Collected Works Volume 5 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1911 edition. Excerpt: ...Long live the Emperor ia Caesarius. Most gracious lord, the procession waits-Julian. To the priests. Stay not your pious hymns on my'account. Forward, my friends The procession passes slowly out to the left. Follow whoso will, and remain whoso will. But this you shall all know to-day, that my place is here. Uneasiness and movement in the crowd. What am I? The Emperor. But in saying that, have I said all? Is there not one imperial office, which seems to have been shamefully wiped out of remembrance in these later years? What was that crowned philosopher, Marcus Aurelius? Emperor? Only Emperor? I could almost ask: was he not something more than Emperor? Was he not also the Supreme Pontiff? Voices In The Crowd. What says the Emperor? What was that? What did he say? Themistius. Oh sire, is it indeed your purpose? Julian. Not even my uncle Constantine the Great dared to renounce this dignity. Even after he had conceded to a certain new doctrine such very extraordinary privileges, he was still called the Chief Priest by all who held fast to the ancient divinities of the Grecian race. I will not here enlarge upon the melancholy disuse into which this office has fallen of late years, but will merely remark that none of my exalted predecessors, not even he to whom, with tear-stained faces, we to-day bid our last farewell, has dared to reject it. Should I presume to take any step which so wise and just emperors did not deem right or expedient? Far be it from me Themistius. Oh great Emperor, mean you by this? Julian. I mean by this, that there shall be perfect freedom for all citizens. Cling to the Christians' God, you who find it conduce to your souls' repose. As for me, I dare not build my hopes on a god who has hitherto been my foe in all my...