h a smile: they embraced, called each other by their names, which
they knew by divine revelation. St. Paul then inquired whether idolatry
still reigned in the world. While they were discoursing together, a
raven flew towards them, and dropped a loaf of bread before them. Upon
which St. Paul said, "Our good God has sent us a dinner. In this manner
have I received half a loaf every day these sixty years past; now you
are come to see me, Christ has doubled his provision for his servants."
Having given thanks to God they both sat down by the fountain; but a
little contest arose between them who should break the bread; St. Antony
alleged St. Paul's greater age, and St. Paul pleaded that Antony was the
stranger: both agreed at last to take up their parts together. Having
refreshed themselves at the spring, they spent the night in prayer. The
next morning St. Paul told his guest that the time of his death
approached, and that he was sent to bury him; adding, "Go and fetch the
cloak given you by St. Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, in which I
desire you to wrap my body." This he might say with the intent of being
left alone in prayer, while he expected to be called out of this world;
as also that he might testify his veneration for St. Athanasius, and his
high regard for the faith and communion of the Catholic church, on
account of which that holy bishop was then a great sufferer. St. Antony
was surprised to hear him mention the cloak, which he could not have
known but by divine revelation. Whatever was his motive for desiring to
be buried {153} in it, St. Antony acquiesced to what was asked of him:
so, after mutual embraces, he hastened to his monastery to comply with
St. Paul's request. He told his monks that he, a sinner, falsely bore
the name of a servant of God, but that he had seen Elias and John the
Baptist in the wilderness, even Paul in Paradise. Having taken the
cloak, he returned with it in all haste, fearing lest the holy hermit
might be dead, as it happened. While on his road, he saw his happy soul
carried up to heaven, attended by choirs of angels, prophets, and
apostles. St. Antony, though he rejoiced on St. Paul's account, could
not help lamenting on his own, for having lost a treasure so lately
discovered. As soon as his sorrow would permit, he arose, pursued his
journey, and came to the cave. Going in, he found the body kneeling, and
the hands stretched out. Full of joy, and supposing him yet alive, he
knelt do