longed to depart, and to be with Christ) there is laid up for me
when I have finished my course a crown of righteousness; therefore
thou art sent from the Lord to cover my corpse with mould, and give
back dust to dust."

Antony, hearing this, prayed him with tears and groans not to desert
him, but take him as his companion on such a journey. But he said,
"Thou must not seek the things which are thine own, but the things
of others. It is expedient for thee, indeed, to cast off the burden
of the flesh, and to follow the Lamb: but it is expedient for the
rest of the brethren that they should be still trained by thine
example. Wherefore go, unless it displease thee, and bring the
cloak which Athanasius the bishop gave thee, to wrap up my corpse."
But this the blessed Paul asked, not because he cared greatly
whether his body decayed covered or bare (as one who for so long a
time was used to clothe himself with woven palm leaves), but that
Antony's grief at his death might be lightened when he left him.
Antony astounded that he had heard of Athanasius and his own cloak,
seeing as it were Christ in Paul, and venerating the God within his
breast, dared answer nothing: but keeping in silence, and kissing
his eyes and hands, returned to the monastery, which afterwards was
occupied by the Saracens. His steps could not follow his spirit;
but, although his body was empty with fastings, and broken with old
age, yet his courage conquered his years. At last, tired and
breathless, he arrived at home. There two disciples met him, who
had been long sent to minister to him, and asked him, "Where hast
thou tarried so long, father?" He answered, "Woe to me a sinner,
who falsely bear the name of a monk. I have seen Elias; I have seen
John in the desert; I have truly seen Paul in Paradise;" and so,
closing his lips, and beating his breast, he took the cloak from his