Oh, how great is this Emperor, to whom we owe such blessings!
Julian.
[Before the altar, with uplifted arms.] Thus have I openly and in all humility made libations of oil and wine to you, ye beneficent deities, who have so long been denied these seemly observances. I have sent up my thanksgiving to thee, oh Apollo, whom some of the sages—especially those of the East—call by the name of the Sun-King, because thou bringest and renewest that light, wherein life has its source and its fountain-head.—To thee, too, I have made offering, oh Dionysus, god of ecstasy, who dost lift up the souls of mortals out of abasement, and exaltest them to an ennobling communion with higher spirits.—And, although I name thee last, I have not been least mindful of thee, oh Fortuna! Without thine aid, should I have stood here? I know indeed that thou dost no longer visibly manifest thyself, as in the golden age, of which the peerless blind singer has told us. But this I know, too,—and herein all other philosophers are at one with me—that it is thou who hast the decisive share in the choice of the guardian spirit, good or evil, that is to accompany every man on his path through life. I have no cause to chide thee, oh Fortuna! Rather have I the strongest reason to yield thee all thanks and praise. This duty, precious to my heart, have I this day fulfilled. I have not shrunk from even the humblest office. Here I stand in open day; the eyes of all Greece are upon me; I expect the voice of all Greece to unite with mine in acclaiming you, oh ye immortal gods!
[During the sacrificial service, most of the Christian onlookers have gradually stolen away; only a little knot remains behind. When Julian ceases speaking, there arise only faint sounds of approval mingled with subdued laughter, and whispers of astonishment
Julian.
[Looking round.] What is this? What has become of them all? Are they slinking away?
Themistius.
Yes, red with shame at the ingratitude of so many years.
Mamertinus.
Nay, ’twas the flush of joy. They have gone to spread the great tidings throughout the city.