forehead, and then, turning to the monk-- + +"We will place her," she said, "amongst the Marys." + +Paphnutius then related how Thais had been brought to the House of +Salvation, and asked that she should be at once confined in a cell. +The abbess consented, and led the penitent to a hut, which had +remained empty since the death of the virgin Laeta, who had sanctified +it. In this narrow chamber there was but a bed, a table, and a +pitcher, and Thais when she crossed the threshold, felt filled with +ineffable joy. + +"I wish to close the door myself," said Paphnutius, "and put thereon a +seal, which Jesus will come and break with His own hands." + +He went to the side of the spring, and took a handful of wet clay, +mixed with it a little spittle and a hair from his head, and plastered +it across the chink of the door. Then, approaching the window, near +which Thais stood peaceful and happy, he fell on his knees and praised +the Lord three times. + +"How beautiful are the feet of her who walketh in the paths of +righteousness! How beautiful are her feet, and how resplendent her +face!" + +He rose, lowered his hood over his eyes, and walked away slowly. + +Albina called one of her virgins. + +"My daughter," she said, "take to Thais those things which are needful +for her--bread, water, and a flute with three holes." + + + +PART THE THIRD + +THE EUPHORBIA + +Paphnutius had returned to the holy desert. He took, near Athribis, +the boat which went up the Nile to carry food to the monastery of +Abbot Serapion. When he disembarked, his disciples advanced to meet +him with great demonstrations of joy. Some raised their arms to +heaven; others, prostrate on the ground, kissed the Abbot's sandals. +For they knew already what the saint had accomplished in Alexandria. +The monks generally received, by rapid and unknown means, information +concerning the safety or glory of the Church. News spread through the +desert with the rapidity of the simoon. + +When Paphnutius strode across the sand, his disciples followed him, +praising the Lord. Flavian, who was the oldest member of the +brotherhood, was suddenly seized with a pious frenzy and began to sing +an inspired hymn-- + + "O blessed day! Now is our father restored to us. + He has returned laden with fresh merits, of which we reap the benefit. + For the virtues of the father are the wealth of the children, and + the sanctity of the Abbot illuminates every cell. + Paphnutius, our father, has given a new spouse to Jesus Christ. + By his wondrous art, he has changed a black sheep into a white sheep. + And now, behold, he has returned to us, laden with fresh merits. + Like unto the bee of the Arsinoetid, heavy with the nectar of flowers. + Even as the ram of Nubia, which could hardly bear the weight of its + abundant wool. + Let us celebrate this day by mingling oil with our food." + +When they came to the door of the Abbot's cell, they fell on their +knees, and said-- + +"Let our father bless us, and give each of us a measure of oil to +celebrate his return." + +Paul the Fool, who alone had remained standing, asked, "Who is this +man?" and did not recognise Paphnutius. But no one paid any attention +to what he said, as he was known to be devoid of intelligence, though +filled with piety. + +The Abbot of Antinoe, locked in his cell, thought-- + +"I have at last regained the haven of my repose and happiness. I have +returned to my fortress of contentment. But how is it that this roof +of rushes, so dear to me, does not receive me as a friend, and the +walls say not to me, 'Thou art welcome.' Nothing has changed, since my +departure, in this abode I have chosen. There is my table and my bed. +There is the mummy's head which has so often inspired me with salutary +thoughts; and there is the book in which I have so often sought +conceptions of God. And yet nothing that I left is here. The things +appear grievously despoiled of their customary charm, and it seems to +me as though I saw them to-day for the first time. When I look at that +table and couch, that in former days I made with my own hands, that +black, dried head, these rolls of papyrus filled with the sayings of +God, I seem to see the belongings of a dead man. After having known +them all so well, I know them no longer. Alas! since nothing around me +has really changed, it is I who am no longer what I was. I am another. +I am the dead man! What has happened, my God? What has been taken from +me? What is left unto me? And who am I?" + +And it especially perplexed him to find, in spite of himself, that his +cell was small, whereas, when viewed by the eye of faith, he ought to +consider it immense, because the infinitude of God began there. + +He began to pray, with his face against the ground, and felt a little +happier. He had hardly been an hour in prayer, when a vision of Thais +passed before his eyes. He returned thanks to God-- + +"Jesus! it is Thou who hast sent her. I acknowledge in that Thy +wonderful goodness; Thou wouldst please me, reassure me and comfort me +by the sight of her whom I have given to Thee. Thou; presentest her to +my eyes with her smile now disarmed; her grace, now become innocent; +her beauty from which I have extracted the sting. To please me, my +God, thou showest her to me as I have prepared and purified her for +Thy designs, as one friend pleasantly reminds another of the rich gift +he has received from him. Therefore I see this woman with delight, +being assured that the vision comes from Thee. Thou dost not forget +that I have given her to Thee, Jesus. Keep her, since she pleases +Thee, and suffer not her beauty to give joy to any but Thyself." + +He could not sleep all night, and he saw Thais more distinctly than he +had seen her in the Grotto of Nymphs. He commended himself, saying-- + +"What I have done, I have done to the glory of God." + +Yet, to his great surprise, his heart was not at ease. He sighed. + +"Why art thou sad, O my soul, and why dost thou trouble me?" + +And his mind was still perturbed. Thirty days he remained in that +condition of sadness which precedes the sore trials of a solitary +monk. The image of Thais never left him day or night. He did not try +to banish it, because he still thought it came from God, and was the +image of a saint. But one morning she visited him in a dream, her hair +crowned with violets, and her very gentleness seemed so formidable, +that he uttered a cry of fright, and woke in an icy sweat. His eyes +were still heavy with sleep, when he felt a moist warm breath on his +face. A little jackal, its two paws placed on the side of the bed, was +panting its stinking breath in his face, and grinning at him. + +Paphnutius was greatly astonished, and it seemed to him as though a +tower had given way under his feet. And, in fact, he had fallen, for +his self-confidence had gone. For some time he was incapable of +thought and when he did recover himself, his meditations only +increased his perplexity. + +"It is one of two things," he said to himself; "either this vision, +like the preceding ones, came from God, and was a good vision, and it +is my natural perversity which has misrepresented it, as wine turns +sour in a dirty cup. I have, by my unworthiness, changed instruction +into reproach, of which this diabolical jackal immediately took +advantage. Or else this vision came, not from God, but, on the +contrary, from the devil, and was evil. In that case I should doubt +whether the former ones had, as I thought, a celestial origin. I am +therefore incapable of that discernment which is necessary for the +ascetic. In either case it is plain that God is no longer with me,--of +which I feel the effects, though I cannot explain the cause." + +He reasoned in this way, and anxiously asked-- + +"Just God, what trials dost Thou appoint for Thy servants if the +apparitions of Thy saints are a danger for them? Give me to discern, +by an intelligible sign, that which comes from Thee, and that which +comes from the other." + +And as God, whose designs are inscrutable, did not see fit to +enlighten his servant, Paphnutius, lost in doubt, resolved not to +think of Thais any more. But his resolutions were vain. Though absent, +she was ever with him. She gazed at him whilst he read, or meditated, +or prayed, or met his eyes wherever he looked. Her imaginary approach +was heralded by a slight sound, such as is made by a woman's dress +when she walks, and the visions had more verisimilitude than reality +itself, which moves and is confused, whereas the phantoms which are +caused by solitude are fixed and unchangeable. She came under various +appearances--sometimes pensive, her head crowned with her last +perishable wreath, clad as at the banquet at Alexandria, in a mauve +robe spangled with silver flowers; sometimes voluptuously in a cloud +of light veils, and bathed in the warm shadows of the Grotto of +Nymphs; sometimes in a serge cassock, pious and radiant with celestial +joy; sometimes tragic, her eyes swimming in the terrors of death, and +showing her bare breast bedewed with the blood from her pierced heart. +What disturbed him the most in these visions was that the wreaths, +tunics, and veils, that he had burned with his own hands, should thus +return; it became evident to him that these things had an imperishable +soul, and he cried-- + +"Lo, all the countless souls of the sins of Thais come upon me!" + +When he turned away his head, he felt that Thais was behind him, and +that made him feel still more uneasy. His torture was cruel. But as +his soul and body remained pure in the midst of all his temptations, +he trusted in God, and gently complained to Him. + +"My God, if I went so far to seek her amongst the Gentiles, it was for +Thy sake, and not for mine. It would not be just that I should suffer +for what I have done in Thy behalf. Protect me, sweet Jesus! My +Saviour, save me! Suffer not the phantom to accomplish that which the +body could not. As I have triumphed over the flesh, suffer not the +shadow to overthrow me. I know that I am now exposed to greater +dangers than I ever ran. I feel and know that the dream has more power +than the reality. And how could it be otherwise, since it is itself +but a higher reality? It is the soul of things. Plato, though he was +but an idolater, has testified to the real existence of ideas. At that +banquet of demons to which Thou accompaniedst me, Lord, I heard men-- +sullied with crimes truly, but certainly not devoid of intelligence-- +agree to acknowledge that we see real objects in solitude, meditation, +and ecstasy; and Thy Scriptures, my God, many times affirm the virtue +of dreams, and the power of visions formed either by Thee, great God, +or by Thy adversary." + +There was a new man in him and now he reasoned with God, but God did +not choose to enlighten him. His nights were one long dream, and his +days did not differ from his nights. One morning he awoke uttering +sighs, such as issue, by moonlight, from the tombs of the victims of +crimes. Thais had come, showing her bleeding feet, and whilst he wept, +she had slipped into his couch. There was no longer any doubt; the +image of Thais was an impure image. + +His heart filled with disgust, he leaped out of his profaned couch, +and hid his face in his hands that he might not see the daylight. The +hours passed, but they did not remove his shame. All was quiet in the +cell. For the first time for many long days, Paphnutius was alone. The +phantom had at last left him, and even its absence seemed dreadful. +Nothing, nothing to distract his mind from the recollection of the +dream. Full of horror, he thought-- + +"Why did I not drive her away? Why did I not tear myself from her cold +arms and burning knees?" + +He no longer dared to pronounce the name of God near that horrible +couch, and he feared that his cell being profaned, the demons might +freely enter at any hour. His fears did not deceive him. The seven +little jackals, which had never crossed the threshold, entered in a +file, and went and hid under the bed. At the vesper hour, there came +an eighth, the stench of which was horrible. The next day, a ninth +joined the others, and soon there were thirty, then sixty, then +eighty. They became smaller as they multiplied, and being no bigger +than rats, they covered the floor, the couch, and the stool. One of +them jumped on the little table by the side of the bed, and standing +with its four feet together on the death's head, looked at the monk +with burning eyes. And every day fresh jackals came. + +To expiate the abominable sin of his dream, and flee from impure +thoughts, Paphnutius determined to leave his cell, which had now +become polluted, go far into the desert, and practise unheard-of +austerities, strange labours, and fresh works of grace. But before +putting his design into action, he went to see old Palemon and ask his +advice. + +He found him in his garden watering his lettuces. It was the evening. +The blue Nile flowed at the foot of violet hills. The good old man was +walking slowly, in order not to frighten a pigeon that had perched on +his shoulder. + +"The Lord be with thee, brother Paphnutius," he said. "Admire his +goodness; He sends me the animals that He has created that I may +converse with them of His works, and praise Him in the birds of the +air. Look at this pigeon; note the changing hues of its neck, and say, +is it not a beautiful work of God? But have you not come to talk with +me, brother, on some pious subject? If so, I will put down my +watering-pot, and listen to you." + +Paphnutius told the old man about his journey, his return, the visions +of his days and the dreams of his nights,--without omitting the sinful +one--and the pack of jackals. + +"Do you not think, father," he added, "that I ought to bury myself in +the desert, and perform some extraordinary austerities that would even +astonish the devil?" + +"I am but a poor sinner," replied Palemon, "and I know little about +men, having passed all my life in this garden, with gazelles, little +hares and pigeons. But it seems to me, brother, that your distemper +comes from your having passed too suddenly from the noisy world to the +calm of solitude. Such sudden transitions can but do harm to the +health of the soul. You are, brother, like a man who exposes himself, +almost at the same time, to great heat and great cold. A cough shakes +him, and fever torments him. In your place, brother Paphnutius, +instead of retiring at once into some awful desert, I should take such +amusements as are fitting to a monk and a holy abbot. I should visit +the monasteries in the neighbourhood. Some of them are wonderful, it +is said. That of Abbot Serapion contains, I have been told, a thousand +four hundred and thirty-two cells, and the monks are divided into as +many legions as there are letters in the Greek alphabet. I am even +informed that a certain analogy is observed between the character of +the monks and the shape of the letter by which they are designated, +and that, for example, those who are placed under Z have a tortuous +character, whilst those under I have an upright mind. If I were you, +brother, I should go and assure myself of this with my own eyes, and I +should know no rest until I had seen such a wonderful thing. I should +not fail to study the regulations of the various communities which are +scattered along the banks of the Nile, so as to be able to compare one +with another. Such study is befitting a religious man like yourself. +You have heard say, no doubt, that Abbot Ephrem has drawn up for his +monastery pious regulations of great beauty. With his permission, you +might make a copy of them, as you are a skilful penman. I could not do +so, for my hands, accustomed to wield the spade, are too awkward to +direct the thin reed of the scribe over the papyrus. But you have the +knowledge of letters, brother, and should thank God for it, for +beautiful writing cannot be too much admired. The work of the copyist +and the reader is a great safeguard against evil thoughts. Brother +Paphnutius, why do you not write out the teachings of our fathers, +Paul and Anthony? Little by little you would recover, in these pious +works, peace of soul and mind; solitude would again become pleasant to +your heart, and soon you would be in a condition to recommence those +ascetic works which your journey has interrupted. But you must not +expect much benefit from excessive penitence. When he was amongst us, +our Father Anthony used to say, 'Excessive fasting produces weakness, +and weakness begets idleness. There are some monks who ruin their body +by fasts improperly prolonged. Of them it may be said that they plunge +a dagger into their own breast, and deliver themselves up +unresistingly into the power of the devil.' So said the holy man, +Anthony. I am but a foolish old man, but, by the grace of God, I have +remembered what our father told us." + +Paphnutius thanked Palemon and promised to think over his advice. When +he had passed the fence of reeds which enclosed the little garden, he +turned round and saw the good old gardener engaged in watering his +salads, whilst the pigeon walked about on his bent back, and at that +sight Paphnutius felt ready to weep. + +On returning to his cell, he found there a strange turmoil, as though +it were filled with grains of sand blown about by a strong wind, and +on looking closer, he saw these moving bodies were myriads of little +jackals. That night he saw in a dream, a high stone column surmounted +by a human face, and he heard a voice which said-- + +"Ascend this pillar!" + +On awaking, he felt confident that this dream had been sent from +heaven. He called his disciples, and addressed them in these words-- + +"My beloved sons, I must leave you, and go where God sends me. During +my absence obey Flavian as you would me, and take care of our brother +Paul. Bless you. Farewell." + +As he strode away, they remained prostrate on the ground, and when +they raised their heads, they saw his tall dark figure on the sandy +horizon. + +He walked day and night until he reached the ruins of the temple, +formerly built by the idolaters, in which he had slept amongst the +scorpions and sirens on his former strange journey. The walls, covered +with magic signs, were still standing. Thirty immense columns, which +terminated in human heads or lotus flowers, still supported a heavy +stone entablature. But, at one end of the temple, a pillar had shaken +off its old burden, and stood isolated. It had for its capital the +head of a woman which smiled, with long eyes and rounded cheeks, and +on her forehead cow's horns. + +Paphnutius, on seeing it, recognised the column which had been shown +him in his dream, and he calculated that it was thirty-two cubits +high. He went to the neighbouring village, and ordered a ladder of +that height to be made; and when the ladder was placed against the +pillar, he ascended, knelt down on the top, and said to the Lord-- + +"Here, then, O God, is the abode Thou hast chosen for me. May I remain +here, in Thy Grace, until the hour of my death." + +He had brought no provisions with him, trusting in divine providence, +and expecting that charitable peasants would give him all that he +needed. And, in fact, the next day, about the ninth hour, women came +with their children, bringing bread, dates, and fresh water, which the +boys carried to the top of the column. + +The top of the pillar was not large enough to allow the monk to lie at +full length, so that he slept with his legs crossed and his head on +his breast, and sleep was a more cruel torture to him than his wakeful +hours. At dawn the ospreys brushed him with their wings, and he awoke +filled with pain and terror. + +It happened that the carpenter who had made the ladder feared God. +Disturbed at the thought that the saint was exposed to the sun and +rain, and fearing that he might fall in his sleep, this pious man +constructed a roof and a railing on the top of the column. + +Soon the report of this extraordinary existence spread from village to +village, and the labourers of the valley came on Sundays, with their +wives and children, to look at the stylite. The disciples of +Paphnutius, having learned with surprise the place of this wonderful +retreat, came to him, and obtained from him permission to build their +huts at the foot of the column. Every morning they came and stood in a +circle round the master, and received from him the words of +instruction. + +"My sons," he said to them, "continue like those little children whom +Jesus loved. That is the way of salvation. The sin of the flesh is the +source and origin of all sins; they spring from it as from a parent. +Pride, avarice, idleness, anger, and envy are its dearly beloved +progeny. I have seen this in Alexandria; I have seen rich men carried +away by the vice of lust, which, like a river with a turbid flood, +swept them into the gulf of bitterness." + +The abbots Ephrem and Serapion, being informed of his strange +proceeding, wished to behold him with their own eyes. Seeing from +afar, on the river, the triangular sail which was bringing them to +him, Paphnutius could not prevent himself from thinking that God had +made him an example to all solitary monks. The two abbots, when they +saw him, did not conceal their surprise; and, having consulted +together, they agreed in condemning such an extraordinary penance, and +exhorted Paphnutius to come down. + +"Such a mode of life is contrary to all usage," they said; "it is +peculiar, and against all rules." + +But Paphnutius replied-- + +"What is the monastic life if not peculiar? And ought not the deeds of +a monk to be as eccentric as he is himself? It was a sign from God +that caused me to ascend here; it is a sign from God that will make me +descend." + +Every day religious men came to join the disciples of Paphnutius, and +they built for themselves shelters round the aerial hermitage. Several +of them, to imitate the saint, mounted the ruins of the temple; but, +being reproved by their brethren, and conquered by fatigue, they soon +gave up these attempts. + +Pilgrims flocked from all parts. There were some who had come long +distances, and were hungry and thirsty. The idea occurred to a poor +widow of selling fresh water and melons. Against the foot of the +column, behind her bottles of red clay, her cups and her fruit under +an awning of blue-and-white striped canvas, she cried, "Who wants to +drink?" Following the example of this widow, a baker brought some +bricks and made an oven close by, in the hope of selling loaves and +cakes to visitors. As the crowd of visitors increased unceasingly, and +the inhabitants of the large cities of Egypt began to come, some man, +greedy of gain, built a caravanserai to lodge the guests and their +servants, camels, and mules. Soon there was, in front of the column, a +market to which the fishermen of the Nile brought their fish, and the +gardeners their vegetables. A barber, who shaved people in the open +air, amused the crowd with his jokes. The old temple, so long given +over to silence and solitude was filled with countless sights and +sounds of life. The innkeepers turned the subterranean vaults into +cellars and nailed on the old pillars signs surmounted by the figure +of the holy Paphnutius, and bearing this inscription in Greek and +Egyptian--"/Pomegranate wine, fig wine, and genuine Cilician beer sold +here/." On the walls, sculptured with pure and graceful carvings, the +shop-keepers hung ropes of onions, and smoked fish, dead hares, and +the carcases of sheep. In the evening, the old occupants of the ruins, +the rats, scuttled in a long row to the river, whilst the ibises, +suspiciously craning their necks, perched on the high cornices, to +which rose the smoke of the kitchens, the shouts of the drinkers, and +the cries of the tapsters. All around, builders laid out streets, and +masons constructed convents, chapels, and churches. By the end of six +months a city was established with a guardhouse, a tribunal, a prison, +and a school, kept by an old blind scribe. + +The pilgrims were innumerable. Bishops and other Church dignitaries, +came, full of admiration. The Patriarch of Antioch, who chanced to be +in Egypt at that time, came with all his clergy. He highly approved of +the extraordinary conduct of the stylite, and the heads of the Libyan +Church followed, in the absence of Athanasius, the opinion of the +Patriarch. Having learned which, Abbots Ephrem and Serapion came to +the feet of Paphnutius to apologise for their former mistrust. +Paphnutius replied-- + +"Know, my brothers, that the penance I endure is barely equal to the +temptations which are sent me, the number and force of which astound +me. A man, viewed externally, is but small, and, from the height of +the pillar to which God has called me, I see human beings moving about +like ants. But, considered internally, man is immense; he is as large +as the world, for he contains it. All that is spread before me--these +monasteries, these inns, the boats on the river, the villages, and +what I see in the distance of fields, canals, sand, and mountains--is +nothing in respect to what is in me. I carry in my heart countless +cities and illimitable deserts. And evil--evil and death--spread over +this immensity, cover them all, as night covers the earth. I am, in +myself alone, a universe of evil thoughts." + +He spoke thus because the desire for woman was in him. + +The seventh month, there came from Alexandria, Bubastis and Sais, +women who had long been barren, hoping to obtain children by the +intercession of the holy man and the virtues of his pillar. They +rubbed their sterile bodies against the stone. There followed a +procession, as far as the eye could reach, of chariots, palanquins, +and litters, which stopped and pushed and jostled below the man of +God. From them came sick people terrible to see. Mothers brought to +Paphnutius young boys whose limbs were twisted, their eyes starting, +their mouth foaming, their voices hoarse. He laid his hands upon them. +Blind men approached, groping with their hands, and raising towards +him a face pierced with two bleeding holes. Paralytics displayed +before him the heavy immobility, the deadly emaciation, and the +hideous contractions of their limbs; lame men showed him their club +feet; women with cancer, holding their bosoms with both hands, +uncovered before him their breasts devoured by the invisible vulture. +Dropsical women, swollen like wine skins were placed on the ground +before him. He blessed them. Nubians, afflicted with elephantiasis, +advanced with heavy steps and looked at him with streaming eyes and +expressionless countenances. He made the sign of the cross over them. +A young girl of Aphroditopolis was brought to him on a litter; after +having vomited blood, she had slept for three days. She looked like a +waxen image, and her parents, who thought she was dead, had placed a +palm leaf on her breast. Paphnutius having prayed to God, the young +girl raised her head and opened her eyes. + +As the people reported everywhere the miracles which the saint had +performed, unfortunate persons afflicted with that disease which the +Greeks call "the divine malady," came from all parts of Egypt in +incalculable legions. As soon as they saw the pillar, they were seized +with convulsions, rolled on the ground, writhed, and twisted +themselves into a ball. And--though it is hardly to be believed--the +persons present were in their turn seized with a violent delirium, and +imitated the contortions of the epileptics. Monks and pilgrims, men +and women, wallowed and struggled pell-mell, their limbs twisted, +foaming at the mouth, eating handfuls of earth and prophesying. And +Paphnutius at the top of his pillar felt a thrill of horror pass +through him, and cried to God-- + +"I am the scapegoat, and I take upon me all the impurities of these +people, and that is why, Lord, my body is filled with evil spirits." + +Every time that a sick person went away healed, the people applauded, +carried him in triumph, and ceased not to repeat-- + +"We behold another well of Siloam!" + +Hundreds of crutches already hung round the wonderful column; grateful +women suspended wreaths and votive images there. Some of the Greeks +inscribed distiches, and as every pilgrim carved his name, the stone +was soon covered as high as a man could reach with an infinity of +Latin, Greek, Coptic, Punic, Hebrew, Syrian, and magic characters. + +When the feast of Easter came there was such an affluence of people to +this city of miracles that old men thought that the days of the +ancient mysteries had returned. All sorts of people, in all sorts of +costumes, were to be seen there; the striped robes of the Egyptians, +the burnoose of the Arabs, the white drawers of the Nubians, the short +cloak of the Greeks, the long toga of the Romans, the scarlet breeches +of the barbarians, the gold-spangled robes of the courtesans. A veiled +woman would pass on an ass, preceded by black eunuchs, who cleared a +passage for her by the free use of their sticks. Acrobats, having +spread a carpet on the ground, juggled and performed skilful tricks +before a circle of silent spectators. Snake-charmers unrolled their +living girdles. A glittering, dusty, noisy, chattering crowd! The +curses of the camel-drivers beating the animals; the cries of the +hawkers who sold amulets against leprosy and the evil eye; the +psalmody of the monks reciting verses of the Bible; the shrieking of +the women who were prophesying; the shouting of the beggars singing +old songs of the harem; the bleating of sheep; the braying of asses; +the sailors calling tardy passengers; all these confused noises caused +a deafening uproar, over which dominated the strident voices of the +little naked negro boys, running about everywhere selling fresh dates. + +And all these human beings stifled under the white sky, in a heavy +atmosphere laden with the perfumes of women, the odour of negroes, the +fumes of cooking and the smoke of gums, which the devotees bought of +the shepherds to burn before the saint. + +When night came, fires, torches, and lanterns were lighted everywhere, +and nothing was to be seen but red shadows and black shapes. Standing +amidst a circle of squatting listeners, an old man, his face lighted +by a smoky lamp, related how, formerly, Bitiou had enchanted his +heart, torn it from his breast, placed it in an acacia, and then +transformed himself into a tree. He made gestures, which his shadow +repeated with absurd exaggerations, and the audience uttered cries of +admiration. In the taverns, the drinkers, lying on couches, called for +beer and wine. Dancing girls, with painted eyes and bare stomachs, +performed before them religious or lascivious scenes. In retired +corners, young men played dice or other games, and old men followed +prostitutes. Above all these rose the solitary, unchanging column; the +head with the cow's horns gazed into the shadow, and above it +Paphnutius watched between heaven and earth. All at once the moon rose +over the Nile, like the bare shoulder of a goddess. The hills gleamed +with blue light, and Paphnutius thought he saw the body of Thais +shinning in the glimmer of the waters amidst the sapphire night. + +The days passed, and the saint still lived on his pillar. When the +rainy season came, the waters of heaven, filtering through the cracks +in the roof, wetted his body; his stiff limbs were incapable of +movement. Scorched by the sun, and reddened by the dew, his skin +broke; large ulcers devoured his arms and legs. But the desire of +Thais still consumed him inwardly, and he cried-- + +"It is not enough, great God! More temptations! More unclean thoughts! +More horrible desires! Lord, lay upon me all the lusts of men, that I +may expiate them all! Though it is false that the Greek bitch took +upon herself all the sins of the world, as I heard an impostor once +declare, yet there is a hidden meaning in the fable, the truth of +which I now recognise. For it is true that the sins of the people +enter the soul of the saints, and are lost there as in a well. Thus it +is that the souls of the just are polluted with more filth than is +ever found in the soul of the sinner. And, for that reason, I praise +Thee, O my God, for having made me the cesspool of the world." + +One day, a rumour ran through the holy city, and even reached the ears +of the hermit: a very great personage, a man occupying a high +position, the Prefect of the Alexandrian fleet, Lucius Aurelius Cotta, +was about to visit the city--was, indeed, now on his way. + +The news was true. Old Cotta, who was inspecting the canals and the +navigation of the Nile, had many times expressed a desire to see the +stylite and the new city, to which the name of Stylopolis had been +given. The Stylopolitans saw the river covered with sails one morning. +Cotta appeared on board a golden galley hung with purple, and followed +by all his fleet. He landed, and advanced, accompanied by a secretary +carrying his tablets, and Aristaeus, his physician, with whom he liked +to converse. + +A numerous suite walked behind him, and the shore was covered with +/laticlaves/[*] and military uniforms. He stopped, some paces from the +column, and began to examine the stylite, wiping his face meanwhile +with the skirt of his toga. Being of a naturally curious disposition, +he had observed many things in the course of his long voyages. He +liked to remember them, and intended to write, after he had finished +his Punic history, a book on the remarkable things he had witnessed. +He seemed much interested by the spectacle before him. + +[*] The /laticlave/ was a toga, with a broad purple band, worn by + Roman senators as the distinguishing mark of their high office. + +"This is very curious!" he said, puffing and blowing. "And--which is a +circumstance worthy of being recorded--this man was my guest. Yes, +this monk supped with me last year, after which he carried off an +actress." + +Turning to his secretary-- + +"Note that, my son, on my tablets; also the dimensions of the column, +not omitting the shape of the top of it." + +Then, wiping his face again-- + +"Persons deserving of belief have assured me that this monk has not +left his column for a single moment since he mounted it a year ago. Is +that possible, Aristaeus?" + +"That which is possible to a lunatic or a sick man," replied +Aristaeus, "would be impossible to a man sound in body and mind. Do +you know, Lucius, that sometimes diseases of the mind or body give to +those afflicted by them a strength which healthy men do not possess? +For, as a matter of fact, there is no such thing as good health or bad +health. There are only different conditions of the organs. Having +studied what are called maladies, I have come to consider them as +necessary forms of life. I take pleasure in studying them in order to +be able to conquer them. Some of them are worthy of admiration, and +conceal, under apparent disorder, profound harmonies; for instance, a +quartan fever is certainly a very pretty thing! Sometimes certain +affections of the body cause a rapid augmentation of the faculties of +the mind. You know Creon? When he was a child, he stuttered and was +stupid. But, having cracked his skull by tumbling off a ladder, he +became an able lawyer, as you are aware. This monk must be affected in +some hidden organ. Moreover, this kind of existence is not so +extraordinary as it appears to you, Lucius. I may remind you that the +gymnosophists of India can remain motionless, not merely for a year, +but during twenty, thirty, or forty years." + +"By Jupiter!" cried Cotta, "that is a strange madness. For man was +born to move and act, and idleness is an unpardonable crime, because +it is an injury to the State. I do not know of any religion in which +such an objectionable practice is permitted, though it possibly may be +in some of the Asiatic creeds. When I was Governor of Syria, I found +/phalli/ erected in the porches at the city of Hera. A man ascended, +twice a year, and remained there for a week. The people believed that +this man talked with the gods, and interceded with them for the +prosperity of Syria. The custom appeared senseless to me; nevertheless +I did nothing to put it down. For I consider that a functionary ought +not to interfere with the manners and customs of the people, but on +the contrary, to see that they are preserved. It is not the business +of the government to force a religion on a people, but to maintain +that which exists, which, whether good or bad, has been regulated by +the spirit of the time, the place, and the race. If it endeavours to +put down a religion, it proclaims itself revolutionary in its spirit, +and tyrannical in its acts, and is justly detested. Besides, how are +you to raise yourself above the superstitions of the vulgar, except by +understanding them and tolerating them? Aristaeus, I am of opinion +that I should leave this nephelo-coccygian[*] in the air, exposed only +to the indignities the birds shower on him. I should not gain anything +by having him pulled down, but I should by taking note of his thoughts +and beliefs." + +[*] Nephelo-coccygia, the cloud-city built by the cuckoos, in the + /Birds/ of Aristophanes. + +He puffed, coughed, and placed his hand on the secretary's shoulder. + +"My child, note down that, amongst certain sects of Christians, it is +considered praiseworthy to carry off courtesans and live upon columns. +You may add that these customs are evidence of the worship of genetic +divinities. But on this point we ought to question him himself." + +Then, raising his head, and shading his eyes with his hand, to keep +off the sun, he shouted-- + +"Hallo, Paphnutius! If you remember that you were once my guest, +answer me. What are you doing up there? Why did you go up, and why do +you stay there? Has this column any phallic signification in your +mind?" + +Paphnutius, considering Cotta as nothing but an idolater, did not +deign to reply. But his disciple, Flavian, approached, and said-- + +"Illustrious Sir, this holy man takes the sins of the world upon him, +and cures diseases." + +"By Jupiter! Do you hear, Aristaeus?" cried Cotta. "This nephelo- +coccygian practises medicine, like you. What do you think of so high a +rival?" + +Aristaeus shook his head. + +"It is very possible that he may cure certain diseases better than I +can; such, for instance, as epilepsy, vulgarly called the divine +malady, although all maladies are equally divine, for they all come +from the gods. But the cause of this disease lies, partly, in the +imagination, and you must confess, Lucius, that this monk, perched up +on the head of a goddess, strikes the minds of the sick people more +forcibly than I, bending over my mortars and phials in my laboratory, +could ever do. There are forces, Lucius, infinitely more powerful than +reason and science." + +"What are they?" asked Cotta. + +"Ignorance and folly," replied Aristaeus. + +"I have rarely seen a more curious sight," continued Cotta, "and I +hope that some day an able writer will relate the foundation of +Stylopolis. But even the most extraordinary spectacles should not +keep, longer than is befitting, a serious and busy man from his work. +Let us go and inspect the canals. Farewell, good Paphnutius! or +rather, till our next meeting! If ever you should come down to earth +again, and revisit Alexandria, do not fail to come and sup with me." + +These words, heard by all present, passed from mouth to mouth, and +being repeated by the believers, added greatly to the reputation of +Paphnutius. Pious minds amplified and transformed them, and it was +stated that Paphnutius, from the top of his pillar, had converted the +Prefect of the Fleet to the faith of the apostles and the Nicaean +fathers. The believers found a figurative meaning in the last words +uttered by Aurelius Cotta; to them, the supper to which this important +personage had invited the ascetic, was a holy communion, a spiritual +repast, a celestial banquet. The story of this meeting was embroidered +with wonderful details, which those who invented were the first to +believe. It was said that when Cotta, after a long argument, had +embraced the truth, an angel had come from heaven to wipe the sweat +from his brow. The physician and secretary of the Prefect of the Fleet +had also, it was asserted, been converted at the same time. And, the +miracle being public and notorious, the deacons of the principal +churches of Libya recorded it amongst the authentic facts. After that, +it could be said, without any exaggeration, that the whole world was +seized with a desire to see Paphnutius, and that, in the West as well +as the East, all Christians turned their astonished eyes towards him. +The most celebrated cities of Italy sent deputations to him, and the +Roman Caesar, the divine Constantine who favoured the Christian +religion, wrote him a letter which the legates brought to him with +great ceremony. But one night, whilst the budding city at his feet +slept in the dew, he heard a voice, which said-- + +"Paphnutius, thou art become celebrated by thy works and powerful by +thy word. God has raised thee up for His glory. He has chosen thee to +work miracles, heal the sick, convert the Pagans, enlighten sinners, +confound the Arians, and establish peace in the Church." + +Paphnutius replied-- + +"God's will be done!" + +The voice continued-- + +"Arise, Paphnutius, and go seek in his palace the impious Constans, +who, far from imitating the wisdom of his brother, Constantine, +inclines to the errors of Arius and Marcus. Go! The bronze gates shall +fly open before thee, and thy sandals shall resound on the golden +floor of the basilica before the throne of the Caesars, and thy awe- +inspiring voice shall change the heart of the son of Constantinus. +Thou shalt reign over a peaceful and powerful Church. And, even as the +soul directs the body, so shall the Church govern the empire. Thou +shalt be placed above senators, comites, and patricians. Thou shalt +repress the greed of the people, and check the boldness of the +barbarians. Old Cotta, knowing that thou art the head of the +government, will seek the honour of washing thy feet. At thy death thy +/cilicium/ shall be taken to the patriarch of Alexandria, and the +great Athanasius, white with glory, shall kiss it as the relic of a +saint. Go!" + +Paphnutius replied-- + +"Let the will of God be accomplished!" + +And making an effort to stand up, he prepared to descend. But the +voice, divining his intention, said-- + +"Above all, descend not by the ladder. That would be to act like an +ordinary man, and to be unconscious of the gifts that are in thee. A +great saint, like thee, ought to fly through the air. Leap! the angels +are there to support thee. Leap, then!" + +Paphnutius replied-- + +"The will of God be done, on earth as it is in heaven." + +Extending his long arms like the ragged wings of a huge sick bird, he +was about to throw himself down, when, suddenly, a hideous mocking +laugh rang in his ears. Terrified, he asked-- + +"Who laughs thus?" + +"Ah? ah!" screamed the voice, "we are yet but at the beginning of our +friendship; thou wilt some day be better acquainted with me. My +friend, it was I who caused thee to ascend here, and I ought to be +satisfied at the docility with which thou hast accomplished my wishes. +Paphnutius, I am pleased with thee." + +Paphnutius murmured, in a voice stifled by fear-- + +"Avaunt, avaunt! I know thee now; thou art he who carried Jesus to a +pinnacle of the temple, and showed him all the kingdoms of this +world." + +He fell, affrighted, on the stone. + +"Why did I not know this sooner?" he thought. "More wretched than the +blind, deaf, and paralysed who trust in me, I have lost all knowledge +of things supernatural, and am more depraved than the maniacs who eat +earth and approach dead bodies. I can no longer distinguish between +the clamours of hell and the voices of heaven. I have lost even the +intuition of the new-born child, who cries when its nurse's breast is +taken from it, of the dog that scents out its master's footsteps, of +the plant that turns towards the sun. I am the laughing-stock of the +devils. So, then, it is Satan who led me here. When he elevated me on +this pedestal, lust and pride mounted with me. It is not the magnitude +of my temptations which terrifies me. Anthony, on his mountain, +suffers the same. I wish that all their swords may pierce my flesh, +before the eyes of the angels. I have even learned to like my +sufferings. But God does not speak to me, and His silence astonishes +me. He has left me--and I had but Him to look to. He leaves me alone +in the horror of His absence. He flies from me. I will follow after +Him. This stone burns my feet. Let me leave quickly, and come up with +God." + +With that he seized the ladder which stood against the column, put his +feet on it, and having descended a rung, found himself face to face +with the monster's head; she smiled strangely. He was certain then +that what he had taken for the site of his rest and glory, was but the +diabolical instrument of his trouble and damnation. He hastily +descended and touched the soil. His feet had forgotten their use, and +he reeled. But, feeling on him the shadow of the cursed column, he +forced himself to run. All slept. He traversed, without being seen, +the great square surrounded by wine-shops, inns, and caravanserias, +and threw himself into a by-street which led towards the Libyan Hills. +A dog pursued him, barking, and stopped only at the edge of the +desert. Paphnutius went through a country where there was no road but +the trail of wild beasts. Leaving behind him the huts abandoned by the +coiners, he continued all night and all day his solitary flight. + +At last, almost ready to expire with hunger, thirst, and fatigue, and +not knowing if God was still far from him, he came to a silent city +which extended from right to left, and stretched away till it was lost +in the blue horizon. The buildings, which were widely separated and +like each other, resembled pyramids cut off at half their height. They +were tombs. The doors were broken, and in the shadow of the chambers +could be seen the gleaming eyes of hyaenas and wolves who brought +forth their young there, whilst the dead bodies lay on the threshold, +despoiled by robbers, and gnawed by the wild beasts. Having passed +through this funeral city, Paphnutius fell exhausted before a tomb +which stood near a spring surrounded by palm trees. This tomb was much +ornamented, and, as there was no door to it, he saw inside it a +painted chamber, in which serpents bred. + +"Here," he sighed, "is the abode I have chosen; the tabernacle of my +repentance and penitence." + +He dragged himself to it, drove out the reptiles with his feet, and +remained prostrate on the stone floor for eighteen hours, at the end +of which time he went to the spring, and drank out of his hand. Then +he plucked some dates and some stalks of lotus, the seeds of which he +ate. Thinking this kind of life was good, he made it the rule of his +existence. From morning to night he never lifted his forehead from the +stone. + +One day, whilst he was thus prostrated, he heard a voice which said-- + +"Look at these images, that thou mayest learn." + +Then, raising his head, he saw, on the walls of the chamber, paintings +which represented lively and domestic scenes. They were of very old +work, and marvellously lifelike. There were cooks who blew the fire, +with their cheeks all puffed out; others plucked geese, or cooked +quarters of sheep in stew-pans. A little farther, a hunter carried on +his shoulders a gazelle pierced with arrows. In one place, peasants +were sowing, reaping, or gathering. In another, women danced to the +sounds of viols, flutes, and harp. A young girl played the theorbo. +The lotus flower shone in her hair, which was neatly braided. Her +transparent dress let the pure forms of her body be seen. Her bosom +and mouth were perfect. The face was turned in profile, and the +beautiful eye looked straight before her. The whole figure was +exquisite. Paphnutius having examined it, lowered his eyes, and +replied to the voice-- + +"Why dost thou command me to look at these images? No doubt they +represent the terrestrial life of the idolater whose body rests here, +under my feet, at the bottom of a well, in a coffin of black basalt. +They recall the life of a dead man, and are, despite their bright +colours, the shadows of a shadow. The life of a dead man! O vanity!" + +"He is dead, but he lived," replied the voice; "and thou wilt die, and +wilt not have lived." + +From that day, Paphnutius had not a moment's rest. The voice spoke to +him incessantly. The girl with the theorbo looked fixedly at him from +underneath the long lashes of her eye. At last she also spoke-- + +"Look. I am mysterious and beautiful. Love me. Exhaust in my arms the +love which torments you. What use is it to fear me? You cannot escape +me; I am the beauty of woman. Whither do you think to fly from me, +senseless fool? You will find my likeness in the radiancy of flowers, +and in the grace of the palm trees, in the flight of pigeons, in the +bounds of the gazelle, in the rippling of brooks, in the soft light of +the moon, and if you close your eyes, you will find me within +yourself. It is a thousand years since the man who sleeps here, +swathed in linen, in a bed of black stone, pressed me to his heart. It +is a thousand years since he received the last kiss from my mouth, and +his sleep is yet redolent with it. You know me well, Paphnutius. How +is it you have not recognised me? I am one of the innumerable +incarnations of Thais. You are a learned monk, and well skilled in the +knowledge of things. You have travelled, and it is by travel a man +learns the most. Often a day passed abroad will show more novelties +than ten years passed at home. You have heard that Thais lived +formerly in Argos, under the name of Helen. She had another existence +in Thebes Hecatompyle. And I was Thais of Thebes. How is it you have +not guessed it? I took, when I was alive, a large share in the sins of +this world, and now reduced here to the condition of a shadow, I am +still quite capable of taking your sins upon me, beloved monk. Whence +comes your surprise? It was certain that, wherever you went, you would +find Thais again." + +He struck his forehead against the pavement, and uttered a cry of +terror. And every night the player of the theorbo left the wall, +approached him, and spoke in a clear voice mingled with soft +breathing. And as the holy man resisted the temptations she gave him, +she said to him-- + +"Love me; yield, friend. As long as you resist me I shall torment you. +You do not know what the patience of a dead woman is. I shall wait, if +necessary, till you are dead. Being a sorceress, I shall put into your +lifeless body a spirit who will reanimate it, and who will not refuse +me what I have asked in vain of you. And think, Paphnutius, what a +strange situation when your blessed soul sees, from the height of +heaven, its own body given up to sin. God, who has promised to return +you this body after the day of judgment and the end of time, will +Himself be much puzzled. How can He place in celestial glory a human +form inhabited by a devil, and guarded by a sorceress? You have not +thought of that difficulty. Nor God either, perhaps. Between +ourselves, He is not very knowing. Any ordinary magician can easily +deceive Him, and if He had not His thunder, and the cataracts of +heaven, the village urchins would pull His beard. He has certainly not +as much sense as the old serpent, His adversary. He, indeed, is a +wonderful artist. If I am so beautiful, it is because he adorned me +with all my attractions. It was he who taught me how to braid my hair, +and to make for myself rosy fingers with agate nails. You have +misunderstood him. When you came to live in this tomb, you drove out +with your feet the serpents which were here, without troubling +yourself to know whether they were of his family, and you crushed +their eggs. I am afraid, my poor friend, you will have a troublesome +business on your hands. You were warned, however, that he was a +musician and a lover. What have you done? You have quarrelled with +science and beauty. You are altogether miserable, and Iaveh does not +come to your help. It is not probable that he will come. Being as +great as all things, he cannot move for want of space, and if, by an +impossibility, he made the least movement, all creation would be +pushed out of place. My handsome hermit, give me a kiss." + +Paphnutius was aware that great prodigies are performed by magic arts. +He thought--not without much uneasiness-- + +"Perhaps the dead man buried at my feet knows the words written in +that mysterious book which exists hidden, not far from here, at the +bottom of a royal tomb. By virtue of these words, the dead, taking the +form which they had upon earth, see the light of the sun and the +smiles of women." + +His chief fear was that the girl with the theorbo and the dead man +might come together, as they did in their lifetime, and that he should +see them unite. Sometimes he thought he heard the sound of kissing. + +He was troubled in his mind, and now, in the absence of God he feared +to think as much as to feel. One evening, when he was kneeling +prostrate according to his custom, an unknown voice said to him-- + +"Paphnutius, there are on earth more people than you imagine, and if I +were to show you what I have seen, you would die of astonishment. +There are men with a single eye in the middle of their forehead. There +are men who have but one leg, and advance by jumps. There are men who +change their sex, and the females become males. There are men-trees, +who shoot out roots in the ground. And there are men with no head, +with two eyes, a nose, and a mouth in their breast. Can you honestly +believe that Jesus Christ died for the salvation of these men?" + +Another time he had a vision. He saw, in a strong light, a broad road, +rivulets, and gardens. On the road, Aristobulus and Chereas passed at +a gallop on their Syrian horses, and the joyous ardour of the race +reddened the cheeks of the two young men. Beneath a portico, +Callicrates recited his verses; satisfied pride trembled in his voice +and shone in his eyes. In the garden, Zenothemis picked apples of +gold, and caressed a serpent with azure wings. Clad in white, and +wearing a shining mitre, Hermodorus meditated beneath a sacred persea, +which bore, instead of flowers, small heads of pure profile, wearing, +like the Egyptian goddesses, vultures, hawks, or the shining disk of +the moon; whilst in the background, by the side of a fountain, Nicias +studied, on an armillary sphere, the harmonious movements of the +stars. + +Then a veiled woman approached the monk, holding in her hand a branch +of myrtle. She said to him-- + +"Look! Some seek eternal beauty, and place their ephemeral life in the +infinite. Others live without much thought. But by that alone they +submit to fair Nature, and they are happy and beautiful in the joy of +living only, and give glory to the supreme artist of all things; for +man is a noble hymn to God. All think that happiness is innocent, and +that pleasure is permitted to man. Paphnutius, if they are right, what +a dupe you have been!" + +And the vision vanished. + +Thus was Paphnutius tempted unceasingly in body and mind. Satan never +gave him a minute's repose. The solitude of the tomb was more peopled +than the streets of a great city. The devils shouted with laughter, +and millions of imps, evil genii, and phantoms imitated all the +ordinary transactions of life. In the evening, when he went to the +spring, satyrs and nymphs capered round him, and tried to drag him +into their lascivious dances. The demons no longer feared him. They +loaded him with insults, obscene jests, and blows. One day a devil, no +longer than his arm, stole the cord he wore round his waist. + +He said to himself-- + +"Thought, whither hast thou led me?" + +And he resolved to work with his hands, in order to give his mind that +rest of which it had need. Near the spring, some banana trees, with +large leaves, grew under the shade of the palms. He cut the stalks, +and carried them to the tomb. He crushed them with a stone, and +reduced them to fibres, as he had seen ropemakers do. For he intended +to make a cord, to replace that which the devil had stolen. The demons +were somewhat displeased at this; they ceased their clamour, and the +girl with the theorbo no longer continued her magic arts, but remained +quietly on the wall. The courage and faith of Paphnutius increased +whilst he pounded the banana stems. + +"With Heaven's help," he said to himself, "I shall subdue the flesh. +As to my soul, its confidence is still unshaken. In vain do the +devils, and that accursed woman, try to instil into my mind doubts as +to the nature of God. I will reply to them, by the mouth of the +Apostle John, 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God.' +That I firmly believe, and that which I believe is absurd, I believe +still more firmly. In fact it should be absurd. If it were not so, I +should not believe; I should know. And it is not that which we know +which gives eternal life; it is faith only that saves." + +He exposed the separated fibres to the sun and the dew, and every +morning he took care to turn them, to prevent them rotting; and he +rejoiced to find that he had become as simple as a child. When he had +twisted his cord, he cut reeds to make mats and baskets. The +sepulchral chamber resembled a basket-maker's workshop, and Paphnutius +could pass without difficulty from work to prayer. Yet still God was +not merciful to him, for one night he was awakened by a voice which +froze him with horror, for he guessed that it was the voice of the +dead man. + +The voice called quickly, in a light whisper-- + +"Helen! Helen! come and bathe with me! come quickly!" + +A woman, whose mouth was close to the monk's ear, replied-- + +"Friend, I cannot rise; a man is lying on me." + +Paphnutius suddenly perceived that his cheek rested on a woman's +breast. He recognised the player of the theorbo, who, partly relieved +of his weight, raised her breast. He clung tightly to the sweet, warm, +perfumed body, and consumed with the desire of damnation, he cried-- + +"Stay, stay, my heavenly one!" + +But she was already standing on the threshold. She laughed, and her +smile gleamed in the silver rays of the moon. + +"Why should I stay?" she said. "The shadow of a shadow is enough for a +lover endowed with such a lively imagination. Besides, you have +sinned. What more was needed?" + +Paphnutius wept in the night, and when the dawn came, he murmured a +prayer that was a meek complaint-- + +"Jesus, my Jesus, why hast Thou forsaken me! Thou seest the danger in +which I am. Come, and help me, sweet Saviour. Since Thy Father no +longer loves me, and does not hear me, remember that I have but Thee. +From Him nothing is to be hoped; I cannot comprehend Him, and He +cannot pity me. But Thou was born of a woman, and that is why I trust +in Thee. Remember that Thou wast a man. I pray to Thee, not because +Thou art God of God, Light of light, very God of very God, but because +Thou hast lived poor and humble on this earth where now I suffer, +because Satan has tempted Thy flesh, because the sweat of agony has +bedewed Thy face. It is to Thy humanity that I pray, Jesus, my brother +Jesus!" + +When he had thus prayed, wringing his hands, a terrible peal of +laughter shook the walls of the tomb, and the voice which rang in his +ears on the top of the column, said jeeringly-- + +"That is a prayer worthy of the breviary of Marcus, the heretic. +Paphnutius is an Arian! Paphnutius is an Arian!" + +As though thunderstruck, the monk fell senseless. + +***** + +When he reopened his eyes, he saw around him monks wearing black +hoods, who poured water on his temples, and recited exorcisms. Many +others were standing outside, carrying palm leaves. + +"As we passed through the desert," said one of them, "we heard cries +issuing from this tomb, and, having entered, we found you lying +unconscious on the floor. Doubtless the devils had thrown you down, +and had fled at our approach." + +Paphnutius, raising his head, asked in a feeble voice-- + +"Who are you, my brothers? And why do you carry palms in your hands? +Is it for my burial?" + +One of them replied-- + +"Brother, do you not know that our father, Anthony, now a hundred and +five years old, having been warned of his approaching end, has come +down from Mount Colzin, to which he had retired, to bless his numerous +spiritual children? We are going with palm leaves to greet our holy +father. But how is it, brother, that you are ignorant of such a great +event? Can it be possible that no angel came to this tomb to inform +you?" + +"Alas!" replied Paphnutius, "I am not worthy of such a favour, and the +only denizens of this abode are demons and vampires. Pray for me. I am +Paphnutius, Abbot of Antinoe, the most wretched of the servants of +God." + +At the name of Paphnutius, all waved their palm leaves and murmured +his praises. The monk who had previously spoken, cried in surprise-- + +"Can it be that thou art that holy Paphnutius, celebrated for so many +works that it was supposed he would some day equal the great Anthony +himself? Most venerable, it was thou who convertedst to God the +courtesan, Thais, and who, raised upon a high column, was carried away +by the seraphs. Those who watched by night, at the foot of the pillar, +saw thy blessed assumption. The wings of the angels encircled thee in +a white cloud, and with thy right hand extended thou didst bless the +dwellings of man. The next day, when the people saw thou wert no +longer there, a long groan rose to the summit of the discrowned +pillar. But Flavian, thy disciple, reported the miracle, and took thy +place as the head. But a foolish man, of the name of Paul, tried to +contradict the general opinion. He asserted that he had seen thee, in +a dream, carried away by the devils; the people wanted to stone him, +and it was a miracle that he escaped death. I am Zozimus, abbot of +these solitary monks whom thou seest prostrate at thy feet. Like them, +I kneel before thee, that thou mayest bless the father with the +children. Then thou shalt relate to us the marvels which God has +deigned to accomplish by thy means." + +"Far from having favoured me as thou believest," replied Paphnutius, +"the Lord has tried me with terrible temptations. I was not carried +away by angels. But a shadowy wall is raised in front of my eyes, and +moves before me. I have lived in a dream. Without God all is a dream. +When I made my journey to Alexandria, I heard, in a short space of +time, many discourses, and I learned that the army of errors was +innumerable. It pursues me, and I am compassed about with swords." + +Zozimus replied-- + +"Venerable father, we must remember that the saints, and especially +the solitary saints, undergo terrible trials. If thou wast not carried +to heaven by the seraphs, it is certain that the Lord granted that +favour to thy image, for Flavian, the monks, and the people were +witnesses of thy assumption." + +Paphnutius resolved to go and receive the blessing of Anthony. + +"Brother Zozimus," he said, "give me one of these palm leaves, and let +us go and meet our father." + +"Let us go," replied Zozimus; "military order is most befitting for +monks, who are God's soldiers. Thou and I, being abbots, will march in +front, and the others shall follow us, singing psalms." + +They set out on their march, and Paphnutius said-- + +"God is unity, for He is the truth, which is one. The world is many, +because it is error. We should turn away from all the sights of +nature, even those which appear the most innocent. Their diversity +renders them pleasant, which is a sign that they are evil. For that +reason, I cannot see a tuft of papyrus by the side of still waters +without my soul being imbued with melancholy. All things that the +senses perceive are detestable. The least grain of sand brings danger. +Everything tempts us. Woman is but a combination of all the +temptations scattered in the thin air, on the flowering earth, in the +clear waters. Happy is he whose soul is a sealed vase! Happy is he who +knows how to be deaf, dumb, and blind, and who knows nothing of the +world, in order that he may know God!" + +Zozimus, having meditated upon these words, replied as follows-- + +"Venerable father, it is fitting that I should avow my sins to thee, +since thou hast shown me thy soul. Thus we shall confess to each +other, according to the apostolic custom. Before I was a monk, I led +an abominable life. At Madaura, a city celebrated for its courtesans, +I sought out all kinds of worldly love. Every night I supped in +company with young debauchees and female flute players, and I took +home with me the one who pleased me the best. A saint like thee could +never imagine to what a pitch the fury of my desires carried me. +Suffice it to say that it spared neither matrons nor nuns, and spread +adultery and sacrilege everywhere. I excited my senses with wine, and +was justly known as the heaviest drinker in Madaura. Yet I was a +Christian, and, in all my follies, kept my faith in Jesus crucified. +Having devoured my substance in riotous living, I was beginning to +feel the first attacks of poverty, when I saw one of my companions in +pleasure suddenly struck with a terrible disease. His knees could not +sustain him; his twitching hands refused to obey him; his glazed eyes +closed. Only horrible groans came from his breast. His mind, heavier +than his body, slumbered. To punish him for having lived like a beast, +God had changed him into a beast. The loss of my property had already +inspired me with salutary reflections, but the example of my friend +was of yet greater efficacy; it made such an impression on my heart +that I quitted the world and retired into the desert. There I have +enjoyed for twenty years a peace that nothing has troubled. I work +with my monks as weaver, architect, carpenter, and even as scribe, +though, to say the truth, I have little taste for writing, having +always preferred action to thought. My days are full of joy, and my +nights without dreams, and I believe that the grace of the Lord is in +me, because, even in the midst of the most frightful sins, I have +never lost hope." + +On hearing these words, Paphnutius lifted his eyes to heaven and +murmured-- + +"Lord, Thou lookest with kindness upon this man polluted by adultery, +sacrilege, and so many crimes, and Thou turnest away from me, who have +always kept Thy commandments! How inscrutable is Thy justice, O my +God! and how impenetrable are Thy ways!" + +Zozimus extended his arms. + +"Look, venerable father! On both sides of the horizon are long, black +files that look like emigrant ants. They are our brothers, who, like +us, are going to meet Anthony." + +When they came to the place of meeting, they saw a magnificent +spectacle. The army of monks extended, in three ranks, in an immense +semicircle. In the first rank stood the old hermits of the desert, +cross in hand, and with long beards that almost touched the ground. +The monks, governed by the abbots Ephrem and Serapion, and also all +the cenobites of the Nile, formed the second line. Behind them +appeared the ascetics, who had come from their distant rocks. Some +wore, on their blackened and dried-up bodies, shapeless rags; others +had for their only clothes, bundles of reeds held together by withies. +Many of them were naked, but God had covered them with a fell of hair +as thick as a sheep's fleece. All held branches of palm; they looked +like an emerald rainbow, or they might have been also compared to the +host of the elect--the living walls of the city of God. + +Such perfect order reigned in the assembly, that Paphnutius found, +without difficulty, the monks he governed. He placed himself near +them, after having taken care to hide his face under his hood, that he +might remain unknown, and not disturb them in their pious expectation. +Suddenly, an immense shout arose-- + +"The saint!" they all cried. "The saint! Behold the great saint, +against whom hell has not prevailed, the well-beloved of God! Our +father, Anthony!" + +Then a great silence followed, and every forehead was lowered to the +sand. + +From the summit of a dune, in the vast void space, Anthony advanced, +supported by his beloved disciples, Macarius and Amathas. He walked +slowly, but his figure was still upright, and showed the remains of a +superhuman strength. His white beard spread over his broad chest, his +polished skull reflected the rays of sunlight like the forehead of +Moses. The keen gaze of the eagle was in his eyes; the smile of a +child shone on his round cheek. To bless his people, he raised his +arms, tired by a century of marvellous works, and his voice burst +forth for the last time, with the words of love. + +"How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!" + +Immediately, from one end to the other of the living wall, like a peal +of harmonious thunder, the psalm, "Blessed is the man that feareth the +Lord," broke forth. + +Accompanied by Macarius and Amathas, Anthony passed along the ranks of +the old hermits, anchorites, and cenobites. This seer, who had beheld +heaven and hell; this hermit, who from a cave in the rock, governed +the Christian Church; this saint, who had sustained the faith of the +martyrs; this scholar, whose eloquence had paralysed the heretics, +spoke tenderly to each of his sons, and bade them a kindly farewell, +on the eve of the blessed death, which God, who loved him, had at last +promised him. + +He said to the abbots Ephrem and Serapion-- + +"You command large armies, and you are both great generals. Therefore, +you shall put on in heaven an armour of gold, and the Archangel +Michael shall give you the title of kiliarchs of his hosts." + +Perceiving the old man Philemon, he embraced him, and said-- + +"Behold, the kindest and best of all my children. His soul exhales a +perfume as sweet as the flower of the beans he sows every year." + +To Abbot Zozimus he addressed these words-- + +"Thou hast never mistrusted divine goodness, and therefore the peace +of the Lord is in thee. The lily of thy virtues has flowered upon the +dunghill of thy corruption." + +To all he spoke words of unerring wisdom. + +To the old hermits he said-- + +"The apostle saw, round the throne of God, eighty old men seated, clad +in white robes, and wearing crowns on their heads." + +To the young men-- + +"Be joyful; leave sadness to the happy ones of this world." + +Thus he passed along the front of his filial army, exhorting and +comforting. Paphnutius, seeing him approach, fell on his knees, his +heart torn by fear and hope. + +"My father! my father!" he cried in his agony. "My father! come to my +help, for I perish. I have given to God the soul of Thais; I have +lived upon the top of a column, and in the chamber of a tomb. My +forehead, unceasingly in the dust, has become horny as a camel's knee. +And yet God has gone from me. Bless me, my father, and I shall be +saved; shake the hyssop, and I shall be washed, and I shall shine as +the snow." + +Anthony did not reply. He turned to the monks of Antinoe those eyes +whose looks no man could sustain. He gazed for a long time at Paul, +called the Fool; then he made a sign to him to approach. And, as all +were astonished that the saint should address himself to a man who was +not in his senses, Anthony said-- + +"God has granted to him more grace than to any of you. Lift thy eyes, +my son Paul, and tell me what thou seest in heaven." + +Paul the Fool raised his eyes; his face shone, and his tongue was +unloosed. + +"I see in heaven," he said, "a bed adorned with hangings of purple and +gold. Around it three virgins keep constant watch that no soul may +approach it, except the chosen one for whom the bed is prepared." + +Believing that this bed was the symbol of his glorification, +Paphnutius had already begun to return thanks to God. But Anthony made +a sign to him to be silent, and to listen to the Fool, who murmured in +his ecstasy-- + +"The three virgins speak to me; they say unto me: 'A saint is about to +quit the earth; Thais of Alexandria is dying. And we have prepared the +bed of her glory, for we are her virtues--Faith, Fear, and Love.' " + +Anthony asked-- + +"Sweet child, what else seest thou?" + +Paul gazed vacantly from the zenith to the nadir, and from west to +east, when suddenly his eyes fell on the Abbot of Antinoe. His face +grew pale with a holy terror, and his eyeballs reflected invisible +flames. + +"I see," he murmured. "three demons, who, full of joy, prepare to +seize that man. One of them is like unto a tower, one to a woman, and +one to a mage. All three bear their name, marked with redhot iron; the +first on the forehead, the second on the belly, the third on the +breast, and those names are--Pride, Lust, and Doubt. I have finished." + +Having spoken thus, Paul, with haggard eyes and hanging jaw, returned +to his old simple ways. + +And, as the monks of Antinoe looked anxiously at Anthony, the saint +pronounced these words-- + +"God has made known His just judgment. Let us bow to Him and hold our +peace." + +He passed. He bestowed blessings as he went. The sun, now descended to +the horizon, enveloped him in its glory, and his shadow, immeasurably +elongated by a miracle from heaven, unrolled itself behind him like an +endless carpet, as a sign of the long remembrance this great saint +would leave amongst men. + +Upright, but thunderstruck, Paphnutius saw and heard nothing more. One +word alone rang in his ears, "Thais is dying!" The thought had never +occurred to him. Twenty years had he contemplated a mummy's head, and +yet the idea that death would close the eyes of Thais astonished him +hopelessly. + +"Thais is dying!" An incomprehensible saying! "Thais is dying!" In +those three words what a new and terrible sense! "Thais is dying!" +Then why the sun, the flowers, the brooks, and all creation? "Thais is +dying!" What good was all the universe? Suddenly he sprang forward. +"To see her again, to see her once more!" He began to run. He knew not +where he was, or whither he went, but instinct conducted him with +unerring certainty; he went straight to the Nile. A swarm of sails +covered the upper waters of the river. He sprang on board a barque +manned by Nubians, and lying in the forepart of the boat, his eyes +devouring space, he cried, in grief and rage-- + +"Fool, fool, that I was, not to have possessed Thais whilst there was +yet time! Fool to have believed that there was anything else in the +world but her! Oh, madness! I dreamed of God, of the salvation of my +soul, of life eternal--as if all that counted for anything when I had +seen Thais! Why did I not feel that blessed eternity was in a single +kiss of that woman, and that without her life was senseless, and no +more than an evil dream? Oh, stupid fool! thou hast seen her, and thou +hast desired the good things of the other world! Oh, coward! thou hast +seen her, and thou hast feared God! God! heaven! what are they? And +what have they to offer thee which are worth the least tittle of that +which she would have given thee? Oh, miserable, senseless fool, who +sought divine goodness elsewhere than on the lips of Thais! What hand +was upon thy eyes? Cursed be he who blinded thee then! Thou couldst +have bought, at the price of thy damnation, one moment of her love, +and thou hast not done it! She opened to thee her arms--flesh mingled +with the perfume of flowers--and thou wast not engulfed in the +unspeakable enchantments of her unveiled breast. Thou hast listened to +the jealous voice which said to thee, 'Refrain!' Dupe, dupe, miserable +dupe! Oh, regrets! Oh, remorse! Oh, despair! Not to have the joy to +carry to hell the memory of that never-to-be-forgotten hour, and to +cry to God, 'Burn my flesh, dry up all the blood in my veins, break +all my bones, thou canst not take from me the remembrance which +sweetens and refreshes me for ever and ever!' . . . Thais is dying! +Preposterous God, if thou knewest how I laugh at Thy hell! Thais is +dying, and she will never be mine--never! never!" + +And as the boat came down the river with the current, he remained +whole days lying on his face, and repeating-- + +"Never! never! never!" + +Then, at the idea that she had given herself to others, and not to +him; that she had poured forth an ocean of love, and he had not wetted +his lips therein, he stood up, savagely wild, and howled with grief. +He tore his breast with his nails, and bit the flesh of his arms. He +thought-- + +"If I could but kill all those she has loved!" + +The idea of these murders filled him with delicious fury. He dreamed +of killing Nicias slowly and leisurely, looking him full in the eyes +whilst he murdered him. Then suddenly his fury melted away. He wept, +he sobbed. He became feeble and meek. An unknown tenderness softened +his soul. He longed to throw his arms round the neck of the companion +of his childhood and say to him, "Nicias, I love thee, because thou +hast loved her. Talk to me about her. Tell me what she said to thee." +And still, without ceasing, the iron of that phrase entered into his +soul--"Thais is dying!" + +"Light of day, silvery shadows of night stars, heavens, trees with +trembling crests, savage beasts, domestic animals, all the anxious +souls of men, do you not hear? 'Thais is dying!' Disappear, ye lights, +breezes, and perfumes! Hide yourselves, ye shapes and thoughts of the +universe! 'Thais is dying!' She was the beauty of the world, and all +that drew near to her grew fairer in the reflection of her grace. The +old man and the sages who sat near her, at the banquet at Alexandria, +how pleasant they were, and how fascinating was their conversation! A +host of brilliant thoughts sprang to their lips, and all their ideas +were steeped in pleasure. And it was because the breath of Thais was +on them that all they said was love, beauty, truth. A delightful +impiety lent its grace to their discourse. They thoroughly expressed +all human splendour. Alas! all that is but a dream. Thais is dying! +Oh, how easy it will be to me to die of her death! But canst thou only +die, withered embryo, fetus steeped in gall and scalding tears? +Miserable abortion, dost thou think thou canst taste death, thou who +hast never known life? If only God exists, that he may damn me. I hope +for it--I wish it. God, I hate Thee--dost Thou hear? Overwhelm me with +Thy damnation. To compel Thee to, I spit in Thy face. I must find an +eternal hell, to exhaust the eternity of rage which consumes me." + +***** + +The next day, at dawn, Albina received the Abbot of Antinoe at the +nunnery. + +"Thou art welcome to our tabernacles of peace, venerable father, for +no doubt, thou comest to bless the saint thou hast given us. Thou +knowest that God, in his mercy, has called her to Him; how couldst +thou fail to know tidings that the angels have carried from desert to +desert? It is true that Thais is about to meet her blessed death. Her +labours are accomplished, and I ought to inform thee, in a few words, +as to her conduct whilst she was still amongst us. After thy +departure, when she was confined in a cell sealed with thy seal, I +sent her, with her food, a flute, similar to those which girls of her +profession play at banquets. I did that to prevent her from falling +into a melancholy mood, and that she should not show less skill and +talent before God than she had shown before men. In this I showed +prudence and foresight, for all day long Thais praised the Lord upon +the flute, and the virgins, who were attracted by the sound of this +invisible flute, said, 'We hear the nightingale of the heavenly +groves, the dying swan of Jesus crucified.' Thus did Thais perform her +penance, when, after sixty days, the door which thou hadst sealed +opened of itself, and the clay seal was broken without being touched +by any human hand. By that sign I knew that the trial thou hadst +imposed upon her was at an end, and that God had pardoned the sins of +the flute-player. From that time she has shared the ordinary life of +my nuns, working and praying with them. She was an example to them by +the modesty of her acts and words, and seemed like a statue of purity +amongst them. Sometimes she was sad; but those clouds soon passed. +When I saw that she was really drawn towards God by faith, hope, and +love, I did not hesitate to employ her talent, and even her beauty, +for the improvement of her sisters. I asked her to represent before us +the actions of the famous women and wise virgins of the Scriptures. +She acted Esther, Deborah, Judith, Mary, the sister of Lazarus, and +Mary, the mother of Jesus. I know, venerable father, that thy austere +mind is alarmed at the idea of these performances. But thou thyself +wouldest have been touched if thou hadst seen her in these pious +scenes, shedding real tears, and raising to heaven arms graceful as +palm leaves. I have long governed a community of women, and I make it +a rule never to oppose their nature. All seeds give not the same +flowers. Not all souls are sanctified in the same way. It must also +not be forgotten that Thais gave herself to God whilst she was still +beautiful, and such a sacrifice is, if not unexampled, at least very +rare. This beauty--her natural vesture--has not left her during the +three months' fever of which she is dying. As, during her illness, she +has incessantly asked to see the sky, I have her carried every morning +into the courtyard, near the well, under the old fig tree, in the +shade of which the abbesses of this convent are accustomed to hold +their meetings. Thou wilt find her there, venerable father; but +hasten, for God calls her, and this night a shroud will cover that +face which God made both to shame and to edify this world." + +Paphnutius followed her into a courtyard flooded with the morning +light. On the edge of the brick roofs, the pigeons formed a string of +pearls. On a bed, in the shade of the fig tree, Thais lay quite white, +her arms crossed. By her side stood veiled women, reciting the prayers +for the dying. + +/"Have mercy, upon me, O God, according to Thy loving kindness: +according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my +transgressions."/ + +He called her-- + +"Thais!" + +She raised her eyelids, and turned the whites of her eyes in the +direction of the voice. + +Albina made a sign to the veiled women to retire a few paces. + +"Thais!" repeated the monk. + +She raised her head; a light breath came from her pale lips. + +"Is it thou, my father? . . . Dost thou remember the water of the +spring, and the dates that we picked? . . . That day, my father, love +was born in my heart--the love of life eternal." + +She was silent, and her head fell back. + +Death was upon her, and the sweat of the last agony bedewed her +forehead. A pigeon broke the still silence with its plaintive cooing. +Then the sobs of the monk mingled with the psalms of the virgins. + +/"Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. +For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me."/ + +Suddenly Thais sat up in the bed. Her violet eyes opened wide, and +with a rapt gaze, her arms stretched towards the distant hills, she +said in a clear, fresh voice-- + +"Behold them--the roses of the eternal dawn!" + +Her eyes shone; a slight flush suffused her face. She had revived, +more sweet and more beautiful than ever. Paphnutius knelt down, and +threw his long black arms around her. + +"Do not die!" he cried, in a strange voice, which he himself did not +recognise. "I love thee! Do not die! Listen, my Thais. I have deceived +thee? I was but a wretched fool. God, heaven--all that is nothing. +There is nothing true but this worldly life, and the love of human +beings. I love thee! Do not die! That would be impossible--thou art +too precious! Come, come with me! Let us fly? I will carry thee far +away in my arms. Come, let us love! Hear me, O my beloved, and say, 'I +will live; I wish to live.' Thais, Thais, arise!" + +She did not hear him. Her eyes gazed into infinity. + +She murmured-- + +"Heaven opens. I see the angels, the prophets, and the saints. . . . +The good Theodore is amongst them, his hands filled with flowers; he +smiles on me and calls me. . . . Two angels come to me. They draw +near. . . . How beautiful they are! I see God!" + +She uttered a joyful sigh, and her head fell back motionless on the +pillow. Thais was dead. + +Paphnutius held her in a last despairing embrace; his eyes devoured +her with desire, rage, and love. + +Albina cried to him-- + +"Avaunt, accursed wretch!" + +And she gently placed her fingers on the eyelids of the dead girl. +Paphnutius staggered back, his eyes burning with flames and feeling +the earth open beneath his feet. + +The virgins chanted the song of Zacharias: + +/"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel."/ + +Suddenly their voices stayed in their throat. They had seen the monk's +face, and they fled in affright, crying-- + +"A vampire! A vampire!" + +He had become so repulsive, that passing his hand over his face, he +felt his own hideousness. + + + + + +End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of Thais, by Anatole France + diff --git a/old/thais10.zip b/old/thais10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..dab23c0 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/thais10.zip |