A little bell from the chapel of St. Denis sounded the Angelus, and
the Christians fell on their knees, while the heathen remained
standing or continued their occupations. The Christians considered
themselves disturbed, and so did the heathen.
"This religion," said Julian, "which should unite all, only divides
them. If the Church Councils, instead of formulating new creeds, had
done away with all forms, and proclaimed free worship with praise
and adoration of the Highest, all peoples would have bent the knee
before the Nameless, but look at the Christians! Since the law is on
their side, they have the upper hand, and therefore compel the
heathen to adore their Galilaean! But I will not help them. I can
hold nations together, but not professors of creeds. Let us go into
the town. I will not mix in the matter."
Some Christian tribunes approached Julian, with the evident purpose
of complaining, but he waved them off.
* * * * *
Julian had entered Lutetia on foot, accompanied by his philosophers.
He had not allowed himself to be escorted by generals or other
officers, because he did not trust them.
He found the new town to be a miniature of the Rome of the Caesars.
It is true that huts with straw roofs formed the nucleus of it, but
there were also several temples and chapels, a prefecture, a forum,
and an amphitheatre.
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