St. John Chrysostom LETTERS TO OLYMPIAS : Index.

St. John ChrysostomLETTERS TO OLYMPIAS : C.3.LETTER 3To Olympias.HAVING risen from the very gates of death I address this letter to thediscreet lady; and I am very glad that thy servants have met me justas I am anchoring at last in harbour. For had they met me when I wasstill tossing on the open sea, and experiencing the cruel waves ofbodily sickness, it would not have been easy for me to deceive yourcautious spirit, by sending good tidings instead of sorrowful. For thewinter, which has become more than commonly severe, brought on astorm of internal disorder even more distressing, and during the lasttwo months I have been no better than one dead, nay worse. For Ihad just enough life to be sensible of the horrors which encircledme, and day and dawn and noon were all one night to me as I spentall my time closely confined to my bed, and in spite of endlesscontrivances I could not shake off the pernicious effects of the cold;but although I kept a fire burning, and endured a most unpleasantamount of smoke, and remained cooped up in one chamber, coveredwith any quantity of wraps, and not daring to set a foot outside thethreshold I underwent extreme sufferings, perpetual vomitingsupervening on headache, loss of appetite, and constantsleeplessness. Thus restlessly did I pass through my long dark seaof troubles But not to distress thy mind by dwelling upon mymiseries, from all of them I am now relieved. For as soon as springapproached, and a little change in the temperature took place, all mytroubles spontaneously vanished. Nevertheless I still require greatcare as regards diet; therefore I put only a light load on my stomach,so that it may be able to digest it easily. But it has occasioned me nolittle concern to learn that my discreet mistress was brought to theverge of death. Nevertheless in consideration of my great affection,and anxiety, and solicitude for your welfare I was relieved from thiscare, even before the arrival of your letters, many persons havingcome from thence who brought me tidings of your restoration tohealth.And now I am exceedingly glad and delighted to hear, not only thatyou have been released from your infirmity, but above all that youbear the things which befall you so bravely, calling them all but anidle tale; and, which is indeed a greater matter, that you have appliedthis name even to your bodily infirmity, which is an evidence of afile:///D|/Documenta%20Chatolica%20Omnia/99%20-%20Pr...i/mbs%20Library/001%20-Da%20Fare/01/ToOlympias-3.htm (1 of 4)2006-05-31 21:41:26