riches, conquest, clears sight, fortifies memory, banishes luxury and sorrow, typifies the Passion of our Lord, which spiritually doth all these things; and therefore that Article of the Creed; Suffered under Pontius Pilate." The beryl of the New Jerusalem is described in two of the most beautiful lines ever written by Prudentius.
"Has inter species smaragdina gramine verno
Prata virent, volvitque vagos lux herbida fluctus."
"The Sardonyx," says Marbodus, "hath three colours: the lowest black, the middle white, the upmost red. And it signifies those who sustain grief of heart for the name of Christ: and are white, that is without guile, within: and yet to themselves appear contemptible, and as it were black,—that is, sinners." Ayguan, after the same description, proceeds: "The lower part, which is black, typifies the sorrow of Good Friday;—the middle part, which is white, the rest of Easter Eve;—and the upmost, which is red, the glory of Easter day." Thus the whole symbolises the fifth Article (as he reckons it) of the Creed: Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into Hell: the third day He rose again from the dead.
"The Sardius," continues our poet, "which is wholly red, signifies the Martyrs, who pour forth their blood for Christ." "The Sardius," says Ayguan, "as being a bright stone, setteth forth the joy of the sixth article of the Creed: He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty."
