Chapter XI.
“When the monk whom
I have mentioned heard of this,—when he learned both that the
children had encountered danger through meeting the snake, and that
moreover, having got the better of the serpent, they had received a
sound beating,—he implored the Abbot that henceforth no bread or
food of any kind should be sent to him. And now the eighth day had
passed since that man of Christ had exposed himself to the danger of
perishing from hunger; his limbs were growing dry with fasting, but his
mind fixed upon heaven could not fail; his body was wearing away with
abstinence, but his faith remained firm. In the meantime, the Abbot was
admonished by the Spirit to visit that disciple. Under the influence of
a pious solicitude, he was eager to learn by what means of preserving
life that faithful man was supported, since he had declined any human
aid in ministering to his necessities. Accordingly, he sets out in
person to satisfy himself on the subject. When the recluse saw from a
distance the old man coming to him, he ran to meet him: he thanks him
for the visit, and conducts him to his cell. As they enter the cell
together, they behold a basket of palm branches, full of hot bread,
hanging fixed at the door-post. And first the smell of the hot bread is
perceived; but on touching it, it appears as if just a little before it
had been taken from the oven. At the same time, they do not recognize
the bread as being of the shape common in Egypt. Both are filled with
amazement, and acknowledge the gift as being from heaven. On the one
side, the recluse declared that this event was due to the arrival of
the Abbot; while, on the other side, the Abbot ascribed it rather to
the faith and virtue of the recluse; but both broke the heaven-sent
bread with exceeding joy. And when, on his return to the monastery, the
old man reported to the brethren what had occurred, such enthusiasm
seized the minds of all of them, that they vied with each other in
their haste to betake themselves to the desert, and its sacred
seclusion; while they declared themselves miserable in having made
their abode only too long amid a multitude, where human fellowship had
to be carried on and endured.
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