The Wanderer's Necklace
Page 26
Now I tell this story because it has to do with my own, for it was thesewords of the Prince that first turned me to the study of the ChristianFaith. Indeed, had they never been spoken, I believe that I should havelived and died a heathen man. Hitherto I had judged of that Faith by theworks of those who practised it in Constantinople, and found it wanting.Now, however, I was sure that some Power from above us had guided meto the chamber of Nicephorus in time to save his life, me, who, had hedied, in a sense would have been guilty of his blood. For had he notbeen driven to the deed by my bitter, mocking words? It may be said thatthis would have mattered little; that he might as well have died byhis own hand as be taken to Athens, there to perish with his brethren,whether naturally or by murder I do not know. But who can judge of suchsecret things? Without doubt the sufferings of Nicephorus had a purpose,as have all our sufferings. He was kept alive for reasons known to hisMaker though not to man.
Here I will add that of this unhappy Caesar and his brethren I rememberlittle more. Dimly I seem to recollect that during my period of officesome attack was made upon the prison by those who would have put theprince to death, but that I discovered the plot through the jailer whohad introduced the poisoned figs, and defeated it with ease, therebygaining much credit with Irene and her ministers. If so, of this plothistory says nothing. All it tells of these princes is that afterwardsa mob haled them to the Cathedral of St. Sophia and there proclaimedNicephorus emperor. But they were taken again, and at last shipped toAthens, where they vanished from the sight of men.
God rest their tortured souls, for they were more sinned against thansinning.