he was pressed also by those who were in need. But being asked by
the general to lengthen his stay, he refused, and persuaded him by a
graceful parable, saying, "Fishes, if they lie long on the dry land,
die; so monks who stay with you lose their strength. As the fishes
then hasten to the sea, so must we to the mountain, lest if we delay
we should forget what is within." The general, hearing this and
much more from him, said with surprise that he was truly a servant
of God, for whence could an unlearned man have so great sense if he
were not loved by God?

Another general, named Balacius, bitterly persecuted us Christians
on account of his affection for those abominable Arians. His
cruelty was so great that he even beat nuns, and stripped and
scourged monks. Antony sent him a letter to this effect:--"I see
wrath coming upon thee. Cease, therefore, to persecute the
Christians, lest the wrath lay hold upon thee, for it is near at
hand." But Balacius, laughing, threw the letter on the ground and
spat on it; and insulted those who brought it, bidding them tell
Antony, "Since thou carest for monks, I will soon come after thee
likewise." And not five days had passed, when the wrath laid hold
on him. For Balacius himself, and Nestorius, the Eparch of Egypt,
went out to the first station from Alexandria, which is called
Chaereas's. Both of them were riding on horses belonging to
Balacius, and the most gentle in all his stud: but before they had
got to the place, the horses began playing with each other, as is
their wont, and suddenly the more gentle of the two, on which
Nestorius was riding, attacked Balacius and pulled him off with his
teeth, and so tore his thigh that he was carried back to the city,
and died in three days. And all wondered that what Antony had so
wonderfully foretold was so quickly fulfilled. These were his