The swarming patriarchs of the Orient Assembling thus debated, how the Son Took on Him human flesh, and how the One Could yet be Three in One, Three still unblent; Turmoiled with multitudinous argument,

Rich Asia panted and the Nile’s domain Wrestled with falsehood in her subtle brain, Golden Byzantium blazed pre-eminent:

Yet all this while over the heaving sea Of definition and perplexity,

Bringing forth truth from out the dark abyss, The white Dove brooded with sustaining wings, And throned on ruins of Rome’s majesties, Peter in face of loud barbarian kings ....

Wilfred Childe.