# Verses on the Birthday of the Maccabees

- Author: [Hilary of Arles](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/authors/hilary-of-arles/)
- Latin title: *Versus in natali Machabaeorum*
- Date: ca. 430-449 (disputed)
- Source: J.-P. Migne, ed., Patrologiae cursus completus, series Latina, vol. 50 (Paris, 1846), digital text of the printed volume; column numbers as the digital text gives them (Latin text: Migne, Patrologia Latina, digitized by Open Greek and Latin (patrologia_latina-dev, University of Leipzig), CC BY-SA 4.0)

- Translation: Claude, from the original text, unless a passage says otherwise; each passage below gives the translator
- Work page: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/
- Passages: 14

## Verses on the Birthday of the Maccabees 1–30

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/1/#p-1
- Source: PL 50
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-23

Summary: The poem opens: King Antiochus tries to win the Maccabean mother with gifts and torments; she refuses and trusts God's promises.

### Latin text

Rex fuit Antiochus Syriæ ditissimus olim, / In cujus regno mater natique fuerunt / Septem, ut fama refert, de sancta gente creati; / Quos cura egregii generis meminisse jubebat, / Et legi servire datæ: sic namque volentes / De populo meliore Dei sua jura tenebant. / Rex avidus mutare fidem, mutare timorem / Justorum voluit, populo ut misceret iniquo / Praemia promittit matri, promittit et aurum, / Et quidquid posset toto conquirere regno, / Si modo mutaret mores sensusque priores, / Cogeret et natos alios sibi fingere mores. / Illa negat, tacitumque premit sub corde dolorem. / Hanc postquam nullis potuit corrumpere verbis, / Tentavit primum tormentis vincere sævis. / Pertulit illa tamen gemitus, et tristia regis / Verbera non timuit. Victum se vidit ut ille: / Heu! quid agam? dixit. Vincis quod femina regem! / Non tamen effugies: plus est quod dura dolebis. / In natos sævibo tuos, licet improba es: / Hac certe ratione meum sanabo dolorem. / Sustulit illa manus, cœlumque aspexit in altum, / Emisit gemitus, et talia verba locuta est: / Tu licet et gazas frads et regna, tyranne, / Non capimur regum donis, nec munera sanctis / Eripient promissa Dei. Spes certior illa est / Quæ vitam nobis promittit tempore longo. / Hanc sequor, hanc didici. Nam lubrica tangere dom, / Sumere divinas facile est, et perdere tritam. / Sed licet et flammas post verbera sæva mineris,

### English translation (Claude)

Antiochus was once king, the richest king of Syria,
in whose kingdom there lived a mother and her sons,
seven, as report tells, born of the holy race;
whom care for their noble lineage bade remember it
and serve the law that had been given; for thus, willingly,
they kept their rights as part of God's better people.
The king, eager to change their faith, to change the fear
of the righteous, wished to mingle them with the wicked people.
He promises rewards to the mother, promises gold too,
and whatever he could gather in all his kingdom,
if only she would change her customs and former mind
and force her sons to shape other customs for themselves.
She refuses, and presses down her silent grief in her heart.
When he could not corrupt her with any words,
he tried first to conquer her with cruel torments.
Yet she bore them with groans, and did not fear
the king's grim lashes. When he saw himself defeated:
'Alas, what shall I do?' he said. 'You, a woman, conquer a king!
Yet you will not escape: there is more, which you will grieve harshly.
I will rage against your sons, wicked though you are:
by this means at least I will heal my grief.'
She raised her hands and looked up to the high heaven,
groaned, and spoke such words:
'Though you offer treasures and kingdoms, tyrant,
we are not taken by the gifts of kings, nor will gifts snatch
from the saints the promises of God. Surer is that hope
which promises us life for a long time.
This I follow, this I have learned. For it is easy to touch slippery gifts,
to take them up, and to lose the well-worn way.
But though after cruel lashes you threaten flames too,

### Extrabiblical texts

- 2 Macc 7:1-41 (2 Maccabees): allusion, high confidence
- 4 Macc 8-17 (4 Maccabees): allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- A verse retelling of 2 Macc 7 (with elements of 4 Macc), attributed to Hilary of Arles; the attribution is disputed. Lines 28–29 are garbled in the digital text and translated by sense.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary of Arles, Vers. Macch. 1 (PL 50; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/1).

## Verses on the Birthday of the Maccabees 31–60

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/1/#p-31
- Source: PL 50:1277
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-23

Summary: The mother defies the king, who orders her sons burned one by one before her; she bares her breast and exhorts the eldest.

### Latin text

Nil mutare potes, quod primis coepimus annis. / Virtute id curti lege data mihi vincere certum est. / Quid nunc, saeve, jubes? natis quid dure minaris? / Hoc solo poteris matrem turbare dolore. / Est mihi namque Deus spes, est mihi cura meorum, / Per quam spero equidem te nullum vincere posse. / Cœli tu faveas Numen, quia justa rogamus. / Rex furit Antiochus turbatus corda tumultu. / Non tulit, et sævos testatur lumine vultus, / Miraturque diu possit quod femina tantum. / Pare age, miles, ait; regi quoque pare, minister. / Vos famuli, parete mihi, date digna furenti / femineo tormenta malo; sævire furentem / Femina me cogit: quod plus est, femina vincit / Regis jussa sui: sed non impune locuta est. / Membratim perdam septem quos perfida natos / Intra se retinet: quorum qui primus habetur, / Hic primus pereat: T perdam sic ordine cunctos. / Cratibus impositos subjectis urere flammis / Cernat ut ipsa suos, sic cernat ut aspera natos. / Pœna autem manet hæc: celeres decet esse mini­ / sirosi. / Interea facunda parens, jam crine soluto, nudo / Stabat, et hortanti similis jam pectore / Ubera protendens, natorum alimenta suorum / Nori confesu aperit; natumque ut vidit ad ignem, / Constantique gradu fortem procedere, dixit: / Tu, mea progenies, tu primus respice matrem: / Tu vere meus es; nunc nostri, nate, memento. / Te primam peperi, tu nunc invitare parentem:

### English translation (Claude)

you can change nothing of what we began in our first years.
By courage and by the law given to me, I am sure to conquer.
What now, cruel one, do you command? What harsh threats against my sons?
By this pain alone will you be able to trouble the mother.
For God is my hope, and he has the care of my own,
through whom I hope indeed that you can conquer none of us.
May you, Power of heaven, show favour, since we ask what is just.'
King Antiochus rages, his heart troubled with tumult.
He could not bear it; his savage face shows in his eyes,
and he long wonders that a woman can do so much.
'Obey, come, soldier,' he says; 'obey the king, you too, servant.
You attendants, obey me; give me, in my fury, torments worthy
of a woman's evil; a woman compels me
to rage in my fury; what is more, a woman defeats
the commands of her king; but not with impunity has she spoken.
Limb by limb I will destroy the seven sons whom the faithless woman
keeps within her power; whichever of them is reckoned first,
let him perish first; so I will destroy them all in order.
Burn them laid on gridirons with flames set beneath,
so that she herself may see her own, may harshly see her sons.
This punishment awaits; the ministers must be quick.'
Meanwhile the eloquent mother, her hair now loosed,
stood with breast bared, like one exhorting,
holding out her breasts, the nourishment of her sons,
she bares them unashamed; and when she saw her son led to the fire
and going forward bravely with steady step, she said:
'You, my offspring, you first, look back at your mother;
you are truly mine; now, son, remember us.
You I bore first; you now invite your mother:

### Extrabiblical texts

- 2 Macc 7:3-5 (2 Maccabees): allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- 2 Macc 7:3–5. Line 2 and the line about baring her breasts are garbled in the digital text and translated by sense.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary of Arles, Vers. Macch. 31 (PL 50:1277; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/31).

## Verses on the Birthday of the Maccabees 61–90

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/1/#p-61
- Source: PL 50:1277
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-23

Summary: The eldest son dies in the fire; the mother rejoices and exhorts the second son.

### Latin text

Suam nuos mores, et regem vitice tacendo. / Tu poteris durare diu, si tempora vinces / Perfidi, ne superet sanctos violentia regis. / Utere consilio matris, nec damna timebis, / Fortior esto ære saxoque potentior ipso. / Ingredere ut juvenis, patienter vince dulces. / Ille modo ad matrem vultus, modo tollit in altum: / Dumque tacet tacitusque roget quem debet, i ti­ / metque, / Conscendit rapidos subjectos cratibus ignes. / Corpus inane fluit: mater gravis ipsa resultat, / Et dixit: Vici; vincam si saepius orem, / Duret natorum virtus incognita regi, / Sed jam nota Deo, populi qui pectora novit. / Finierat primi partus fecunda dolorem, / Sed remanente metu pro pluribus anxia mater; / Dissimulatque tamen, ne regem gaudia tangant. / Rex stupet Antiochus, nec credit posse sequentes / Poenæ tale genus simili pervincere sensu. / Cœpta jubet peragi. Mater non territa mansit: / Sed tamen ut vidit pallentem assistere natum, / Hæc secum volvens, aliqua jam parte levatur. / Ecce secunda mihi partus producitur ætas. / Quam similis fratris formæ si pectore duras, / Et sequeris primi partus vestigia nostri! / Esse meus poteris, poteris reperire salutem, / Quam jam frater habet, matris præcepta secutus. / Pone metus, regisque minas contemne furentis, / Regnaque, queis cursim labentia tempora dantur / Non poterit post ista tibi rex iste nocere;

### English translation (Claude)

take up our ways, and defeat the king by keeping silent.
You will be able to endure long, if you overcome the times
of the faithless one, lest the king's violence prevail over the saints.
Use your mother's counsel, and you will not fear losses;
be stronger than bronze, more powerful than stone itself.
Go in like a young man; patiently overcome the pains.'
He turns his face now to his mother, now lifts it on high,
and, while he is silent and silently prays to the one he ought, and fears,
he mounts the rapid fires set beneath the gridirons.
The body melts away, empty; the mother herself, grave, cries out,
and said: 'I have conquered; I shall conquer, if I pray the more often;
may the courage of my sons endure, unknown to the king,
but already known to God, who knows the hearts of the people.'
The fruitful mother had ended the pain of her first offspring,
but, fear remaining, the mother was anxious for the rest;
yet she hides it, lest joy should touch the king.
King Antiochus is stunned, and does not believe that those who follow
can overcome such a kind of punishment with like mind.
He orders what was begun to be carried on. The mother remained undaunted;
but when she saw her son standing by, pale,
turning these things over in herself, she is now relieved in part:
'Behold, the second of my offspring is brought forward to me.
How like your brother's form, if you are firm in heart
and follow in the footsteps of our first offspring!
You will be able to be mine, you will be able to find salvation,
which your brother already has, who followed his mother's precepts.
Lay aside fear, and despise the threats of the raging king
and his kingdoms, to which swiftly gliding times are given;
after this that king will not be able to harm you;

### Extrabiblical texts

- 2 Macc 7:5-8 (2 Maccabees): allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- 2 Macc 7:5–8. The first and sixth lines are garbled in the digital text and translated by sense.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary of Arles, Vers. Macch. 61 (PL 50:1277; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/61).

## Verses on the Birthday of the Maccabees 91–120

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/1/#p-91
- Source: PL 50:1277
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-23

Summary: The second son dies cheerfully; the mother warns the king of God's judgment, and the third son is brought forward.

### Latin text

Sed poteris post hac tu regi, nate, nocere / Temporis ecce levis conscendere cogeris ignes, / Sed virtute opus est, languentem pone timorem. / Esto memor nostri generis, si sensus inhæret. / Hic qui sceptra tenet, regno qui sævit in isto, / Tempus inane putat, regno vitaque carebit, / Damnatusque nocens aeternos sentiet ignes. / Tu securus eris, turba comitante piorum. / Aspice, nate, meos vultus, et suspice coelum, / Auctoremque Deum, per quem tibi vita paratur / Hac melior, fratrisque tui vestigia calca. / Neve quod iste jubet, sed quod Deus imperat audi / Sicut erat monitus, matrem cœlumque videre / Constitit, atque hilari vultu contemnere regem / Coepit, et ut ridens ardentes irruit ignes, / Collapsusque jacens anima superante quievit. / Mater ut hoc vidit, rigido sic ore locuta est: / Felix parte aliqua jam sum, jam non potis omnes / Sæve tyranne, meos trucidando vincere natos. / Te gravior mox poena manet, crudelis inique, / Quam patiere brevi: Deus haec namque omnia / cernit.» / Jam duo securi, contempto rege, manebant. / Spes melior jam matris erat: jam tertius instat, / Ecce locus pœnæ, si pœna est vincere regem: / Et servire Deo laus est, non poena furentis. / Tertius attrahitur juvenis frendente tyranno, / Qui nondum satiatus erat. Furor intus et ira / Sæviebant pariter, quod fortia pectora fratrum / Viderat impavide regis superasse furorem.

### English translation (Claude)

but after this you will be able, son, to harm the king.
Behold, you are compelled to mount the fires of a brief time,
but courage is needed; lay aside your languid fear.
Be mindful of our race, if feeling still clings in you.
He who holds the sceptre, who rages in this kingdom,
thinks time empty; he will lose kingdom and life,
and, condemned as guilty, will feel eternal fires.
You will be secure, with the company of the pious about you.
Look, son, at my face, and look up to heaven
and to God the Author, through whom a life is prepared for you
better than this, and tread in your brother's footsteps.
Do not hear what this man commands, but what God orders.'
As he had been warned, he stood firm to look at his mother and heaven,
and with cheerful face began to despise the king,
and, as if laughing, rushed into the burning fires,
and, fallen and lying there, with his soul victorious, he rested.
When the mother saw this, she spoke thus with steady mouth:
'I am now happy in part; now you cannot conquer all my sons
by slaughtering them, cruel tyrant.
A heavier punishment soon awaits you, cruel and unjust,
which you will suffer shortly; for God sees all these things.'
Now two remained secure, having despised the king.
The mother's hope was now better; now the third presses on.
Behold the place of punishment, if it is punishment to conquer a king;
and to serve God is praise, not the punishment of a raging man.
The third young man is dragged forward, the tyrant gnashing his teeth,
who was not yet sated. Fury and anger within him
raged alike, because he had seen the brave hearts of the brothers
fearlessly overcome the fury of the king.

### Extrabiblical texts

- 2 Macc 7:8-14 (2 Maccabees): allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- 2 Macc 7:8–10; the eternal fires for the persecutor echo 2 Macc 7:14, 17, 19.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary of Arles, Vers. Macch. 91 (PL 50:1277; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/91).

## Verses on the Birthday of the Maccabees 121–150

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/1/#p-121
- Source: PL 50:1279
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-23

Summary: The mother exhorts the third son, who prays and dies in the fire; she resolves that none of her sons will be spared the contest.

### Latin text

Constitit ante pedes juvenis florentibus annis, / Egregius forma, dd dignus qui regna teneret, / Dignior Antiocho, verum meliora secutus / Regna, vocante Deo; mater cui talia fatur: / Accipe, nate, tuæ securus dicta parentis, / " Accipe, ne segnis perdas virtutis honorem. / Sunt tibi jam fratres pietatis sede manentes / Inque loco meliori quam labentia regna; / Quorum si proprios attingis pectore sensus, / Victor apud populos regem superasse fereris, / Sicut fama tuos jam misit in ardua fratres. / His accede, precor; sunt hæc aptissima dona, / Contempsisse nefas, et jura relinquere regis / Indomiti, quem nulla manet post ista voluptas. / At juvenis tacito mittebat murmure voces / Oranti similis, palmas tendebat in altum, / Subnixoque genu matris pendebat ab ore, / Cui licet aspectus, corpus non ipsa premebat. / Qui simul admonitus cratem conscendit, in igne / Intrepidus certaque fide sua membra locavit. / Conduntur flammæ, lepida remanente favilla, / Corpusque illaesum tellus adaperta recepit: / Sancta quoque ad superos anima inviolata recessit. / At mater dubitans, gemitus an gaudia sumat, / Hæsitat, et querulo sic est sermone locuta: / Quid nunc, dire, paras? Jussis parebimus omnes? / Sed numero partus, custos ne subtrahat ullum, / Ac licet ipse velis, non sum passura, tyranne, / Ut non isto omnes pereant certamine nati. / Temporis ista tui, mutes licet, horrida poena est,

### English translation (Claude)

The young man stood before his feet in the flower of his years,
outstanding in beauty, worthy to hold kingdoms,
worthier than Antiochus, but following better
kingdoms, with God calling him; to him his mother speaks thus:
'Receive, son, untroubled, the words of your parent,
receive them, lest through sloth you lose the honour of courage.
Your brothers now abide in the seat of piety
and in a better place than gliding kingdoms;
if in your heart you reach to their very feelings,
you will be told among the peoples as victor over the king,
as fame has already sent your brothers to the heights.
Join them, I beg; these are the fittest gifts:
to have despised wickedness and to have left the laws of a king
untamed, whom no pleasure awaits after this.'
But the young man sent forth words with a silent murmur,
like one praying; he stretched his palms on high,
and, resting on his knee, hung on his mother's lips,
whose body she could not embrace, though she could see him.
At once, admonished, he mounted the gridiron, and in the fire
placed his limbs, fearless, with sure faith.
The flames die down, a gentle ash remaining,
and the earth opened and received the body unharmed;
and the holy soul withdrew inviolate to those above.
But the mother, doubting whether to take up groans or joys,
hesitates, and spoke thus in plaintive speech:
'What are you preparing now, cruel one? Shall we all obey your commands?
But I count my offspring, lest the guard withdraw any,
and even if you yourself wish it, I will not allow, tyrant,
that any of my sons should fail to perish in this contest.
The punishment of your time is horrid, though you change it,

### Extrabiblical texts

- 2 Macc 7:10-12 (2 Maccabees): allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- 2 Macc 7:10–12. The line about the mother's embrace is garbled and translated by sense.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary of Arles, Vers. Macch. 121 (PL 50:1279; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/121).

## Verses on the Birthday of the Maccabees 151–180

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/1/#p-151
- Source: PL 50:1279
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-23

Summary: The fourth son, ashamed and afraid, is exhorted by his mother, who recalls Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as the origin of their race.

### Latin text

Duraque damnatis eadem sententia natis. / Si graviora putas, si sunt graviora, minare; / Quodque meos cernis vultus, horrore tegeris. / Gaudemus pariter, quoties desævis in istos. / Ardet at ipse magis rabida rex concitus ira, / Tentarique putat, ne sicut cætera fratrum / Turba ferant pœnas, matremque hoc quærere sentit. / Durat in exitium, quartumque addicere natum / Pœnæ mox voluit; lassati namque ministri / Nec regis furias, nec regem ferre valebant. / Proh pudor! erubuit vultus ostendere matri / Natus, et attonitam mentem confundere cœpit. / Hunc postquam stantem submisso lumine vidit, / Talibus aggreditur dictis monitura timentem: / Quartus es a trino partus, mihi quartus et infans. / Quæ nunc verba tibi, quæ possum dicere, nate? / Hoc nisi quod coeli durata potentia tecum / Sit simul et virtus; sanctæque propaginis ortum / Illi debemus regi, quodcumque negamus. / Ille dedit nobis Abraham cum semine sancto, / Per quem nobilitas, per quem genus omne probatur. / Quod manet in Domino; sanctus cui nascitur Isac, / Tunc cum jam nullum natum sperare senectus / Sponte sua poterat, sterilis quia Sarra manebat; / Illaque cum peperit, generisque propagine cœpta, / Ex insperato remanent tibi Sarra nepotes, / Esau et patria deductus origine Jacob, / Quos scimus partu geminos peperisse Rebeccam. / Hinc sumus, hinc orimur: genus hoc tibi, nate, / petendum est:

### English translation (Claude)

and the same sentence is harsh for the condemned sons.
If you think there are heavier things, if there are heavier, threaten them;
you see my face, and you are covered with horror.
We rejoice together, as often as you rage against them.'
But the king himself burns the more, roused by rabid anger,
and thinks he is being tested, lest, like the rest of the brothers,
the others too bear the penalties, and senses that the mother seeks this.
He persists to destruction, and soon wished to assign the fourth son
to punishment; for the weary ministers
could bear neither the king's furies nor the king.
For shame! The son blushed to show his face to his mother
and began to confound her astonished mind.
When she saw him standing with lowered eyes,
she approaches with such words to admonish him in his fear:
'You are my fourth offspring after the three, my fourth infant too.
What words can I now say to you, son?
Only this: that the steadfast power of heaven may be with you,
and courage too; and to that King we owe the origin
of our holy stock, whatever we refuse this king.
He gave us Abraham with his holy seed,
through whom our nobility, through whom our whole race is proved,
which abides in the Lord; to him holy Isaac is born
when old age could no longer hope for any son
of its own accord, since Sarah remained barren;
and when she bore, and the propagation of the race began,
unexpectedly grandsons remain to you, Sarah,
Esau and Jacob, drawn from his father's origin,
whom we know Rebecca bore as twins.
Hence we are, hence we spring: this race, son, you must seek.

### Scripture references

- Gen 21:2: allusion, high confidence
- Gen 25:24: allusion, high confidence
- Gen 11:30: allusion, medium confidence

### Extrabiblical texts

- 2 Macc 7:13-14 (2 Maccabees): allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- Gen 21:1–3; 25:21–26. The fourth son's fear is the poet's addition to the narrative of 2 Macc 7.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary of Arles, Vers. Macch. 151 (PL 50:1279; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/151).

## Verses on the Birthday of the Maccabees 181–210

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/1/#p-181
- Source: PL 50:1281
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-23

Summary: The fourth son, encouraged, rushes into the fire; the mother then challenges the hesitating king to bring out the rest.

### Latin text

Tu tibi pande viam, genitori accede priorum. / Quorum progenies totum dispersa per orbem / Invidiam patitur: Dominum quia sola potentem / Mente colit, turbæ nec mixta accedit iniquæ. / Quid tibi cum tristi vultu, quid lumina terrae / Fixa tenes? Coelum potius coelique Parentem / Conspice, ne dubites, mater tibi prospera monstrat, / Quidquid inest, patiens porta, ac comitare valenter / Turbam, nate, meam, numerumque hortare sequen­ / tem. / Sic dilecta parens luctus et gaudia miscens / Finierat claros monitus, cum luminis orbes / Ipse levat, matremque oculis intendere coepit, / Nil jam triste gerens, halitu vultuque fatetur / Se timuisse nihil nisi tristia vulnera matris / Per partus divisa suos: sic ipse tenentum / Elapsus manibus, cursu contendit in ignes. / Mira loquar, flamma illius non contigit ora, / Exanime ut corpus flammam superarat et ignes, / Ore patente, tamen tacito, qua spiritus iret, / Unde acceptus erat, pariter cum sanguine fugit. / Hoc ipso gavisa parens, quod qui modo tristi / Constiterat vultu, fretus mox pectore toto / Paruerit monitis, et regis contempserit iras: / Sic est orsa tamen, cum rex dubitaret in illos / Qui superant, gemitusque daret pia turba, ministri / Regem exsecrantes, tacito sermone requirunt. / Protrahe, quid dubitas? nulli jam parcere debes, / Nec potes, ut cupias, decretum rumpere noli, / Appello Regem, totum qui temperat orbem,

### English translation (Claude)

Open the way for yourself; go to the father of your forebears,
whose progeny, scattered over the whole world,
suffers envy, because it alone worships the mighty Lord in its mind
and does not mingle with the wicked crowd.
Why the sad face? Why do you keep your eyes fixed
on the earth? Look rather at heaven and the Father of heaven;
do not hesitate; your mother shows you prosperous things;
whatever there is, bear it patiently, and bravely accompany
my band, son, and urge on the number that follows.'
So the beloved parent, mixing grief and joy,
had finished her bright admonitions, when he himself raises
his eyes and began to fix them on his mother,
bearing nothing sad now; by breath and face he confesses
that he had feared nothing but the sad wounds of his mother,
divided among her offspring; so, slipping
from the hands of those who held him, he rushes in haste into the fires.
I will tell of wonders: the flame did not touch his face,
and when the lifeless body had overcome the flame and fires,
with mouth open, yet silent, where the spirit might go,
back to where it had been received, it fled together with the blood.
At this very thing the parent rejoiced, that he who just now
had stood with sad face, soon, trusting with his whole heart,
obeyed her admonitions and despised the king's anger.
Yet she began thus, when the king hesitated against those
who remained, and the pious crowd groaned, and the ministers,
cursing the king, asked in silent speech:
'Bring them forward; why do you hesitate? You ought to spare none now,
nor can you, though you wish it; do not break your decree.
I appeal to the King who governs the whole world,

### Extrabiblical texts

- 2 Macc 7:15-17 (2 Maccabees): allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The 'father of your forebears' is Abraham. The line 'whatever there is, bear it patiently' is garbled and translated by sense.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary of Arles, Vers. Macch. 181 (PL 50:1281; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/181).

## Verses on the Birthday of the Maccabees 211–240

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/1/#p-211
- Source: PL 50:1281
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-23

Summary: The mother tells the king that his victims live in glory; the furious king orders the remaining sons to the flames.

### Latin text

Cui mare, cui cœlum, coeli cui sidera parent: / Quod nisi producis, timor est: jam segnius instas, / Jam sentis quæ regna petant, quæ gloria nobis / Jam parte ex utraque manet, si parcere nolis. / Nam quoscumque tuo jussisti excedere regno / Seu vitio comitante tuum vicere furorem, / Nempe tuum, lætique manent in sede piorum. / Forsitan hoc mortem credas, furiose tyranne? / Vita est longa magis, regnoque potentior isto / Quod regis, i extrema cujus jam parte moraris. / Mortalis tamen es, nec in ævum regna tenebis. / Sed perge imperium, nec partus divide nostros: / Hos quoque funestus, superant qui ætate minores, / Hos quoque da flammis, et juribus utere regni. / Hi contempta etiam vincent tua regna, superbe. / Concipit Antiochus furias, sævusque tyrannus / Æstuat, et gemitus inter sua pectora volvit. / Consentit cum mente color, tritisque gravatos / Attollit vultus, et talia verba profatur: / Haec tua libertas et dura potentia linguæ, / Atque hic, quem tumida portas cervice rigorem, / Sentiet irati regis quid verbera possint, / Si nondum es satiata malis, et fingere tentas / Lætitiam, luctusque tuos in gaudia vertis. / Non mutabo necem: gaude, lætare, triumpha; / Dummodo sic vincas, ut sis suprema tuorum. / Sic furiosa animis natorum funere gaudet. / Hos quoque do flammis, hoc nec mutare potestas / Ulla potest; decreta manent, lætare superstes / Natis orba tuis, et ne mea jussa morentur,

### English translation (Claude)

whom sea, heaven, and the stars of heaven obey:
unless you bring them forward, it is fear; you press on more slowly now;
now you perceive what kingdoms they seek, what glory
awaits us now on both sides, if you refuse to spare.
For all whom you ordered to depart from your kingdom
have overcome your fury, whatever fault you charged them with,
your fury indeed, and they abide joyful in the seat of the pious.
Perhaps you think this death, furious tyrant?
It is a longer life, and more powerful than this kingdom
which you rule, in whose last part you now linger.
You are mortal all the same, nor will you hold kingdoms forever.
But carry on with your command, and do not divide my offspring:
these too, deadly man, who remain, younger in age,
these too give to the flames, and use the rights of your kingdom.
These too will conquer your kingdom, despised, proud one.'
Antiochus conceives furies, and the savage tyrant
seethes, and rolls groans within his breast.
His colour agrees with his mind, and he lifts his face,
heavy with gloom, and utters such words:
'This freedom of yours and the harsh power of your tongue,
and this stiffness which you carry in your swollen neck,
will feel what the lashes of an angry king can do,
if you are not yet sated with evils and try to feign
gladness, and turn your griefs into joys.
I will not change their death: rejoice, be glad, triumph,
provided you so conquer that you are the last of your own.
So, mad in mind, she rejoices at her sons' death!
These too I give to the flames; this no power
can change; the decrees stand; rejoice, surviving,
bereaved of your sons; and lest my commands be delayed,

### Extrabiblical texts

- 2 Macc 7:9 (2 Maccabees): allusion, medium confidence
- 2 Macc 7:36 (2 Maccabees): allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- 2 Macc 7:9, 14, 36. Line 6 is garbled in the digital text and translated by sense.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary of Arles, Vers. Macch. 211 (PL 50:1281; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/211).

## Verses on the Birthday of the Maccabees 241–270

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/1/#p-241
- Source: PL 50:1283
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-23

Summary: The fifth son is brought forward; his mother, unable to embrace him, urges him to keep God's law given through Moses and promises him the resurrection.

### Latin text

Ordo suos peragat cursus: producite natos, / Ne vani pereant ignes. Dubius ne videri / Rex possit, certe timor est mihi, femina, nullus. / Præcipuus de gente tua produceris, ore / Et specie, mirande puer, cui pectore virtus / Firma manet: tamque hinc poteras vel vincere / regem. / Ad quem sic placido mater sermone locuta est: / Si are complexus matri tibi, nate, liceret, / Confiteor soli, post vulnera, nate, dedissem. / Sed lex dura vetat, tristisque potentia regis. / Deneget amplexus, dum sit vox libera nobis, / Et liceat meminisse Dei, legemque tenere / Non a rege datam, sed quam Deus arbiter orbis / Tradidit, et mundi rector, Moysesque petitam / Accepit, populoque dedit, cui maxima laus est / Nosse Deum, meritum cui nos debemus honorem. / Tu modo ne dubites monitis parere parentis: / Sit vigor et virtus, penitusque in pectore toto / Mens maneat jam plena Deo; sit fortior aetas, / Quam regem sperare fuit superare jubentem. / O quanta est virtus, quanta est fiducia fortis! / Sed jam ne dubites medias pervincere flammas. / Victor eris, mi crede, puer, victorque redibis. / Ossibus et validis miscebunt corpora nervi, / Servatasque animas iterum in nova viscera reddent. / Sed ne forte tamen rapidus te terreat ignis, / Fratrum sume animos, æternumque inspice Numen. / Jussa facit, tacitusque Deum testatur et orat / Murmure quo poterat: puerum non impedit ætas,

### English translation (Claude)

let the order run its course: bring forward the sons,
lest the fires perish in vain. Lest the king seem
to waver, I have certainly, woman, no fear.'
You are brought forward, the chief of your race, wonderful boy,
in face and beauty, in whose breast courage remains
firm: and from this you could even conquer the king.
To him the mother spoke thus in gentle speech:
'If it were allowed, son, to give your mother embraces,
I confess, son, I would have given them to you alone, after the wounds.
But harsh law forbids it, and the grim power of the king.
Let it deny embraces, so long as our voice is free,
and we may remember God and hold the law
given not by a king, but which God, judge of the world
and ruler of the universe, handed down, and Moses sought
and received, and gave to the people, whose greatest praise is
to know God, to whom we owe the honour that is his due.
Only do not hesitate to obey your parent's admonitions:
let there be vigour and courage, and deep in your whole breast
let your mind remain full of God; let your age be stronger
than the commanding king had hoped to overcome.
O how great is the courage, how great the confidence of the brave!
But now do not hesitate to conquer through the midst of the flames.
You will be victor, believe me, boy, and as victor you will return.
Sinews will join bodies to strong bones,
and will give back the preserved souls again into new flesh.
But lest perhaps the rapid fire terrify you,
take up the spirit of your brothers, and look at the eternal Power.'
He does what he is told, and silently calls God to witness and prays
with what murmur he could; his age did not hinder the boy;

### Scripture references

- Ezek 37:6: echo, medium confidence
- Exod 24:12: allusion, low confidence

### Extrabiblical texts

- 2 Macc 7:23 (2 Maccabees): allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The promise of the resurrection draws on 2 Macc 7:9, 11, 23 and echoes Ezek 37:6–8.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary of Arles, Vers. Macch. 241 (PL 50:1283; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/241).

## Verses on the Birthday of the Maccabees 271–300

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/1/#p-271
- Source: PL 50:1283
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-23

Summary: The fifth son dies in the fire; the anxious mother exhorts the sixth, still a boy, to be mindful of his race.

### Latin text

Non timuit cratem expositam, matrique volenti / Paruit, et dicto citius super irruit ignes. / Cesserunt flammæ, cessit dolor omnis, et una / Corpus et ignis erat, corpus superaverat ignem, / Spiritus ante tamen placidas superaverat auras. / Læta dolet tacite mater, pressoque dolore / Tristitiam luctusque suos in gaudia vertit. / Interea trepidat, et curas corde volutat / Non de præteritis, sed de puerilibus annis / Qui superant; ne forte negent, ne forte timorem / Concipiant animis, regique accedere malint. / Et quo quis minor est, major metus, anxia secum / Ducit, heu! curas; etiam spes ac timor una / Luctantur, matrisque piae per viscera currunt. / Spes tamen est melior. Natum ut procedere vidit, / Et procul, exsultans, Video quid possit in isto / Spes conferre mihi, vultus agnoscere nostros / Debet et hic, fratrum et numero parere suorum. / Forsitan hunc solum puerilia pectora tangent, / Indigneque feret, quod sic velut hostia demur. / Alloquar, et paucis conabor dicere verbis, / Sit memor ut potius generis quam temporis hujus. / Si te nobilitas generis, si tangit origo, / Respice, nate, tuos, et nos quoque respice, nate: / Noli annos numerare tuos, puer: incipe forti / Pectore ferre Deum, tradent hoc saecula sæclis / Quod tu forte petis, des nunc exempla futuris / Temporibus; mundo quod ames, nil amplius hoc est / Respice quae fugias, et quam meliora petantur. / Non te sollicitet stolidi fallacia regis.

### English translation (Claude)

he did not fear the gridiron set out, and obeyed his willing mother,
and, quicker than a word, rushed upon the fires.
The flames yielded, all pain yielded, and body and fire
were one; the body had overcome the fire,
but the spirit had first passed beyond into the gentle air.
The mother, glad, grieves in silence, and, pressing down her grief,
turns her sadness and her mourning into joys.
Meanwhile she trembles, and turns over cares in her heart,
not for those already gone, but for the boys of tender years
who remain; lest perhaps they deny, lest perhaps they conceive
fear in their minds, and prefer to go over to the king.
And the younger each is, the greater the fear; anxious, she
draws out her cares, alas, within herself; hope and fear together
struggle, and run through the loving mother's inmost parts.
Yet hope is the stronger. When she saw her son come forward,
and from afar, exulting: 'I see what hope he can bring me;
he too must recognize our face
and join the number of his brothers.
Perhaps only his boyish feelings will move him,
and he will think it unworthy that we are given up like victims.
I will speak to him, and try to say in few words
that he should be mindful of his race rather than of this hour.
If the nobility of your race, if your origin touches you,
look, son, at your own, and look at us too, son;
do not count your years, boy: begin to bear God
with brave heart; the ages will hand this down to ages;
give now, as an example to future times, what you perhaps seek;
there is nothing in the world you should love more than this;
consider what you are fleeing, and how much better are the things sought.
Let not the deceit of a foolish king entice you.

### Extrabiblical texts

- 2 Macc 7:18-19 (2 Maccabees): allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- 2 Macc 7:18–19.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary of Arles, Vers. Macch. 271 (PL 50:1283; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/271).

## Verses on the Birthday of the Maccabees 301–330

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/1/#p-301
- Source: PL 50:1283
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-23

Summary: The sixth son dies; the mother, prostrate, prays to God the Creator, recalling creation and the exodus.

### Latin text

Sic crescens iste nunc in contraria victor / Spiritus exstinxit flammas; sic deinde vocatum / Quod dederat corpus tellus adaperta recepit, / Sanctaque quae superest anima inviolata recessit. / Quamvis lassa parens, per tot sua vulnera victrix / Procidit in faciem, pariter manibusque supinis / Has habuit voces et talia verba locuta est: / Qui regis imperium coeli, terraeque, marisque, / Sidera qui cœlo, qui das animalia terris, / Æquoribus pisces, avibus qui temporis auras, / Ad te, magne, meæ mentis fiducia surgit; / Qui chaos immensum caeca caligine mixtum / Dividis in partes, et das noctemque diemque, / Lunamque ac solem, vario quos tempore semper / Nocte dieque jubes lumen præbere per orbem. / Post hæc das hominem, cujus de semine mundi / Completur mortale genus, cui lingua loquescit / Dissona per gentes, sapor est tamen omnibus unus. / Sed quid mutarit meritumque hominumque loquelas / Longa referre mora est, cœptis insistere certum est. / Te mare divisum virga tenuisse fatemur, / Dum pede per siccum populus transcenderet aequor, / Ægypti fugiens mortem regemque Pharaon, / Qui sibi sanctorum numerum servire jubebat, / Quem tua majestas Moses duce transtulit omnem, / Servatumque tua tutum virtute diremit. / Terra dabat fructus, quos te cogente ferebat, / Et sitis ad requiem quæsita est lympha latebris. / Humor erat nullus, cuncti clamore quærentes / Poscebant Moysem, daret ut sitientibus undas;

### English translation (Claude)

So he, growing now as victor against all that opposed him,
his spirit put out the flames; so then the earth opened
and received the body which it had given, now called back,
and the holy soul that survives withdrew inviolate.
The parent, weary, yet victorious through so many of her wounds,
falls on her face, and likewise with upturned hands
uttered these cries and spoke such words:
'You who rule the empire of heaven, of earth, and of sea,
who give stars to heaven, who give living creatures to the earth,
fish to the seas, and to the birds the breezes of their season,
to you, Great One, the confidence of my mind rises;
you who divide into parts the immense chaos, mixed with blind darkness,
and give both night and day,
and the moon and the sun, which at their varied times you always
bid give light through the world by night and by day.
After these you give man, from whose seed the mortal race
of the world is filled, whose tongue speaks
diversely among the nations, yet for all there is one understanding.
But what changed both the merit and the speech of men
would take long to tell; I am resolved to keep to what I began.
We confess that you held back the sea, divided by the rod,
while the people crossed the sea on dry foot,
fleeing the death of Egypt and King Pharaoh,
who ordered the number of the saints to serve him;
the whole people your majesty carried across with Moses as leader,
and, kept safe by your power, brought them out.
The earth gave fruits, which it bore at your command,
and for their thirst water was sought from hidden places, for their rest.
There was no moisture; all, seeking with clamour,
demanded of Moses that he give water to the thirsty;

### Scripture references

- Gen 1:1: allusion, medium confidence
- Gen 1:16: allusion, high confidence
- Gen 11:9: allusion, medium confidence
- Exod 14:21: allusion, high confidence
- Exod 14:22: allusion, high confidence
- Exod 17:2: allusion, high confidence

### Extrabiblical texts

- 2 Macc 7:20-23 (2 Maccabees): allusion, low confidence

### Translation notes

- Gen 1:1–27; Gen 11:1–9; Exod 14:21–22; Exod 1:11–14; Exod 17:1–3. The prayer is the poet's addition.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary of Arles, Vers. Macch. 301 (PL 50:1283; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/301).

## Verses on the Birthday of the Maccabees 331–360

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/1/#p-331
- Source: PL 50:1285
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-23

Summary: The mother's prayer recalls the water from the rock and asks that her youngest not fail; she begins to exhort him.

### Latin text

Ad quos ille brevi sic est sermone locutus: / Credite posse Deum quidquid petetis ab illo, / Qui potis est virga hac amnem diffundere saxo, / Ut veniant fontes tota regione negati, / Percussitque simul, dicto velocius omni / Emisit saxum fontes dulcedine prima. / Confiteor, totus cum sit tibi debitor orbis, / Tu quidquid possunt gentes, potes omnia solus, / Et quod non capiunt gentes, capis omnia solus. / Tu mortale genus curis onerasque levasque, / Te precor attonita cum firma mente timentem, / Ne desit fratrum numero meus infimus infans, / Ignarusque sui, quem jam procul ecce teneri / Conspicio, turba circum veniente frequenti / Hunc propter solum lacrymas mihi commovet ætas: / Unus enim superest, de quo mihi maxima cura est, / Ne tener ignoret qua sit de gente creatus. / Hunc ego si possem secreto apprendere solum, / Blandirer, patriumque genus, patriamque docerem: / Sed quaecumque tamen potero solatia mittam. / Parve puer, tenerisque tuis mihi charior annis, / Charior es regno, vita quoque charior ipsa, / Tu potes in totum victricem reddere matrem, / Tu finis partus, finisque future malorum; / Si te cura mei tangit, si matris honorem / Mente pia retines, quamvis sis infans; / Hoc magis aure avida dictis attende parentis. / Primum disce, puer, quid sis post ista futurus, / Si patiens fueris; quid te mihi, chare futurum / Facta docent. Fratrum sanctorum in parte ma­

### English translation (Claude)

to whom he spoke thus in brief words:
'Believe that God can do whatever you ask of him,
who can pour out a river from the rock with this rod,
so that springs may come where the whole region denied them.'
And he struck at once, and, swifter than any word,
the rock sent forth springs of the first sweetness.
I confess, since the whole world is your debtor,
that whatever the nations can do, you alone can do all;
and what the nations do not grasp, you alone grasp all.
You burden the mortal race with cares, and you relieve them;
I pray to you, astonished, yet with firm mind, in fear,
that my last infant may not be lacking from the number of his brothers,
unaware of himself, whom, behold, I see already held far off,
with a crowd coming about him in great numbers.
For him alone his age moves me to tears:
for one remains, for whom I have the greatest care,
lest, tender as he is, he not know of what race he was born.
If I could take him aside alone in secret,
I would caress him, and teach him his fathers' race and homeland;
but whatever comforts I can, I will send him.
Little boy, dearer to me for your tender years,
dearer than a kingdom, dearer even than life itself,
you can make your mother wholly victorious,
you are the end of my offspring, and will be the end of evils;
if care for me touches you, if you keep your mother's honour
with a loving mind, though you are an infant,
listen all the more with eager ear to your parent's words.
First learn, boy, what you will be after these things,
if you are patient; what you will be to me, dear one,
the deeds teach. You will remain in the portion of your holy brothers,

### Scripture references

- Exod 17:5: allusion, high confidence
- Exod 17:6: allusion, high confidence

### Extrabiblical texts

- 2 Macc 7:24-27 (2 Maccabees): allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Exod 17:5–6; 2 Macc 7:24–27.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary of Arles, Vers. Macch. 331 (PL 50:1285; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/331).

## Verses on the Birthday of the Maccabees 361–390

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/1/#p-361
- Source: PL 50:1285
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-23

Summary: The mother promises her youngest son eternal peace in the kingdom to come and pleads with him not to remain alone; he turns to God in prayer.

### Latin text

nebis, / Et requie securus eris, dum saecula cursus / Sæva suos peragunt, finito tempore longo, / Hanc lucem repetes, aeternaque regna videbis / Non maculata malis, nusquam contraria sanctis: / Nec morti locus ullus erit, nec bella citatis / Committentur equis, sed pax aeterna manebit. / Matri crede tuæ, salvum quæ te cupit esse. / Heu! mihi cur tristi vultu mea dicta repellis? / Quid refugis? Miserere mei, miserere tuique. / Si liceat, prior ire velim, vetor ecce; sed ibo, / Tunc cum victorem te videro, nate, majorum. / Quid sperare jubes? solus mea dicta moratis? / Solus adhuc o tiam revocas, mi nate, dolorem? / Annuis, an damnas et me fratresque genusque? / Quod ne forte velis, oro te, et deprecor, audi- / His ego te parvula nutrivi, nate, papillis, / Has etiam lacrymas te propter, nate, profundo. / Ne remanere velis, remanebis solus et orbus. / Non tibi jam frater superest: solatia vitæ / Quis dabit? Heu! solus matrem confundere tentas / Et genus, et patriam! si talia dicta recusas. / O quanto melius vitam servabis in ævum, / Si facis ante Deum quidquid fecere priores. / Audenter depone metus, depone timorem: / Concipe mente Deum, vires dabit ille viriles. / Hæc dum mater agit, puer ad praecepta parentis / Respicit, et solum cum se videt esse relictum, / Sustulit in coelum vultus palmasque supinas, / Et sic voce potens, æternum Numen adorat, / Quem secum sensu pariter nutuque rogabat,

### English translation (Claude)

and you will be secure in rest, while the ages
run their cruel courses; when the long time is ended,
you will seek this light again and see eternal kingdoms,
not stained by evils, nowhere hostile to the saints:
nor will there be any place for death, nor will wars
be waged with swift horses, but eternal peace will remain.
Believe your mother, who desires you to be saved.
Alas, why do you repel my words with a sad face?
Why do you shrink back? Have pity on me, have pity on yourself.
If it were allowed, I would wish to go first; behold, I am forbidden; but I will go
when I have seen you, son, a victor like your elders.
What do you bid me hope? Do you alone delay my words?
Do you alone, my son, still call back my grief?
Do you consent, or do you condemn me and your brothers and your race?
Lest perhaps you wish it, I pray you and beseech you, hear:
with these breasts I nursed you when you were little, son;
for you too, son, I pour out these tears.
Do not wish to remain; you will remain alone and bereaved.
No brother is now left you: who will give you the comforts
of life? Alas, alone you try to confound your mother,
your race, and your homeland, if you refuse such words.
O how much better you will keep your life for ever,
if you do before God whatever those before you did.
Boldly lay aside your fears, lay aside your dread:
conceive God in your mind; he will give you manly strength.'
While the mother does this, the boy looks back to his parent's
precepts, and when he sees himself left alone,
he raised to heaven his face and his upturned palms,
and so, strong in voice, he adores the eternal Power,
whom he besought together in mind and gesture,

### Scripture references

- Isa 2:4: echo, low confidence

### Extrabiblical texts

- 2 Macc 7:27-29 (2 Maccabees): allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- 2 Macc 7:27–29 (the mother's appeal to her nursing); Isa 2:4 echoed in the end of wars.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary of Arles, Vers. Macch. 361 (PL 50:1285; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/361).

## Verses on the Birthday of the Maccabees 391–400

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/1/#p-391
- Source: PL 50:1287
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-23

Summary: The youngest son dies in the fire, and the mother, released by joy, dies and is received among the saints.

### Latin text

Vinceret ut regem, sævos ut vinceret ignes. / Atque ita non segnis nec pro puerilibus annis / Prosilit intrepidus medios delapsus in ignes, / Expugnat, victor nec remearet in altum / Spiritus, et fratrum peteret secreta priorum. / Dum puer ista gerit, solverunt gaudia matrem / Jamque ut erat lassata malis, jam voce negata / Spirat ovans, interque manus collapsa suorum / Concidit exanimis, resolutaque membra quierunt. / Sic ipsa, ut nati, sanctorum in parte recepta est

### English translation (Claude)

that he might conquer the king, that he might conquer the cruel fires.
And so, not sluggish, nor acting by his boyish years,
he leaps forward fearless, gliding down into the midst of the fires;
he overcomes, and his spirit, victorious, did not return to earth
but flew on high, and sought the secret places of his elder brothers.
While the boy does this, joy released the mother;
and now, worn out as she was by evils, her voice now failing,
she breathes in triumph, and, sinking among the hands of her own,
she falls lifeless, and her loosened limbs came to rest.
So she herself, like her sons, was received into the portion of the saints.

### Extrabiblical texts

- 2 Macc 7:39-41 (2 Maccabees): allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- 2 Macc 7:39–41. Line 4 is garbled in the digital text and translated by sense. The digital text ends here.

### Citation (SBL)

Hilary of Arles, Vers. Macch. 391 (PL 50:1287; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/hilary-arles-versus-maccabaeorum/391).