The Battle for the Soul 1.571–1.871 (The Battle for the Soul)

Prudentius

The Battle for the Soul 1.571–1.871

Prudentius · The Battle for the Soul · ca. 400-405 · place unknown · 11 passages

Latin text: Lanfranchi, Opera (Turin 1898) (Latin text: Lanfranchi, Turin 1898 (public domain), via the Internet Archive OCR).English: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), public domain (CC0).

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Chapter 1

1.571Lanfranchi 2:lines 571–600

Quidve hostile notet: letum versatile et anceps Lubricat incertos dubia sub imagine visus. Cum subito in medium frendens Operatio campum Prosilit, auxilio sociis, pugnamque capessit, Militiae postrema gradu, sed sola duello Impositura manum, ne quid iam triste supersit. Omne onus ex humeris reiecerat, omnibus ibat Nudata induviis, multo et se fasce levarat, Olim divitiis gravibusque oppressa talentis, Libera nunc miserando inopum, quos larga benigne Foverat, effundens patrium bene prodiga censum. Aeternam numerans redituro faenore summam. Horruit invictae virtutis fulmen, et impos Mentis Avaritia stupefactis sensibus haesit, Certa mori. Nam quae fraudis via restet, ut ipsa Calcatrix mundi mundanis victa fatiscat Inlecebris, spretoque iterum sese implicet auro? Invadit trepidam virtus fortissima duris Ulnarum nodis: obliso et gutture frangit Exsanguem siccamque gulam: compressa ligantur Vincla lacertorum sub mentum, et faucibus artis Extorquent animam, nullo quae vulnere rapta Palpitat, atque, aditu spiraminis intercepto, Inclusam patitur venarum carcere mortem. Illa reluctanti genibusque et calcibus instans Perfodit et costas, atque ilia rumpit anhela; Mox spolia exuto de corpore diripit: auri

or what to mark as hostile: the shifting and ambiguous death makes their uncertain gazes slip under a doubtful image. Suddenly Good Works, gnashing her teeth, leaps into the middle of the field to help her comrades, and takes up the fight, last of the army in rank, but the only one to lay the final hand on the duel, so that nothing grim may remain. She had thrown every burden from her shoulders; she went stripped of all her clothing, and had relieved herself of a heavy load, once weighed down with riches and heavy talents, now free through pity for the poor, whom she had generously cherished with large gifts, well-prodigal in pouring out her ancestral wealth. … counting an eternal sum, with interest to return. Avarice shuddered at the thunderbolt of the unconquered virtue and, out of her mind, stuck fast with stunned senses, sure to die. For what way of fraud remains, so that she who tramples the world should be overcome and give way to worldly allurements, and entangle herself again in gold she has scorned? The most valiant virtue attacks the trembling foe with the hard grip of her arms, and, crushing her throat, breaks her bloodless, dry gullet: the clasped bonds of her arms are tied under her chin, and with her jaws squeezed tight they wring out her life, which, taken with no wound, flutters, and, the passage of breath cut off, suffers death shut in the prison of the veins. As Avarice struggles, Good Works, pressing with knees and heels, pierces her ribs and bursts her panting flanks; then she tears the spoils from the stripped body: dirty

Matt 19:21 (allusion, medium confidence) · Luke 12:33 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Good Works, who has given all her wealth to the poor, leaps into the battle and strangles Avarice.

Matt 19:21; Luke 12:33 (treasure in heaven). Operatio is rendered “Good Works” (almsgiving). Two lines of a footnote quotation in Italian, a footnote on metre, and a footnote mark were removed. A line seems lost before line 582; marked “…”.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Fu il vincer senipre niai laudabil cosa ; VJncasi per fortuna o per ing^egiio. Quidve hostile notet: letum, versatile, et anceps Lubricat inceitos dubia sub imagine visus. Quumsubito in medium frendens Operatio(l) campum Prosilit auxilio sociis, pugnamque capessit Militiae postrema gradu, sed sola duello Impositura manum, ne quid iam triste supersit. Omne onus ex humeris reiecerat, omnibus ibat Nudata induviis, multo et se fasce levarat, Olim divitiis, gravibusque oppressa talentis, Libera nunc miserando inopum, quos larga benigne Foverat, effundens patrium bene prodiga censum. Aeternam numerans redituro foenore summam. Horruit invictae Virtutis fulmen, et impos Mentis Avaritia stupefactis sensibus haesit, Certa mori. Xam quae fraudis via restet, ut ipsa Calcatrix mundi mundanis victa fatiscat Inlecebris, spretoque iterum sese implicet auro? Invadit trepidam Virtus fortissima duris Ulnarum nodis : obliso et gutture frangit Exsanguem siccamque gulam : compressa ligantur Vincla lacertorum sub mentum, ct faucibus artis Extorquent animam, imllo quae vulnere rapta Palpitat, atque, aditn spiraminis intercepto, Inclusam patitur venarum carcere mortem. Illa reluctanti genibusque et calcibus instans ('^} Ptilpitat etc. vers. spond. Perfodit et costas, atqiie ilia rumpit anliela; Mox spolia exuto de corpore diripit, anri → Quidve hostile notet: letum versatile et anceps Lubricat incertos dubia sub imagine visus. Cum subito in medium frendens Operatio campum Prosilit, auxilio sociis, pugnamque capessit, Militiae postrema gradu, sed sola duello Impositura manum, ne quid iam triste supersit. Omne onus ex humeris reiecerat, omnibus ibat Nudata induviis, multo et se fasce levarat, Olim divitiis gravibusque oppressa talentis, Libera nunc miserando inopum, quos larga benigne Foverat, effundens patrium bene prodiga censum. Aeternam numerans redituro faenore summam. Horruit invictae virtutis fulmen, et impos Mentis Avaritia stupefactis sensibus haesit, Certa mori. Nam quae fraudis via restet, ut ipsa Calcatrix mundi mundanis victa fatiscat Inlecebris, spretoque iterum sese implicet auro? Invadit trepidam virtus fortissima duris Ulnarum nodis: obliso et gutture frangit Exsanguem siccamque gulam: compressa ligantur Vincla lacertorum sub mentum, et faucibus artis Extorquent animam, nullo quae vulnere rapta Palpitat, atque, aditu spiraminis intercepto, Inclusam patitur venarum carcere mortem. Illa reluctanti genibusque et calcibus instans Perfodit et costas, atque ilia rumpit anhela; Mox spolia exuto de corpore diripit: auri.

Topics: Ethics

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, Psych. 1.571 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 571–600; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-psychomachia/1-571). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-psychomachia/1-571

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

1.601Lanfranchi 2:lines 601–630

Sordida frusta rudis, nec adhuc fornace recoctam Materiem. Tineis etiam marsupia crebris Exesa, et virides obducta aerugine nummos Dispergit servata diu, victrix et egenis Dissipat, ac tenues captivo munere donat. Tunc circumfusam vultu exsultante coronam Respiciens, alacris media inter milia clamat: — « Solvite procinctum, iusti, et discedite ab armis: Causa mali tanti iacet interfecta: lucrandi Ingluvie pereunte, licet requiescere sanctis. Summa quies, nil velle super, quam postulet usus Debitus, ut simplex alimonia, vestis et una Infirmos tegat ac recreet mediocriter artus, Expletumque modum naturae non trahat extra. Ingressurus iter peram ne tollito, neve De tunicae alterius gestamine providus ito; Nec te sollicitet res crastina, ne cibus alvo Defuerit: redeunt escae cum sole diurnae. Nonne vides ut nulla avium cras cogitet? ac se Pascendam, praestante Deo, non anxia credat? Confidunt volucres victum non defore, viles Passeribusque subest modico venalibus asse Indubitata fides, Dominum curare potentem, Ne pereant. Tu, cura Dei, facies quoque Christi, Addubitas, ne te tuus umquam deserat auctor? Ne trepidate, homines: vitae dator et dator escae est. Quaerite luciferum caelesti dogmate pastum, Qui spem multiplicans alat inviolabilis aevi, Corporis immemores: memor est, qui condidit illud, Suppeditare cibos, atque indiga membra fovere. » —

lumps of crude gold, metal not yet refined in the furnace; purses eaten by many moths, and coins covered with green verdigris, long hoarded, she scatters, and, victorious, distributes them to the needy, and presents the poor with the captured gift. Then, looking round with exultant face at the ring gathered around her, she cries joyfully amid the thousands: “Ungird yourselves, you righteous, and leave your arms. The cause of so great an evil lies slain: now that the gluttony of gain is perishing, the saints may rest. The highest rest is to want nothing beyond what due need requires: that simple food and one garment should cover the weak limbs and moderately refresh them, and should not draw beyond the measure that satisfies nature. When you set out on a journey, do not take a bag, and do not go providently carrying a second tunic; nor let tomorrow trouble you, that food may be lacking for your belly: the daily food returns with the sun. Do you not see how no bird thinks of tomorrow, and believes without anxiety that it will be fed, God providing? The birds trust that their living will not fail; and the cheap sparrows, sold for a small penny, have an undoubting faith that the mighty Lord cares that they do not perish. Do you, God’s care, and Christ’s handiwork too, doubt whether your Maker will ever desert you? Do not tremble, men: the giver of life is also the giver of food. Seek the light-bringing nourishment of heavenly teaching, which, multiplying hope, may feed you for an inviolable age, unmindful of the body: he who made it is mindful to supply food and cherish its needy members.”

Matt 10:10 (allusion, high confidence) · Matt 6:34 (allusion, high confidence) · Matt 6:26 (allusion, high confidence) · Matt 10:29 (allusion, high confidence) · Matt 6:33 (allusion, medium confidence) · Matt 6:19 (echo, low confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Good Works distributes the hoarded wealth to the poor and tells the Virtues that the greatest peace is to want no more than need requires, taking no thought for tomorrow, as Christ taught, since God feeds the birds.

Matt 10:10; Luke 9:3 (no bag, no second tunic); Matt 6:25–34; Luke 12:22–31; Matt 10:29 (sparrows); Matt 6:19–20 (moths). Christ’s sayings are given in the poet’s words.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Sordida frusta rudis, nec adhuc fornace recoctam Materiem. Tineis etiam marsupia crebris Exesa, et virides obducta aerugine nummos Dispergit servata diu, victrix et egenis Dissipat, ac tenues captivo munere donat. Tunc circumfusam vultu exsultante coronam Eespiciens, alacris media inter milia clamat: — «Solvite procinctum, iusti, etdiscedite ab armis, Caussa mali tanti iacet interfecta : lucrandi Ingluvie pereunte, licet requiescere sanctis. Summa quies, nil velle super, quam postulet usus Debitus, ut simplex alimonia, vestis et una Infirmos tegat ac recreet mediocriter artus, Expletumque modum naturae non trahat extra. Ingressurus iter peram ne tollito, neve De tunicae alterius gestamine providus ito; Nec te sollicitet res crastina, ne cibus alvo Defuerit: redeunt escae cum sole diurnae. Nonne vides ut iiulla avium cras cogitet? ac se Pascendam, praestante Deo, non anxia credat? Confidant volacres victum non defore, viles, Passeribasqne subest raodico venalibus asse Indubitata fides, Dominum curare potentem, Xe pereant. Tu cura Dei, facies quoque Christi, Addubitas, nf te tuus umquam deserat auctor? Ne trepidate, homines: vitae dator et dator escae est. Quaerite luciferum caelesti dogmate pastum, Qui spem multiplicans alat inviolabilis aevi, Corporis immemores : memor est, qui condidit illud, Suppeditare cibos, atque indiga membra fovere.» — → Sordida frusta rudis, nec adhuc fornace recoctam Materiem. Tineis etiam marsupia crebris Exesa, et virides obducta aerugine nummos Dispergit servata diu, victrix et egenis Dissipat, ac tenues captivo munere donat. Tunc circumfusam vultu exsultante coronam Respiciens, alacris media inter milia clamat: — « Solvite procinctum, iusti, et discedite ab armis: Causa mali tanti iacet interfecta: lucrandi Ingluvie pereunte, licet requiescere sanctis. Summa quies, nil velle super, quam postulet usus Debitus, ut simplex alimonia, vestis et una Infirmos tegat ac recreet mediocriter artus, Expletumque modum naturae non trahat extra. Ingressurus iter peram ne tollito, neve De tunicae alterius gestamine providus ito; Nec te sollicitet res crastina, ne cibus alvo Defuerit: redeunt escae cum sole diurnae. Nonne vides ut nulla avium cras cogitet? ac se Pascendam, praestante Deo, non anxia credat? Confidunt volucres victum non defore, viles Passeribusque subest modico venalibus asse Indubitata fides, Dominum curare potentem, Ne pereant. Tu, cura Dei, facies quoque Christi, Addubitas, ne te tuus umquam deserat auctor? Ne trepidate, homines: vitae dator et dator escae est. Quaerite luciferum caelesti dogmate pastum, Qui spem multiplicans alat inviolabilis aevi, Corporis immemores: memor est, qui condidit illud, Suppeditare cibos, atque indiga membra fovere. » —.

Topics: Ethics

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, Psych. 1.601 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 601–630; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-psychomachia/1-601). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-psychomachia/1-601

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

1.631Lanfranchi 2:lines 631–660

His dictis curae emotae, Metus, et Labor, et Vis, Et Scelus, et placitae Fidei Fraus infitiatrix Depulsae vertere solum. Pax inde fugatis Hostibus alma abigit bellum, discingitur omnis Terror, et avulsis exfibulat ilia zonis. Vestis ad usque pedes descendens defluit imos, Temperat et rapidum privata modestia gressum. Cornicinum curva aera silent, placabilis implet Vaginam gladius, sedato et pulvere campi Suda redit facies, liquidae sine nube diei Purpuream videas caeli clarescere lucem. Agmina casta super vultum sensere Tonantis Adridere hilares, pulso certamine, turmas, Et Christum gaudere suis victoribus, arcem Aetheris, ac patrium famulis aperire profundum. Dat signum felix Concordia, reddere castris Victrices aquilas, atque in tentoria cogi. Numquam tanta fuit species, nec par decus ulli Militiae, cum dispositis bifida agmina longe Duceret ordinibus, peditum psallente caterva; Ast alia de parte equitum resonantibus hymnis. Non aliter cecinit respectans victor hiantem Israel rabiem ponti post terga minacis, Cum iam progrediens calcaret litora sicco Ulteriora pede, stridensque per extima calcis Mons rueret pendentis aquae, nigrosque relapso Gurgite Nilicolas fundo deprenderet imo, Ac refluente sinu iam redderet unda natatum Piscibus, et nudas praeceps operiret harenas. Pulsavit resono modulantia tympana plectro

At these words cares were removed; Fear and Toil and Violence and Crime and Fraud, the denier of the Faith we love, were driven off and quit the ground. Then kindly Peace, the enemies routed, drives away war; all Terror is ungirt, and loosens the clasps at her waist, her belts torn off. Her garment flows down, descending to the bottom of her feet, and the modesty of peacetime tempers her rapid step. The curved bronze of the horn-blowers is silent; the sword, appeased, fills its sheath; and, the dust of the field settled, the clear face of the sky returns: you could see the bright light of heaven grow clear in a cloudless, limpid day. The chaste ranks felt that the face of the Thunderer above was smiling on the joyful squadrons, the battle driven off, and that Christ was rejoicing in his victors and opening the citadel of heaven and the Father’s depths to his servants. Happy Concord gives the signal to bring back the victorious eagles to the camp and to gather in the tents. Never was there such a sight, nor glory equal to it in any army, when she led the two columns far in ordered ranks, the company of foot singing psalms, and on the other side the cavalry with resounding hymns. Not otherwise did victorious Israel sing, looking back at the gaping fury of the threatening sea behind them, when, advancing, they were already treading the farther shores with dry foot, and the mountain of hanging water, roaring at the farthest heels, was collapsing, and catching the black dwellers by the Nile at the bottom as the flood fell back, and the wave, its gulf flowing back, was now restoring to the fish the space to swim, and rushing down to cover the bared sands. The people of God beat the timbrels that kept time

Exod 14:29 (allusion, high confidence) · Exod 15:1 (allusion, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: With Avarice dead, the vices flee, Peace drives out war, and Concord leads the victorious army back to camp, singing psalms and hymns as Israel sang after crossing the Red Sea.

Exod 14:21–31; 15:1–21.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): His dictis curae emotae, metus, et labor, et vis, Et scelus, et placitae Fidei fraus inficiatrix Depulsae vertere sohim. Pax inde fugatis Hostibus ahna abigit bellum, discingitur omnis Terror, et avulsis exfibulat ilia zonis. Vestis ad usque pedes descendens defluit imos, Temperat et rapidum privata modestia gressum. Cornicinum curva aera silent , placabihs implet Yaginam gladius, sedata et pulvere campi Suda redit facies, hquidae sine nube diei Parpuream videas caeh clarescere hicem. Agmina casta super vultum sensere Tonantis Adridere hilares pulso certamine turmae, Et Christum gaudere suis victoribus, arcem Aetheris, ac patrinm famulis aperire profundum. Dat signum felix Concordia, reddere castris Victrices aquilas, atque in tentoria cogi. Numquam tanta fuit species, nec par decus ulli Militiae, quum dispositis bifida agmina longe Duceret ordinibus, peditum psallente caterva; Ast alia de parte equitura resonantibus hymnis Non aliter cecinit respectans victor hiantem Israel rabiem ponti post terga minacis, Quum iam progrediens calcaret litora sicco TJlteriora pede, stridensque per extima calcis Mons rueret pendentis aquae, nigrosque relapso Gurgite Nilicolas fundo deprenderet imo, Ac refluente sinu iam redderet unda natatum Piscibus, et nudas praeceps operiret arenas. Pulsavit resono modulantia tympana plectro → His dictis curae emotae, Metus, et Labor, et Vis, Et Scelus, et placitae Fidei Fraus infitiatrix Depulsae vertere solum. Pax inde fugatis Hostibus alma abigit bellum, discingitur omnis Terror, et avulsis exfibulat ilia zonis. Vestis ad usque pedes descendens defluit imos, Temperat et rapidum privata modestia gressum. Cornicinum curva aera silent, placabilis implet Vaginam gladius, sedato et pulvere campi Suda redit facies, liquidae sine nube diei Purpuream videas caeli clarescere lucem. Agmina casta super vultum sensere Tonantis Adridere hilares, pulso certamine, turmas, Et Christum gaudere suis victoribus, arcem Aetheris, ac patrium famulis aperire profundum. Dat signum felix Concordia, reddere castris Victrices aquilas, atque in tentoria cogi. Numquam tanta fuit species, nec par decus ulli Militiae, cum dispositis bifida agmina longe Duceret ordinibus, peditum psallente caterva; Ast alia de parte equitum resonantibus hymnis. Non aliter cecinit respectans victor hiantem Israel rabiem ponti post terga minacis, Cum iam progrediens calcaret litora sicco Ulteriora pede, stridensque per extima calcis Mons rueret pendentis aquae, nigrosque relapso Gurgite Nilicolas fundo deprenderet imo, Ac refluente sinu iam redderet unda natatum Piscibus, et nudas praeceps operiret harenas. Pulsavit resono modulantia tympana plectro.

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, Psych. 1.631 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 631–660; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-psychomachia/1-631). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-psychomachia/1-631

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

1.661Lanfranchi 2:lines 661–690

Turba Dei, celebrans mirum ac memorabile saeclis Omnipotentis opus, liquidas inter freta ripas Fluctibus incisis et subsistente procella Crescere, suspensosque globos potuisse teneri. Sic expugnata vitiorum gente resultant Mystica dulcimodis virtutum carmina psalmis. Ventum erat ad fauces portae castrensis, ubi Liminis introitum bifori dant cardine claustra. Nascitur hic inopina mali lacrimabilis astu Tempestas, placidae turbatrix invida Pacis, Quae tantum subita vexaret clade triumphum. Inter confertos cuneos Concordia forte Dum stipata pedem iam tutis moenibus infert, Excipit occultum vitii latitantis ab ictu Mucronem laevo in latere, squalentia quamvis Texta catenato ferri subtemine corpus Ambirent, sutis et acumen vulneris hamis Respuerent, rigidis nec fila tenacia nodis Impactum sinerent penetrare in viscera telum. Rara tamen chalybem tenui transmittere puncto Commissura dedit, qua sese extrema politae Squama ligat tunicae, sinus et sibi conserit oras. Intulit hoc vulnus pugnatrix subdola victae Partis, et incautis victoribus insidiata est. Nam, pulsa culparum acie, Discordia nostros Intrarat cuneos, sociam mentita figuram. Scissa procul palla, structum et serpente flagellum Multiplici, media camporum in strage iacebant; Ipsa redimitos olea frondente capillos Ostentans, festis respondet laeta choreis.

with resounding plectrum, celebrating the wonderful work of the Almighty, memorable for ages: that between the waters clear banks rose up, the waves cut through and the storm standing still, and that the suspended masses could be held. So, the nation of the vices overthrown, the mystic songs of the virtues resound in sweet-measured psalms. They had come to the entrance of the camp gate, where the barriers give entry to the threshold on double hinges. Here, by the cunning of evil, there arises an unexpected, lamentable storm, the envious disturber of calm Peace, to trouble so great a triumph with a sudden disaster. While Concord, as it happened, closely surrounded, was setting foot amid the crowded columns within the now safe walls, she received in her left side a dagger, hidden, from the stroke of a lurking vice, although the rough fabric of chain-linked iron surrounded her body and the sewn hooks rejected the point of a wound, and the threads, tenacious with stiff knots, would not let a driven weapon penetrate to her vitals. Yet a gap in the joining gave a narrow passage for the steel to pass through with a fine point, where the last scale of the polished tunic binds itself and the fold joins its edges. This wound was dealt by a sly fighter of the conquered party, who lay in wait for the unwary victors. For, the army of the sins driven off, Discord had entered our columns, feigning the appearance of an ally. Her torn mantle and her whip, made of many snakes, lay far off amid the slaughter of the fields; she herself, showing off her hair wreathed with leafy olive, joyfully joins in the festive dances.

Exod 15:8 (allusion, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: As the Virtues sing their psalms of victory and enter the camp, Discord, disguised as an ally, stabs Concord in the side through a gap in her armor.

Exod 15:8 (the waters stood up).

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Turba Dei, celebrans mirum acmemorabile saeclis Omnipotentis opus, liquidas inter freta ripas Fluctibus incisis et subsistente procella Crescere, suspensosque globos potuisse teneri. Sic expugnata vitiorum gente, resultant Mystica dulcimodis virtutum carmina psalmis. Ventum erat ad fauces portae Castrensis, ubi Liminis introitum bifori dant cardine claustra. Xascitur hic inopina mali lacrimabilis astu Tempestas, placidae turbatrix invida Pacis, Quae tantum subita vexaret clade triumphum. Inter confertos cuneos Concordia forte Dum stipata pedem iam tutis moenibus infert, Excipit occultum vitii latitantis ab ictu Mucronem laevo in latere, squalentia quamvis Texla catenato ferri subtemine corpus Ambirent, sutis et acumen vulneris hamis Respuerent, rigidis nec tila tenacia nodis Impactum sinerent penetrare in viscera telum. Rara tamen chaiybem tonui transmittere puncto Commissura dedit, qua sese extrema politae Squama ligat tunicae, sinus et sibi conserit oras. Intulit hoc vulnus pugnatrix subdola victae Partis, et incautis victoribus insidiata est. Nam, pulsa culparum acie, Discordia nostros Intrarat cuneos, sociam mentita figuram. Scissa procul palla, structum et serpente flagellum Multiplici, media camporum in strage iacebant Ipsa redimitos olea frondente capillos Ostentans, festis respondet laeta choreis. → Turba Dei, celebrans mirum ac memorabile saeclis Omnipotentis opus, liquidas inter freta ripas Fluctibus incisis et subsistente procella Crescere, suspensosque globos potuisse teneri. Sic expugnata vitiorum gente resultant Mystica dulcimodis virtutum carmina psalmis. Ventum erat ad fauces portae castrensis, ubi Liminis introitum bifori dant cardine claustra. Nascitur hic inopina mali lacrimabilis astu Tempestas, placidae turbatrix invida Pacis, Quae tantum subita vexaret clade triumphum. Inter confertos cuneos Concordia forte Dum stipata pedem iam tutis moenibus infert, Excipit occultum vitii latitantis ab ictu Mucronem laevo in latere, squalentia quamvis Texta catenato ferri subtemine corpus Ambirent, sutis et acumen vulneris hamis Respuerent, rigidis nec fila tenacia nodis Impactum sinerent penetrare in viscera telum. Rara tamen chalybem tenui transmittere puncto Commissura dedit, qua sese extrema politae Squama ligat tunicae, sinus et sibi conserit oras. Intulit hoc vulnus pugnatrix subdola victae Partis, et incautis victoribus insidiata est. Nam, pulsa culparum acie, Discordia nostros Intrarat cuneos, sociam mentita figuram. Scissa procul palla, structum et serpente flagellum Multiplici, media camporum in strage iacebant; Ipsa redimitos olea frondente capillos Ostentans, festis respondet laeta choreis..

Topics: Heresy

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, Psych. 1.661 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 661–690; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-psychomachia/1-661). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-psychomachia/1-661

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

1.691Lanfranchi 2:lines 691–720

Sed sicam sub veste tegit, te, maxima virtus, Te solam tanto e numero, Concordia, tristi Fraude petens. Sed non vitalia rumpere sacri Corporis est licitum, summo tenus extima tactu Laesa cutis tenuem signavit sanguine rivum. Exclamat virtus subito turbata: — « Quid hoc est? Quae manus hic inimica latet? quae prospera nostra Vulnerat, et ferrum tanta inter gaudia vibrat? Quid iuvat indomitos bello sedasse furores, Et sanctum vitiis pereuntibus omne receptum, Si virtus sub pace cadit? » — Trepida agmina maestos Convertere oculos: stillabat vulneris index Ferrata de veste cruor; mox et pavor hostem Comminus adstantem prodit: nam pallor in ore, Conscius audacis facti, dat signa reatus, Et deprensa tremunt languens manus et color albens. Circumstat propere strictis mucronibus omnis Virtutum legio, exquirens fervente tumultu Et genus, et nomen, patriam, sectamque, deumque Quem colat, et missu cuiatis venerit. Illa Exsanguis, turbante metu: — « Discordia dicor, Cognomento Heresis; Deus est mihi discolor, inquit, Nunc minor, aut maior, modo duplex, et modo simplex; Cum placet, aerius, et de phantasmate visus, Aut innata anima est, quotiens volo ludere numen. Praeceptor Belia mihi; domus et plaga mundus. » — Non tulit ulterius capti blasphemia monstri Virtutum regina Fides: sed verba loquentis Impedit, et vocis claudit spiramina pilo, Pollutam rigida transfigens cuspide linguam.

But she hides a dagger under her robe, seeking you, greatest virtue, you alone, Concord, out of so great a number, with grim fraud. But it was not permitted to break the vitals of the sacred body; the outer skin, hurt only by a touch at the surface, marked a thin stream with blood. The virtue, suddenly disturbed, cries out: “What is this? What hostile hand lurks here? What wounds our success, and brandishes steel amid such great joy? What good is it to have calmed untamed furies in war, and to have regained all that is holy as the vices perish, if a virtue falls in peacetime?” The anxious ranks turned their sad eyes: the blood, the sign of the wound, was dripping from the iron-clad robe; and soon fear betrays the enemy standing close by: for the pallor on her face, conscious of the bold deed, gives signs of guilt, and her languid hand, caught, trembles, and her white color. The whole legion of the Virtues quickly surrounds her with drawn swords, inquiring in a seething uproar her race and name, her country and sect, what god she worships, and by whose sending she has come. She, bloodless, with fear disturbing her: “I am called Discord,” she says, “surnamed Heresy. My God is of varied color, now lesser, now greater, now double, now single; when I please, he is of air and seen as a phantom, or he is the soul inborn, whenever I choose to make sport of the Godhead. Belial is my teacher; my home and region is the world.” Faith, queen of the Virtues, would bear no further the blasphemies of the captured monster, but stops the words of the speaker and closes the passages of her voice with a javelin, piercing her polluted tongue with the rigid point.

2 Cor 6:15 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Concord is only grazed; the Virtues seize the culprit, who names herself Discord, surnamed Heresy, whose god is now lesser, now greater, now double, now single, now a phantom; Faith silences her by piercing her tongue.

Discord’s god is a catalogue of heresies (subordinationist, dualist, modalist, docetic, pantheist), translated as written. 2 Cor 6:15 (Belial).

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Sed sicam sub veste tegit, te, maxima Virtus, Te solam tanto e numero, Concordia, tristi Fraude petens. Sed non vitalia rumpere sacri Corporis est licitum, summo tenus extima tactu Laesa cutis tenuem signavit sanguine rivum. Exclamat Virtus subito turbata : — « quid hoc est? Quae manus hic inimica latet? quae prospera nostra Vulnerat, et ferrum tanta inter gaudia vibrat? Quid iuvat indomitos bello sedasse furores, Et sanctum vitiis pereuntibus omne receptum, Si Virtus sub pace cadit? » — Trepida agmina moestos Convertere oculos : stillabat vulneris index Ferrata de veste cruor, mox et pavor hostem Comminus adstantem prodit: nam pallor in ore, Conscius audacis facti, dat signa reatus: Et deprensa tremunt languens manus, et color albens. Circumstat propere strictis mucronibus omnis Virtutum legio, exquirens fervente tumultu Et genus, et nomen, patriam, sectamque, deumque Quem colat, et missu cuiatis venerit. Illa Exsanguis, turbante metu: — « Discordia dicor, Cognomento Heresis; Deus est mihi discolor, inquit. Nunc minor, aut maior: modo duplex, et modo simplex : Quum placet, aerius, et de pliaiitasmate visus, Aut innata anima est : quoties volo ludere numen, Praeceptor Bclia milii ; domus et plaga mundus. » — Non tulit ulterius capti blasphemia monstri Virtutum rogina Fides : sed verba loquentis Impedit, et vocis claudit spiramina pilo, Pollutam rigida transfigens cuspide linguam. → Sed sicam sub veste tegit, te, maxima virtus, Te solam tanto e numero, Concordia, tristi Fraude petens. Sed non vitalia rumpere sacri Corporis est licitum, summo tenus extima tactu Laesa cutis tenuem signavit sanguine rivum. Exclamat virtus subito turbata: — « Quid hoc est? Quae manus hic inimica latet? quae prospera nostra Vulnerat, et ferrum tanta inter gaudia vibrat? Quid iuvat indomitos bello sedasse furores, Et sanctum vitiis pereuntibus omne receptum, Si virtus sub pace cadit? » — Trepida agmina maestos Convertere oculos: stillabat vulneris index Ferrata de veste cruor; mox et pavor hostem Comminus adstantem prodit: nam pallor in ore, Conscius audacis facti, dat signa reatus, Et deprensa tremunt languens manus et color albens. Circumstat propere strictis mucronibus omnis Virtutum legio, exquirens fervente tumultu Et genus, et nomen, patriam, sectamque, deumque Quem colat, et missu cuiatis venerit. Illa Exsanguis, turbante metu: — « Discordia dicor, Cognomento Heresis; Deus est mihi discolor, inquit, Nunc minor, aut maior, modo duplex, et modo simplex; Cum placet, aerius, et de phantasmate visus, Aut innata anima est, quotiens volo ludere numen. Praeceptor Belia mihi; domus et plaga mundus. » — Non tulit ulterius capti blasphemia monstri Virtutum regina Fides: sed verba loquentis Impedit, et vocis claudit spiramina pilo, Pollutam rigida transfigens cuspide linguam..

Topics: Heresy, Trinity

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, Psych. 1.691 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 691–720; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-psychomachia/1-691). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-psychomachia/1-691

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

1.721Lanfranchi 2:lines 721–750

Carpitur innumeris feralis bestia dextris. Frustatim sibi quisque rapit, quod spargat in auras, Quod canibus donet, corvis quod edacibus ultro Offerat, immundis caeno exhalante cloacis Quod tradat, monstris quod mandet habere marinis. Discissum foedis animalibus omne cadaver Dividitur, ruptis Heresis perit horrida membris. Compositis igitur rerum morumque secundis In commune bonis, postquam intra tuta morari Contigit, ac statione frui, valloque foveri Pacificos sensus, et in otia solvere curas, Exstruitur media castrorum sede tribunal Editiore loco, tumulus quem vertice acuto Excitat in speculam: subiecta unde omnia late Liber inoffenso circumspicit aere visus. Hunc sincera Fides, simul et Concordia, sacro Foedere iuratae Christi sub amore sorores, Conscendunt apicem: mox et sublime tribunal Par sanctum carumque sibi supereminet aequo Conspicuae, populosque iubent adstare frequentes. Concurrunt alacres castris ex omnibus omnes: Nulla latet pars mentis iners, quae corporis ullo Intercepta sinu per conceptacula sese Degeneri languore tegat; tentoria apertis Cuncta patent velis, reserantur carbasa, ne quis Marceat obscuro stertens habitator operto. Auribus intentis exspectat contio, quidnam Victores post bella vocet Concordia princeps, Quam velit atque Fides virtutibus addere legem. Erumpit prima in vocem Concordia tali

The deadly beast is torn apart by countless hands. Each one snatches a piece for himself, to scatter to the winds, to give to the dogs, to offer to the greedy crows, to throw into the filthy sewers with their reeking mud, to hand over to the sea monsters to eat. The whole corpse, torn apart, is divided among foul animals: horrid Heresy perishes, her limbs torn asunder. So, when the good things of the state and of morals had been settled for the common good, and it fell to them to stay within safe walls, to enjoy their station, to cherish peaceful feelings within the rampart, and to relax their cares in leisure, a tribunal is built in the middle of the camp on a higher place, which a mound with sharp summit raises up as a lookout, from which a free sight looks round on all things lying far below, through unobstructed air. Sincere Faith and Concord together, sisters sworn by a sacred covenant in the love of Christ, climb its peak; and soon the holy and dear pair stand above the lofty tribunal, conspicuous on an equal footing, and bid the peoples stand by in crowds. All run eagerly together from all the camps: no idle part of the mind lies hidden, to conceal itself in degenerate sloth in any recess of the body, shut off in its chambers; all the tents stand open with their flaps drawn back, the canvas is unfastened, so that no dweller may grow languid, snoring under dark cover. The assembly waits with attentive ears to hear what Concord, the leader, calls the victors to after the wars, and what law she and Faith wish to give the virtues. Concord first breaks into speech in this way:

Notes and citation

Summary: Heresy is torn to pieces and thrown to the beasts; Faith and Concord mount a tribunal in the middle of the camp, and the whole assembly gathers to hear them.

The dismemberment of Heresy is the poet’s allegory of the destruction of heresy in the soul, translated as written.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Carpitur innumeris feralis bestia dextris. Frustatini sibi quisque rapit quod spargat in auras Quod canibus donet, corvis quod edacibus ultro Offerat, immundis caeno exlialante cloacis Quod tradat, monstris quod mandet liabere marinis. Discissum foedis animalibus omne cadaver Dividitur : ruptis Heresis perit horrida membris. Compositis igitur rerum morumque secundis In commune bonis, postquam intra tuta morari Contigit, ac statione frui, valloque foveri Pacificos sensus, et in otia solvere curas ; Exstruitur media castrorum sede tribunal Editiore loco, tumulus quem vertice acuto Excitat in speculam : subiecta unde omnia late Liber inoffenso circuminspicit aere visus. Hunc sincera Fides, simul et Concordia, sacro Foedere iuratae Chi'isti sub amore sorores, Conscendunt apicem : mox et sublime tribunal Par sanctum carumque sibi supereminet aequo .Conspicuae, populosque iubent adstare frequentes. Concurrunt alacres castris ex omniljus omnes: Nulla latet pars mentis iners, quae corporis ullo Intercepta sinu per conceptacula sese Degeneri languore tegat; tentoria apertis Cuncta patent velis, reserantur carbasa, nequis Marceat obscuro stertens habitator operto. Auribus intentis cxspectant concio, quidnam Victores post bella vocet Concordia princeps, Quam velit atque Fides virtutibus addere legem. Erumpit prima in vocem Concordia tali → Carpitur innumeris feralis bestia dextris. Frustatim sibi quisque rapit, quod spargat in auras, Quod canibus donet, corvis quod edacibus ultro Offerat, immundis caeno exhalante cloacis Quod tradat, monstris quod mandet habere marinis. Discissum foedis animalibus omne cadaver Dividitur, ruptis Heresis perit horrida membris. Compositis igitur rerum morumque secundis In commune bonis, postquam intra tuta morari Contigit, ac statione frui, valloque foveri Pacificos sensus, et in otia solvere curas, Exstruitur media castrorum sede tribunal Editiore loco, tumulus quem vertice acuto Excitat in speculam: subiecta unde omnia late Liber inoffenso circumspicit aere visus. Hunc sincera Fides, simul et Concordia, sacro Foedere iuratae Christi sub amore sorores, Conscendunt apicem: mox et sublime tribunal Par sanctum carumque sibi supereminet aequo Conspicuae, populosque iubent adstare frequentes. Concurrunt alacres castris ex omnibus omnes: Nulla latet pars mentis iners, quae corporis ullo Intercepta sinu per conceptacula sese Degeneri languore tegat; tentoria apertis Cuncta patent velis, reserantur carbasa, ne quis Marceat obscuro stertens habitator operto. Auribus intentis exspectat contio, quidnam Victores post bella vocet Concordia princeps, Quam velit atque Fides virtutibus addere legem. Erumpit prima in vocem Concordia tali.

Topics: Heresy

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, Psych. 1.721 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 721–750; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-psychomachia/1-721). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-psychomachia/1-721

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

1.751Lanfranchi 2:lines 751–780

Adloquio: — « Cumulata quidem iam gloria vobis Contigit: exstincta est multo certamine saeva Barbaries, sanctae quae circumsaepserat urbis Indigenas, ferroque viros, flammaque premebat. Publica sed requies privatis rure foroque Constat amicitiis: scissura domestica turbat Rem populi, titubatque foris, quod dissidet intus. Ergo cavete, viri, ne sit sententia discors Sensibus in nostris, ne secta exotica tectis Nascatur conflata odiis, quia fissa voluntas Confundit variis arcana biformia fibris. Quod sapimus, coniungat amor: quod vivimus, uno Conspiret studio: nil dissociabile firmum est; Utque homini atque Deo medius intervenit Iesus, Qui sociat mortale Patri, ne carnea distent Spiritui aeterno, sitque ut Deus unus utrumque; Sic, quidquid gerimus mentisque et corporis actu, Spiritus unimodis texat compagibus unus. Pax, plenum virtutis opus: pax summa laborum: Pax belli exacti pretium est, pretiumque periculi. Sidera pace vigent; consistunt terrea pace. Nil placitum sine pace Deo: non munus ad aram Cum cupias offerre, probet, si turbida fratrem Mens impacati sub pectoris oderit antro; Nec, si flammicomis Christi pro nomine martyr Ignibus insilias, servans inamabile votum Bile sub obliqua, pretiosam proderit Iesu Impendisse animam; meriti quia clausula pax est. Non inflata tumet, non invidet aemula fratri: Numquam laesa dolet, cuncta offensacula donat.

with this address: “Full glory has now indeed … fallen to you: the savage barbarism has been destroyed by much fighting, which had besieged the natives of the holy city and pressed its men with sword and flame. But public peace, in country and forum, rests on private friendships: domestic division troubles the commonwealth, and what is at odds within totters without. So beware, men, that there be no discordant opinion in our feelings, that no foreign sect be born within our walls, kindled by hatred, because a divided will confuses the secrets of the double-natured man with varied fibers. Let love join what we think; let what we live breathe together in one zeal: nothing that can be divided is firm. And as Jesus has come between as mediator of man and God, who joins the mortal to the Father, so that the things of flesh should not stand apart from the eternal Spirit, and that one God should be both; so let one Spirit weave whatever we do by action of mind and body in single-shaped joinings. Peace is the full work of virtue; peace is the crown of labors; peace is the reward of war ended, and the reward of danger. The stars flourish by peace; earthly things stand firm by peace. Nothing pleases God without peace: he does not approve a gift you wish to offer at the altar, if your mind, troubled, hates your brother in the cave of an unpeaceful breast; nor, if as a martyr you leap into the flaming fires for the name of Christ, keeping a hateful wish under oblique bile, will it profit you to have spent your precious life for Jesus; for peace is the seal of merit. It does not swell puffed up, it does not envy a brother as a rival; … it never grieves when hurt; it forgives every offense;

Textual problem in this passage: see the notes.

1 Tim 2:5 (allusion, high confidence) · Matt 5:23 (allusion, high confidence) · 1 Cor 13:3 (allusion, high confidence) · 1 Cor 13:4 (allusion, high confidence) · Mark 3:25 (echo, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Concord tells the Virtues that peace in the commonwealth and in the soul rests on unity; as Christ the mediator unites God and man, so one Spirit must unite all we do; no gift, not even martyrdom, pleases God without peace.

1 Tim 2:5 (mediator); Matt 5:23–24 (the gift at the altar); 1 Cor 13:3–5, applied to peace; Mark 3:24–25. Christology as written. A line is missing in the scan after line 751 (the address to the Virtues) and after line 779 (from 1 Cor 13:7); marked “…”.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Adloquio : — « Cumulata quidem iam gloria vobis, Contigit: exstincta est multo certamine saeva Barbaries, sanctae quae circumsaepserat urbis Indigenas, ferroque viros, flammaque premebat. Publica sed requies privatis rure foroque Constat amicitiis : scissura domestica turbat Rem populi, titubatque foris, quod dlssidet intus. Ergo cavete, viri, ne sit sententia discors Sensibus in nostris, ne secta exotica tectis Nascatur conflata odiis, quia fissa voluntas Confundit variis ai-cana biformia fibris. Quod sapimus, coniungat amor : quod vivimus, uno Conspiret studio : nil dissociabile firmum est ; Utque homini atque Deo medius intervenit Iesvs, Qui sociat mortale Patri, ne carnea distent Spiritui Aeterno, sitque ut Deus unus utrumque ; Sic, quidquid gerimus mentisque et corporis actu, Spiritus unimodis texat compagibus unus, Pax, planum virtutis opus: pax summa laborum: Pax belli exacti pretium est, pretiumque periculi. Sidera pace vigent; consistunt torrea pace. Nil placitum sine pace Deo : non munus ad aram Quum cupias offerre, probet, si turbida fratrem Mens impacati sub pectoris oderit antro; Nec, si flammicolis Cln-isti pro nomine Martyr Ignibus insilias, servans inamabile votum Bile sub obliqua, pretiosam proderit Iesv Impendisse animam ; meriti quia clausula pax est. Non inflata tumet, non invidet aemula fratri: Numquam laesa dolet, cuncta offensacula donat. → Adloquio: — « Cumulata quidem iam gloria vobis Contigit: exstincta est multo certamine saeva Barbaries, sanctae quae circumsaepserat urbis Indigenas, ferroque viros, flammaque premebat. Publica sed requies privatis rure foroque Constat amicitiis: scissura domestica turbat Rem populi, titubatque foris, quod dissidet intus. Ergo cavete, viri, ne sit sententia discors Sensibus in nostris, ne secta exotica tectis Nascatur conflata odiis, quia fissa voluntas Confundit variis arcana biformia fibris. Quod sapimus, coniungat amor: quod vivimus, uno Conspiret studio: nil dissociabile firmum est; Utque homini atque Deo medius intervenit Iesus, Qui sociat mortale Patri, ne carnea distent Spiritui aeterno, sitque ut Deus unus utrumque; Sic, quidquid gerimus mentisque et corporis actu, Spiritus unimodis texat compagibus unus. Pax, plenum virtutis opus: pax summa laborum: Pax belli exacti pretium est, pretiumque periculi. Sidera pace vigent; consistunt terrea pace. Nil placitum sine pace Deo: non munus ad aram Cum cupias offerre, probet, si turbida fratrem Mens impacati sub pectoris oderit antro; Nec, si flammicomis Christi pro nomine martyr Ignibus insilias, servans inamabile votum Bile sub obliqua, pretiosam proderit Iesu Impendisse animam; meriti quia clausula pax est. Non inflata tumet, non invidet aemula fratri: Numquam laesa dolet, cuncta offensacula donat..

Topics: Christology, Martyrdom, Ethics

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, Psych. 1.751 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 751–780; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-psychomachia/1-751). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-psychomachia/1-751

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

1.781Lanfranchi 2:lines 781–810

Occasum lucis venia praecurrere gestit, Anxia, ne stabilem linquat sol conscius iram. Quisque litare Deo mactatis vult holocaustis, Offerat in primis pacem: nulla hostia Christo Dulcior: hoc solo sancta ad donaria vultum Munere convertens, liquido oblectatur odore. Sed tamen et niveis tradit Deus ipse columbis Pinnatum tenera plumarum veste colubrum Rimante ingenio docte internoscere, mixtum Innocuis avibus: latet et lupus ore cruento Lacteolam mentitus ovem sub vellere molli, Cruda per agninos exercens funera rictus. Hac sese occultant Photinus et Arrius arte, Immanes feritate lupi: discrimina produnt Nostra, recensque cruor, quamvis de corpore summo, Quid possit furtiva manus. » — Gemitum dedit omnis Virtutum populus, casu concussus acerbo. Tum generosa Fides haec subdidit: — « Immo secundis In rebus cesset gemitus. Concordia laesa est, Sed defensa Fide; quin et Concordia sospes Germanam comitata Fidem sua vulnera ridet. Haec mea sola salus, nihil hac mihi triste recepta. Unum opus egregio restat post bella labori, Belligeri, armatae successor inermus et aulae Instituit Solomon; quoniam genitoris anheli Fumarat calido regum de sanguine dextra. Sanguine nam terso, templum fundatur, et ara Ponitur auratis Christi domus ardua tectis.

it is eager to forestall the setting of the light with pardon, anxious that the sun should not go down witness to a lasting anger. Whoever wishes to make offering to God with slain burnt offerings, let him offer peace first of all: no victim is sweeter to Christ; by this gift alone, turning his face to the holy offerings, he is delighted with a clear fragrance. But God himself also teaches the snowy doves to distinguish skillfully, with searching wit, the winged serpent, clothed in a tender garment of feathers, mingled among the harmless birds; and the wolf with bloody mouth lurks, feigning a milk-white sheep under soft fleece, practicing cruel slaughter with lamb-like jaws. By this art Photinus and Arius hide themselves, wolves monstrous in savagery: our dangers and the fresh blood, though from the surface of the body, show what a stealthy hand can do.” The whole people of the Virtues groaned, shaken by the bitter event. Then noble Faith added this: “No, in prosperity let groaning cease. Concord has been hurt, but defended by Faith; nay, Concord, safe, accompanying her sister Faith, laughs at her wounds. This is my one salvation: with her restored, nothing is sad to me. One work remains, after the wars, for distinguished labor, … [which the peaceful heir] of the warlike [king], the unarmed successor of an armed court, Solomon, founded; since his panting father’s right hand had smoked with the hot blood of kings. For when the blood was wiped away the temple is founded, and the altar is set up, the lofty house of Christ with gilded roofs.

Textual problem in this passage: see the notes.

Eph 4:26 (allusion, high confidence) · Matt 10:16 (allusion, high confidence) · Matt 7:15 (allusion, high confidence) · 1 Chr 22:8 (allusion, high confidence) · 1 Kgs 6:1 (allusion, medium confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Peace forgives before sunset and is the offering most pleasing to Christ; but the Virtues must also detect the wolves in sheep’s clothing, Photinus and Arius; Faith comforts them and announces that, as Solomon built the temple after David’s wars, they must now build a temple.

Eph 4:26; Matt 10:16; Matt 7:15; 1 Kgs 5:3–5; 1 Chr 22:8–10. Photinus and Arius named as heretics, as written. Two footnote lines (on the reading “defensa Fide”) and a footnote mark were removed. A line is missing in the scan after line 803; marked “…”, with the sense supplied in brackets.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Occasum lucis venia precurrere gestit, Anxia, ne stabilem linquat sol conscius iram. Quisque litare Deo mactatis vult bolocanstis, Offerat in primis pacem : nulla hostia Christo Dulcior : hoc solo sancta ad donaria vultum Munere convertens, liquido obleciatur odore. Sed tamen et niveis tradit Deus ipse columbis Pinnatum tenera plumarum veste colubrum Eimante ingenio docte internoscere, mixtum Innocuis avibus : latet et lupus ore cruento Lacteolam meiititus ovem sub vellere molli, Cruda per agninos exercens funera rictus. Hac sese occultant Pliotinus, et Arrius arte, Immanes feritate lupi: discrimina produnt Nostra, recensque cruor, c^uamvis de corpore summo, Quid possit furtiva manus >. . — Gemitum dedit omnis Viiiutum populus, casu concussus acerbo. Tum generosa Fides haec subdidit : — « immo secundis In rebus cesset gemitus. Concordia laesa est, Sed defensa Fide; quin et Concordia sospes Germanam comitata Fidem. sua vulnera ridet. Haec mea sola salus , nihil hac mihi triste recepta. Unum opus egregio restat post bella labori, (B) defensa Fide. Aldvs, Nebrissens., Giselinvs. — defensa Ficles, Cellarivs, aliquot codd. m. scriptos secutus. Belligeri, armatae successor inermus et aulae Instituit Solomon(l); quoniam genitoris anheli Fumarat calido regum de sanguine dextra. Sanguine nam terso. templum fundatur, et ara Ponitur auratis Christi domus ardua tectis. → Occasum lucis venia praecurrere gestit, Anxia, ne stabilem linquat sol conscius iram. Quisque litare Deo mactatis vult holocaustis, Offerat in primis pacem: nulla hostia Christo Dulcior: hoc solo sancta ad donaria vultum Munere convertens, liquido oblectatur odore. Sed tamen et niveis tradit Deus ipse columbis Pinnatum tenera plumarum veste colubrum Rimante ingenio docte internoscere, mixtum Innocuis avibus: latet et lupus ore cruento Lacteolam mentitus ovem sub vellere molli, Cruda per agninos exercens funera rictus. Hac sese occultant Photinus et Arrius arte, Immanes feritate lupi: discrimina produnt Nostra, recensque cruor, quamvis de corpore summo, Quid possit furtiva manus. » — Gemitum dedit omnis Virtutum populus, casu concussus acerbo. Tum generosa Fides haec subdidit: — « Immo secundis In rebus cesset gemitus. Concordia laesa est, Sed defensa Fide; quin et Concordia sospes Germanam comitata Fidem sua vulnera ridet. Haec mea sola salus, nihil hac mihi triste recepta. Unum opus egregio restat post bella labori, Belligeri, armatae successor inermus et aulae Instituit Solomon; quoniam genitoris anheli Fumarat calido regum de sanguine dextra. Sanguine nam terso, templum fundatur, et ara Ponitur auratis Christi domus ardua tectis..

Topics: Heresy, Trinity

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, Psych. 1.781 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 781–810; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-psychomachia/1-781). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-psychomachia/1-781

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

1.811Lanfranchi 2:lines 811–840

Tunc Hierusalem templo inlustrata, quietum Suscepit iam diva Deum; circumvaga postquam Sedit marmoreis fundata altaribus arca. Surgat et in nostris templum venerabile castris: Omnipotens cuius sanctorum sancta revisat. Nam quid terrigenas ferro pepulisse phalangas Culparum prodest, hominis si Filius arce Aetheris inlapsus, purgati corporis urbem Intret inornatam, templi splendentis egenus? Hactenus alternis sudatum est comminus armis: Munia nunc agitet tacitae toga candida pacis, Atque sacris sedem properet discincta iuventus. » — Haec ubi dicta dedit, gradibus regina superbis Desiluit, tantique operis Concordia consors Metatura novum, iacto fundamine, templum: Aurea planitiem spatiis percurrit harundo Dimensis, quadrent ut quattuor undique frontes, Ne commissuris distantibus angulus impar Argutam mutilet per dissona semetra normam. Aurorae de parte, tribus plaga lucida portis Inlustrata patet; triplex aperitur ad Austrum Portarum numerus: tres occidualibus offert Panditur alta domus. Nullum illic structile saxum, Sed cava per solidum multoque forata dolatu Gemma relucenti limen complectitur arcu, Vestibulumque lapis penetrabile concipit unus. Portarum summis inscripta in frontibus auro Nomina apostolici fulgent bis sena senatus. Spiritus his titulis arcana recondita mentis Ambit, et electos vocat in praecordia sensus;

Then Jerusalem, made glorious by the temple, now divine, received God at rest, after the wandering ark was settled, founded on marble altars. Let a venerable temple rise in our camp too, whose holy of holies the Almighty may visit. For what does it profit to have driven off with the sword the earthborn phalanxes of sins, if the Son of Man, gliding down from the citadel of heaven, should enter the city of a cleansed body unadorned, lacking a shining temple? Up to now we have sweated in close combat with alternating arms; now let the white toga of quiet peace do its duties, and let the youth, ungirt, hasten to make a seat for sacred things.” When she had said this, the queen leapt down from the proud steps, and Concord, partner in so great a work, to measure out the new temple, the foundation laid: a golden reed runs over the plain in measured spaces, so that four fronts may square on every side, lest an unequal corner, with joinings out of line, spoil the precise rule through discordant half-measures. On the side of the dawn the bright quarter lies open, lit by three gates; to the south a triple number of gates opens; three it offers on the western side … the lofty house opens. There is no built stone there, but a gem, hollowed through its solid mass and pierced with much hewing, embraces the threshold with a gleaming arch, and one stone contains the vestibule to be passed through. On the tops of the fronts of the gates, written in gold, shine the names of the twelve of the apostolic senate. By these titles the Spirit embraces the hidden secrets of the mind and calls the chosen feelings into the heart;

1 Kgs 8:6 (allusion, medium confidence) · 1 Cor 3:16 (allusion, medium confidence) · Rev 21:15 (allusion, high confidence) · Rev 21:16 (allusion, high confidence) · Rev 21:13 (allusion, high confidence) · Rev 21:21 (allusion, high confidence) · Rev 21:14 (allusion, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: Faith urges the Virtues to build a temple in the soul for Christ, as Jerusalem received God when the ark came to rest; Faith and Concord measure out a foursquare temple with twelve gates, each a single gem, bearing the names of the twelve apostles.

1 Kgs 8:1–11; 1 Cor 3:16; 6:19; Rev 21:12–21 (the golden reed, the foursquare city, the twelve gates of single pearls, the apostles’ names). A line or more is missing in the scan after line 832 (the western and northern gates); marked “…”.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Tunc Hierusalem templo inlustrata, quietum Suscepit iara diva Deum ; circumvaga postquam Sedit raarmoreis fundata altaribus Arca. Surgat et in nostris templum venerabile castris : Omnipotens cuius sanctorum sancta revisat. Nam quid terrigenas ferro pepulisse phalangas Culparum prodest , hominis si Filius arce Aetheris inlapsus, purgati corporis urbem Intret inornatam, templi splendentis egenus? Hactenus alternis sudatum est comminus armis: Munia nunc agitet tacitae toga candida pacis, Atque sacris sedem properet discincta iuventus. » — Haec ubi dicta dedit, gradibus regina superbis Desiliit, tantique operis Concordia cousors Metatura novum, iacto fundaraine, templum : Aurea planitiem spatiis percurrit anindo Diraensis, quadrent ut quatuor undique frontes, Ne commissuris distautibus angulus impar Argutam mutilet per dissona semetra normam. Aurorae de parte, tribus plaga lucida portis Inlustrata patet; triplex aperitur ad Austrum Portarum numerus : tres occidualibus offert Panditur alta domus.Nullum illic structile saxum, Sed cava per solidum multoquo forata dolatu Gemma relucenti limen complectitur arcu, Vestibulumque lapis penetrabile concipit unus. Portarum summis inscripta in frontibus auro Nomina apostolici fulgent bis sena senatus. Spiritus his titulis arcana recondita mentis Ambit, et electos vocat in pra'ecordia sensus ; → Tunc Hierusalem templo inlustrata, quietum Suscepit iam diva Deum; circumvaga postquam Sedit marmoreis fundata altaribus arca. Surgat et in nostris templum venerabile castris: Omnipotens cuius sanctorum sancta revisat. Nam quid terrigenas ferro pepulisse phalangas Culparum prodest, hominis si Filius arce Aetheris inlapsus, purgati corporis urbem Intret inornatam, templi splendentis egenus? Hactenus alternis sudatum est comminus armis: Munia nunc agitet tacitae toga candida pacis, Atque sacris sedem properet discincta iuventus. » — Haec ubi dicta dedit, gradibus regina superbis Desiluit, tantique operis Concordia consors Metatura novum, iacto fundamine, templum: Aurea planitiem spatiis percurrit harundo Dimensis, quadrent ut quattuor undique frontes, Ne commissuris distantibus angulus impar Argutam mutilet per dissona semetra normam. Aurorae de parte, tribus plaga lucida portis Inlustrata patet; triplex aperitur ad Austrum Portarum numerus: tres occidualibus offert Panditur alta domus. Nullum illic structile saxum, Sed cava per solidum multoque forata dolatu Gemma relucenti limen complectitur arcu, Vestibulumque lapis penetrabile concipit unus. Portarum summis inscripta in frontibus auro Nomina apostolici fulgent bis sena senatus. Spiritus his titulis arcana recondita mentis Ambit, et electos vocat in praecordia sensus;.

Topics: Church office

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, Psych. 1.811 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 811–840; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-psychomachia/1-811). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-psychomachia/1-811

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

1.841Lanfranchi 2:lines 841–870

Quaque hominis natura viget, quam corpore toto Quadrua vis animat, trinis ingressibus aram Cordis adit, castisque colit sacraria votis. Seu pueros sol primus agat, seu fervor ephebos Incendat nimius, seu consummabilis aevi Perficiat lux plena viros, seu algida Borrae Aetas decrepitam vocet ad pia sacra senectam, Occurrit trinum quadrina ad compita nomen, Quod bene discipulis disponit rex duodenis. Quin etiam totidem gemmarum insignia textis Parietibus distincta micant, animasque colorum Viventes liquido lux evomit alta profundo. Ingens chrysolithus, nativo interlitus auro, Hinc sibi sapphirum sociaverat, inde beryllum; Distantesque nitor medius variarat honores. Hic chalcedon hebes perfunditur ex hyacinthi Lumine vicino; nam forte cyanea propter Stagna lapis cohibens ostro fulgebat aquoso. Sardonychen pingunt amethystina, pingit iaspis Sardium iuxta appositum, pulcherque topazon: Has inter species smaragdina gramine verno Prata virent, volvitque vagos lux herbida fluctus. Te quoque conspicuum structura interserit ardens, Chrysoprase, et sidus saxis stellantibus addit. Stridebat gravidis funalis machina vinclis, Immensas rapiens alta ad fastigia gemmas. At domus interior septem subnixa columnis Crystalli algentis vitrea de rupe recisis Construitur: quarum tegit edita calculus albens In conum caesus capita, et sinuamine subter

and wherever the nature of man flourishes, which a fourfold force animates throughout the body, it approaches the altar of the heart by three entrances and worships at its shrines with chaste vows. Whether the first sun drives boys, or excessive heat inflames youths, or the full light of the age of completion perfects men, or the chill age of the north wind calls decrepit old age to holy rites, the threefold name meets them at the four crossroads, which the King duly assigns to his twelve disciples. Moreover, as many emblems of gems shine, set in the woven walls, and a deep light pours out the living souls of their colors from its liquid depth. A huge chrysolite, streaked with native gold, had joined a sapphire to itself on this side, a beryl on that, and the brightness in the middle varied their different glories. Here the dull chalcedony is suffused with the light of the neighboring jacinth; for the stone, near the azure pools, chanced to gleam, holding in watery purple. Amethysts color the sardonyx, jasper colors the sardius set beside it, and the beautiful topaz. Among these kinds the emerald meadows grow green with spring grass, and the grassy light rolls its wandering waves. You too, chrysoprase, conspicuous, the glowing structure sets in, and adds a star to the starry stones. The rope-driven machine was creaking with heavy chains, hauling the immense gems up to the lofty summit. But the inner house is built resting on seven columns cut from the glassy rock of cold crystal; a white stone, cut into a cone, covers their raised capitals, and is drawn in below with a curve

Rev 21:19 (allusion, high confidence) · Rev 21:20 (allusion, high confidence) · Matt 28:19 (allusion, medium confidence) · Prov 9:1 (allusion, high confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: The four sides of the temple with three gates each signify the fourfold human ages entering by the threefold name; the walls are set with twelve precious stones, and the inner house rests on seven crystal columns.

Rev 21:18–20 (the twelve stones); Matt 28:19 (the threefold name); Prov 9:1 (seven pillars of Wisdom). Line 863 is read “Sardium” (scan “Sardouni”) and line 869 “quarum” (scan “quadrum”).

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Quaque liominis uatura viget, quam corpore toto Quadrua vis animat, trinis ingressibus aram Cordis adit, castisque colit sacraria votis. Seu pueros sol primus agat, seu fervor epliebos Incendat nimius, seu consummabilis aevi Perficiat lux plena viros, seu algida Borrae Aetas, decrepitam vocet ad pia sacra senectam : Occurrit trinum quadrina ad compita nomen, Quod bene discipulis disponifc rex duodenis, Quin etiam totidem gemmarum insignia textis Parietibus distincta micant, animasque colorum Viventes liquido lux ovomit alta profundo. Ingens chrysolithus, nativo intorlitus auro, Hiiic sibi sappliirum sociaverat, inde beryllum ; Distantosque nitor medius variarat honores. Hic chalcedon hebes perfunditur ex hyacinthi Lumine vicino ; nam forte cyanea propter Stagna lapis cohibens ostro fulgebat aquoso. Sardonychen pingunt amethystina, pingit iaspis Sardouni iuxta appositum, pulclierque toiiazon : Has inter specios smaragdina gramine vorno Prata virent, volvitquo vagos lux herbida fluctus. Te quoque conspicuum structura interserit ardons Chrysoi)hrase, et sidus saxis stollantibus addit. Stridebat gravidis funalis machina vinclis, Immensas rapiens alta ad fastigia gemmas. At domus intorior septem subnisa columnis Crystalli algentis vitrea de rupe recisis Construitur : quadrum togit edita calculus albens In conum caesus capita, et sinuamine subter → Quaque hominis natura viget, quam corpore toto Quadrua vis animat, trinis ingressibus aram Cordis adit, castisque colit sacraria votis. Seu pueros sol primus agat, seu fervor ephebos Incendat nimius, seu consummabilis aevi Perficiat lux plena viros, seu algida Borrae Aetas decrepitam vocet ad pia sacra senectam, Occurrit trinum quadrina ad compita nomen, Quod bene discipulis disponit rex duodenis. Quin etiam totidem gemmarum insignia textis Parietibus distincta micant, animasque colorum Viventes liquido lux evomit alta profundo. Ingens chrysolithus, nativo interlitus auro, Hinc sibi sapphirum sociaverat, inde beryllum; Distantesque nitor medius variarat honores. Hic chalcedon hebes perfunditur ex hyacinthi Lumine vicino; nam forte cyanea propter Stagna lapis cohibens ostro fulgebat aquoso. Sardonychen pingunt amethystina, pingit iaspis Sardium iuxta appositum, pulcherque topazon: Has inter species smaragdina gramine verno Prata virent, volvitque vagos lux herbida fluctus. Te quoque conspicuum structura interserit ardens, Chrysoprase, et sidus saxis stellantibus addit. Stridebat gravidis funalis machina vinclis, Immensas rapiens alta ad fastigia gemmas. At domus interior septem subnixa columnis Crystalli algentis vitrea de rupe recisis Construitur: quarum tegit edita calculus albens In conum caesus capita, et sinuamine subter.

Topics: Trinity

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, Psych. 1.841 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 841–870; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-psychomachia/1-841). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-psychomachia/1-841

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

1.871Lanfranchi 2:lines 871–915

Subductus conchae in speciem, quod mille talentis Margaritum ingens, opibusque et censibus hastae Addictis animosa Fides mercata pararat. Hoc residet solio pollens Sapientia, et omne Consilium regni celsa disponit ab aula, Tutandique hominis leges sub corde retractat. In manibus dominae sceptrum, non arte politum, Sed ligno vivum viridi est, quod stirpe recisum, Quamvis nullus alat terreni caespitis umor, Fronde tamen viret incolumi; tum sanguine tinctis Intertexta rosis candentia lilia miscet, Nescia marcenti florem submittere collo. Huius forma fuit sceptri gestamen Aaron Floriferum, sicco quod germina cortice trudens, Explicuit tenerum spe pubescente decorem, Inque novos subito tumuit virga arida fetus. Reddimus aeternas, indulgentissime Doctor, Grates, Christe, tibi, meritosque sacramus honores Ore pio: nam cor vitiorum stercore sordet. Tu nos corporei latebrosa pericula operti, Luctantisque animae voluisti agnoscere casus. Novimus ancipites nebuloso in pectore sensus Sudare alternis conflictibus, et variato Pugnarum eventu, nunc indole crescere dextra, Nunc inclinatis cervicibus ad iuga vitae Deteriora trahi, seseque addicere noxis Turpibus, et propriae iacturam ferre salutis. O quotiens animam, vitiorum peste repulsa, Sensimus incaluisse Deo! quotiens tepefactum Caeleste ingenium post gaudia candida taetro Cessisse stomacho! Fervent bella horrida, fervent Ossibus inclusa: fremit et discordibus armis Non simplex natura hominis: nam viscera limo Effigiata premunt animam; contra ille sereno Editus adflatu, nigrantis carcere cordis Aestuat, et sordes arta inter vincla recusat. Spiritibus pugnant variis lux atque tenebrae, Distantesque animat duplex substantia vires, Donec praesidio Christus Deus adsit, et omnes Virtutum gemmas componat sede piata; Atque, ubi peccatum regnaverat, aurea templi Atria constituens, texat spectamine morum Ornamenta animae: quibus oblectata decoro Aeternum solio dives Sapientia regnet.

in the likeness of a shell: a huge pearl which bold Faith had bought for a thousand talents and had acquired with her riches and her wealth put up at auction. On this throne sits mighty Wisdom, and from her high hall she orders every counsel of her kingdom and ponders in her heart the laws for protecting man. In the hands of the mistress is a sceptre, not polished by art, but alive with green wood; though cut from its stock, and though no moisture of earthly turf feeds it, it is green with unharmed foliage, and it mingles white lilies interwoven with roses dyed with blood, which do not know how to let their flower droop on a withering neck. The flowering rod borne by Aaron was the figure of this sceptre, which, thrusting out buds from its dry bark, unfolded a tender beauty with ripening hope, and the dry rod suddenly swelled into new fruit. We render eternal thanks to you, most kind Teacher, Christ, and we consecrate due honors to you with pious mouth; for the heart is foul with the dung of vices. You willed that we should recognize the hidden dangers of the body’s covering and the fortunes of the struggling soul. We know that the doubtful feelings in our clouded breast sweat in alternate conflicts, and, as the fortune of the battles varies, now grow with a better disposition, now, with bent necks, are dragged to the yokes of a worse life, give themselves over to shameful offenses, and suffer the loss of their own salvation. O how often have we felt the soul grow warm with God, the plague of vices driven back! How often has the heavenly mind, grown lukewarm after bright joys, given way to foul temper! Horrid wars seethe, they seethe shut up in our bones, and the nature of man, not single, roars with discordant arms; for the flesh, shaped from mud, presses down the soul; on the other hand, the spirit, born of a clear breath, chafes in the prison of the darkening heart, and rejects the filth amid its narrow chains. Light and darkness fight with different spirits, and a double substance animates opposing powers, until Christ, God, comes to our help and sets all the gems of the virtues in a purified seat, and, establishing the golden halls of the temple where sin had reigned, weaves from the beauty of good conduct ornaments for the soul, in which rich Wisdom may delight and reign for ever on a beautiful throne.

Matt 13:46 (allusion, high confidence) · Num 17:8 (allusion, high confidence) · Gal 5:17 (allusion, high confidence) · Rom 7:23 (allusion, medium confidence) · Rom 5:21 (echo, low confidence)

Notes and citation

Summary: In the inner shrine, on a throne of a great pearl bought by Faith, sits Wisdom holding an ever-green sceptre like Aaron’s budding rod; the poet thanks Christ for teaching us the soul’s inner warfare between flesh and spirit, which lasts until Christ makes the soul a temple where Wisdom reigns.

Matt 13:45–46 (the pearl of great price); Num 17:8 (Aaron’s rod); Gal 5:17; Rom 7:23; Rom 5:21 (where sin reigned). Christology as written. A footnote line and a footnote mark were removed.

Notes on the original text

Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Subductus conchae in speciem, quod mille talentis Margaritum ingens, opibusque et censibus hastae •j) alta ad fasligia: scil. ad caelum. Addictis animosa Fides mercata pararat. Hoc residet solio pollens Sapientia, et omne Consilium regni celsa disponit ab aula, Tutandique hominis leges sub corde retractat. In manibus dominae sceptrum, non arte politum, Sed ligno vivum viridi est, quod stirpe recisum, Quamvis nullus alat terreni cespitis humor, Fronde tamen viret incolumi ; tum sanguine tinctis Intertexta rosis candentia lilia miscet, Nescia marcenti florem submittere collo. Huius forma fuit sceptri gestamen Ailron Floriferum, sicco quod germina cortice trudens, Explicuit tenerum spe pubescente decorem, Inque novos subito tumuit virga arida fetus. Eeddimus aeternas, indulgentissime Doctor, Grates, Christe, tibi, meritosque sacramus honores Ore pio : nam cor vitiorum stercore sordet. Tu nos corporei latebrosa pericula operti, Luctantisque animae voluisti agnoscere casus. Novimus ancipites nebuloso in pectore sensus Sudare alternis conflictibus, et variato • Pugnarum eventu, nunc indole crescere dextra, Nunc inclinatis cervicibus ad iuga vitae Deteriora trahi, seseque addicere noxis Turpibus, et propriae iacturam ferre salutis. 0 quoties animam, vitiorum peste repulsa, Sensimus incaluisse Deo! quoties tepefactum Caeleste ingenium post gaudia candida taetro Cessisse stomacho! FtTvent bella horrida, fervent O.ssibus inclusa : fremit et discordibus armis Non simplex(l) natura hominis : nam viscera limo Ettigiata premunt animam ; contra ille sereno Editus afliatu, nigrantis carcere cordis Aestuat, et sordes arcta inter vincla recusat. Spiritibus pugnant variis lux atque tenebrae, Distantesque animat duplex substantia vires, Donec praesidio Cln-istus Deus adsit , et omnes Yirtutum gemmas componat sede piata; Atque, ubi peccatum regnaverat, aurea templi Atria constituens, texat spectamine morum Ornamenta animae : quibus oblectata decoro Aeternum solio dives Sapientia regnet. → Subductus conchae in speciem, quod mille talentis Margaritum ingens, opibusque et censibus hastae Addictis animosa Fides mercata pararat. Hoc residet solio pollens Sapientia, et omne Consilium regni celsa disponit ab aula, Tutandique hominis leges sub corde retractat. In manibus dominae sceptrum, non arte politum, Sed ligno vivum viridi est, quod stirpe recisum, Quamvis nullus alat terreni caespitis umor, Fronde tamen viret incolumi; tum sanguine tinctis Intertexta rosis candentia lilia miscet, Nescia marcenti florem submittere collo. Huius forma fuit sceptri gestamen Aaron Floriferum, sicco quod germina cortice trudens, Explicuit tenerum spe pubescente decorem, Inque novos subito tumuit virga arida fetus. Reddimus aeternas, indulgentissime Doctor, Grates, Christe, tibi, meritosque sacramus honores Ore pio: nam cor vitiorum stercore sordet. Tu nos corporei latebrosa pericula operti, Luctantisque animae voluisti agnoscere casus. Novimus ancipites nebuloso in pectore sensus Sudare alternis conflictibus, et variato Pugnarum eventu, nunc indole crescere dextra, Nunc inclinatis cervicibus ad iuga vitae Deteriora trahi, seseque addicere noxis Turpibus, et propriae iacturam ferre salutis. O quotiens animam, vitiorum peste repulsa, Sensimus incaluisse Deo! quotiens tepefactum Caeleste ingenium post gaudia candida taetro Cessisse stomacho! Fervent bella horrida, fervent Ossibus inclusa: fremit et discordibus armis Non simplex natura hominis: nam viscera limo Effigiata premunt animam; contra ille sereno Editus adflatu, nigrantis carcere cordis Aestuat, et sordes arta inter vincla recusat. Spiritibus pugnant variis lux atque tenebrae, Distantesque animat duplex substantia vires, Donec praesidio Christus Deus adsit, et omnes Virtutum gemmas componat sede piata; Atque, ubi peccatum regnaverat, aurea templi Atria constituens, texat spectamine morum Ornamenta animae: quibus oblectata decoro Aeternum solio dives Sapientia regnet..

Topics: Christology, Ethics

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, Psych. 1.871 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 871–915; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-psychomachia/1-871). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-psychomachia/1-871

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.