52. The Greek Fathers
|
{102}
LET heathen sing thy heathen praise, |
| Fall'n Greece! the thought of holier days |
| In my sad heart abides; |
| For sons of thine in Truth's first hour |
| Were tongues and weapons of His power, |
| Born of the Spirit's fiery shower, |
| Our fathers and our guides. |
All thine is Clement's varied page; |
| And Dionysius, ruler sage, |
| In days of doubt and pain; |
| And Origen with eagle eye; |
| And saintly Basil's purpose high |
| To smite imperial heresy, |
| And cleanse the Altar's stain. {103} |
From thee the glorious preacher came, |
| With soul of zeal and lips of flame, |
| A court's stern martyr-guest; |
| And thine, O inexhaustive race! |
| Was Nazianzen's heaven-taught grace; |
| And royal-hearted Athanase, |
| With Paul's own mantle blest. |
Off Zante.
December 28, 1832. |