His Tears, and His Journey East Put Off

“Give me back, then, my quiet days and untroubled nights, so that the joy of clear light and the delight of a peaceful life may be mine from now on. Otherwise I must mourn with constant tears, and I will not be able to pass the rest of my days in peace. For while the people of God, whose fellow servant I am, are divided among themselves like this by an unreasonable and harmful spirit of quarreling, how can I possibly keep my peace of mind? I will give you proof of how great my sorrow over this has been. Not long ago I had visited Nicomedia, and intended to go on from that city directly to the East. It was while I was hurrying toward you, and had already covered the greater part of the distance, that the news of this matter turned my plan around, so that I would not be forced to see with my own eyes what I felt I could hardly bear even to hear. Open for me, then, from now on, by your agreement, the road to the regions of the East that your quarrels have closed against me. Let me soon see you and all the other peoples rejoicing together, and giving God the thanks that are his due, in words of praise and thanksgiving, for the return of general harmony and freedom to all.” [a]