E01018: Augustine of Hippo in his Confessions writes that in 383 his mother spent a night in an oratory (memoria) of *Cyprian (bishop and martyr of Carthage, S00411) close to the port of Carthage (North Africa). Written in Latin in Hippo Regius (North Africa), 397/400.

Augustine, Confessions 5.8.15

Augustine describes his departure from Carthage to Rome, and his scheme to get rid of his mother who wished to accompany him.

Et tamen recusanti sine me redire uix persuasi, ut in loco, qui proximus nostrae naui erat, memoria beati Cypriani, maneret ea nocte. Sed ea nocte clanculo ego profectus sum, illa autem non; mansit orando et flendo.

'And yet, refusing to go back without me, it was with difficulty I persuaded her [Monica, Augustine's mother] to remain that night in a place quite close to our ship, where there was an oratory in memory (memoria) of the blessed Cyprian. That night I secretly left, but she did not, and stayed in prayer and weeping.'

Text: Verheijen 1981. Translation: Pilkington 1887, adapted.