11. Enough of such topics. Of her prudence
and piety no adequate account can be given, nor many examples found
besides those of her natural and spiritual parents, who were her only
models, and of whose virtue she in no wise fell short, with this single
exception most readily admitted, that they, as she both knew and
acknowledged, were the source of her goodness, and the root of her own
illumination. What could be keener than the intellect of her who
was recognized as a common adviser not only by those of her family,
those of the same people and of the one fold, but even by all men round
about, who treated her counsels and advice as a law not to be
broken? What more sagacious than her words? What more
prudent than her silence? Having mentioned silence, I will
proceed to that which was most characteristic of her, most becoming to
women, and most serviceable to these times. Who had a fuller
knowledge of the things of God, both from the Divine oracles, and from
her own understanding? But who was less ready to speak, confining
herself within the due limits of women? Moreover, as was the
bounden duty of a woman who has learned true piety, and that which is
the only honourable object of insatiate desire, who, as she, adorned
temples with offerings, both others and this one, which will hardly,
now she is gone, be so adorned again? Or rather, who so presented
herself to God as a living temple? Who again paid such honor to
Priests, especially to him who was her fellow soldier and teacher of
piety, whose are the good seeds, and the pair of children consecrated
to God.