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Similiter et
omnes revereantur Diaconos, ut
mandatum Jesu
Christi; et Episcopum, ut Jesum
Christum,
existentem filium Patris; Presbyteros
autem, ut
concilium Dei et conjunctionem
Apostolorum. Sine
his Ecclesia non vocatur; de
quibus suadeo vos sic
habeo.
S. IGNATII AD TRALLIANOS.
And when
this epistle is read among you, cause
that it be
read also in the church of the
Laodiceans.
The broad-backed hippopotamus
Rests on his belly
in the mud;
Although he seems so firm to us
He is
merely flesh and blood.
Flesh-and-blood is weak
and frail,
Susceptible to nervous shock;
While the
True Church can never fail
For it is based upon a
rock.
The hippo's feeble steps may err
In
compassing material ends,
While the True Church need
never stir
To gather in its dividends.
The 'potamus
can never reach
The mango on the mango-tree;
But
fruits of pomegranate and peach
Refresh the Church
from over sea.
At mating time the hippo's voice
Betrays inliexions hoarse and odd,
But every week we
hear rejoice
The Church, at being one with God.
The hippopotamus's day
Is passed in sleep; at
night he hunts;
God works in a mysterious way-
The
Church can sleep and feed at once.
I saw the 'potamus
take wing
Ascending from the damp savannas,
And
quiring angels round him sing
The praise of God, in
loud hosannas.
Blood of the Lamb shall wash him
clean
And him shall heavenly arms enfold,
Among
the saints he shall be seen
Performing on a harp of
gold.
He shall be washed as white as snow,
By
all the martyr'd virgins kiss,
While the True Church
remains below
Wrapt in the old miasmal mist.
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