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]

Happy father, with such unhappy sons!

[He makes a gesture with his hand; and those with him bow low, and go out to the left.

What reckless and most unseemly defiance!

My heart is wounded to the quick by this and many other things. You, my Hekebolius, shall accompany me. The ground burns beneath my feet in this poisoned Galilean city! I will write to those philosophers, Kytron and Priscus, who have won so great fame of late years. Maximus I expect every day; he shall go with us.—I tell you there are joyful days of victory awaiting us, Hekebolius! In Antioch, my friend,—there we shall meet the incomparable Libanius,—and there we are nearer Helios at his rising. Oh, this irresistible yearning towards the Sun-King!

Yes, yes, yes!

[Embracing him.] My Hekebolius!—Wisdom; light; beauty!