Note 28 — Front matter (continued 7)

His well-known friend and pupil, John Matthesius, wrote an epitaph in verse, which the author says he proposes to lay upon the godly man's grave as a lovely flower. Despairing of being able to give it to the reader in a good translation, we have omitted it in the text, and propose to give it as well as we can in simple prose: "A honey-flower, sprung from black earth (alluding to the name Melanchthon, or Schwartzerd), worthy of the crown of honor and praise, withered by the intense heat, lies at rest here. Many grateful little bees sipped and made honey from it, for the comfort and instruction of Christendom; and therefore many churches and schools are filled with sorrow. This little flower has satisfied many insects and wild birds with its perfume and precious nectar. God has done much good by it in the Church, school, house, and government, and now all its labors and dangers are at an end. Neither caterpillars, bees, horse-flies, wasps, nor nettles, burdock, thistle, or cockle, could destroy this sweet little flower; and it continued to praise God, and to instruct men at all hours. Many a spider crept over it, many poisonous reptiles pierced it; but yet it lives, and slumbers in this shrine, and its work will never be forgotten. God now wipes away its tears, and refreshes it with the dew of heaven. Its little leaves give out a pleasant perfume, and in a short time it will live again. When the bones and skin of faithful teachers shall blossom like the green herb, then its faith, patience, and industry, will receive praise, thanksgiving, and honor. Whosoever, therefore, performs a pilgrimage to this shrine, let him drop a longing tear, and sigh with us from the depths of his heart, for God is pleased with a grateful heart and mouth. Lord Christ, come and show thy glory, which is prepared for this little flower. Help thy church in all her distresses, by thy intercessions, and bloody wounds. Preserve all thy little bees, and the leaves of this little flower, in thine own cypress shrine, for they are the witnesses of thy name. Thy word, and the writings of good men, avail against murder and the poison of Satan, teach, comfort, refresh, and warn every one; but an evil book is the cause of all misery."