第7章 THE LOTUS(7)

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 Iwandered 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.OGod, 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.