nigh to the cave when the beast was gone, he began to look in: but
in vain; for the darkness stopped his view. However, as the
Scripture saith, perfect love casteth out fear; with gentle step and
bated breath the cunning explorer entered, and going forward slowly,
and stopping often, watched for a sound. At length he saw afar off
a light through the horror of the darkness; hastened on more
greedily; struck his foot against a stone; and made a noise, at
which the blessed Paul shut and barred his door, which had stood
open.

Then Antony, casting himself down before the entrance, prayed there
till the sixth hour, and more, to be let in, saying, "Who I am, and
whence, and why I am come, thou knowest. I know that I deserve not
to see thy face; yet, unless I see thee, I will not return. Thou
who receivest beasts, why repellest thou a man? I have sought, and
I have found. I knock, that it may be opened to me: which if I win
not, here will I die before thy gate. Surely thou shalt at least
bury my corpse."


"Persisting thus he spoke, and stood there fixed:
To whom the hero shortly thus replied."


"No one begs thus to threaten. No one does injury with tears. And
dost thou wonder why I do not let thee in, seeing thou art a mortal
guest?"

Then Paul, smiling, opened the door. They mingled mutual embraces,
and saluted each other by their names, and committed themselves in