only in his conduct gave some handle for scandal, among the
just persons who needed no repentance. It was well known that in his
most solemn devotions, on those long nights of unceasing prayer and
self-discipline, which won him a reputation for superhuman sanctity,
there mingled always with his prayers the names of two women. And, when
some worthy elder, taking courage from his years, dared to hint kindly
to him that such conduct caused some scandal to the weaker brethren,
'It is true,' answered he; 'tell my brethren that I pray nightly for two
women both of them young; both of them beautiful; both of them beloved
by me more than I love my own soul; and tell them, moreover, that one
of the two was a harlot, and the other a heathen.' The old monk laid his
hand on his mouth, and retired.

The remainder of his history it seems better to extract from an
unpublished fragment of the _Hagiologia Nilotica_ of Graidiocolosyrtus
Tabenniticus, the greater part of which valuable work was destroyed at
the taking of Alexandria under Amrou, A. D. 640.

'Now when the said abbot had ruled the monastery of Scetis seven years
with uncommon prudence, resplendent in virtue and in miracles, it befell
that one morning he was late for the Divine office. Whereon a certain
ancient brother, who was also a deacon, being sent to ascertain the
cause of so unwonted a defection, found the holy man extended upon the
floor of his cell, like Balaam in the flesh, though far differing from
him in the spirit, having fallen into a trance, but having his eyes
open. Who, not daring to arouse him, sat by him until the hour of noon,
judging rightly that something from heaven had befallen him. And at that
hour, the saint arising without astonishment, said, "Brother, make ready
for me the divine elements, that I may consecrate them." And he asking
the reason wherefore, the saint replied, "That I may partake thereof
with all my brethren, ere I depart hence. For know assuredly that,
within the seventh day, I shall migrate to the celestial mansions. For
this night stood by me in a dream, those two women, whom I love, and for
whom I pray; the one clothed in a white, the other in a ruby-coloured
garment, and holding each other by the hand; who said to me, 'That life
after death is not such a one as you fancy; come, therefore, and behold
with us what it is like.'" Troubled at which words, the deacon went
forth yet on account not only of holy obedience, but also of the