16. But for myself at least thou lessenest the
bitterness of that grief; I have nothing to fear who used to fear for
thee. I have nothing which the world can now snatch from
me. Although our holy sister still survives, venerable for her
blameless life, thy equal in character, and not falling short in kindly
offices; yet we both used to fear more for thee, we felt that all the
sweetness of this life was stored up in thee. To live for thy
sake was a delight, to die for thee were no cause of sorrow, for we
both used to pray that thou mightest survive, it was no pleasure that
we should survive thee. When did not our very soul shudder when a
dread of this kind touched us? How were our minds dismayed by the
tidings of thy sickness!