Curiosities of Olden Times
saint attained," continues the Bishop of Neapolis, "that he often led the dance in public with an actress on each arm; he romped with actresses, and by no means infrequently allowed them to tickle his ribs and slap him."[1]
Indeed, his biographer tells some stories of his association with very fallen angels, which are anything but edifying.
His antics in the streets and market-place became daily more outrageous. "Sometimes he pretended to hobble as if he were lame, sometimes he capered, sometimes he dragged himself along to the seats, then he tripped up the passers-by, and sent them sprawling; sometimes at the rising of the moon he would roll on the ground kicking. Sometimes he pretended to speak incoherently, for he said that this above all things suited those who were made fools for Christ. By this means he often refuted vice, or spat forth his bile against certain persons, with a view to their correction."
A Count, living near Emesa, heard of him, and said, "I will find out whether the fellow is a hypocrite or not."
As it happened, when the Count entered the city, he found that Symeon's housekeeper[2] had hoisted her master upon her back, whilst another young woman administered to him a severe castigation
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