The Oration and Panegyric Addressed to Origen

But we, like any of the poor, unfurnished with these varied specifics[1]–whether as never having been possessed of them, or, it may be, as having lost them–are under the necessity of using, as it were, only charcoal and tiles, that is to say, those rude and common words and phrases; and by means of these, to the best of our ability, we represent the native dispositions of our mind, expressing them in such language as is at our service, and endeavouring to exhibit the impressions of the figures[2] of our mind, if not clearly or ornately, yet at least with the faithfulness of a charcoal picture, welcoming gladly any graceful and eloquent expression which may present itself from any quarter.