Can we have a higher hope in the palace, than to become friends of
the emperor? And when there, what is not frail and full of dangers?
And through how many dangers we do not arrive at a greater danger
still? And how long will that last? But if I choose to become a
friend of God, I can do it here and now.' He spoke thus, and,
swelling in the labour-pangs of a new life, he fixed his eyes again
on the pages and read, and was changed inwardly as thou lookedst on
him, and his mind was stripped of the world, as soon appeared. For
while he read, and rolled over the billows of his soul, he shuddered
and hesitated from time to time, and resolved better things; and
already thine, he said to his friend, 'I have already torn myself
from that hope of ours, and have settled to serve God; and this I
begin from this hour, in this very place. If you do not like to
imitate me, do not oppose me.' He replied that he would cling to
his companion in such a great service and so great a warfare. And
both, now thine, began building, at their own cost, the tower of
leaving all things and following thee. Then Potitianus, and the man
who was talking with him elsewhere in the garden, seeking them, came
to the same place, and warned them to return, as the sun was getting
low. They, however, told their resolution, and how it had sprung up
and taken strong hold in them, and entreated the others not to give
them pain. They, not altered from their former mode of life, yet
wept (as he told us) for themselves; and congratulated them piously,
and commended themselves to their prayers; and then dragging their
hearts along the earth, went back to the palace. But the others,
fixing their hearts on heaven, remained in the cottage. And both of
them had affianced brides, who, when they heard this, dedicated
their virginity to thee."

The part which this incident played in St. Augustine's own