One dreary September day Emperor Manuel Komninos felt his death was near. The court astrologers -bribed, of course- went on babbling about how many years he still had to live. But while they were having their say, he remebered an old religious custom and ordered ecclesiastical vestments to be brought from a monastery, and he put them on, glad to assume the modest image of a priest or monk. Happy all those who believe, and like Emperor Manuel end their lives dressed modestly in their faith. C.P. Cavafy, translated by E. Keeley and P. Sherrard