De Visitatione Nepotuli Sui

The Verses of Paulinus on the Visitation of His Nephew. With how great a torrent do you repay so small a drop, holy God, although this very droplet of dew, or even less, was given by you to so barren a heart or granted to it. This so abundant river had no need of such services, that the thin moisture which falls with light leaves should make an increase for so flowing a stream as it glides along, when rather moisture would rise from the banks to the branches, while the glassy whirlpool pours forth the threads of mists and the neighboring thirst seizes the contiguous cold. Hence this drop touched my throat so prodigally, that it would touch the murmur of the solid crystal of a flowing stream. How great a gift this patience alone would bring me, that no happy audacity would incur any fault: but now grace is even doubled by these signs, so that I may sing of you without end, venerable priest. The work by which I am roused is not finished. Added things grow, which it is helpful to remember. Virtue stands by while it is revealed. Did you then see my tears? Do you, pitying, bring help to those tears? Do you, with the highest author of life entreating, restrain the heavy laments of old age? Health itself brings back life. So great a force of disease had cast down the sick and nearly lifeless nephew, and the girl joined to him by the law of marriage, so that their bodies barely breathed with a thin breath, nor could a skilled touch detect the veins, hidden with the pulse withdrawn and the thread languishing. Piety also kept me, removed, from every duty. My eyes shunned hateful light, since whatever they see is punishment. The one hope of the fearful

the heart of the youth was touched; he entrusted the cause to the patron of the indulgence granted, and so often to remember the favor more closely. It had recently happened that a document was brought and unrolled, which had reached us with such great merit, from which innumerable graces shone forth with wondrous signs, by which the Lord, having testified to the merit of a true friend, adorned the holy tomb with immense gifts. The bishop Perpetuus, rejoicing in the praise of so great a master, had sealed these signs with his kindly right hand. This document, then, with but a small murmur of the tongue, with unwavering faith, a hope not uncertain demanded. To the lifeless youth, the power of confidence in speaking granted strength, and grace loosened the weary tongue. Therefore, amid the fires which the fever had stirred, he joined the palms of the virtues to his panting stomach and snatched them up, recalling the faith which had written them, in the very entrails whatever the closed page concealed, and swift medicine ran to the vow. The sweat, commanded, leaped forth at such great miracles, and the order of so great a gift also grew to the number, so that the things to be written make faith, which the written things retain. Not so swiftly do amber beads suspend a stalk of hay by the glue of nearby vapor in a leap, as the moisture of the moistened body, with the command hastening, returns to the paper. Hope, returning life, sought the grandfather as if announcing so great a gift, and ordered me to join the remaining signs which I had perceived as help. Such a thing is to be entrusted to a patron.

The substance of the case. The mercy of the saint stands nearer, and the protection of favor lightens the offense of guilt. Without delay, the benefit outruns the number of days, by which often the counted hope deceived the unaware; the aid of the one praying is present. True grace is not confined by any places, nor does limit restrict the powers which God accumulates. The cure touches where the savior is present. So far removed from the tomb, the little cell received what the attentive mind demanded, and entered at the very moment the grace was believed. That man, fearing death and his beloved wife, becomes a physician and urges faith, sending salvation; and that bed demands whatever the other had perceived. There is a contest to retain the help and to seek a share. The one, having possession, fears to let go, but she, proven, hastens to be saved, credulous of the signs. If both desire and both hold back in turn, and piety clinging to one succors both. Thanks, O saint, to you, while the spirit rules these limbs, the mind and tongue will sing. Now look mercifully upon the other members of the house, swiftly bringing back the comforts of salvation, and console more closely the old age entrusted to you, either granting the desired quickly or preserving what has been granted.