thais-第4章

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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　landin　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