Complete Poetic Works, Volume 7

...they gave [honors] and stood in awe of him? But look, he has become more miserable than those in chains, more wretched than servants, and more destitute than beggars wasting away from hunger. Every day he sees sharpened swords before his eyes, along with steep cliffs, executioners, and the road leading to his punishment. He cannot even enjoy the memory of past pleasures; indeed, he is deprived of the common light. Even at noon, he is shut within the narrowness of walls as if in the thickest night, robbed of the use of his eyes.

And what is the purpose of mentioning these things? For no matter how I strive, I am unable to express in words what his state of mind must be, as he awaits the sentence of death every hour. But why is there a need for our words, when the very image of this disaster is turned toward our eyes? For recently, when the King While the Latin text uses "Rex" (King), this refers to the Byzantine Emperor Arcadius, who reigned during Chrysostom's time. sent men to drag the man away by force, he fled to the Sanctuary. He became paler than boxwood; even now he possesses a complexion no better than that of a dead man. Added to this is the chattering of his teeth, the trembling of his whole body, a sobbing voice, and a stammering tongue. In short, his condition is exactly what one would expect of a soul frozen with fear.

I see a crowd of people here no smaller than at the last sacred celebration of Easter. You have been so moved by this man's silence, which at this moment sends out a voice clearer than any trumpet. Virgins have left their inner chambers, women have left the gynaeceum: the private quarters of a house reserved for women in Greek and Roman culture, and men have left the forum empty. You have all rushed here together to see human nature exposed, and to see the fleeting changeability of worldly business uncovered. You see the true face of those involved in the State, who were shining most brilliantly only yesterday or the day before. For such is the happiness that comes from the injuries of others; it is uglier than any wrinkled old woman once the change in the state acts like a sponge, wiping away its paints and pretenses. Such is the power of this misfortune, which has rendered a happy and conspicuous man the most dejected of all. Let some rich man enter, and he will receive a great benefit. For seeing one fallen from such a high peak...