Julian.
Then take an emetic, and see if you cannot throw up your folly at the same time.
Oh Diogenes,—how degenerate are your successors! They are ashamed to wear your cloak in the open street.
[He goes out angrily through the colonnade.
SCENE SECOND. A mean street in the outskirts of the city. In the row of houses to the left stands a small church.
A great multitude of lamenting Christians is assembled. The psalm-writer Apollinaris and the teacher Cyrillus are among them. Women with children in their arms utter loud cries. Gregory of Nazianzus passes along the street.
The Women.
[Rushing up to him and taking hold of his garments.] Ah, Gregory, Gregory—speak to us! Comfort us in this anguish!
Gregory.
Only One can give comfort here. Hold fast by Him. Cling to the Lord our Shepherd.
A Woman.
Know you this, oh man of God,—the Emperor has commanded that all our sacred scriptures shall be burnt!
Gregory.
I have heard it; but I cannot believe that his folly is so great.
