# Epigrams against a Detractor of Augustine

- Author: [Prosper of Aquitaine](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/authors/prosper-of-aquitaine/)
- Latin title: *Epigrammata in obtrectatorem Augustini*
- Date: ca. 430-435 (approximate)
- Source: J.-P. Migne, ed., Patrologiae cursus completus, series Latina, vol. 51 (Paris, 1861), digital text of the printed volume (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/prosper-epigrammata-obtrectatorem/
- Passages: 2

## Lines 1–14

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/prosper-epigrammata-obtrectatorem/1/#p-1
- Source: PL 51
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Prosper rebukes an unnamed critic of Augustine's books, warning him that by defending the power of the free will he arms the defeated Pelagians and is himself a wolf attacking the shepherd.

### Latin text

Quidam dictiloqui libros senis Augustini / Carpere, et adversum condere fertur opus. / Usque adeone bonum ingenium, et facundia dives, / Ostentare artem non aliter potuit; / In nova prostratas acies nisi bella cieret, / Impiaque exstinctis hostibus arma daret. / Hæc pugna, incentor, mors est tua, te stylus iste / Conficit, et verbis perderis ipse tuis. / Dumque doces quantum valeat mens libera, monstras / Velle tuum tibimet sufficere ut pereas. / Verte gradum, fuge perniciem; stratosque rebelles / Oris apostolici fulmine ubique vide. / Nec te mutato defendi nomine credas. / Si pastorem ovium lædere vis, lupus es.

### English translation (Claude)

A certain wordy man is said to be picking at the books
of old Augustine and composing a work against them.
Could so good a talent and so rich an eloquence
show off its art in no other way
than by stirring the routed ranks to new wars
and giving impious arms to enemies already dead?
This fight, instigator, is your death; that pen of yours
destroys you, and you perish by your own words.
And while you teach how much the free mind can do, you show
that your own will is enough for you to perish.
Turn your step, flee destruction; and see the rebels
laid low everywhere by the lightning of the apostolic mouth.
And do not think yourself defended by a change of name:
if you wish to hurt the shepherd of the sheep, you are a wolf.

### Scripture references

- John 10:12: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The critic is not named; he is often identified with John Cassian (Conference 13), but this is uncertain. "The apostolic mouth" may mean the apostle Paul's teaching or the bishop of Rome's condemnation of the Pelagians. "A change of name": the critic does not call himself a Pelagian. The wolf and the shepherd allude to John 10:11–12.

### Citation (SBL)

Prosper of Aquitaine, Epigr. obtr. 1 (PL 51; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-epigrammata-obtrectatorem/1).

## Lines 15–25

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/prosper-epigrammata-obtrectatorem/1/#p-15
- Source: PL 51:151
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: A second epigram against the same critic: whether fed by Pelagius or by Julian of Eclanum, the snake cannot stop Augustine, who treads on asps and basilisks.

### Latin text

Contra Augustinum narratur serpere quidam / Scriptor, quem dudum livor adussit edax: / Qui captum obscuris contectum utcumque cavernis / Tollere humo miserum perpulit anguiculum. / Aut hunc fruge sua æquorei pavere Britanni, / Aut huic Campano gramine corda tument. Quæ concepta fovet promat, quæ parturit edat; Seu vetere armatur dogmate, sive novo. / In quoscumque sinus spirarum torqueat orbes, / Et fallax multa contegat arte caput; / Currentem attritos super aspidas et basiliscos / Declinare senem vipera non poterit.

### English translation (Claude)

A certain writer is said to be creeping against Augustine,
one whom devouring envy has long since scorched;
who drove the wretched little snake, hidden somehow
in dark caves, to lift itself from the ground.
Either the Britons of the sea fed this man with their crop,
or his heart swells with Campanian grass.
Let him bring out what he has conceived and cherishes, give birth to what he is in labor with,
whether he arms himself with an old dogma or a new one.
Into whatever folds he twists the coils of his body,
and however much art he uses to cover his deceitful head,
the viper will not be able to turn aside the old man
as he runs over trampled asps and basilisks.

### Scripture references

- Ps 91:13 (90:13 LXX): allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- "The Britons of the sea" points to Pelagius, a Briton; "Campanian grass" to Julian of Eclanum in Campania. Treading on asps and basilisks alludes to Ps 91:13 (LXX 90:13).

### Citation (SBL)

Prosper of Aquitaine, Epigr. obtr. 15 (PL 51:151; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prosper-epigrammata-obtrectatorem/15).