Thus, contrary to what several on earth believe, no one has come to seek thee on the part of Him who reigns on high ?" After a rather long silence: "I will conceal nought from thee.

He sent for me; one of his messengers, a simple man, came to say that I was expected, and that, although I had not been initiated into their mysteries, in consideration of my prophetic verses, a place had been reserved for me among those of the new sect.

But I refused to accept that invitation; I had no desire to change my lace.

I did so not because I share the admiration of the Greeks for the Elysian fields, or because I taste here those joys which caused Proserpine to lose the remembrance of her mother.

I never believed much myself in what I say about these things in the 'Aeneid.' I was instructed by philosophers and men of science and I had a correct foreboding of the truth.