He went on
with his discourse, and we listened in intent silence. He told us then
how one afternoon at Triers, when the Emperor was taken up with the
Circensian games, he and three others, his companions, went out to
walk in gardens near the city walls, and there as they happened to
walk in pairs, one went apart with him, and the other two wandered
by themselves; and these, in their wanderings, lighted upon a
certain cottage, inhabited by certain of Thy servants, poor in spirit,
of whom is the kingdom of heaven, and there they found a little book
containing the life of Antony. This one of them began to read, admire,
and kindle at it; and as he read, to meditate on taking up such a
life, and giving over his secular service to serve Thee. And these two
were of those whom they style agents for the public affairs. Then
suddenly, filled with a holy love, and a sober shame, in anger with
himself cast his eyes upon his friend, saying, "Tell me, I pray
thee, what would we attain by all these labours of ours? what aim we
at? what serve we for? Can our hopes in court rise higher than to be
the Emperor's favourites? and in this, what is there not brittle,
and full of perils? and by how many perils arrive we at a greater
peril? and when arrive we thither? But a friend of God, if I wish
it, I become now at once.
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