921.73 W589w.pdf - Mesa FamilySearch Library

172 Memoir of
More splendid far than ever Aaron wore,
Within his breast this sacred father bore,
Sound doctrine, Urim, in his holy cell,
And all perfections, Thummim, there did dwell.
His holy vesture was his innocence
His speech, embroideries of curious sense.
Such awful gravity this doctor used,
As if an angel every word infused ;
No turgent style, but Asiatic lore ;
Conduits were almost full, seldom run o'er.
The banks of time come visit when you will,
The streams of nectar were descending still.
Much like septemfluous Nilus, rising so,
He watered Christians round, and made them grow.
His modest whispers could the conscience reach
As well as whirlwinds which some others preach.
No Boanerges, yet could touch the heart,
And clench his doctrine with the meekest art,
His learning and his language might become
A province not inferior to Rome.
Glorious was Europe's heaven, when such as these,
Stars of his size, shone in each diocese.
Who writ'st the fathers' lives, either make room,
Or with his name begin your second tome.
Aged Polycarp, deep Origen, and such,
Whose worth your quills, your wits not them enrich ;
Lactantius, Cyprian, Basil, too, the great,
Quaint Jerome, Austin, of the foremost seat,