TO THE PAEDAGOGUS


        Teacher, to Thee a chaplet I present,
        Woven of words culled from the spotless mead,
        Where Thou dost feed Thy flocks; like to the bee,
        That skilful worker, which from many a flower
        Gathers its treasures, that she may convey
        A luscious offering to the master's hand.
        Though but the least, I am Thy servant still,
        (Seemly is praise to Thee for Thy behests).
        O King, great Giver of good gifts to men,
        Lord of the good, Father, of all the Maker,
        Who heaven and heaven's adornment, by Thy word
        Divine fitly disposed, alone didst make;

        Who broughtest forth the sunshine and the day;
        Who didst appoint their courses to the stars,
        And how the earth and sea their place should keep;
        And when the seasons, in their circling course,
        Winter and summer, spring and autumn, each(6)
        Should come, according to well-ordered plan;
        Out of a confused heap who didst create
        This ordered sphere, and from the shapeless mass
        Of matter didst the universe adorn;--
        Grant to me life, and be that life welt spent,
        Thy grace enjoying; let me act and speak
        In all things as Thy Holy Scriptures teach;(7)

        Thee and Thy co-eternal Word, All-wise,
        From Thee proceeding, ever may I praise;
        Give me nor poverty nor wealth, but what is meet,
        Father, in life, and then life's happy close.(8)