"The emperor, lord Manuel Comnenus,
upon a melancholy September day,
felt that his end was near. The astrologers
(those who were paid a stipend at the court)
prated of many years still left to him.
While these, however, were discoursing, he —
remembering pious customs of the past —
sends to the monks and gets him from the cells
ecclesiastical habiliments,
and puts them on rejoicing to present
the modest aspect of a priest or monk.
Happy are all they that reverently believe,
and, like the emperor lord Manuel, end
apparelled in their faith decorously."
-C.P Cavafy, Manuel Comnenus (tr. Keeley)