LIBRARY 
 University of Californte 
 IRVINE
 
 ATHANASIUS
 
 The Saint Agnes' Mystery Plays 
 
 LADY CATECHISM AND THE CHILD 
 
 THE LITTLE PILGRIMS AND THE BOOK 
 BELOVED 
 
 THE VISION OF SAINT AGNES' EVE 
 
 ATHANASIUS
 
 \TII WASH'S. ARCHDEACON OF ALEXANDRIA.
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 A MYSTERY PLAY 
 
 IN THREE ACTS AND 
 A PROLOGUE 
 
 BY 
 
 MARIE E. J. HOBART 
 
 Author of the Saint Agnes Mystery Plays 
 
 LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO 
 
 FOURTH AVENUE & 30TH STREET, NEW YORK 
 
 LONDON, BOMBAY, AND CALCUTTA 
 
 I9II
 
 1 
 
 I 'f 
 \\io 
 
 COPYRIGHT, I9II, BY 
 MARIE J. HOBART 
 
 THE- PLIMPTON- PRESS 
 
 [ W- D-O] 
 NORWOOD • MASS • U • S 1 A
 
 DEDICATED 
 
 TO 
 
 ROSAMOND AND CHARLES 
 
 LOVELY AND PLEASANT IN THEIR LIVES, AND 
 
 IN THEIR DEATH THEY WERE 
 
 NOT DIVIDED
 
 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 i . Athanasius, Archdeacon of Alexandria. 
 
 2. "A simple pageant, but instinct with life, I now 
 
 will cause to pass before their eyes." 
 
 3. "I give myself to thee, O Christ, to be gov- 
 
 erned by Thy laws." 
 
 4. "And how were ye not afraid to play with the 
 
 holy mysteries?" 
 
 5. "From this hour thou art my son, my consolation, 
 
 and the strength of mine old age." 
 
 6.. "Arius, thou hast filled up the measure of thine 
 iniquity! 
 
 7. "God keep thee ever in the true faith." 
 
 vn
 
 ATHANASIUS
 
 PROLOGUE 
 
 IN THE TWILIGHT 
 
 Angel of Faith. 
 Angel of Loyalty. 
 
 The Guardian Angels of the Parish. 
 
 Angel of Vision. — The Guardian Angel of Athanasius. 
 
 [Enter from the opposite sides of the stage the Angel 
 of Faith and the Angel of Loyalty. They advance till 
 they meet in front of the curtain just where it is to 
 part.] 
 
 Angel of Loyalty. — Spirit of Faith, sweet messenger 
 
 of Him 
 Who hath ordained our service here in earth 
 This flock of His to succour and defend, 
 Where hast thou been to-day? What hast thou 
 
 done 
 Since at the gates of Paradise the blest 
 We met the glimmering dawn, and through its 
 
 rays 
 To earth returned and to our sev'ral tasks? 
 
 3
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Angel of Faith. — Hear then, thou golden-hearted 
 
 Loyalty, 
 The record of this latest happy day, 
 Happy as every day spent for our God, 
 To serve Whom is to reign and freely live. 
 When we from this earth perilous had borne 
 To the Good Shepherd's arms that chrisom-child, 
 And seen those violet eyes open to meet 
 His smile of welcome and of love divine, 
 Winged we our flight back to the earth, then I 
 Back to that home bereaved of all its joy. 
 I knelt beside the Mother sorrowful, 
 And held before her weeping eyes the Cross, 
 And when she saw its outline through her tears, 
 To the sword-pierced heart I whispered low: 
 "Remember that He said 'Thou knowst not now 
 This that I do, hereafter thou shalt know/ 
 Canst thou not trust Him since He bids thee 
 
 trust? 
 Wilt thou not trust Him since He died for thee?' 
 And then that broken heart was drawn to Him 
 Who draws the suffering world by His own love. 
 "Yea, Lord," she said, "I trust the child to 
 
 Thee; 
 I trust Thee with my sorrow and my hope." 
 
 4
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 So through the day's first hours I lingered near 
 To hold the Cross where she must ever see, 
 Till grown more calm and strong she took the 
 
 Cross 
 Into her heart never to let it go. 
 
 Angel of Loyalty. — Now God be praised for every 
 human soul 
 That learns by Jesus' Cross to bear its own! 
 Angel of Faith, what didst thou next? 
 
 Angel of Faith. — I heard 
 
 Borne on the autumn breeze melodious bells 
 Calling our people to their Eucharist. 
 Thither I went to join with theirs my praise, 
 To help them lift their hearts unto the Lord, 
 To warm their cold devotions and to check 
 The alien thoughts blown in by Satan's breath, 
 A flock of robber birds to steal the seed 
 Lest it should fall on fertile soil and live. 
 The service ended, I was sent to help 
 A student errant who had started out 
 At Wisdom's high behest, but lost his way, 
 Confused with shifting theories, dulled with din 
 Of jangling voices urging him to run 
 Hither and yon to hear of some new thing, 
 And following these Athenian voices, strayed 
 
 5
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Into a miry path, dark with dense fog, 
 And slippery with old deceits and new. 
 Here in this vap'rous air loomed fearsome shapes 
 Of doubt and mocking unreality. 
 But should he try to escape these shadows grim, 
 The danger was that he might miss his step, 
 And plunging headlong o'er a precipice 
 Strike the flat stones of dead materialism. 
 Angel of Loyalty. — A dreary, flinty death-bed for a 
 
 soul 
 Made in God's image, filled with God's own 
 
 breath 
 To make him heir potential of God's life! 
 Spirit of Faith, my ready ear would learn 
 How thou didst win this wanderer deceived 
 Back to the sunlight in the Fold of Truth. 
 Angel of Faith. — To call back to the fold is there a 
 
 charm 
 As sweet and potent as the Shepherd's voice, 
 The well remembered voice of happier days? 
 Low to his inner consciousness I spoke 
 Full tenderly the Master's parting woids: 
 "Let not your heart be troubled, weary one, 
 Believe in God, also believe in me. ' : 
 At this the fog rolled back like red sea waves, 
 
 6
 
 (( 
 ttl 
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Doubt and the other phantom disappeared. 
 I know not what's befallen," cried the youth; 
 One thing I know that whereas I was blind 
 Once more I see. I do believe in God, 
 And Saviour dear, also in Thee, in Thee! 
 I will arise, I will arise and go 
 Back to my Father's house. Once more my 
 
 prayers, 
 Too long forgotten, shall ascend to Heaven; 
 Once more before His altar I will kneel 
 To make my glad Communion, and once more 
 My Bible from its dusty shelf released 
 Shall be the first companion of each day; 
 So shall I follow Wisdom's high behest 
 In reverent fear and not in wilfulness. " 
 Angel of Loyalty. — O true repentance! O sincere 
 
 return! 
 Angel of Faith. — When I had offered this sweet rue 
 
 to God 
 And caught afar the shout of Heaven's joy, 
 And answered it with mine, I came to thee, 
 Angel of Loyalty, to whom God gives 
 The high prerogative to move and mould 
 The mighty ones and valiant among men, 
 Heroes who dare, and martyrs who endure. 
 
 7
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 loyal one and true, I fain would learn 
 
 How thou hast served our God and succour given 
 To this household of faith so dear to Him, 
 Since through the gates of Paradise the blest 
 And through the pearly splendour of the dawn 
 We winged our flight to earth at God's command. 
 Angel of Loyalty. — My day was given to a little lad, 
 One of our flock who's lately gone from home. 
 
 1 found him in the early morning hour 
 Still in the dormitory of his school, 
 
 The subtile Tempter whispering in his ear, 
 "Why kneel to pray? The other boys will smile, 
 Stand by the open window there and lift 
 Thy heart to God, and no one else will know." 
 Often on Memory's vivid art I call 
 To waken loyalty, for I have seen 
 Disloyalty come like base ingratitude 
 From that narcotic root, forgetfulness. 
 So when from the open window looked the child, 
 Nor field he saw, nor the blue distant hills, 
 But the interior of his parish church, 
 And it was Easter Even, and round the font 
 Were gathered catechumens among whom 
 Our little lad seemed to himself to stand 
 As once he stood on his baptismal day. 
 
 8
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Within the aisles and arches of the church 
 The shadows of Good Friday lingered still, 
 But near the altar stately lilies bloomed, 
 And in the spacious chancel myriad flowers 
 Waited in fragrance sweet for Easter Day. 
 And now a low pitched voice but clarion clear 
 Speaks from the font the Church's welcome 
 
 sweet, 
 Telling the child the sacred sign here given 
 Is token that forever more he lives 
 Christ's faithful soldier. Marked I then a thrill 
 Pass through the boy, and saw in his blue eyes 
 Kindle a light, "A soldier who's ashamed 
 Of his own captain or his colours true 
 Is not the kind of soldier I will be. " 
 He turned, knelt by his little bed, and said 
 With steadfast heart his daily morning prayer. 
 The baffled Tempter winced and shrank away. 
 Angel of Faith. — Thanks be to God for this sweet 
 
 victory, 
 Which in its essence pure is only part 
 Of the one triumph over sin and death 
 Wrought for the world by Christ on Easter Morn. 
 So is one crystal drop the miniature 
 And part essential of the boundless sea. 
 
 9
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Angel of Loyalty. — Yet for a space I still my vigil kept 
 Close to the little victor, lest that he 
 Should lay his armour by and thus be found 
 Defenceless by the ever watchful foe. 
 
 Angel of Faith. — All Angels know the hour of victory 
 Hath its peculiar danger and doth call 
 For vigilance in those that watch. 
 
 Angel of Loyalty. — So 'twas 
 
 That I came late upon a festive scene. 
 Music and mirth and fragrance of sweet flowers, 
 And a soft radiance filled the quivering air. 
 A word had just been lightly spoken which 
 Perverting wit from its right use had cast 
 The shadow of a slur on holy things. 
 With heart perplexed the mistress of the house 
 Asked of her conscience, "What ought I to do?" 
 I breathed, "Thou art His witness among men; 
 Before the company of heaven one day 
 Thy witness He will be." With courteous mien 
 She said her quiet word. The air was cleared 
 At once, and every breast relieved, for look! 
 Of human nature reverence is a part, 
 And lack of it doth cut across the grain, 
 Marring the finish and the pattern fair. 
 And doth not one of their own poets sing 
 
 10
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 That mockery is the fume of little hearts? 
 But see, my fellow guardian of the fold, 
 The sun hath passed his zenith long ago, 
 And twilight deepens. Now's the quiet hour 
 When weary mortals rest them from their toils, 
 And thoughtful ones turn from the throbbing 
 
 world 
 To find in reverie new light and peace. 
 Can we not sweet advantage take of this 
 Rare silence and receptive mood to bring 
 Within the orbit of their souls some truth, 
 Some vivid truth displayed with radiance 
 Of power and beauty irresistible, 
 That it may win their fealty and love 
 Forever more ? 
 Angel of Faith. — Thy words awake in me 
 
 A thought that long has slumbered in my 
 
 heart, 
 And as the lotus sleeping in the Nile 
 Awoke and floated slowly to the day, 
 Drawn by the charm of Joseph's loveliness, 
 So from the deep of my still consciousness 
 This thought ascends to meet thy fruitful words. 
 Angel of Loyalty. — Let thy white flower unfold its 
 
 petals pure. 
 
 ii
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Angel of Faith. — Thou know'st that in the wisdom of 
 
 God's plan 
 For these His children of the human race 
 That they are linked by many subtle cords 
 Of mutual influence, so interwov'n 
 That no one lives or dies unto himself. 
 If one has faith the sweet contagion spreads, 
 If one is loyal others catch the glow, 
 And God ordains that man is holpen best 
 By one of his own nature, man by man. 
 Angel of Loyalty. — Have we not seen that the eternal 
 
 Word 
 Man to deliver very man was made? 
 Angel of Faith. — So pondering often have I wished 
 
 that we 
 To quicken faith and loyalty and zeal 
 In this fair garden of the Lord, might find 
 Some great and shining light of human faith 
 To hold before them till they catch the 
 
 flame. 
 Then would their lamps burn the night through 
 
 until 
 The Bridegroom comes, and they would be 
 
 immune 
 From the miasma that o'erhangs these days, 
 
 12
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 The plague of doubt and wavering loyalty. 
 Angel of Loyalty. — I have thy purpose and with full 
 
 consent 
 I lend me to such fruitful work. Nay more, 
 I see the one among the sons of men 
 Who's mirrored in thy thought. Tis he who 
 
 stood 
 Alone against the world, a granite peak, 
 While raging waves of the sea foamed out their 
 
 shame, 
 And wandering stars drew in their baneful 
 
 wake 
 The sore amazed and groaning Bride of Christ. 
 Angel of Faith. — 'Tis even so. Now straightway let 
 
 us call 
 Upon his angel, and swift counsel take 
 How best we may this matter enterprise. 
 Hail Vision! pure in heart and therefore blest 
 With sight of God! We invoke thy present aid. 
 
 [Enter the Angel of Vision] 
 
 Angel of Vision. — Glory to God on high ! 
 Angels of Faith and Loyalty. — And peace on earth ! 
 Angel of Vision. — Ye angels of the Lord, praise ye 
 the Lord! 
 
 13
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Angels of Faith and Loyalty. — We magnify His name 
 forever more ! 
 
 [A pause.] 
 
 Angel of Loyalty. — Where found our voices thee, O 
 blessed one, 
 Whence art thou come with instant sweet 
 response ? 
 Angel of Vision. — From the pure ether of the upper 
 air 
 And from the cloudless region of the stars, 
 From the vast temple of the Universe 
 Where floated I in contemplation free, 
 Adoring our Creator with each breath. 
 At your behest on the wings of the wind I 
 
 come. 
 Now tell me, ye that do excel in strength, 
 That hear His words and His commands obey, 
 How may my love the King of Glory serve ? 
 How may my service glorify the Lord of Hosts ? 
 Angel of Loyalty. — By ministering to His dear chil- 
 dren here, 
 For are we not sent forth to minister, 
 And help salvation's heirs upon their way? 
 Time was, O Angel of the starry eyes,
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 That to thy guardian care a child was given, 
 Who by his faith and love through storm-swept 
 
 years 
 Stood out, defender of the Church's faith. 
 Him to our people would we now make known, 
 That seeing his firm faith and courage high, 
 They following his example may attain 
 To such a faith as shall o'ercome the world. 
 Angel of Vision. — Yours is a righteous purpose, and 
 
 I yield 
 My willing service to secure the end. 
 A simple pageant, but instinct with life, 
 I now will cause to pass before their eyes. 
 Draw back this veil; give me a space to show 
 My royal-hearted Athanese. 1 
 
 [The Angels of Faith and Loyalty draw back the cur- 
 tain. The quays of Alexandria are seen, showing in 
 the background the harbour, with shipping, and in the 
 distance the Island of Pharos with the light house.] 
 
 Ye see 
 Before you ancient Alexandria. 
 Yonder's the city, sweltering in the heat 
 Of Egypt's burning sun. Here's the salt sea 
 
 1 Royal-hearted Athanese. Newman: Lyra Apostolica. 
 
 15
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Whence wanton breezes find their languid way 
 To play about the quays. Just so it was 
 A far-off day in June. Now I will call 
 Young Athanese. Come hither, my sweet ward ; 
 God hath ordained that here thou play'st 
 to-day. 
 
 16
 
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 ACT I 
 
 Time — Early in the Fourth Century. A Day in June. 
 Place — The quays of Alexandria. 
 
 persons EeptesenteD 
 
 Boys of Alexandria. 
 
 Athanasius. 
 Cornelius. 
 Isidore. 
 Serapion. 
 
 Alexander. — Bishop of Alexandria and Metropolitan 
 
 of all Egypt. 
 Paul. — A Deacon. 
 
 [Enter Athanasius, reading from a scroll^ 
 Athanasius. — In the beginning was the Word, and 
 the Word was with God, and the Word was 
 God. {Lifting his eyes and speaking with 
 dreamy thoughtfulness.) In the beginning! 
 How far away! My thought cannot reach 
 to it nor hold it. In the beginning! Before 
 I was, . . . before my father was, . . . 
 before the sea and the stars were, . . . 
 
 17
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 before time was! No, I cannot reach to 
 it. When I try to understand I am beaten 
 back like that bird which flies against the 
 wind. {His eyes follow the bird.) Yet it 
 stretches its wings and tries again, and so 
 do I, even though I may never reach that 
 far-away beginning. I wonder if anyone 
 really understands what In the beginning 
 means. I wonder if the Archbishop under- 
 stands! How should he? He was not in 
 the beginning. {With deep awe) Only 
 God! Only God! And the Word was God. 
 {Remains lost in thought.) 
 [During this time he has seated himself on a bench at 
 the extreme right of the stage. He does not see or hear 
 the boys when they enter, but is completely absorbed 
 in thought. Sometimes he reads and sometimes thinks 
 over what he has read.] 
 
 [Enter Cornelius, followed by Isidore and Serapion.] 
 Cornelius. — Here is a quiet place where we may play. 
 {Shakes a dice cup that he has in his hand.) 
 How much hast thou, Isidore? 
 Isidore. — I have a sesterce. {Lays it down.) 
 Cornelius. — I also. {Lays down a coin.) And thou, 
 Serapion ? 
 
 18
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Serapion. — I have three asses, but . . . {Looks at 
 
 them in his hand.) 
 Cornelius. — But what? 
 Serapion. — If I should lose them, Cornelius, I would 
 
 go supperless to bed. 
 Cornelius. — And if thou didst go supperless to bed! 
 
 Art thou a mewling infant? Dost thou 
 
 not wish to be a man and a soldier? 
 Serapion (doubtfully). — Ye — s. 
 Cornelius. — Thou must learn to endure hunger; put 
 
 down thy coins. 
 Isidore. — Thou art too hard on him, Cornelius. 
 
 Listen, Serapion: If thou dost lose I will 
 
 share my supper with thee, and so we will 
 
 neither of us be very full nor very empty. 
 Serapion. — Then I will put down my coins. {He 
 
 does so.) I can endure to be a little 
 
 hungry. 
 Cornelius. — I throw first because I am the oldest. 
 Isidore. — But thou art not the oldest. 
 Cornelius. — Then I throw first because I am a 
 
 Roman. 
 Isidore. — Ah ! that is a good reason. 
 
 [Cornelius throws, and just as he does so, he 
 looks up and sees Athanasius.] 
 
 19
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Cornelius. — Look! is not that Athanasius? {Calls.) 
 
 Athanasius! 
 
 [Athanasius does not hear.] 
 Isidore. — Athanasius! 
 
 [Still Athanasius does not hear.] 
 Cornelius, Isidore and Serapion in unison. — A-tha- 
 
 na-sius! 
 [Athanasius starts and rolls up his scroll.] 
 Athanasius. — Did anyone call ? 
 Isidore. — Thou dreamer! 
 Cornelius {mocking). — "Did anyone call?" We all 
 
 three called. 
 [Athanasius comes toward them smiling^] 
 Athanasius. — Well, then, what is it? 
 Cornelius. — Wilt thou play with us? 
 Athanasius. — Aye, verily, so that ye play what pleases 
 
 me. 
 Cornelius. — We are dicing. Hast thou a sesterce? 
 Athanasius. — I will not play dice. 
 Cornelius. — And why not ? 
 
 Athanasius . — Because it is not a good pastime. 
 Isidore. — Thou art mad, Athanasius, everyone in 
 
 Alexandria plays dice. 
 Athanasius. — That does not make it right. 
 Isidore. — How now, wilt thou set thyself above thy 
 
 20
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 native city, above our great and beautiful 
 Alexandria ? 
 
 Athanasius. — I have said my say, Isidore, I will not 
 play. 
 
 Cornelius. — But why? 
 
 Athanasius. — I have already told thee: because it is 
 not a good game; thou knowest it leads 
 to waste of time and squandering of money, 
 and to many brawls and even crimes. 
 
 Cornelius. — Listen, Athanasius, thou dost not under- 
 stand. {Impressively.) They play dice in 
 Rome! I know whereof I speak. Every- 
 one plays, the nobles, the ladies, above all, 
 the soldiers, — I have often seen them play 
 in the Palace gardens when I was with my 
 father. Nay, Caesar himself doth often 
 play in his tent to while away the tedium 
 of his inactive hours. 
 
 Athanasius. — Still, that does not make it right, Cor- 
 nelius. 
 
 [The boys laugh.] 
 
 Isidore. — So then, neither our great Alexandria, nor 
 even Rome, nor even the Emperour himself 
 can make a thing right when Athanasius 
 says that it is wrong. Silly boy, at this 
 
 21
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 rate thou wilt one day find thyself against 
 the whole world. 
 
 Cornelius. — Athanasius against the world! 
 
 Serapion. — Yes, Athanasius against the world! 
 
 Isidore. — How wouldst thou like that ? 
 
 Athanasius (to himself). — But if the world were wrong 
 and I wished to do right, I could not help 
 myself. I would have to be against it. 
 
 Cornelius. — Come, answer, what wouldst thou do 
 alone against the world, thou little Atha- 
 nasius? 
 
 Vision (who has drawn near, speaking behind Athanasius 
 to his inner consciousness, but remaining in- 
 visible). — Lift up thine eyes, Athanasius, 
 and consider. If the world were against 
 thee, and thou wert in the right, wouldst 
 thou be alone? 
 
 Athanasius (to himself). — I see, I see. If I were in 
 the right, God himself would always be 
 with me. (To the boys.) Against the world 
 Athanasius could do nothing, but against 
 the world Athanasius and God could do 
 everything. 
 [The boys look at each other perplexed.] 
 
 Isidore. — Clearly he is mad. Let us leave him and 
 
 22
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 go to our own game, since he will not play 
 
 with us. 
 Athanasius (in a conciliatory tone). — But, Isidore, 
 
 I said not that I would not play with you: 
 
 I only said that I would not play dice. 
 
 Surely there are other things that we can 
 
 find to do. 
 Serapion. — We might go a-fishing. 
 Isidore (gloomily). — No, the sun is too bright, we 
 
 should catch nothing. 
 Serapion. — We might go down to the beach and watch 
 
 the Corn Ships sail. 
 Cornelius. — They will not sail to-day. The omens 
 
 were not good. 
 Athanasius. — I know something beautiful that we 
 
 could play. 
 Serapion. — What is it? 
 Athanasius (eagerly). — I have played it before, and 'tis 
 
 very interesting, and also it teaches us 
 
 many good things. 
 Cornelius. — But say what it is. 
 Athanasius. — Let us play church. 
 Isidore. — How do we play? 
 Athanasius. — There are many ways to play and all 
 
 are good, but to-day we will have a baptism. 
 
 23
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 I will be the Bishop and ye shall be cate- 
 chumens. 
 
 Cornelius. — What are catechumens? 
 
 Isidore. — Dost thou not know? They are people 
 who are ready to forsake their pagan wor- 
 ship and desire to learn about the Church. 
 I myself am a catechumen. I am in prep- 
 aration for Holy Baptism. 
 
 Athanasius. — So much the better, I know all the rest, 
 what questions to ask, and what ye should 
 answer and what I must do, for I have so 
 often watched the holy rite. 
 
 Cornelius. — Well, this is very new, and takes my 
 fancy. Lead on, Athanasius, we will play 
 church. 
 
 Athanasius. — Then come with me, and we will pre- 
 pare what we need. 
 [Exeunt all the boys. 
 
 Enter from the opposite side of the stage Alexander 
 and Paul, his deacon.] 
 
 Alexander. — Here are those cooling breezes to find 
 which the heat of my study hath driven 
 me to the quays. 
 
 Vision {in the background and invisible to Alexander 
 and Paul). — Ah, Alexander! Tis the will 
 24
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 of God hath driven thee to the quays. 
 Thou art to find more to-day than refresh- 
 ing winds. 
 
 Paul {indicating the bench). — Will your Sanctity sit 
 here and rest? 
 
 Alexander. — Yes, my good Paul. Now let us finish 
 our business. 
 
 Paul (looks through some papers and takes out one). — 
 There is the affair of Meletius. 
 
 Alexander (sighing). — Yes, there is always Meletius 
 to be a thorn in the flesh. The schism 
 grows not at present, but neither is there 
 prospect of its healing. Let it be for to-day. 
 
 Paul (looking over his papers). — There is the Widows' 
 Dole. 
 
 Alexander. — The gold was sent from the Prefecture 
 this morning, was it not? 
 
 Paul. — Yes, and it is now in thy strong box. 
 
 Alexander. — Cause the notice of the Emperour's dole 
 to be read in all the Churches. This day 
 week I will distribute it at the Patriarcheion 
 as I return from church. What next? 
 
 Paul. — Thou didst ask for a report of last Sunday's 
 sermon of Arius, the Rector of Baukalis. 
 I have it here. 
 
 25
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Alexander {stretching out his hand). — Leave it with me. 
 Which of my secretaries took these notes? 
 
 Paul. — Demas made the report, but I was with him. 
 
 Alexander. — How wast thou impressed by Arius ? 
 
 Paul. — Why truly, my lord, I think he is most elo- 
 quent. His voice is very musical and his 
 bearing dignified, though somewhat sad. 
 
 Alexander. — Is he greatly admired by the people? 
 
 Paul. — It would seem so. The church was crowded 
 to the doors, and I heard murmurs of 
 praise on all sides, especially from the 
 women. 
 
 Alexander {shaking his head). — I like him not. He 
 comes from Libya, 1 a country fruitful 
 in monstrous and unnatural productions. 
 My heart tells me that we shall have trouble 
 with him. ... Is there any thing else? 
 
 Paul. — No, my lord, I have the notes of the letters 
 I am to write for thee, and I will have them 
 ready for thee to sign in the morning. 
 
 Alexander. — One thing more I have for thee to do. 
 Take these alms {giving him a purse) to 
 Alypias. It is to bury a poor man in his 
 
 ! " Libya, a country fruitful in monstrous and unnatural pro- 
 ductions." — Cave. 
 
 26
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 parish; he was speaking to me about it 
 this morning. 
 
 Paul. — Shall I return here for thee ? 
 
 Alexander. — No, it is not necessary; when it is cooler 
 I will find my own way home. Fare thee 
 well. 
 [Exit Paul, after kissing the hand of his Bishop.] 
 
 Alexander {looking at the report in his hand). — This 
 wily Presbyter of Baukalis fills me with 
 forebodings. He is not outspoken enough 
 to lay hold of, and yet in his long sojourn 
 in Antioch he hath taken some taint through 
 Lucian and his followers, if indeed he hath 
 not drunk up the dregs of the impiety of 
 Paulus of Samosata and of Ebion. 1 Let 
 me see what is his latest utterance. 
 [Alexander begins to read, and becomes absorbed in 
 the MS. 
 Enter Athanasius, Cornelius, Isidore and Serapion.] 
 
 Athanasius. — Now, as I told you, this place (indicat- 
 ing the space immediately around them) doth 
 represent the ante-room of the baptistery 
 where ye must renounce Satan and make 
 your covenant with Christ. After which 
 1 See Du Bose: Ec. Coun., pp. 59, 91. 
 27
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 I will take you severally by the hand and 
 
 lead you down into the water, that ye may 
 
 be buried unto sin and rise again unto 
 
 righteousness. Now fold your hands 
 
 meekly upon your breast {they do so), and 
 
 hear the mystical words, and make answer 
 
 to them after me, for though ye do not 
 
 perfectly understand them, yet it is better 
 
 so than that ye should die unsealed and 
 
 unsanctified. 1 
 
 [The Angel of Vision during this time has drawn near 
 
 to Alexander. She stands behind him, and now touches 
 
 him on the shoulder and points to the children^ 
 
 Alexander. — What have we here ? They seem to 
 enact some ceremony. 
 
 Athanasius. — Now turn to the West, for the West is 
 the place of darkness and Satan is darkness 
 and his strength is in darkness. 
 [The children turn.] 
 
 Alexander {starts). — A baptism! 
 
 Athanasius. — Now stretch out your hands against 
 him and say: I renounce thee, Satan, and 
 thy pomps and thy vices and thine inven- 
 
 1 For the ancient form of administering baptism, see Bing- 
 ham's Antiq., Vol. IV. 
 
 28
 
 w 
 
 5 
 
 w 
 
 -•
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 tions, and thy world which lieth in in- 
 iquity. 
 
 The Boys. — I renounce thee, Satan, and thy pomps 
 and thy vices and thine inventions and thy 
 world which lieth in iniquity. 
 
 Athanasius. — Well said. Now turn about to the East ? 
 for he that renounces the Devil turns to 
 Christ, Who is the Sun of Righteousness 
 and the Fountain of Light, and make your 
 covenant with Him in these words (he 
 stretches out his hands towards heaven) : I 
 give myself to Thee, O Christ, to be 
 governed by Thy laws. 
 
 The Boys {imitating his gesture). — I give myself to Thee, 
 O Christ, to be governed by Thy laws. 
 
 Athanasius. — Dost thou believe in God, the Father 
 Almighty? 
 
 Alexander (to himself). — He hath it all. 
 
 The Boys. — I believe. 
 
 Athanasius. — Dost thou believe in Jesus Christ, our 
 Lord, and in His Cross? 
 
 The Boys. — I believe. 
 
 Athanasius. — Dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost ? 
 
 Alexander. — Hold there! 
 
 [The boys start and look at him.] 
 29
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Athanasius. — It is the Pope. 
 Alexander. — Come hither. 
 
 [The boys come to him promptly, dropping on one 
 knee to salute him.] 
 Alexander. — What were ye doing ? 
 Athanasius. — We were playing at having a baptism. 
 Alexander {sternly). — And how were ye not afraid to 
 play with the Holy Mysteries? 
 [The boys look at each other in consternation. Athana- 
 sius steps forward and places himself in front of 
 the others.] 
 Athanasius. — I perceive that we have grievously 
 offended, but indeed, your Holiness, the 
 fault is altogether mine, for I invented the 
 play and persuaded the others thereto. 
 Alexander {to the others). — Is this so? 
 Isidore {hesitating). — Ye — s, my lord Archbishop. 
 Alexander. — Then are ye all dismissed. Leave this 
 
 boy to me. 
 Cornelius {makes a very low reverence). — I crave 
 pardon of your Dignity, but we cannot 
 desert our comrade. It is true he proposed 
 the game, but we all agreed to it, and we 
 must all bear the consequences. 
 Alexander. — Come nearer to me and listen. Last 
 
 30
 
 w 
 
 < 
 
 E 
 z 
 
 W 
 
 w 
 
 2 
 <
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 week I was traveling in the Mareotis, and 
 by the roadside there was a pit into which 
 a lamb had fallen. While I was casting 
 about in my mind how I should succour 
 the bruised and frightened little creature, 
 I saw the shepherd drawing near. Now, 
 what think ye that I did? 
 Isidore. — Thou didst leave the lamb to the shepherd's 
 
 care, I trow. 
 Alexander. — Even so. Now I am Shepherd here in 
 Alexandria, leave therefore to me this lamb 
 of mine, and do not fear for him. 
 [ The boys make their reverence to Alexander, bowing and 
 
 kissing his hand; he makes over them each the sign 
 
 of the Cross. 
 
 Exeunt the boys. 
 
 A pause during which Alexander looks at Athanasius, 
 
 who stands before him with downcast eyes.] 
 Alexander. — What led thee to play with this most 
 
 holy rite? 
 Athanasius. — I hardly know, your Holiness. The 
 things of the Church are so beautiful that I 
 scarce can think or speak or even dream of 
 anything else. I did not think that I could 
 do them any irreverence, for I love them so. 
 
 3i
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Alexander. — Hast thou ever enacted a baptism 
 before, my child? 
 
 Athanasius. — Yes, my Father, once before. 
 
 Alexander. — Then make to me now a full confession 
 of the matter; search thy memory carefully 
 and omit nothing. 
 
 Athanasius {speaking carefully and deliberately). — It 
 was a week ago, on the feast of Peter 
 the Martyr. I was on the beach not far 
 from thy palace, with three of my compan- 
 ions, Ammonius, Pammon and Philip. I 
 enacted with them the rite of baptism, but 
 not being let or hindered, I finished the 
 ceremony. 
 
 Alexander. — Didst thou baptize these boys? 
 
 Athanasius. — Yes, your Holiness. 
 
 Alexander. — How didst thou do it ? 
 
 Athanasius. — I led them into the sea, and buried them 
 three times in the water, saying, "I baptize 
 thee in the name of the Father and of the 
 Son and of the Holy Ghost." 
 
 Alexander. — My son, I perceive that thou hast done 
 this in the innocency of thine heart. Never- 
 theless, through ignorance thou hast done 
 wrong. These are great mysteries which 
 32
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 as yet thou dost not understand. Thou 
 art forbidden ever to play in such manner 
 again. Moreover, thou must without 
 delay find these boys whom thou didst 
 baptize, and bring them to me for instruc- 
 tion and pastoral care. And also thou 
 shalt bring to me the boys with whom thou 
 wast playing to-day. I will have them all 
 enrolled with the catechumens to be taught 
 and trained. 
 
 Athanasius. — I will obey thee from my very heart in 
 this and in all things. 
 [Alexander stretches out his hand to Athanasius, who 
 takes it and kisses it, then kneels to receive 
 the Bishop's blessing.] 
 
 Alexander. — Now tell me thy name. 
 
 Athanasius. — I am called Athanasius. 
 
 Alexander. — And thy parentage. 
 
 Athanasius. — My parents were confessors in the perse- 
 cution of Maximian. Now they are both 
 dead, and their sepulchre lieth just outside 
 of the City. 
 
 Alexander. — Give unto them eternal rest, O Lord, 
 and let perpetual light shine on them! 
 
 Athanasius {softly). — Amen. 
 
 33
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Alexander. — What is now thy manner of life? 
 
 Athanasius. — I dwell with my aunt near the Church 
 of St. Theonas, and I attend the school of 
 one Dioscorus. 
 
 Alexander. — I do not remember to have heard of that 
 school. 
 
 Athanasius. — Dioscorus hath a lodging not far from 
 the Temple of Serapis, but he is very old, 
 and sometimes as we recite our lessons he 
 falls asleep. It is the best that my aunt 
 can pay for. 
 
 Alexander. — What studies hast thou pursued? 
 
 Athanasius. — I know somewhat of grammar and 
 rhetoric, and have read much of Homer 
 and a little of Plato. 
 
 Alexander. — And where hast thou learned the Faith 
 since thy parents died? 
 
 Athanasius. — Sometimes I talk with confessors and 
 others who resort to the house of my aunt, 
 and I ask them questions, but chiefly have 
 I learned in church from the reading of the 
 Scriptures, and from sermons, and from 
 all the beautiful things that I see and hear. 
 I heard thee preach on Whitsunday, my 
 lord Archbishop, and other times besides 
 
 34
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Alexander. — Dost thou spend much time in church ? 
 
 Athanasius. — Yes, my Father, I am there when the 
 doors are opened until all is in order for the 
 day. After school I am there again, for 
 thou must know that I help the Custodian 
 of the Sacred Vessels and of the Rolls. 
 He hath been lame in the leg since the 
 last rising of the Nile when he was hurt 
 with a boat-hook. 
 
 Alexander. — Art thou not paid for this service? 
 
 Athanasius. — Oh yes, not in money, but in this wise 
 {drawing from his bosom his roll, and show- 
 ing it to Alexander, who takes it from him). 
 
 Alexander. — Why, thou hast here part of the Evangel 
 of St. John ! 
 
 Athanasius. — Yes, my lord, the parchment came to 
 me with my father's books, and the Custo- 
 dian of the Rolls doth each week transcribe 
 for me twice seven lines, two lines for my 
 work each day. 
 
 Alexander. — Let me hear thee read. {Hands him the 
 roll.) 
 
 Athanasius. — In the beginning was the Word, and the 
 Word was with God, and the Word was God. 
 The same was in the beginning with God. 
 35
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 All things were made by him; and without 
 him was not anything made that was made. 
 
 Alexander. — That will do. Dost thou understand 
 what thou hast read? 
 
 Athanasius. — Only in part, for it is so high above me. 
 I was wondering anon, my lord, if thou 
 canst reach to it. 
 
 Alexander. — My child, if God were such that my little 
 mind could understand His nature, He would 
 not be God, and I could not worship Him. 
 But ever as we grow, we understand more 
 and more of God, and in Him we have 
 space to grow infinitely, forever and forever. 
 
 Athanasius {eagerly). — Oh, I understand. For some- 
 times as I read, these words seem like 
 the great dome of heaven, and I fly in it 
 like a bird, upward and upward, and yet 
 always beyond me I see the far-reaching 
 blue and the blinding glory of the sun. 
 Still it is a joy to fly toward the sun, and 
 it is a joy to read this Evangel, for I am 
 filled with such sweetness and praise, and 
 with such a great passion of love for the 
 Word Who was God, and yet was made 
 flesh and dwelt among us! 
 
 36
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Alexander. — Dost thou indeed so greatly love the 
 Saviour of the World, Athanasius? 
 
 Athanasius. — Beyond all words I love Him. I wish 
 that like the martyrs I could seal my love 
 and die for Him. 
 
 Alexander. — Art thou also willing to live for Him, 
 Athanasius ? 
 
 Athanasius. — Oh, if I but knew how! I would do 
 His will as long as there was a breath left 
 in me. 
 
 Alexander (to himself in reverie). — This pure stream 
 of faith and love should not be left to 
 chance guidance. 
 
 Vision (who has drawn near, and now speaks behind him, 
 invisible to Alexander and Athanasius). — 
 Lift up thine eyes, Alexander, and look 
 into the future. Couldst thou do better 
 for the Church of Jesus Christ than to 
 train this child for service therein? 
 
 Alexander (dreamily). — Yes, the days are coming . . . 
 I see on the horizon the dust of their 
 approach . . . when this clear mind and 
 brave spirit will be needed in the Church. 
 (After a pause, to Athanasius) My child, I 
 trow that the Custodian of the Sacred 
 
 37
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Vessels and of the Parchments at St. 
 Theonas must find someone else to help 
 him. 
 
 Athanasius {startled). — Yes, my Father? 
 
 Alexander. — Thy Bishop hath need of thee. 
 
 Athanasius. — Thou ! Of me ! 
 
 Alexander {drawing Athanasius to him). — Yes, Athana- 
 sius, I have need of thee to be my deacon 
 and my secretary, my eyes and ears, my 
 mouth and my right hand. Wilt thou be 
 such a deacon as this? 
 
 Athanasius {anxiously). — How can I when I am so 
 young and ignorant? 
 
 Alexander. — Ah! thou must be taught and trained. 
 Hereafter thou shalt live in my house, and 
 gaze on the bright countenance of truth in 
 the mild and dewy air of delightful studies. 1 
 My own books shall be open to thee. My 
 friends shall be thine. Thou shalt attend 
 the lectures of our great masters of rhetoric 
 and philosophy, and the library of Alexan- 
 dria shall yield up to thee its treasures. 
 And all the while thou and I will grow 
 
 1 "Gaze on the bright countenance of truth in the mild and 
 dewy air of delightful studies." — Greg. Naz. 
 
 38
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 together in the knowledge of God, studying 
 to do His will. So that as yonder tower on 
 Pharos looks out over the harbour, and 
 holds its faithful light for all to see, we 
 may look out over the Church in Egypt, 
 vigilant to watch, and faithful through 
 night and storm to hold the truth about 
 Him Whose life is the only light of this 
 dark world. What sayst thou, Athanasius? 
 
 Athanasius. — What can I say? I have no words. 
 It is too wonderful and beautiful. My 
 Father, I will go with thee, and whatsoever 
 thou sayst unto me, I will do it. 
 
 Alexander. — Come then, home with me. (Rises.) This 
 evening I will send a message to thine 
 aunt. From this hour thou art my son, 
 my consolation, and the strength of mine 
 old age. 
 [They start for home, slowly crossing the stage. 
 Enter on tip-toe and with great caution, Cornelius, 
 Isidore and Serapion.] 
 
 Cornelius. — Hist! Athanasius. 
 
 [Athanasius turns and sees them.] 
 
 Athanasius. — My Father, suffer me to speak to these 
 my comrades. 
 
 39
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 [Alexander indicates by a motion that he gives 
 
 permission.] 
 Athanasius. — What is it? 
 Cornelius. — We would know how he hath punished 
 
 thee. 
 Athanasius. — In this way: He hath adopted me for 
 his son, and to-night I sleep at the Patriar- 
 cheion. 
 
 [Curtain.] 
 
 40
 
 FROM THIS HOUR THOU ART MY SON, MY CONSOLATION" AND 
 THE STRENGTH OF MINE OLD AGE.''
 
 ACT II 
 
 Time — A day in June in the Year of Grace 325. 
 Place — A Basilica in the city of Nicaea. 
 
 Persons Representee 
 
 Constantine. — Roman Emperour. 
 
 I Bishop of Alexandria and Metropolitan of 
 
 Alexander J . 11T? 1 11 j« T u t> » 
 
 [ All Egypt, commonly called I he rope. 
 
 Athanasius. — His Archdeacon. 
 
 Hosius. — Bishop of Cordova, President of the Council. 
 
 Eusebius. — Bishop of Caesarea and Metropolitan of 
 Palestine. 
 
 Eustathius. — Bishop of Antioch. 
 
 John. — Catholicos of the Church of the Farther East. 
 
 Potammon. — Bishop of Heraclopolis, Confessor. 
 
 Paphnutius. — Bishop of the Upper Thebaid, Con- 
 fessor. 
 
 Paul. — Bishop of Neo-Caesarea, Confessor. 
 
 James. — Bishop of Nisibis, a Hermit. 
 
 Spyridion. — Bishop of Cyprus, a Shepherd. 
 
 Marcellus. — Bishop of Ancyra. 
 
 Victor. 
 Vincentius. 
 
 Presbyters, representing Sylvester, 
 Bishop of Rome. 
 4i
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Theofhilus. — A Gothic Bishop. 
 
 Acesius. — A Novatian Ascetic. 
 
 Arius. — The Heresiarch, a Presbyter of Alexandria. 
 
 Avowed Friends 
 
 Theonas. — Bishop of Marmarica, 
 Secundus. — Bishop of Ptolomais, 
 
 Eusebius. — Bishop of Nicomedia, 
 Theognis. — Bishop of Nicaea, 
 Maris. — Bishop of Chalcedon, 
 
 Hermogenes. — A Secretary. 
 
 Pages. 
 
 Vision. 
 
 and Supporters 
 of Arius. 
 
 Sympathizers 
 with Arius. 
 
 Note. — This being an historical play, the words of the writers 
 and actors of the period have been freely incorporated into the 
 text, and it has not been thought necessary to indicate where 
 this has been done, except when the words of one person have 
 been put into the mouth of another, and not always then. Nor 
 has it been deemed necessary to indicate passages or expressions 
 taken from the Scriptures or from the Prayer Book or the "Qui- 
 cunque vult." The intention has been to acknowledge all quota- 
 tions from modern authors, and if in any case this has been omitted, 
 it has been through inadvertence. In the speeches of Eusebius 
 of Caesarea, the phrase "Remember that we are seeking light, not 
 heat" is borrowed from Tennyson, and "The towering eagles 
 resigned the flags unto the Cross" from Pearson. 
 
 42
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 [At the back of the stage an altar. On the dossal the 
 text "Whom say ye that I am?' Right and left 
 seats ranged against the walls for the Bishops. In the 
 centre a "throne" on which rests a copy of the Four 
 Gospels. Back of the throne a small gold chair. A 
 seat to the right of the gold chair and one to the 
 left. Hanging on the wall to the left a banner in- 
 scribed " Lo, I am with you always!' To the right 
 another banner bearing the device of a dove with out- 
 stretched wings, and the legend "Behold I send the 
 promise of my Father upon you." l 
 
 [Enter before the curtain the Angel of Vision.] 
 
 The Angel of Vision. — "And the Child grew, waxed 
 strong in spirit, filled 
 With Wisdom, and upon Him grace divine." 
 Even so on the fair pattern of his Lord, 
 In strength and wisdom Athanasius grew, 
 Winning the favour both of God and man. 
 Thus passed the quiet, studious years of youth, 
 The seed time of the fruitful life to come. 
 
 1 The seats for the Bishops should be arranged in somewhat of 
 a semi-circle, to look like an apse. The "throne" for the Gospels 
 should be without a back, and the Emperour's "small gold chair" 
 raised somewhat above it. It seems unavoidable that the Em- 
 perour should have his back to the altar. 
 
 43
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 And then upon the Alexandrian Church 
 
 Crept in a sore disease. With vision keen, 
 
 And courage high, young Athanasius faced 
 
 The burning madness of the Arian plague, 
 
 And side by side with Alexander strove 
 
 To stay it there in Alexandria. 
 
 'Twere easier far to hush the moaning sea 
 
 Presaging storm, or still the wilful wind 
 
 Than Arius to silence when he bent 
 
 Himself against the Deity of Christ. 1 
 
 Slave to hard pride, he thought himself the 
 
 free, 
 And loved to choose his path, lawless and weak, 
 He charmed the ears that would not hear the 
 
 truth, 
 And led the blind, himself more blind than they; 
 For silly sheep followed the hireling, 
 Their own true shepherds calling them in vain. 
 And thus the madness spread. But now at last 
 In God's full time the Church has met to hear 
 The question and to answer it, "Whom say 
 Ye that I am?" Draw back once more the 
 
 veil. 
 
 1 The Arians "bending themselves against the Deity of 
 Christ." — Hooker: Eccl. Pol. 
 
 44
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 [The curtain is drawn, showing the interior 
 
 of the Basilica.] 
 Put off your shoes, for this is holy ground! 
 Here in this old basilica was won 
 Nicaea's victory. The chestnuts wave 
 On Bithnia's wooded slopes, and fleecy clouds 
 Float in the summer sky and in the blue 
 Of the Ascanian Lake, while far away 
 Snow capped Olympus broods upon the scene. 
 Here in Nicaea, City of Victory, 
 Have gathered day by day for many weeks 
 The servants of the Church of Jesus Christ. 
 From far and wide, each from his diocese, 
 By lumbering caravan or heaving ship, 
 Through sandy tracks, by stony mountain 
 
 paths, 
 O'er the salt sea, over the smooth post roads, 
 At Constantine's command the Church has 
 
 come 
 To witness to the Faith. They gladly meet 
 Under the grateful shade of porticoes, 
 And in the hostelries and streets they see 
 Each other face to face, martyrs of Christ, 
 Confessors, hermits, scholars, saints and men 
 Devout, out of all nations under heaven, 
 
 45
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Waiting for that great day which now has come. 
 Veni, Veni, Creator Spiritus! 1 
 [Vision withdraws. Enter Alexander attended by 
 Athanasius, Paphnutius and Potammon.] 
 Alexander {looking about). — No one is here. We are 
 
 the first to arrive. 
 Athanasius. — Yes, we are full early, and that is right, 
 for who should be the first at this Council, 
 but thou, my Father, who hast so long 
 borne alone the brunt of the fight? 
 Alexander. — Ah ! I should ill have borne it, and made 
 
 little headway without thee, my son. 
 
 Athanasius. — I am but a part of thee, and what I do is 
 
 only fruit of thine own sowing, but in such 
 
 as these, Confessors of Christ {pointing to 
 
 Paphnutius and Potammon), is the Church's 
 
 true strength. Be ye seated, beloved ones. 
 
 [Alexander seats himself. Paphnutius and Potammon 
 
 on either side of him. They converse. Enter Spyri- 
 
 dion. He is dressed like a shepherd and carries a 
 
 staff. He looks about him rather shyly. Athanasius 
 
 goes forward to meet him.] 
 
 Athanasius. — I give thee joy, Spyridion, on thy recent 
 
 1 For description of Nicsea, and of the gathering of the Council, 
 see Stanley: Eastern Church. 
 
 4 6
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 convert. May he shine like a jewel in thy 
 crown on that glad day when thou shalt lay 
 it at thy Saviour's feet! Thou didst lead 
 the heathen philosopher to baptism at 
 once, I was told? 
 
 Spyridion. — Yes, I lost not a moment in taking him 
 to the Fountain of Life, but it was not my 
 poor, untutored words that melted his heart, 
 but the fire of the Holy Ghost, for when I 
 had finished speaking and said to him, 
 "Believest thou?" for all his great swelling 
 words, he acknowledged that he felt within 
 him an impulse which forced him to confess 
 the faith of Christ. But, good my lord, I 
 would fain speak to thee of a matter that 
 troubles me. 
 
 Athanasius. — Call me not lord, I am only a deacon of 
 Alexandria. I am the servant of the Bishop 
 of Cyprus, or, if he will have it so, his son. 
 
 Spyridion. — My son, thou hast lived in the great 
 world, and studied in the famous schools 
 of Alexandria, but I have come here at the 
 Emperour's bidding from my sheep-cotes, 
 and from following the ewes great with 
 young. I fear by my want of learning to 
 
 47
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 bring dishonour on the name of Christ. 
 I worship Him as God, and love Him as 
 my Saviour, but I cannot reason about it 
 with wise eloquence and subtlety. 
 
 Athanasius. — My Father, what the Church calls for 
 to-day is thy testimony. Thou art asked to 
 witness to the Faith, not to explain the 
 wherefore and the how of divine mysteries. 
 Thou hast only to declare what was the 
 Faith once for all delivered to Cyprus what 
 time the Holy Ghost said "Separate me 
 Barnabas and Paul for the work whereunto 
 I have called them." 
 
 Spyridion. — Ah, that is an easy matter, we have abun- 
 dant records. Thou hast taken a load from 
 my mind. Now I would greet the Pope. 
 [Athanasius leads him to Alexander.] 
 
 Athanasius. — My Father, here is the Bishop of 
 Cyprus. 
 [Enter Victor and Vincentius. They pause a moment 
 at the back of the stage.] 
 
 Alexander (to Spyridion, rising). — Peace be with 
 thee, my brother. 
 
 Spyridion. — And with thy spirit, most sweet and 
 honoured brother and bishop. 
 48
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 [Victor and Vincentius advance and approach 
 
 Athanasius .] 
 
 Victor. — Art thou not the Archdeacon of Alexandria? 
 
 Athanasius. — I am he, and a servant of the servants 
 of Jesus Christ. 
 
 Vincentius. — We would fain be presented to the Pope 
 of Alexandria, for we bear to him the greet- 
 ings of his brother, the Bishop of Rome. 
 [Athanasius leads them to Alexander.] 
 
 Athanasius. — My lord and Father, these are the 
 delegates of the Bishop of Rome. 
 [Alexander gives them his hand, which they kiss, 
 bowing the knee.] 
 
 Alexander. — Peace be with you, and with him whom 
 ye represent. 
 
 Victor. — Sylvester, Bishop of Rome, greets thee, O 
 Pope of Alexandria, with all brotherly love 
 and Christian humility. 
 
 Alexander. — How is my dear brother ? 
 
 Vincentius. — His great age and his many infirmities 
 could not have borne the rigours of this 
 long journey, but his heart is with us, and 
 with us he prays for the peace of Jerusalem. 
 
 Alexander. — Bear him my brotherly and most loving 
 greetings, and let him know how truly we 
 
 49
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 wish that in God's good providence the 
 Bishop of the Imperial City might have 
 sat with his brother bishops in this great 
 Council. 
 
 [Victor and Vincentius pass to their seats. Enter 
 Eusebius of Nicomedia, with Arius, Theognis, Maris, 
 Theonas and Secundus. Eusebius salutes the Alexan- 
 drian clergy coldly and takes his place. Theognis and 
 Maris on his right and left. Theonas and Secundus 
 remain for the present standing in the background. 
 Arius advances, bows haughtily to Alexander, and 
 then stands looking at Athanasius with studied in- 
 solence] 
 Arius. — Why earnest thou hither, and with whom hast 
 thou left thy proper duties in Alexandria? 
 I know thy pride and the naughtiness of 
 thy heart. Thou art come that thou might- 
 est essay thy logic on me, as thou hast done 
 before. But have a care, thou hast not the 
 ear of the Church as thou hast that of the 
 aged Alexander, and thou shalt not have it 
 all thine own way to-day. 
 Athanasius. — I seek not mine own way, Arius, but 
 the truth as God hath revealed it to the 
 Church. Seek thou it too, and perchance 
 So
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 we may one day meet as ships that sail 
 for the same port. 1 
 [Athanasius turns from Arius, and seats himself at 
 the feet of Alexander. Arius seats himself near 
 Eusebius of Nicomedia. Theonas and Secundus seat 
 themselves right and left of Arius. 
 Enter Eusebius of C&sarea, Eustathius, John, James, 
 Paid, Acesius, and Marcellus of Ancyra. They all 
 seat themselves, Eusebius sitting at the left of the 
 Emperour s golden chair. Just as Marcellus has taken 
 his seat, he sees Arius and springs 'tip, shaking his 
 fist at him.] 
 Marcellus. — Ah! thou perverse one! Thou forerun- 
 ner of Antichrist! 
 Athanasius {lays his hand on the arm of Marcellus). — 
 Softly, Marcellus, as much as in us lieth, 
 shall we not be gentle to those that oppose 
 themselves? 
 Marcellus. — Gentleness is wasted on such perversity. 
 Athanasius. — And wilt thou, dear friend, accept one 
 word of caution ? In thy fierceness against 
 this heresy of Arius, be careful that thou 
 dost not lose thy balance, and fall into 
 Sabellianism, confounding the Persons of 
 1 Compare "Qua Cursum Ventus," A. H. Clough. 
 
 51
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 the Ever Blessed Trinity. In self-control 
 and temperance lies our strength. 
 
 Marcellus. — Have no fear of me. 
 
 Athanasius {aside). — I have great fear of thee, 
 thou good, clumsy Marcellus. 
 [Enter Hosius, attended by Theophilus.] 
 
 Alexander {rising). — Peace be with thee, Hosius, 
 thou great Bishop of the West. Holy art 
 thou in name, and holy in character. In 
 the name of the Eastern Church, I welcome 
 in thee the Church of the West. 
 
 Hosius. — I bring to the Eastern Church the greetings 
 of the West, and pray God that we may 
 ever be one in truth and mutual love. 
 Reverend Fathers, the Emperour hath de- 
 creed that I shall preside at the Council, 
 but, forasmuch as my knowledge of your 
 Grecian tongue is so imperfect, I have asked 
 the Bishop of Caesarea to pronounce our 
 greeting to the Emperour. 
 [Hosius seats himself at the right of the golden chair. 
 Theophilus among the other Bishops. 
 Enter a page with a flaring torch.] 
 
 The Page. — The Emperour comes! Make ready to 
 receive the Emperour! 
 52
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 [All rise. 
 
 Flourish of trumpets, then a stately march, and the 
 
 Emperour comes in, attended by four pages, one of 
 
 whom bears the Labarum. The procession passes 
 
 around the Basilica, until the Emperour has made the 
 
 circuit of the stage; he then takes his place in front 
 
 of the golden chair, but remains standing.] 
 
 Hosius. — Will not our August Emperour be seated ? 
 
 [The Emperour seats himself. All the Nicene Fathers 
 
 resume their seats except Eusebius of C&sarea. 
 
 When all is quiet, he speaks.] 
 
 Eusebius of Cczsarea. — Friends and priests of God, 
 
 ye who are clad in the sacred tunic and 
 
 wear the crown of glorious service, long 
 
 since we have heard in the lessons of Holy 
 
 Scripture the wonders of God's hand and 
 
 His goodness towards men. -fe-our hymns 
 
 and canticles we have been accustomed to 
 
 . sing these words, "O God, we have heard 
 
 with our ears the wonders which thou hast 
 
 done in times of old." Yea, verily, but 
 
 to-day it is no longer by hearing, no longer 
 
 by word and report that we know the 
 
 mighty hand and stretched-out arm of our 
 
 omnipotent God and King. We ourselves 
 
 53
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 behold, with our own eyes we see, marvels 
 of power and goodness like to those of 
 which we have read. How wonderful has 
 been the change in our condition since at 
 the conversion of Constantine the-towering 
 eagles resigned the flags unto the Cross !■ 
 Not only are we delivered from the rack 
 and torment of persecution, but now is 
 Christ confessed and worshipped through- 
 out the Empire. (Turning to Constantine) 
 Great and manifold were the blessings, 
 most dread Sovereign, 1 bestowed upon us 
 by God through thee. What king ever 
 ordained laws so pious and wise? Who has 
 ever abrogated the fierce and barbarous 
 customs of savage nations by such mild 
 and beneficial laws? Who else has given 
 to his soldiers arms of piety harder than 
 adamant against their enemies? Still ring- 
 ing in our ears are the paeans of congratu- 
 lation for the victory of Chrysopolis and 
 amid the festal joys of all thy subjects shall 
 
 1 Preface to the A. V. The Fathers have been accused of ful- 
 someness in their mode of addressing the Emperours, but it would 
 seem that court language is always about the same and that it 
 is rated at its true value. 
 
 54
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 lumb-l — Nayy-illustrio us Vict or, 
 we too hold in joyful remembrance thy 
 v ictory ove r_the dissolute and impious 
 Licinious. As-many of us look upon thy 
 -^ace for the first time we can hear the battle 
 cry of Constantine, " God and our Saviour ! " 
 We can see the images of the false gods of 
 Licinious fall to the ground like Dagon, 
 while his pagan troops fly in terror 
 and confusion, and, thinking of all these 
 things, we return thanks to God for thee, 
 for thy conversion and most Christian 
 rule, for thy victory over all our foes; 
 and for this, the latest in time but the 
 noblest of all thy noble deeds, we give 
 thanks to God that he put into thy heart 
 the sublime determination to summon in 
 this Council the Bishops of the habit- 
 able earth to oppose to the invisible 
 enemy of the Church the battalions of a 
 divine phalanx. 
 Constantine. — Ye white-robed Fathers, I greet you 
 faif and bid you welcome with all love. 
 If after years remember the name of Con- 
 stantine, let them record that twice in his 
 
 55
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 life he had a happy day. Once at the 
 Milvian Bridge . . . 
 
 Nicene Fathers. — Hail Corrstantine, Victor by the 
 Cross of Christ !- 
 
 Constantine. — ... and once again in Nicaea, when 
 still in that same sign by which alone we 
 conquer, the victory of peace and unity 
 was won. For where should we find peace 
 and unity if not in the Church of Christ 
 Who is the Prince of Peace and Who prayed 
 that His followers might be one, even as 
 He and His Father are one? 
 But have I found it so since at the command 
 of Christ I turned from the darkness of 
 paganism and came into the Church? 
 Alas! Alas! I have not found harmony, 
 but discord; not unity, but variance; not 
 brotherly love, but bitterness and recrimi- 
 nation. My brethren, these things ought 
 not so to be. (He takes from his bosom a 
 package of sealed letters tied together.) What 
 are these? They are letters from Christian 
 Bishops bringing accusation against each 
 other, dragging each other's faults and fail- 
 ings into the light. I have not read them, 
 
 56
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 knowing too well their unlovely character. 
 I have not even broken the seals. Shall we 
 not leave each other's shortcomings to the 
 merciful judgment of God? Shall we not 
 to-day let these letters perish, even as a fig- 
 tree casteth her untimely figs when she is 
 shaken of a mighty wind? {To one of his 
 pages) Bring me a brazier. {The page brings 
 a burning brazier, the Emperour lays the letters 
 in the flame.) So perish all unkindness out of 
 Zion. So let the fires of love consume all bit- 
 terness and rancour, leaving us at unity, in 
 peace. But, my Reverend Father, in God, 
 {pointing to Hosius), this— wor-14-renowned 
 Spaniard hath shown me in our frequent 
 conversation about this question which is 
 before the Church to-day that unity and 
 peace can be found only in the true faith of 
 Jesus Christ. I did not always understand 
 this being but a catechumen and a soldier, 
 for, since God hath given me the kingdom of 
 this world, I thought that I could command 
 the Church to be at unity, and so when the 
 news from Alexandria reached my ears, 
 I wrote to Alexander and Arius bidding 
 
 57
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 them leave these subtle questions which 
 they should never have raised, and restore 
 to me my peaceful days and tranquil nights. 
 But having been shown that the subjects 
 in dispute are not trivial, as I supposed, 
 and that they did not arise from the dis- 
 putatious cavils of unemployed leisure, but 
 that in truth the matter is of deep moment, 
 and vital to the interests of the Church, 
 I have called this Council, and God it was 
 on whose suggestion I acted in summoning 
 the Bishops to meet in such numbers, thatye 
 may declare and make known what is the 
 truth which hath been committed to your 
 keeping, that so the belief of all nations may 
 be unified with regard to the Divinity into 
 one consistent form, and that the grievous 
 sickness of this naughty world maybe healed. 
 Beloved, I take it as a happy omen that we are 
 met in a city whose name means Victory, 
 and I give you joy, all ye who contend for 
 the truth, for ye are fighting on the winning 
 side {he takes the Labarum from the hand of 
 his page and holds it up), and in this sign 
 ye shall conquer. 
 
 58
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Hosius. — My brethren and fellow servants of Jesus 
 Christ, by the grace of God and the piety 
 of the Emperour this great and holy .synod 
 hath come together to declare what is and 
 hath ever been the Catholic Faith with 
 respect to the godhead of Jesus Christ, the 
 Son of God and Saviour of the world. And 
 it is the wish and command of the Emperour 
 that we shall clearly and beyond all doubt 
 express this truth in language whose mean- 
 ing can in no wise be misunderstood. 
 We have therefore to consider whether the 
 Catholic Faith is that the Godhead of the 
 Father and of the Son is one, the glory 
 equal, the majesty co-eternal, or whether, 
 as this new learning put forth by Arius 
 and his followers doth teach, the Father 
 is God, and the Son is a creature, highest 
 indeed of all created beings, but still a 
 creature. 
 
 Alexander. — Forasmuch as we find in all the apostolic 
 Churches creeds which are the same in 
 substance, though more or less full in their 
 summary of the faith, were it not well to 
 seek in these a basis for our deliberations? 
 
 59
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 For so shall we see plainly and without all 
 doubt what hath ever been the faith of 
 the Churches, and we have only to safe- 
 guard the language of these creeds or forms 
 of sound words by declaring and explaining 
 what is the true meaning as it has been 
 understood from the days of the Apostles 
 until now. 
 Eusebius of Ccesarea. — The Metropolitan of Egypt 
 hath spoken wisely, and inasmuch as the 
 Church of Caesarea holdeth its form of 
 words from apostolic days, we present to 
 you our profession of faith which we have 
 received from the Bishops who preceded 
 us, which we learned being subjects of the 
 baptismal vow, and which we have ever 
 taught both as Presbyter and Bishop, and 
 it is this: 
 
 We believe in one God, the Father 
 Almighty, Maker of all things visible 
 and invisible; And in one Lord Jesus 
 Christ {from now on Alexander and Atha- 
 nasius look intently at Arius), The Word 
 of God, God of God, Light of Light. 
 [During this sentence Arius and Eusebius of 
 60
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Nicomedia exchange glances, making signs to 
 each other that they will accept this article as 
 they choose to interpret it.] 
 
 Arius {aside). — Yes, yes. 
 
 Eusebius of Ccesarea. — The only begotten Son. 
 
 Arius {aside). — Yes, begotten, but before he was 
 begotten, he was not. 
 
 Eusebius of Ccesarea. — The first born of every creature. 
 
 Arius {aside). — Excellent, of every creature he is 
 indeed the first born. 
 
 Athanasius {aside to Alexander). — This Symbol will 
 never hold them. See how they accept 
 each clause with nods and winks which 
 plainly say "We can get around that." 
 
 Eusebius of C&sarea. — Begotten of the Father before 
 all ages. 
 
 Arius {aside). — Before all time, time itself being 
 only a creature. 
 
 Eusebius of Casarea. — By whom all things were made. 
 
 Arius {aside). — Aye, aye, we will admit that God 
 created through his Word. 
 
 Eusebius of C&sarea. — Who for our salvation was made 
 
 flesh and lived among men, and suffered 
 
 and rose again the third day, and ascended 
 
 to the Father, and shall come again in 
 
 61
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 glory to judge quick and dead. We believe 
 also in one Holy Spirit. Amen. This is 
 the Symbol or Creed of Caesarea. 
 
 Hosius. — Do ye all accept and believe the articles 
 of the Christian Faith as contained in the 
 Creed of Caesarea ? 
 
 The Nicene Fathers. — I do. 
 
 [There is a brief pause during which Arius and 
 Eusebius of Nicomedia exchange pleased glances. 
 Arius rubs his hands together in sign of satisfaction.] 
 
 Alexander. — My brethren, I ask permission to have 
 the voice of the Egyptian Church heard 
 through the mouth of Athanasius, mine 
 own son in the faith. Let no man despise 
 his youth, for he hath been an example 
 to believers in word, in manner of life, in 
 charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. More- 
 over he hath given attendance to reading 
 and hath not neglected the gift that is in 
 him, as many of you do know who have read 
 his treatise on the Incarnation. 
 
 Marcellus. — A most excellent work! 
 
 Arius {to Eusebius of Nicomedia). — Heard you ever 
 such insolence, to push forward in this 
 assembly his insignificant little deacon! 
 62
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Eusebius of Nicomedia {to Arius). — Vex not thyself, 
 Arius, he will not make a stir here as he 
 hath done in his native city. Thou wilt 
 soon silence him. 
 
 Hosius. — Athanasius, Archdeacon of Alexandria, thou 
 art permitted to speak. 
 
 Athanasius. — I think myself happy, most noble Con- 
 stantine and my reverend Fathers, that I 
 am permitted to speak for the Church of 
 Egypt, farJL-myself am a Copt, an Egyptian 
 -of the Egyptians. I was born in Alexandria, 
 I have learned in her schools and have 
 been nurtured in her Church, and aa a 
 child whose head is pillowed on his mother's 
 breast hears her faithful heart beating with 
 -lovc-for-hinvso have I listened throughout 
 these troubled years at the heart of Egypt, 
 and I know that its every beat is true to 
 the Catholic Faith, so that when I speak for 
 the Church of Alexandria, I speak for all 
 apostolic churches that hold the faith once 
 for all delivered to the saints. The Creed 
 of Caesarea, to which we have just given 
 our assent, is in substance, and almost in 
 form, the Creed we all learned when we were 
 
 63
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 baptized into the name of the Father, and 
 of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Before 
 this Arian madness assailed the Church, 
 this Creed was sufficient for our reverent 
 and adoring faith, for until these sad days 
 no one who called himself a Christian has 
 ever doubted the true godhead of Jesus 
 Christ. But now this Creed is no longer 
 explicit enough to express the true mind of 
 the Church, since Arius and his followers 
 can put a double meaning on what is so 
 plain to us, since they can subscribe to the 
 Creed, and yet hold a doctrine so utterly 
 at variance with the faith of the Church. 
 
 The very fact that they say "yea, yea" when 
 we put forth our Symbol shows that we have 
 not expressed our faith with sufficient and 
 incontrovertible plainness of meaning. Oh, 
 we know Arius well in Alexandria, and even 
 thou, Illustrious Emperour, hast written 
 that when he looks most sweet and calm, 
 he is most serpentine and obscure in his 
 utterance. 
 
 My venerable Fathers, wherefore have we 
 come together? To speak in uncertain tones? 
 
 6 4
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 To hang a mist of doubtful language before 
 the truth, so that one shall say "I see this," 
 and another "I see that"? Nay, we have 
 come to dispel obscurity, first by declaring 
 what it is that the Church has always be- 
 lieved and taught with regard to her Lord, 
 and then by putting it into such language 
 that for all time men shall know what is 
 the Catholic Faith, and that none shall be 
 able to say it is other than what it is. 
 
 Eustathius. — But I see not how language could be any 
 plainer than what we have used. Doth 
 not the Creed of Caesarea say that Jesus 
 Christ is the Son of God, the only begotten 
 Son, begotten of the Father before all ages? 
 Can human language say more than that? 
 
 Athanasius. — It would seem not, and yet the Arians 
 have twisted even such a declaration till 
 it no longer holds them to the confession 
 that Jesus Christ is very and eternal God. 
 
 Eustathius. — How then shall we strengthen our Con- 
 fession ? 
 
 Athanasius. — There is only one word that we have 
 as yet found that cannot be perverted to 
 mean other or less than it says. {He takes 
 
 65
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 from Alexander a letter?) In this letter 
 written by the Bishop of Nicomedia to set 
 forth the views of himself and Alius, he 
 saith that they will not acknowledge that 
 the Son is of one substance with the Father. 
 
 The Nicene Fathers. — Shame! Shame! 
 
 [Marcellus snatches the letter from the hand of Athana- 
 sius, tears it into pieces and throws it on the ground.] 
 
 Constantine. — I propose that into the Creed which 
 hath always been held by the Catholic 
 Church we insert the word "Homoousion" 
 to confess that we believe the Son to be of 
 one substance with the Father. 
 
 Nicene Fathers {rising). — Homoousion! Homoousion! 
 Homoousion! 
 
 Athanasius (raising the banner of "Homoousion"). — 
 The Church hath confessed her faith that 
 the Son is of one substance with the Father, 
 and we have erected a bulwark of the 
 faith l against which the waves of heresy 
 shall beat in vain. 
 
 Arius (springing to his feet excitedly). — Not so fast, 
 thou pigmy, thou paltry manniken of Alex- 
 andria. In Egypt I was persecuted by thee, 
 
 1 The Nicene Creed "A bulwalk of the Faith." — Luther. 
 
 66
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 and expelled from the City because I agreed 
 not with thy doctrine, but here in the pres- 
 ence of Augustus and of the Church, I 
 will be heard, and this I say, that the Son, 
 though begotten of God, hath not the same 
 essence, power and glory with Him, but 
 is altogether different in his nature. He is 
 of different substance, Heterousion. (He 
 raises his banner.) 
 
 The Nicene Fathers {excitedly). — No, no, down with 
 it! Out with it! 
 
 Theophilus. — How excitable these Orientals are! See 
 how they work themselves up into a frenzy. 
 
 Athanasius. — Ah, Theophilus, thou son of the chilly 
 North, we are indeed filled with a frenzy 
 and passion of holy fear, for we are con- 
 tending for our all. 
 
 Eusebius of Nicomedia {suavely). — Arius, thou hast 
 gone too far. We cannot accept thy Heter- 
 ousion. {In an undertone) Thou hast mis- 
 read the temper of this Council, thou 
 shouldst never have spoken so plainly. 
 
 Arius {aside to Eusebius). — I fear not; when I have had 
 my say they will come over to me. {Rais- 
 ing his voice) Most noble Constantine, seeing 
 
 67
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 thou art a lover of truth, and hast an open 
 mind ready to welcome all new light and 
 to march fearlessly where that light shall 
 lead, and ye, my Fathers and Brothers, 
 honoured and beloved, who are not held in 
 bondage by tradition, nor to be affrighted 
 by the cramping fears of narrow-minded 
 men, I speak to you with all thankfulness 
 for your intelligence and for the fair- 
 mindedness with which I know that I shall 
 be heard. I have been persecuted, accused 
 of heresy, forbidden to teach in mine own 
 pulpit, driven from Alexandria where I was 
 listened to with deep respect and greatly 
 loved, and why ? Because I had the courage 
 of my opinions, because I taught the truth 
 as it seemed to me. 
 
 Paphnutius. — Arius, I was present at thine ordination, 
 and I heard thee promise to teach the truth 
 as the Church of Egypt hath received the 
 same. In thy pulpit at Baukalis thou wast 
 a minister of the Christian Church and 
 a steward of the mysteries of God. 
 
 Potammon. — If thou desirest to teach a system of 
 thine own, no one would hinder thee, as 
 68
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 long as thou dost not call it Catholic Chris- 
 tianity, and proclaim it from a pulpit of 
 the Church. 
 
 Arius. — I pray this noble company to forgive the rude 
 interruption of these Bishops of the out- 
 lying provinces. 
 
 Alexander. — Remember, Arius, the Bishops of the 
 Thebaid and of Heraclopolis are Con- 
 fessors of Christ, and they bear on their 
 bodies scars that claim our reverence and 
 love. 
 
 Arius {shrugging his shoulders). — I pray this hon- 
 oured company of their clemency to hear 
 me further. I find my "system" in Holy 
 Scripture, for which I have as great a 
 respect as any here, but what, I ask you, 
 is the key-note of the Old Testament? Is 
 it not this: "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our 
 God is one Lord?' 1 I am a worshipper of 
 one God, and therefore I say that there is 
 a Trinity, but not all alike in majesty, for 
 have ye not read the words of Christ him- 
 self, "My Father is greater than I?" And 
 did not Peter in his Pentecostal sermon 
 declare that "God hath made Jesus both 
 
 6 9
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 God and Lord?" Therefore, I say that 
 the Son was the first of creatures, and in 
 that sense the only begotten, created in 
 order that by his means God might create 
 us, but there was when he was not, and he 
 is incapable of thoroughly knowing either 
 the Father's nature or his own. 
 
 Athanasius {sternly). — Answer me one word, Arius, 
 and then thou needst go no further, for we 
 shall all understand thee. Thou hast said 
 that the Son is incapable of thoroughly 
 knowing either the Father's nature or His 
 own because He is a creature, and there was 
 when He was not, — can then this exalted 
 creature change from good to evil? 
 
 Arius. — Yes, as the angels fell from good to evil, so 
 might he. 
 
 [Great excitement.] 
 
 The Nicene Fathers {with horror stopping their ears). — 
 Blasphemy! Blasphemy! 
 
 Alexander {rending his robe). — O Lord, rebuke us 
 not in thine indignation! 
 
 Nicene Fathers. — Neither chasten us in thy heavy 
 displeasure. 
 
 Alexander. — Kyrie Eleison ! 
 
 70
 
 o 
 
 C/3 
 
 -T.
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Nicene Fathers. — Christe Eleison ! 
 
 Athanasius. — Thou hast filled up the measure of thine 
 iniquity, Arius, and hast changed the glory 
 of the uncorruptible God into an image 
 made like to corruptible man. 
 
 Hosius. — Let all things proceed decently and in order. 
 I ask the Council what is their verdict and 
 wish with respect to the banner of Arius. 
 
 Nicene Fathers. — Down with it, down with it, take it 
 away! 
 
 Constantine. — Remove this impiety, lest the roof fall 
 on us. 
 [A Page takes the banner out of the Church.] 
 
 Eusebius of Casarea. — Let us remember, my dearly 
 beloved brethren, that we are messengers 
 of the Gospel of Peace, and that sharp 
 contention and angry words do not become 
 us. We all profess and call ourselves Chris- 
 tians; there surely must be some expression 
 of our faith which is wide enough to include 
 us all. It is certain that we cannot say 
 that the Son is of different substance from 
 the Father, but since the Homoousion is not 
 acceptable to some of our brethren, should 
 we not in charity abandon that word, which 
 
 7i
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 is not found in Holy Scripture and which in 
 times past has led to misunderstanding, 
 and take a word to which we can all give 
 assent. I propose that we insert in our 
 Creed the word "Homoiousion" to declare 
 that we believe the Son to be of like sub- 
 stance with the Father. 
 [The banner of "Homoiousion" is raised.] 
 
 Eusebius of Nicomedia. — The Bishop of Caesarea hath 
 spoken wisely and in the true interests of 
 peace. I trust that no one here {he looks 
 savagely at Athanasius) is so conceited and 
 swollen with pride as to set his own opinion 
 against that of a scholar of such profound 
 learning and winning eloquence as Eusebius 
 of Caesarea. For my part, I am willing to 
 accept the term "Homoiousion." {Aside 
 to Arius) Thou too must accept this term, 
 for until we have gained the victory we 
 must be careful to make the difference 
 between ourselves and the Catholic Faith 
 look as small as possible. 
 
 Arius {to Eusebius of Nicomedia). — Yes, yes, it is 
 wisdom to accept it now. Of like substance, 
 — the Son is like the Father, — so are all 
 72
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 men, created in His image. {Aloud to the 
 Council) The term Homoiousion would not 
 be my choice, and yet in the interests 
 of peace and unity I am willing to accept 
 it and to subscribe to the statement that 
 the Son is of like substance with the Father. 
 
 Theonas. — How broad-minded is Arius ! 
 
 Secundus. — What an example to us all! 
 
 Hosius. — My brethren, let us hear further of your 
 mind in this matter. 
 
 Spyridion. — I do not see any grave objection to the 
 term, and yet to my ear it giveth a some- 
 what uncertain sound, as if there were a 
 little rift within the pipe. When on the 
 hill-sides of Cyprus I call my sheep, I ever 
 pipe a full, clear note that doth not wheeze, 
 and when in my little Church by the Sea 
 I gather the children about me to teach 
 them the articles of our belief, I like to 
 use words whose meaning is as crystal clear 
 as the lapping waters that break on the 
 yellow, pebbly beach. Still, I come from 
 a quiet corner of the world, and if ye, my 
 reverend and learned Fathers, feel that 
 this word doth confess that Jesus Christ 
 
 73
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 is true God and eternal Life, I will not 
 oppose myself. 
 
 James of Nisibis. — I, too, come from a quiet corner 
 and from a hermit's cave, but it seems to 
 me that the question before us hath a sharp 
 edge which should cut through all uncer- 
 tainty. And the edge is this: what does of 
 like substance mean ? We that dwell much 
 in solitude and silence think more of facts 
 than of words. The fact is that Jesus 
 Christ is very God. It is for you who 
 dwell together and deal in words to say 
 whether "of like substance" truly expresses 
 the fact. If ye say that it doth, then I am 
 willing to accept it for myself and to teach 
 it to my people. 
 
 Paul of Neo-Ca?sarea. — I do not heartily like the term 
 "Homoiousion" because it hath no fixed 
 meaning, but can be made to slide to any 
 point where our private opinion would have 
 it, but still if the other . . . 
 
 Marcellus {fiercely). — Yes, and be sure that Arius 
 will slide the meaning down till it suit his 
 own evil thought, so that although we may 
 confess that the Son is one with the Father, 
 
 74
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 yet they will still say that He is a creature, 
 however high they may pretend to place 
 Him. Thus under a specious mask of 
 agreeing with us, will they veil their 
 blasphemy, and continue to sow the seeds 
 of idolatry and atheism. 
 
 Eusebius of Ccesarea. — Thou art too vehement, my 
 good Brother. Be pleased to remember 
 that in this Council we are seeking light, 
 not heat. 
 
 Athanasius. — Yes, we are seeking light, for we are 
 seeking Christ Who is the only light of this 
 dark world, and we have His promise that 
 seeking we shall find. But, look you, 
 beloved, he that would find a star must 
 put out his candle, and if we would find the 
 bright and morning star, we must lay aside 
 self-will and refuse to be blinded by those 
 ingenious systems of philosophy, the fabri- 
 cation of disbelieving minds. /Arius, thy 
 doctrine had its source and origin within 
 thyself, but the Catholic Religion came 
 down from heaven and is the gift of God, 
 for which one among us could have ascended 
 into heaven to bring it down ? If man could 
 
 75
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 have found God for himself, then need not 
 God have taken upon Him our flesh and 
 suffered for our salvation. We cannot 
 fly into the secrets of the Deity on the 
 waxen wings of the understanding, for the 
 ways of God are not as our ways and His 
 thoughts are as high above our understand- 
 ing as the heavens are higher than the earth. 
 We can only know God as He hath revealed 
 Himself to the Church in Jesus Christ, 
 His Son, our Lord. 
 We have heard much in this Council about peace. 
 The Bishop of Caesarea has just reminded 
 us that we are messengers of the Gospel 
 of Peace, and our renowned Emperour 
 has touchingly appealed to us for unity 
 in the name of the Prince of Peace. Precious 
 indeed is the name of Peace, O Eusebius, 1 
 beautiful the idea of Unity, O Constantine! 
 But who knows not that the only true 
 unity of the Churches, the only true peace 
 of the gospel, is the unity in Christ? Peace 
 
 Hilary: "Precious is the name of Peace; beautiful the idea 
 of unity, but who knows not that the only true unity of 
 the Churches, the only true peace of the Gospel, is the unity in 
 Christ." 
 
 7 6
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 and unity must be founded on truth, for 
 truth alone unites, error hopelessly confuses 
 and divides. 1 Therefore, it is not in the 
 interests of peace to surrender one atom 
 of the truth. We can win and preserve 
 unity and peace for the Church only by 
 keeping the Catholic Faith whole and 
 undefiled. Christ and His Apostles left 
 us not a system of logic nor a vain deceit, 
 but the naked truth to guard, and we dare 
 not in the name of peace barter away those 
 precious things of which we have been 
 made stewards. 2 Let us, therefore, con- 
 tend earnestly for the Faith once for all 
 delivered to the saints, our love abounding 
 more and more in knowledge, not to cry 
 "Peace, peace" where there is no peace, 
 but that we may prove the things that 
 differ, so that we may be sincere and with- 
 out offence unto the day of Christ. Seeing 
 then, my friends, that we cannot by our 
 
 1 Du Bose: "Truth alone unites; error only hopelessly con- 
 fuses and divides." 
 
 2 Lambeth Encyclical, 1908: "We dare not in the name of 
 peace barter away those precious things of which we have been 
 made stewards." 
 
 77
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 own searching find out God, as the pagan 
 philosophers and certain in our own day have 
 vainly essayed to do, but that we can only 
 know God as He hath revealed Himself to 
 the Church, let us turn first to the Church's 
 written record, this Fountain of our Sal- 
 vation {laying his hand on the Gospels). 
 
 Arius, thou too hast turned to the Scriptures; 
 so did Satan who when he bent himself 
 against the sinlessness of Christ, wrested 
 what was written to his own undoing. We 
 must come to the Scriptures with an open 
 mind, ready to follow whithersoever they 
 may lead. But thou hast ignored the pur- 
 pose and tenor of Holy Writ, leaving those 
 things which suited not thy doctrine and 
 wresting others from their context and true 
 meaning. 
 
 See, yonder, at the feet of the Emperour, is 
 wrought into this building the figure of a 
 fish. It is composed of many pieces of 
 coloured stones. We could displace those 
 stones, and rearranging them into another 
 figure, form the image of a serpent or of a 
 man or of anything we chose. So hast 
 
 78
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 thou, Arius, ravished from Holy Scripture 
 
 precious gems that in their proper place 
 
 reveal to us our Saviour, and used them to 
 
 make for thine own purpose an image which 
 
 is not He. Thou takest the words of our 
 
 Lord, "My Father is greater than I," but 
 
 thou ignorest that He also said, "I and the 
 
 Father are one." But the Church, receiving 
 
 every word of her Lord, teacheth that the 
 
 Son is subordinate to the Father as touching 
 
 His Sonship, but that He is equal to the 
 
 Father as touching His Godhead. Again, 
 
 thou dost wrest the words of St. Paul to 
 
 mean that Christ is only the first of all 
 
 creatures, whereas the heavens were opened 
 
 and the Spirit of God descended like a dove 
 
 to declare that Jesus Christ is the only 
 
 begotten Son of God, which cannot mean 
 
 anything else than that He received from the 
 
 Father the essential nature of the Father. 1 
 
 He is indeed the beginning of the creation 
 
 of God, not as being the first thing created, 
 
 1 Du Bose: "... Sonship which the Church ascribes to 
 him alone, and which cannot mean anything less than that 
 he received from the Father the essential nature of the 
 Father." 
 
 79
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 but because by Him all things were made 
 and apart from Him was not anything made. 
 
 We are not free to say we do not see, for the 
 Godhead of Christ shineth out from every 
 portion of the written word. He claimed 
 for Himself the unspeakable name "I Am," 
 whereat the wrathful Jews took up stones 
 to stone Him. He accepted the worship 
 of men. He was put to death because He 
 claimed to be God. 
 
 And what the Church hath recorded in the 
 Scriptures, she hath ever taught and prac- 
 tised from the day when Christ sent her 
 forth to make disciples of all nations, placing 
 His own name between that of the Father 
 and of the Holy Ghost, 1 into which name 
 we are all baptized. 
 
 I ask you, Bishops of the Church, who can 
 trace your line back to the Apostles and 
 who know what has been taught in your 
 Sees for nearly three hundred years, since 
 Christ ascended into heaven, has there 
 been one day when He has not been wor- 
 shipped as God by the Church? 
 
 1 Edw. M. Jefferys: Sermon on Hebrews xiii, 10. 
 
 80
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Nicene Fathers. — No, not one. 
 
 Athanasius. — Has He not reigned with absolute 
 sovereignty over her life? 
 
 Nicene Fathers. — Yes, verily. 
 
 Athanasius. — Hath she not ever enthroned Him as 
 very and eternal God? 
 
 Nicene Fathers. — Yes. 
 
 Athanasius. — The traditions of the Church no less 
 than Holy Scripture prove that the Son is 
 of one substance with the Father, and 
 though this is a new term, yet is it the ex- 
 pression of an old belief, an old worship 
 and an old devotion of soul. 1 Arius, thou 
 makest thy boast that thou art a wor- 
 shipper of one God. Art thou indeed 
 ignorant that the Catholic Faith is this, 
 that we worship one God in Trinity, and 
 Trinity in Unity; neither confounding 
 the Persons, nor dividing the Substance? 
 Thou hast indeed a Trinity of thine own 
 imagining, one supreme and two subordi- 
 nate beings, but there not only thy faith 
 
 1 Wace: (quoted by Bright). "A new term, yet is it the 
 expression of an old belief, an old worship, and an old habitual 
 devotion of soul." 
 
 8l
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 but thy boasted reasoning is at fault, for 
 he that is less than God is not God, 1 there- 
 fore either admit that the Son is of one 
 substance with the Father, or else cease to 
 worship Him. 
 My brethren, Shepherds and Bishops of the 
 Flock of Christ, once in the borders of 
 Caesarea Philippi our Lord asked His dis- 
 ciples this question, "Whom say ye that I 
 am?" To-day our Lord comes again to 
 His Church, still with the same question, 
 "Whom say ye that I am?" Lift up your 
 hearts! Look upon Him risen from the 
 dead, ascended into heaven, sitting on the 
 right hand of God! See the prints of 
 the nails and the wounded side! Hear His 
 voice speaking to you, "Whom say ye that 
 lam?" 
 
 Nicene Fathers {rising and crying with enthusiasm). — 
 Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living 
 God! 
 
 Athanasius. — Shall we say that He is of different 
 substance from the Father? 
 
 Nicene Fathers. — No, no, God forbid ! 
 
 1 St. Augustine: "He that is less than God is not God." 
 
 82
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Athanasius. — Shall we be content to say that He is 
 of like substance with the Father? 
 
 Nicene Fathers. — No, no ! 
 
 Athanasius. — What shall we say ? 
 
 Nicene Fathers. — He is of One substance with the 
 Father. Homoousion ! 
 
 Alexander. — Flesh and blood hath not revealed it 
 unto us, but our Father who is in heaven. 
 
 Constantine. — Arius, thou hast heard the voice of the 
 Church, wilt thou renounce thy heresy 
 and confess with us that Jesus Christ is 
 Very God of one substance with the Father? 
 
 Arius. — I have chosen my own way and I will abide in it. 
 
 Constantine. — Then art thou banished from our pres- 
 ence, and we decree that thy books shall be 
 burned, that the Church of God be not 
 poisoned by thy blasphemous doctrine. 
 
 Alexander. — Arius, thou art excluded from the Com- 
 munion of the Church of Egypt, for he 
 that believeth not is condemned already, 
 because he hath not believed in the name of 
 the only begotten Son of God. 
 
 Constantine. — Depart! 
 
 [Arius bows low to the Emperour and starts to leave, but 
 turns again and addresses Eusebius of Nicomedia.] 
 
 83
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Arius. — And thou, wilt thou subscribe to this Creed ? 
 
 Eusebius of Nicomedia {aside to Arius). — I yield me 
 now and abide my time, but have no fear, 
 I shall gain the ear of the Emperour and 
 undo this day's work. 
 
 Arius (contemptuously). — Thou trimmer! Thou wilt 
 gain nothing by thy weakness; I shall see 
 thee too in exile. 
 [He starts again to go, but stops before Athanasius.} 
 
 Arius. — I will yet be thy destruction. 
 
 Angel of Vision (standing before Athanasius with a 
 drawn sword, but invisible to the eye of flesh) . 
 — How shalt thou destroy whom God pro- 
 tects ? 
 
 [Exit Arius.] 
 
 Alexander (looking after him sadly). — And he went 
 out, and it was night. 
 
 Hosius. — Thanks be to God Who hath given unto us 
 His servants grace by the confession of a 
 true faith to acknowledge the glory of the 
 eternal Trinity, and in the power of the 
 Divine Majesty to worship the Unity. 
 
 Constantine. — May He keep us steadfast in this faith, 
 and evermore defend us from all adversity. 
 Let us now finish our work by setting forth 
 
 8 4
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 what shall be to all future ages known as 
 
 the Symbol of Nicaea. 
 [A scribe takes his place at the table. .] 
 Hosius. — I believe in one God, the Father Almighty. 
 Eusebius of C&sarea. — Maker of heaven and earth, 
 
 and of all things visible and invisible. 
 Eustathius of Antioch. — And in one Lord Jesus Christ, 
 
 the only begotten Son of God. 
 Nicene Fathers. — And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the 
 
 only begotten Son of God. 
 Paul of Neo-Casarea. — Begotten of His Father before 
 
 all worlds. 
 Nicene Fathers. — Begotten of His Father before all 
 
 worlds. 
 Potammon of Heraclopolis. — God of God. 
 Nicene Fathers. — God of God. 
 
 Paphnutius of the Upper Thebaid. — Light of Light. 
 Nicene Fathers. — Light of Light. 
 Alexander. — Very God of Very God. 
 Nicene Fathers. — Very God of Very God. 
 Marcellus of Ancyra. — Begotten, not made. 
 Nicene Fathers. — Begotten, not made. 
 Athanasius. — Being of one substance with the Father. 
 Nicene Fathers. — Being of one substance with the 
 
 Father. 
 
 85
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 [As they say this, they raise their right 
 hands to heaven.] 
 James of Nisibis. — By whom all things were made. 
 Spyridion of Cyprus. — Who for us men and for our 
 
 salvation came down from heaven. 
 Theophilus. — And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost 
 
 of the Virgin Mary. 
 Constantine. — And was made man. O ineffable con- 
 descension! 
 
 [He kneels, removing his crown.] 
 Nicene Fathers {all kneeling). — And was made man. 
 
 [After a pause they all rise.] 
 Victor. — And was crucified also for us under Pontius 
 
 Pilate. He suffered and was buried. 
 Vincentius. — And the third day he rose again accord- 
 ing to the Scriptures. 
 Eustathius. — And ascended into heaven, and sitteth 
 
 on the right hand of God. 
 John, Catholicos of the Church of the Farther East. — 
 And he shall come again with glory to judge 
 both the quick and dead. 
 Athanasius. — Whose kingdom shall have no end. 
 Alexander. — I believe in the Holy Ghost. 
 Hosius. — But those who say "there was once when he 
 was not" or "before he was begotten he 
 86
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 was not" or maintain that the Son of God 
 is of different essence from the Father, 
 these doth the Catholic Church anathe- 
 matize. 
 
 Nicene Fathers. — Amen. 
 
 Hosius. — Let us now subscribe to this Creed by 
 affixing our names thereto, in witness that 
 to his Symbol we will be faithful until 
 death. 
 [The Nicene Fathers come up to sign their names, 
 with the exception of Theonas and Secundus.] 
 
 Constantine. — Theonas, Bishop of Marmarica, and 
 Secundus, Bishop of Ptolomais, do ye not 
 subscribe to the Catholic Symbol? 
 
 Theonas. — No, we abide with Arius. 
 
 Constantine. — Then with Arius go into exile. 
 [Exeunt Theonas and Secundus.] 
 
 Constantine {to Acesius, who is standing near him, wait- 
 ing to sign the Creed). — Art thou a schis- 
 matic, Acesius? 
 
 Acesius. — My lord, I am a Novation, but a true 
 Catholic. 
 
 Constantine . — Then thou wilt communicate with thy 
 fellow Catholics? 
 
 Acesius. — Not so, my lord, for the discipline of the 
 
 87
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Church is too lax, and I will not counte- 
 nance such softness and luxury. 
 
 Constantine (impatiently). — Then, Acesius, take a 
 ladder and climb up into heaven by thy- 
 self. 
 [When the Nicene Fathers have all signed, they 
 resume their seats.] 
 
 Constantine. — Give me joy, my friends, and dear 
 brothers in the faith, for now is the desire 
 of my heart fulfilled. We all believe in one 
 God and worship in His name. The power 
 of Satan has been thwarted and the splen- 
 dour of the truth at God's command has 
 vanquished the dissensions, schisms and 
 tumults which have invaded the repose of 
 the Church and Empire. Heaviness may 
 endure for a night, but joy, joy cometh in 
 the morning. The spectral cloud which 
 has been hanging over the Church, threaten- 
 ing to burst and scatter us to the winds, is 
 now dispersed by the Sun of Righteous- 
 ness Who has penetrated our hearts with 
 light and love and peace. I, therefore, 
 as a happy ending to our Council, bid 
 you all to a love feast at the palace 
 88
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 to-morrow night. There, as round the 
 table of a common Father, all wrongs 
 may be forgiven, all bitter thoughts for- 
 got. 1 There ye shall help me to celebrate, 
 first the twentieth anniversary of mine 
 accession to the Empire, and secondly, the 
 Victory of Nicaea, the Victory that over- 
 cometh the world, even our Faith. 
 [They all rise. The Emperour comes forward bearing 
 the Lab arum. He signs to Athanasius, who comes 
 and stands at his side, holding the banner of Homoou- 
 sion. They all sing.] 
 
 Deum de Deo 
 Lumen de Lumine 
 Gestant puellae viscera 
 Deum verum 
 Genitum non factum 
 
 Venite adoremus Dominum. Amen. 
 
 » 
 
 [Curtain] 
 
 1 "As round the table of our common Father 
 All wrongs forgiv'n, all bitter thoughts forgot." 
 
 — Elizabeth M. Jefferys. 
 
 8 9
 
 ACT III 
 
 Time — Thirty years after the Council. 
 
 Place — The Nitrian Desert. 
 
 Scene I — A place near the Nile. The afternoon of a 
 
 day in June. 
 Scene II — The Chapel of the Palms in the Laura of 
 
 St. Anthony. An hour before sunset. 
 
 Persons Represented 
 
 Bishop of Alexandria and Metropolitan 
 of All Egypt, called "The Pope." 
 
 A Nile Boatman. 
 
 Discouragement. 
 
 Vision. 
 
 ( The Aged Hermit and Head of the 
 St. Anthony. _, 
 
 [ Community. 
 
 Athanasius. 
 
 Isidore. 
 Ammonius. 
 Abra. 
 Anthusa. 
 eud^monis. 
 Other Monks and Nuns. 
 
 90 
 
 Monks. 
 
 Nuns.
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Scene I. — [The edge of the Nitrian Desert. A bend in 
 the Nile is visible. Here and there in the foreground 
 a palm. Mountains in the far distance. The Angel 
 of Vision is seated under a palm.] 
 The Angel of Vision {speaking thoughtfully) . — 
 Forth from the gates of fair Jerusalem 
 Streams the glad throng, aquiver with sweet 
 
 hope, 
 Hastening to meet the King. Their eager hands 
 Now strip the graceful palms whose feathery 
 
 boughs 
 They wave in rhythmic exultation, while 
 Their glad hosannas rend the balmy air 
 In rich and many voiced harmony. 
 Five days have passed! Only five little days. 
 Again behold! The crowd now sways with 
 
 wrath 
 And seething passion. Dark each face and 
 
 grim, 
 Hoarse every voice and dissonant with hate; 
 "Yes, crucify Him, on our heads the guilt, 
 But we will have Him crucified to-day." 
 Only five little days have intervened. 
 
 [The Angel rises and comes forward.] 
 O Bride of Christ that in Nicaea's Halls 
 
 9i
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Confessed thy Lord with loving heart, and voice 
 So firm and clear, where are thy palms to-day? 
 Where are thy glad hosannas? Wilt thou too 
 Reject thy lover and thy Sovereign Lord? 
 Nay, thou afflicted one, thy heart is true; 
 By thy false children thou hast been betrayed. 
 Thine own they never were except in name, 
 For when through thy most hospitable doors 
 Passed Constantine, there followed in his wake 
 A crowd of worldlings and adventurers 
 Who little recked of thee or of thy Lord, 
 But hungered for the solid loaves which now 
 Prosperity hath brought thee. Better far 
 The rack of persecution, the scant fare 
 Of holy poverty than this new wealth 
 Which draws to thee the children of the world. 
 How should these lovers of the golden calf 
 Care for thy heavenly doctrine? Verily 
 The Arian demi-god is god enough 
 For those who will not rise above the earth. 
 So with the Arians these make common cause, 
 Sure that they hold the future of the world. 
 They seize thine altars, and in thy great name 
 A creed proclaim which thou hast never known. 
 The Emperour's ear they gained, and craftily 
 
 92
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Turned his untutored mind to their own will. 
 
 Then the honest, simple folk who seldom think 
 
 Followed in all good faith the golden court, 
 
 And so the world awoke one dreary day, 
 
 And groaned to find that it was Arian. 
 
 Hath Christ abandoned thee, O stricken Church? 
 
 Art thou to perish like an earth-born thing 
 
 Because an earth-born thing oppresseth thee? 
 
 See, on the bosom of the glassy Nile 
 
 Glideth this way a boat. Thy champion comes 
 
 Flying before his foes. Yet fear not thou 
 
 For him who fears not for himself. He hides 
 
 Only until this tyranny be spent. 
 
 With temper royal, but with spirit meek 
 
 Again will Athanasius fight for thee, 
 
 And yet again, until he wins in Christ 
 
 Th' eternal victory of heavenly truth. 
 
 O radiant spirit, faithful unto death, 
 « 
 
 After the mighty twelve chief instrument 
 
 To bring the world to Christ and to the light, 1 
 
 Come thou apart into this wilderness 
 
 And rest awhile. 'Tis Christ who biddeth thee. 
 
 X "A principal instrument, after the Apostles, by which the 
 sacred truths of Christianity have been conveyed and secured to 
 the world." — Newman. 
 
 93
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 [Enter Athanasius and the Nile Boatman, who carries 
 the wallet of Athanasius swung over his oar. 
 The Angel of Vision withdraws into the background 
 and to one side.] 
 
 The Boatman. — Now from here I can show thee the 
 place. Dost see yonder two palms? 
 
 Athanasius. — I cannot choose but see them. They 
 stand like sentinels in the loneliness of the 
 desert. 
 
 The Boatman. — Yes, there are no others near; there 
 is a spring which gives them life. Now 
 that is what we call "The Chapel of the 
 Palms." The cave of St. Anthony is hard 
 by. Thou canst not miss it, besides thou 
 art like to find some of the hermits pray- 
 ing at the Chapel, for they oft resort there 
 at eventide. 
 
 Athanasius. — Then leave me now, good friend, and 
 return to thy boat; but first accept this 
 piece of silver from my slender purse, and 
 with it a poor traveler's thanks. \Tenders 
 him the piece of silver.] 
 
 The Boatman {waving aside the silver). — I do not 
 want silver, but I would crave thy blessing. 
 
 Athanasius {startled). — Doth he suspect? {To the 
 
 94
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Boatman) Dost thou indeed care for the 
 blessing of such a poor wanderer as I ? 
 
 The Boatman. — My lord, I was in Alexandria the 
 glad day that Pope Athanasius came home 
 from Rome, and I was hoarse for a month 
 afterwards from shouting "Welcome." I 
 humbly crave thy blessing. 
 [He kneels and Athanasius makes over him the 
 sign of the Cross. Then he rises again.] 
 
 Athanasius. — Now thou hast my life in thy hands. 
 
 The Boatman. — I would to God it were alway as safe 
 as it is with me. Have no fear of me, my 
 lord. See! (With a sudden movement he 
 throzus open his tunic, and the word "Homo- 
 ousion" is seen on his breast.) 
 
 Athanasius. — Homoousion ! How dost thou under- 
 stand this Symbol? 
 
 The Boatman. — Why, in truth, I cannot understand 
 the subtlety of it, nor follow after learned 
 reasoning, but this much I do know, that 
 it is the watchword of the Catholic Church, 
 and that it means that He Whom we wor- 
 ship is indeed Very God of Very God. 
 
 Athanasius. — Thou dost understand the one thing need- 
 ful. God keep thee ever in the true faith. 
 
 95
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 The Boatman {fastening his tunic again) . — Once I 
 found in the Nile the body of a man who 
 had been drowned, and as I buried him 
 and said a prayer over him, I thought, 
 "Poor fellow! Who knowst whether thou 
 wert Pagan or Christian, Arian or Catholic ? ' : 
 And when next I was in Alexandria I had 
 a sailor fellow prick this watchword on 
 my breast, that whether I be alive or dead, 
 all men may know that I worship only 
 Very God. 
 But now I will leave thee and return to the 
 river, for there I can best watch to see 
 whether thou art pursued. If there is sus- 
 picion of danger, I will blow one blast upon 
 my horn, the sound of which carries five 
 miles, but if all is safe when the evening 
 star appears, I will blow three blasts and 
 then thou mayst go to rest in the name of 
 the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
 Ghost. Fare thee well. 
 [Exit the Boatman.] 
 
 Athanasius. — I will rest awhile beneath this tree 
 before I venture into that blazing strip 
 between me and the Chapel of the Palms. 
 
 9 6
 
 "GOD KEEP THEE EVER IN THE TRUE FAITH'
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 [He seats himself under the palm tree. 
 Enter Discouragement. She is robed in black, and 
 carries in her hand a veil.] 
 
 Discouragement. — Now is the hour of darkness when 
 the powers of evil have large sway. Can 
 I not throw over him my pall and make 
 him distrust God? {Vision appears.) Art 
 thou here, mine enemy? 
 
 Vision. — I am here at God's behest, and thou at 
 Satan's. 
 
 Discouragement. — That being so I do defy thee ! 
 Hath discouragement never yet broken the 
 wings of faith ? 
 
 Athanasius. — How sweet was the simple faith of that 
 poor boatman ! 
 [Discouragement steps forward and throws over 
 the head of Athanasius her black veil.] 
 
 Athanasius. — And yet 'tis sad to think I might so 
 easily have fallen into the hands of one less 
 friendly. A frail lamp am I to carry the 
 Church's light. (He sighs wearily.) 
 
 Discouragement. — One little lamp against a world of 
 darkness! Thou hast been over confident. 
 If God had really called thee to defend 
 the Faith, would he not have come mightily 
 
 97
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 to thine aid? When He called Joshua, 
 the walls of Jericho crumbled to dust; 
 when He called Moses, the Plagues of 
 Egypt fought for him; when He called 
 David from the sheep-cote, Goliath fell dead 
 at his feet; but thou . . . what miracle 
 helps thee? 
 
 Athanasius. — I am greatly oppressed. My soul 
 cleaveth unto the dust! 
 
 Discouragement. — Thou wast too much elated at Nicaea. 
 Have not events proved that the Church 
 only triumphed because Constantine up- 
 held it? How long did Constantine remain 
 faithful? Was even Hosius faithful unto 
 death? Did the Bishop of Imperial Rome 
 stand firm? 
 
 Athanasius. — How are the mighty fallen ! 
 
 Discouragement. — Thou art alone against the world, 
 Athanasius. Constantius is thine implaca- 
 ble enemy. The infamous George holds 
 thy See. He sits on the throne of St. 
 Mark, and thou art in exile. The sheep of 
 thy flock are oppressed and persecuted. 
 Even in this desert may often be heard 
 their hymns as they pass along loaded 
 98
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 with chains to the remote and savage place 
 of their destination. Many of them bear 
 the scars and wounds and mutilations which 
 have been inflicted upon them to force them 
 to blaspheme. 
 
 Athanasius. — Alas my own dear flock! Alas! for 
 that your shepherd cannot protect you 
 from the wolves. 
 
 Discouragement. — The Arians have forsaken the cove- 
 nant of Christ. They have thrown down 
 his altar and slain his servants with the 
 sword, and thou, only thou art left, and 
 they seek thy life to destroy it. 
 
 Athanasius. — It is enough, O Lord, take away my 
 life, for I have failed. 
 
 Discouragement. — Aha! See how low I have brought 
 him! My victory is won. 
 
 Vision. — Lift up thine eyes, Athanasius, unto the 
 hills from whence cometh thy help. 
 
 Athanasius {lifts his head and looks up). — My help 
 cometh from the Lord who hath made 
 heaven and earth. I must not lose heart, 
 for to lose heart is to lose faith, and to lose 
 faith is to lose all. 
 
 Vision. — Yet have I left me seven thousand in Israel, 
 
 99
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 all the knees which have not bowed unto 
 Baal, and every mouth which hath not 
 kissed him. 
 
 Athanasius. — Yes, that is true to-day. The mass of 
 the Christian laity is still sound in the faith. 1 
 The great silent, solid body of Christian 
 people stand firmly on the facts, 2 content 
 that the mystery should be above their 
 heads; for the ears of the people are holier 
 than the hearts of the priests. 3 {He looks 
 up at the tree by which he is resting.) Ah! 
 friendly palm, almost could I believe thou 
 art a juniper! What is this black mist that 
 smothers me? {Tears the veil from his head.) 
 Away, away, ye black bats of doubt ! {beating 
 the air with the veil.) I have let you flap 
 your wings too long. O Lord, in thee have 
 I trusted, let me never be confounded! 
 [Discouragement flies from the scene.] 
 
 Vision. — Gloria in excelsis Deo! Now, Athanasius, 
 lie down under thy juniper tree and sleep 
 while I prepare refreshment for thee. 
 [Athanasius lies down and sleeps; Vision walks to 
 the opposite side of the stage and beckons.] 
 1 Farrar. 2 Du Bose. 3 Hilary. 
 
 IOO
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Vision. — Come hither, my little ravens. 
 
 [Enter Abra and Anthusa. They each carry 
 a bundle of rushes.] 
 
 Anthusa. — There are no rushes here, Abra, not even 
 any stubble or drift from the river. 
 
 Abra. — Thou art right {looking about her). We have 
 very few rushes gathered, and no fuel. I 
 fear we shall be chidden. 'Tis my fault, 
 Anthusa, for I made thee come this way. 
 
 Anthusa. — Thou art in a strange mood to-day, Abra, 
 first thouwouldst not let me eat my dinner, 
 and then we must needs come this new and 
 uncertain way. 
 
 Abra. — Yes, some power outside of myself has com- 
 pelled me all day. " I had the feeling that 
 we might find some hungry traveler, and 
 so I persuaded thee to save our dinner. 
 'Twould be passing sweet to feed a hungry 
 traveler, would it not? And then I have 
 had all day the feeling that we should find 
 something of value by traveling to the 
 South. 
 
 Anthusa. — Well, we're not like to . . . (Sees Athan- 
 asius.) Look, Abra, there is a traveler 
 sleeping under that tree. 
 
 IOI
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Abra. — Why! so it is. Oh! Anthusa, haply he is our 
 
 hungry traveler! Let us creep up and lay 
 
 our cruse of water and our bread and dates 
 
 where he will see them when he wakes. 
 [They do as she says, and then retire and wait.] 
 Vision (touches Athanasius on the shoulder) . — Arise 
 
 and eat. 
 Athanasius (sits up and sees the food). — Is this indeed 
 
 the juniper tree ? {Sees the little maids.) Ah ! 
 
 these are the ministering spirits who have 
 
 brought me food. 
 Abra. — Yes, good Traveler, pray thee, eat and drink. 
 Athanasius. — And so I will with grateful heart; but 
 
 draw near and tell me who you are and how 
 
 you found me here. 
 Abra. — We are virgins from the Laura of St. Anthony, 
 
 and we have been gathering rushes for our 
 
 mat-weaving. 
 Anthusa. — We kept our dinner because this dear Abra 
 
 thought we might meet a hungry traveler. 
 Athanasius. — And so you did, but will ye not draw 
 
 near and share with me this food, there is 
 
 abundance for all. 
 Abra. — Not so, we are not hungry, besides, it is too 
 
 near sundown when our fast begins. 
 1 02
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Athanasius. — A fast to-morrow ! The day is not in 
 our Calendar. Is it a special fast? 
 
 Abra. — Yes, we have a fast to pray for our blessed 
 Pope. 
 
 Athanasius. — To pray for Pope Athanasius ? 
 
 Abra. — Yes, hast thou not heard ? He is again in 
 exile, flying from the fiercenessof his enemies. 
 
 Athanasius. — Truly the Lord is on my side, I will 
 not fear what man can do unto me. 
 
 Abra {to Anthusa). — Thou seest he is a godly man. 
 Art thou not glad he hath our dinner? 
 {To Athanasius) But, good Sir, hast thou 
 ever been in Alexandria ? 
 
 Athanasius. — Yes, I have traveled far and wide, and 
 I have been in Alexandria. 
 
 Abra. — Perchance thou hast been in Alexandria when 
 Athanasius was there? 
 
 Athanasius. — Yes, when I was in Alexandria, Atha- 
 nasius was there. 
 
 Anthusa {with excitement). — Then thou hast seen him? 
 
 Athanasius. — The time I best saw his face was not 
 in Alexandria, but in traveling through a 
 wood. I came to a crystal pool, deep and 
 still, and when I stooped over it to quench 
 my thirst, I clearly beheld Athanasius. 
 103
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Anthusa. — How, was he in the water? 
 Abra. — Hush, Anthusa, rise up quickly, this is the 
 Pope. 
 {They make him a low reverence, then kneel to 
 receive his blessing.} 
 Athanasius. — And now, my little maids, lead on, I 
 would like to reach the Chapel of the Palms 
 in time for prayers. 
 [Abra picks up the wallet, and they all go 
 
 off the stage.} 
 
 Curtain. 
 
 Scene II. — [The Chapel of the Palms. Two tall 
 
 palms near together. Between them a rude altar. 
 
 The spring is indicated by a ledge of stone on 
 
 which rests a shell. Grass and a few shrubs about the 
 
 spring. In the far distance the Nitrian Mountains 
 
 and the silver thread of the Nile. 
 
 Voices behind the scenes chant the De Profundis. Enter 
 
 the monks and nuns still singing. At the end of the 
 
 procession, St. Anthony, supported by two monks. 
 
 Following these, two other monks carry his chair and 
 
 his sheepskin robe. They put the chair in place, spread 
 
 over it the sheepskin, and St. Anthony is seated. He 
 
 leans back very much exhausted.} 
 
 104
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Isidore. — Bring water. 
 
 [One of the nuns brings water from the spring 
 in a shell, another f ans him.] 
 Isidore. — He should not have tried to walk. 
 Ammonius. — No, he grows weaker every day; we 
 shall not long have him with us. 
 [St. Anthony sits tip and speaks, at first weakly, and 
 with short breath, gradually he recovers, and talks 
 more easily \ 
 St. Anthony. — My children, my own dear children, 
 last night a beautiful angel of death stood 
 by my bed. I joyfully held out my weak 
 arms, but he shook his head: "Not yet, 
 Anthony, not yet; soon I will come for 
 thy soul, but thou hast one thing more to 
 do on earth for thy brethren." So when I 
 awoke this morning, I knew what I had yet 
 to do. I have had word from Alexandria. 
 Alas! Alas! The city is given up to the 
 fury of the Arians. Once more the faith- 
 ful are in sore tribulation. On the Sunday 
 after Pentecost there was another massacre. 
 Church virgins and matrons were scourged 
 to death to make them blaspheme. Sixteen 
 bishops have been driven from their sees. 
 105
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 The clergy are not allowed to visit the sick, 
 nor to baptize. 
 Ye know that since February Athanasius 
 hath been in hiding near the city that 
 he might in secret still minister to his 
 flock. But now in the fierce search for 
 him the houses of Christians are sacked, 
 even the very tombs are desecrated, and 
 so he is compelled to fly into the desert, 
 but no one knows just where he is. Oh 
 my poor Archbishop! Oh my poor faith- 
 ful brethren! 
 
 Ammonius. — What can we do for them here in the 
 wilderness! 
 
 St. Anthony. — My children, have we not learned to 
 pray? Why else have we passed long years 
 on the edge of this vast wilderness? What 
 other meaning have our vigils under the 
 quiet stars? I have called you together, 
 perhaps for the last time, that we may with 
 tears and fasting supplicate God for the 
 persecuted Church of Alexandria, and for 
 the hunted exile, our best beloved bishop, 
 our own sweet Athanasius. 
 
 Isidore. — Our hearts overflow with love and com- 
 
 106
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 passion, lead thou us on and up to the 
 throne of God. 
 
 [Abra rushes in excitedly.] 
 Abra. — Tidings! Tidings! Oh, such tidings have I! 
 Ammonius. — Thou must indeed have tidings of im- 
 portance to break thus into our worship. 
 St. Anthony. — Tell, little Abra, what tidings hast thou 
 
 brought? 
 Abra. — He is here. 
 
 The Monks and Nuns (excitedly). — Who? Not the 
 Bishop! 
 Abra. — Yes, Athanasius, our own blessed Pope. He 
 comes with Anthusa. See, this is his 
 wallet. 
 St. Anthony. — Help me to my feet. 
 
 [Enter Athanasius and Anthusa. Athanasius hastens 
 to Anthony and takes him in his arms. Anthony 
 sinks down again upon his seat.] 
 Athanasius. — Art thou ill, my Father? 
 St. Anthony. — With thee at hand ? No, Athanasius, 
 but I am very old, one hundred and five 
 years old, my son. 
 [Athanasius turns and sees the others, takes Ammo- 
 nius and Isidore by the hand.] 
 Athanasius. — Are ye then here, Isidore and Ammonius, 
 
 107
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 to share my exile as ye did in Rome ? And 
 thou, Eudaemonis, I heard that thou 
 hadst fled, but I thought that thou wast 
 in Tabenne. 
 [He takes the hand of one after the other. They all 
 greet him with warmth. Some take up the hem of his 
 robe and kiss it y others kiss his hand.] 
 St. Anthony. — Come hither, Athanasius, these have 
 many days in which to see thee; haply I 
 have but this one. 
 [Athanasius seats himself at the feet of Anthony, hold- 
 ing his hand. The monks and nuns group themselves 
 around, some sitting on the ground, others standing^ 
 St. Anthony [regarding Athanasius with great tenderness 
 and delight). — Lord, now lettest thou thy 
 servant depart in peace! O, my son, thou 
 hast made glad the wilderness and the soli- 
 tary place. Thou hast made the desert to 
 rejoice and blossom as the rose! 
 Athanasius. — It is sweet to see thy face again after 
 
 many days. 
 St. Anthony. — Here is the sheepskin coat thou gavest 
 me. (Shows the edge of it.) Thou art to 
 have it again when I am gone. Thou shalt 
 
 soon have it, Athanasius. 
 1 08
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Athanasius. — In these troublous times one could 
 easily envy thee that thy pilgrimage is 
 so nearly finished. To depart and be with 
 Christ! The very thought brings rest and 
 peace. 
 
 St. Anthony. — Yes, I am putting off my armour, and 
 thou art still in the hottest of the fray. 
 But now we have a quiet hour, so tell me 
 all that I have longed to know. I have 
 watched from afar the long tragedy of thy 
 life since thou wast raised to the throne of 
 St. Mark. Tell us now more of these 
 things, for well I know that we shall hear 
 nothing which does not become a wise man 
 to do and a righteous to suffer. 1 Wast 
 thou with Bishop Alexander when he died? 
 
 Athanasius. — Alas ! no. I was absent from Alex- 
 andria on an errand of his own, and not, 
 as has been said, in hiding to evade the 
 bishopric, for I never either shunned or 
 sought it. It came to me by the suffrage 
 of the whole people, and I was consecrated 
 
 ^'Only in Athanasius there was nothing observed, throughout 
 the course of that long tragedy, other than such as very well 
 became a wise man to do and a righteous to suffer." — Hooker: 
 Eccl. Pol. (quoted by Bright). 
 
 109
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 in a manner both apostolic and spiritual. 
 Those first years of mine episcopate were 
 peaceful and quiet. God gave them to 
 me that I might edify the Church and 
 carry the good news of God to those who 
 dwell in darkness. Thou hast heard how 
 Frumentius kindled in Ethiopia the splen- 
 dour of the light of Christ? 
 
 St. Anthony. — Yes, the field of Ethiopia was white 
 to harvest, and thine Apostle gathered in 
 a goodly sheaf. 
 
 Athanasius. — Those were my halcyon days ! 
 
 St. Anthony. — When the Sun of Righteousness bringeth 
 calm to this stormy sea, thy halcyon will 
 return. 
 
 Athanasius (assents with a smile). — Then the clouds 
 began to gather. Eusebius of Nicomedia 
 led the onslaught and hatched out each 
 baneful plot. 1 I will not weary you with 
 the accusations and calumnies wherewith 
 the Atheists sought to compass my ruin, 
 nor with the infamies of the Council of Tyre. 
 
 1 It seems best still to speak of him as Eusebius of Nicomedia, 
 though he was dead at this time and had been Bishop of Con- 
 stantinople before he died. 
 
 no
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Ammonius. — We have heard how Ischyras confessed 
 his perjuries against thee. 
 
 Isidore. — Yes, and we heard how thou didst show 
 them Arsenias alive and possessed of his 
 two hands. 
 
 Athanasius {smiling). — I had him wrapped in a 
 mantle until they had proved that I had 
 killed him; then at my bidding he held 
 out first his right hand, and then his 
 left. "Where grew the hand that I cut 
 off to use for magic?" I asked them. "God 
 hath created men with two hands only." 
 Still they condemned me, and so I took 
 shipping and came to Constantinople, and 
 there acquitted myself of all their charges 
 before the Emperour. Then Satan himself 
 came to help their cunning with his own. 
 They trumped up the charge that I had 
 threatened to hold back the corn ships 
 on which New Rome depends for her 
 supply, so Constantine, harried and impa- 
 tient of all the turmoil, cut the knot and 
 banished me to Treves. 
 
 Ammonius. — Alas, that is a barbarous place, is it not? 
 
 Athanasius {smiling). — If so, good Ammonius, the 
 
 in
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 barbarous people showed me no little kind- 
 ness. But in truth, Treves is a stately 
 city, on the banks of the Moselle in whose 
 gently gliding waters her beautiful build- 
 ings are mirrored in dreamlike loveliness. 
 The Romans have made it a safe and pleas- 
 ant place to live. In Maximin, the Bishop, 
 I found a faithful friend and beloved com- 
 panion. I had leisure to rest and meditate, 
 and I was allowed to write to my friends 
 in Alexandria {with a smile), though, 'tis true, 
 my letters were sometimes intercepted. 
 Another companion I had there, and thou 
 wouldst remember him, Isidore, he was a 
 comrade of our boyish days, Cornelius. 
 
 Isidore. — Cornelius! Is't indeed so? I have not 
 heard of him for many years. 
 
 Athanasius. — He commands a legion, and hath his 
 quarters in the Porta Martis, the city 
 gate that is more like a vast fortress than 
 a gate. Here I often visited him. He is 
 a brave Roman and a loyal soldier of Christ. 
 When we first met he said, "Tell me, 
 Athanasius, if thou canst, what is all this 
 trouble about? Every tongue seems to 
 
 112
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 prate of some formula that I cannot under- 
 stand. What have these hard, unintelli- 
 gible words to do with the religion of Christ 
 which we learned together from Bishop 
 Alexander, in the dear seaside room of 
 the Patriarcheion? 
 
 St. Anthony. — So has it seemed to many simple souls 
 who have not discerned the subtle heresy, 
 and who do not see the region of outer 
 darkness to which it leads. What didst 
 thou answer him, Athanasius? 
 
 Athanasius. — Cornelius, I said, let me ask of thee one 
 question: What thinkest thou of Christ, 
 whose Son is He? And he drew himself 
 up to his full, splendid height and said, 
 "He is the Son of the living God, and He 
 is my Saviour, and my Lord and my God." 
 Then I said, "That is all there is to under- 
 stand, Cornelius, the question is one of 
 simple loyalty to Christ as God." So then 
 he heaved a great sigh of relief and said, 
 "Why, loyalty is an easy thing, it is the 
 business of a soldier's life, and loyalty 
 to Christ as God shall be henceforth the 
 business of my life. 
 
 113
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 St. Anthony. — Happy he who is mute when men 
 discuss thy generation, but ringing as a 
 trumpet when they adore it! Happy they 
 who know how difficult it is to understand, 
 how sweet to praise Thee ! l {After a pause) 
 We received here in the desert thy festal 
 epistle from Treves, and we kept the feast 
 of the resurrection with thee in spirit, being 
 greatly cheered and strengthened by thy 
 words of courage, and by the joyousness 
 of thine unconquerable hope. Then we 
 heard that Constantine had died at Pente- 
 cost, and then that his eldest son befriended 
 thee and secured from his brothers their 
 consent to thy return. 
 
 Athanasius. — Yes, and how sweet was the welcome of 
 my dear flock; how comforting the love 
 of my faithful clergy! The days that 
 followed were like an oasis in the sandy 
 wastes of my long exiles. 
 
 A mmonius (mournfully). — Thou wast not long in 
 the oasis, dear Father, for when the second 
 Constantine was killed, Constantius no 
 longer concealed his implacable enmity. 
 1 Eaphraem Syrus (quoted by Farrar). 
 114
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Thou wast soon banished again, and we 
 went with thee. 
 
 Athanasius. — Yes, but we were not saddened by 
 temporal adversity, nor frightened because 
 the world is at enmity with God. Our 
 Lord and Saviour had worse to bear. Let 
 no one doubt but that in the end we shall 
 be victorious, for we can do all things 
 through Christ who strengtheneth us. There 
 were pleasant times in Rome, Ammonius^ 
 even for us poor exiles. How gracious 
 was the kindness of Julius, the good Pope 
 of the West. How grand and beautiful 
 was the great city itself whose build- 
 ings are "the stone pages of its own 
 history." 
 
 Isidore (slyly). — Ammonius would not look at any 
 of the buildings of the seven-hilled city, 
 except the Church of St. Peter and St. 
 Paul. 
 
 Ammonius. — No, they interested me not. What 
 have we to do with the things of this world ? 
 But this is where I see the finger of God 
 in our exile to Rome. I believe that the 
 Church of the West will always be stronger 
 
 ii5
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 in the Faith and more firmly orthodox 
 because of the sojourn there of our great 
 Bishop. 
 
 Isidore. — Yes, and through our visit their interest in 
 the monastic life was first aroused. 
 
 Athanasius. — God be praised if we have been per- 
 mitted to help the Church of the West, 
 but I do not forget where I was helped and 
 strengthened by our brethren in Rome. 
 
 Ammonius. — Dear Father, how could anyone, espe- 
 cially a Roman, add aught to thee? Art 
 thou not the head of the world? 1 
 
 Athanasius. — I learned very much by observing their 
 calm and practical turn of mind, and con- 
 trasting it with our philosophic subtlety 
 and logical acuteness. They would not 
 easily be led into fantastic speculations 
 and novel theories. 2 
 
 Ammonius {gloomily). — Liberius, the Bishop of Rome, 
 apostatized, and Hosius of Cordova signed 
 an Arian Creed. 
 
 Athanasius. — The crime rests not with those who were 
 
 1 The head of the Alexandrian Church was, according to St. 
 Greg. Naz., "The head of the world." 
 
 2 For the results of the visit of Athanasius to Rome, see R. 
 Wheler Bush: St. Athanasius. 
 
 116
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 terrified, but with those who slowly tor- 
 tured them into guilty acquiescence. The 
 head of Hosius was white with the snows 
 of an hundred winters when he signed the 
 Sirmian Blasphemy. Anathema to thee, 
 O Arian perfidy! 
 
 The Monks and Nuns. — Anathema! 
 
 St. Anthony. — Let us leave these thoughts of sadness, 
 and talk of the day when Pope Athanasius 
 came home. 
 
 Eudcemonis. — I was in Alexandria, and saw that day 
 of gladness. 
 
 St. Anthony. — Then show it now to us, Eudaemonis. 
 
 Eudcemonis. — The exulting Church and people went 
 forth to meet him in such vast multitudes 
 that it was like another Nile. 1 Each trade 
 and profession marched in its own place. 
 Branches of trees were waved on high, 
 rich carpets were spread for the beloved 
 feet. Every inch of rising ground was 
 covered by crowds anxious to catch sight 
 of his face. The air was rent with plaudits 
 and shouts of welcome. What banquets 
 were spread for him! What clouds of 
 
 1 Greg. Naz. : Panegyric. 
 117
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 sweet incense filled the streets! What 
 illuminations turned night into day! 
 
 Athanasius. — Nine years had passed since the poor 
 wandering Bishop had seen his flock. Dear, 
 faithful flock who had stood firm through 
 all calamities and cruelties with which the 
 malice of the persecutors had afflicted them. 
 
 Eudcemonis. — And how good was our Bishop towards 
 his opponents! How earnestly he strove 
 to unite everyone in the bonds of peace 
 and of mutual affection! What happy 
 days for the Church! The hungry and 
 orphans were sheltered and maintained. 
 Each family and house seemed to become a 
 church for the love of holiness of their mem- 
 bers and their prayers towards God. Thrice 
 happy the people who have such a teacher 
 and pastor to lead them in the way. 
 
 Athanasius. — Nay, Eudaemonis, if thou wilt laud 
 me to my face, I must needs tell how at 
 the risk of thy life thou didst save thy 
 Bishop on the night when Syrianus and his 
 five thousand soldiers burst upon us all 
 while we were at our vigil in the Church 
 of St. Theonas. 
 
 118
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 Eudtxmonis. — That was a fearful night. In the 
 lamplight we saw the flash of arms, while 
 the church filled with the shouting sol- 
 diery. Many were wounded by arrows and 
 trampled to death. The virgins huddled 
 together in agonies of fright, but the Arch- 
 bishop sat calmly on his throne and recited 
 with his clergy a psalm of praise. 1 
 
 Athanasius. — But as soon as my people had escaped 
 from the church, I yielded to my clergy 
 and they hurried me out into the winter 
 night. 'Twas then, Eudaemonis, that thou 
 didst hide me in thy chamber and bring 
 me food until I could escape out of the city. 
 
 Eudcemonis . — Thank God that thou art here and in 
 safety ! 
 
 Isidore. — Yes, thou art safe, my Bishop, among the 
 monks and hermits. Thou hast countless 
 friends who would give their lives for thee. 
 No foot of Arian bishop can follow thee 
 to the Nitrian Mountains. No Manichean 
 duke can find thee in this wilderness of 
 cells. From laura to laura and from 
 hermitage to hermitage we can convey 
 
 1 Farrar. 
 119
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 thee secretly and swiftly. A boat on the 
 Nile or a mule on the desert sand leaves 
 no track. 1 
 
 Ammonius. — And from the Egyptian Desert thou 
 canst govern and care for thy flock. Isidore 
 and I will bear thy messages to Alexandria 
 and throughout the Patriarchate. 
 
 Athanasius. — Ye are right, dear friends, I will abide 
 with you until this tyranny be overpast. 
 I will be one of you, wear your habit, share 
 your fasts and vigils and your prayers, and 
 I will employ such leisure as I have in writ- 
 ing for the defence of the Faith. 
 [The sound of a horn is heard, three blasts. 
 Isidore and Ammonius start to their feet.] 
 
 Athanasius. — Fear not, that is a signal of safety. My 
 boatman promised that when the evening 
 star appeared, if all were quiet on the Nile, 
 he would blow three times that we might 
 go to our rest in the name of the Blessed 
 Trinity. See, there is the evening star, 
 we must linger no more if we would come 
 to our Eucharist in the morning with spirits 
 joyful and refreshed. 
 
 1 Farrar. 
 120
 
 ATHANASIUS 
 
 St. Anthony. — And if Anthony, the aged, be not with 
 you for that sweet feast, know that he prays 
 for you in Paradise. 
 Athanasius. — Whether here or there, we are all one 
 in Christ forever more. And now, before 
 we separate for the night, shall we not lift 
 our hearts in praise to Him Whom having 
 not seen, we love? 
 They all sing "A Hymn to Christ as God." 1 
 Thou art the King of Glory: O Christ, 
 Thou of the Father the everlasting Son. 
 When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death 
 Thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven 
 Thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven 
 Thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven 
 To all who believe. 
 
 Amen. 
 [Curtain.] 
 
 1 For the interesting suggestion that the Rex gloriae Christe 
 was the core around which the Te Deum grew up into what it is, 
 and that it may have been the identical "Hymn to Christ as God" 
 of Pliny's Christians, see Dr. Huntington's Lecture on the Te 
 Deum in Lauda Sion. (Church Club Lectures for 1896). 
 
 121
 
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