Orations

⁴⁰ What do you say, my father? Is this sufficient, and do you find an ample recompense for all your toils, which you underwent for my learning, in this eulogy of farewell or of entombment? And do you, as of old, impose silence on my tongue, and bid me stop in due time, and so avoid excess? Or do you require some addition? I know you told me to stop, for I have said enough. Yet allow me to add this. Make known to us where you are in glory, and the light which encircles you, and receive into the same abode your partner soon to follow you, and the children whom you had laid to rest before you, and me also, after no further, or but a slight addition to the ills of this life: and before reaching that abode receive me in this sweet stone, which you erected for both of us, to the honour even here of your consecrated namesake, and excuse me from the care both of the people which I have already resigned, and of that which for your sake I have since accepted: and may thou guide and free from peril, as I earnestly entreat, the whole flock and all the clergy, whose father you are said to be, but especially him who was overpowered by your paternal and spiritual coercion, so that he may not entirely consider that act of tyranny obnoxious to blame.