Scene + 

X + 

Antony + 

Who comes this way? By his dress it is some brother-dweller in the desert. My old eyes do not recognize you yet, friend. Come nearer. + 

Paphnutius + 

Brother Antony! Do you not know me? + 

Antony + 

This is joy indeed! What pleasures God sends us, when we resign ourselves to have none! I did not think to see my brother Paphnutius again in this world. Is it indeed you, brother? + 

Paphnutius + 

Yes, it is I. + 

Antony + 

You are welcome, very welcome. Your coming gives me great joy. + 

Paphnutius + 

I am no less rejoiced to see you. + 

Antony + 

But what is the cause? What has brought Paphnutius from his solitary retreat? He is not sick, I trust? He has not come to old Antony for healing? + 

Paphnutius + 

No, I am in good health. + 

Antony + 

That’s well! I am glad of it. + 

Paphnutius + 

Brother Antony, it is three years since my peace was broken and disturbed by the persistent vision of a soul in peril. I heard a voice calling me night and day. But I stopped my ears⁠—fearing my weakness. I thought “She calls me to ruin me.” “No, no,” the voice said. “I call you to save me.” + 

Antony + 

A woman’s voice! + 

Paphnutius + 

Before my vision it was well known to us all that in the great town on the edge of the desert there was a harlot called Thais, through whom many were destroyed body and soul. + 

Antony + 

It was she who called you! + 

Paphnutius + 

Brother Antony, it was God who called me. My disciples opposed me; nevertheless I went to the town to see Thais and wrestle with the demon. + 

Antony + 

A perilous enterprise. + 

Paphnutius + 

I went to her in the disguise of a lover, and began by flattering her with sweet words. Then I threw off the mask and brought terror to her soul with bitter reproaches and threats of God’s punishment. + 

Antony + 

A prudent course. Hard words are necessary when natures have grown soft and can no longer distinguish between good and evil. + 

Paphnutius + 

I was disarmed by her docility. Truly, brother Antony, my heart melted like wax when she spurned her ill-gotten wealth and abandoned her lovers. + 

Antony + 

But you hid your tenderness? + 

Paphnutius + 

Yes, Brother Antony. + 

Antony + 

What followed? + 

Paphnutius + 

She chose to live in chastity. She consented to be enclosed in a narrow cell. She accepted her penance with sweetness and humility. + 

Antony + 

I am rejoiced by what you have told me! All the blood in my old veins exults and rejoices! + 

Paphnutius + 

That is because you are a saint. + 

Antony + 

Brother, you cannot mean that you are sad? + 

Paphnutius + 

I rejoice immeasurably in her conversion. Yet at times I am uneasy. I fear that the penance may have been too long and severe for a woman of such delicate frame. + 

Antony + 

That does you no wrong. Where true love is, loving compassion is not wanting. + 

Paphnutius + 

I came to beg yours for Thais. Of your charity give me your prayers. I beg you and your disciples to join with me in praying for a sign. Let us persevere in prayer until it is shown us from heaven that the penitent’s tears have moved the divine mercy to indulgence. + 

Antony + 

Brother Paphnutius, I have never granted a request more gladly. Come, we will gather together my disciples. + 

Paphnutius + 

I know that God will listen to his good servant Antony. + 