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THAIS
THAIS
by ANATOLE FRANCE
Translated By Robert B。 Douglas
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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。
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THAIS
Angels in the likeness of young men； came； staff in hand； as travellers；
to visit the hermitages； whilst demonshaving assumed the form of
Ethiopians or of animalswandered 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
themselveswith the help of God and the angelsby 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
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THAIS
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
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THAIS
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