only sat down outside the cell, and believing, and praying honestly,
were cleansed. But when he saw himself troubled by many, and not
being permitted to retire, as he wished, being afraid lest he
himself should be puffed up by what the Lord was doing by him, or
lest others should count of him above what he was, he resolved to go
to the Upper Thebaid, to those who knew him not. And, in fact,
having taken loaves from the brethren, he sat down on the bank of
the river, watching for a boat to pass, that he might embark and go
up in it. And as he watched, a voice came to him: "Antony, whither
art thou going, and why?" And he, not terrified, but as one
accustomed to be often called thus, answered when he heard it,
"Because the crowds will not let me be at rest; therefore am I
minded to go up to the Upper Thebaid, on account of the many
annoyances which befall me; and, above all, because they ask of me
things beyond my strength." And the voice said to him, "Even if
thou goest up to the Thebaid, even if, as thou art minded to do,
thou goest down the cattle pastures, {52a} thou wilt have to endure
more, and double trouble; but if thou wilt really be at rest, go now
into the inner desert." And when Antony said, "Who will show me the
way, for I have not tried it?" forthwith it showed him Saracens who
were going to journey that road. So, going to them, and drawing
near them, Antony asked leave to depart with them into the desert.
But they, as if by an ordinance of Providence, willingly received
him; and, journeying three days and three nights with them, he came
to a very high mountain; {52b} and there was water under the
mountain, clear, sweet, and very cold; and a plain outside; and a
few neglected date-palms. Then Antony, as if stirred by God, loved
the spot; for this it was what he had pointed out who spoke to him
beside the river bank. At first, then, having received bread from
those who journeyed with him, he remained alone in the mount, no one