"Constantius, Victorious, Augustus, to Athanasius:
Our clemency and our goodness do not permit us
to leave you much longer to the raging sea and the
tempest. Our piety has continuously followed you in your
exile, your poverty and your voyages across savage lands.
If we have deferred the disclosing of our intentions up to
the present, it is because we hoped that you will take the
initiative and ask for the remedy to your ailments.
Probably fear withheld you from carrying into action the
desire of your heart, therefore we address this tetter to
your courage, declaring to you all our munificence. And
be it known unto you that in future you can present
yourself to us without fear, and prove for yourself the
effects of our goodwill. We give you freedom to return
to your homeland which you certainly desire. We have
written to this effect to our brother Constance Victorious,
Augustus, that he may permit you to come to us and to
receive of our mutual goodness the permission to enter
into your country".^34
This long-sought freedom to go home certainly
filled the heart of Athanasius with joy, but prudence
commanded him to remain a little longer just to be sure
that the letter was not dictated by an imperial whim. At
this reserve, Emperor Constantius sent him a second letter
in the same vein; but Athanasius still did not move.
Shortly after, Emperor Constantius met some priests from
Alexandria at Edessa and entrusted them with a third
letter to Athanasius: a letter full of assurance, sincerity
and goodwill. In this letter Constantius made known unto
him the death of Gregory. This intruder who had only
succeeded in keeping his usurped Chair by blood and
sword, had finally met his death in a street brawl. And the
Emperor of the Orient assured Athanasius that he would
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(Elle)
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