27. O deceitful joy! O the uncertain course
of earthly affairs! We thought that he who was returned from
Africa, restored from the sea, preserved after shipwreck, could not now
be snatched from us; but, though on land, we suffered a more grievous
shipwreck, for the death of him whom shipwreck at sea owing to strong
swimming could not kill is shipwreck to us. For what enjoyment
remains to us, from whom so sweet an ornament has been taken, so bright
a light in this world’s darkness has been extinguished? For
in him an ornament not only of our family but of the whole fatherland
has perished.