But I do not believe that he is so inebriated
by that draught as to forget me; since thou, O Lord, who art the
draught, art mindful of us.
Thus, then, we were comforting the unhappy Verecundus -- our
friendship untouched -- reconciling him to our conversion and
exhorting him to a faith fit for his condition (that is, to his
being married). We tarried for Nebridius to follow us, since he
was so close, and this he was just about to do when at last the
interim ended. The days had seemed long and many because of my
eagerness for leisure and liberty in which I might sing to thee
from my inmost part, "My heart has said to thee, I have sought thy
face; thy face, O Lord, will I seek."[274]
CHAPTER IV
7. Finally the day came on which I was actually to be
relieved from the professorship of rhetoric, from which I had
already been released in intention. And it was done. And thou
didst deliver my tongue as thou hadst already delivered my heart;
and I blessed thee for it with great joy, and retired with my
friends to the villa.[275] My books testify to what I got done
there in writing, which was now hopefully devoted to thy service;
though in this pause it was still as if I were panting from my
exertions in the school of pride.
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