The Life of S. Hilarion 8

St Jerome (AD 345–420) · Vita S. Hilarionis · PL 23, 29–54

8 PL 23, 32

8. Once upon a time he was praying with his head upon the ground. As is the way with men, his attention was withdrawn from his devotions, and he was thinking of something else, when a tormentor sprang upon his back and driving his heels into his sides and beating him across the neck with a horse-whip cried out “Come! why are you asleep?” Then with a loud laugh asked if he was tired and would like to have some barley.

Oravit [ Ms. orabat] semel fixo in terram capite, 17 et ut natura fert hominum, abducta ab oratione mens, nescio quid aliud cogitabat: insiliit dorso ejus agitator, et latera calcibus, cervicem flagello verberans: Eia, inquit, cur dormitas? cachinnansque desuper, si [ Al. cum] defecisset, an hordeum vellet accipere, sciscitabatur.

Philip Schaff and Henry Wace (eds.), New York: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1890-1900. Public domain: English translation first published 1885-1900 (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series). Latin: Migne, Patrologia Latina (1844-1855), public domain; transcription from Corpus Corporum (University of Zurich).