Gustave Flaubert. The Temptation of St. Antony; Or, A Revelation of the Soul
CHAPTER I. A Holy Saint
CHAPTER II. The Temptation of Love and Power
CHAPTER III. The Disciple, Hilarion
CHAPTER IV. The Fiery Trial
CHAPTER V. All Gods, All Religions
CHAPTER VI. The Mystery of Space
CHAPTER VII. The Chimera and the Sphinx
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THEN, a great shadow – more subtle than an ordinary shadow, from whose borders other shadows hang in festoons – traces itself upon the ground.
It is the Devil, resting against the roof of the cell and carrying under his wings – like a gigantic bat that is suckling its young – the Seven Deadly Sins, whose grinning heads disclose themselves confusedly.
.....
Antony is deafened by the murmuring of voices. Above and below he perceives nothing but painted faces, motley garments, and plates of worked gold; and the sand of the arena, perfectly white, shines like a mirror.
The Emperor converses with him, confides to him some important secrets, informs him of the assassination of his own son Crispus, and goes so far as to consult Antony about his health.
