Manuel Komninos by C.P. Cavafy

Manuel Komninos

by C.P. Cavafy

One dreary September day

Emperor Manuel Komninos

felt his death was near.

The court astrologers—bribed, of course—went on babbling

about how many years he still had to live.

But while they were having their say,

he remembered an old religious custom

and ordered ecclesiastical vestments

to be brought from a monastery,

and he put them on, glad to assume

the modest image of a priest or monk.

 

Happy all those who believe,

and like Emperor Manuel end their lives

dressed modestly in their faith.