LXXIV.—Of Funeral Pomp.

Thou who seekest to be careful of the pomp of death art in error.  As a servant of God, thou oughtest even in death to please Him.  Alas that the lifeless body should be adorned in death!  O true vanity, to desire honour for the dead!  A mind enchained to the world; not even in death devoted to Christ.  Thou knowest the proverbs.  He wished to be carried through the forum.  Thus ye, who are like to him, and living with untrained mind, wish to have a happy and blessed day at your death, that the people may come together, and that you may see praise with mourning.  Thou dost not foresee whither thou mayest deserve to go when dead.  Lo, they are following thee; and thou, perchance, art already burning, being driven to punishment.  What will the pomp benefit the dead man?  Thou shalt be accused, who seekest them on account of those gatherings.  Thou desirest to live under idols.  Thou deceivest thyself.