Alain de Lille [Alanus de/ab lnsulis, died ca. 1202], The complaint of nature

Text and translation of De planctu natura 


• Ausonius and his Rose • Alain de Lille • Dulcis Jesu memoria • Mundi renovatio • Lux jucunda • Ambrosius • Veni Redemptor • Prudentius • Adam St. Victor •
• Biography • De Incarnatione • Omnis mundi creatura • Alain's Tomb • Liber de Planctu Naturae •


At the right: a manuscript version of this poem (beginning), from 1440, MS. Harley 3234 (British Museum)


Latin: //thelatinlibrary.com/alanus/alanus1.html (= Migne, Patrologia Latina, vol. 210)

English: //legacy.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/alain-deplanctu.asp (= The complaint of nature, Yale studies in English, v. 36 (1908), Translation of De planctu natura. by Douglas M. Moffat.)


Nature personified visits Alain de Lille in a vision and complaints about the way humankind perverts her gifts, identifying as the root of all evil: the human perversion of sexuality  (Yes, this is a poem from another era, reproduced honouring the virtuosity of Alains language and in memory of our past). A new translation was published in 1980 (tr.James Sheridan, who - though an accomplished translator - confesses that this was one of the most difficult texts he ever had to translate, because of the layering). At //lexchristianorum.blogspot.be Alan Greenwell maintains a blog entirely devoted to 'the law of Nature', including an excellent summary with large extracts of Alain de Lille's poem. NB: Greenwell endorses both the validity of Alain's reasoning and the ethical conclusions inferred from it. Some afterthought is advisable: vehemently attacking all kinds of sexual (dis-)behaviour is itself filled with pleasure... The most curious aspect of Alain's text is the condemnation of homosexual activity in grammatical terms, merging biological and grammatical genus and declinatio (esp. in the first poem and in prose IV), thus testifying to a 'worldview', in which everything mirrors everything: mind and body, spirit and matter, nature and language: corruption in one area is reflected by similar deviations in all others. I removed footnotes and page numbers from the e-text. Moffat used another Latin source but the differences will be hardly noticed by the 21st century reader. If interested, see the originals. To more easily �surf� the text I used the division as present in the translation (9 chapters, each consisting of a poem and a prose), a form already popular in ancient times (the Satiricon of Petronius, the Alexander of Julius Valerius) and in christendom ever since Boethius' Consolation of Philosophy, to which Alain clearly owes a lot of formal inspiration.

         METRE I. In lacrimas risus, in luctus gaudia verto.

         METRE II. Illic forma rosae.

         METRE III. Floriger horrentem Zephyrus laxaverat annum.

         METRE IV. O Dei proles, genetrixque rerum.

         METRE V. Pax odio, fraudique fides, spes juncla timori.

         METRE VI. Heu! quam praecipitem passa ruinam.

         METER VII. Postquam sacra fames auri mortalia pungit.

         METRE VIII. Nec te gulosae Scylla voraginis mergat.

         METRE IX. Jam tuba terribili bellum clangore salutans.


From the PREFACE by the translator (Douglas M. Moffat): �It is difficult to render the Latin of Alain into a translation which shall be at once accurate and yet not too much at variance with the fundamental standards of good English literature. Truly, as was said by Robert Holkoth long ago, the De Planctu Naturae is 'metro et prosa compositum scientifice multum et curiose.' Those repetitions, those fantastic circumlocutions, those wonderful wild flowers of metaphor which grow up constantly around him, leave on the translator's hands a multitude of words, fluttering over an embarrassing paucity of ideas, for which English synonyms and approved figures of English speech are manifestly few or lacking. The present translator hopes that he is not chargeable too heavily with the weaknesses of a compromise. It has not been thought advisable to render into anything but prose those portions of the original which are in verse. "








In lacrymas risus, in fletum gaudia verto:

     In planctum plausus, in lacrymosa jocos,

Cum sua naturam video secreta silere,

     Cum Veneris monstro naufraga turba perit.

Cum Venus in Venerem pugnans, illos facit illas:

     Cumque suos magica devirat arte viros.

Non fraus tristitiam, non fraudes fletus adulter

     Non dolus, imo dolor parturit, imo parit.

Musa rogat, dolor ipse jubet, natura precatur,

     Ut donem flendo, flebile carmen eis.

Heu! quo naturae secessit gratia? morum

     Forma, pudicitiae norma, pudoris amor!

Flet natura, silent mores, proscribitur omnis

     Orphanus a veteri nobilitate pudor.

Activi generis sexus, se turpiter horret

     Sic in passivum degenerare genus.

Femina vir factus, sexus denigrat honorem,

     Ars magicae Veneris hermaphroditat eum.

Praedicat et subjicit, fit duplex terminus idem,

     Grammaticae leges ampliat ille nimis.

Se negat esse virum, naturae factus in arte

     Barbarus. Ars illi non placet, imo, tropus.

Non tamen ista tropus poterit translatio dici;

     In vitium melius ista figura cadit.

Hic modo est logicus, per quem conversio simplex

     Artis, naturae jura perire facit.

Cudit in incude, quae semina nulla monetat

     Horret et incudem malleus ipse suam.

Nullam materiam matricis signat idaea,

     Sed magis in sterili littore vomer arat.

Sic pede dactilico Veneris male iambitur usus,

     In quo non patitur syllaba longa brevem.

Quamvis femineae speciei supplicet omnis

     Forma viri, semper hujus honore minor;

Quamvis Tyndaridi vultus formetur, Adonis

     Narcissique decor victus adoret eam:

Spernitur ipsa tamen, quamvis decor ille peroret

     Et formae deitas disputet esse deam.

Qua Jovis in dextra fulmen langueret, et omnis

     Phoebi cessaret otia nervus agens:

Qua liber fieret servus, propriumque pudorem

     Venderet Hippolytus, hujus amore fruens.

Queis impressa semel, mellirent oscula succo,

     Queis mellita darent, mellis in ore favum.

Spiritus exiret ad basia deditus ori,

     Totus et in labiis luderet ipse sibi.

Ut dum sic moriar, in me defunctus, in illa

     Felici vita perfruar alter ego.

Non modo Tyndaridem Phrygius venatur adulter,

     Sed Paris in Paridem monstra nefanda parit.

Non modo per rimas rimatur basia Thysbes

     Pyramus, huic Veneris rimula nulla placet.

Non modo Pelides mentitur virginis actus,

     Ut sic virgineum se probet esse virum;

Sed male naturae munus pro munere donat,

     Cum sexum lucri vendit amore suum.

A Genii templo tales anathema merentur,

     Qui Genio decimas, et sua jura negant.




Cum hanc elegiam lamentabili modulatione crebrius recenserem, mulier ab impassibilis mundi penitiori dilapsa palatio, ad me maturare videbatur accessum; cujus crinis non mendicata luce, sed propria scintillans, non similitudinarie radiorum repraesentans effigiem, sed eorum claritate nativa naturam praeveniens, in stellare corpus caput effigiabat  puellae; quod duplex tricatura diffibulans, superna non deserens, terrae non dedignabatur osculo arridere. Quoddam vero lilioli tramitis spatium, sub obliquitate decussata, crinis dividebat litigium, nec illa unquam obliquitas vultui erat detrimento, sed praeerat decori. Crinale vero aureum in legitimi ordinis choream crinis aurum concilians, vultum mirabatur invenisse conformem. Phantasia enim coloris aurum consequentis, paralogismum visui concludebat. Frons vero in amplam evagata planitiem, lacteo liliata colore, lilio videbatur contendere.  Supercilia aureo stellata fulgore, non in silvam evagantia, nec in nimiam demissa pauperiem, inter utrumque medium obtinebant. Oculorum serena placiditas  amica blandiens claritate, gemelli praeferebat sideris novitatem. Naris utraque odore imbalsamata mellito, nec citra modum humilis, nec injuste prominens; quoddam repraesentabat insigne. Oris nardus naribus delicatas odoris epulas offerebat. Labia modico tumore surgentia Veneris tyrones invitabant ad oscula. Dentes quadam sui coloris consonantia eboris faciem exemplabant. Genarum ignis purpureus, rosarum succensus murice, dulci flamma faciem amicabat: candore namque grato amicam sentiebat temperiem, purpura vultus sindoni maritata. Menti expolita planities crystallina luce circumspectior, argenteum induebat fulgorem. Colli non injusta proceritas sub gracilitate moderata,  cervicem maritari humeris non sinebat.  Mamillarum pomula gratiose juventutis maturitatem spondebant. Brachia ad gratiam inspectoris prospicua, postulare videbantur amplexus. Laterum aequata convallatio, justae moderationis impressa sigillo, totius corporis speciem ad cumulum perfectionis eduxit.  Caetera vero quae thalamus secretior absentabat, meliora fides esse loquebatur. In corpore etenim latebat vultus gratior, cujus facies ostentabat praeludium. Et quamvis tanta esset pulchritudinis laetitia, hujus tamen risum decoris, fletus inaestimabilis exstinguere conabatur: nam ex oculorum scaturigine derivatus fluxus, doloris praedicabat mentem. Ipsa etiam facies in terram casto pudore demissa, ipsi puellae illatam quodammodo loquebatur injuriam; regalis autem diadematis corona rutilans, gemmarum scintillata choreis, in capite superne fulgurabat; cujus non adulterina auri materies ab ipsius honore degenerans, luce sophistica oculos parallogizans, sed ipsius nobilitas ministrabat  essentiam. Miraculoso vero circuitu, aeternaque volatione ipsum diadema ab oriente peregrinans in occidens, reciprocando crebrius referebatur in ortum. Idemque perenniter exercendo, ex nimia ejusdem petitione principii, nugatoria motio videbatur. Praedictarum vero gemmarum aliae ad tempus nova Dei miracula, novo sui luminis sole, visibus offerebant; ad tempus autem, suae coruscationis eclipsi, videbantur a diadematis exsulare palatio. Aliae insertae solio, suae scintillationis vigiliam perennantes, perennes faciebant excubias. Inter has, circulus elucens ad zodiaceae obliquitatis similitudinem pretiosorum lapidum stellatus, monilibus sidereae contiguitatis oscula syncopabat. In  quo cohors duodena gemmarum, successivo privilegialique splendore inter alias praerogativam poscere videbatur. In anteriori quoque ipsius diadematis parte, tres pretiosi lapides audaci suae radiationis superbia, reliquis novem antonomastice praefulgebant. Lapis primus, noctis frigus in luminis incendio pati jubeat exsilium, in quo, ut faceta picturae loquebantur mendacia, leonis effigiata fulminabat effigies. Lapis secundus, et priori non secundus in lumine, in praefatae partis audaciori loco praefulgens, quasi ex quadam indignatione, reliquos lapides deorsum aspicere videbatur. In quo, prout veritatis simia, pictura docebat, sub mutatoria conflictione progrediendo retrogradus, incedendo recedens,  cancer post se incedere videbatur. Lapis tertius oppositi lapidis splendorem pauperculum abundantibus suae claritatis recompensabat divitiis. In quo, sicut picturae veritas praedicabat, umbratilis Ledea proles sibi mutuo amplexu congratulans incedebat. Ad hunc modum, tres eodem dignitatis honore pollentes, thronum in contradictoria parte locaverunt. Quorum primus sudoris guttulis lacrymas exemplando, quodam imaginario fletu contristabat aspectum. In quo, prout curialis scripturae phantasia imaginando docebat, adolescentis cujusdam urceolus, fluentem excipiebat torrentem. Lapis secundus a suo regno caloris hospitia glaciali torpore repellendo, hiemem sibi hospitem vindicabat: in quo, ex caprinae lanae  adulterino vellere, capricorni tunicam pictura texuerat. Lapis tertius, vultum lucis induens crystallinae, hiemis prophetabat adventum. In quo assidua sui arcus inflexione senex Chironius vulnera minabatur, nunquam tamen minis recompensabat effectum. Alteri quoque lateri blandienti lasciviens gemmarum benigna oculis gratiabatur serenitas. Quarum prima rosei coloris flammata murice, rosam visibus praesentabat: in qua taurus suae frontis insignia praeferens, sitire praelium videbatur. Alia, suae lucis privilegiata temperie, bonitatis gratia sororum trahebat collegia, in qua aries frontis honore superbiens, gregis postulabat dominium. Tertia vero, viriditatem praeferens smaragdineam,  refocillationis oculorum in se gerebat antidotum, in qua, sub imaginario flumine, pisces suae naturae nando littoris exercitium frequentabant. In contradicenti latere throni, siderum pulchritudo jucundo scintillabat applausu. Horum lapidum primus, suae fulgurationis aureo sole radians indefesse pulchritudinis gratiam efferebat, in qua, sicut sculpturae tropica figura demonstrabat, quadam sui praerogativa fulgoris, astris contendebat Astraea. Secundus, non superfluo splendore luxurians, nec penuriosi splendoris mendicans scintillas, flamma moderata gaudebat: In quo quoque sub aequo examine juxta artis pictoriae normam,  libra ponderum spondebat judicia. Tertius, vultus alternando vicarios, nunc serenitatis benevolentiam spondebat, nunc obscuritatis nubes inducebat: in quo resultans facies scorpionis, vultu risum, fletum caudae minabatur aculeo. Sub his autem duodecim lapidum domiciliis, septena gemmarum pluralitas, motum circularem perennans, miraculoso genere ludendi, choream exercebat plausibilem; nec ipsi choreae sua deerat suavitas harmoniae, nunc semi tonis lasciviens, nunc mediocri tonorum sonoritate juvenescens, nunc maturiori tuba melidioma procedens, sua modulatione nostrarum aurium excitabat libidinem, et oculis offerebat dormiendi praeludia. Sed cui audiendi parcitas auris promeretur offensam,  prodigalitas educit fastidium; nam ex abundanti copia audiendi fastidita auris elanguet. Hi septem lapides, quamvis nullis juncturarum ligaturis ipsi diademati tenerentur obnoxii, nunquam tamen sui absentatione superiorum lapidum orphana faciebat collegia. Lapis autem superior, adamas erat, qui caeteris motu avarior, prodigalior in desidia, in amplioris sui circuli peragragratione, nimiam temporis moram trahebat. Qui tanti frigoris gelicido segnescebat, ut ipsum ex Saturno sidere genitum genialis naturae probaret conformitas. Secundus Achates erat, qui dum sui cursus vicinia caeteris fiebat familiarior, quorumdam inimicitias transformabat: in quo, dum gratiam etiam quorumdam, et puerilem benevolentiam imperiali  suae virtutis potentia reddebat adultam; quoniam propinqua naturae cognatione, Joviali fidei esset familiaris, gratialis disputabat effectus. Tertius astrites erat, in quo, caloris principatu castra metente, quadam proprietatis continuitate, Martii sideris legebatur effectus: qui minaci suae figurationis vultui terribilis, caeteris minabatur perniciem. Quartus erat carbunculus, qui solis gerens imaginem, sub radiationis cereo proscribens umbraculum, fratrum lampades soporabat eclipticas, nunc caeteros regali suae majestatis auctoritate deviare praecipiens, nunc quietam agitationi tribuens potestatem. Cum sapphiro vero hyacinthus ejus insistendo vestigiis, ipsi velut assecla ancillando, praefati luminis nunquam fraudabatur aspectu, brevique  in superjecta distantia, ejus orbem currunt pariter aut sequuntur, aut una sequens stella, alteri praeeundi concedit obsequia. Horum duorum lapidum alter suae naturae congruentia, Mercurialis stellae; reliquus vero Dionei sideris redolebat effectum. Lapis ultimus margarita erat, quae rutilantis coronae margini insita, luce lucens aliena, a carbunculo luminis mendicabat suffragia. Quae aliquando lumini vicina praefato, proficiens, sive prolongata deficiens, in crescendo radios sui luminis quasi carbunculum venerata, submittit, ut fraternis ignibus rursus ornata, renovata sui splendoris ornamenta circumferens, nunc supplementis solemninibus attriti orbis nutriens damna, nunc propriis  orphanata luminibus, jacturam conquerens propriae majestatis. Quae crystallino inargentata fulgore, lunaris sideris resplendebat effectu. His omnibus lapidum splendoribus praefati diadematis serenata nobilitas, in se firmamenti repraesentabat effigiem. Vestis autem ex serica lana contexta, multifario protecta colore, puellae pelli serviebat in usum, quam discolorando colorans alteritas, multiplici colore faciem alterabat; quae primitus candore lilii dealbata, intuitum offendebat. Secundo, velut penuria ducta, quasi laborans in melius, ruboris sanguine purpurata splendebat. Tertio, ad cumulum perfectionis, virore, quasi smaragdo, oculis applaudebat. Haec autem nimis subtilizata, subterfugiens  oculorum indaginem, ad tantam materiae tenuitatem devenerat, ut ejus, aerisque eamdem crederes esse naturam, in qua, prout oculis pictura imaginabatur, animalium celebrabatur concilium. Illic aquila post juvenem secundo senem induens, iterum in Adonidem revertebatur a Nestore. Illic accipiter violentia et tyrannide a subditis redditus exposcebat. Illic venatoris induens personam milvus, veneratione furtiva, larvam gerebat accipitris. Illic falco in ardeam bellum excitabat civile, non tamen aequali lance divisum; non enim pugnae debet appellatione censeri, ubi tu pulsas, ego latito tantum. Illic struthio vita saeculari postposita, vitam solitariam, quasi eremita factus, desertorum solitudines incolebat. Illic olor sui funeris praeco,  mellitae citharizationis organo, vitae vaticinabatur apocham. Illic in pavone tantum pulchritudinis compluit natura thesaurum, ut eam postea crederes mendicasse. Illic phoenix in se mortuus, redivivus in alio, quodam naturae miraculo, se sua morte a mortuis suscitabat. Illic ciconia prolem decimando, naturae persolvebat tributum. Illic, passere in atomum pigmeae humilitatis relegato, grus ex opposito in giganteae quantitatis evadebat excessum. Illic phasianus natalis insulae perpessus angustias, principum futurus deliciae, nostros evolabat in orbes. Illic gallus, tanquam vulgaris astrologus, suae vocis horologio, horarum loquebatur discrimina. Illic gallus silvestris, domestici galli deridens desidiam, peregre proficiscens, nemorales peragrabat  provincias. Illic bubo profanus miseriae psalmodias funere lamentationis percinebat. Illic noctua tantae deformitatis sterquilinio sordescebat, ut in ejus formatione naturam fuisse crederes somnolentam. Illic cornix ventura prognosticans, nugatorio concitabatur garritu. Illic pica, dubio picturata colore, curam logices perennabat insomnem. Illic monedula laudabili latrocinio recivas thesaurizans, innatae avaritiae argumenta monstrabat. Illic columba dulci malo inebriata Diones Cypridis laborabat in palaestra. Illic corvus zelotypiae abhorrens dedecus, suos fetus non sua esse fatebatur pignora, usque dum, nigri argumento coloris, hoc quasi secum disputando probabat. Illic perdix nunc aeriae potestatis insultus, nunc venatorum sophismata, nunc canum  latratus propheticos abhorrebat. Illic anas cum ansere sub eorum jure vivendi, hiemabat in patria fluviali. Illic turtur suo viduata consorte, amorum epilogare dedignans, bigamiae refutabat solatia. Illic psittacus, cum sui gutturis incude, vocis monetam fabricabat humanae. Illic coturnicem figurae draconis ignorantem fallaciam, imaginariae vocis decipiebant sophismata. Illic picus propriae architectus domunculae, sui rostri dolabro clausulam fabricabat in ilice. Illic curruca novercam exuens, materno pietatis ubere, alienam cuculi prolem adoptabat in filium; quae tamen capitali praemiata stipendio, privignum agnoscens, filium ignorabat. Illic hirundo, a sua peregrinatione  reversa, sub trabe nidi lutabat hospitium. Illic philomela suae deflorationis querelam reintegrans, armonica tympanizans dulcedine, parvitatis dedecus excusabat. Illic alauda quasi nobilis citharista, non studii artificio, sed naturae magisterio musicae perdocta scientiam, citharam praesentabat in ore, quae tonos in tenues subtilizans particulas, semi tonia in gumphos divisibiles dividebat. Illic vespertilio avis hermaphroditica, cifri locum inter aviculas obtinebat. Haec animalia, quamvis illic allegorice viverent, ibi tamen esse videbantur ad litteram. Sindon, virorem adulterato candore, quam puella inconsutibiliter postea ipsa discrete texuerat, non plebea vilescens materia, artificio subtili lasciviens,  pallii gerebat officium; quae multis intricata amplexibus, colorem imaginabatur aquatilem, in qua, supra animalis aquatilis naturam, multifarias particulatam in species, fabula commentabatur picturae. Illic cetus rupibus contendens, suae scopulo quantitatis, turriti corporis incursu, navium arietabat oppidula. Illic canis marinus, cum latrabili sui nominis aequivocatione, nullis indulgendo latratibus, sui generis lepores maris venabatur in saltibus. Illic sturgio sui corporis nobilitatem individuali sui corporis benedictione, mensis offerebat regalibus. Illic halex piscis generalissimus, ampla sui corporis communitate, pauperum solabatur jejunia. Illic plays sui corporis dulcoratis saporibus, in quadragesimali austeritate, carnis redimebat absentiam. Illic  mulo dulcibus suae carnis irritamentis, palata seducebat gustantium. Illic tritula sinus marinos ingrediens, in aequore baptizata, salmonis nomine censebatur. Illic delphinus suae apparitionis perennio, maris invectiones futuras praedicebat. Illic in sirenum renibus piscis, homo legebatur in facie. His marinae regionis incolis pallii portio concessa fuerat medialis; reliqua vero chlamidis portio, pisces peregrinos habebat, qui diversis fluctibus evagantes, in dulcioris aquae patria sedes posuerant. Illic lucius exactione tyrannica, non exigentia meriti, subditos, corporis proprii incarcerebat ergastulo. Illic barbulus non minoris sui corporis dignitate famosus, cum plebecula piscium familiarius habitabat. Illic alosa tempus comitata vernalescum, veris  deliciis sui saporis delicias offerens, sui corporis adventu, gustus salutabat humanos. Illic muraena multiplici fenestrata foramine, febrium introductiones lectitabat prandentibus. Illic anguilla colubri naturam imaginans quadam proprietatis similitudine, neptis credebatur esse ejusdem. Illic perca, spermatis jaculis loricata, aquatilis lupi minus abhorrebat insultus. Illic capito quod inferioris corporis parvitate perdebat, strumoso recuperabat in capite. Hae sculpturae, tropo picturae, eleganter in pallio figuratae, natare videbantur pro miraculo. Tunica vero polymita opere picturata plumario, infra se corpus claudebat virgineum. Quae multis stellata coloribus, in grossiorem materiam conglobata,  in terrestris elementi speciem aspirabat. In hujus vestis parte primaria, homo sensualitatis deponens segnitiem, ducta ratiocinationis aurigatione, coeli penetrabat arcana. In qua parte, tunica suarum partium passa dissidium, suarum injuriarum contumelias demonstrabat. In reliquis tamen locis, partes eleganti continuatione concordes, nullam divisionis in se sustinebant discordiam. In quibus quaedam picturae incantatio, terrestria animalia vivere faciebat. Illic elephas monstruosa corporis quantitate progressus in aera, os sibi a natura conditum multiplici fenore duplicabat. Illic camelus strumoso corpore deformis, quasi servus emptitius, hominum usibus ministrabat. Illic cornua vicem cassidis usurpando, bubali frontem videbantur armare.  Illic taurus terram pedibus vexando, mugitibus intonando, sui duelli fulmina praecinebat. Illic boves, taurorum recusantes militiam, quasi rustici, servilibus negotiis inhiabant. Illic equus ferventi provectus audacia, suo assessori commilitans, hastam frangebat cum milite. Illic asinus clamoribus horridis aures fastidiens, quasi per antiphrasim organizans, barbarismum faciebat in musica. Illic unicornis virginali soporatus in gremio, ab hostibus somnum mortis incurrebat. Illic leo, rugitus carmina auribus natorum immurmurans, in illis vitae suscitabat igniculum. Illic ursa, per portas narium fetus enixa deformes, ipsos stylo linguae crebrius delambendo monetans, meliorem ducebat in formam. Illic lupus, latitando,  furis usurpabat officium. Illic pardus, apertiori latrocinio neronizans, pecudum vulgus non solum in vestibus, verum etiam in propria praedabatur persona. Illic tigris pecualium civium rempublicam crebra innocentis sanguinis effusione violabat. Illic onager, asini exuens servitutem, naturae manumissus imperio, montium incolebat audaciam. Illic aper dentis armatura fulmineus, mortem propriam canibus multiplici vendebat in vulnere. Illic canis autem phantasticis vexando vulneribus, aera dentium importunitate mordebat. Illic cervus et dama, pedum velocitate volatiles, vitam praeeundo lucrantes, subsequentium canum morsus defraudabant iniquos. Illic caper lana vestitus sophistica, nares fastidire quadriduano videbatur  odore. Illic aries tunica nobiliore trabeatus, uxorum pluralitate gavisus, matrimonii defraudabat honorem. Illic vulpecula idiotam bruti exuens animalis, ad meliorem hominis anhelabat astutiam. Illic lepus melancholico arreptus furore, non somno, sed timoris sopore perterritus, canum somniabat adventum. Illic cuniculus pelle nostri frigoris iram temperando, carne propria nostrae famis debellabat insultus. Illic castor, ne ab hostibus totius corporis patiatur dicresim, corporis partes amputabat extremas. Illic lynx, tanta luminis limpiditate vigebat, ut ejus respectu lippire caetera animalia viderentur. Illic martes et sabelo, semi-plenam palliorum pulchritudinem eorum postulantem subsidia,  suarum nobilitate pellium, ad plenum deducebant. Has animalium figuras, historialis figurae repraesentatio, quasi jucunditatis convivia, oculis donabat intuentium. Quid vero in caligis camisiaque, in superioribus vestibus consepultis picturae industria somniabat, nulla certitudinis auctoritate probavi; sed tantum, ut quaedam fragilis probabilitatis remedia docuerunt, opinor in herbarum arborumque naturis, ibi picturae lusisse lasciviam. Illic arbores, nunc tunicis vestiri purpureis, nunc foliis criniri virentibus, nunc florum parturire redolentem videro infantiam, nunc fetum senescere potiorem. Sed quoniam solius probabilitatis lubrico, non certitudinis fide hujus seriem picturationis agnovi, hanc sub silenti pace sepultam praetereo  Calcei autem, ex allutea pelle traducentes materiam, ita familiariter pedum sequebantur ideas, ut in ipsis pedibus nati, ipsisque mirabiliter viderentur inscripti. In quibus vix a vera degenerantibus essentia, sub picturae ingenio flores amoenabantur umbratiles.

METRE I. In lacrimas risus, in luctus gaudia verto.


I change laughter to tears, joy to sorrow,

applause to lament, mirth to grief,

when I behold the decrees of Nature in abeyance;

when society is ruined and destroyed (shipwrecked) by the monster of sensual love (Venus)

when Venus, fighting against Venus, makes men women;

when with her magic art she unmans men.

It is not pretense that travails with sorrow, o adulterer! nor the tears


The Muse requests, this very grief commands,


Alas! Whither  has the loveliness of Nature, the beauty


Nature weeps, character passes away, chastity


The sex of active nature trembles shamefully

at the way in which it declines into passive nature.


the craft of magic Venus makes him of double gender.


he pushes the laws of grammar too far.

He, though made by Nature's skill,


even that artificiality cannot be called metaphor;

rather it sinks into viciousness.

He is too fond of logic, with whom a simple conversion

causes the rights of Nature to perish.

He strikes on an anvil which emits no sparks.

The very hammer deforms its own anvil.

The spirit of the womb imprints no seal on matter,

but rather the plowshare plows along  a sterile beach.


in which always the long syllable does not permit a short.


being always inferior to her glory;

though the face of the daughter of Tyndaris is brought into being



though her godlike grace affirms her to be a goddess,


and every sinew of Apollo would pause and lie inactive,


to enjoy her love, would sell his very chastity.




Not only does the adulterous Phrygian pursue the daughter of Tyndaris,

but Paris with Paris devises unspeakable and monstrous acts.


but no small opening of Venus pleases him.


that so to maidens he may prove himself dear,


in selling for the love of money his sex.

Such deserve anathema in the temple of Genius,

for they deny the tithes of Genius and their own duties.



PROSE I. Cum haec elegiaca lamentabili ejulatione crebrius recenserem.

While I with sorrowful lament was repeating these elegies over and over again, a woman glided down from the inner palace of the impassable heavens, and appeared, hastening her approach to me. Her hair, which shone not with borrowed light but with its own, and which displayed the likeness of rays, not by semblance, but by native clearness surpassing nature, showed on a starry body the head of a virgin. Twin tresses flowing loosely,  neither forsook the parts above nor yet disdained to smile upon the ground with a kiss. The line of a slender necklace , crossing itself obliquely, divided the strife of her hair; nor was this ever  a blemish in her appearance, but rather commanded its beauty . And a golden comb smoothed into the dance of due orderliness the gold of her hair .5 and wondered to have found a countenance agreeing, for the gold of fancy imposed upon the vision the false conclusion of harmonious color. But in truth her forehead, wide and full and even, was of the milkwhite lily in color, and seemed to vie with the lily. Her eyebrows, starry in golden brightness, had neither grown unduly into a forest of hairs, nor fallen into unmeet scantiness, but between both held a mean. The clear calm of the eyes, which attracted with friendly light, offered the freshness of twin stars. Her nose, fragrant with lovely odor, and neither out of measure low nor unduly prominent, had a certain distinction. The nard of her breath gave the nose banquets of delicate perfume. Her lips, gently rounded, invited the tyros of Venus to kisses. Her teeth, by some harmony of color, had the appearance of ivory. The glowing fire of her cheeks, kindled with the light of roses, with soft flame cheered her face; and this in turn chastened the pleasing warmth with cool whiteness-like rose-color on fine linen.Her smooth chin, fairer than crystalline light, wore a silvery brightness. Her neck, while not unduly long, was molded gracefully, and did not allow the nape to be close to the shoulders. The apples of her breasts promised the ripeness of glorious youth. Her arms, beautifully formed for the delight of the beholder, seemed to ask for embraces. The finely drawn curve of her waist, which had the mark of due moderation, brought her whole presence to the height of perfection. And faith spoke other parts, which a more secret habitation held aside, to be even better. For in her body lay unapparent a more beautiful form, of whose joys the countenance offered a foretaste: yet, as this very form made known, the key of Dione had never opened the lock of its chastity. And although the joy of her loveliness was so great, yet she tried to blot out the smile of her beauty with precious tears. For a stealthy dew, sprung from the welling of her eyes, proclaimed the flow of inwards grief, and her very face, cast to earth with chaste modesty, told of some injury done to the virgin herself. The sparkling crown of a regal diadem, shining with dances of gems, brightened high on her head. No base alloy of gold, derogate from high worth, and deceptive to the eye with false light, supplied its substance but the pure nobility of gold itself. With marvelous revolution and ceaseless turning, this diadem travelled from east to west, and then by backward motion was continually restored to its rising. And its incessant performing of this, and its constant journeying to its starting-place, seemed almost a useless motion. Some of these gems at one time offered to the sight miracles of fresh day in the new sun of their light ; but at another time by eclipse of their brilliancy seemed banished from the palace of the same diadem. Others, which were fixed, maintained the vigil of their sparkling, and were constant watchers. Among these a circle, shining in the likeness of the zodiacal curve, and glittering with chains of precious stones, cut across the thickly starred space. And on this a group of twelve gems seemed, from the advance of its numbers and from its especial splendor, to demand supremacy over the others.

Furthermore, in the front of the diadem three jewels, by the bold pride of their beams, supplanted and out-' shone the other nine. The first stone condemned darkness to exile by its light, and cold by its fire. On this, as the skillful deceptions of a picture manifested there blazed the form of a lion. The second, which was yet not inferior to the first in light, flashed in a more prominent position in this same part of the diadem, and seemed to look down on the other stones almost with indignation. On this, in a perfect picture of the reality, a crab with varying and conflicting motion went backward as it went forward, retreated gas it progressed, and seemed to advance behind its own self The third stone redeemed the scant brightness of a stone set over against it by the abundant wealth of its own clear light. On this, as a truthful picture asserted, the mythical children of Leda advanced and welcomed each other with mutual embraces. In like manner, three stones, whose power was of second degree, had set their thrones in an opposite part. Of these the first, with little drops of moisture, gave the likeness of tears, and saddened its look with counterfeit weeping. On this, as the fancy of skilful engraving had drawn and set forth, the pitcher of the Idean youth gurgled with flowing stream. The second stone kept all resting-places for --s warmth ouf of its dominion, and with icy numbness claimed winter for its guest. On this a picture gave, by an illusive likeness of goat's wool, the hairy pelt of a goat. The third stone, which had the appearance of crystalline light. prophesied with banner of cold the coming of winter. On this the old Haemonian with diligent bending of the bow threatened wounds, yet never made good his threats. Playing upon another beautiful side, three mild and fair gems delighted the eyes. The first of these, aflame with the glow of rosy color, gave to view a rose; and in it a bull showed the well-known marks of his head, and was seen thirsting for battle. Another, of which the lustre was exceptional, blessed the companies of its fellows with grace and kindliness. On this a ram gloried in the nobility of its head, and demanded the leadership of the flock. The third, which had a greenish hue, cherished within it an emerald-like balm to freshen the sight. On this, within a fancied river, fish swam according to their kind, and sported in great numbers along the shore. On the opposite side, the shining beauty of a group of three stars sparkled with glad delight. Of these stones the first, beaming with the' golden sun of its own splendor, wore the grace of unwearying beauty. On this, as the poetical fancy' of the cutting showed, a virgin, by her excelling fairness, like an Astraca rivaled the stars. The second neither wantoned in excessive splendor nor begged the sparks of a meagre glory, but rejoiced in a moderate flame. And on this, below the steady tongue of a balance, in a truthful and yet artistic representation, a pair of scales foretold the trial of weights. The third, the faces of which turned and alternated, now promised a kindly clearness, now gave itself up to the clouds of obscurity. On this the figure of a scorpion stood out, and presaged with its face laughter, with the sting of its tail tears.

Moreover, under the stations of these twelve stones a sevenfold array of gems kept up with a continual circling, a marvelous sort of play and pleasing dance. Nor did this dance lack the sweetness of melodious sound. Now it frolicked in little notes, now it quickened into tones rich and swelling, and now, with stronger trump, advanced into the full burst of harmony, the depth of which stirred delight in our ears, and brought the first joys of sleep to our eyes. For since it is that moderate listening keeps away discontent, so excess brings on weariness; and the drowsy hearing faded, tired with the full and excessive melody. These seven stones, though not held subject to the diadem itself by any bands of connection, yet never deserted their fellowship of the upper stones. The highest was a diamond. This, more economical of movement than the others, but more spendthrift of ease, delayed very long in the completion of its wide orbit. With such frostiness and great cold did it slowly move that its essential form gave proof that it had been born under the Saturnian star. The second was an agate, which, from its path being close at hand, was more easily seen than the others. Its effect was with some to change hate to love, and with others by its commanding virtue and power to render imperfect charity perfect; for its kindly operation asserted it to be, by close relationship of nature, of a family with the star of Jove. The third was an asterite, in which the dominion of heat had taken its station, and where was gathered the energy of the star Mars and its peculiar quality preserved. This, with threatening countenance of terrible splendor, warned destruction to others. The fourth was a ruby, having the likeness of the sun. With its streaming candle this banished the shades of night, and put to sleep the eclipsed lamps of its fellows. Now in the regal authority of majesty it ordered the others to make way, and now brought to the disturbance a quiet power. Then with a sapphire came an amethyst, pressing on the former's tracks, and tending it almost as a servant, yet never prejudiced by the quality of the other's light. Apart from the sapphire a little space, it either ran beside it round its orbit, or followed, or the one star lagged and granted the other the concession of going first. Of these two stones, the first by its harmonious quality gave the effect of the Mercurial star; the other, the effect of the Dionean. The last stone was a pearl, which was set in the rim of the flashing crown, and which shone with another's light, begging the aid of lustre from the ruby. Within the presence of the latter's radiance it either increased in the growth of its beam of light, or reached its full and shrank, as if it worshiped the ruby; and it petitioned that it should be re-adorned with the fires of its brother. and wear the beauties of that light renewed. Now it repaired the losses of its wasted round by fixed and regular succor; now, shorn of its beams, it lamented the loss of its proper majesty, for this was silvery with crystal splendor, answering to the appearance of the lunar star. The bright nobility of this diadem by all these glories revealed the likeness of the firmament.

A garment, woven from silky wool and covered with many colors, was as the virgin's robe of state. Its appearance perpetually changed with many a different color and manifold hue. At first it startled the sight with the white radiance of the lily Next, as if its simplicity had been thrown aside and it were striving for something better, it glowed with rosy life. Then, reaching the height of perfection, it gladdened the sight with the greenness of the emerald. Moreover, spun exceedingly fine so as to escape the scrutiny of the eye it was so deliacate of substance that you would think it and the air of the same nature. On it, as a picture fancied to sight, was being held a parliament of of the living creation. There theeagle, first assuming youth, then age, and finally returning to the first, changed from Nestor to Adonis. There the hawk, chief of the realm of the air, demanded tribute from its subjects with i violent tyranny. The kite assumed the character of, hunter, and in its stealthy preying seemed like the ghost of the hawk. The falcon stirred up civil war against the heron, though this was not divided with equal balance, for that should not be thought of by the name of war where you strike, but I only am struck.. The ostrich, disregarding a worldly life for a lonely, dwelt like a hermit in solitudes of desert places. The swan, herald of its own death, foretold with its honey sweet lyre of music the stopping of its life. There on the peacock Nature had rained so great a treasure store of beauty that you would think she afterwards would have gone begging. The phoenix died in its real self, but, by some miracle of nature, revived in another, and in its death aroused itself from the dead. The bird of concord  paid tribute to Nature by decimating its brood. There lived sparrows, shrunk to, low, pygmean atoms; while the crane opposite went to the excess of gigantic size. The pheasant, after it had endured the confinement of its natal island, flew into our worlds, destined to become the delight of princes. The cock, like a popular astrologer, told with its voice's clock the divisions of the hours. But the wild cock derided its domestic idleness, and roamed abroad, wandering through the woody regions. The horned owl, prophet of misery, sang psalms of future deep sorrowing. The night owl was so gross with the dregs of ugliness that you would think that nature had dozed at its making. The crow predicted things to come in the excitement of vain chatter. The dubiously colored magpie kept up a sleepless attention to argument. The jackdaw treasured trifles of its commendable thieving,2 showing the signs of inborn avarice. The dove drunk with the sweet Dionean evil, labored at the sport of Cypris. The raven, hating the shame of rivalry, did not confess for its brood its own offspring, until the sign of dark color was disclosed, whereupon, as if disputing with itself it acknowledged the fact. The partridge shunned now the attacks of the powers of the air, now the traps of hunters, now the warning barks of dogs. The duck and the goose wintered, according to the same law of living, in their native land of streams. The turtle-dove, widowed of its mate, scorned to return to love, and refused the consolation of marrying again. The parrot on the anvil of its throat fashioned the coin of human speech. There the trick of a false voice beguiled the quail, ignorant of the deceit of the serpent's figure. The woodpecker, architect of its own small house, with its beak's pick made a little retreat in an oak. The hedge-sparrow, putting aside the role of stepmother, with the maternal breast of devotion adopted as its child the alien offspring of the cuckoo; but the offspring, though the subject of so great a boon, yet knew itself not as own son, but as stepchild. The swallow returned from its wandering, and made with mud under a beam its nest and home. The nightingale, renewing the complaint of its ravishment, and making music of harmonious sweetness, gave excuse for the fall of its chastity. The lark, like a highsouled musician, offered the lyre of its throat, not with the artfulness of study but with the mastery of nature, as one most skilled in the lore of melody; and refining its tones into finer, separated these little notes into inseparable chains. The bat, bird of double sex, held the rank of cipher among small birds. These living things, although as it were in allegory moving there, seemed to exist actually.

Fine linen with its white shaded into green, which the maiden, as she herself shortly afterward said, had woven without a seam, and which was not of common material, but rejoiced in a skilled workmanship, served for her mantle. Its many intricate folds showed the color of water, and on it a graphic picture told of the nature of the watery creation, as divided into numerous species. There the whale- fought with cliffs, and rushed on and rammed the forts of ships with the rock of its hugely towering body. The sea-dog, (the noisy sound of the name of which is doubly confusing, since it never barks), hunted the hares of its world in the glades of the sea. The sturgeon offered the excellence  of its flesh to royal tables -- as a special blessing. The herring, that most common fish, relieved the hunger of the poor with its body which is shared by all. The plaice atoned by its delectable savor for the absence of meat in the forty days rigor. The mullet, with the sweet spices of its flesh, enticed the palates of those who tasted. The trout was baptized on the open sea and entered into the salt gulfs, and was known by the name of salmon. Dolphins by prophetic appearance foretold to ships the rage of the sea to come. There was a fish with the lower members of a siren, and with the face of a man. The luna, bereft of its own light, revenged, seemingly in spite, its private injury on the shell-fish; but the latter, as if laboring in corporeal new moon, atoned for the loss. To these dwellers in the regions of the brine had been assigned the middle portion of the mantle. Its remaining portion held migratory fish, which wandered in various streams, and had their haunts in their own land of fresher water. There the pike, with tyrannical compulsion and not from warranted necessity, imprisoned its subjects in the dungeon of its belly. The barbel, from its small size not renowned, lived with the common fish on more friendly terms. The shad accompanied the vernal season, and offered with the joys of spring the delights of its savor, greeting the tastes of men with its approach. The small muraena, slit with many an opening, gathered the germs of fever for persons dining. The eel, which copied the nature of the serpent, was thought because of its like trait to be the serpent's descendant. The perch, armored with javelins of spines, shunned the insults of the sea-wolf the less. The cat-fish made up in its swollen head that which it lost in the slimness of its lower body. These pictures, finely drawn on the mantle in the manner of sculpture, seemed by miracle to swim.

A damask tunic, also, pictured with embroidered work, concealed the maiden's body. This was starred with many colors, and massed into a thicker material approaching the appearance of the terrestrial element. In its principal part man laid aside the idleness of sensuality, and by the direct guidance of reason penetrated the secrets of the heavens. Here the tunic had undergone a rending of its parts, and showed abuses and injuries. But elsewhere its parts were united in unbroken elegance, and suffered no discord nor division. On these the magic of a picture gave life to the animals of the earth. There the elephant, of prodigious size, came forward in the field, and doubled the body given by nature by a manifold usury. The camel, misshapen in the ruggedness of its rough frame, ministered to the wants of men like a bought slave. There the forehead of the gazelle was seen to be armed with horns in place of a helmet. The bull, pawing the ground with its feet, and roaring with horrible bellowings, foretold the thunderbolts of its warfare. Oxen, which refused the martial exercise of the bulls, stood gaping like rustics, in servile employment. The horse was carried on by hot courage, and fought in aid of its rider, breaking spear with soldier. The ass offended the ears with horrid noises, like a singer of burlesque perpetrating barbarities on music. The unicorn, lulled to sleep in a virgin's bosom, met in sleep the dream of death by enemies . The lion murmured songs of its roar-

ing in the ears of its offspring, and by a wonderful natural magic aroused in them the spark of life. The she-bear gave birth through the openings of its nostrils to an ill-formed progeny; but by licking and shaping them again and again with its long, pointed tongue brought them to a better figure. The wolf lurked in hiding, assuming the employment of the thief, and deserving of eminence on the airy walk of the gallows. The panther roamed through the woods in more open robbery, and preyed on a flock of sheep, not only for their coats, but also for their very bodies. The tiger did violence to the republic of grazing citizens with frequent shedding of innocent blood. The wild ass threw aside the captivity of the domestic ass, and, emancipated by Nature's command, inhabited bold mountains. There the wild boar, by its murderous weapon of a tusk, sold its death to the dogs for many an injury. The dog rent the winds with unsubstantial wounds, and bit the air with impatient tooth. The stag and doe, light in fleetness of foot, gained life by their running, and cheated the wicked jaws of pursuing dogs. The he-goat, clothed in false wool, seemed to disgust the nostrils with a four days' stench. The ram, robed in a nobler tunic, rejoiced in a plurality of wives, and beguiled the honor of marriage. The little fox cast off the dulness of the brute creation, and strove for the finer sagacity of man. The hare, seized with melancholy dread, not in sleep, but in the stupor of fear, dreamed, terrified, of the approach of dogs. The rabbit, which tempers the wrath of our cold climate by its pelt, fought off the attacks of our hunger with its own flesh. The ermine, scorning to be wedded to a more humble garment, laughed or wept in a splendid marriage with lustrous color. The beaver, lest it should suffer division of its very body by an enemy, cut off its end parts. The lynx rejoiced in such clearness of eyesight that, compared with it, the other animals seemed blear-eyed. The marten and the sable, by the elegance of their fur, brought the half-completed beauty of the coverings of the other animals, when it asked for supplements, to the full. This representation of acting form presented these animal figures, as feasts of pleasure, to the eyes of beholders.

Now what imagination slumbered in the many pictures on the shoes and the undergarment, and in the lower, concealed clothing, I did not establish with any certainty. But yet, as the assistance of some frail probabilities suggested, I think that there laughed there the delight of a picture of the natures of herbs and trees. For there trees were now clothed with purple tunics, now fringed with verdant foliage; now they gave birth to the sweet-scented infancy of flowers, now matured into a goodlier fruit. But inasmuch as I knew of this series of pictures by hazardous thought and probability alone, and not by the faith of certainty, I pass it by, buried in the peace of silence. But the shoes, which had taken their material from soft leather, followed so closely the forms of her feet that they seemed to have been born on them, or, so to speak, marvelously inscribed on them. On these, which scarcely ever fell away from their true quality there flourished, in the imagination of a picture, delicate flowers.



Illic forma rosae, picta fideliter,

A vera facie devia paululum,

Aequabat proprio murice purpuram,

Telluremque suo sanguine tinxerat.

Concludens sociis floribus, adfuit

Flos illic redolens gratus Adonidis,

Argentoque suo nobile lilium,

Praedicabat agros, imaque vallium.

Illic ore thymus disparere disputans

Certabat, reliquis floribus invidens

Narcissi sociis flore, jocantia

Ridebant tacito murmure flumina.

Vultu florigero flos aquileius

Florum praenituit lucifer omnium,

Vernalisque loquens temporis oti

Stellabat violae flosculus arbuta,

Picturae facies plena favoribus:

Hic florum speciem vivere jusserat

Quae regalis erat chartula nominis,

Scribentisque tamen nescia pollicis.

Hae sunt veris opes, et sua pallia,

Telluris species, et sua sidera,

Quae pictura suis artibus edidit,

 Flores effigians arte sophistica.

His florum tunicis prata virentibus

Veris nobilitat gratia prodigi.

Haec byssum tribuunt, illaque purpuram;

Quae texit sapiens dextra favonii.


De curru, auriga et comitatu naturae


Haec vestium ornamenta quamvis plenis suae splendicitatis flammarent ardoribus, earumdem tamen splendor sub puellaris splendoris sidere patiebatur eclipsim. In lateritiis vero tabulis arundinei styli ministerio, virgo varias rerum picturales sociabat imagines; pictura tamen subjacenti materiae familiariter non cohaerens, velociter evanescendo moriens, nulla imaginum post se relinquebat vestigia. Quas cum saepe suscitando puella crebro vivere  faciebat, tamen in scripturae proposito, imagines perseverare non poterant. Virgo igitur ut praetaxavimus a coelestis regionis emergens confinio, in mundi passibilis tugurium, curru vitreo ferebatur, qui Junonis alitibus, nullius jugi ministerio disciplinatis, sed sibi spontanea voluntate conjunctis, trahebatur; homo vero virginis capiti supereminens, cujus vultus non terrenitatis, sed potius deitatis redolebat arcanum; impotentiam sexus supplendo feminae, modesto directionis ordine, currus aurigabat incessum. Ad cujus contemplandam pulchritudinem dignitatis, dum tanquam manipulos, oculorum radios conlegarem  visibiles, ipsi tantae majestatis non audentes obviare decori, splendoris hebetati verberibus, nimis meticulosi ad palpebrarum contubernia refugerunt. In praefatae autem virginis adventu, quasi suas renovando naturas, omnia solemnizare crederes elementa. Firmamentum quasi suis cereis virgineum iter illuminans, ut solito plenius radiarent, suis imperavit sideribus. Unde et ipsa lux divina tantam eorum admirari videbatur audaciam, quod in ejus conspectu quasi nimis insolenter auderent apparere. Phoebus etiam vultum solito laetiorem in occursum virginis ostendens, totas sui luminis effundebat divitias. Sororem etiam quam sui splendoris depauperaverat ornamentis ei veste jucunditatis reddita  reginae venienti jubet occurrere. Aer vultus nubium exuens lacrymosos, sereni vultus benevolentia, virgineis ardebat incessibus: qui primum aquilonaris irae vexatus insania, nunc in Favonii favorabili gremio conquiescebat. Aves, quasi naturae inspiratione, alarum ludo plausibili joculantes, virgini venerationis faciem exhibebant. Juno, quae jampridem joviales tactus fuerat dedignata, tanta fuit inebriata laetitia, ut crebro oculum praeludio, maritum ad venereas incitaret illecebras. Mare, tumultuosis prius fluctibus debacchatum, nunc puellaris adventus feriando solemnia, tranquillitatis pacem spondebat perpetuam. Eolus namque tempestatis ventos ne in conspectu virginis amplius civilia bella  moverent in suis vinculavit ergastulis. Pisces in aquarum superciliis enatantes, in quantum sensualitatis patiebatur inertia, quadam festivitatis hilaritate, suae dominae ornabant adventum. Thetis, etiam nuptias agens cum Nereo, Achillem alterum concipere destinabat. Puellae vero aquarum pulchritudo non solum hominibus suam furaretur rationem, verum etiam coelestes suae deitatis cogeret oblivisci, locis fluvialibus emergentes, quasi tributariae reginae venienti, pigmentarii nectaris praesentabant munuscula; quibus favorabiliter susceptis a virgine, jugi complexuum innexione, crebraque repetitione osculi, virgo virginibus suum intimabat amorem. Terra, jampridem hiemis latrocinio suis ornamentis denudata,  a veris prodigalitate, spirantem florum tunicam usurpavit, ne vestibus pannosis ingloria, adolescentulae aspectui indecenter compareret. Ver etiam quasi artifex peritus in arte textoria, ut virginis applauderet incessibus, vestimenta texebat arboribus, quae demissione comarum, sub quadam adorationis specie, quasi flectendo genua, virgunculae supplicabant. E quibus egressae virgines, suae pulchritudinis die materialis diei locupletantes divitias, ex antonomasticis herbarum confecta speciebus, in cedrinis vasculis ferebant aromata, quae tanquam suos redditus puellulae persolvendo, ejus favorem suis emebant muneribus. Napae, floribus  saturantes regium currum, quandoque roseis floribus sanguinabant; aliquando florum foliis liliabant albentibus. Flora, camisiam byssinam quam marito texuerat, ut ejus mereretur amplexus, prodigaliter virgini praesentavit. Proserpina, toro mariti fastidito tartarei, ad superna repatrians, suae imperatricis noluit defraudari praesentia. Terrestria etiam animalia, nescio qua docente natura, jocis indulgendo lascivius, virginalem didicere praesentiam. Sic rerum universitas ad virginis fluens obsequium, miro certamine laborabat sibi virginis gratiam comparare.




METRE II. Illic forma rosae.

There the form of the rose, faithfully painted,

and erring very little from true appearance,

matched the color of purple with its own blush,

and had tinged the ground with its blood.

There, playing with its companion blossoms,

was the lovely, fragrant flower of Adonis.

The tall lily's silver proclaimed

the fields and the valley-depths.

The thyme, contentious with unequal lip,

and jealous of the other blooms, vied with its

companion flower, narcissus,

and the merry rivers laughed with quiet murmurs.

The light of all shone the columbine,

of luxuriant aspect.

The tiny bloom of the violet,

speaking of the ease of the spring-tide, starred the arbute trees,

its face full of the beauty of art.

Here she had ordered a variety of flower to live,

Which  was a writing-surface of royal name,

though yet ignorant of the thumb of the writer.

These are the riches of the spring and its mantles,

the beauty of the earth and its stars,

which the art of the pictures showed,

representing the blossoms with deceiving skill.

With these blooming garments of flowers

does the graciousness of the spendthrift spring ennoble the meadows,

some showing pure white, others purple,

being woven by the skilful right hand of Favonius.


PROSE II. Haec vestium ornamenta quamvis plenis suae splendidilatis flammarent ardoribus.

Although these decorations of the garments flamed with the glow of their own full splendor, yet their lustre suffered eclipse by the star of the virgin's beauty. The virgin, furthermore, on tiles, with the aid of a reed pen, called up and pictured various images of things. Still the pictures would not keep closely but quickly vanish d to the material beneath them, and died away, leaving no traces. Although she often quickened them and caused them to live, yet they could not endure in the plan of her composition. Now the virgin, as before said, came forth from the bounds of the celestial region, and was borne in her shining chariot toward the lowly dwelling of the suffering world. She was drawn by the birds of Juno herself, which were not disciplined in the service of the yoke, but were united by their own willingness. And a man who towered above the head of the virgin and the chariot, and whose countenance breathed not the commonness of earth, but rather the mystery of godship, aided the weakness of the womanly nature, and guided the approach of the chariot in a well-regulated course. While I was collecting my rays of sight-the maniples, as it were, of my eyes-to contemplate the height of this beauty, they, not daring to meet such grace and majesty, and weakened by the blows of splendor, fled, very fearful, to the tents of the eyelids. At the virgin's coming you would have thought that all the elements were keeping solemn festival, renewing, so to speak, their own natures. The firmament ordered its stars to shine more brightly than their wont, and lit the virgin's path, as it were, with its candles. And because of this the light of day itself was seen to wonder at their great boldness, since it saw them appear almost insolently in its presence. Phoebus, too, assuming a countenance gladder than usual, disclosed and poured out on the approach of the virgin all the riches of his light. To his sister, also, whom he had deprived of the ornaments of his splendor, he returned the garment of delight, and ordered her to meet the coming queen. The air put away the tearful visage of clouds, and with the favor of a clear face smiled upon the maiden's approach. Tossed at first in the madness of the north wind's anger, now it rested pleasantly in the lap of Favonius. Birds, through some natural inspiration, sported with delightful play of wings, and gave the virgin show of veneration. Juno, who but a little. while before had scorned the embraces of Jove, was so carried away with joy that, with many a laughingly so glance of her eyes, she allured her husband to the, delights of love. The sea, until then tom in tumultuous floods, now observed the coming of the virgin with solemn ceremony, and promised the perpetual peace of rest; for AEolus, that his winds and tempests in her presence should no longer  raise civil wars, bound them in his cells. Fish swam out into the upper waters, in so far as the inactivity of their sensual existence permitted, and with joy and delight knew in advance the coming of their mistress. Thetis, celebrating her marriage with Nereus, purposed to conceive another Achilles. And maidens, whose beauty not only stole away the reason of man, but also made the celestials forget their godship, came forth from the places of streams, and, like bearers of tribute, presented little gifts of aromatic nectar to the coming queen. When the virgin had graciously received these, she showed her love for the maidens by the encircling yoke of embraces, and by many a repeated kiss. The earth, lately stripped of its adornments by the thieving winter, through the generosity of spring donned a purple tunic of flowers, that it might ot, inglorious in ragged vestments, appear to the young virgin unbecomingly. And the spring, like an artisan skilled in weaving, in order the more happily to welcome her approach, wove garments for the trees. and with a sort of bowed These lowered their leaves, veneration as if they were bending their knees, offered her their prayers. Out of them came maidens who enriched the treasures of the actual day by the day of their beauty, and bore in cedar vessels spices prepared from the kinds of herbs that they represent; and, as if paying their tribute to the young virgin, bought her favor with their gifts. Nymphs of the dell filled their laps with flowers, and now reddened the royal chariot with blushing blossoms, now made it lily-like with white flower -leaves. Flora generously presented the virgin with an undergarment of fine linen, which she had worked for her husband, that she might merit his embraces. Proserpine, loathing the couch of her Tartarean spouse, and returning to her native upper world, was unwilling to be denied the presence of her mistress. And the animals of the earth, taught by some natural instinct, on learning of the virgin's approach sported with glad gaiety. So was the sum of all things eager in attention to her, and with wonderful rivalry strove to gain her favor.







Floriger horrentem Zephyrus laxaverat annum,

     Exstinguens Boreae praelia pace sui.

Grandine perfusus florum, pluit ille ligustrum,

 Et pratis horum jussit inesse nives.

Ver, quasi fullo novus, reparando pallia pratis

     Horum succendit muricis igne togas.

Reddidit arboribus crines quos bruma totondit;

     Vestitum reparans, quem tulit ipsa prius.

Tempus erat quo larga suas expandit in agris,

     Applausu Dryadum, gratia veris opes.

Quo dum major inest virtus infantia florum,

     Altius emergens, matre recedit humo.

Quo violae speculum terrae cunabula lingens,

     Aeris afflatus postulat ore novo.

Tempus erat quo terra caput stellata rosarum,

     Contendit coelo sidere plena suo.

Quo vexilla gerens aetatis amygdalus ortum

 Praedicat, et veris gaudia flore vocat.

Quo vitis gemmata sinus, amplexa maritos

     Ulmi, de partu cogitat ipsa suo.

Proscribit brumae solaris cereus umbram

     Cogens exsilium frigora cuncta pati

Altis cum bruma latuit phantastica silvis,

     Quam silvae foliis fecerat umbra recens.

Jam flori parvo Juno dedit ubera roris,

     Quo primum partus lactet alumna suos.

Tempus erat Phoebi quo mortua gramina virtus

     Suscitat, et tumulis surgere cuncta jubet.

Quo mundum facies vernalis laeta serenat,

     Et lacrymas hiemis tergit ab ore suo.

A�ris ut fidei se flos committere possit,

     Nec florem primum frigoris urat hiems.

 Quo mundum Phoebus hiemis torpore gementem

     Visitat, et laeta luce salutat eum.

Proxima quo senium deponit temporis aetas,

     Et mundus senior incipit esse puer.

Quo Phoebus noctem propriis depauperat horis,

     Pigmaeusque dies incipit esse gigas.

Quo parat hospitium Phoebo, solvitque tributum

     Grex ovium, gaudens hospite sole pecus

Quo Philomela sui celebrat solemnia veris,

     Odam melliti carminis ore canens:

In cujus festo sua gutturis organa pulsat,

     Ut proprio proprium praedicet ore deum.

 Quo dulci sonitu citharam mentitur alauda,

     Cum volat ad superos, colloquiturque Jovi.

Splendor lascivas argenteus edidit aves,

     In fluviisque diem jusserat esse suum.

Discursus varii fontis garrire videres,

     Prologus in somnum murmur euntis erat.

Splendorisque sui facie fons ille rogabat,

     Ut sua defessus pocula sumat homo.


Natura Alano loquitur.


Hac igitur amoenantis temporis juventute, nullis rerum exhilarata favoribus, priorem virgo non potuit temperare tristitiam, sed currum in terra humilians, propriis humum venustando vestigiis, ad me pudico pervenit incessu. Quam postquam mihi quadam loci proximitate perspexi,  in faciem decidens, mentem, stupore vulneratus, exui, totusque in exstasis alienatione sepultus, nec vivus, nec mortuus inter utrumque laborabam. Quem virgo amicabiliter erigens, pedes ebrios sustentando, manuum confortabat solatio, meque suis innectendo complexibus, meaque ora pudicis osculis dulcorando, mellifluo sermonis medicamine a stuporis morbo curavit infirmum. Quae postquam mihi me redditum intellexit, in mentali intellectu materialis vocis mihi depinxit imaginem, cum quasi archetypa verba idealiter percontexta, vocaliter produxit in actum. Heu! inquit, quae ignorantiae caecitas, quae alienatio mentis, quae debilitas sensuum, quae infirmatio  rationis, tuo intellectui nubem apposuit, animum exsulare coegit, sensus hebetavit potentiam, mentem compulit aegrotare, ut non solum tuae nutricis familiari cognitione tua intelligentia defraudetur, verum etiam tanquam monstruosae imaginis novitate percussa, in meae apparitionis ortu, tua discretio patiatur occasum? Cur a tua memoria mei facis peregrinari notitiam, in quo mea munera me loquuntur, quae te tot beneficiorum praelargis beavi muneribus? quae a tua ineunte aetate, Dei auctoris vicaria, rata dispensatione, legitimum tuae vitae ordinavi curriculum? quae olim tui corporis materiam adulterina primordialis materiae essentia fluctuantem, in verum esse produxi? cujus vultum miserata deformem, quasi ad me crebrius declamantem , humanae speciei signaculo sigillavi, eamque honestis figurarum orphanam ornamentis, melioribus formatis vestibus honestavi? in qua ad corporis clientelam diversas membrorum ordinans officinas, in eadem, sensus quasi corporeae civitatis excubias vigilare praecepi, ut quasi exterorum hostium praevisores, corpus ab exteriori importunitate defenderent, ut sic totius corporis materia nobilioribus naturae purpuramentis ornata, ad nuptias gradiens, marito Spiritui gratius jungeretur; ne maritus suae conjugis deformitatem fastidiens, ejus refutaret conjugium? Tuum etiam  spiritum vitalibus insignivi potentiis, ne corpore pauperior, ejus successibus invideret. Cui ingenialis virtutis destinavi potentiam, quae rerum venatrix subtilium, in notitiae indagine easdem intellectas concluderet. Cur etiam rationis impressi signaculum, quae suae discretionis ventilabro, falsitatis inania a seriis veritatis discernat. Per me etiam tibi memorialis ancillatur potentia, quae in suae recordationis armario, nobilem censum scientiae thesaurizat. His ergo utrumque beavi muneribus, ut neuter vel suam gemeret pauperiem, vel de alterius affluentia quereretur. Sicut ergo praefatae nuptiae meo sunt celebratae consensu, sic pro meo arbitrio, eadem cessabit copula maritalis. Nec in te solo particulariter, verum etiam in unoquoque  universitatis, meae potentiae largitas elucescit. Ego sum illa, quae ad exemplarem mundanae machinae similitudinem, hominis exemplavi naturam; ut in eo velut in speculo, ipsius mundi scripta natura appareat. Sicut enim quatuor elementorum concors discordia, unica pluralitas, consonantia dissonans, consensus dissentiens, mundialis regiae structuras conciliat, sic quatuor complexionum compar disparitas, inaequalis aequalitas, deformis conformitas, divisa identitas, aedificium corporis humani compaginat. Et quae qualitates inter elementa mediatrices conveniunt, hae eaedem inter quatuor humores pacis sanciunt firmitatem. Et sicut contra ratam firmamenti volutionem, motu contradictorio exercitus  militat planetarum, sic in homine sensualitatis rationisque continua reperitur hostilitas. Rationis enim motus ab ortu coelestium oriens, per occasum transiens terrenorum, coelestia considerando regyrat. Econtrario vero sensualitatis motus planetici erratici, contra rationis firmamentum, in terrestrium occidentem aliquando labuntur. Haec mentem humanam in vitiorum occasum deducit, ut occidat, illa in orientem virtutum ut oriatur invitat. Haec hominem in bestiam degenerando transmutat, ista hominem in deum potentialiter transfigurat. Haec concupiscentiae nocte mentis lumen eliminat; illa contemplationis lumine mentis noctem illuminat. Haec hominem debacchari facit cum brutis; ista eumdem disputare facit cum  angelis. Haec a patria cogit hominem exsulare; ista in exsilio docet hominem invenire patriam. Nec in hac re hominis natura potest meae dispensationis ordinem accusare: de rationis enim consilio, tale contradictionis duellum inter hos pugiles ordinavi, ut, si in hac disputatione, ad redargutionem ratio possit sensualitatem inclinare, antecedens victoria praemio consequente non careat. Praemia etenim victoriis comparata, caeteris muneribus pulchrius elucescunt; munera etiam empta laboribus,  jucundius omnibus elucescunt gratuitis. Majoris enim laudis meretur praeconia, qui laborando munus recipit, quam qui recipit otiando: labor namque antecedens, quamdam consequenti praemio infundens dulcedinem, majori favore praemiat laborantem. In his ergo, amplioribusque naturae muneribus, mundus in homine suas invenit qualitates Dei providentia cuncta gubernat. Attendite qualiter in hoc mundo velut in nobili civitate, quaedam reipublicae majestas moderamine rato sancitur. In coelo enim velut in arce civitatis humanae, imperialiter residet imperator aeternus, a quo aeternaliter exiit edictum, ut singularum rerum notitiae in suae providentiae libro scribantur. In aere vero, velut in urbis medio, coelestis angelorum exercitus ministrans administratione  vicaria, suam adhibet homini diligentem custodiam; homo vero velut alienigena habitans in mundi suburbio, angelicae militiae non denegat obedientiam exhibere. In hac ergo republica Deus est imperans; angelus operans, homo obtemperans. Deus operando hominem creat, angelus operando procreat; homo obtemperando se recreat. Deus rem auctoritate disponit; angelus actione componit; homo se operantis voluntati supponit. Deus imperat auctoritatis magisterio; angelus operatur actionis ministerio; homo obtemperat regenerationis mysterio. Jam nimis nostrae ratiocinationis  series evagatur, quae ad ineffabile deitatis arcanum, tractatum audet attollere, ad cujus rei intelligentiam, nostrae mentis languescunt suspiria. Hujus ergo ordinatissimae reipublicae in homine resultat simulacrum. In arce enim capitis, imperatrix sapientia conquiescit, cui tanquam deae, caeterae potentiae velut semi deae obsequuntur. Ingenialis namque potentia, potestasque logistica, virtus etiam praeteritorum recordativa, diversis capitis thalamis habitantes, ejus fervescunt obsequio. In corde vero, velut in medio civitatis humanae, magnanimitas suam collocavit mansionem, quae sub prudentiae principatu, suam professa militiam, prout ejusdem imperium deliberat, operatur. Renes autem tanquam suburbia cupidinariis voluptatibus  partem corporis largiuntur extremam, quae magnanimitatis imperio obviare non audentes, ejus obtemperant voluntati. In hac ergo republica, sapientia imperantis suscipit vicem; magnanimitas operantis sollicitudinem: voluptas obtemperantis usurpat imaginem. In aliis etiam corporis humani partibus, mundi figuratur effigies. Sicut enim in mundo, solaris caloris beneficium rebus medicatur languentibus, sic in homine, calor a cordis fundamento procedens, humani corporis partes vivificando exhilarat.  Sicut etiam luna in machina mundiali, multorum humorum mater existit, sic hepar in hominem, membris humorem impertitur conformem. Et sicut luna solis lumine defraudata languescit; sic virtus hepatis solatio cordis vivificante viduata, torpescit. Et sicut aer, solis absentatione, obscuritate vestitur; sic sine cordis beneficio, vitalis potentia spirat inaniter. Praeter haec vide qualiter mundus variis temporum protheatur successibus. Nunc veris lascivit infantia; nunc aestatis juventute progreditur; nunc virilitate maturescit autumni; nunc hiemis senectute canescit. Compar vicissitudo temporis, eademque varietas hominis immutat aetatem. Cum enim humanae aetatis aurora consurgit, ver homini oritur matutinum; cumque  vitae curriculum metas aetatis perficit longiores, homo juventutis meridiatur aestate. Sed, cum vita prolixior quasi nonam aetatis horam complevit, homo in autumnum virilitatis evadit; aetateque in occidens inclinata, jam vitae vesperam senio nuntiante, hiemale gelicidum senectutis, hominem cogit suis albicare pruinis. In his omnibus, ineffabiliter meae potentiae resultat effectus, sed tamen plerisque meae potestatis faciem palliare decrevi figuris, defendens a vilitate secretum, ne si ejus de me familiarem impertirem scientiam, quae apud eos primitus ignota, pretiosa vigebant, postmodum jam nota vilescerent. Ut enim vulgare testatur proverbium: "Familiaris rei communicatio, contemptus  mater existit." Aristotelicaeque auctoritatis tuba proclamat, quod: "Ille majestatem minuit secretorum, qui indignis secreta divulgat". Sed ne in hac meae potestatis praerogativa, Deo videar quasi arrogans derogare, certissime summi magistri me humilem profiteor esse discipulam. Ego enim operans, operantis Dei non valeo expresse inhaerere vestigiis, sed a longe, quasi suspirans, operantem respicio. Ejus operatio simplex, mea multiplex; ejus opus sufficiens, meum deficiens; ejus opus mirabile, meum opus mutabile. Ille innascibilis, ego nata; ille faciens, ego facta; ille mei opifex operis, ego opus opificis; ille operatur ex nihilo, ego mendico opus ex aliquo; ille suo operatur nomine, ego operor illius sub nomine;  ille, rem solo nutu jubet existere, mea vero operatio nota est operationis divinae. Et ut, respectu potentiae divinae, meam potentiam impotentem esse cognoscas, meum effectum scias esse defectum, meum vigorem, vilitatem esse perpendas. Auctoritatem consule theologicae facultatis, cujus fidelitati potius quam mearum rationum firmitati, dare debes assensum. Juxta enim ipsius fidele testimonium, homo mea actione nascitur, Dei auctoritate renascitur. Per me, a non esse vocatur ad esse; per ipsum, ad melius esse perducitur. Per me enim homo procreatur ad mortem, per ipsum recreatur  ad vitam. Sed ab hoc secundae nativitatis mysterio, meae professionis ministerium ablegatur; nec talis nativitas tali indiget obstetrice; sed potius, ego natura hujus nativitatis ignoro naturam, et ad haec intelligenda mei intellectus habet acumen, meae rationis confunditur lumen: intelligentia vero intellecta mutatur, insensibilibus sensus confunditur. Et cum in his omnibus naturalis ratio langueat, sola fidei firmitate, tantae rei veneramur arcanum. Nec mirum, si in his theologia suam mihi familiaritatem non exhibet, quoniam in plerisque non adversa sed diversa sentimus. Ego ratione fidem, illa fide comparat rationem; ego scio, ut credam, illa credit ut sciat; ego consentio sciens, illa sentit consentiens; ego vix visibilia video, illa incomprehensibilia  comprehendit in speculo; ego vix minima metior intellectu, illa immensa ratione metitur; ego quasi bestialiter in terra deambulo, illa vero coeli militat in secreto. Et cum de praedictis tractare non sit mei officii, tamen ad haec sermonem evagari permisi, ut respectu superlativae Dei potentiae, meam potentiam diminutam esse non dubites. Sed quamvis meus effectus divinae potentiae comparatus deficiat, tamen humanae potentiae coaequatus praepollet. Et sic in quodam triclinio comparationis, tres potestatis gradus possumus invenire, ut, Dei potentia superlativa, naturae comparativa, hominis, positiva dicatur. Haec omnia sine omni scrutinio quaestionis, de me  tibi familiarem largiuntur notitiam. Et, ut familiarius loquar, ego sum natura, quae meae dignationis munere, te meae praesentiae compotem feci, meoque sum dignata beare consortio.


Quomodo Alanus loquatur naturae.


Cum per haec verba, mihi natura suam faciem develaret, suaque admonitione quasi clave praeambula, cognitionis suae mihi januam reseraret, a meae mentis confinio stuporis evaporat nubecula, et per hanc admonitionem velut quodam potionis remedio, omnes phantasiae reliquias quasi nauseans, stomachus mentis evomuit. A meae mentis igitur peregrinatione ad me reversus, ex integro, ad naturae devolutus vestigia, salutationis vice, pedes osculorum multiplici impressione signavi. Tumme explicans erigendo, cum reverenti capitis humiliatione velut majestati divinae, ei voce viva salutis obtuli libamentum. Consequenter vero ad excusationis auxilium confugiens, precibus humilitatis melle conditis, ejus benevolentiam exorabam (ne vel meae tenuitatis assignaretur errori, vel indignationis supercilio deputaret, vel ingratitudinis venenis adscriberet, quod ejus adventui nullam hilaritatis festivitatem persolveram, sed potius ejus apparentia velut monstruosi phantasmatis anomala apparitione percussus, adulterina exstasis morte fueram soporatus),dicens non esse mirandum, si in tantae dignitatis praesentia, meae umbra mortalitatis expalluit, si in tantae majestatis meridie, meae discretionis radiolus in vesperem exorbitationis evanuit; si in tantae felicitatis apparentia, mea parvitas erubuit, cum humanae fragilitatis ignorantiae tenebrosa caligo, admirationis impotens hebetudo, frequensque stuporis concussio, quodam germanitatis foedere socientur, ut ex horum sociabili contubernio, humanae naturae fragilitas sit quasi discipulus a disciplinante convictus suorum mores informante, qui in novorum primitiis, in magnorum stipendiis, etiam ignorantia tenebrari, et stupore percuti, et admiratione saepe solet vulnerari. Dum haec excusatione via reginae aditum mihi pararet favorabilem,ejusque gratiam favorabilius mereretur, insuper majora audiendi mihi compararet fiduciam, cujusdam meae dubitationis ambiguum, quod nimiae inquietationis impulsu meae mentis conturbabat hospitium, ejus exponens examini, in haec verba quaestionis exivi:

METRE III. Floriger horrentem Zephyrus laxaverat annum.

Flower-bearing Zephyrus had softened the rugged year, and quelled the wars of Boreas with its peace, and bathed in a hail of flowers, rained privet-bloom, and ordered the blossoming snows to be in the meadows. The spring, like a lively fuller, refreshed the garments of the fields , and with the fire of its purple kindled the dresses of the flowers. It gave back foliage to the trees which the winter had shorn, thus restoring that vesture which the other had formerly taken away. It was the season in which, to the applause of Dryads, the abundant favor of the spring spreads out its treasures in its fields; in which, while the hardier strength is present, the infancy of flowers rises higher, and draws away from its mother earth; in which the mirror of the violet  clings to its earthy cradle, and, with fresh countenance, asks for the breath of the air. It was the season in which the earth, her head starred with roses, with full constellation rivals the sky ; in which the almond-tree flies its banners and proclaims the beginning of summer, and with its bloom calls out the joys of spring; in which the budded vine embraces its elm's wedded bosom, and thinks on its giving birth. The candle of the sun banished  winter's shade, forcing all cold to suffer exile. Still there lurked withdrawn in many woods an illusory winter, which the newborn shadiness of the forest had made with leaves. Now to her flower-child Juno gave the breasts of dew with which this nourisher first suckles her offspring. It was the season in which the strength of Phoebus awakens the dead grasses, commanding all to rise from their burial-mounds; in which the joyful aspect of spring makes calm the world, and wipes away the tears of winter from its face, so that a flower may commit itself to the good faith of the air, and wintry cold blast not the first blossom ; in which Phoebus visits the earth, groaning with the sluggishness of winter, and greets it with joyful light; in which the latest period of time puts away age, and the old world begins to be a boy; in which Phoebus spoils night of its proper hours, and the pygmy day commences to become a giant; in which the Phrixean herd rejoices in its friend the sun, pays its tribute, and makes ready a welcome for Phoebus ; in which the nightingale, singing a song with a tongue of honeyed music, celebrates the festival of its own spring-time, in jubilee for which it so strikes the lyre of its throat that with its own mouth it proclaims a very god; in which the lark with sweet sound counterfeits the cithara flies to the gods above, and talks with Jove. A silver splendor clothed the wanton streams, and had ordered its daylight to be on the rivers. One could see the garrulous flow of a changing fountain, the murmur of the running of which was a prologue to sleep. By the glory of its appearance the fountain itself asked that tired man take draughts of it.


PROSE III. Hac igitur amoenantis temporis juventute.

But the virgin was not gladdened by the acclamations of any of these things in the freshness of this pleasant season, and could not moderate her former grief. Lowering the chariot to the ground, she came toward me with modest approach, beautifying the earth with her footsteps. After I had looked on her a time, not far distant from me, I fell on my face, prostrated by stupor of mind and all buried in the delirium of ecstasy, and the powers of my senses imprisoned; and, neither in life nor in death, I struggled between the two. She, kindly raising me, strengthened my dizzy steps with the comfort of her supporting hands, and, encircling me in her embrace and sweetening my lips with modest kisses, made me well, who was weak and sick with stupor, by the honey-flowing balm of her speech. When she saw that I had returned to myself, she depicted for my mental perception the image of a real voice, and by this brought into actual being words which had been, so-to speak, archetypes ideally preconceived.

'Alas!' said she, 'what blindness of ignorance, what delirium of mind, what failing of the senses, what infirmity of the reason has placed a cloud on thine understanding, has forced thy spirit into exile, has dulled the power of thy feeling, has made thy mind to sicken, so that not only thine intellect is cheated out of its quick recognition of thy Nourisher, but that also thy power of discerning as it were smitten by a strange and monstrous sight, suffers a collapse at my very appearance? Why has recognition of my face strayed from thy memory? Thou, in whom my gifts bespeak me, who have blessed thee with such abundant favor and kindness; who, from thine early age, as viceregent of God the Creator, have ordered by sure management thy life's proper course; who in time past brought the fluctuating material of thy body out from the impure essence of primordial matter into true being; who pitied thy misshapen countenance, which, so to speak, cried often to me, and marked it with the stamp of human appearance, and ennobled it, destitute before of beauty and grace of lineament, with the more excellent vesture of features. And here, arranging the different offices of the members for the protection of the body, I ordered the senses, as guards of the corporeal realm, to keep watch, that like spies on foreign enemies they might defend the body from external assault. So would the material part of the whole body, being adorned with the higher glories of nature, be united the more agreeably when it came to marriage with its spouse the spirit; and so would not the spouse, in disgust at the baseness of its mate, oppose the marriage. Thy spirit, also, I have stamped with vital, powers, that it might not, poorer than the body, envy its successes. And in it I have established a power of native strength, which is a hunter of subtle matters in the pursuit of knowledge, and establishes them, rendered intelligible, in the understanding. On it, also, .1 have impressed the seal of reason, to set aside by the winnowing fan of its discrimination the emptiness of falsehood from the serious matters of truth. Through me, also, the power of memory serves thee, hoarding in the treasure-chest of its recollection the glorious wealth of knowledge. With these gifts, then, I have blessed both, that neither might groan over its own poverty, or complain at the other's affluence.

And just as this marriage is brought to pass by my consent, so is the same marital bon d dissolved according to my decision. Not in thee particularly, but also in all things universally, shines out the abundance of my power. I am she who have fashioned the form and eminence 'of man into the likeness of the original mundane mechanism, that in him, as in a mirror of the world itself, combined nature may appear. For just as, of the four elements, the concordant discord, the single plurality, the dissonant consonance, the dissenting agreement, produce the structures of the palace of earth, so, of four ingredients, the similar unsimilarity, the unequal equality, the unformed conformity, the separate identity, firmly erect the building of the human body. And those qualities which come together as mediators among the elements -these establish a firm peace among the four humors.

And just as the army of the planets opposes with contrary motion the fixed rolling of the firmament, so in man is found a continual hostility between lust and reason. For the activity of reason, taking its rise from a celestial source, passes through the low levels of earth, and, watchful of heavenly things, turns again to heaven. The activities of lust, on the other band, wandering waywardly and contrary to the firmament of reason, turn and slip down into the decline of things of earth. Now the latter, lust, leads the human mind into the ruin of vices, so that it perishes ; the former, reason, bids it, as it rises, to ascend to the serenity of virtue. The one dishonors man, and changes him to a beast; the other mightily transfigures him into a god. Reason illuminates the darkness of the brain by the light of contemplation; lust extinguishes the radiance of the mind by the night of desire. Reason makes man to talk with angels; lust forces him to wanton with brutes. Reason teaches man to find in exile a home; lust forces him in his home to be an exile. And, in this, man's nature cannot reproach me for my ordering and management. For, out of the council of wisdom, I have set such a war of opposition between these-antagonists that if, in this strife, reason bend down lust to defeat, the victory will not be without its following reward. For prizes won by victories shine more fairly than other presents. Gifts acquired by labor are brighter and more delightful than all those that are free. And he deserves the commendation of greater praise who toils and receives little, than he who receives much at ease. The earlier labor, pouring a certain sweetness into the following recompense, rewards the worker with greater favor.

In these then, and in the greater gifts of nature, the universe finds its qualities in man. Hear how in this universe, as in a great city, order is established by the control of a majestic government. In the heavens, as in the citadel of a human city, resides imperially the everlasting Ruler. From Him eternally has gone forth the command that every individual thing should be known and written in the book of His providence In the air, as in the middle of the city, the heavenly army of angels does service, and with delegated control diligently extends its guard over man. Man, like one foreign-born, dwelling in a suburb of the universe, does not refuse obedience to the angelic host. In this state, then, God is commanding, the angel administering, man serving. God by command creates man; the angel by work procreates him; man by obedience recreates himself. God by decree determines a thing; the angel by action fashions it; man submits himself to the will of the controlling spirit. God commands with the mastery of authority; the angel administers with the service of action; man obeys with the mystery of regeneration. But the present line of our thought has gone too far astray, which  would venture to raise the theme to the ineffable mystery of Godship, in the effort to grasp which the breath of our mind faints. Now a likeness to this most excellently ordered state arises in man. In the citadel of the head rests wisdom, who commands; to whom, as to a goddess, the other powers, as demi-goddesses, do obeisance. For her, inborn understanding and ability in logic, as well I as the faculty to recall the past, which dwell in different -rooms of the head, are eager to do service. In the heart, as in the midst of the human city, magnanimity has established her dwelling-place, and, acknowledging her service under the dominion of wisdom, works as that authority determines. The loins, like outlying districts, give over the extreme parts of the body to passionate pleasures. These, not daring to oppose the direction of magnanimity, serve her will. In this realm. then, wisdom assumes the place of commander, magnanimity the likeness of the administrator, passion acquires the appearance of the servant. In other parts, also, of the human body is shown the likeness of the universe. For just as in the universe the boon of the sun's heat heals things which are sick, so in man a heat which proceeds from the depths of the heart enlivens and freshens the members of the human body. And just as the moon in the workings of the universe is the mother of many humors, so in man the liver imparts a humor to his members. And just as the moon, when deprived of the light of the sun, pales, so the strength of the liver becomes inactive when widowed from the enlivening comfort of the heart. And just as in the absence of the sun the air is clothed in darkness, so without the aid of the heart the vital power pants in vain. In addition to these, see how the universe changes its appearance with the various successions of seasons-how now it rejoices in the boyhood of spring, now advances in the youth of summer, now matures in the manhood of autumn, now whitens in the old age of winter. Like change of season, and the same variety, alter the age of man. For when the dawn of age arises in human nature, there begins man's early spring. When the chariot of life has gained the farther turning-posts, man basks in the summer of youth. But when longer existence shall have completed the ninth hour of age, so to speak, he passes beyond into the autumn of manhood. And when the day of his age sinks towards the west, as decay now announces the evening of life, the wintry frost of old age makes him grow white with its rime. In all these things resounds unspeakably the working of my power. Yet I have determined to cover the face of my might in very many ways, preserving its mystery from commonness, for fear lest, if I should impart to man a close knowledge of myself, those matters, which at first are prized among men because unknown, would afterward, when known , be held of little worth. For, as the common proverb witnesses, communication of a thing is the mother of contempt. The trump of Aristotelian authority declares that he lessens the majesty of mysteries who divulges secrets to the unworthy. But lest I should seem, in this my prerogative and power, to be detracting arrogantly from God, I profess most emphatically that I am the lowly disciple, of the Supreme Ruler. For I, as I work, am not able to press my step in the footprints of God as He works, but I contemplate Him in His activity from a long way off, as it were with longing. His operation is simple, mine is multiform; His work is faultless, mine is defective; His is marvelous, mine is transient; He is incapable of being born, I was born; He is the maker, I am the made; He is the Creator of my work, I am the work of the Creator; He works from nothing, I beg work from another; He works by His own divine will, I work under His name. By His nod alone He orders a thing to exist; but my activity is the mark of the divine activity, and, compared with the divine power, thou canst see that my power is impotent. So mayest thou perceive that my achievement is defective, and consider that my strength is of trifling degree. Take counsel from the author of theological riches, to whose trustworthiness, rather than to my strong opinion, thou oughtest to give assent. For, according to his sure testimony, man by my working is born, by the might of God is born again. Through me he is called from not being into being; through Him he is led from being on into a better being. For through me man is begotten unto death, through Him he is created unto life again. But the mystery of my profession is disregarded by the mystery of this second birth, for such a birth does not need such a midwife; but rather am I, Nature, ignorant of the nature of this birth. and in the effort to comprehend these matters the keenness of my intellect grows dull, the light of my reason is blurred. For the understanding is amazed at the things not understood, the perception is confused by the things to be perceived; and since here all theory of natural objects fails, let us revere the mystery of so great a thing by the strength of faith alone. And it is not strange if here theology does not extend me her friendship, since in many matters we are conscious, not of enmities, but of diversities. I attain faith by reason, she attains reason by faith. I know in order that I may believe, she believes in order at she may know. I assent by perceiving and knowing, she perceives by assenting. I barely see the things that are visible, she comprehends in their reflection things incomprehensible. I by my intellect hardly compass trifles, she in her comprehension compasses immensities. I, almost like a beast, walk the earth, she serves in secret heaven. Now, although it is not part of my office to treat of what has been said, yet I have allowed my discourse to stray thither, that thou mightest not doubt that, compared with the superlative might of God, my power is exceedingly small.

But although my activity is deficient when compared with the divine power, nevertheless it exceeds human power, when balanced with it, greatly. And therefore in a comparison of three steps, we can find three grades of power; so that the power of God may be called the superlative, that of Nature the comparative, that of man the positive. All this discourse gives thee, and without any questioning doubt, a close knowledge of me. And-to speak more intimately-I am Nature, who have sought after thee for my presence with the gift of my esteem, and thought thee worthy to bless with my conversation.

When Nature unveiled to me through these words the face of her being, and by her reminder, as by a key, unlocked ahead for me the door to her acquaintance, the little cloud of stupor, which had lain close on my mind, lifted . And by this reminder, as by some medicinal potion, the sick stomach, so to speak, of my mind cast out all the remnants of its illusion. Then, restored anew to myself from my mind's wandering, I fell headlong at the feet of Nature, and, in the place of a salutation, marked them with pressure of many a kiss. Then, rising and composing myself, presented her in speech, with a reverent bowing of the head as to divine majesty. the offering of a salutation. Fittingly I fled to the retreat of excuse, and with prayers made from the honey of humility I entreated her kindness not to assign the fact that I had paid her coming no joyous greeting to the fault of heedlessness, nor to impute it to arrogant displeasure, nor to ascribe it to the venoms of ingratitude. But rather at her appearance I had been stupefied in the false death of ecstasy, as it were struck dumb at the strange presence of a marvelous apparition; and I said that it was not to be wondered at if before such divinity the countenance of mortality in me paled, if in the noon of such majesty the small beam of my perception went out into the twilight of error, if at the appearing of such bliss my poor wretchedness was ashamed. For the dark obscurity of the ignorance of weak humanity, and its impotent dumbness of amazement, and its frequent fits of stupor, are allied by a certain bond of brotherhood, inasmuch as, from the close association, frail human nature is always wont, like a pupil disciplined by a teacher instructing him and informing him of the laws of his race, both to be darkened by ignorance at the first sight of new subjects and in the attention to great principles, and to be smitten with stupor and to be overcome with amazement. While this manner of excuse was gaining for me the kindly hearing of the queen, and was earning her favor the more agreeably, and besides was giving me the confidence that I should hear greater things, I laid before her consideration a certain unsettled doubt of mine, which was disturbing the welcome in my mind with extreme and pressing restlessness, and I' proceeded in these words of inquiry:


Verba Alani ad naturam.


O Dei proles, genitrixque rerum,

Vinculum mundi, stabilisque nexus,

Gemma terrenis, speculum caducis,

     Lucifer orbis.

Pax, amor, virtus, regimen, potestas,

Ordo, lex, finis, via, dux, origo,

Vita, lux, splendor, species, figura

 Regula mundi.

Quae tuis mundum moderas habenis,

Cuncta concordi stabilita nodo

Nectis et pacis glutino maritas

     Coelica terris.

Quae noys plures recolens ideas

Singulas rerum species monetans,

Res togas formis, chlamidemque formae

     Pollice formas.

Cui favet coelum, famulatur aer,

Quam colit Tellus, veneratur unda,

Cui velut mundi dominae, tributum

     Singula solvunt.

Quae diem nocti vicibus catenans

Cereum solis tribuis diei,

 Lucido lunae speculo soporans

     Nubila noctis.

Quae polum stellis variis inauras,

Aetheris nostri solium serenans

Siderum gemmis, varioque coelum

     Milite complens.

Quae novis coeli faciem figuris

Protheans mutas aridumque vulgus

Aeris nostri regione donans,

     Legeque stringis.

Cujus ad nutum juvenescit orbis,

Silva crispatur folii capillo,

Et tua florum tunicata veste,

      Terra superbit.

Quae minas ponti sepelis, et auges,

Syncopans cursum pelagi furori

Ne soli tractum tumulare possit

     Aequoris aestus.


Alani prima quaestio


Tu viae causam resera petenti,

Cur petis terras, peregrina coelis?

Cur tuae nostris deitatis offers

     Munera terris?


Quaestio secunda.


Ora cur fletus pluvia rigantur?

Quid tui vultus lacrymae prophetant?

Fletus interni satis est doloris

     Lingua fidelis.




Ratio naturae.


Praefata igitur virgo hujus quaestionis solutionem in vestibulo excubare demonstrans, ait: An ignoras, quod terreni orbis exorbitatio, quod mundani ordinis inordinatio, quod mundialis curiae incuria, quod juris injuria, ab internis penetralibus coelestis arcani, in vulgaria terrenorum lupanaria me declinare coegit? Si in affectuoso mentis affectu colligere, et in pectoris armario thesaurizare velles quod dicerem, tuae dubitationis labyrinthum evolverem. Ad haec, ergo sub castigato vocis moderamine, responsionis reddidi talionem: Nihil, inquam, o regina coelestis, affectuosiori desiderio, quam hujus quaestionis enodationem esurio.


Solutio primae quaestionis.


Tunc illa: Cum omnia lege suae originis meis legibus teneantur obnoxia, mihique debeant jus statuti vectigalis persolvere, fere omnia tributarii juris exhibitione legitima, meis edictis regulariter obsequuntur; sed ab hujus universitatis regula, solus homo anomala exceptione excluditur, qui pudoris trabea denudatus, impudicitiaeque meretricali prostibulo prostitutus, in suae dominae majestatem, litis audet excitare tumultum, imo etiam in matrem intestini belli rabiem inflammare. Caetera quibus meae gratiae humiliora munera commodavi, per suarum professionum conditionem subjectione voluntaria meorum decretorum sanctionibus alligantur; homo vero qui fere totum divitiarum mearum  exhausit aerarium, naturae naturalia denaturare pertentans, in me scelestae Veneris armat injuriam. Attende, quomodo fere quaelibet juxta mei promulgationem edicti, prout ratio nativae conditionis expostulat, mei juris statuta persolvant. Firmamentum quotidiana circuitione circumagens universa, juxta meae disciplinae doctrinam, non nugatoria volutionis identitate, unde procedit, regreditur, et quo vadit progreditur. Stellae ad ipsius firmamenti fulgurantes honorem, ipsum suis ornatibus vestiendo, breves sui itineris dietas explentes, varia gyratione ejusdem spatia metienda, meae militant majestati. Planetae, prout a me dispositionis  meae exivit edictum, firmamenti impetum refrenantes, ad ortum nisu contrario, peregrinant, postque ad suam occasus regionem repatriant. Aer meis disciplinatus doctrinis, nunc aura benevola gratulatur, nunc nubium fletibus quasi compatiens lacrymatur; nunc corrixationibus ventorum irascitur; nunc coruscationibus illuminatur; nunc tonitruum minaci mugitu concutitur; nunc clibano caloris decoquitur; nunc austeritate frigoris asperatur. Aves variis sigillata naturis, meae directionis regimine, sub alarum remigio fluctus aeris transfretantes, praecordialiter meis inhiant disciplinis; meae meditationis interventu aequor terrae firmis amicitiae nexibus glutinatum, conjuratae fidei sacramentum sorori violare non audens, ultra diffinitae  evagationis terminum, in terrae domicilia evagari formidat. Ad meae tantum voluntatis arbitrium, nunc tempestatis stomachatur in iram, nunc in tranquillitatis pacem revertitur, nunc elatum tumoris superbia, in montis evadit imaginem: nunc in aequatam lineatur planitiem. Pisces meae provisionis voto astricti, reformidant regularum mearum canonibus derogare. Meae etiam edictionis imperio, quodam nuptiali complexu, terris pluviae maritantur; quae prolis laborantes ad fabricam, indefessa parturitione, varias rerum species parentare non desinunt. Terrestria animalia sub meae districtionis examine, diversas suorum obsequiorum meo imperio profitentur militias. Terra enim nunc brumali albescit  canitie, nunc florum crinitur caesaria. Silva, nunc frondium crinibus capillatur, nunc acuta hiemis novacula decalvatur. Hiems semina sepulta gremio terrae matris inviscerat, ver inclusa excarcerat, aestas decoquit messes, autumnus suas exhibet ubertates. Et quid per singula meae narrationis curriculum evagari permitto? solus homo meae moderationis citharam aspernatur; et sub delirantis Orphei lyra delirat: humanum namque genus a sua generositate degenerans, in conjunctione generum barbarizans, venereas regulas immutando, nimis irregulari utitur metaplasmo: sicque homo a venere tiresiatus anomala, directam praedicationem in contrapositionem  inordinate convertit. A Veneris igitur orthographia homo deviando recedens, sophista falsigraphus invenitur. Consequenter etiam Dioneae artis analogiam devitans, in anastrophem vitiosam degenerat; dumque in tali quaestione me destruit, et in sua phraenesi, mihi themesim machinatur. Poenitet me tot venustatum praerogativis hominum plerumque privilegiasse naturas, qui decoris decus abusione dedecorant: qui formae formositatem venerea deformitate deformant, qui pulchritudinis colorem, fusco adulterini cupidinis colore decolorant: qui Florae florem in vitia efflorando  deflorant. Cur decore deifico vultum decoravi Tyndaridis, quae pulchritudinis usum in meretricationis abusum abire coegit, dum regalis tori foedus deserens, foede se Paridi foederavit? Pasiphae etiam hyperbolicae Veneris furiis agitata, sub facie bovis sophistice cum bruto bestiales nuptias celebrans, paralogismo sibi turpiori concludens, stupendo bovis conclusit sophismate. Mirrha etiam cupidinis aculeis stimulata in patris dulcore, a filiae amore degenerans, cum patre matris exemplavit officium. Medea vero proprio filio novercata, ut inglorium Veneris opus quaereret, gloriosum Veneris destruxit opusculum. Narcissus etiam sui umbra alterum mentita Narcissum, umbratiliter occupatus, seipsum credens esse alterum  se, de se sibi amoris incurrit periculum. Multi etiam alii juvenes mei gratia pulchritudinis honore vestiti, debriato amore pecuniae, suos Veneris malleos in incudum transtulerunt officia. Talis monstruosorum hominum multitudo, totius orbis amplitudine degrassatur, quorum fascinante contagio, castitas venenatur. Eorum siquidem hominum qui Veneris profitentur grammaticam, alii solummodo masculinum, alii feminum, alii commune, sive promiscuum genus familiariter amplexantur: quidam vero quasi heterocliti genere, per hiemem in feminino, per aestatem in masculino genere irregulariter declinantur. Sunt qui in Veneris logica disputantes, in conclusionibus suis, subjectionis, praedicationisque legem relatione mutua sortiuntur. Sunt,  qui vicem gerentes supposito, praedicari non norunt. Sunt, qui solummodo praedicantes, subjecti subjectionem legitimam non attendunt. Alii autem Diones regiam ingredi dedignantes, sub ejusdem vestibulo ludum lacrymabilem comitantur. Contra hos omnes conqueruntur jura, leges armantur, cum ultore gladio suas affectant injurias vindicari. Ne igitur mireris, si in has verborum profanas exeo novitates, cum profani homines profanius audeant debacchari. Talia enim indignanter eructo, ut pudici homines pudoris characterem revereantur; impudici vero ab impudentiae lupanaribus arceantur. Mali enim cognitio, expediens est cautela, quae culpabili nota inverecundiae cauteriatos puniat; et ab  ejusmodi immunes praemiet. Jam meae solutionis lima tuae quaestionis scrupulum eliminavit.


Solutio secundae quaestionis Alani.


Ideo enim a supernis coelestis regiae secretariis egrediens, ad hujus caducae terrenitatis occasum deveni, ut de exsecrabilibus hominum excessibus, tecum quasi cum familiari et secretario meo, querimoniale lamentum exponerem, tecumque decernerem, tali criminum oppositioni, qualis poenae debeat dari responsio: ut praedictorum facinorum morsibus coaequata punitio, poenae talionem remordeat.  Tunc ego: O rerum omnium mediatrix, nisi vererer mearum quaestionum copia tuae benevolentiae fastidium provocare, alterius meae dubitationis tenebras luci tuae distinctionis exponerem. Tunc illa: Imo, omnes tuas quaestiones non solum adolescentes, verum etiam vetustatis rubigine antiquas, audientiae meae communices, ut nostrarum solutionum firmitate, tuarum dubitationum tranquilletur impulsus.


Tertia quaestio Alani.


Tunc ego: Miror cur poetarum commenta pertractans, solummodo in humani generis pestes, praedictarum invectionum armas aculeos, cum et eodem exorbitationis pede, deos claudicasse legamus?  Jupiter enim adolescentem Ganymedem transferens ad superna, relativam Venerem transtulit in translatum; et quem in mensa per diem propinandi sibi statuit praepositum, in toro per noctem sibi fecit suppositum. Bacchus etiam et Apollo, paternae cohaeredes lasciviae, non divinae virtutis imperio, sed superstitiosae Veneris praestigio, verterunt in feminas, pueros mentiendo.


Responsio naturae.


Tunc illa authenticae serenitatis vultum tumultuose figurans, ait: An interrogationem, quae dubitationis facie indigna est, usurpando, quaestionis vestis imagine? an umbratilibus poetarum figmentis quae artis poeticae depinxit industria, fidem adhibere conaris? Nonne ea quae in puerilibus  cunis poeticae disciplinae discutiuntur, altiori distinctionis lima, senior philosophiae tractatus eliminat? An ignoras, quomodo poetae sine omni palliationis remedio, auditoribus nudam falsitatem prostituunt, ut quadam mellita dulcedine velut incantatas audientium aures inebrient? Quomodo ipsam falsitatem quadam probabilitatis hypocrisi palliant, ut per exemplorum imagines, hominum animos moriginationis incude sigillent? At, in superficiali litterae cortice falsum resonat lyra poetica, sed interius, auditoribus secretum intelligentiae altioris eloquitur, ut exteriore falsitatis abjecto putamine, dulciorem nucleum veritatis secrete intus lector inveniat. Poetae tamen aliquando historiales  eventus joculationibus fabulosis quadam eleganti fictura confoederant, ut ex diversorum competenti conjunctura, ipsius narrationis elegantior pictura resultet. Sed tamen, cum a poetis deorum pluralitas somniatur, vel ipsi dii venereis ferulis manus subduxisse dicuntur, in his, falsitatis umbra lucescit, nec in hoc, poeta a suae proprietatis genere degener invenitur. Cum enim Epicuri jam soporentur somnia, Manichaei sanetur insania, Aristotelis arguantur argutiae, Arii fallantur fallaciae, unicam Dei unitatem ratio probat, mundus eloquitur, fides credit, Scriptura testatur; in quo nullo nulla labes invenitur, quem nulla vitii pestis aggreditur, cum quo nullus tentationis motus congreditur. Hic est splendor nunquam deficiens, vita indefessa,  non moriens, fons semper scaturiens, seminale vitae seminarium sapiens, principale principium, initiale bonitatis initium. Quamvis ergo, ut poetae testati sunt plerique homines talibus Veneris terminis sint abusi ad litteram, narratio tamen illa vel deos esse, vel ipsos in Veneris gymnasiis latuisse, mentitur, et in nimiae falsitatis vesperascit occasum: ideo, ista nube taciturnitatis obduxi, alia vero in luce verae narrationis explicui. Ad haec ego: Jam meam quaestionem agnosco redolere nimiae ruditatis favillam, sed si alia quaedam paupercula quaestio dignitatis tuae audientiam comparare auderet, quidpiam quaerendo quaererem. Ad haec illa: Nonne jam pridem absque omni refrenationis obstaculo, liberas quaerendi habenas exposui?


Quaestio quarta.


Tunc ego miror, cur quaedam tuae tunicae portiones, quae texturae matrimonii deberent esse confines, in ea parte suae conjunctionis patiantur divortia, in qua hominis imaginem picturae repraesentant insomnia?


Solutio quaestionis.


Tunc illa: Jam ex explicatis potes elicere, quid mysticum figuret scissurae figurata parenthesis: cum enim ut diximus, plerique homines in suam matrem vitiorum armentur injuriis, inde inter se et ipsam maximum chaos dissensionis firmantes, in me violentas manus violenter injiciunt, mea sibi particulatim vestimenta diripiunt, et quam reverentiae deberent honore vestire, me vestibus orphanatam  (quantum in ipsis est) cogunt meretricaliter lupari; hoc ergo in tegumento per hanc scissuram depingitur, quod in solius hominis vitiosis insultibus, mea pudoris ornamenta scissionis contumelias patiuntur. Tunc ego: Jam mearum dubitationum fluctus tuarum solutionum serenitate sedati, meae menti interpellandi largiuntur inducias. Si tuo complaceret affectui, affectuose affectarem cognoscere.


Quinta Alani quaestio.


Quae rationabilis ratio, quae indiscreta indiscretio, quae indirecta dilectio ita in homine dormire coegit rationis scintillam, ut homo lethaeo sensualitatis poculo debriatus, in tuis legibus apostata fieret; imo  etiam tuas leges illegitime debellaret?


Quaestionis solutio.


Cui illa: Si turpissimae pestis originem velis agnoscere, altius mentis accendas igniculum, appetentius intelligendi reperies appetitum: hebetudinem ingenii depellat subtilitas, cogitationum fluctus, attentionis compescat stabilitas. Ab altiori enim sumens initium, excellentiori quaesito meae volo narrationis seriem contexere. Nolo enim ut prius plana verborum planitie explanare proposita, vel profanis verborum novitatibus profanare profana; verum, pudenda aureis pudicorum verborum phaleris inaurare, variisque venustorum verborum coloribus investire. Consequens est enim, praedictorum vitiorum scoriam  deauratis lectionibus purpurare, vitiosumque fetorem verborum imbalsamare mellifluo, ne si tanti sterquilinii fetor in nimiae promulgationis aures evaderet, populum ad indignationis stomachum, et nauseantis vomitum invitaret. Sed tamen aliquando, ut superius libavimus, quia rebus, de quibus loquimur, cognatos oportet esse sermones, rerum informitati locutionis debet deformitas conformari. In sequenti vero tractatu, ne locutionis cathephaton lectorum offendat auditum, vel in ore virginali locum collocet turpitudo, praedictis vitiorum monstris euphoniae orationis volo pallium elargiri. Tunc ego: Jam mei intellectus esuries, ingenii flagrantis acies, mentis inflammatae flagrantia, attentionis stabilitas et constantia, ea  postulant quae promittis. Tunc illa: Cum Deus ab ideali praeconceptionis thalamo mundialis palatii fabricam voluit enotare, etiam mentale verbum quod ab aeterno de mundi constitutione conceperat, reali ejusdem existentia, velut materiali verbo depingere, tanquam mundi elegans architectus, tanquam aureae fabricae faber aurarius, velut stupendi artificii artifex artificiosus, velut admirandi operis opifex, non exterioris instrumenti laborante suffragio, non materiae praejacentis auxilio, non indigentiae stimulantis flagitio, sed solius arbitrariae voluntatis imperio, mundialis regiae admirabilem speciem fabricavit Deus, qui mundiali palatio varias rerum species ascribendo, quas discrepantium generum litigio disparatas, legitimi ordinis  congruentia temperavit, leges indidit, sanctionibus alligavit: sicque res generum oppositione contrarias, inter quas, locus ab oppositis locum posuerat, cujusdam reciprocae habitudinis relativis osculis foederando in amicitiae pacem, litem repugnantiae commutavit. Subtilibus igitur invisibilis juncturae catenis concordantibus universis, ad unitatem pluralitas, ad identitatem diversitas, ad consonantiam dissonantia, ad concordiam discordia, unione pacifica remeavit. Sed postquam universalis artifex universa suarum vultibus naturarum investivit, omniaque sibi invicem legitimis proportionum connubiis maritavit, volens ut nascendi, occidendique mutuae relationis circuitu per instabilitatem  stabilitas, per finem infinitas, per temporabilitatem aeternitas rebus occiduis donaretur, rerumque series seriata reciprocatione nascendi jugiter texeretur, statuit, ut expressae conformationis monetata sigillo, sub derivandae propagationis calle legitimo, ex similibus similia educerentur. Me igitur tanquam sui vicariam, rerum generibus sigillandis monetariam destinavit, ut ego in propriis incudibus rerum effigies commonetans, ab incudis forma conformatum deviare non sinerem, sed mei operante solertia, ab exemplaris vultu, nullarum naturarum dotibus defraudata exemplati facies nullatenus deviaret. Imperantis igitur imperio ego obtemperans,  operando quasi varia rerum sigillans cognata ad exemplaris rei imaginem exempli exemplans effigiem, ex conformibus conformando conformia, singularum rerum reddidi vultus sigillatos. Ita tamen sub divinae potestatis imperio ministerium hujus operationis exercui, ut meae attentionis manum dextera supernae majestatis dirigeret, quia meae scripturae calamus exorbitatione subita deviaret, nisi supremi dispositoris digito regeretur. Sed quia sine subministratorii artificis artificio suffragante, tot rerum species expolire non poteram, mihique in aethereae regionis amoenante palatio placuit commorari, ubi ventorum rixa serenitatis pacem non perimit, ubi accidentalis nox nubium aetheris indefessum non sepelit, ubi nulla  tempestatis saevit injuria, ubi nulla debacchantis tonitru minatur insania, Venerem ineffabili scientia peritam, meaeque operationis subvicariam in mundiali suburbio collocavi, ut meae praeceptionis sub arbitrio, hymenaei conjugis, filiique Cupidinis industria suffragante, in terrestrium animalium varia effigiatione desudans, fabriles malleos suis regulariter adaptans incudibus, humani generis seriem indefessa continuatione contexeret, Parcarumque manibus intercisorum injurias repararet. Dum in hoc narrationis contextu sermo de Cupidine nasceretur, praefatae narrationi, meorum verborum parenthesi syncopatae, tenorem hujus quaestionis inserui.


Sexta quaestio Alani.


 Ha, ha, nisi injuria tuae locutionis syncopatae, mearumque quaestionum venatione timerem tuae benignitatis offensam incurrere, vellem Cupidinis naturam, de quo aliquantulam mentionem tua praelibavit oratio, pictura tuae descriptionis agnoscere. Quamvis enim plerique auctores sub integumentali involucro aenigmatum, ejus naturam depinxerint, tamen nulla certitudinis nobis reliquerunt vestigia: cujus in humano genere tanta per experientiam legitur potentialis auctoritas, ut nullus vel nobilitatis sigillo signatus, vel, sapientiae privilegiantis venustate vestitus, vel fortitudinis armatura munitus, vel pulchritudinis chlamide trabeatus, vel aliarum gratiarum praeditus honoribus, se valeat a cupidinariae  dominationis generalitate excipere.


Quaestionis solutio.


Tunc illa, cum temperato capitis motu, verbisque increpationem spondentibus, ait: Credo te in Cupidinis castris stipendiarie militantem, et quadam interfamiliaritatis germanitate eidem esse connexum: inextricabilem etenim ejusdem labyrinthum affectanter investigare conaris, cum potius meae narrationi sententiarum locupletatae divitiis, mentis attentionem attentius adaptare deberes. Sed tamen antequam ad sequentia meae orationis evadat excursus, quia tuae humanitatis imbecillitati compatior, ignorantiae tuae tenebras, pro meae possibilitatis  volo modestia exstirpare. Insuper, tuarum quaestionum solutionibus ex voto promissionis astringor; idcirco sive certa descriptione describens, sive legitima diffinitione diffiniens, rem immonstrabilem demonstrabo, inextricabilem extricabo; quamvis ipsa nullis naturae obnoxialiter alligata complexionibus, intellectus indaginem non exspectans, nullius posset descriptionis signaculo designari. Ergo, circumscriptae rei haec detur descriptio, inexplicabilis naturae haec exeat explicatio; haec de ignoto habeatur notitia, haec de scibili comparetur scientia, styli tamen altitudine castigata:




METRE IV. O Dei proles, genetrixque rerum.

`O offspring of God, mother of all things, bond and firm chain of the universe, jewel of earth, mirror to mortality, light-bringer of the world! Peace, love, virtue, government, power, order, law, end, way, light, source, life, glory, splendor, beauty, form, pattern of the world! Thou who, guiding the universe with thy reins, dost join all things in firmness with the knot of concord, and dost with the bond of peace marry heaven to earth; who, reflecting upon the simple ideas of mind, dost fashion every species of thing, and, cloaking matter with form, dost shape the cloak of form with thy finger; whom the heavens befriend, whom the air serves, whom the earth cherishes, whom the wave worships, to whom, as to the mistress of the universe, each thing pays its tribute; who, linking day to night by interchange, dost grant the candle of the sun to day, and puttest to sleep the clouds of night with the shining mirror of the moon; who inlayest the heavens with the gold of manifold stars, making bright the seat of our upper-air, and filling the sky with the gems of the constellations and with divers soldiery; who changest the face of the heavens, and variest its appearance, and grantest life and population to our airy region, binding it together with law; at whose nod the world grows young, the forest is curled with leafy locks, and clothed in its tunic of blossoms the earth exults; who dost repress and increase the threatening sea, cutting short the course of the fury of the deep, lest the seething of the flood should prevail to bury the region of earth! Disclose the reason to me, who desire it, why thou, a stranger from the skies, seekest the earth, why thou offerest to our world the gifts of thv deity, why thy features are bedewed with a shower of weeping, what the tears on thy countenance foretell ? Weeping is a sufficient and faithful tongue of inner grief.'


PROSE IV. Praefala igitur virgo hujus quaestionis solutionem in vestibulo excubare demonstrans.





Then said she:


Then said 1:



Then said I:


Then she, her first calm look much disquieted, said:


At this I said:


To these words she replied:



Then said I:


Then she answered:



Then said she:








Pax odio, fraudique fides, spes juncta timori,

     Est amor, et mistus cum ratione furor.

Naufragium dulce, pondus leve, grata Charybdis,

      Incolumis languor, et satiata fames.

Esuries satiens, sitis ebria, falsa voluptas,

     Tristities laeta, gaudia plena malis.

Dulce malum, mala dulcedo, sibi dulcor amarus,

     Cujus odor sapidus, insipidusque sapor.

Tempestas grata, nox lucida, lux tenebrosa,

     Mors vivens, moriens vita, suave malum.

Peccatum veniae, venialis culpa, jocosa,

     Poena, pium facinus, imo, suave scelus.

Instabilis ludus, stabilis delusio, robur

     Infirmum, firmum mobile, firma movens.

Insipiens ratio, demens prudentia, tristis

     Prosperitas, risus flebilis, aegra quies.

Mulcebris infernus, tristis paradisus, amoenus

     Carcer, hiems verna, ver hiemale, malum.

 Mentis atrox tinea, quam regis purpura sentit,

     Sed nec mendici praeterit illa togam.

Nonne per antiphrasim, miracula multa Cupido

     Efficiens, hominum protheat omne genus.

Dum furit iste furor, deponit Scylla furorem,

     Et pius Aeneas incipit esse Nero.

Fulminat ense Paris, Tydeus mollescit amore,

     Fit Nestor juvenis, fitque Melincta senex.

Thersites Paridem forma mendicat, Adonim

     Davus, et in Davum totus Adonis abit.

Dives eget Crassus, Codrus et abundat egendo,

     Carmina dat Bavius, musa Maronis hebet.

Ennius eloquitur, Marcusque silet; fit Ulysses

     Insipiens, Ajax desipiendo sapit.

 Qui prius auctorum solvendo sophismata vicit,

     Vincitur hoc monstro, caetera monstra domans.

Quaelibet in facinus mulier decurrit, et ultro,

     Ejus si mentem morbidet iste furor,

Nata patrem, fratremque soror, vel sponsa maritum

     Fraude necat, fati praeveniendo manum.

Sicque per ascensum male syncopat illa mariti

     Corpus, furtivo dum metit ense caput.

Cogitur ipsa parens nomen nescire parentis,

     In partuque dolos, dum parit ipsa parens.

Filius in matre stupet invenisse novercam,

     Inque fide fraudes, in pietate dolos.

Sic in Medea pariter duo nomina pugnant,

     Dum simul esse parens, atque noverca cupit.

Nesciit esse soror, vel se servare sororem,

 Dum nimium Cauno Byblis amica fuit.

Sic quoque Myrrha suo nimium subjecta parenti,

     In genitore parens, in patre mater erat.

Sed quid plura docebo, Cupidinis ire sub hasta

     Cogitur omnis amans, juraque solvit ei.

Militat in cunctis, ullum vix excipit hujus

     Regula, cuncta ferit fulmen et ira sui.

In quem non poterit probitas, prudentia, formae

     Gratia, fluxus opum, nobilitatis apex.

Furta, doli, metus, ira, furor, fraus, impetus, error,

     Tristities, hujus hospita regna tenent.

Hic ratio, rationis egere, modoque carere

     Est modus, estque fides non habuisse fidem.

Dulcia proponens assumit amara, venenum

     Infert, concludens optima fine malo.

 Allicit illiciens, ridens deridet, inungens

     Pungit, et afficiens inficit, odit amans.

Ipse tamen poteris ipsum frenare dolorem,

     Si fugias, potior potio nulla datur.

Si vitare velis Venerem, loca, tempora vita,

     Nam locus et tempus, pabula donat ei.

Si tu persequeris, sequitur; fugiendo fugatur;

     Si cedis, cedit; si fugis, illa fugit.


Jam ex hoc meae doctrinae artificio, cupidinariae artis elucescit theorica, per librum vero experientiae, tibi practicam poteris comparare. Nec mirandum, si in praefata Cupidinis depictione notulas reprehensionis intersero, quamvis ipse mihi quadam germanae consanguinitatis fibula connectatur;  non enim vel detractoriae malignitatis caliginosa rubigo, vel incandentis odii fervor foras egrediens, vel invidiae tyrannus extra desaeviens, ad has invectivas accusationis me impulit, sed ne veritatis per se loquentis evidentiam videor silentio strangulare. Non enim originalem Cupidinis naturam in honestate, redarguo, si circumscribatur frenis modestiae, si habenis temperantiae castigetur; si non germen excursionis limites deputatos evadat, vel in nimium tumorem ejus calor ebulliat, sed si ejus scintilla in flammam evaserit vel ipsius fonticulus in torrentem excreverit, excrementi luxuries amputationis falcem expostulat, exuberationis tumor solatium medicamenti desiderat. Quoniam omnis excessus, temperatae mediocritatis incessum disturbat,  et abundantiae morbidae inflatio quasi in quaedam apostemata vitiorum exuberat. Praevia igitur theatralis oratio joculatoriis evagata lasciviis, tuae puerilitati pro ferculo propinatur; nunc stylus paululum maturior ad praefinitae narrationis propositum revertatur. Ut supra praelibando docui, terrestrium animalium materiandae propagini Venerem destinavi, ut varias materias in rebus materiandis excudendo substerneret, ego vero in naturarum purificatione multiplici, ut operibus manum supremae expolitionis apponerem, et ut instrumentorum fidelitas pravae operationis fermentum excluderet, ei duos legitimos malleos efformavi, quibus et Parcarum caveret insidias, resque multimodas essentiae praesentaret. Incudum etiam nobiles  officinas ejusdem artificio deputavi, praecipiens ut his eosdem malleos adaptando, rerum effigiationi fideliter indulgeret, ne ab incudibus malleos aliqua exorbitatione peregrinare permitteret. Ad officium etiam scripturae, calamum praepotentem eidem fueram elargita, ut in competentibus schedulis ejusdem calami scripturam poscentibus, quarum meae largitionis beneficio fuerat compotita, juxta meae orthographiae normulam, rerum genera figuraret, ne a propriae descriptionis semita in falsigraphiae devio eumdem divagari sustineret. Sed cum ipse genialis concubitus ordinatis complexionibus res diversorum sexuum opponi dissimiles ad exsequendam rerum propaginem, connectere teneretur, ut in suis connexionibus artis grammaticae constructiones  canonicas observaret, suique artificis nobilitas nullius artis ignorantia suae ferret gloriae detrimentum, curialibus praeceptis sub magistrali disciplina, eam videlicet disciplinam instruendam docui, quae artis grammaticae regulas in suarum constructionum unionibus artificiosis admitteret; alias vero extra ordinarias nullius figurae excusatione redemptas excluderet. Cum enim attestante grammatica, duo genera specialiter, masculinum et femininum, ratio naturae cognoverit, quamvis dum quidam homines depauperati signaculo, juxta meam opinionem, possent neutri generis designatione censeri, tamen Cypridi sub intimis admonitionibus minarum tonitru ingessi, ut in suis conjunctionibus ratione exigentiae, naturalem constructionem solummodo  masculini femininique generis celebraret. Cum enim masculinum genus suum femininum exigentia habitudinis genialis adsciscat, si eorumdem generum constructio anomale celebretur, ut res ejusdem sexus sibi invicem construantur, illa quidem constructio nec evocationis remedio, vel conceptionis suffragio, apud me veniam poterit promereri. Si enim genus masculinum genus consimile quadam irrationabilis rationis deposcat injuria, nulla figurae honestate illa constructionis junctura vitium poterit excusare, sed inexcusabilis soloecismi monstruositate turpabitur. Praeterea, Cypridi mea indixit praeceptio, ut ipsa in suis constructionibus, suppositiones appositionesque  ordinarias observando, rem feminini sexus charactere praesignitam, suppositionis destinaret officio; rem vero specificatam masculini generis, sede collocaret appositi, ut nec appositum in vicem suppositi valeat declinare, nec suppositum possit in regionem appositi transmigrare; etiam cum utrumque regatur ab altero, appositum sub adjectiva proprietate, suppositum subjectivae proprietatis proprium retineret, exigentiae legibus invitatum. Praeterea, adjunxi, ne Dyonea conjunctio in transitivae constructionis habitum uniformem, vel reciprocationis curriculum, vel retransitionis anfractum reciperet, solius transitionis recta directione contenta, vel alicujus etiam disgressantis naturae nimia intercisione sufferret, ut genus activum in  passivum valeat usurpativa assumptione, vel idem in activum suae proprietatis dispositione redire, vel sub passivi litteratura activi retinendo naturam, sibi legem termini deponentis assumere: Nec mirandum, si pleraeque maximae, titulo grammaticae facultatis adscriptae, a venereae artis domicilio patiantur repulsam, cum ipsa eas quae suae praeceptionis regulis obsequuntur, in sinum suae familiaritatis admittat; eas vero quae eloquentissimae contradictionis insultibus ejus leges expugnare conantur, aeterni anathematis exclusione suspendat, cum philosophicae assertionis auctoritas maximarum plerasque diversis facultatibus fateatur esse communes; quasdam vero ultra suarum disciplinarum domicilia, nullam habere licentiam excursandi.  Sed quia tantas Parcarum argutas oppositiones Venerem novi agonistae disputationis ingressuram conflictum, alicujus tergiversatione fallaciae Venus ab Atropos coarctantes conclusionis subtimeret argutias, ipsam disciplinam docendo juxta quae dissertivae disciplinae praecepta suarum argutionum formas excederet. Et quomodo in adversarii argutionibus fraudulentis, fallaciae latibulum inveniret, ut disputationis agoniam contra adversariae partis insidias posset securius celebrare, et per instantiam similia oppositionum argumenta refellere. Injunxi etiam ut syllogistica ejus complexio duorum terminorum contenta compendio, nullis Aristotelicis figuris obnoxia, trium propositionum ordinatione congrua texeretur, in tantum, ut in singulis propositionibus,  major extremitas praedicationis fungeretur officio, minor vero subjiciendi legibus teneretur. In prima vero propositione nullo verae inhaerentiae modo, sed sola ratione contractus intrinseci, subjecto inhaereat praedicatum; in assumptione vero relativorum oculorum, reciprocis impressionibus, expressius minori major annectatur extremitas. Sed in conclusione expressissimae inhaerentiae, vinculo veriori subjecti praedicatique carnalis celebretur connexio. Hoc etiam mei fuit consilii, ut nullius conversionis retrogradatione pestifera, venereae complexionis termini analogicae praedicationis jura servantes, suarum vices sedium alternarent. Et ne consequentis fallacia, ex similium conformatione  progenita, posset industriam Veneris impedire, terminos specialibus specificavi signaculis, ut familiari liberae agnitionis intuitu, audenter agnosceret quos terminos subjectionis gradus inferior, quos vero praedicationis apex superior ex suae habitudinis jure deposceret, ne si complexio terminorum inconsequens proportionatam habitudinem non teneret in commune, nugationis uniformis deformitas nasceretur. Sicut autem quasdam grammaticae dialecticaeque observantias inimicantissimae hospitalitatis incursu volui a Veneris anathematizare gymnasiis; sic metonymicas rhetorum propositiones, quas in suae amplitudinis gremio rhetorica mater amplectens, multis suas rationes conflat honoribus, Cypridis artificii interdixi, ne si nimis durae translationis  excursu a suo reclamante subjecto, praemium alienet in aliud, in facinus facetia, in rusticitatem urbanitas, tropus in vitium, in decolorationem color nimius convertatur. His apparatuum nobilitatisque praesignibus Veneris, terrestris incolatus transivit in patriam. Quae cum suffraganeis instrumentis ad humanae geneseos seriem contexandam, desudando laborans, Parcarumque manibus interfecta subtili resarciens acu, subtilius haec renodat. Sicque stipendiariae administrationis jura, officiosissima curiositate persolvit. Sed quoniam ex maternae satietatis identitate fastiditus animus indignatur, quotidianique laboris ingruentia exsequendi propositum appetitus exstinguitur. Unitas operis toties repetita Cytheream  infestat fastidiis, continuataeque laborationis effectus, laborandi excludit affectum. Illa igitur magis appetens otii effeminari sterilibus, quam fructuosis exerceri laboribus, ferialis operationis exercitatione, negotiali praeposita, nimiae otiositatis desideriis coepit infantibiliter juvenisci. Et quoniam apud quem desidiae torpor castrametatur, ab eo omnis virtutis militia relegatur, otiique sterilitas, pravae sobolis, solet fecunditatem efficere. Potus etiam inundans diluvium, in nimias despumat libidines, cibique effrenis ingurgitatio consimiles nauseas superfluitatis eructat. Venus his furiis aculeata lethalibus, in suum conjugem hymenaeum, tori castitatem peste adulterationis incestans, cum Antigamo coepit concubinarie fornicari, suique adulteri suggestionibus  irretita lethiferis, liberale opus in mechanicum, regulare in anomalum, civile in rusticum inciviliter immutat, meumque inficiata praeceptum, malleos ab incudis exhaeredans consortio, adulterinis damnat incudibus. Ipsae etiam incudes nativae, suorum malleorum deplorantes absentiam, eosdem lacrymabiliter videntur deposcere. Et, quae gladio Atropos universa demetenti solebat clypeum defensionis opponere, jam eidem stabilitate conciliationis mutuo foedere ligatur, fatique falcem in messem humani generis nimium excursare permittens, damnum nulla novi seminis pensat origine; sed potius se grammaticis constructionibus destruens, dialecticis conversionibus  invertens, rhetoricis coloribus decoloratis suam artem in figuram, figuramque in vitium transfert: dumque fornicariis excessibus cum adultero perpetuat concubinatus illecebras, ab eodem suscipiens, pro filio, spurio compotitur. Qui dum nullius delectationis amoenitate gaudet, nullius jocosae jucunditatis vult meridiari deliciis, ut quasi per antiphrasim, jocus a jocasitate dicatur, ei nomen usus impressit. Duo igitur Dionae dati sunt filii, discrepantia generis disparati, nascendi lege dissimiles, mox titulis discrepantes, artificio deformes. Hymenaeus namque uterinae fraternitatis in affinis confinio quem excellentioris dignitatis extollit prosapia, ex Venere sibi Cupidinem propagat in filium; Antigamus vero scurrilis vel ignobilitatis genere derivatus,  adulterando, adulterinum filium jocum sibi joculatorie parentat. Illius nativitatem, matrimonii excusat solemnitas; hujus propaginem divulgati concubinatus accusat vulgaritas. In illo, paternae civilitatis elucescit urbanitas; in hoc, paternae inurbanitatis tenebrescit rusticitas. Iste inargentatos nitoribus argenteos fontes inhabitat; hic loca perenni ariditate damnata indefesse concelebrat. Iste in grata planitie fixit tentoria; huic vallium complacent nemorosa. Iste in tabernaculis indeficienter pernoctat, hic sub dio dies noctesque continuat. Iste aureis venabulis vulnerat quem venatur; hic, quem ferit, ferreis jaculis lanceat. Iste suos hospites debriat nectare subamaro, hic suos absynthii potu perimit acetoso. Jam mea oratio chartulae tuae  mentis inscripsit, qualiter otii damnosa pernicies Venerem educavit emphaticam, qualiter diluviosi potus inundatio venenosum patrat incendium; qualiter ex cibi ingurgitatione ducens originem, plerosque luxuriae elephantina lepra percussit. Ecce, super hominibus acuta Veneris febre languentibus, aerumnosae lamentationis carmen cecini querulosum; nunc similiter aliis quos aliorum vitiorum morbida turba conturbat, sub cantu elegiaco querimoniosae orationis citharam temperemus. Multi enim dum Charybdis ingluviosae hiatus voraginosos subterfugiendo devitant, in Scyllae malignantis abysso inopinata periclitatione naufragantur. Plerique etiam dum impetuosi torrentis occursus tumidos evadunt,  stagni limositate viscantur. Alii dum dependentis montis praecipitia, cautela consulente declinant, in coaequata planitie praecipitatione spontanea colliduntur. Ea igitur quae disseram, tuae menti clavo memoriae tenacis affigas, animique vigilantia somnum torporis excutias, ut mecum maternis excitatus visceribus, periclitantium hominum naufragiis compatiendo condoleas, et praeambulae admonitionis clypeo loricatus, monstruoso exercitui vitiorum occurras, et si quae prava semina in horto tuae mentis audeant pullulare, falce maturae sectionis exstirpes. Tunc ego: Jam pridem mea mens exhilarata tuae disciplinationis compendio, tuis correctionibus libentissimam aurem inclinat. Tunc illa:



Love is peace joined with hatred, faith with fraud, hope with fear, and fury mixed with reason, pleasant shipwreck, light heaviness, welcome Charybdis, healthy sickness, satisfied  hunger, famished satiety, s drunken thirst, deceptive delight, glad sorrow, joy full of pains, sweet evil, evil sweetness, pleasure bitter to itself, whose scent is savory, whose savor is tasteless, grateful tempest, clear night, shadowy day, living death, dying life, agreeable misfortune, sinful forgiveness, pardonable sin, laughable punishment, holy iniquity, nay, even delightful crime, unstable play, fixed delusion,  weak vigor, changeable firmness, mover of things established, undiscerning reason, mad prudence, sad prosperity, tearful laughter, sick repose, soothing hell, sorrowful paradise, pleasant prison, vernal winter, wintry spring, calamity, bold moth of the mind, which the purple of the king feels, and which does not pass by the toga of a beggar. Does not Cupid, working many miracles by changing things into their opposites, transform the whole race of men? When the monk and the adulterer have both been foreign to a man, he yet compels these ' two to possess and dwell in him at the same time. While his madness rages, Scylla lays aside her fur , the good Eneas begins to be a Nero, Paris lightens with his sword, Tydeus -s is gentle in love, Nestor becomes young and Melicerta old, Thersites begs Paris for his beauty, Davus begs Adonis and into Davus goes all of Adonis, rich Crassus is in want and Codrus has abundance in poverty, Bavius produces poetry, the muse of Maro is dull, Ennius is eloquent, Marcus is silent, Ulysses becomes foolish, Ajax in his folly is wise. He who in time past saw through the stratagem of Antaeus and vanquished him, is vanquished by this prodigy, which subdues all others. If this madness infect a woman's mind, she runs into any conceivable crime, and beyond; the daughter treacherously kills her father, the sister her brother, the wife her husband, anticipating the hand of fate. And thus in the evil progression she hews her husband's body, and with stealthy sword

1 Alain plays on the words - instabilis ludus, stabilis delusio.

severs his head. Even the mother is forced not to know the name of parent, and, while she is giving birth, gives birth also to lies. The son is horrorstricken to find in his mother a stepmother, in faith deceit, in piety guile. Thus in Medea two names fight equally, for at one time she desires to be both mother and stepmother. The sister knows not her station or how to keep herself a sister, when Byblis has become too far a friend of Caunus. So also Myrrha, too subject to her sire, was a parent with her progenitor, and a mother with her father. But why should I tell more ? Under the spear of Cupid must each lover go, and pay him his dues. He wages war against all; his rule excepts hardly a one; he smites all things with the anger of his lightning, and against him neither probity nor prudence will be of effect, nor beauty of form, nor abundance of riches, nor the height of nobility. Thefts, lies, fear, anger, fury, deceit, violence, error, sadness poetry is strange dominions. Here a on, moderation to be unrestrained, faith to have no faith. Displaying the sweet, he adds the bitter, instils poison, and finishes best things with an evil end. Attracting he seduces, laughing he jeers, with smarting ointment he anoints, laying hold he corrupts, loving he hates. Yet thou canst thyself bridle that madness, if thou fleest-no stronger medicine is given. If thou wouldst escape Love, shun his places, his times; both place and time give him nourishment. If thou followest him, he attends ; by fleeing, he is put to flight; if thou retreatest, he retires; if thou fleest, he flies.


PROSE V. Jam ex hoc mea doctrine artificio.

Now the theory of the art of love has appeared clearly to thee from my skillful presentation, and through the book of experience thou wilt be able to acquire for thyself its practice. And it is not strange if in this portrayal of Cupid I intersperse slight signs of blame, although he is allied to me by the connection of own blood-relationship. Disparaging malice, 'with its deep rust, did not drive me to these upbraiding and reproving censures, nor the intensity of burning hate breaking forth from within, nor the tyrant of jealousy raging furiously without, but the fear lest I should seem to strangle, clear and eloquent truth by silence. I do not deny honorableness to the essential nature of love if it is checked by the bridle of moderation if it is restrained by the reins of sobriety, if it does not transgress the determined boundaries of the dual activity, or its heat boil to too great a degree. But if its spark shoots into a flame, or its little spring rises to a torrent, the rankness of the growth demands the pruning-knife, and the swelling and excess requires an assuaging medicine; for all excess disturbs the progress of well-regulated temperance, and the pride of unhealthy extravagance fattens, so to speak, into imposthumes of vices'

The former poetical discourse, then, which strayed into playful jest, is set before thee as a treat for thy childishness. Now let the style, which had slightly wandered toward the boyish and light verses of thv youth, return to the ordered theme of the narration previously planned. As I showed in touching on the subject before, I appointed Venus to build up a progeny from the living creatures of earth, that in her work of producing things she might shape in the rough various materials, and lay them before me. But I, in the manifold formation of their natures, was to add the execution of the final and polishing hand. And in order that faithful tools might exclude the confusion of poor work, I have assigned to her two lawful hammers, by which she may bring the stratagems of the Fates to naught, and present to view the multiform subjects of existence. Also I appointed for her work anvils, noble instruments, with a command that she should apply these same hammers to them, and faithfully give herself up to the forming of things, not permitting the hammers to leave their proper work, and become strangers to the anvils.f For the office of writing I provided her  with an especially potent reed-pen, in order that, on suitable leaves desiring the writing of this pen (in the benefit of my gift of which leaves she had been made a sharer), she might, according to the rule of my orthography, trace the natures of things, and might not suffer the pen to stray in the least measure possible from the path of proper description into the by-track of false writing. But since for the production of progeny the rule of marital coition, with its lawful embraces was to connect things unlike in their opposition of sexes, I, to the end that in her connections she should observe the orthodox constructions of grammatical art, and that the nobility of her work should not mar its glory by ignorance of any branch of knowledge, taught her, as a pupil worthy to be 6s taught, by friendly precepts under my guiding discipline, what rules of the grammatical art she should admit in her skilful connections and constructions, and what she should exclude as irregular and not redeemed b any justifying figure. For although natural reason recognizes, as grammar corroborates, two genders specially, namely masculine and feminine-albeit some men, deprived of the sign of sex, can be thought of in my opinion by the designation of neuter-yet I enjoined Cypris, with the most friendly admonitions, and under the most powerful thunder of threats, to solemnize in her connections as reason demands, only the natural union of the masculine with the feminine gender. For, since according to the demand of nuptial custom the masculine gender takes to itself its feminine gender, if the joining of these genders should be celebrated irregularly, so that members of the same sex should be connected with each other, that construction would not earn pardon from me, either by the help of evocation or by the aid of conception. For if the masculine gender by some violent and reasonless reasoning should demand a like gender, the relation of that connection could not justify its vice by any beauty of figure, but would be disgraced as an inexcusable and monstrous solecism.

Furthermore, my command enjoined Cypris that, in her constructions, she have regard to the ordinary rules for nouns and adjectives, and that she appoint that organ which is especially marked with the peculiarity of the feminine sex to the office of noun, and that she should put that organ characterized y the signs of the masculine sex in the seat of the adjective. Thus should it be that neither the adjective should be able to fall into the place of the noun, nor should the noun remove into the region of the adjective. And since each is influenced by the other, by the laws of necessity the adjective is attracted according to its modifying quality, and the noun as is proper in a thing retentive of substantive nature. Besides this, I added that the Dionean conjugation should not admit into its uniform use of transitive construction either a defective use, or the circuity of reflexiveness, or the excess of double conjugation-it being rather contented with the direct course of single conjugation-nor should suffer by the irruption of any wandering influence to such degree that the active voice should become able by a usurping assumption to cross over into the passive, or the latter by an abandonment of its peculiar nature to turn into the active, or, retaining under the letters of the passive the nature of the active, to assume the law of the deponent. Nor is it strange if many conjugations, characterized by the mark of fullest grammatical strength, suffer repulse from the dwelling of the art of Venus; for though she admits into the bosom of her friendship those which follow her rules and direction, yet those which in the boasting of a most eloquent contradiction  try to overthrow her laws, she suspends in the exclusion of an eternal anathema.

The voice of controversial logic, moreover, will acknowledge that very many powerful connections draw upon divers stores of strength-though there are some which have no freedom to go beyond their own stations and restraints. And since I knew that Venus was entering into conflict and sharp argument against the active opposition of the Fates, I gave  her, according to the maxims of controversial learning, and to the end that she should not fall into the closing trap Of a conclusion at the hands of Atropos through any deceiving trick,  instruction that she transcend the formal limits of her own arguments, and that she find the lurking-place of false deceit in those of her opponents. So might she the more safely carry on the contest and dispute against the wiles of the adversary, and by her earnestness refute the false arguments  of her opponents. Moreover, I added that a syllogistic conclusion in the due order of three propositions should be arranged, but that it should be content with an abridgment to two terms, following none of the Aristotelian figures; being of such sort that in every proposition the major extreme should perform the office of the predicate, and the minor should be the subject, and be bound by its laws. In the first proposition the predicate should cling to the subject, not in the manner of true inherence, but simply by the way of external connection, as with a term predicated from a term. In the minor proposition the major term should be joined to the minor more closely by the reciprocal pressure of the kisses of relation. But in the conclusion there should be celebrated, in the truer bond of closest inherence, the fleshly connection of subject  and predicate. It was also part of my plan that the terms in the conclusion of love should not, by any pernicious and retrograding conversion, following the laws of predication by analogy, change their places and stations. And to the end that no false consequent, born from terms like and equal, should be able to hinder the work of Venus, I distinguished the terms with special marks, that she might plainly recognize with familiar insight and easy perception what term, from the law of their nature, the more humble step of the subject demands, and what the loftier summit of the predicate ; for so, if a conclusion should inconsequently have its terms ont of right relation, there should not still arise complete deformity and continual folly.

Furthermore, just as it has been my purpose to attack with bitter hostility  certain practices of grammar and logic, and exclude them from the schools of Venus, so 'I have forbidden to the arts of Cypris those metonymic uses of rhetoricians which Mother Rhetoric embraces in her wide bosom, and inspires as her speech with many graces; for I feared lest if, in the pursuit of too strained a metaphor, she should change the predicate from its protesting subject into something wholly foreign, cleverness would be too far  converted into a blemish, refinement into grossness, fancy into a fault, ornament into a gaudy show.

With these distinctive marks of splendor and nobility, the earthly presence of Venus came into thy native sphere. Most energetically she labored with the aid of her instruments in weaving the series of human birth, mending with a slender needle those parts that had been sundered by the hands of the Fates, and more subtly still joining these one to another. And thus did she once, with the most obedient care, perform to me the dues of her tributary administration. But  since the soul, when glutted from its birth with a satiety of the same thing  comes to loathe it, and its desire to accomplish is extinguished by attack on the daily labor, the uniform character of the work so many times repeated tired  and disgusted Cytherea,  and the effect of continued labor took away the wish to perform. She, then, wishing rather to be pampered in unfruitful love than to be exercised in fruitful labors, though she had been entrusted, as related, with the busy work of a festal activity, began to be young and childish over the joys of extreme idleness. Now with whom sluggish inactivity has gained a stronghold, by him all service of virtue is rejected, and the unproductiveness of sloth is wont to form its abundance of misshapen offspring; draining a flood of drink, he wantons in excessive licentiousness, and his unrestrained gormandizing of food throws back like vomit from its surfeit. Venus stung by these fatal passions, began as a concubine , defiling the chastity of her marriage-bed  in the polluting sin of adultery against her husband Hymen, to commit fornication with Antigamus. Enmeshed in the ruin-bringing suggestions of her adulterer, she has unreasonably changed a spontaneous work into a mechanical, a normal into an abnormal, a refined into a gross, and, corrupting my precept taught her, has denied the hammers the association of their proper anvils, and condemned them to the adulterous anvils. Moreover, the natural anvils bewail the absence of their hammers, and are seen sadly to demand them. And she who was wont to hold out the shield of defense to that sword of Atropos which severs all things, now has become bound to the latter in a mutual alliance on firm consideration, and permits the sickle of fate to run out far into the grain of the human race, and does not repair the loss  with renewed  birth from any fresh seed. But rather, destroying herself in grammatical constructions, and perverting herself in dialectical conversions, she changes her art by the gaudy ornaments of rhetoric into artifice, and her artifice into viciousness.

While in her wild fornication she was continuing the illicit actions of concubinage with the adulterer, she conceived offspring from him, and became the parent of a bastard for a son. Though this latter does not rejoice in any pleasure or delight, or wish to bask in any of the joys of mirth, yet she, to the end that he might be called. as by antiphrasis, Mirth, in the absence of mirth, placed the name of that disposition upon him. To Dione, then, were given two sons, divided by differences in kind unlike by law of their birth, dissimilar in the marks of their qualities, ill-agreeing in the variance of their occupation. For Hymen, who is related to me by the bond of brotherhood from the same mother, and whom a stock of excellent worth produced, begot to himself from Venus a son Cupid. But Antigamus, scurrilous and descended from a race of ignobility, by his adultery with Venus has lightly become the father of an illegitimate son, Mirth. A solemn marriage accounts for the birth of the former; a low and notorious concubinage denounces the descent of the latter. In the former  shines glooms his father's culture and courtesy; in the latter  the grossness of his father's brutality. The former dwells by gleaming springs, silvery in white splendors; the latter continually frequents places cursed with perennial barrenness. The latter pitches his tent on the desert plain; the former is pleased with the wooded valley. The latter without cease spends the night in taverns; the former continues days and nights under the clear sky. The former  wounds those whom he pursues with golden hunting-spears; the latter  lances those whom he strikes with iron javelins. The former  intoxicates his guests with a nectar not bitter; the latter  ruins with the sour drink of absinthe.

Now my discourse has traced on the chart of thy mind the manner in which the ruinous evil of idleness has produced inordinate love; how the excess and deluge of drink has brought to pass love's raging lust; how, taking its rise in gluttony, the ivory-white leprosy of licentiousness has destroyed great numbers. Up to this point I have sung a sorrowful song of suffering and lament over those lying sick with the acute fever of sensual passion. Now as to the rest, whom the unhealthy rout of other vices confounds, let us tune the cithara of our complaint to the manner of elegiac song. For many, while they shun and avoid the abysmal mouths of greedy Charybdis, yet are miserably shipwrecked by unthought peril in the depths of black Scylla. And very many, while they escape the ruinous rush of the vehement flood, become stuck in the greedy slime of the sluggish fen. Others, while they avoid with care and caution the precipices of the steep mountain, dash themselves together on the level plain by their own headlong haste. Such matters, then, as I cast into thy mind, fasten there by the nail of retentive memory, and by watchfulness of soul shake off slothful sleep, so that, stirred by my maternal feelings, thou mayest sympathize and condole over the ruin of desperate men, and, armed with the shield of early admonition, meet the monstrous force of vices, and, if any herb of base seed dare to sprout in the garden of thy mind, mayest cut it and root it out with a timely sickle.'

Then said I :

'Now long since my mind has rejoiced in the profit of thy teaching, and inclined a most willing ear to thy censures.'



 Heu, quam praecipiti passu ruinam

Virtus sub vitio victa laborat?

Virtutis species exsultat omnis,

Laxantur vitio frena furoris,

Languet justitiae Lucifer, hujus

Vix umbrae remanet umbra superstes

Exstinctumque sui sidus honoris

Deflet, lucis egens, noctis abundans

Dum fulgur scelerum fulminat orbem,

Nox fraudis fidei nubilat austrum:

Virtutumque tamen sidera nulla

Istius redimunt noctis abyssum,

Incumbit fidei vespera mundo

Nocturnumque chaos fraudis abundat.

Languet fraude fides, fraus quoque fraudem

 Fallit fraude, dolo sic dolus instat,

Mores moris egent moribus orbi,

Leges lege carent, jusque tenoris

Perdunt jura sui; jam sine jure

Fit jus omne, viget lex sine lege.

Mundus degenerat, aurea mundi

Jam jam degenerant saecula, mundum

Ferri pauperies vestit, eumdem

Olim nobilitas vestiit auri,

Jam jam hypocrisis pallia quaerunt

Fraudes, et scelerum fetor odorus

Ut pravo chlamidem donet odori

Virtutum sibimet balsama quaerit.

Sic urtica rosis, alga hyacinthis,

Argento scoria, murice fucus

 Formae pauperiem palliat, ut sic

Interdum redimant crimina vultus.

Sed crimen phaleras exuit omnes,

Nec se justitiae luce colorat:

Nam sese vitium glossat aperte,

Fit fraus ipsa sui lingua furoris,

Quid tuti superest, cum dolus armat

Ipsas in propria viscera matres?

Cum fraternus amor fraude laborat,

Mentiturque manus dextra sorori?

Censetur reprobum jus probitatis,

Observare probos, et pietatis

Lex, est improbitas, esse pudicum

Jam cunctis pudor est.

Absque pudor

Humanos hominis exuit usus

Non humanus homo.

Degener ergo

Bruti degeneres induit actus,

Et sic exhominans exhominandus.


Septima quaestio Alani.


Ad haec ergo: Quoniam in aere generalitatis hujus intellectus oberrat excursor, intelligere vero specialitas amicatur, vellem, quod vitia quae in quodam generalitatis implicas glomicello, speciosissimarum specierum interstitiis discoloribus explicares.


Responsio Naturae.


Quoniam tuae postulationis rationem emeritam indecens est adimpletionis merito defraudari, tibi  singula vitia aequum est sigillatim notulis singularibus adnotari. Quia ergo jam dictum est, quomodo totus orbis impurae Veneris fere generali periclitatur incendio, nunc restat dicendum qualiter idem generalissimo gulositatis naufragatur diluvio. Quoniam gulositas est quasi quoddam Venereae exsecutionis prooemium, et quasi quoddam antecedens ad venereum consequens. Nota ergo quasdam filias idololatriae veteris medullitus exstirpatae, in praesenti instanti suae matris imperium reparare conari, et eam quibusdam praesagiosis carminibus redivivam a mortuis excitare;  quae meretricali officio, vultu phantasticae dilectionis faciem dealbantes, amasios alliciendo, fraudulenter illiciunt: quae sub tristi laetitia, sub amica saevitia, sub hostili amicitia, tanquam Syrenes usque ad exitium dulces, delectationis melodiam facie tenus praeferentes, suos amatores ad idololatriae perducunt naufragium: harum una, ut ficto loquar vocabulo, congruentia proprietatis, bacchilatria poterit nuncupari.


De superfluo potu.


Bacchilatria haec suum amasium rationis privans igniculo, eumdem tenebris brutae sensualitatis exponit, suum etiam, more meretricio, in tantum debriat amatorem, ut idem Bacchum nimis emphatice affectare cogatur, in tantum ut potator  Baccho nimiae delectationis vinculo alligatus, eidem divinae majestatis cultum exhibere credatur: Adeo ut homo bacchilatra, Bacchum plerumque locali interstitio a se sejungi non ferens, in alienis vasculorum capsulis suum deum diu perendinare non patiatur, sed ut sibi ejusdem dei familiarius assistat divinitas, illum dolio sui ventris includat. Sed quia plerumque stomachi capsula tanti hospitis divinitatem diu sustinere non potest, idem deus aut per orientalis portae polum arcticum, aut per occiduae regionis antarcticum turpiter evaporat. Multoties etiam Bacchi cultor in scyphis materiae honore pollentibus Baccho architectatur hospitium, ut ejusdem divinitas divinius in aureo  vase praefulgeat. Unde idem aethereis nitoribus claritate concertans, et smaragdinis coloribus viriditate contendens, ac plerosque sapores sui saporis majestate praecellens, potationum filios suarum proprietatum dignitatibus irritat sophisticis, ut ipsa Bacchum tanquam ineffabilis divinitatis arcanum ineffabili amore concelebrent. Qui etiam his animati, ne divinitatis illius aliquid remaneat inexhaustum, usque ad faeces Bacchum deglutiunt, sicque suum deum in tartaream abyssum ventris cogunt inhoneste descendere, et dum sic a speciali ad generalissimum genus potationis deveniunt, superlativum gradum ebrietatis ascendunt. Haec pestis non solum plebeae vulgaritatis inimicatur hominibus, verum  etiam praelatorum superciliosas sibi facit inclinare cervices, quibus Bacchi gratiae non sufficiunt, quas in eum gratia naturae diffudit, verum etiam arundineam usurpantes attractionem; nunc Bacchum et rosarum connubio gloriantem, nunc floris alterius fragrantiam respirantem, nunc hyssopi consortio sibi quoddam privilegium arrogantem; nunc aliarum rerum dotibus locupletatum extrinsecus, impetuosa gulae Charybdi deglutiunt, in tantum, ut sine mari naufragium, sine tristitia fletum, sine infirmitate lethargium, sine sopore somnum ebrietatis incurrant.  Qui dum ebrietatis energia percussi, operam psalmodiis impendunt, versus nimia intercalatione rumpentes crapulae boream importunum interserunt.


De superfluitate ciborum.


Nec solum praetaxata potus cupiditas, verum etiam, cibi plerosque canina inescat aviditas, quorum voluptates inordinatae, cogitationes inconcinnae, novos sibi cibi somniant apparatus. Qui dum exactori quotidianum escae debitum nimis abundanter exsolvunt, exactor superabundans suo cogitur reddere debitori. Isti, quidquid possident, in arca stomachi thesaurisant. Et quamvis illud commissum non rubigo corrosionis dente demordeat, nec vel peculantis furis sophisma subripiat,  ipsum tamen decoquentis caloris latrocinio turpiori, turpius evanescit. Isti, bursam ad nummorum vomitum, arcam pecuniarum invitant ad nauseam, ut exactori stomacho possint accuratius adulari. Interius ventrem ciborum locupletant divitiis, exterius in nuda et pura positi paupertate. Haec pestilentia etiam non vulgari humilitate contenta, profundius progreditur ad praelatos, qui salmones et lucios, caeterosque pisces aequipollenti generositate praesignes, variis decoctionum cruciatos martyriis, baptizandi adulterantes officium, sacri piperis fonte baptizant, ut ex tali baptismate baptizati, multiformis saporis gratiam consequantur. In eadem mensa terrestre animal piperis inundatione submergitur,  piscis natat in pipere, avis ejusdem viscositate ligatur: dumque tot animalium genera uno ventris ergastulantur in carcere, aquatile animal secum terrestre, aeriumque genus in eodem sepulcro tumulari miratur. Quibus si detur licentia exeundi, egressuris vix portae sufficit amplitudo. Hae praefatae pestes pontem faciunt, per quem ad luxuriae lupanaria pervenitur. Hae sunt introductiones per quas quis furandi artem ingreditur. Hae morbos pariunt, seminant paupertates. Hae sunt nutrices discordiae, sorores insaniae, intemperantiae matres, immunditiae venatrices. Per has, humanum genus modestiae limites excedit, temperantiae frena postponit, castitatis sigilla confringit, meae largitionis gratiam non attendit. Cum enim  mea largitas tot hominibus fercula procuret, tot fercula copiosa compluat, ipsi tamen gratiae ingrati, nimis illicite licitis abutentes, frena gulae laxantes, dum comedendi mensuras excedunt, lineas potationis in infinitum extendunt; qui palata salsorum seducentes acumine, ut saepe et multum bibant, saepius sitire coguntur.


De avaritia.


Est et alia idololatriae filia, quam (si nominis proprietas suam significationis germanitatem in voce retineat) convenienti vocabulo conveniens est  nummulatriam nuncupari. Haec est malitia, per quam in animis hominum deificatur pecunia, nummo divinae venerationis exhibetur auctoritas, per quam, ubi nummus loquitur, Tulliani eloquii tuba raucescit; ubi nummus commilitat, Hectoreae militiae fulgura conticescunt; ubi pugnat pecunia, virtus expugnatur Herculea. Si quis enim armatur pecunia, tanquam loricis argenteis torrentis impetus Tulliani, fulgur incursus Hectorei, robur virtutis Herculeae, versipellis Ulyssea calliditas floccipenditur, in tantum enim habendi fames involvit, ut dialecticae muta sit subtilitas, rhetoricae languescat civilitas. Ubi nummorum perorat plenitas, jam Tullius sui monetam vendit eloquii, sui pudoris monilia in aurum commutat Lucretia; Penelope  suae vicennariae castitatis pudorem deponit in pretio; Hippolytus etiam si nummi preces audiat susurrantis, suae novercae non vult precibus novercari. Nam si in aure judicis susurret pecunia, Orphei lyra, carmen Amphionis, musa Virgilii voce pecuniae suffocantur. Jam dives, divitiarum naufragus in profundo, hydropicae sitis incendiis sitit opes, et in medio ipsarum positus Tantalizat. Pauper etiam, quamvis materialem avaritiam realiter exercere non valeat, intus tamen archetypam retinet parcitatem. Proh dolor! metallorum onera largiuntur honores, ad metalli pondera ponderatos. Jam non Caesar, sed nummus est omnia, quia ab individualibus usque ad generalissimam, honores  singulos tanquam mediator percurrit. Nummus patriarcha noster est, episcopos et archiepiscopos inthronizat. Alios archidiaconalibus adaptat officiis; alios denique aliarum dignitatum et officiorum coaequat negotiis. Quid plura? nummus vincit, nummus mundum regit, nummus imperat universis. Quid prodest cum Ptolomaeo subterfugientis astronomiae fugas consequi subtilitatis curriculo; stellarum prophetias, spontaneos planetarum investigare errores; cum Euclide, geometricorum aenigmatum secreta scrutari; intellectu in profundum maris descendere; coeli altitudinem intelligibilibus mensuris attingere; cum Milesio, musicarum proportionum consonantes amicitias invenire; cum Pythagora pugnas numerorum virtute multiplicationis  inspicere; cum Tullio, orationem rhetoricis colorum stellare sideribus; cum Aristotele, ancipiti dialecticae gladio a veris falsa dividere; cum Zenone falsitatem probabilitate tunicare sophistica; cum Donato in accidentium congruentia nectere dictiones, cum sapientia nostris temporibus nullius fructus praemietur stipendiis, nullius famae eam aura favorabilis extollat, ipsa vero pecunia honoris titulos et laudis emat praeconia? Sola tamen sapientia revera super omnem praeeminet possessionem. Generosa possessio, quae sparsa colligitur, erogata revertitur, publicata suscipit incrementum!  per quam nobilis scientiae thesaurus secretis penetralibus mentis innascitur, fructus internae delectationis acquiritur. Haec est sol, per quem mens diescit in tenebris, cordis oculus, deliciosus animi paradisus. Haec in coeleste terrenum, in immortale caducum, in deum hominem, deificae mutationis auctoritate convertit. Haec est verum peregrinationis remedium, solum humanae calamitatis solatium, humanae noctis lucifer singularis, tuae miseriae redemptio specialis, cujus aciem nulla aeris caligo confundit, non densitas terrae operam ejus offendit, non altitudo aquae respectum ejus obtundit. Haec igitur, quamvis apud multos qui sensuali mobilitate brutescunt, nimia langueat vilitate, apud illos tamen qui in ignem originalem  rationis redegerunt scintillam praeconii, et famae munere non fraudatur. Quamvis enim prudentia phantasticae adulationis plausibiles dedignetur applausus, tamen quia verae famae haec est gloriosa proprietas, ut appetitores sui contemnat, et appetat contemptores; famam fugiendo consequitur, quam perdet insequendo. Igitur etsi videas apud quosdam regnare pecuniam, jacere prudentiam, militare divitias, sapientiam exsulare, ignavia tamen opum pondera animo victori calcata subjicias, et intestino affectionis amore prudentiam consecteris, ut penitus sapientiae matris cubiculum inoffenso intuitu valeas intueri. Tunc ego: Vellem ut laxatis habenis reprehensionis, praecordialius avaritiae filias impugnares.  Tunc illa ad acerrimas invectionis demorsiones gyrans suae narrationis incessum, ait:



METRE VI. Heu! quam praecipitem passa ruinam.

'Alas!' she said suffering what headlong ruin does virtue labor, lying conquered under vice! All the beauty of virtue is banished; the bridles of madness are loosed for evil ; the day of justice fades; hardly the shadow of its shadow is left surviving; lacking light, abounding in night, it bewails the extinguished star of its glory. While the lurid lightning of crime blasts the world, the darkness of guile clouds the planet  of faith, and no stars of the virtues redeem the abyss of that darkness. The evening of faith lies upon the world, and the night of the chaos of falsehood is everywhere. Faith sickens with fraud; fraud, too, deceives itself by fraud, and thus guile is upon the heels of guile. In the sphere of conduct, morals lack morality; laws lack law; justice loses the righteousness of its course. For all justice is executed without justice, and law flourishes without law. The world grows worse, and now its golden age departs. The poverty of iron clothes it; of old the glory of gold invested it. Now guile does not seek the robe of hypocrisy, nor does the foul odor of vice look for the balsams of the virtues to furnish a mantle for its stench. The nettle, indeed, does  cloak its poverty with roses, sea-weed with hyacinths, dross with silver, rouge-paint with a true glow, that thus, for a time,as appearance may make amends for evil. But crime puts off all ornaments, nor colors itself with the light of justice. For vice strips itself openly; falsehood becomes the tongue of its own madness. What safety remains when guile arms the very mothers against their own bowels, when brotherly love labors in untruth, when the right hand lies to its sister? The law of goodness-to esteem good men-is considered false, and the law of piety is impiety, and to be pure is to all a cause of disgrace. Without shame inhuman man repudiates the proper practices of humanity. Then, degenerate, he takes up the base actions of a brute. and thus, worthy to be unmanned, forsakes his manhood.'


PROSE VI. Ad hoc ego: Quoniam in area generalitatis.

At this I pursued:

`Since my furthest knowledge wanders astray in this general field, and since particularity has been made a friend of the intellect, I wish that thou wouldest unfold, with variously colored and brilliant figures interspersed, the evils which thou impliest in this small round of a general statement.'

`Since it is unfitting' she replied, `to deprive thy proper and meritorious request of its reward and satisfaction, it is right that the separate evils be pointed out to thee distinctively by individual signs. Inasmuch, then, as it has been told how the whole world is endangered by the almost universal fire of impure love, there now remains to be shown how it is ship-wrecked on the most universal flood of intemperance. Seeing that intemperance is a sort of preface to the performance and excitement of love, and antecedent to the amorous consequent, note that certain daughters of the old Idololatria, who was in time past completely crushed, make the attempt to renew the power of their mother in the immediate present, and, by certain magic songs, to revive her from the dead. In their meretricious employment they brighten their appearance with the countenance of deceiving delight, and fraudulently lure on their lovers. Also with sad joy, with friendly cruelty, with hostile friendship, like sirens they sweetly bear on their lips the melody of pleasure, even into destruction itself, leading on their lovers through to the shipwreck of idolatry. One of them, to speak by a fictitious name, can be called by the fit appellation Bacchilatria. This Bacchilatria, who steals the spark of reason from her lover, and exposes him to the darkness of brutish sensuality, after the manner of a harlot so intoxicates him that he is forced to desire wine beyond measure; so much indeed, that the drinker, in being bound to Bacchus by the chain of intemperate enjoyment, is thought to exhibit the majesty of his cult. Therefore the man Bacchilatra very frequently prefers that Bacchus-like relics of his own shrine-should not be separated from him by interval in space, and does not allow his god to delay too long in the walls of alien vessels; but that the divinity of the god may assist him the more intimately, he shuts him up in the jar of his own belly. But because most often the vessel of the stomach can not bear the divinity of so great a guest, the same god disgracefully goes off in liquid either through the arctic pole of the eastern door, or through the antarctic pole of the western region. Many times, also, the worshiper of Bacchus designs a guest-chamber for him in the cups of goblets of very precious material, in order that his clear deity may shine out the more divinely in a vessel of gold. Thence this same goblet, which rivals the glories of the ether in its brightness, and strives with the green light of the emerald in its freshness, and far surpasses most savors in the excellence of its savor, incites the sons of drinking by its falsely divine qualities, so that they honor wine with ineffable love, as if it were the mystery of an - unutterable godship. And, then, that nothing of the god remain undrained, they pierce through Bacchus to the very dregs, and so force their god ignobly to descend to the Tartarean depth of the belly. Thus, while they drop to the most general class of drinking, they rise to the superlative degree of drunkenness.

This evil not only is made an enemy to men of plebeian stock, but even causes the haughty necks of prelates to bend. And they to whom those delights of Bacchus, which the favor of nature has showered upon him, are not sufficient, though they usurp the attractions of learning, swallow also, in the voracious Charybdis of their gullet, Bacchus now rejoicing in a marriage with roses, now exhaling fragrance from various flowers, now claiming distinction from association with hyssop, now enriched externally with other gifts. And to such a degree, indeed, is this true that with no sea they suffer the shipwreck of drunkenness, without sorrow its sadness, without infirmity its sickness, without an opiate its sleep. Those who, fired with drunken energy, employ their time in hymns, break in on the verses with unnecessary interjection, and rudely let in the tempest of inebriation.

Not only the aforementioned passion for drink, but also a canine greediness for eating, entices very many. The abnormal desires of such, and their gross thoughts, dream of preparations of food. While they pay too fully their due of food to the daily tax-collector, he, more than loaded, has to pay back his debtor. They prize whatever they hold in the coffer of the stomach, and although neither rust can consume that trust with the tooth of corrosion, nor the guile of the stealthy thief snatch it away, nevertheless it vanishes more ignobly in the baser robbery of digestive heat. That they may more carefully fawn upon this tax collecting stomach, they urge the purse to disgorge its treasure, the coffer to vomit its coins. Though within they enrich the belly with wealth of foods, without they are situated in sheer, naked, and lonely poverty. Now this pestilence, not contented with plebeian humility, extends itself quite deeply among prelates. These, degrading the office of baptism, baptize in the base font of spice salmon, pike, and other fish which are exceptional in equal excellence, and have been crucified in various martyrdoms of cookery, to the end that, by coming from such a baptism, they may acquire a varied and agreeable savor. Furthermore, on the same table the beast of the earth is drowned in the flood of spice, the fish swims in it, the bird is . limed in its paste. And while so many species of animals are confined in the single prison-house of a belly, the creature of the sea wonders that the tribes that go on foot and the tribes of the air are buried With it in the same sepulchre. If freedom to go out is given them, the width of the door hardly suffices for their egress.

These evils form the bridge over which the brothels of licentiousness are reached. They are the preliminaries through which one enters into the art of stealing. They are the source of diseases. They beget poverty. They are the nurses of discord,  the sisters of madness, the mothers of excess, the seekers after impurity. Because of them humanity transgresses the limits of modesty, disregards the restraints of temperance, breaks to pieces the seals of chastity, pays no heed to the graciousness of my bounty. For though my liberality distributes to men so many dishes of food, and rains upon them such flowing cups, yet they, ungrateful for my favors, misusing lawful things in ways beyond all measure of law, and loosening the bridles of the throat, at the same time overstep the limits of eating and extend the lines of drinking indefinitely. They who seduce their palates with the tang of salts, that they may drink much and often, are still more often made to thirst.

There is also another daughter of Idololatria, whom, if characteristic name is to have similarity in its sound to her real nature, it is fitting to call with apt word Nummulatria. She is Avarice, through whose influence money is deified in men's minds, and the dignity of divine worship is extended to a coin. Through her influence, also, when a coin speaks, the trump of Ciceronian eloquence is hoarse; when a coin goes to war, the lightnings of Hector's warfare cease; when money battles, the strength of Hercules is subdued. For if one is armed with money as with a silver breastplate, the rush of the Ciceronian torrent, the splendor of the onset of Hector, the might and bravery of Hercules, the cunning craft of Ulysses, count only for light trifles. For to such a degree has the hunger for possession burned that subtle dialectics are silent, the culture of rhetoric languishes. When abundance of wealth makes the final plea, Cicero sells the riches of his eloquence, Lucretia changes the necklace of her chastity into the price of gold, Penelope resigns the purity and virtue of twenty years to a price. and Hippolytus, if he hear the petitions of the whispering coin, is not willing to treat sternly the entreaties of his stepmother. If money murmurs at the ear of an umpire, the lyre of Orpheus, the song of Amphion, the muse of Virgil, are smothered by its voice. Now the rich man, shipwrecked in the deep of wealth, thinks after money with the fires of dropsical thirst, and is set like a Tantalus in its midst. And the poor man, though he is not able really to practice actual avarice, yet within preserves a spiritual parsimony. O shame! Mass of metal secures honor, which is considered in proportion to the metal's weight. Not Caesar now, but money, is all; for  like a mediator it runs through the honors one by one, from the smallest to those of the widest scope. Our patriarch now is money; for it sets some on the supreme throne of an archbishopric, raises others to the honor of a bishop's eminence, fits others for archidiaconal offices, makes others equal to employments in other positions of dignity. What further? Money conquers, money reigns, money commands all. What profits it in the chariot of Ptolomean subtlety to follow elusive astronomy in its swift flight, the prophecies of the stars, to track the free wanderings of the planets; with Euclid to search the inner secrets of the puzzles of geometry, with the intellect to descend into the depths of the sea, to touch the height of heaven by measurements that can be comprehended; with the Milesian to find the harmonious combinations of musical chords; with Pythagoras to examine the rivalry of numbers in the strength of their multiplication ; with Cicero to star oratory with the brilliant constellations of rhetoric; with Aristotle to separate with the two-handed sword of logic the untrue from the true; with Zeno to clothe falsehood in deceptive probability; with Donatus to join the parts of speech in the tones of agreement-since wisdom in our times is rewarded with no pay or profit, no favorable breeze of fame lifts it aloft, and money itself buys the commendations of praise, the titles of honor ?

But wisdom alone surpasses every possession. Though this noble property be scattered abroad, it reunites; though spent, it returns; though confiscated, it gains an increase. Through it the splendid treasure of science is produced in the mysterious secret places of the mind, and the enjoyment of internal delight is acquired. It is the sun from which the mind becomes like day in the midst of shadows ; it is the eye of the heart, the rapturous paradise of the spirit. It turns the earthly into the heavenly by the power of godlike change, the perishable into the immortal, man into God. It is the true cure for error, the only solace for human misfortune, alone the morning-star of the night of humanity, the special redemption from thy misery. No fog of the air blurs its keenness, the thickness of earth does not bar its working, nor depth of water dim its vision. Although among those who are like brutes in bestial sensuality it sickens by reason of their gross vice, yet among those who have raised the spark of reason into its original fire it does not lack the favor of sounding fame. For though wisdom despises flattering applause and unsubstantial. adulation, yet since it is the glorious property of true fame to scorn those who seek after it, and seek after those who Scorn it, it attains fame by fleeing from it, which it would lose by following. Therefore, if among certain men thou seest -money reigning, knowledge lying prostrate, wealth militant, wisdom in exile, yet do thou with victorious spirit throw down and trample under foot the ignoble hoards of riches, and with the love of inner affection follow after knowledge; for so thou wilt be able with unimpeded gaze to look further into the resting-place of Mother Wisdom.'

Then said I:

'I could wish that, giving free rein to reproof, thou wouldest attack the daughters of Avarice more fiercely.'

Then she, turning the course of her speech to severest censure and invective, said:


Postquam sacra fames auri mortalia pungit

Pectora, mens hominis nescit jejuna manere.

Laxat amicitias, odium parit, erigit iras,

Bella serit, lites nutrit, bellumque renodat,

Rumpit nodata, disrumpit foedera, natos

Excitat in patres, matres in viscera, fratres

Dat fratrum nescire togas, et sanguinis omnes

Unio quos unit, furor hos male dividit unus.

Dum stomachum mentis hydropicat ardor habendi,

 Mens potando sitit, et Tantalus alter in istis

Ardet aquis, viresque siti dat copia census.

Esurit ergo satur, sitit ebrius, optat abundans

Unus cuncta cupit, ipsoque cupidine pauper

Efficitur, divesque foris, manet intus egenus.

Nil habet ergo miser, cum nil se credit habere,

Divitiis, cum pauperiem sua vota repensant,

Hospitium cordis, et moenia mentis avarae

Invadunt hostes multi, multoque tumultu

Totam sollicitant humani pectoris arcem.

 Nam timor aggreditur mentem, pariterque cupido

Concutit, et totam mentis depauperat urbem.

Curarum geminus turbo sic turbat avarum;

Cumque timenda timet, mens somniat ipsa timores,

Saepe novos fingitque metus, damnique timore

Damna luit, damnique malum formidine pensat:

Sic casus varios terroris somnia monstrant.

Uxoris fraudes, furisque sophismata, terror

Nuntiat, insultus hostis, juguloque minaces

Mentitur gladios, et flumina dira potentum.

Nunc pestes, ignes recolit, nunc concipit iras

Oceani, soloque metu jam naufragus exstat.

Divitis in nummo mens philosophatur in arca

Dum nummum sepelit, nummusque sepultus avari  

Usibus emoritur, illum non ille, sed arca

Possidet, et totum nummi sibi vindicat usum.

Ut loculis varia nummorum fercula donet,

Injungit proprio dives jejunia ventri.

Horret avaritiam venter, propriosque negari

Miratur reditus, loculi suffragia quaerit,

Sed ventri loculus surdas accommodat aures.

Pabula visus habet, et convivatur ocellus,

Solus in argento, sed venter philosophari

Cogitur, et longo patitur jejunia voto.

Non lacrymae, non mella precum, non ipsa perorat

Pauperies hominum, quin foenore dives egenum

Devoret, et tenuem miseri facit esse crumenam.

Pauperis in lacrymis ridet, miserique labore

Pascitur, et poenam sibimet facit esse quietem.

 Hunc dolor, hunc risus, jocus hunc, moeror tenet illum,

Hic gemit, hic ridet, dolet hic, dum dedolet ille.

Omnis in affectum nummi laxatur avari

Divitis affectus, nec enim datur ulla voluptas

Menti, qua possit alias deflectere vultum.

Divitias non dives habet, sed habetur ab ipsis,

Non est possessor nummi, sed possidet ipsum

Nummus, et in nummis animus sepelitur avari.

Hos colit ipse deos, haec idola ditat honore

Divini cultus, et nummis numina donat.

Sic hominum ratio calcata cupidine, carni

Servit, et ancilla famulari cogitur illi.

Sic oculus cordis, carnis caligine caecus

 Languet, et eclipsim patiens, agit otia solus.

Sic jubar humani sensus male palliat umbra

Carnis, fitque nummis ingloria gloria mentis.

Divitiis vel divitibus non derogat iste

Sermo, sed vitium potius mordere laborat.

Non census, non divitias, non divitis usum

Damno, si victor animus ratione magistra

Subjectas sibi calcat opes, si denique census

Nobilis auriga ratio direxerit usum.

Nam cunctas si spargat opes, si munera fundat

 Dives, et in laudem spiret, tentetque favorem

Munere lucrari, tamen hujus muneris auctor,

Ductor et auriga nisi sit discretio, nullus

Fructus erit, quoniam laudem non dona merentur,

Sed potius mercantur eam, nisi facta decenter

Discrete fuerint, pro munere namque frequenter

Laus datur hypocrita, famae simulatio falsa,

Simia laudis, horum umbratilis umbra favoris.


Ecce habes quomodo tenacis avaritiae viscus humanae mentis alis auferat libertatem.


De arrogantia.


Nunc intuendum est qualiter insolentis arrogantiae ampullositas humanas mentes erigat in tumorem, cujus infirmitatis contagione funesta vitiata  hominum multitudo, dum se supra se insolenter extollit, infra se ruinosa descendit, sibi derogans arrogando, se deprimens erigendo, se sibi auferens efferendo. Horum autem hominum aut verborum solemnis pompositas, aut suspicionis mater taciturnitas, aut quaedam actus specificatio, aut insolens gestus exceptio, aut nimia corporis corruptio exterius interiorem arguit superbiam. Alii namque quos servilis conditionis demittit humilitas, augustam jactitant libertatem; alii, dum scurrilis generis vilitate plebescunt, verbo tenus se sanguinis generositate exaltant. Alii, dum in artis grammaticae vagientes cunabulis, ejusdem lactantur uberibus, Aristotelicae subtilitatis apicem profitentur.  Alii, dum leporinae timiditatis gelicidiis torpescunt, solo verbositatis remedio, animositatem efferunt leoninam. Sunt alii, qui ea quae internae indignationis supercilium claudit interius, exteriori evidenter eloquuntur silentio: Nam aliis inferiori morum gradu jacentibus, vel eis parilitate probitatis comparibus, vel etiam elatiori fastigio dignitatis pollentibus, mutuae collocutionis communicare participium dedignantur: a quibus, si quis interrogationis suffragio verbum expostulet, tanta taciturnitatis intercapedine a quaestione omittetur responsio, ut eidem haec nulla cognatione videatur affinis. Alii, suos actus specificare gaudentes, in multitudine singulares, in generalitate speciales, in universalitate adversi, in unitate diversi  omnifariam esse laborant. Dum alii namque exercentur colloquiis, isti indulgent silentiis, dum alii lasciviis solvuntur, isti seriis implicari videntur; dum alii seriis implicantur negotiis, isti otiantur lasciviis. Dum alii quadam serenitatis festivitate hilarantur in facie, isti in vultu quamdam malevolae severitatis praeferunt tempestatem. Alii interioris superbiae gestus, exterioris gestus exceptione figurant: qui tanquam terrena omnia despiciant, supini coelestia suspiciunt, oculos indignanter obliquant; supercilia exaltant, mentum superciliose  supinant, brachia in arcus exemplant. Horum etiam pedes terram sola articulorum contractione delibant. Alii vero sua corpora femineis compositionibus nimis effeminant, qui suorum capillorum conciliorum pectinis subsidio in tanta pace conciliant, ut ne lenis aura in eis possit suscitare tumultum: luxuriantis etiam supercilii fimbrias forficis patrocinio demetunt, aut ab ejusdem silva superflua exstirpando decerpunt; pullulanti etiam barbae crebras novaculae apponunt insidias, ut nec eadem paululum audeat pullulare: brachia manicarum angustias conqueruntur; pedes in angustis calceorum ergastulis carcerantur. Heu! homini unde isti fastus, ista superbia? cujus aerumnosa est nativitas, cujus vitam laboriosa demolitur poenalitas,  cujus poenalitatem poenalior mortis concludit necessitas; cujus omne esse, momentum, vita est naufragium, mundus exsilium: cujus vita aut abest, aut spondet absentiam, mors autem instat, aut minatur instantiam.


De invidia.


De superbia vero, filia nascitur, quae maternae malignitatis haereditate potitur. Haec est invidia, quae continuae detractionis rubiginosa demorsione, hominum animos demolitur. Haec est vermis, cujus morsu morbi data mentis sanitas contabescit in saniem; mentis sinceritas computrescit in cariem; mentis requies liquatur in  laborem. Haec est hospes, qui apud suum hospitem hospitio exceptus, ejus labefactat hospitium. Haec est possessio, pessime possidens suum possessorem, quae dum alios detractionis latratibus vexat, sui possessoris animum intestino morsu perfodiens, inquietat. Haec est invidia, quae in illos quos vitiorum absorbet infernus, a quibus corporis dotes ratio naturae proscribit, quos in paupertatem insanae fortunae evomit, indignantis suae detractionis aculeos facit otiari. Sed, si quis in torrente divitiarum natat cum Croeso, opes spargit cum Cyro, in specie disputat cum Narcisso, animositate tonat cum Turno, Herculi colludit in robore, cum Platone facie ad faciem philosophiam speculatur, cum Hippolyto castitatis speculo sigillatur, in hunc  omnes suarum detractionum aculeos expendit. Nam audaciam furori temeritatis assignat, prudentiam animi in fraudis versutias, aut in verbositatis ampullositatem obliquat. Per hujus etiam detractionem, pudor in hypocrisim degenerat. Haec invidiae tabes plerosque tabefacit, qui dum alienae famae nitorem detrahere conantur, primi suae probitatis sentiunt detrimenta. His aliena prosperitas adversa, aliena adversitas prospera judicatur. Hi in aliena gratulatione tristantur, in aliena tristitia gratulantur. Isti suas in aliena paupertate divitias,  suam paupertatem in alienis divitiis metiuntur. Isti aut alienae famae serenitatem detractionis nubilo nubilare conantur, aut ejusdem gloriam sola taciturnitate furari. Isti aut pravis interpretationibus alienae probitatis sinceritatem fermentant, aut veris fermenta falsitatis maritant. Proh dolor, invidia quod monstruosius monstrum? quod damnosius damnum? quae culpabilior culpa? quae poenalior poena? haec est erroneae caecitatis abyssus, humanae mentis infernus, contentionis stimulus, anxietatis aculeus. Qui sunt invidiae motus, nisi humanae tranquillitatis hostes, mentalis depraedationis satellites? animi laborantis vigiliae hostiles, alienae felicitatis excubiae? Quid prodest alicui, si ei serenitas fortunae prosperantis applaudat, corpus  etiam purpuramento pulchritudinis hilarescat, mens insuper sapientiae splendore praefulgeat, cum liventis invidiae latrocinium, mentis depraedatur divitias? fortunae prosperantis serenitatem adversitatis vertat in nubila? decoris aurum turpitudinis convertat in scoriam? prudentiae gloriam degloriet livor inglorius?


Remedia contra invidiam.


Si quis tamen livoris rubiginem, invidiae tineam a mentis thesauro velit proscribere, in alieno dolore suum dolorem inveniat condolendo, alienum gaudium suum faciat congaudendo, in alienis opibus suas penset divitias, in aliena paupertate suam lugeat paupertatem. Si alienam probitatem  videas famae solemniis celebrari, festum praeconii diem nulla facias detractione profestum, sed tuae declarationis meridie, alienae probitatis lucerna in commune deducta clarius elucescat. Si quos in titulos alienae famae detractionum latratibus videas indulgere, a grege latrantium canum te excipias, aut admonitionis objecto, detrahentes linguas hebetes, corrosionis dentes conteras, detractionum demordeas morsus.


De adulatione.


Huic praetexato vitiorum symbolo, suae malignitatis portionem adnectit adulatio. Hujus pestilentia percutiuntur principum laterales, palatini canes, adulationis artifices, fabri laudum, figuli falsitatis. Hi sunt qui magniloqua commendationis tuba in  divitum auribus clangunt; qui mellitae adulationis favos foras eructant; qui, ut emungant munera, caput divitis oleo adulationis inungunt; praelatorum auribus pulvinaria laudum subjiciunt, qui ab eorumdem palliis aut fictitium excutiunt pulverem, aut tunicam sophistice deplumant implumem. Isti divitum actus in quos favor famae conspuit indignantis, suffragiis laudum redimunt mendicatis. Isti penes munera laudes, penes dona favores, penes pretium praeconia famae blandientis constituunt. Nam si in domo divitis prodigalitatis torrens eniteat, adulator in prodigalitatis laudem totus effunditur;  si vero hiemalis avaritiae torporem divitis munus redoleat, adulator avarus in laude commendationis, algescit in munere: sed si munus antonomastice videatur laudum tympana postulare, adulationis poeta stylo commendationis turget altiloquo. Si vero muneris pauperies famae mendicat suffragia, humiliori stylo famae depauperat dignitatem; quoniam ubi muneris perorat altitudo, adulator hypocriticas laudes, famas umbratiles, de thesauro sui cordis eructat. Nam si ille pro quo munus eloquitur, tanta fuerit turpitudinis tempestate dejectus, ut in eo vix naturalium donorum fragmenta resultent, ei pulchritudinis praerogativam adulationis poemata somniabunt: minimas pusillanimitatis angustias, magnanimitatis mentientur  esse palatia; humiles etiam torpentis avaritiae latebras, prodigalitatis proferent in excessum; humilitatem etiam plebescentis generis, titulo Caesareae nobilitatis mentientur augustam. Quid amplius? Si apud aliquem nulla virtute a vitiis excusatum castrametetur scelerum multitudo, dum munus mediator occurrit, laudum mercenarius adulator, superficiali commendationis tunica vitiorum tenuiter colorat aspectum. E contrario vero, si totius decoris meridies alicujus hilarescat in facie, lingua argenteis eloquentiae resplendeat margaritis, mentis thalamus virtutum fulguret ornamentis, tamen, si adulationis artifex muneris gratiam non exspectet, tantae honestatis luci cum  vitiorum fastigiis, nebulas immiscere laborat. Quid est igitur adulationis inunctio, nisi donorum emunctio? Quid commendationis allusio, nisi praelatorum illusio? Quid laudis arrisio, nisi eorumdem derisio? Nam cum loquela, fidelis intellectus interpres, verbaque fideles animi picturae vultus voluntatis signaculum, lingua mentis soleat esse propheta, adulatores a voluntate vultum, ab animo verbum, a mente linguam, ab intellectu loquelam, amplo discessionis intervallo diffibulant. Plerisque etenim forinseca dealbationis laude arrident, quos interna mentis subsannatione derident, plerosque exterius plausibiliter applaudendo collaudant, quos interius contradictoria derisione defraudant. Foris vultu applaudunt virgineo, intus  scorpionis pungunt aculeo; foris mellitos adulationis compluunt imbres, intus detractionis evomunt tempestates.


Supplicat Alanus Naturae.


Tunc ego continuae narrationis aurigationem refrenans, dixi: Vellem ut rationabilibus tuae disciplinationis propugnaculis contra furiales istorum vitiorum exercitus, meae mentis roborares oppidulum. Tunc illa:



METER VII. Postquam sacra fames auri mortalia pungit.

'After the cursed hunger of gold pierces mortal breasts, the starved mind of man knows not rest. It dissolves friendships, begets hate, incites anger, sows strife, nourishes dissension, lets loose war breaks established bonds, stirs up sons against fathers, mothers against their own bowels, brings it to pass that brothers know not the togas of their brothers, and all those whom union of blood unites one madness wickedly divides. While the passion for having makes the stomach of the mind dropsical, the mind thirsts as it drinks, and, like another Tantalus, burns in the very water, and the abundance of wealth gives intensity to the thirst. So the satiated man hungers, the drunken thirsts, the one with plenty longs, the individual covets everything, and by that very covetousness is made poor, and stays wealthy without, but needy within. The wretch has nothing when he thinks that he has nothing, since  his longings balance his riches with poverty. Many enemies invade the lodging of the heart and the walls of his greedy mind, and with great tumult disturb the whole stronghold of the human breast. For fear marches upon the understanding, and likewise covetousness shakes it, and loots the whole city of the mind. Thus the avaricious wretch is agitated by a twofold crowd of cares. And while he fears things worthy to be feared, his mind itself often dreams new terrors and creates fear, and suffers misfortune in the fear of misfortune, and considers adversity and loss with utter consternation. Thus the dreams of terror picture various 3calamities, and fright conjures up falsehood of wife and knavery of thief and assault of enemy, and imagines swords threatening the neck, and the dire thunderbolts of those in power. Now it thinks on the evils of fire, now it conceives of the wrath of the ocean, now it is shipwrecked on blank fear. The mind of the rich man lingers over a coin, while he buries it in his chest, and the buried coin becomes dead to the miser's use. Not he, but the chest, possesses it, and claims the whole value of the money for itself. That the coffer may serve him various dishes of coins, the rich man inflicts the pangs of hunger on his own belly. The belly dreads avarice, and cannot understand why it is denied its proper revenues, and asks aid of the coffer, but the coffer turns to it deaf ears. The vision has food, and the eye makes merry, but, in solitude among silver, the belly is forced to meditate and brood, and suffers hunger with far-reaching desire. Nor do tears, nor the honey of prayers, nor poverty itself, plead so that the rich man does not devour the poor man for his gain, and pinch the wretch's little money-bag. He laughs at the tears of the poor, and feasts on the toil of the wretched, and makes their punishment his own repose. Grief possesses the one, laughter the other; jest the one,. mourning the other. The one groans, the other makes merry; the one grieves, while the other ceases from grieving. All sympathy of the rich and avaricious is lost in a desire for money ; for there is no other pleasure allowed the mind which can turn the face elsewhere. The rich man does not have riches, but is had by them. He is not a possessor of money, but money possesses him, and the miser's soul is buried among coins. These he cherishes as gods, on these idols he lavishes the honor of divine worship, and ascribes godlike powers to them. Thus the reason of man, trampled by covetousness, serves the flesh, and like a handmaid is compelled to wait upon it. Thus the eye of the heart sickens, blind from a fleshly mist, and suffers its eclipse, to lead an inactive life in solitude. Thus the shadow of the flesh basely covers the splendor of human riches, and the glory of mind is made most inglorious. This manner of speech does not decry riches nor rich men, but rather labors to censure error. I do not condemn either possessions, or wealth, or the utility of a rich man, if his conquering spirit, with reason as its master, walks upon the wealth which it has cast below its feet-if, in short, reason, like an able charioteer, shall direct the application of riches. For though a rich man scatters his whole wealth, showers presents, aspires to praise, and desires to gain favor by bounty-yet if the author of this munificence, the leader and director, is not reason, there will be no profit, since gifts do not merit commendation, but rather buy it, unless they be made becomingly and with discretion. For frequently the return for a gift is hypocritical praise, a false pretense of fame, the ape of renown, a dull honor, a shadow of approval.


PROSE VII. Ecce habes quomodo tenacis avaritiae viscus.

There thou hast in what manner the tenacious lime of avarice deprives the wings of the human mind of liberty. Now is to be examined how the bombastic flatulence of insolent pride lifts the minds of men into arrogance. Tainted by the fatal contagion of this infirmity, a multitude of men, while they insolently exalt themselves above themselves, descend in ruin beneath, detract from themselves in their very arrogance, sink while they bear themselves aloft, destroy themselves in their self-elevation. Either the solemn pompousness of these men's words, or silence, the mother of suspicion, or some peculiarity of act, or rude idiosyncrasy of gesture, or excessive bedizening of the body, throws light upon the inner haughtiness of mind. For some, whom lowliness of servile .condition debases, boast of majestic liberty. Others, while they are of common stock and plebeian race, in word at least make themselves of distinction in excellence of blood. Others,while they cry in the cradles of the grammatic art and are suckled at its breasts, profess the height of Aristotelian subtlety. Others, though numb with the ague-fits of a frightened hare, by the single remedy of verbosity present the courageous front of a lion. There are others who plainly reveal, by a silence merely external, what the pride of inner indignation shuts close. For they disdain to grant a share of mutual conversation to others, whether these lie in the lower walk of life, or resemble themselves in equality of worth, or sway in more exalted eminence and dignity. If one request a word from them, the reply is separated from the question by such a great interval of silence that it seem s unrelated to it by any tie. Others, who take pleasure in individualizing their acts, try everywhere to be lonely in a crowd, peculiar among the general, opposed to the universal, diverse in the midst of unity. For while others engage in conversation, they give themselves up to silence; while others relax in pleasures, they are seen to be involved with serious matters; while others are taken up with religious celebrations, they enjoy their ease in wanton pleasures; while others are bright of face with joyous humor, their countenances present a very tempest of malevolent severity. Others with external peculiarity of deportment betoken an inner demeanor of pride. These, as if they despised everything earthy, with heads thrown back look up to the things of heaven, indignantly turn aside their eyes, lift their eyebrows markedly, turn up their chins superciliously, and holds their arms as stiff as a bow; their feet graze the ground on tiptoe only. Others make their bodies too effeminate by means of woman's attire. They quiet, by the aid of a comb, the assembly of their hairs in such peace that no breeze can raise a stir in them; by the help of scissors they clip the fringes of the dense eyebrow, or pluck them up and root them out from the over -full wood; they bring to bear on the stripling beard the frequent treachery of the razor, that it may not dare to sprout ever so little; their arms cry out against the tightness of gloves, and their feet are imprisoned in narrow shoes. Alas, whence this arrogance, this pride in men? Their birth is fraught with sorrow, trouble and pain consume their life, and the still more painful necessity of death ends even that pain. With them being is a moment, life a shipwreck, the world a banishment. Their life is either gone, or pledges itself to go; moreover death is upon them, or threatens momently to arrive.

Now from Pride is born a daughter, who possesses by inheritance the malevolence of her mother. She is Envy, and by the gnawing rust of continual detraction she destroys the minds of men. She is the worm because of whose bite health of mind sickens and falls into disease, soundness of mind rots into decay, rest of mind is abandoned for trouble. She is the guest who, after being lodged in her host's guest-chamber, pulls down the hospitable shelter. She is a possession which most evilly, nay dominatingly, possesses its possessor; for while she troubles others with blatant obloquy, she disturbs more deeply with intestine fang the spirit of her possessor. She is Envy, who keeps the stings of her angry aspersions at rest as against those whom a hell of faults devours, those to whom the plan of nature denies the gifts of the body, those whom mad fortune vomits into poverty. But if any one swims with Croesus in the flood of riches, scatters wealth with Titus, disputes over his image with Narcissus thunders with Turnus in courage, rejoices with Hercules in strength, is drunken with the poetic nectar go of Homer, with Plato examines philosophy face to face, with Hippolytus is distinguished as the mirror of chastity -against such a one she discharges all the stings  of her detractions. For she attributes bravery to the wildness of fear, distorts prudence into guile and fraud, or into bombastic flatulence. Under her defamation also decency sinks into a gilded varnish of hypocrisy. This disease of enviousness corrupts very many, who, while they endeavor to mar the brightness of another's reputation, feel the first disparagement of their own good character. Another's prosperity is judged by them unfavorable, another's adversity favorable. They are sad at another's joy, are joyous at another's sadness. They measure their riches in another's poverty, and their own poverty in another's riches. They try to darken another's shining renown with a cloud of traducement, or to steal his glory by mere silence. They spoil the pure  brightness of another's virtue, or mix the ferment of falsehood with the true. O grief! What monster more monstrous than envy? What evil more destructive? What fault more to be condemned? What torment more full of punishment? It is the gulf for erring blindness, the hell of the human mind, the spur of contention, the sting of unrest. What are the emotions of envy but the enemies of human peace, the attendants of mental depredation, the hostile guard of a troubled spirit, the watch over another's felicity? What does it profit any one if fortune bright and favorable cheers him on, and his body rejoices in the glow of beauty, and his mind is luminous with the splendor of wisdom, when the robbery of livid envy plunders the riches of the mind, turns the brightness of prosperous fortune into the darkness of adversity, and debases the gold of beauty into foul dross, and when ignoble spite makes the glory of wisdom inglorious?

Yet if one wishes to banish the rust of malice, the moth of envy from the mind's treasure-house, let him find his grief in condoling with another's woe, let him rejoice in another's joy as his own, let him consider his riches in the riches of another, let him mourn his poverty in the poverty of another. If thou shouldst see another's good name honored and celebrated, do thou by no disparagement make this festival of praise a common day, but let the lamp of the other's virtue be brought before the whole company, and shine forth the more fairly in the noonday of thy speech. If thou observest any that are giving way to sharp depreciation of another's honors and good fame, either withdraw thyself from the blatant herd, or dull the slanderous tongues by reproof and correction. Bring the brawling to naught, wear away the teeth of corrosion, consume the biting scandal.

To this list of vices Flattery joins her share of evil. By this pest and plague are smitten the adherents of chief men, palace dogs, artisans of flattery, manufacturers of praise, molders of falsehood. These are they who sound the grandiloquent trump of commendation in the ears of the rich; who throw out the honey of sweetest flattery; who, that they may cozen him out of gifts, anoint the head of the rich man with the oil of adulation; who offer lulling praises to the hearing of prelates; who either shake from the coats of such men a fictitious dust, or pretend to pick a feather off a featherless garment. By the beggarly means of praise they buy employment from the rich, on which the favor of fame spits indignantly. On gaining presents they laud, on acquiring gifts they flatter, on the possession of reward they publish fairspoken report. For if a torrent of generosity flashes in the gift of a rich man, the flatterer is all poured out in the lavishness of his encomiums. But if the gift savors of sluggish and wintry avarice, the greedy sycophant grows cold in his praise and commendation of it. If expression for the gift seems to require applauding drums, the poet of blandishment swells up in a grandiose style of eulogy. But if the poverty of the gift begs plaudits from fame, he lessens the report of its worth by a more humble style; for it is when the size of the gift is eloquent that the flatterer vomits from the treasury of his heart hypocritical praises, insincere applause, easy perjuries. For though he whom the gift represents have been whelmed by such a tempest of ugliness that hardly the fragments of natural gifts are evident in him, yet the poems of flattery will talk vainly to him of the prerogative of beauty, will falsely say that the pygmean cells of his pusillanimous heart are palaces, will exalt the base shadows of dull avarice to the mountain-top of generosity, will feign that his low and plebeian stock has the majestic distinction of Caesarean nobility. What further? Though a plenitude of vices should take up their abode in a man, and he be not redeemed from his faults by any virtue, yet the mercenary dealer in flatteries, so long as the mediating gift comes to meet him, thinly colors the sight of the vices with the light tunic of commendation. On the other hand, though the noon-blaze of all beauty should brighten in another's countenance, though his tongue should be resplendent with the silvery pearls of eloquence, though the chamber of his mind should shine with the jewels of the virtues, yet if the artisan of blandishment does not expect the favor of a gift, he labors to mingle with the light of this great glory the darkness of deadly vices. What is the ointment of flattery, then, but a cozening for gifts? What is light commendation but the deception of prelates? What the approval of praise but the deriding of its very subjects? For though speech is usually the faithful interpreter of the thought, words accurate pictures of the soul, the countenance the sign of the will, the tongue the prophet of the mind, yet flatterers divorce the countenance from the will, the word from the soul the tongue from the mind, the speech from the thought, by a wide interval of separation. For many applaud with outward, shining praise those whom they with internal mockery deride. And in the open they extol and commend many cordially, whom they in secret cheat with hostility and scorn. Externally they compliment with an innocent countenance; internally they pierce with scorpion's sting. Outwardly they rain down the honeyed showers of flattery ; inwardly they belch the sharp storms of detraction.'

Then I, restraining the swift course of her unpausing speech, said:

'I could wish that thou wouldst strengthen the fort of my mind against the furious armies of these vices by the bulwarks of thy teaching, which are founded on reason.'


Remedia contra vitia.


Ne te gulosae Scylla voraginis

 Mergat profunda nocte libidinum

Praebe palato frena modestiae,

Ventri tributum solve modestius,

Imbrem Lyaei semita gutturis

Libet modeste Bacchica pocula:

Pota parumper, ut quasi poculis

Bacchi putetur os dare basia.

Frangat Lyaei lympha superbiam,

Bacchi furorem flumina temperent:

Nuptam Lyaeo se Thetis offerat,

Frenet mariti nupta tyrannidem.

Plebaea, simplex, rara comestio

Carnis superbae murmura conterat.

Ut te tyrannus parcius urgeat,

Semper in ista carne superbiens,

 Lentus Cupido sic aget otia,

Frenentur in te frena libidinis,

Languens stupescat carnis aculeus,

Ancilla fiet sic caro spiritus:

Largire visus pessula januae,

Frenes ocellos, ne nimis improbe

Venentur extra luminis impetus,

Praedamque menti nuntius offerat.

Si quos habendi fervor inebriat,

Exire cogant, mente pecuniam,

Mentis triumphum sentiat ambitus,

Victi premantur colla Cupidinis.

Non in crumenis ipsa pecunia

Clausis moretur, pigraque dormiat,

 Nulli vacando, sed magis excubet,

Custos honoris divitis usibus:

Si tempus adsit, si locus exigat,

Surgat sepultae massa pecuniae,

Nummos crumenae funditus evomant.

Quaevis honori munera militent.

Calcare si vis colla superbiae,

Flatus tumoris, fulmina spiritus,

Pensa caducae pondus originis,

Vitae labores mortis et apocham.


Adventus Hymenaei.


Cum in hanc specialis disciplinae semitam oratio Naturae procederet, ecce vir subitae apparitionis miraculo, sine omni nostrae praeconsiderationis vexillo, suam praesentiam nostris conspectibus praesentavit.  Qui nullius aetatis legi videretur obnoxius, nunc enim juventutis vere pubescebat, nunc maturioris aevi facies seria loquebatur, nunc vultus senectutis sulcis videbatur arari. Qui sicut multimodae aetatis vicaria facie fluctuabat, sic ejus staturam ancipitem, nunc quantitas minor humilius dehumabat, nunc aequilibratae mediocritatis libramina, staturae ampliabant inopiam, nunc audaci proceritate quantitatis, giganteis contendebat excessibus. Hujus in facie nulla femineae mollitiei vestigia resultabant, sed sola virilis dignitatis regnabat auctoritas. Hujus facies nec fletus imbribus compluta, nec risus erat lasciviis serenata,  sed ab utroque feriata, modestius magis aspirabat in lacrymas. Caesaries inducias adepta litigii, artificiosi pectinis fatebatur industriam, moderatae tamen comptionis libramine jacebat ornata, ne si comptionibus vagaretur anomalis, in femineam demigrare videretur mollitiem. Et ne frontis aream comae sepeliret nubecula, forficis morsum capillorum sentiebat extremitas. Hujus facies, prout virilis dignitas exposcebat, a nulla pulchritudinis gratia deviabat. Hujus mentum nunc primam germinabat lanuginem, nunc ibidem herba fimbriat prolixior, nunc luxuriantis barbae vellere silvescere videbatur. Nunc novaculae severitas barbae castigabat excessum. Annuli vero lapidum gemmati sideribus, manus  fulguratione serenantes eximia, solem reddebant novitium.


De vestibus Hymenaei.


Vestes vero nunc grossioris materiae vulgari artificio plebescere, nunc subtilioris materiae artificiosissima contextione crederes superbire. In quibus picturarum fabulae, nuptiales somniabant eventus. Picturatas tamen imagines vetustatis fuligo fere coegerat aspirare. Ibi tabulam sacramentalem testimonii, finem matrimonii, connubii pacificam unitatem, nuptiarum inseparabile jugum, nubentium indissolubile vinculum, lingua picturae fatebatur intextum. In picturae etenim libro umbratiliter legebatur, quae nuptiarum exsultationis applaudit  solemnitas, quae in nuptiis melodiae solemnizet suavitas, quae connubiis convivarum arrideat generalitas specialis, quae matrimonia citharae concludat jucunditas generalis. Organicorum quoque artificum decuriata pluralitas, praedicti hominis decorabat incessum. Ipsi vero artifices in se sui magistri figurantes tristitiam, suis silentium indixerant instrumentis. Unde, instrumentorum officinae quas silentii torpor faciebat elingues, aspirare videbantur in gemitum. Igitur, postquam naturae vicinitati eum localis viciniat affinitas, haec illum signans ex nomine, cum salutis libamine, ei osculi libamen apposuit. Ex ipsius autem nominis signaculo, caeterarumque circumstantiarum loquentibus signis, Hymenaeum qui venerat recognovi, quem natura  sua locans in dextra, suae dextrae dignitate donavit.


Adventus Castitatis.


Cum inter Naturam Hymenaeumque quaedam colloquii celebraretur festivitas, ecce virgo suae pulchritudinis aurora blandiens universis, repentina sui adventus praesentia, sui directione itineris ad nostram aspirare videbatur praesentiam. In cujus pulchritudine tanti artificii resultabat solemnitas, ut in nullo naturae polientis claudicaret digitus. Hujus facies nullius adventitii coloris mendicabat hypocrisim, sed rosam cum lilio disputantem in facie, mistione naturae mirabili, plantaverat  dextera Omnipotentis. Oculi, simplicitatis disciplinati modestia, nullius petulantiae lasciviebant excursibus. Labia proprii retentiva vigoris, nec exhausta suaviis, nec osculis videbantur Veneris sensisse praeludia. Hujus tamen faciem desudantem in lacrymas, lacrymarum flumine crederes naufragari. Sertum vero materialiter ex liliis decussatae insertionis connubio fibulatis, sui capitis arriserat ornamentis. Cignei tamen crinis candor dedignatus liliorum supplicare candoribus, contradictoriam jactitabat albedinem. Vestes etiam suis verioribus albedinis argumentis nivibus conclusissent, nisi pictura varios commentata colores, earum fefellisset albedinem. In his etenim, sub commento picturae, videbatur intextum, qualiter Hippolyti castitas  muro vallata constantiae, novercalis luxuriae oppositionibus institit refellendo. Illic Daphnes, ne virginalis ferae jacturam sustineret, fuga Phoebi fugabat illecebras. Illic Lucretia fracti pudoris dispendium mortis excludebat compendio. Illic in speculo picturae, castitatis speculum Penelopem poteram speculari. Et, ut brevi narrationis tramite subterfugienda picturae multiloquia comprehendam, nullam nativitatis filiam suo commendationis ferculo, depictionis industria defraudavit. Aurei vero sigilli nobilitas, quae ut jaspidum stellabat siderea multitudo, praefatae virginis diescebat in dextera. Super sinistram autem residens turtur, sub facie elegiaci carminis, calamitosis ejulationibus, suae vocis citharam adaptabat. Adolescentularum vero cohors,  ad itineris solatium et ad obsequiale ministerium, ejus adhaerebat vestigiis. Quam postquam Natura prospexit sibi loci proximitate vicinam, solemni occursu ei obviam veniens, salutis prooemio, osculi praeludio, amplexus connubio, mentalem foris depinxit affectum; dumque praedictae virginis in praefatione salutis, nomen enituit, praesentialem agnovi Castitatis adventum.


Adventus Temperantiae.


Cumque Natura eidem festivitate collocutionis applauderet, ecce matrona regulari modestia disciplinans incessum, ad nos videbatur sui itineris tramitem lineare. Hujus statura mediocritatis erat circumscripta limitibus. Aetas vero meridianam  tendebat ad horam, vitae tamen meridies in nullo pulchritudinis obviabat amori; ruina etiam senectutis, crinem suis nivibus tentabat aspergere, quem ipsa virgo humerorum spatio inordinaria fluctuatione non permiserat juvenari, sed sub disciplina ejus cogebat excessum. Vestes nec nobilis materiae superbire gloria, nec vilitatis videbantur deflere jacturam; sed mediocritatis obedientes canonibus, nec nimiae brevitatis decurtatione truncatae, a terrae superficie peregrinantes evaserant, nec portionibus superfluis terrae faciem tunicabant, sed eam brevi osculi degustatione libabant: zona namque tunicae moderando decursum, enormitatem revocabat  in regulam. Monile autem sinus excubando vestibulis, manui negabat ingressum. In vestibus, pictura suarum litterarum fidelitate docebat, quae in hominum verbis debeat esse circumcisio, quae in factis circumspectio, quae in habitu mediocritas, quae in gestu severitas, quae in cibis refrenatio oris, quae in potu castigatio gutturis. Praefatam igitur virginem pedissequarum paucitate vallatam, festinae obviationis applausu natura suscipiens, multiplici osculorum epilogo, specificataeque salutationis auspicio, suae dilectionis cumulum figuravit; expressaque proprii nominis expressio, Temperantiae favorabilem ingessit adventum.


Adventus Largitatis.


Cumque amicae salutationis munere Natura veneraretur  praesentiam Temperantiae, ecce mulier cujus pulchritudinis adjuta fulgore materialis dies, serenioris vultus speciem jactitabat, iter festinando maturans, ad nos sui gressus lineas visa est ordinare. Hujus statura dedignata pauperiem, humanae staturae regulam evadebat. Hujus caput non in terram humiliando depressum, faciem faciebat encliticam, sed erecta cervice ad superna suspendens intuitum, ad altiora visus legebat excursum. Hujus speciem Natura expolitione limata exsculpsit, ut in ea sui artificii industriam posset admirari. Diadema vero, non operis insignitate materiae redimens paupertatem, nec ejusdem nobilitate materiae vilitatem recuperans, sed in utroque singularem referens monarchiam, sine morsu peremptoriae proprietatis  ardebat in capite. Aureus tamen crinis gratiori igne flammantior, aureo diademati indignando videbatur praestare subsellia: qui nec forficis apocopatus industria, nec in tricaturae manipulos colligatus, sed pigressiori excursione luxurians, limites humerorum transgrediens, terrae videbatur condescendere paupertati. Brachia, non brevitatis damnata pauperie, sed proceritatis excursu fluentia, non retro reciproca, sed in anteriora crederes transitura; manus, nullius complosionis arctationis reciprocae, sed largae expositionis explicatione productiles, largiendi affectabant officia. Vestes etiam ex aureis, sericisque filis insertionis osculo conjugatis materiam sortientes, ut a materiae generositate  operis commendata subtilitas, tanti artificii gratulabatur insignibus, ut non materialem, verum etiam coelestem manum operi crederes insudasse. In quibus, imaginaria picturae probabilitas sophistico procurationis suae praestigio, homines notorio avaritiae crimine laborantes, anathematis damnabat opprobrio; largitatis vero filios famae praeconiis titulatos, benedictionis gratia compensabat. Praefata igitur mulier solo asseclarum vallata ternario, cum sui gressus maturationi insisteret, ecce, Natura celebri occursu illius amicans incessus, osculum salutatione dimidians, salutationem osculo syncopabat. Ejus formae specialis insignitas, habitus  specificati curialitas, gestus individualitas, Largitatis dum promulgarent adventum, nomen in salutatione resultans, ejusdem rei fidem a nube dubitationis excepi.


Adventus Humilitatis.


Dum Natura Largitati primitivae salutationis, amicaeque applausionis jura persolveret, ecce puella lentitudine pigritantis gressus morosior, columbini vultus placiditate serenior, modicitate staturae castigatioris humilior, ad nos divertere testudinei gressus modestia, videbatur. Staturae tamen humilitati, gratia pulchritudinis venerat in patronum: quae mechanicis humani artificii usurpata fallaciis, sed vivo fonte naturae scaturientis, totum corpus decoris afflaverat ornamento. Hujus crinis tanta  fuerat forficis demorsione succisus, ut apocopationis figura fere in vitium transmigraret. Capillos vero quodam exorbitationis diversiclinio devagantes, inexplicabili intricatione complicitos, inter se crederes litigare. Caput demissione profunda dejectum, humiliter encleticabat in terram. Vestes non a nativo colore materiae appositivi coloris adulteratione degeneris, suburbanae materiae vulgaritatem artificiosae operationis defendebant subsidio. Ibi fabulosis picturae commentis legebatur inscriptum, qualiter in virtutum catalogo Humilitas insignitatis vexillo praefulgeret; Superbia vero sacramentali virtutum synodo excommunicationis suspensa charactere, extremae relegationis damnaretur excidio. Huic igitur adventanti, Natura enixiori  festinatione veniens in occursum, salutationis suae ferculum osculorum melliniens condimento, vultum dilectionis exhibuit medullatae. In specificationis vero personae idiomatibus, mihi Humilitatis resultavit adventus.


Querulosa Naturae collocutio cum Hymenaeo, et virginibus praedictis.


Cum Hymenaeus, praetaxataeque virgines in Naturae facie, intestinae conquestionis faciem exemplarent, internique doloris ideas in forinsecae lacrymationis icones producere molirentur, ecce Natura verbis verba praeveniens, ait: O sola humanae tenebrositatis luminaria, occidentis mundi sidera matutina, naufragorum tabulae speciales, Portus  mundialium fluctuum singulares! radicatae cognitionis maturitate cognosco quae sit vestri conventus ratio, quae adventus occasio, quae lamentationis causa, quae doloris exordia. Homines etenim sola humanitatis specie figurati, interius vero belluinae enormitatis deformitate dejecti, quos humanitatis chlamide doleo investisse, a terrenae inhabitationis patrimonio vos exhaeredare conantur, sibi terrenum funditus usurpando dominium, vos ad coeleste domicilium repatriare cogentes. Quoniam ergo res mea agitur, cum familiaris paries inflammatur incendio, vestrae compassioni compatiens, vestro dolori condolens, in vestro gemitu meum lego gemitum, in vestra adversitate meum invenio detrimentum. De contingentibus igitur nihil omittens,  in me finem proprium consecuta, prout valeo brachium meae potestatis extendere, eos vindicta vitio respondente percutiam. Sed quia excedere limitem meae virtutis non valeo, nec meae facultatis est, hujus pestilentiae virus omnifariam exstirpare, meae possibilitatis regulam prosecuta, homines praedictorum vitiorum anfractibus irretitos anathematis cauteriabo charactere. Genium vero qui mihi in sacerdotali ancillatur officio, decens est suscitari, qui eos a naturalium rerum catalogo, a meae jurisdictionis confinio, meae judiciariae potestatis assistente praesentia, vestrae assensionis conveniente gratia, pastorali virga excommunicationis eliminet. Cujus legationis Hymenaeus erit probatissimus exsecutor; penes quem  stellantis elocutionis astra lucescunt, penes quem examinatoris consilii locatur armarium.


Legatio Hymenaei cum Naturae litteris ad Genium.


Tunc astantes a suae conquestionis lacrymis feriantes, profunda capitum demissione, submisse gratiarum actiones naturae abundanti professione solvunt; Hymenaeus vero in praesentiali Naturae conspectu sese genibus arcuatis humilians, destinatae legationi sese fatebatur obnoxium. Tunc illa schedulam papyream hujusmodi exemplaris carminis inscriptione signavit. Natura, Dei gratia, mundanae civitatis prima vicaria procreatrix, Genio sibi alteri similem, eique per omnia serenatis fortunae blanditiis amicari.  Quoniam similia dissimilium aspersione, et similium sociali habitudine gratulantur, in te velut in speculo Naturae radiante similitudine inveniendo me alteram, nodo dilectionis praecordialis astringor, aut in tuo profectu proficiens, aut in tuo defectu aequa lance deficiens, quare circularis debet esse dilectio, ut tu talione dilectionis respondeas. Patrati sceleris evidentia, clamoris gerens imaginem, humani generis naufragium tibi evidenter eloquitur. Vides enim qualiter homines originalis naturae honestatem bestialibus illecebris inhonestent, humanitatis privilegialem exuentes naturam, in bestias, morum degeneratione transmigrant, Veneris in consequentia affectus proprios  consequentes, gulositatis vorticibus naufragantes, cupiditatis vaporibus aestuantes, alis superbiae ficticiis evolantes, invidiae morsibus indulgentes, adulationis hypocrisi alios deaurantes. His vitiorum morbis nemo medicinalibus instat remediis; hunc scelerum torrentem nemo obice defensionis castigat: hos facinorum fluctus, nemo portus stabilitate refrenat. Virtutes etiam tantam hostilis conflictus ingruentiam sustinere non valentes, ad nos tantum defensionis asylum, et vitae remedium confugiunt. Quoniam ergo res nostra communi degrassatione vexatur, et precibus melliens, tibi obedientiae virtute praecipiens, et jubendo moneo, et monendo jubeo, quatenus omni excusationis sophismate relegato, ad nos matures accessum, ut mei  mearumque Virginum assistente praesentia, abominationis filios a sacramentali Ecclesiae nostrae communione sejungens, cum debita officii solemnitate, severa excommunicationis virga percutias. Post haec, illa epistolam sigillari signaculo consignatam, in quo nomen imaginemque Naturae peritia artificialis exsculpserat, legato tradidit delegandam. Tunc Hymenaeus solemniori vultu laetitiae gratiarum actiones epilogans, et legationem destinatam initians, suosque a sopore pigritiae excitans consodales, jussit ut suis invigilantes organicis instrumentis, a somno silentii eadem excitarent, et ad harmonici melodiomatis modulos invitarent. Tunc illi quibusdam prooemiis sua illicientes  instrumenta, vocem deformiter uniformem, dissimilitudine similem, multiformi modulo picturabant:


METRE VIII. Nec te gulosae Scylla voraginis mergat.

'To the end, she answered, 'that Scylla of the greedy whirlpool do not whelm thee in the deep night of self-indulgence, apply the curbs of moderation to thy palate, pay thy belly its due most temperately, let the path of thy throat taste the rain of Lyaecus, the draughts of Bacchus, soberly, drink but little, that the mouth may be thought to give a sort of kiss to the wine-god's cup. Let water break the pride of Lyaeus, streams temper the madness of Bacchus; let Thetis offer herself as a wife to Lyaeus, and the wife curb the tyranny of the husband. Let a common, simple, spare diet wear out the mutinies of the haughty flesh. That the despot who always exults in the flesh may drive thee the less, let quiet Cupid take his rest. Let the bridles of love be checked in thee and the sting of the flesh faint and be numb, and let the flesh thus become the handmaid of the spirit. Restrain thine eyes, and put bolts upon the door of thy vision, lest it hunt too unvirtuously beyond the reach of the light, and, like a scout, lay its booty before the mind. If the passion of greed intoxicates any, let them force it to depart from them, let ostentation note the wealth of the mind, the triumph of the mind let the neck of desire be bent and bowed, nor even let the money linger in the shut moneybags and sleep inactive, free to no one, but let it rather keep watch as the guardian of honor, to be put by the rich man to use. If the time be at hand, if the place require, let the buried mass of wealth rise up, the money-bags cast up coins from their very depths. Let bounty serve honor in any way it can. If thou wishest to tread on the neck of pride, on swollen arrogance, on ostentation of the spirit, consider the burden of thy fleeting race, the toil of life, the close of death.'


PROSE VIII. Cum in hanc spcecialis disciplinae semitam.

While Nature's discourse was proceeding along this particular path of instruction, behold, a man, appearing suddenly and to my amazement, having given no previous warning sign to our attention, showed his presence to our sight. He, for he seemed obedient to no law of age, now was young in the spring of youth, now his maturer face spoke of serious affairs, and now was seen to be ploughed by the furrows of old age. Just as he would alter through many degrees of changing age in face, so his doubtful  stature was now made short and insignificant; now his slight figure would be increased according to the scale of an equally balanced mean; now, growing up in bold height, he would rival the towering giants. In his face were evident no traces of feminine softness; the strength of manly dignity reigned there alone. It was neither flooded with the rains of tears, nor brightened with the pleasures of laughter, but, watched over by both in moderation, tended rather toward tears. His hair had gained a truce in fight, and confessed the industry of the skillful comb. Yet it lay arranged in manner seemly and proper, so that it should not stray into extravagant ornament, and be seen to fall to a feminine delicacy. And that the least cloud of hair should not hide his broad forehead, the fringes of his locks had known the biting shears. And his face also, as manly dignity demanded, did not vary at all from favor and beauty. His chin now would sprout the first down, now would be fringed with a longer beard, now would seem to run wild in an abundant fleece, and now the severity of a razor would reprove the growth's excess. Rings, gemmed with constellations of stones, shone on his hands with extraordinary splendor, and displayed a new sun. His garments appeared now to be common, of poor make and coarse substance, now to rejoice in the most skillful woof of fine material. On them ideal pictures told of the events of marriage, though the soot of time  had almost made the images fade. Yet nevertheless the eloquence of the picture spoke of what was woven therein-the holy faith of marriage, the peaceful unity of wedlock, the equal yoke of matrimony, the indissoluble bond of the wedded. For in the book of imagery it was obscurely told what festal exultation was wont to cheer the beginning of a nuptial, what solemn sweetness of melody was there, how the guests, single and united, applauded the marriage, what patrimony the sociable and jocund cithara established. Furthermore, an ordered company of men skilled in music honored his approach. But these same musicians showed among themselves the sorrow of their master, and enjoined silence upon their instruments. Thereupon the frames of the instruments, which dull silence had made tongueless, seemed to raise a groan. Then, when he had approached close to where Nature' stood, she, calling him by name, offered him a greeting and gave him a kiss. Then from the designation of his name and from the telling signs of other circumstances, I recognized him who had come as Hymen. Him Nature placed at her right hand, and granted him its honor.

While cheerful conversation was being enjoyed between Nature and Hymen, behold, with sudden appearance and unlooked-for coming, a virgin, the dawn of whose beauty charmed all things, was seen to approach on her course toward our presence. In her loveliness was evident such high and holy art that the finger of Nature, the finisher, had not failed in any particular. Her countenance borrowed no false or foreign color ; but the right hand of most powerful Nature had planted there, with marvelous grafting, the rose vying with the lily. Her eyes were governed by simple modesty, and did not wanton in any impudent sally. Her lips, retentive of their freshness, seemed neither drained by pleasures nor to have felt the first kisses of passion. Yet one would think that her face, which flowed with tears, had suffered sorrow of shipwreck in the flood of weeping. A wreath of lilies, strung by a beautiful chain, smiled on her lovely head. Yet the whiteness of her swan-like hair scorned to ask for the radiance of the lilies, and gave out continually a rival lustre. Her garments, furthermore, would have silenced with their truer snows the arguments of the whiteness of the others, had not a picture, mingled with various colors, cheated them of their purity. For on her garments was seen interwoven, after the fancy of a picture, how the chastity of Hippolytus was defended opposed by a wall of constancy, and how it zealously and repelled a stepmother's lustful desires. There Daphne, lest the bolt and bar of her virginity should be broken through, put to rout the enticements of Phoebus by flight. There Lucretia set off the loss of violated chastity by the gain of death. There, in the mirror of the picture, I could catch sight of Penelope, mirror of purity. And, to include the picture's many eloquent but subtle touches in a brief way of speaking, it had been careful not to cheat any daughter of chastity of her meed of praise. A noble seal of gold, studded by a starry multitude of jasper stones, shone like day on the right hand of the virgin. On her left hand sat a turtle-dove, which in the manner of elegiac song tuned the cithara of its voice to sorrowful moans. A band of young girls, none of whom seemed to have wantoned in the wrestling-ground of love, clung to her footsteps, to comfort her journey and do her obedient service. When Nature had perceived her near and close at hand, she left her seat, and, coming to her with solemn approach, showed outwardly by her first salutation, by her welcoming kiss, and by the joining in embrace, the love for her in her mind. And when at the beginning of the salutation the name of this virgin shone forth, I recognized there the arrival of Chastity.

Now while Nature was welcoming her with glad conversation, behold , a matron, with moderate and measured gait, was seen to be directing her way toward us. Her stature was bound within the limits of the mean. Her age tended toward the noon-hour of life; yet in no respect did the noon hinder the dawn of beauty. The hoar-frost of old age was trying to scatter its snows on her hair. This she did not allow to play in free waves over her shoulders, but held its luxuriance in bounds. Her garments did not seem to boast of the glory of fine material, nor to bewail their loss in being made of common stuff. Obedient to the canons of moderation, they neither escaped and strayed from the surface of the ground, cut short and curtailed in excessive brevity, nor did they clothe the face of the earth with needless length, but touched it with the brief taste of a kiss; for a girdle governed the fall of her tunic, and recalled irregularity to rule. A collar kept watch over the entrances to her bosom, and denied the hand admission. On her garments a picture showed with faithful characters what circumscription ought to be in the words of man, what circumspectness in his deeds, what moderation in dress, what serenity in bearing, what bridling of the mouth in eating, what reproof of the throat in drink. Her Nature recognized, though surrounded by few attendants, and hastened to meet and welcome her, showing the full measure of her love by the warm greeting with which she began, and by concluding with manifold kisses. The clear expression of her right name told of the gracious arrival of Temperance.

And while Nature was receiving the presence of Temperance with the gift of a friendly salutation, behold, a woman, the daylight of whose beauty, when presented, threw continually on the glory of the actual day the splendor of a brighter countenance, was seen hurrying her quick course and bending her direct approach toward us. Her stature had scorned the poverty of human stature in its growth, and exceeded it in unusual degree. Her head did not bow humbly to the ground or bear a face cast down, but, with neck straight, fixed its gaze on things above, and kept the shaft of its vision for the heights. Nature had finished her appearance with such careful perfection that she could admire in it her own diligence as a maker. A diadem, which did not redeem property of material by pre-eminence of workmanship, or atone for meanness of workmanship by fineness of material, but which showed in both a supreme monarchy without the pain of that absolute state, glowed on her head. Yet her golden hair, more flaming and with lovelier fire, seemed to afford a seat to the golden diadem indignantly. Not cut short by industrious scissors, nor collected into companies of locks, it wantoned in freer wandering, and, crossing the limits of the shoulders was seen to condescend to the poor estate of earth. Her arms were not bound to a scant shortness, but, extending in ample length. seemed not destined to shrink , but rather to increase further. Her hands, which did not turn back in any hollow curve, but which lay open, ample and broad, cared for the offices of giving. Her garments, which had their substance of golden- and- silken threads joined in the kiss of the web-such that the fineness of the workmanship was inferior ' to the richness of the material ,-rejoiced in such evidences of art that you would think that a hand, not of earth, but from very heaven, had toiled at their making. On them an imaginative but- lifelike picture condemned, by reproach and anathema with its art's deceptive illusion, those men who toil in the notorious sin of avarice. It seemed, moreover, to honor the sons of generosity by the praise of fame, and to make them sharers in the grace of her benediction. While this woman, closely accompanied by three attendants, pressed on in her haste to approach, behold, Nature ran quickly to meet her and welcomed her coming, and, dividing her kiss with a salutation, closed her salutation with a kiss. And while the singular distinction of her beauty, the elegance of her unusual apparel, the individuality of her bearing, were speaking openly of the arrival of Generosity, the sound of her name in the salutation took  the credibility of the matter away from the cloud of doubt.

Then while Nature was performing to Generosity the duties of salutation and friendly welcome, behold, a maiden of slow and somewhat sadder step, calmer in the peace of her dove-like countenance, and lowlier in her small and slender figure, encouraged herself to turn to us her gentle and measured approach. Yet her grace and her beauty came to plead in behalf of  the slight stature. For these, acquired not by the mechanical deceits of human art, but gushing from the living fountain of nature, had breathed upon her whole body with the graces of loveliness. Her hair had been cut with such hungry scissors, that, shortened in the fashion of the cutting, it had passed into a blemish. But some tresses which wandered and strayed irregularly, and were entangled with inextricable confusion, seemed to be at strife within themselves. Her head was cast down with profound abasement, and humbly bowed toward the ground. Her garments, which did not fail from their native color through the addition of any foreign hue, excused the commonness their of their ordinary material by artistic workmanship. Here was read, written in the imaginative fancies of a picture, how in the list of virtues humility shines foremost, carrying the banner of excellence; how by the holy synod of the virtues pride is anathematized with the mark of excommunication, and condemned to banishment and uttermost destruction. To meet her, then, as she approached, Nature went with especial haste, and, as she sweetened the dish of her salutation with the spice of kisses, showed a face of deep affection. In the peculiar phrases of this distinguished personage was made clear the arrival of Humility.

Then while Hymen and these women were copying the appearance of profound sorrow from the face of Nature, and were striving to produce in lines of outward grief the feelings of inward pain, lo, Nature, anticipating their speech with speech, said:

`O lonely lamps in human darkness, morning stars of a setting world, scattered planks to those suffering shipwreck, solitary ports on earthly floods! I perceive, with a mature and deep-rooted understanding, what is  the reason for your coming together, what the occasion for your arrival, what the cause of your lamentation, what the source of your grief. For men who are fashioned only in the beauty of humanity, and who yet within are sunk into weak and bestial ugliness, and whom I grieve to have invested with the robe of manhood, are endeavoring to disinherit you from your patrimony of an earthly habitation, and are seizing all power on earth, and forcing you to repair to your celestial home. Since, then, my welfare is affected, since our party-wall is flaming with fire, I feel compassion for your suffering, sympathize in your grief, read my groans  in your groans  and find my loss in your adversity. Therefore, passing over nothing of what has happened, I will attain my own goal myself, and I will smite these men with vengeance answering to their sin, so far as I am able to extend the arm of my might. But since I cannot exceed the limit of my power, and it is not in my control to root out the poison of this pestilence completely, I will follow the measure of my ability, and brand the men who are caught in these crooked vices with the mark of anathema.

'But it is fitting to ask Genius, who assists me in the priestly office, to cast out, with the aiding presence of my judiciary power, with your assent and favoring help, and with the pastoral rod of excommunication, those men from the catalogue of the things of nature, from the bounds of my jurisdiction. Hymen, the highly proved, will be the executor of this mission. In him shine the stars of glittering eloquence, and in his possession is placed the armory of the examining council.'

Then they rose, and, resting from their tears and lament, bowed their heads in deep humility, and freely gave to Nature abundant signs of their gratitude due. And Hymen, who humbled himself on bended knee in the immediate sight of Nature, declared himself obedient to the appointed mission. Then she marked and inscribed with a reed-pen a papyrus sheet with an epistolary composition of this sort:

`Nature, by the grace of God delegated protectress  of the worldly realm, to Genius, her other self, greeting, and a wish that in everything he be befriended by the favors of fair fortune! Since similarities rejoice in a scorn of things unlike them, and in the friendly appearance of things like them, I, who find in thee, as in the mirror of Nature, myself again in marked resemblance, am bound to thee by the knot of most ardent love, so that I am with thee in all -go things, advance in thy progress, or, in like measure, droop in thy failure. Therefore ought our love to be reciprocal, so that thou wouldest answer with equal affection, and make our fortunes one . The evidence of evil committed tells thee fully, in the form of a loud wail, of the shipwreck of the human race. For thou seest how men debase the original dignity of their natures with bestial pleasures, and transgress humanity's privileged state, changing in their degenerate practices to beasts, and how, in following their  own desires in the pursuit of lust, going to shipwreck in the whirlpools of intemperance, seething in the heat of avarice, flying upon the false wings of pride, giving way to the bites of envy, gilding others with the hypocrisy of flattery, they fall far from their natural and noble state. No one is ready with medicinal remedies for these vicious diseases. No one restrains the torrent of these crimes with a dyke of defense.

No harbor checks unchangeably the flood tides of these evil deeds. Therefore the virtues, being wholly unable to bear the assault of such a hostile onset, have fled to us, as to a refuge of defense and a succor to their life. Since our common interests are thrown into confusion by the fierce attack, I entreat thee with prayers, enjoin thee by the virtue of obedience, both warn as I command, and command as I warn, that thou banish all deception and excuse, and hasten thy approach to us, and that with the aiding presence of myself and my women, thou sever the children of abomination from the holy communion of our congregation, and, in the due solemnity of thine office, smite them with the hard rod of excommunication.'

Thereupon she gave the letter, which had been sealed and marked with a signet, on which an artist's skill had graved the name and image of Nature, to her legate to deliver. Then Hymen, ending his acts of thanks with a graver countenance of joy, received his appointed embassy, and, rousing his companions from dull idleness, bade them take up their instruments of music, and, stirring them from dumb silence, summon them to the measures of harmonious melody. Then caressing their instruments in a few preludes, they struck out a sound of many notes in one, of quality unlike yet consonant, of manifold tone.


Jam tuba terribili bellum clangore salutans

Intonuit, cognati loquens praeludia belli,

Mugitu simili similem signando tumultum.

Aera laedebat mendaci vulnere cornu,

Devia vox hujus, vox hujus anormala nescit

Organicis patere modis, artique favere

Spernit, et effrenem miratur musica cantum.

Grataque vox citharae serenans gratius istis

Mellitae tribuit auri convivia vocis,

Quae cantus varii faciem variando colorans,

Nunc lacrymas in voce parit, mentita dolorem;

Nunc falsi risus, sonitu mendacia pingit,

 Et lyra quae semper cantu philomenat amoeno,

Dulcius alliciens, oculisque prooemia somni

Lectitat, et sepelit offensae murmura mentis

Fistula, quae noctu solers vigil excubat, imo

Excubiis voce compensat damna soporis:

Auribus arrisit per quem fit caetera cordis

Saxea durities, mentisque liquescere durae

Cogitur asperitas, propriumque fugare rigorem.

Hunc vocis cursum, tantumque volucris acumen

Obtusae vocis tardabant tympana gressu.

Nec tamen omnino cantus fraudatur honore,

Verbere si quis ea subtili verberet ictu,

Suscitet atque manus tractu delibet amico,

Aeris exhausti tractu sociata profundo.

 Cum dulci strepitu ructabant organa ventum,

Dividitur juncta, divisaque jungitur horum

Dispar comparitas cantus, concordia discors,

Imo dissimilis similis dissensio vocum.

Plebaeo sonitu mendica voce sonabant,

Cymbala, quae nostris nunquam clamando perorant

Auribus, auditus hominum vix digna mereri.

Nullus erat major, melior, vel gratior illo,

Quo concludebat praedictis cantibus unus,

Dulcis pentasonae cantus, vestigia cujus,

Cujus adorabat vocem plebs aemula cantum.

Et quae cum cithara discordi disputat ore,

Psalterii condita favo, mellita sapore,

Insonuit vox grata ferens munuscula cantus.

Sistra puellaris tactum poscentia dextrae,

 Linguae femineae, Martis bellique prophetae,

Vocis inauditae miracula voce canebant.


Resumit Natura suam querulosam locutionem.


Igitur Hymenaeo mysticae legationis mysteriis in dulgente, Natura aerumnosae conquestionis elegiacam orationem contexens, illorum recensebat injurias, quorum ingruente flagitio, suae reipublicae majestas, profundi detrimenti abundantem senserat laesionem. Inter quos, unum prae caeteris accuratius stimulis reprehensionis arguebat, qui prae aliis incurialius certabat dedecorare Naturam. Cum quaevis gratia nobilitatis blandiretur naturae, cum suis muneribus amicaretur prudentia, cumque magnanimitas erigeret, largitas erudiret, tamen, quia  universa massa modici fermenti asperitate laborabat, unius virtutis occidens, caeterarum virtutum orientem funditus nubilabat. Unius probitatis eclipsis, caeterarum probitatum sidera recessu ecliptico mori cogebat. Cumque Largitas ad suum alumnum ista spectare videret convitia, non audens defensionis pallio ejusdem vitia colorare, cum humili capitis demissione decidua, ad lacrymarum confugit remedia.


Natura consolatur Largitatem et Prodigalitatem reprobat.


Natura perpendens quid capitis demissio, quid lacrymarum figuraret emissio, ait: O Virgo, cujus praesignii architectatione humana mens virtutum destinatur palatium per quam homines favorabilis  gratiae praemia consequentur; per quam aetatis aureae antiquata saecula reviviscunt; per quam homines se glutino amicitiae praecordialis astringunt; aeterna usia aeternali suae noys osculo generando producens, mihi sororem largita est uterinam. Non solum te mihi nativae consanguinitatis zona confibulat, verum etiam, perdux amoris nexus concatenat. Unde a meae voluntatis examine, tuae discretionis libra voluntatem tuam non patitur aberrare: tanta enim unio conformitatis, imo, unitas unitionis fideli pace nostras mentes conciliat, ut non solum illa unio simulatoria, unitatis vestiatur imagine, verum etiam unitionis phantasia deposita, ad identitatis aspiret essentiam. Quare, in neutram alicujus injuria debacchatur, quae non  grassetur in alteram, neutri alicujus illecebra novercatur, quae non inimicetur et alteri. Quare, qui impudicae patrationis clamante blasphemia, meae dignitatis titulum effeminare laborat, injuriosae vexationis instantia, tuo honori derogare conatur. Ille etiam qui excedentis prodigalitatis effluxu naturae donis abutitur, fortunae muneribus damno nimiae dilapidationis exuitur. Sic quoque prodigalitatis meretricata communitas, mentiendo largitatis profitetur honorem, divitiarumque torrens, paupertatis derivatur in aridum; sapientiae splendor fatuitatis deviat in occasum; magnanimitatis rigor laxatur in temeritatis audaciam. Quadam ergo admiratione fatigor, cur in damnatione illius qui nos  caeteris damnosius damnificare contendit, lacrymarum diluvium non valeas refrenare. Tunc Largitas, certiori remedio a regione vultus rivulum lacrymarum absentans, capitisque demissionem revocans ad superna, ait: O nativorum omnium originale principium! O rerum omnium speciale subsidium! O mundanae regionis regina! O suprema coelestis principis fidelis vicaria, quae sub imperatoris aeterni auctoritate, fidelem administrationem nulla fermentatione corrumpis. Cui universitas mundialis originis speciei exigentia obedire tenetur, prout intimae cognitionis expressa parilitas exigit, me tibi aurea dilectionis catena connectit. Illi igitur qui suam naturam damno venundans,  te insultu nimiae rebellionis impugnat, mihi coequatae concussionis importunitate repugnat. Qui, quamvis umbratili credulitatis deceptus imagine, meis se credat commilitare comitiis, hominesque histrionali prodigalitatis figuratione decepti, in eo Largitatis odorent vestigia, tamen a nostrae amicationis beneficio longa relegatione suspenditur. Sed, quia nostrum est erroneae divagationis anfractibus compati condolendo, in ejus insensatae voluntatis exhibitione pestifera, non valeo non moveri.


Adventus Genii.


Cum inter has virgines dragmaticae collocutionis intercalaris celebraretur collatio, ecce Genius, organicorum instrumentorum applaudente laetitia,  nova apparitionis resultatione comparuit. Cujus statura mediocritatis canone modificata decenter, nec de diminutione querebatur apheresis, nec de superfluitatis prothesi tristabatur, cujus caput pruinosis canitiei crinibus investitum, hiemalis senii gerebat signaculum: facies tamen juvenili expolita planitie, nulla erat senectutis exaratione sulcata. Vestes vero opere sequente naturam, hujus vel illius nescientes inopiam, videbantur nunc serenari hyacintho, nunc colore succendi coccineo; nunc bysso expressius candidari: in quibus, rerum imagines momentanee viventes, toties exspirabant, ut a nostrae cognitionis laberentur indagine. Ille vero calamum papyreae fragilitatis nunquam a suae inscriptionis ministerio feriantem manu ferebat in dextera;  in sinistra vero, pellem novaculae demorsione pileorum caesarie denudatam, in qua styli obsequentis subsidio, imagines rerum ab umbra picturae ad veritatem essentiae transmigrantes, vita sui generis donabantur; quibus deletionis morte sopitis, novae nativitatis ortu, aliae revocabantur ad vitam. Illic Helena, suo decore semidea, quae mediante pulchritudine sua, pulchritudo poterat nuncupari. Illic in Turno fulmen audaciae, vigor regnat in Hercule. Illic in Capaneo gigantea ascendebat proceritas; in Ulysse vulpina vigebat calliditas. Illic Cato pudicae sobrietatis nectare debriabatur mirabili. Plato ingenii splendore rutilabat sidereo. Illic stellata cauda Tulliani pavonis rutilabat. Illic Aristoteles sententias aenigmaticarum locutionum latibulis  involvebat. Post hujus inscriptionis solemnitatem, dexterae manui continuae depictionis fatigatae laboribus, sinistra manus tanquam sorori fessae subveniens, picturandi officium usurpabat; dextera manu pugillaribus potita; quae ab orthographiae semita falsigraphiae claudicatione recedens, rerum figuras, imo, figurarum larvas umbratiles semiplena picturatione creabat. Illic Thersites turpitudinis pannositate vestitus, peritioris fabricae solertiam postulabat. Illic Paris incestuosae cupidinis mollitie figurabatur. Illic Ennii versus a sententiarum venustate jejuni, artem metricam effreni transgrediebantur licentia. Illic Pacuvius nesciens narrationis modificare curriculum, in retrograda serie sui tractatus locabat initium.


Quomodo Veritas comitabatur Genium.


His ergo picturae solertiis Genio solemniter operam impendenti, Veritas tanquam patri filia verecunda ancillatione obsequens assistebat, quae non pruritu aphrodites promiscuo propagata, sed hoc solo Naturae natique geniali osculo fuerat derivata, cum Ilem speculum formarum meditantem, aeternalis salutavit idea, eam iconiae interpretis interventu vicario osculata. Hujus in facie divinae pulchritudinis deitas legebatur, nostrae mortalitatis aspernata naturam. Vestes vero coelestis artificis dexteram eloquentes, indefessae rutilationis splenditatibus inflammatae, nullis poterant vetustatis tineis cancellari: quae virgineo corpori tanta fuerant  connexione conjunctae, ut nulla exuitionis diaeresis eas aliquando faceret virginali corpori pharisaeas. Aliae autem tanquam adventitiae naturae, praecedentibus appendiciis, nunc oculis visus offerebant libamina, nunc oculorum sese figurabantur indagini. Ex opposito, veritati falsitas inimicans stabat attentior, cujus facies turpitudinis nubilata fuligine, nulla in se naturae munera fatebatur, sed senectus faciem rugarum vallibus submittens, eam universaliter implicans collegerat. Caput nec crinis vestimento videbatur indutum, nec pepli velamentum excusabat calvitiem, sed panniculorum infinita pluralitas, quos filiorum pluralis infinitas ei texuerat vestimentum. Haec autem, picturae veritatis latenter insidians, quidquid illa conformiter  informabat, ista informiter deformabat.


Quomodo Natura occurrat Genio adventanti.


Natura igitur suo gressui laxiores concedens habenas, solemnem occursum solemniter exhibendo, oscula nullo illicitae Veneris fermentata veneno, sed mystici signantia cupidinis amplexus, etiam mysticae dilectionis concordiam figurantes, Genio exhibuit adventanti.


Alloquitur Genius Naturam.


Mutua gratulatione expletionis termino consummata, Genius induxit silentium, manu postulante silentia, consequenter vero in hanc locutionis formam suae vocis monetavit materiam: O Natura, non sine internae spirationis afflatione divina, a tuae discretionis libra istud imperiale processit edictum,  ut omnes qui abusiva desuetudine, nostras leges aboletas reddere moliuntur, et in nostrae solemnitatis feria feriantes, anathematis gladio feriantur. Et quia lex hujus promulgationis legitimae, legem justitiae non oppugnat, tuique libra judicii meae discretionis sedet examini, tuae edictionis regulam ocius roborare maturo. Quamvis enim mens mea hominum vitiis angustiata deformibus, in infernum tristitiae peregrinans, laetitiae nesciat paradisum, tamen in hoc amoenantis gaudii odorat primordia, quod te mecum videat ad debitae vindictae suspiria suspirare. Nec mirum, si nostrarum voluntatum unione conformi, concordiae reperio melodiam, cum unius ideae exemplaris notio nos in nativum esse produxerit, unius officialis administrationis  conformet conditio, cum nostras mentes non superficiali dilectionis vinculo amor jungat hypocrita, sed interna animorum nostrorum latibula, casti amoris pudor inhabitet. Dum hoc verborum compendio Genius suae orationis formaret excursum, suae exclamationis quasi aurora nascente, tristitiae tenebras paulisper abstractans, salvo suae dignitatis honore, Natura Genio gratiarum jura persolvit.


Hic promulgat Genius excommunicationem praetaxatis.


Tunc Genius post vulgaris vestimenti depositionem sacerdotalis indumenti ornamentis celebrioribus infulatus, sub hac verborum imagine, praetaxatam excommunicationis seriem a penetralibus  mentis forinsecus evocavit, hoc locutionis praecedente curriculo: auctoritate superessentialis Usiae, ejusque notionis aeternae, assensu coelestis militiae, naturae etiam, caeterarumque virtutum ministerio  suffragante, a supernae dilectionis osculo separetur, ingratitudinis exigente merito, a naturae gratia degradetur, a naturalium rerum uniformi concilio segregetur, omnis qui aut legitimum Veneris obliquat incessum, aut gulositatis incurrit naufragium, aut ebrietatis sentit insomnium, aut avaritiae sitiens experitur incendium, aut insolentis arrogantiae umbratile ascendit fastigium, aut praecordiale patitur livoris exitium, aut adulationis amorem communicat fictitium. Qui autem a regula Veneris exceptionem facit anormalam, Veneris privetur sigillo. Qui gulositatis mergitur in abysso, mendicitatis erubescentia castigetur. Qui ebrietatis lethaeo flumine soporatur, perpetuatae sitis vexetur incendiis. Ille in quo sitis incandescit habendi, perpetuatas  egestates incurrat. Qui in praecipitio arrogantiae exaltatus, spiritum elevationis eructat, in vallem dejectae humilitatis ruinose descendat. Qui alienae felicitatis divitias tinea detractionis invidendo demordet, primo se ibi hostem inveniat. Qui adulationis hypocrisi a divitibus venatur munuscula, sophistici meriti fraudetur praemio. Postquam Genius hujus anathematis exterminio finem orationi concessit, huic imprecationi applaudens Virginum assistentia festino confirmationis verbo Genii roboravit edictum, lampadesque cereorum in manibus virginum suis meridiantes luminibus in terram cum quadam aspernatione et demissione, exstinctionis videbantur sopore dejectae.


 Conclusio operis.


Hujus imaginariae visionis subtracto speculo, me ab exstasi excitatum in somno, prior mysticae apparitionis dereliquit aspectus.


METRE IX. Jam tuba terribili bellum clangore salutans.

Now the trumpet's salute with terrible clang thundered war. telling of the kindred prologues to war, and marked the tumult with tumultuous bellowing. The horn tortured the air with unsubstantial wounds. Its wild, unruly voice knew not how to obey the numbers of music, and scorned to favor art, and music marveled at its lawless song. The clear, fair voice of the cithara, more sweetly than the others, offered the ear feasts of honeyed sound ; and, varying and adorning the character of its song, now feigned grief in its tone and gave rise to tears, now offered a deceptive mimicry of laughter. The lyre, which sings always like a nightingale with lovely song, though more sweetly alluring, and which gathers the first of sleep for the eyes, silenced the murmurs of the unhappy mind. The pipe, which keeps vigil by night like an active sentinel, atoned to watchers for their loss of sleep. It laughed in the ears, so that the stony hardness of the heart became like wax,  and the harshness of the unmoved mind was forced to melt and drive away its own severity. Drums, which came with dull sound, slowed the progress of this music and the keenness of the swift song. Yet was their resonance not without charm, if one struck these drums a stroke of gentle force, aroused them and tried them, allied as they were in the deep volume  of their hollow air, with the touch of a friendly hand. The wind instruments made pleasant noise. joined and then divided, divided and then joined, was the uneven equality of their song, their harmonious discord, their varied unity, the concordant dissension of their voices. With common sound and beggarly voice rang the cymbals, the clamor of which never appeals to our ears, and which was hardly worthy to deserve the hearing of men. None was greater, better, or more agreeable than that which by itself silenced these strains-the sweet song of the pentachord, whose echoes and sound  the common people who vie in song adore. While in rival tone it was thus contending with the cithara, there rose a pleasant sound, hidden in the honey of the psaltery and sweetened with its flavor bearing the slighter gifts of song. Sistra which asked the touch of a girlish hand, together with women's voices, like prophets of Mars and war, sang the wonders of such Music as had never been heard.


PROSE IX. Igitur Hymenteo mysticae legationis mysteries indulgente.

Then while Hymen was employed in the secret rites of his mystic embassy, Nature, in a sorrowful speech of wretched complaint, reviewed the wrongs of those by whose violent and disgraceful acts the glory of her state had felt the full injury of deep loss. And here she censured with the stings of reproof, more sharply than the others, one who, more rudely than the rest, had taken pains to dishonor the orderly being of Nature. Although Fortune smiled upon him with high favor, and though the gift-nay the gifts-of knowledge were joined to him, and though Magnanimity brought him up, and Generosity taught him, yet because the whole mass works with a little sour leaven, the fall of one virtue was obscuring entirely the rise of the other virtues, the eclipse of one good quality was forcing the stars of the other good qualities to die away in dark retreat. Now when Generosity saw this censure aimed at her foster-child, she did not dare to adorn his faults with the cloak of a defense, but, with low bending of her humbled head, sought the relief of tears.

But Nature, who considered what the bowing of the head and the flow of tears stood for, spoke to  Generosity gracious words, saying:

'O virgin, in the building of whose excellence the human race enters into the habitation of the virtues, through whom men attain the rewards of kindness and favor, through whom the ancient cycles of the golden age live again, through whom men bind themselves in the pact of warmest friendship, the eternal Being has begotten and produced with the everlasting kiss of His spirit, and has given me an own sister. Not only the natural tie of blood binds her to me. but the connection of pure love links us also. And because of this, thine even judgment does not allow thy will to wander from the consideration of my will. For such a union in symmetry, nay, a symmetry in unity, harmonizes our minds in firm peace, that not only is that union clothed in the express image of union, but even puts aside mere outward unity and tends towards the essence of identity. . And so a wrong to the one, which does not attack the other, assails neither; a temptation for one subdues neither, if it does not threaten the other. He, then, who tries to weaken my name and renown by the loud blasphemy of shameless deeds, tries in the persistence of his evil vexation to detract from thy glory. He who abuses the gifts of Nature in the waste of ungovemed prodigality is stripped of the gifts of Fortune as a penalty for his lawless extravagance. Thus does the prostituted fellowship of Prodigality falsely profess the honorableness of Generosity. Thus, too, a torrent of wealth is turned off into the desert of poverty, brilliance of wisdom errs and degenerates into folly, magnanimous strength is relaxed into reckless daring. Therefore I am wearied with surprise why, at a condemnation of him who tries more destructively than the others to ruin us, thou art not able to check the flood of tears.'

Then Generosity, drying and removing the river of tears from her countenance, raised again her bowed head to the skies and said:

"O first foundation of everything in nature! O special protection for all! O queen of the region of earth! O trusty agent of a principal above the heavens; who, acting under the authority of the eternal master, dost not disturb thy faithful administration with any disobedience; whom the whole world is bound by the demand of primal righteousness to obey! As strong affinity and close relationship require, the golden chain of love connects me to thee. He, then, who sells his nature to ruin and abomination, and assails thee with insult and fierce rebellion, rebels against me with equal insolence and rage. Although, deceived by the shadowy forms of credulity, he believes that he is serving among my train, and although men who are lured by the flashy appearance of Prodigality smell the footsteps of Generosity there, yet they are anathematized from our favor and friendship to long banishment. But, inasmuch as it is ours to sympathize and condole with warped and straying error, I cannot be unmoved at the fatal sin of his irrational will.'

While the meeting in speech of question and answer was going on between these women, behold, to the applause and festivity of instruments of music, and of strange and striking appearance, Genius came before us. His stature, which was duly limited by the canon of the mean, neither complained of subtraction and curtailment, nor grieved at addition and excess. His head was clothed with locks of hoary whiteness

and bore the marks of wintry age; yet his face was delicate with the smoothness of youth, and unfurrowed by any of the plow-marks of old age. His Lyarments, whose workmanship followed nature, seemed now to be in flames of purple, now to be bright. like hyacinth, now to burn with scarlet, now to be a clearer white than lawn, not knowing the want of any one. On them images of things lived momentarily, and as quickly vanished, so as to elude our scrutiny and perception. He carried in his right hand a reed of frail papyrus, which never rested from its occupation of writing; and in his left he bore an animal's skin from which a knife had cut and bared the shock of hair, and on this, by means of his compliant pen, he gave to images, which passed from the shadow of a sketch to the truth of very being, the life of their kind. And when these slumbered in the death of deletion, others were called  to life in a new rising and birth. There Helen, half a goddess in her loveliness, the brilliancy of her beauty interposing for her, could be called beauty. There the lightning-flash of boldness ruled in Turnus, strength in Hercules. There rose a giant's height in Capaneus; in Ulysses played a fox-like shrewdness. There Cato was intoxicated with the golden nectar of virtuous sobriety; Plato shone with the sidereal splendor of genius. There the splendid tail of the peacock of Ciceronian eloquence glittered variously. There Aristotle involved his puzzling thoughts in concealing phrases. Then, after this serious drawing, the left hand came to the aid of the right, which had become tired with its work of constant delineation, as to the aid of a wearied sister, and assumed the office of designing, while the right hand took the writing surface. The left hand forsook the path of true representation with false and limping imagery, and created figures of things, or rather the shadowy ghosts of figures, with incomplete depiction. For there Thersites, clothed in the raggedness of disgrace, asked the expertness of a more skilled artist. There Paris was subdued by the voluptuousness of carnal love. There Sinon's weapons were the subterfuges of trick and concealment. There the verses of Ennius starved for beauty of thought, transgressed metrical art with unbridled license. There Pacuvius, who knew not how to order the course of a story, placed the beginning of his composition at the end.

Then Truth, who followed in attendance like the modest daughter of a father, assisted Genius in the skillful execution of the pictures, while he bent seriously over the work. Not by the common passion of Aphrodite had she been begotten, but she was sprung from the loving kiss alone of Nature and her son, when the Eternal Mind greeted matter, as it was considering the reflection of forms, and kissed it by the intermediate agency and intervention of an image. In her face was read the divinity of godlike beauty, which scorned our nature's mortality. Her raiment, glowing with the splendors of unwearied brilliancy, and eloquent of the hand of a heavenly maker, was uncorrupted by the moth of old age. It was joined to the virgin's body in such a close connection that no division ever separated them. Other garments, of unfamiliar nature, so to speak, supplementary to the former, now offered glimpses to our eyes, now stole from their gaze. Opposite stood Falsehood, hostile to Truth, and very watchful. Her countenance was clouded with the soot of dishonor I and confessed none of Nature's gifts, for old age had subjected it to hollow creases, and drawn it all together in folds. Her head was seen to be unclothed with covering hair. Nor did she compensate for the baldness by an enveloping robe; but an infinity of little patches, joined by a greater of threads, had composed a cloak for her secretly spying on the pictures of Truth, she rudely marred whatever Truth harmoniously formed.

Nature at this gave free reins to her approach, and was seen to go solemnly to a solemn meeting. And to Genius, as he hastened to meet her, she offered her lips, which were not stirred with the poison of any illicit passion, but which signified those embraces of the mystic love which show the harmony of spiritual affection. After the mutual rejoicing had been consummated in an end of satisfaction, Genius, with hand raised in request, enjoined silence, and, 175 material of his voice into following this, coined the this form of speech:

`O Nature, I do not believe that without the divine breath of inspiration has that imperial edict gone out from thine even judgment, to the effect that all who try by abuse and neglect to reduce our laws to ruin should not rejoice in the high day of our festival, but should be smitten with the sword of anathema. And since this law and legitimate decree does not oppose the rule of justness, and since the scales of thy careful judgment sit quiet on the balance tongue of my consideration, I hasten more quickly to strengthen the ruling of thine edict. For though my mind, which has been tormented by the odious vices of men, and which has traveled into the depth go of sorrow, is unacquainted with the paradise of gladness, yet the beginning of delight and joy smells sweetly in this, that I see thee striving with me toward the attainment of vengeance due. And it is not strange if in the harmonious union of our wills I find the music of concord, since one original thought and idea conforms us with each other, and has brought us into the same mind, since the official rank of one administration makes us alike, and since hypocritical love does not join our minds with the hand of shallow affection, but the virtue of pure love dwells in the inner secret places of our souls.'

While Genius was limiting the course of his speech to these few words, Nature drew aside a little the shadows of sorrow with what was like the rising dawn of an exclamation, and, though with the honor of her position preserved, showed to Genius her proper gratitude. Then Genius, after laying aside his common garment, and being adorned more honorably with 210the higher ornaments of the sacerdotal vestment, called out from the secret places of his mind the order of excommunication referred to, under this form of words, and proceeding in this way of speech:


After Genius, in the utterance of this anathema, had made an end to his speech, the assembly of the women approved of the curse with quick word of ratification, and confirmed his edict. Then the lights of the tapers in their hands became drowsy, sank to the earth with a scorn of extinction, and seemed to be fallen asleep. With the mirror of this visionary sight taken away, the previous view of the mystic apparition left me, who had been fired by ecstasy, in sleep.