37. Thou, my brother, hadst more justly done these
things for me. I used to expect these services at thy hands, I
used to long for them. But now, having survived my own life, what
comfort can I find without thee, who alone usedst to comfort me when
mourning, to excite my happiness and drive away my sorrow? How do
I now behold thee, my brother, who now addressest no words to me,
offerest me no kiss? Though, indeed, our mutual love was so
deeply seated in each of us, that it was cherished rather by inward
affection than made public by open caresses, for we who professed such
mutual trust and love did not seek the testimony of others. The
strong spirit of our brotherhood had so infused itself into each of us,
that there was no need to prove our love by caresses; but our minds
being conscious of our affection, we, satisfied with our inward love,
did not seem to require the show of caresses, whom the very appearance
of each other fashioned for mutual love; for we seemed, I know not by
what spiritual stamp or bodily likeness, to be the one in the
other.