more particulars than one he was an
outstanding man. His pedigree is said to have extended through seventeen
centuries, and to have included the names of the most illustrious. Not
only was he of noble lineage, he was a man also of high character and
brilliant attainments. He was versed in the Neoplatonic philosophy, and
his Christianity has been called in question by no less an authority than
Mosheim; but how any one can read his odes and doubt the reality of his
Christian faith, even in the full sense of the term, as believing in the
Divinity of Christ and in His Resurrection, is hard to understand. He
certainly was a good man, and knew Christ and loved Him. His writings
prove that; and in 410 A.D., though reluctantly, he became Bishop of
Ptolemais. Very little of his poetry has come down to us, but that little
is of the highest order. He died 430 A.D.

{soi nyx me pherei ton aoidon, anax}

A Cento from {age moi psycha}

I

When darkness falls and night is here,
My hymns of praise in silence rise--
This knows the moon, whose silver sphere
Shines in the star-bespangled skies.

II

When morning breaks, and glorious day
Shines in the dawn and noontide fair--
This knows the sun--a grateful lay
Springs from my heart in fervent prayer.

III

When fails the light at sunset gray,
And twilight listens for my song--
This know the stars--in bright array
My praises mingle with their throng.

{lypais d' astiptos psycha}

A Cento from {Hymnomen kouron nymphas}

I

O may my soul, uncrushed by care,
Direct her gaze to where Thou art,
And in Thy splendour find, O Christ,
The strength of life Thou canst impart.

II

And freed from sin's depressing load,
May I pursue the path divine,
And rise above the cares of earth
Until my life is merged in Thine.

III

Unsullied life Thy servant grant
Who tunes his harp to sound Thy praise,
And still my life shall hymn Thy love,
And glory to the Father raise.

IV

And when I rest in glory bright,
The burde