Verses on Modestus

Satirical verses mocking the Prefect Modestus for his subordination to Basil the Great, illustrating Basil's moral authority over imperial power.

Preliminaries

• TO THE MOST REVEREND AND MOST ILLUSTRIOUS LORD HENRY FRANCIS VAN DER BURCH, ARCHBISHOP AND DUKE OF CAMBRAI, PRINCE OF THE HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE, COUNT OF CAMBRAI. — Quoted in full: four lines mocking Modestus for being subject to Basil

  "You are Prefect over all men else, Modestus, but under Basil the Great you take your place."