The Temptation of St. Anthony

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1910 edition. Excerpt: ... cross, surely, is too far from me. Ah! what a night! what a terrible night!" (The mist is parted by a gust of wind; and Anthony sees two men covered with long white tunics. The first is of lofty stature, with a gentle face, and a grave mien. His blond hair, parted like that of Christ, falls upon his shoulders. He has cast aside a wand that he had been holding in his hand; his companion takes it up, making a reverence after the fashion of the Orientals. The latter is small of stature, thick set, flatnosed; his neck and shoulders expresses good natured simplicity. Both are barefooted, bareheaded, and dusty, like persons who have made a long journey.) Anthony (starting up: --) "What do ye seek? Speak!... Begone from here!" Damis (who is a little man). "Nay! nay! be not angered, good hermit. As for that I seek, I know not myself what it is! Here is the Master!" (He sits down. The other stranger remains standing. Silence.) Anthony (asks). "Then ye come?..." Damis. "Oh! from afar off--very far off!" Anthony. "And ye go?..." Damis (pointing to the other) "Whithersoever he shall desire!" Anthony. "But who may he be?" Damis. ' Look well upon him!' Anthony (aside). "He looks like a saint! If I could only dare..." (The mist is all gone. The night is very clear. The moon shines.) Damis. ' Of what art thou dreaming, that thou dost not speak?" Anthony. "I was thinking... Oh I nothing!" Damis (approaches Apollonius, and walks all round him several times, bending himself as he walks, never raising his head: --) "Master, here is a Galilean hermit who desires to know the beginnings of wisdom." Apollonius. 'Let him approach!' (Anthony hesitates.) Damis. ' Approach!' Apollonius (in a voice of thunder: --) "Approach! Thou wouldst know who I am, what I have...