Межзвёздный скиталец

           AndIrememberedbacktomyyoungdayswhenIhadsatatthefeetofArius,whohadbeenapresbyterofthecityofAlexandria,andwhohadbeenrobbedofthebishopricbytheblasphemousandhereticalAlexander.AlexandertheSabellianite,thatiswhathewas,andhisfeethadfastholdofhell.

           Yes,IhadbeentotheCouncilofNicea,andseenitavoidtheissue.AndIrememberedwhentheEmperorConstantinehadbanishedAriusforhisuprightness.AndIrememberedwhenConstantinerepentedforreasonsofstateandpolicyandcommandedAlexander—theotherAlexander,thricecursed,BishopofConstantinople—toreceiveAriusintocommuniononthemorrow.AndthatverynightdidnotAriusdieinthestreet?TheysaiditwasaviolentsicknessvisiteduponhiminanswertoAlexander’sprayertoGod.ButIsaid,andsosaidallweArians,thattheviolentsicknesswasduetoapoison,andthatthepoisonwasduetoAlexanderhimself,BishopofConstantinopleanddevil’spoisoner.

           AndhereIgroundmybodybackandforthonthesharpstones,andmutteredaloud,drunkwithconviction:

           “LettheJewsandPagansmock.Letthemtriumph,fortheirtimeisshort.Andforthemtherewillbenotimeaftertime.”

           Italkedtomyselfaloudagreatdealonthatrockyshelfoverlookingtheriver.