Constantine P. Cavafy – Poems

JULIAN IN NIKOMEDIA

Purposeless and dangerous things…

Praises for the ideals of the Greeks.

The theurgies and the visits to the pagan

temples. Enthusiasm for the ancient gods.

The frequent conversations with Chrysanthius.

The theories —the clever asides—of the philosopher Maximus.

And here is the result. Gallus shows a great

anxiety. Constantios has some suspicion.

Ah, the advisors were not at all wise.

This story—says Mardonius—has gone too far,

and the furor about it must finally end.—

Julian goes again as a lector

to the church of Nicomedia,

where in a loud voice and with deep reverence

he reads the Holy Scriptures,

and the people admire his Christian piety.

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