A And all from their chambers rushed forth with weapons, / And soon they rendered the new-comers of Aglaïdas unseen. / But he, bearing a whole love within his heart, / Struck, as though by a gadfly, stealthily lusted after the maiden. / She, however, quickly performed the mighty seal of Christ, / And cast the shameless one straightway upon his back, and with her hands she marred / The beauty of Aglaïdas, and indeed his curled cheeks, / And tore his fine garments, and exposed him to the laughter of all, / Following the divine examples of Thecla. / And when she had done these things, she went back again into the house of God. / But he, being enraged, supplicated a worker of evil, / Namely Cyprian, who was skilled in impious magic, / And promising him two talents of gold, / And of bright silver, so that he might persuade by force / The maiden who was unwilling to consent to his love, / Not knowing the mighty, tireless strength of Christ. / Then the magician, having pitied the wretched mortal, from an incantation / Called forth a grievous, wicked demon swiftly. / And he came, having no wings, and said, "Why do you call me? Speak." / And he replied: "A love for a certain Galilean maiden / Has terribly subdued my heart; you then tell me if you yourself / Can give her to my bed; for I terribly desire her." / The brainless adversary nodded that he would give that which was hoped-for. / And Cyprian then spoke again to the man of violence: / "Tell me your deeds, that I may have courage in my mind." / And he said: "Before the angelic choirs I was the best, / But relying on my own begetter, I left the King / Who is above the seven spheres of the heavens; / You shall know how many things I have done, for I shall speak; / The foundations of the pure heaven / I myself with my wickedness tore asunder in two, / And a troop of heavenly inhabitants I cast down to earth. / The mother of mortals, Eve, I again deceived, and of necessity / I separated Adam from his ever-joyful paradise, / And the hand of Cain, the slayer of his brother, I myself directed. / With blood I drenched the earth; and thorny / Fruit it brings forth, unseemly for the race of mortals because of me. / Hostile assemblies I gathered against God, and stolen / Beds I brought about; and to worship weak / Idols I deceived the new race of man, and sacrifices / To perform for the grim bull I instructed men. / I myself even him who rules, the Word of God, the Son without beginning, / I stirred up arrogant men to stretch upon a bitter stake. / Cities I disturb, and I cast down high walls; / And many chambers I have shaken with discord, dancing about. / But having done all these vast evils, / How shall I not attain this daring, high-minded girl?" / Cyprian then spoke to the evil, wretched demon: / "Take this herb and sprinkle it around the chamber / Of the modest maiden; and at the last I myself shall come, / And I will put a new paternal feeling into her heart. / And she will surely obey you as you desire, even in a dream." / But at that time the maiden, a bride, having an appearance upon the earth, / At the third hour of the night was singing to the good God. / But when her midriff was shaken within her, / She perceived in her mind the wickedness of the evil-doer / Whose eyebrows were scorched with fire; and quickly the king B and to drive away immediately the new race of the Aglaidæ. / But the wretch, keeping his love hidden in his heart, / Struck, as if lurking with blind love, he sought the embraces of the beloved / Virgin; who immediately making the signs of the life-giving / Cross, cast off the daring youth backwards by far, and defiling with her hands / His countenance, and his cheeks, and his comely / Clothes she tore, and the mouths of all she dissolved / Into laughter, following the divine examples of Thecla. / When these things were done, she withdrew again into the house of God. / Enflamed over these things, he calls upon a man powerful in wicked / Magic art, Cyprian by name, a suppliant, / And promising two talents of gold and silver, / He urges that he force the unwilling heart of the dear / Maiden to yield finally to his burning love, / Not knowing how the virtue of Christ is incapable of being broken. / Then the magician, having pitied the unfair lot of him of Aglaïdas, / Summons a dark demon immediately with a chant. / Appearing suddenly, "What do you want?" says he, "speak out." / To whom the magician: "A burning love for a Galilean virgin / Has overcome our heart: say if it is lawful for you to deliver her / To our chambers, for I have a great desire." / The demon nods to him that he will give that which was hoped-for. / But the magician against these things to the wicked one, "Now teach your / Deeds," he said, "so that confidence may enter our mind." / Then he: "I had been myself before the best of the angelic host; / Then following the commands of my father, I deserted the King, / Who stands above the seven spheres of the sky: / You shall know what I did then, for my mind wills / To recount single things. The foundations of the pure heaven / I cut into two parts by my evil counsel, / And the host of the heavens I cast down to the earth as a settler. / Then my first-parent Eve was deceived again by my frauds, / And Adam was commanded to migrate far from the happy green groves, / And by the right hand of Cain the murdered Abel / The earth is wet with slaughter; thence horrible briars / Because of me it brings forth for man, and cheap fruits on all sides. / I myself gathered together the foul spectacles hostile to God, / And I poured out the furtive seeds into the beds of others: / And I persuaded that mortals worship vain recent idols, / And that they offer sacrifices grimly to the bull / By my counsels I did it: and the supreme Word, / The eternal offspring, I chose to fix on a dire beam. / Through me cities were disturbed and walls leveled / To the ground, and I delighted to trouble the beds of many with discord. / And after so many and other thousands of evils were done, / Should I hesitate to capture a daring girl?" / Then to the monster and to him who enjoys sad and evil things, the magician: / "Take this herb," he says, "and sprinkle around the bed / Of the chaste virgin, and coming myself at the last / I shall cast ancestral feelings into her inner heart; / She will yield to you, as you much desire, through dreams." / The virgin meanwhile, when the third hour of the night arrived, / Was singing to God, with her face turned down to the earth. / When suddenly she felt her heart stirred with a heavy motion, / And she recognized the brow of him who wore the wickedness of the evil spirit, half-burnt / With fire. Straightway the king
A of all, the glorious God, Father of Christ the spotless child, who didst bind the fearful and terrible dragon in dark halls, and didst rescue those whom he had seized in his fetters, O most glorious one, who didst stretch out the starry heaven by thy hand, and didst make firm the earth in the midst upon the damp backs of the waters, who didst bestow flaming torches upon the steeds of the sun, and didst make the silvery moon to yoke the night, who didst fashion mortal man in thine own image, whom thou didst command to be satisfied in the garden of paradise, and whom, when he was deceived by the guile of the most terrible beast, the serpent, and driven from the tree-shaded land, thou didst desire in thy compassionate heart to bring salvation once more, healing his wounds with thy tree, B and driving away all sickness by the naming of Christ—for whose sake the whole man-bearing earth appears, the heaven is stretched out, and the earth is made fast, and the waters flow; and the whole of nature acknowledges thee alone as King, the ruler of all things—be present, and defend thy handmaid with thy powerful counsel, that the wicked mocker may not overcome me. For with thee, O kindly maker, as my helper, I desire to keep my virgin purity forever. For I have loved thee from my heart, O best Jesus, and God greatly to be praised; for the fiery flame of thy love has been kindled and placed within my heart. Therefore, I beseech thee, do not let thy handmaid be brought under the hateful dominion of the opposing, wicked, lawless, anti-god demon, nor, O Blessed one, allow me to depart from thy decrees; but drive away the wandering, lying, foul-speaking one. C When she had spoken these words, she straightway armed her body with the divine sign, and by the invoking of the name of Christ, she put to flight the demon, foul to behold and shameful, and cast him far away, utterly despised. But he, filled with great shame, stood before the magician. And when he asked, "Where is the virgin whom I ordered you to bring hither straightway?" telling everything clearly, he said, "Seek no further; for, seeing the terrible sign, I trembled in fear through and through." The magician smiled, confident in his wicked works, and called another, a ruinous Beliar. And he spoke to Cyprian, "I have learned of your design, and of the wickedness of this one, whence my father sent me as an aid for your griefs." And straightway the magician, rejoicing, D said, "Take this potion, demon, and sprinkle the whole house of the pure virgin; and I shall follow, and I think I shall seduce her in our first encounters." Having said these things, he departed, as he had been ordered. It was night, and the venerable maiden was sending up prayers to the supreme King, according to custom, opening her mouth thus: "In the middle of the night I rose from my bed, to pour forth my entreaties before thy justice, O renowned King, and thy true judgment, to confess all the sins of my life. O thou who rulest all created things, and hast abundant compassion, who settest laws for the ethereal realms, and makest firm the heavens,
A whom the earth fears, and by whose judgment the impious frenzy of all the offspring long ago fell; thou whom Abraham loved, and for whom the offering was like a hundredfold sacrifice; by whom Bel was cast down and the serpent slain; through whom also Daniel, that minister renowned for much piety, taught all the nations of the Persians thy divinity; thou who, through thy only-begotten Son, Christ, ordering all things in right rule, didst fill the earth with light, and didst call back to the air the bodies of the dead after their passing. O King, I pray, do not let me fall into sins, but guard my body without stain for all time, and grant me the burning torch of virginal modesty, that as a companion added to Christ the spouse, I may keep the covenants which I once pledged. For to him belong glory, honor, and power together. Amen.
When the virgin had poured out these prayers, the demon immediately fled away in sadness, his pride compelling his shame, and coming, he stood before the magician, and to him who was asking for the maiden whom he had ordered to be brought there quickly, he reported a few things: "The signs which I saw there have certainly overcome me with power; signs too terrible for all, by which there is an excelling virtue that knows not how to yield." B Then the demon called another, to whom there was greater strength, and whom all the black monsters fear as their king and father, and said, "And have you, too, yielded, being vile and sluggish?" But he replied boldly, "Through me the maiden will soon be brought; do you only be prepared in spirit." Then Cyprian said, "I beseech you, reveal to me the sign by which, performing it thereafter, I shall win the desired trophies." He answered, "First I will shake the limbs of the virgin with fevers, then when the sixth day arrives, I will deliver her to you in the night, dazed and ready." No more. The vile one stood before the untouched maiden, wearing the garments and face of another virgin, and sat on her couch, speaking with feigned mouth: "I have come to you having arrived from the Eastern region, enjoying sweet virginity; and Christ himself has sent me, that I might thus be perfected by you as a teacher. But, dear one, tell me, as you struggle for virginal modesty, what rewards remain for you, and how great is the reward that is extended; for truly I see your limbs like to those cold in death, your life squalid, and your fare most sparing." But the chaste virgin replied, "The labor of the struggle is small, C but a great reward will follow." But the demon, meditating impiety, said, "Certainly the virgin Eve was not in the fertile green fields with her spouse. In truth, joined to the bed of Adam, the first-born, in the final days, she was revealed as the mother of the children of men, and from there she brought forth the whole race from her own seed, and she knew all that is good." Then, at that moment, the virgin wished to go out from the threshold, trusting in the Spirit. But the demon, joyful, anticipated her going in his path. As soon as she perceived the hostile arts of the enemy, she directed her mind in prayer, and suddenly covering her limbs with the sign of salvation, and breathing forth fury from her mouth, she drove the demon from the house, assailed with many reproaches. But when her breast, moved a little, had rested, she said,
A "I acknowledge my thanks to the Immortal One, for the burning disease has departed." Praying, she said: "Christ, who bearest rule, grant me Thy reward; pierce through my members—I trembled before Thee, O most noble One—and again, have mercy on me through Thy decree. Grant me also the glory of bearing Thy name." B Then the Adversary came down, of very downcast face, and deeply troubled in the presence of the magician. Cyprian then assailed him with mocking words: "Did you perhaps tremble at the sight of the newly helmed-eyed maiden? Tell me, having seen her, what power resides in the girl." He answered him face to face: "Do not ask me, nor inquire; I cannot describe what sign I beheld. Wretched, trembling, I withdrew and fled at once. If you wish to learn, swear a great oath yourself." Cyprian replied and asked: "What oath shall I swear?" He answered: "By all those things under which I have and hold power." As soon as he heard this, he swore at once never to abandon that brave man. And then he said: "Be of good courage; having seen the sign of the crucified Christ, I fled trembling." He addressed him: "Tell me, come, for He is indeed much mightier than you?" The opponent answered: "Hearken to me, and I will tell the truth. For all things that we do here under wicked transgression, giving mortals over to deceits, are manifest to all; but in that life there is a copper instrument, hook-shaped, which is set burning in the midst; if anyone—whether man or angel—should commit the slightest sin, straightway the messenger troop leads him by that for the power of the crucified Christ to hang before the throne." C Cyprian then spoke: "Away, depart; for I am hastening with speed to the friendship of Christ—for I love swift motions—and I would learn to love the cross-bearer, lest I suffer such things." The monster answered: "Having sworn a great oath, do you now disregard the transgression?" He replied: "Tell me, O storyteller, did I swear many oaths to you just now?" He said: "To my mighty powers." The magician answered: "I dread neither you nor your deeds, O hateful one. For this night I have learned the whole truth from you, because of the maiden's pure prayers and the fearful cross; for you are truly powerless. Therefore, I will now place a mighty seal upon my limbs, which you yourself called greatly ruling. I despise your friendship and reject your counsels." When he had said these things, D he at once rendered honor to Christ, and drove out the terrible demon, saying: "Depart far away, for I seek Christ." And the most shameful one departed at once. Cyprian, taking his books of magic, gave them to be carried on the strong shoulders of the youths to the house of the undefiled God, and he himself followed them closely in person. Then, falling at the feet before the holy priest Anthimus, he addressed him in these words: "O servant of the eternal and supreme King, I have chosen to be in the army of Christ."
A I have resolved to write my heart in a book." Then that man, being angered, said, "Take your wickedness far away; whatever you have done, is it not seen as enough by us? Do not approach the sacred shrines; for the invincible power of God governs all things." Then Cyprianus said, "It has been granted to my mind also to know that great indeed is the firm power of God. For during the past night, I sent against the venerable maiden many monsters, if by chance they might snare her magnanimous mind with wily shackles. But the maiden, powerful in spirit, conquered all things with prayers and the strong sign of the Cross. Now, take pity and protect me, and granting pardon to one who prays, accept these books, O best of earth-born men, by which I, lost, have committed so many evils; and pitying my soul, give them at once to the fire." The priest believed him, and taking the books, he burned them to the last one, then prayed for blessings, and admonishing him frequently to hasten to the temples of God, he dismissed him with a gentle countenance.
Then Cyprianus, returning his steps to his own house, B shattered the vain images of the gods, and for the whole night he beat his body with heavy lashes, saying these things: "With what face shall I, guilty of so many crimes, approach the eyes of Christ, and with my mouth sing the praises of the Thunderer, with which I prepared destruction for others, and invoked such Stygian plagues in my prayers?" Hence he scatters the ashes, and begs for pardon from the Divinity, prostrate on the ground and silent, for he fears to lift up his voice.
And now white-armed Aurora arrived with rosy fingers, bringing back the great solemnities of the rising Christ, when he himself, a new follower of the great God, came into the sacred assembly and, instructed, prayed in this voice: "If, almighty God, I deserve to be your minister, grant, I pray, that I who seek your temples may receive oracles full of favorable signs from the sacred books." C But when he had arrived at the first thresholds of the sacred temple, the son of Jesse said: "Almighty, look upon me, and do not abandon me, nor cast me away, hiding far from your countenance." Then the great prophet, moved by the sacred divine spirit, Oseas: "Come now," he said, "the servant shall no longer be." And again David: "My eyes have anticipated the morning light, by which the darkness of night is put to flight, that I may follow your divine words throughout all time." D But elsewhere Esaias says, "Let not fear take away your mind, O my son, and whom I love, Jacob; from all the neighbors I have chosen you as a leader, one from many." Thus the divine Paul says: "Christ our King himself has released us from the bitter curse of the former law." And again the interpreter of God himself, skilled in the lyre, the son of Jesse, sings: "Who can sing the powers of the eternal King, and who can fill the ears of men with songs of Him who governs all things?" Then after the sacred songs of the supreme God were recited, and the exhortations of the priest had been performed according to custom, the voice of the men was heard: "You who are not yet perfect, depart from the divine temple." But humble Cyprianus, while he still sat on the benches,
A Asterius, an attendant, spoke to him thus: "Depart from the royal halls." But he answered him in return: "I am a servant of Christ, crucified; why do you drive me out?" The attendant answered him: "But you are not yet a complete servant of the mighty God." He replied again: "God, who alone has shamed the most vile evil spirits and saved the maiden, and had mercy upon my own heart, lives forever. It is not right for me to set foot outside this threshold unless the bountiful faith of Christ makes me a pupil." And when the minister of God learned this, he quickly went to tell Anthimus. He then called for him, and as he approached, he spoke many stern and harsh words to Cyprianus, asking what he had done; then, having poured out prayers for a short time, he recounted in order all the works that God had performed in the world, and purified the man with the holy water of baptism. On the eighth day, he read the Christ-speaking books in the temple; and after twenty-five days had passed, this individual, still small and least among the sacred orders, held the gates and the care of the sacred things. When fifty days had arrived, he was immediately worthy to perform his office; thenceforth, he powerfully subdued the foul and base phalanxes of the demons, drove grave diseases from human bodies, and thus brought many into the fold of Christ who had denied the blind and vain faith of the gods. And as the year turned, Cyprianus attained an equal seat as presbyter; and fulfilling the office of minister for a space of ten years, he remained on the elder’s throne. B Then the good and truly blessed bishop Anthimus gathered all the presbyters from the surrounding region, and having spoken all things worthy of the choir of Christ, while still alive, he willingly gave to Cyprianus the honor of his own seat; then, seeking the heavenly kingdoms, he committed the fold to the holy man of whom he was the guardian. C Henceforth, Cyprianus, ruling the divine temples, received the maiden and adorned her with the sacred honor of a minister, and having changed the old name of Justa, he called her Justina the undefiled, and wished her to preside over all the tender handmaidens serving Christ. And having saved many who were gripped by vain superstition in their hearts, burning with love for Christ, he brought back a great multitude into the fold of the Supreme King, to whom is always honor and glory. Amen. Vers. 322
ON SAINT CYPRIAN. BOOK TWO.
A You to whom the faith of Christ, celebrated in many a song, is a matter of care, behold the tears I shed anew, lest the cause of such great sorrow remain hidden from you. Though I know that all things—for I speak the truth—are known to you, yet, you who delight your souls with wicked idols, listen: I shall recount their deceits in my song. For truly, there was no other among men so bound by empty religion, nor did any other follow the vain images of false gods, nor understand what power they might have, as I did. I am that Cyprian, whom my parents once vowed to Apollo as a gift, almost as soon as I was brought into the light of day. While still a young child, I learned the foul rites of the serpent Nedyporus; then, when I had scarcely turned seven years, I was sacrificed again to the Mithraic Phoebus. After such things, the noble and lofty citadels of Pallas received me, and added me to their citizens—for so my parents, from whom I was born, desired. In my tenth year, I lit the torches for Ceres, and endured the white mourning of the virgin; and in the city of the high-dwelling goddess, I performed the serpentine rites of Pallas. Having attained the office of an acolyte, where ignorant peoples claim the vain gods dwell, I ascended the peak of Olympus. There I heard the sound of words and certain murmurings; I saw herbs and trunks of trees—all things marvelous to the eyes—which base demons guard in vain. B Here I observed the hours and winds succeeding one another in order, and the various days, through which the malignant and monstrous enemies truly mock the mind with false images. Here I saw a crowd singing with wanton voice, and others mingling in battles among themselves, and those who rejoice in deceits, and those prone to railings, and those who stir up fears. Here also I beheld the ranks of whatever goddesses and gods there be; for I remained there for forty-eight days. From thence, when they are sent out from mighty kingdoms, airy troops of spirits are cast forth into the world, so that they may C afflict ailing mortals.
A Let the unworthy ones of the wicked cast whatever they wish. Then for me the tender fronds of plants were food beneath the setting sun. I had not yet passed three lustra when I was taught the power of every spirit and of the gods by seven mystagogues, to whom shameful sacred rites were revealed, as many as concern the cares of illicit demons. For my parents desired that I should learn all things, whatsoever the earth, the air, and the deep sea contain: not only whatever the corruption of men generates, but also as many things as exist from the tender herb and cultivated greenery, and those which haunt the languishing members of man; and how many dire things the malevolent enemy, the serpent of varied counsel who presides over this world, has discovered, scorning the decrees of the eternal Thunderer. Hence Argos, rich in horses and my nurse, possessed me.
B (Then by chance the sacred rites of the bright-robed Dawn were being performed). There, having become a mystagogue again, I learned what is the harmony of the air and of the manifold heaven; and how the kinship of water with earth is fertile, and likewise the kinship of the pure air with the fallen dew. From there I came to the land of Elis, and at Lacedaemon I saw the illustrious sign of Tauropolos, so that I might learn therefrom the many and various forms of matter, and the species of metals, and the marks of stones, and the characters, and ancient tales. Then, coming to the Phrygian land, having become a learned haruspex there, I learned from the entrails what things were taking place in the middle of the heart; I learned the auguries of the Scythian peoples, and the sonorous voices of birds, and the circles they make through the air, and the prophetic voices of youth, if they see things to come; what sounds the stones and woods similarly emit, and what voices bodies long dead send forth from their tombs, and what noise the openings make; with what cares the fiber palpitates within; the blood-stained tumors that defile the members, as when voracious warts creep through the viscera; then what numbers words possess, what bonds language has, what visible labors of nature the flesh has; and what things are sworn in the mind, and what perjuries, and the counsels of men which are hostile to peace. Nothing on earth, in heaven, or in the sea escaped me: not the varied monster, not the hidden or deceitful mind, not that which is strong in art, nor that which is subject to many cares. Why, I also came to know the invalid frauds, and the nefarious deeds, and all things that are equal to these upon the earth.
C And now after these things the twentieth year from my birth was at hand, when, going to Egypt, the land which is worshipped by a swarthy people, I found the shore of Memphis. There I attempted things exceeding human strength: what kinship they have with earthly things, and what are the names of the averting spirits, and by what laws and things they are pleased, and by what stars, so that they may flee and dwell in dense darkness, and what species of spirits are contrary to these; and how many D
A they are like to the souls and bodies of cattle and swimming creatures, and whatever concerns them, and whatever things they do: swift running, and knowledge, and memory of the mind, fear, deceitful art, footprints, the hidden forgetfulness of cities, and the deeds of the crowd, and whatever things are like to these. There I knew the trembling of the earth, and the generation of rainy storms and likewise the roar, and the surge of the earth and the sea, imitations as it were true, the images of the eternal Word, always existing. There I perceived the souls of the terrifyingly huge giants, those of great power and those of the weak, B being pressed down by the dark, misty gloom, bearing the earth on their backs like a mere phantom, just as a burdened man carries logs upon his shoulders and faints under the weight. I saw the demoniac weights, and the winding of serpents, the bitter breathings which are for food to those of the earth; whence demons, wandering lawlessly hither and thither, cast ten thousand terrible things upon mankind as they rush toward matter. And I saw the earth laboring under a demon, and not even resting upon the unstable water because of the foundations which it apportioned to itself. I reached also the place where they who are opposed in hand-to-hand combat change places (4), which the serpent created in its desire for divine wrath as a school for the whole pleasure-loving life of mortals; from which many spirits struggling bring down impiety to earth-walking men, who are like them. And moreover I perceived one prone to evils, having come suddenly against a pious mortal; a mad one, yet [appearing] wise and a just judge to a perfect man; and there is nothing holy there, nor is it a judged matter. There I beheld the many-wrought, joyless form of Falsehood. C The three-fold form of Lust also possessed an evil-writing shape, blood-red, scorched, like foam and liver. Again I saw the winged, humid, rough, beast-like type of Wrath. But I gazed upon Deceit, [which was] cloud-wrapped, hidden, boasting in deceitful words. I saw the gloomy, blinding form of Hatred, and behind its head it possessed four pupils, shunning the ray of light which brightens all things; but a thousand feet were suspended from the top of its head, terrible alone to behold: and there was no belly in it, for cruelty alone feeds it without bowels. Zeal, and terrible envy, are like to one another; but truly wretched Envy brings a tongue equal [to its malice] in that place. I saw Malice, very thin, as if a corpse, and it had many eyes, and pupils like arrows, being always intent upon revenge in its mind, yet insatiable. I saw the form of a demon (5); it has above D a narrow, long head, and it had two mouths, one upon its breast, and the other again upon its back, devouring solid earth and heavy rocks, and, hungering, it melts away with the corruption of its own wickedness.
A Again, that thieving one, Desire, appeared to me, Having a sharp body; you would think it a sickle to behold, And it kept its eyes closed with languid pupils. Here too I saw Trade, both base and swift, Bearing all the hope of gold, as a weight, in its arms; And Levity was seen, endowed with a gentle mind, Fleshy in body, but indeed lacking white bones. I perceived the worship of idols, flying on high, For it added two thick wings to its head; And though it seemed to wrap everyone in its pinions, It could not provide any covering for its own limbs. I saw also the heavy fear of Hypocrisy, rem, Which, wholly emaciated, had a spacious breast, Which yet a wicked plague secretly corrupted, As things that vanish, scattered by the wind through the air. Here also Dementia was seen, flourishing in years, and consisting Of both the feminine and masculine sex at once, Naked, lacking shame, and devoid of all strength. I saw a bold one, whose form was most wretched, for it has A long tongue, greater than the rest of its body. guam. I saw also a Fool, upon whose head was much dullness, And softness of mind, having the power to hide nothing. Then I myself learned of another task of the spirits: In what form they are clothed, the cruel cacodemons, Bringing sorrows and losses, wander around the whole world: In all there were three hundred, and sixty-five Demons, strong in their affections, powerful in their wickedness. Here I learned how base and disgraceful is the virtue, Justice, and glory, and indeed the wisdom, which is vain; C Whereby they deceive men with the dogma of the Greeks: for Truth flees, content with only the image of things. Thus all things are equated to shadow and empty ash; For all crimes are committed by these things To the deception of many. But it is not permitted to embrace All things in a long poem. Counting a few out of many, I have taught you all my impious crimes. But that I will tell further. When my thirtieth summer D Had already made me a man, I left the shores inhabited by black settlers, And came to Chaldea, the seed of illustrious men, Once famous, so that I might learn the whole course of the ether, Which that nation indeed claims to consist of fire, But those who know the matter better, place it in the light. From thence I learned the differences of the nature of the stars (As one who knows how to pluck herbs from their husks), And the starry hosts, waging simulations of war; What the house of each one is, what is their kinship, and what The covenant of friendship, and what is their drink and food, And their rational unions performed in the light.
A They themselves showed me the segments of the shining heaven, Five and sixty, and another three hundred besides. There was among them a fellow-worker of the visible nature, and they twisted a scheme, and they themselves also relied upon a contest, and they wove together counsel from themselves and some sort of path, concealing the multifaceted guidance of hidden things, and having only propitiations from sacrifices; but others do not hear and do not care for libations, but alone they care for the light of the radiant one. But even as I saw for what reason they proceeded, obeying the shadowy counsel, so that they might share light with the stars that do not shine, being mixed little by little. And a stupor held me entirely, since I looked at the one in the middle, that he cared for the wealth of the aerial shadowy ones. And I greatly marveled at their laws, having considered those which he had placed in the midst for them to be to one another, keeping most faithful oaths in their spirit. There, also, is piety, and friendliness together, and swiftness, and keen counsel, so that they might be mixed with one another, which the leader of the evil-plotting foundation narrated; B for he also made them wise, having drawn the breath from the air, and a tongue of eloquence from the growth-bearing earth, and from the nether regions, having taught all things as a trickster. And from there he pulls down the entire starting-line of the world, having imposed it, and to forget nature without the pious God. For he placed everything in the market for trade, and having scattered everything, the wicked one rules over the earth. Believe me, that I saw the demon himself, having appeased him with libations and many sacrifices. Believe, that I, even having seen him, spoke to him with words, and I heard his friendly words; and among all of them he called me a handsome youth by nature, just as Iambres, and a powerful initiate, worthy of his works. And he nodded to me that I complete the contest of the world, working alongside him, since he saw the works of my life. From there, exulting, he entrusted to me a wretched crowd of demons, and said to the one who was hostile: "Cyprian, you were a powerful mortal!" And having risen from the throne, he sent me forth; and he caused C astonishment to those seeing [me], from where all the elders likewise honored me greatly. And in form he was like flowering gold, with the radiance of his pupils; and on his head then, having wreaths fixed to his locks and with precious stones, the brilliance of which adorned that place. And his clothing was similar; but turning, he shook the earth. And in a circle of benches stood many shield-bearers, having forms toward the ground, fixed like phalanges, flashing on that plain, as a God in Olympus, shining brightly with the stars, and increasing the cultivation of plants, and for all whom God fashioned, fashioning things that were similar, D and these for me divided the ether into three hundred and sixty-five ways, and each having a nature participating in material energy, and those using counsel for the order of the ruler, and signaling the counsel to the movements, and hiding the mystical commandment, and obeying the practical words [those] from the sacrifices, and libations; but some not obeying, but keeping a disposition toward the counsel of the light.
A And he dares to contend against the Immortal King with the saints. For hence he thinks he eludes the minds of men, but rather produces vain shadows for the weak, from which every appearance of spirits is dissolved (naturally, the vilest rabble takes care to be seen, and to put forth its powers under a bodily image). So that he may bind these firmly to himself, the libations and odors provide [for him]; for the much vapor that goes up from the sacrifices into the air, the dark shadows grasp and draw and wrap around themselves, as if they were garments woven with much labor, or beautiful wools, or the fine thread of flax. And many images resembling the sublime seats of the gods they carry instead of truth, being girded only with air. For this reason, the ant also there needs the libation, and B he demands waters, and cakes at the same time, and fruits, and whatever the nourishing earth brings forth, so that he may manifest the empty appearance alone to mortals. And just as, seeing in our mind the images of the departed, we sometimes think we are speaking with those who are far away, so also the enemy presses out forms for himself from the sacred things, and is busy wrapping them all around his own [figures], and [around] the figures of idols, which have no power. Hence he pours out many, though feigned, clouds in the ether, and things which recall cold snows, and he mixes conflagrations, and fish which you might see with your eyes, but not taste with your throat, and shining gold, but for which wicked poverty is the companion. C Imitating solid works as well, he himself also accomplishes cities, and chambers, and shores planted with trees, and the shady grove, and ancestral hearths, and whatever things humans form, of diverse strata of color; all these things the bloodthirsty demons fashion with shadows. Thus also those who wander by night have sweet dreams while seeing them; but this is the work of the long-wandering demon and of the ungodly, [a work of] micro-religious men. But why do I grieve at these things, since I, wishing in my heart to revere the heavenly God, and having learned of the broken power of the terrible dragon and his empty pride, still lie immersed in the lowest darkness? For I myself knew from the venerable virgin Justa that there is absolutely no power in the demons; and I saw, with her pointing it out, the scaly, D breathing out great things, huge, horrible dragon, and not even showing the strength of a common gnat. Furthermore, while the Tartarean prince was once promising me many things, the virgin, who alone crushed the snake with her foot, taught that he spoke with a feigned mouth. Oh! The monster governing the fallacy of idols refrained from entering the closed sanctuaries of the Virgin, trembling wondrously: he who commands such great shadows could not break the narrow threshold of the Virgin: he who thinks to give laws to all, was subdued by a female: he who is accustomed to shake the earth, yielded before a virgin:
A he who, possessing a heart full of many troubles, did not cast down the maiden, thinking to roar even as a terrifying lion, and to frighten everyone, was, like a gnat before the maiden, played with at the threshold. For when I left the soil of the Persians, I journeyed to the great city of Syria, Antioch, performing many wonders through terrible magical art, bringing to some a remedy for love, and to others of envy, and of hateful jealousy, and of the wickedness that clung to their flesh. There a certain Aglaidas, an enamored suitor, very much entreating me, as many others were, knelt regarding a maiden named Justina, that he might be mingled with her in love. From then first the deceitful demon was revealed to me. For as many lines of verse as I began, they came together about the chaste virgin, and returned without accomplishment. But the faith of the virgin also showed the patron and protector of Aglaidas to be unseen, and rendered him powerless. B And while Aglaidas spent many sleepless nights, and I, along with the demon, spent ten weeks plus three others after these, the leader of the demonic phalanx, together with his followers, came to fight against the virgin. For not only did love subdue the young Aglaidas, but it also touched my own heart in its rage. It was a marvel to behold the ranks of opponents vanquished by the prayers of the maiden, along with the dragon. For Belial was not able to carve out our desire, even though he fought very terribly against us. For I addressed him thus: "If there is such power in you, let love depart from my vitals, I pray, so that we may not be compelled to suffer such pains in vain." And as I listened, he commanded the one reigning over lasciviousness to perform what I had spoken. But although he performed many things, he accomplished no deed before these. For it was shown by the ruler that human nature is stronger than all the hateful Belials. But when he finds a man at the prime of his natural strength, then, feeling great, his heart grows proud, no longer looking at the flower of human life, but attributing the glory to his own power. Just as a weak and crippled man who fights while mounted on a horse well-skilled in courageous strength, rejoices greatly, having brought great glory to himself. C For when love increases in those beginning to be young, a spirit more violent than the flame of fire is raised up. But there was for me in the midst a great quarrel with my hostile opponents, and they fought with each other for a long time. Then I addressed the dragon with reproachful words, saying that his great fame would quickly vanish away like smoke into the air. D And he remained speechless, seeing his own wickedness. And I, shaking him with many [great cries], shouted aloud; but he, being quiet...
A in his misery, acknowledging himself weaker in virtue, silently bore all the reproaches. Then, having attempted such a deed, trying to deceive Aglaidas, he brought him a vain and beautiful girl; but suddenly the craft appeared: for she bore no resemblance to the limbs of the virgin Justa. Seeing all these things, I prayed dire things upon the serpent. Then he sent to him the king of wicked men, who, having the wisdom B to have a form similar to Justina; who, being joyful, said such things to him as he approached: "Hail, Justina, celebrated golden form, hail." And no more; having heard the name of Justina, the demon fled, and all mind immediately departed from Aglaidas. I myself was present, comrades, while such efforts of fraud were being made; I was present, and the ardor of the virgin for the Lord reigning on high, and the cowardice of the dragon, were revealed to me. For I was going joined to the one standing by, compelled to bear equal C disgrace and vigilant cares, now having become a woman, now a bird; but I hardly entered the thresholds of the first house. The feigned appearance was receding, and I was Cyprian again, trusting in the vain art of magic. I saw Aglaidas, since immediately by our aid he had been made a bird and had come and sat high on the roof of the virgin. But when the venerable virgin cast her eye from the light-bearing door, she destroyed the winged bird. But he himself was about to reach the gates of death, D standing wretched, just as a bird standing in the high air, had the prudent and beautiful virgin not pitied him, who warned the man, using good words, that he should remain quietly at home and fear the Thunderer; and without delay, she ordered him to lead his steps out of the vestibule. No diseases, no pains conquered her, nor any adversities: for the treacherous demon attacked her with thousands of evils; and her weeping parents, when the physicians were proclaiming the end of life was approaching, were mourning. But she, on the contrary, said to her noble parents, "It is not yet lawful for me to reach the fated end of death; but a certain pain of heart, and not of body, afflicts me, and just as a fiery vapor sent from the air, it burns my limbs." Then we were adding many new things to the first evils, and torturing the limbs of the chaste girl. Yet she crushed all the weapons of the deceitful and struggling dragon with the Christ-bearing sign. Then I myself, to vex the parents of the virgin, began causing the death of mules, herds, and flocks: but the daughter exhorted them with kind words, that they should not grieve over such things, but be content with a meager lot, for God saying that it would soon be abundantly enough. Meanwhile, the grave anger of the virgin did not lie hidden from her kin, and they ordered her to give her virgin body to the youth quickly in true marriage: but with the Cross, through which she received Christ, she added strength to the soul of her parents.
⟩ A But when the demon sent a grievous plague upon the people and gave an oracle to the inhabitants, that his unrestrained wrath would not cease until Aglaides quickly led Justina into his bedchamber, as is the custom, Christ’s handmaid calmed the clamor of the people with holy prayers and drove the plague from the city. Then, taught by such things, those who dwelt throughout the city praised Christ, but heaped reproach upon me, as the destructive man of that city. Everyone abhorred me terribly, but I, respecting both my kinsmen and the citizens, avoided them both.
Lastly, I saw what the power of the Cross had achieved, and I pondered this in my mind, saying to the wicked demon: "Alas, you fatal race, you author of all lawless things, you abyss of wickedness, why did you give me lying words, when you yourself know that you are weak and powerless? For if the mere shadow of the immortal God conquers you so mightily, what will you do when He Himself comes? If you tremble at the name of Christ, then why do you perform your deeds and pursue your deadly works? If the power of the divine wood troubles you so much, where will you set your footprints when He Himself is present? If the sign puts you to flight, how can you snatch peoples from the strong right hand of Him? For you have neither such a host as to be able to resist, nor have you now any knowledge of wandering arts.
I know your illusion well; I know you are sluggish. Your gift is but idle and fleeting. You have no firm counsel, nor is your judgment excellent. There is no truth in what you work against God; there are only phantoms, and all is equal to darkness. Through you my heart has perished, and all hope has vanished, and a heavy, restless mass of cares has been driven into my mind. You have dared to destroy my life with wicked perversity, and you have dared to ruin the nature I once possessed with your fraudulent deeds. I have sinned terribly, my mind deceived by you. B I became impious and foolish, yielding everything to you. I learned my wisdom and the books of the ancients in vain. Trusting in you, I was stripped of my possessions and wealth. Along with the wealth of my parents, you also made me destitute of life. If I had given these things that you, lawless one, have destroyed to the poor who were starving, perhaps I might by now have had a favorable God for my hopes. Woe is me! Why did you harm me so much, you evildoer? I am terribly worn away, so that I see my trials to be incurable. For I was a corpse, even while seemingly among the living; and having purchased a most costly tomb with many possessions, I did not see the foundations of the gods, but I reached the threshold of death. But it is right for me to entreat the good servants of God, and likewise the very pious men, so that I may obtain mercy and pity; and may I kiss the footprints of the most holy and faithful maiden, Justina, so that she may care for the honest way of my life. C D Flee, deceitful Satan, lawless one, terrible tyrant.
A Flee, contemner of the truth and hater of piety. Then the rabid one, threatening death upon me, rushed in; with all the strength he possessed, he tried to destroy me, seizing me by the throat: no one was there for me, nor did I think there was any way for me to escape death by flight. But then there came into my mind the shining signs of the holy cross, with which the most faithful maiden was victorious, and I cried out in prayer: "O kind God of the glorious maiden, be present, bring help." And extending my right hand immediately, I placed the wooden sign upon my limbs with confidence. B Then the demon fled backward, like an arrow released, and poured forth threats, and shot darts against me. But I, then, filled with the strength of the sign of Christ, grew more and more bold, and kept calling upon God Himself. Then the malevolent beast, grieving, let these sounds from his mouth: "Christ shall not snatch you from our hands, even if you pray much, for He hates the wicked. For now He brings a little aid to you, so that later, leading you around by deception, He may destroy you with a bitter fate. When He abandons you, you yourself shall see what I shall do, you who despise our empire: for Christ does not receive those who have followed me. Then you shall weep with double ruin, miserable one, when you have lost my covenant, and Christ shall no longer help you." I, drinking in these words with my ear, was all trembling with fear; for having added insults to his threats, he had replied with swollen mouth. Behold, companions, who know my groans, I have unfolded the times of my wicked life, so that seeing them, compassion may touch you: say, can I appease Christ, and will He hear me as I mourn? And will He grant that I have abandoned the horrible ways upon which I once knew how to tread? Here the whole crowd fell silent, until at last someone spoke in a clear voice. C
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