One dreary September day <br />Emperor Manuel Komninos <br />felt his death was near. <br />The court astrologers -bribed, of course- went on babbling <br />about how many years he still had to live. <br />But while they were having their say, <br />he remembered an old religious custom <br />and ordered ecclesiastical vestments <br />to be brought from a monastery, <br />and he put them on, glad to assume <br />the modest image of a priest or monk. <br /> <br />Happy all those who believe, <br />and like Emperor Manuel end their lives <br />dressed modestly in their faith. <br /> <br /> <br />Translated by E. Keeley and P. Sherrard<br /><br />Constantine P. Cavafy<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/manuel-komninos/
