82.  This is my offering to thee, Basil, uttered by the tongue which once was the sweetest of all to thee, of him who was thy fellow in age and rank.  If it have approached thy deserts, thanks are due to thee, for it was from confidence in thee that I undertook to speak of thee.  But if it fall far short of thy expectations, what must be our feelings, who are worn out with age and disease and regret for thee?  Yet God is pleased, when we do what we can.  Yet mayest thou gaze upon us from above, thou divine and sacred person; either stay by thy entreaties our thorn in the flesh, 2 Cor. xii. 7. given to us by God for our discipline, or prevail upon us to bear it boldly, and guide all our life towards that which is most for our profit.  And if we be translated, do thou receive us there also in thine own tabernacle, that, as we dwell together, and gaze together more clearly and more perfectly upon the holy and blessed Trinity, of Which we have now in some degree received the image, our longing may at last be satisfied, by gaining this recompense for all the battles we have fought and the assaults we have endured.  Such are our words on thy behalf:  who will there be to praise us, since we leave this life after thee, even if we offer any topic worthy of words or praise in Christ Jesus our Lord, to Whom be glory forever?  Amen.