The more that the idols commence to resemble the human forms, the more they irritate Anthony. He strikes them with his fist, kicks them, attacks them with fury. They become frightful,—with lofty plumes, eyes like balls, fingers terminated by claws, the jaws of sharks.
And before these gods men are slaughtered upon altars of stone; others are brayed alive in huge mortars, crushed under chariots, nailed upon trees. There is one all of red-hot iron with the horns of a bull, who devours children.)
Anthony. "Horror!"
Hilarion. "But the gods always demand tortures—and suffering. Even thine desired ..."
Anthony (weeping). "Ah! say no more!—do not speak to me!"
(The space girdled by the rocks suddenly changes into a valley. A herd of cattle are feeding upon the short grass.
The herdman who leads them, observes a cloud;—and in a sharp voice, shouts out words of command, as if to heaven.)
Hilarion. "Because he needs rain, he seeks by certain chants to compel the King of heaven to open the fecund cloud."
Anthony (laughing).