Sacred Texts  Christianity  Early Church Fathers  Index  Previous  Next 

p. 257 Chapter III.—Clement’s Trick.

“I knowing this before concerning Appion, as soon as he asked me the cause of my sickness, answered feignedly, that I was suffering and distressed in my mind after the manner of young men.  And to this he said, ‘My son, speak freely as to a father:  what is your soul’s ailment?’  And when I again groaned feignedly, as being ashamed to speak of love, by means of silence and down-looking I conveyed the impression of what I wished to intimate.  But he, being persuaded that I was in love with a woman, said:  ‘There is nothing in life which does not admit of help.  For indeed I myself, when I was young, being in love with a most accomplished woman, not only thought it impossible to obtain her, but did not even hope ever to address her.  And yet, having fallen in with a certain Egyptian who was exceedingly well versed in magic, and having become his friend, I disclosed to him my love, and not only did he assist me in all that I wished, but, honouring me more bountifully, he hesitated not to teach me an incantation by means of which I obtained her; and as soon as I had obtained her, by means of his secret instruction, being persuaded by the liberality of my teacher, I was cured of love.


Next: Chapter IV