Homily
VI.
Chapter I.—Clement Meets
Appion.
And on the third day, when I
came with my friends to the appointed place in Tyre, I found Appion
sitting between Anubion and Athenodorus, and waiting for us, along with
many other learned men. But in no wise dismayed, I greeted them, and sat down opposite Appion. And in a little he began to speak:—
“I wish to start from the following point, and to
come with all speed at once to the question. Before you, my son
Clement, joined us, my friend Anubion here, and Athenodorus, who
yesterday were among those who heard you discourse, were reporting to
me what you said of the numerous false accusations I brought against
the gods when I was visiting you in Rome, at the time you were shamming
love, how I charged them with pæderasty, lasciviousness, and
numerous incests of all kinds. But, my son, you ought to have
known that I was not in earnest when I wrote such things about the
gods, but was concealing the truth, from my love to you. That
truth, however, if it so please you, you may hear from me
now.