The Second Week: The Second Contemplation

The Second Contemplation,

Concerning the meeting of Hadrianus Caesar et Antinous Amator.

The preparatory prayer as above.

The first prelude is furnished by the history, which must be gone over from the going out of the imperator Diuus Hadrianus Caesar into the world he ruled from the great city of Roma; how, that is to say, being now in the seventh or eighth year of his imperial reign, and sitting on a fine steed (as one may piously meditate), he and his court set out for Anatolia by means of Bithynia, that they might build up the cities they saw there and, through improved infrastructure rather than through conquest or invasion, grow their empire.

The second is to be drawn from the consideration of the journey, by forming an idea of its length, obliquity, smoothness or roughness, presenting itself from place to place. Then, also, we shall examine the place of the meeting, perhaps Claudiopolis; whether the streets were broad or narrow, the ground lying flat or rising up, its accommodations conveniently or inconveniently prepared.

The third will not be at all changed from that of the preceding meditation.

The first point is the sight of the persons, as of the Diuus Imperator, and his wife Uibia Sabina Sebaste Augusta, with the poet Iulia Balbilla and with all their court, and of Antinous Amator as young boy: amongst whom let me imagine myself to be present, looking at them, contemplating them, and ministering to their necessities in such way as I might, with the greatest reverence. And then let me consider what profit may accrue to me from such a sight.

The second consists of the fruitful apprehension of the words which are being spoken in the same place.

The third, of the inspection of the things which are being done there, as of the journey, the labours, and the causes on account of which these two lovers met; about to enjoy also, together, many travels and hunts and spiritual mysteries and feasts and performances; and about to drown at last in the River Neilos, which soon thereafter inundated as it never has, neither before nor since; whence I shall study by each to gather some spiritual profit.

These things will be concluded by beginning the colloquy, and finishing it with the ritual drama by P. Sufenas Uirius Lupus doctor Antinoi entitled Hadrian and Antinous.