The Epicurean - Thomas Moore

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Résumé :
FROM ??, ESQ. Cairo, June 19. 1800. My dear Sir, In a visit I lately paid to the monastery of St. Macarius, which is situated, as you know, in the Valley of the Lakes of Natron, I was lucky enough to obtain possession of a curious Greek manuscript, which, in the hope that you may be induced to translate it, I herewith send you. Observing one of the monks very busily occupied in tearing up, into a variety of fantastic shapes, some papers which had the appearance of being the leaves of old books, I enquired of him the meaning of his task, and received the following explanation: The Arabs, it seems, who are as fond of pigeons as the ancient Egyptians, have a superstitious notion that, if they place in their pigeon houses small scraps of paper, written over with learned characters, the birds are always sure to thrive the better for the charm; and the monks, who are never slow in profiting by superstition, have, at all times, a supply of such amulets for purchasers. In general, the holy fathers have been in the habit of scribbling these mystic fragments, themselves; but a discovery, which they have lately made, saves them this trouble. Having dug up (as my informant stated) a chest of old manuscripts, which, being chiefly on the subject of alchemy, must have been buried in the time of Dioclesian, ?we thought we could not,? added the monk, ?employ such rubbish more properly, than in tearing it up, as you see, for the pigeon-houses of the Arabs.? On my expressing a wish to rescue some part of these treasures from the fate to which his indolent fraternity had consigned them, he produced the manuscript which I have now the pleasure of sending you, the only one, he said, remaining entire, and I very readily paid him the price he demanded for it. You will find the story, I think, not altogether uninteresting; and the coincidence, in many respects, of the curious details in Chap. VI. with the description of the same ceremonies in the Romance of Sethos, will, I have no doubt, strike you. Hoping that you may be tempted to give a translation of this Tale to the world, I am, my dear Sir, Very truly yours,

Sommaire:
The Epicurean by Thomas Moore is a philosophical narrative that explores the quest for eternal life and the pursuit of pleasure. Set in the fourth year of Emperor Valerian's reign, the story follows a young Epicurean philosopher who is elected as the successor of his sect in Athens. Despite his youth, he is chosen for his charm and intellect, which align with the sect's focus on refined pleasure. The protagonist organizes a grand festival in honor of Epicurus, showcasing the luxurious lifestyle and intellectual pursuits of the sect. However, beneath his indulgence in pleasure lies a persistent melancholy, as he grapples with the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death. A vivid dream prompts the protagonist to seek the secret of eternal life in Egypt, a land steeped in mystery and ancient wisdom. He embarks on a journey to Alexandria, where he immerses himself in the city's vibrant culture and diverse religious practices. Despite the distractions of pleasure, the memory of his dream and the promise of immortality continue to haunt him. His travels eventually lead him to the Pyramids of Memphis, where he contemplates the possibility of discovering the secret to eternal life hidden within the ancient structures. The narrative takes a mystical turn as the protagonist participates in the festival of the Moon and encounters a mysterious young priestess. Her beauty captivates him, and he becomes determined to uncover the secrets of the Egyptian mysteries. His journey through the necropolis and the hidden chambers of a pyramid reveals a world of ancient rituals and symbols, deepening his philosophical quest. Throughout the story, Moore weaves themes of love, mortality, and the eternal search for meaning, creating a rich tapestry of thought and emotion....