[2056] Ingentes oculi; others read, "oculos."
[2057] Hyacinthos; gems of this colour.
[2058] Æquatur.
[2059] i.e., the rays of the sun.
[2060] Roseus; others read, "roseo honore."
[2061] The pheasant.
[2062] Magniciem. Some take this as denoting the name of a bird, but no such bird is known.
[2063] Pergrave pondus; others read, "per grave pondus," by reason of the heavy weight.
[2064] Se exhibet; others read "se probat."
[2065] Tanti ad miracula visus. [Deut. iv. 17.]
[2066] Inde; others read, "ille," but the allusion is very obscure.
[2067] Fili, "the thread," i.e. of fate.
[2068] Colit. [Badger's Nestorians, vol. i. p. 122.]
A Poem on the Passion of the Lord
Formerly Ascribed to Lactantius
Whoever you are who approach, and are entering the precincts [2069] of the middle of the temple, stop a little and look upon me, who, though innocent, suffered for your crime; lay me up in your mind, keep me in your breast. I am He who, pitying the bitter misfortunes of men, came hither as a messenger [2070] of offered peace, and as a full atonement [2071] for the fault of men. [2072] Here the brightest light from above is restored to the earth; here is the merciful image of safety; here I am a rest to you, the right way, the true redemption, the banner [2073] of God, and a memorable sign of fate. It was on account of you and your life that I entered the Virgin's womb, was made man, and suffered a dreadful death; nor did I find rest anywhere in the regions of the earth, but everywhere threats, everywhere labours. First of all a wretched dwelling [2074] in the land of Judæa was a shelter for me at my birth, and for my mother with me: here first, amidst the outstretched sluggish cattle, dry grass gave me a bed in a narrow stall. I passed my earliest years in the Pharian [2075] regions, being an exile in the reign of Herod; and after my return to Judæa I spent the rest of my years, always engaged [2076] in fastings, and the extremity of poverty itself, and the lowest circumstances; always by healthful admonitions applying the minds of men to the pursuit of genial uprightness, uniting with wholesome teaching many evident miracles: on which account impious Jerusalem, harassed by the raging cares of envy and cruel hatred, and blinded by madness, dared to seek for me, though innocent, by deadly punishment, a cruel death on the dreadful cross. And if you yourself wish to discriminate these things more fully, [2077] and if it delights you to go through all my groans, and to experience griefs with me, put together [2078] the designs and plots, and the impious price of my innocent blood, and the pretended kisses of a disciple, [2079] and the insults and strivings of the cruel multitude; and, moreover, the blows, and tongues prepared [2080] for accusations. Picture to your mind both the witnesses, and the accursed [2081] judgment of the blinded Pilate, and the immense cross pressing my shoulders and wearied back, and my painful steps to a dreadful death. Now survey me from head to foot, deserted as I am, and lifted up afar from my beloved mother. Behold and see my locks clotted with blood, and my blood-stained neck under my very hair, and my head drained [2082] with cruel thorns, and pouring down like rain [2083] from all sides a stream [2084] of blood over my divine face. Survey my compressed and sightless eyes, and my afflicted cheeks; see my parched tongue poisoned with gall, and my countenance pale with death. Behold my hands pierced with nails, and my arms drawn out, and the great wound in my side; see the blood streaming from it, and my perforated [2085] feet, and blood-stained limbs. Bend your knee, and with lamentation adore the venerable wood of the cross, and with lowly countenance stooping [2086] to the earth, which is wet with innocent blood, sprinkle it with rising tears, and at times [2087] bear me and my admonitions in your devoted heart. Follow the footsteps of my life, and while you look upon my torments and cruel death, remembering my innumerable pangs of body and soul, learn to endure hardships, [2088] and to watch over your own safety. These memorials, [2089] if at any time you find pleasure in thinking over them, if in your mind there is any confidence to bear anything like my sufferings), [2090] if the piety due, and gratitude worthy of my labours shall arise, will be incitements [2091] to true virtue, and they will be shields against the snares of an enemy, aroused [2092] by which you will be safe, and as a conqueror bear off the palm in every contest. If these memorials shall turn away your senses, which are devoted to a perishable [2093] world, from the fleeting shadow of earthly beauty, the result will be, that you will not venture, [2094] enticed by empty hope, to trust the frail [2095] enjoyments of fickle fortune, and to place your hope in the fleeting years of life. But, truly, if you thus regard this perishable world, [2096] and through your love of a better country deprive yourself [2097] of earthly riches and the enjoyment of present things, [2098] the prayers of the pious will bring you up [2099] in sacred habits, and in the hope of a happy life, amidst severe punishments, will cherish you with heavenly dew, and feed you with the sweetness of the promised good. Until the great favour of God shall recall your happy [2100] soul to the heavenly regions, [2101] your body being left after the fates of death. Then freed from all labour, then joyfully beholding the angelic choirs, and the blessed companies of saints in perpetual bliss, it shall reign with me in the happy abode of perpetual peace.
[2069] Limina, "the threshold."
[2070] Interpres.
[2071] Venia, "remission."
[2072] Communis culpæ.
[2073] Vexillum.
[2074] Magalia.
[2075] i.e., Egypt.
[2076] Secutus.
[2077] Latius, "more widely," "in greater detail."
[2078] Collige.
[2079] Clientis. The "cliens" is one who puts himself under the protection of a "patronus." Here it is used of a follower.
[2080] Promptas.
[2081] Infanda, "unspeakable," "wicked."
[2082] Haustum.
[2083] Pluens.
[2084] Vivum cruorem.
[2085] Fossos.
[2086] Terram petens.
[2087] Nonnunquam; others read, "nunquam non," always.
[2088] Adversa.
[2089] Monumenta.
[2090] Meorum.
[2091] Stimuli.
[2092] Acer.
[2093] Labilis orbis amicos sensus.
[2094] Auseris, an unusual form.
[2095] Occiduis rebus.
[2096] Ista caduca sæcula.
[2097] Exutum.
[2098] Rerum usus.
[2099] Extollent. The reading is uncertain; some editions have "expolient."
[2100] Purpuream, "bright, or shining."
[2101] Sublimes ad auras.
General Note.
There is no ms authority for ascribing the above to Lactantius. "It does not, in the least, come up to the purity and eloquence of his style," says Dupin; and the same candid author notes the "adoration of the cross" as fatal to any such claim. [2102]
Of the following poem, on Easter, Dupin says: "It is attributed to Venantius upon the testimony of some mss. in the Vatican Library." This writer became known to Gregory of Tours, who died about a.d. 595, and seems to have succeeded him as bishop, dying soon after. Bede quotes his verse on St. Alban, [2103] --
"Albanum egregium fecunda Britannia profert,"
but styles him "presbyter Fortunatus." He was the author of a poem on St. Martin, and another, In Laude Virginum. His works were edited by Brouverius, a Jesuit.
[2102] Note 18, p. 327.
[2103] The reader will be pleased with a reference, on [195]p. 330, infra, to the (then recent) conversion of our Saxon forefathers in Kent.
[2004] Affluentes.
[2005] From Muratorii Antiquit. Ital. med. æv.
[2006] From Maxim. Victorin. de carmine heroico. Cf. Hieron., Catal., c. 80. We have also another treatise, which is entitled "On Grammar."
[2007] me'tron.
[2008] From Rufinus, the grammarian, on Comic Metres, p. 2712.
[2009] Virg., Æn., viii. 660.
[2010] From Hieron., Commentar. in ep. ad Gal., l. ii., opp. ed. Vallars. viii. 1, p. 426. Hieron., De Viris Illus., c. 80: we have "four books of epistles to Probus."
Venantius
On Easter
Poem of Venantius Honorius [2104] Clementianus Fortunatus, On Easter.
The seasons blush varied with the flowery, fair weather [2105] , and the gate of the pole lies open with greater light. His path in the heaven raises the fire-breathing [2106] sun higher, who goes forth on his course, [2107] and enters the waters of the ocean. Armed with rays traversing the liquid elements, in this [2108] brief night he stretches out the day in a circle. The brilliant firmament [2109] puts forth its clear countenance, and the bright stars show their joy. The fruitful earth pours forth its gifts with varied increase, [2110] when the year has well returned its vernal riches. [2111] Soft beds of violets paint the purple plain; the meadows are green with plants, [2112] and the plant shines with its leaves. By degrees gleaming brightness of the flowers [2113] comes forth; all the herbs smile with their blossoms. [2114] The seed being deposited, the corn springs up far and wide [2115] in the fields, promising to be able to overcome the hunger of the husbandman. Having deserted its stem, the vine-shoot bewails its joys; the vine gives water only from the source from which it is wont to give wine. The swelling bud, rising with tender down from the back of its mother, prepares its bosom for bringing forth. Its foliage [2116] having been torn off in the wintry season, the verdant grove now renews its leafy shelter. Mingled together, the willow, the fir, the hazel, the osier, [2117] the elm, the maple, the walnut, each tree applauds, delightful with its leaves. Hence the bee, about to construct its comb, leaving the hive, humming over the flowers, carries off honey with its leg. The bird which, having closed its song, was dumb, sluggish with the wintry cold, returns to its strains. Hence Philomela attunes her notes with her own instruments, [2118] and the air becomes sweeter with the re-echoed melody. Behold, the favour of the reviving world bears witness that all gifts have returned together with its Lord. For in honour of Christ rising triumphant after His descent to the gloomy Tartarus, the grove on every side with its leaves expresses approval, the plants with their flowers express approval. [2119] The light, the heaven, the fields, and the sea duly praise the God ascending above the stars, having crushed the laws of hell. Behold, He who was crucified reigns as God over all things, and all created objects offer prayer to their Creator. Hail, festive day, to be reverenced throughout the world, [2120] on which God has conquered hell, and gains the stars! The changes of the year and of the months, the bounteous light of the days, the splendour of the hours, all things with voice applaud. [2121] Hence, in honour of you, the wood with its foliage applauds; hence the vine, with its silent shoot, gives thanks. Hence the thickets now resound with the whisper of birds; amidst these the sparrow sings with exuberant [2122] love. O Christ, Thou Saviour of the world, merciful Creator and Redeemer, the only offspring from the Godhead of the Father, flowing in an indescribable [2123] manner from the heart of Thy Parent, Thou self-existing Word, and powerful from the mouth of Thy Father, equal to Him, of one mind with Him, His fellow, coeval with the Father, from whom at first [2124] the world derived its origin! Thou dost suspend the firmament, [2125] Thou heapest together the soil, Thou dost pour forth the seas, by whose [2126] government all things which are fixed in their places flourish. Who seeing that the human race was plunged in the depth [2127] of misery, that Thou mightest rescue man, didst Thyself also become man: nor wert Thou willing only to be born with a body, [2128] but Thou becamest flesh, which endured to be born and to die. Thou dost undergo [2129] funeral obsequies, Thyself the author of life and framer of the world, Thou dost enter [2130] the path of death, in giving the aid of salvation. The gloomy chains of the infernal law yielded, and chaos feared to be pressed by the presence [2131] of the light. Darkness perishes, put to flight by the brightness of Christ; the thick pall of eternal [2132] night falls. But restore the promised [2133] pledge, I pray Thee, O power benign! The third day has returned; arise, my buried One; it is not becoming that Thy limbs should lie in the lowly sepulchre, nor that worthless stones should press that which is the ransom [2134] of the world. It is unworthy that a stone should shut in with a confining [2135] rock, and cover Him in whose fist [2136] all things are enclosed. Take away the linen clothes, I pray; leave the napkins in the tomb: Thou art sufficient for us, and without Thee there is nothing. Release the chained shades of the infernal prison, and recall to the upper regions [2137] whatever sinks to the lowest depths. Give back Thy face, that the world may see the light; give back the day which flees from us at Thy death. But returning, O holy conqueror! Thou didst altogether fill the heaven! [2138] Tartarus lies depressed, nor retains its rights. The ruler of the lower regions, insatiably opening his hollow jaws, who has always been a spoiler, becomes [2139] a prey to Thee. Thou rescuest an innumerable people from the prison of death, and they follow in freedom to the place whither their leader [2140] approaches. The fierce monster in alarm vomits forth the multitude whom he had swallowed up, and the Lamb [2141] withdraws the sheep from the jaw of the wolf. Hence re-seeking the tomb from the lower regions, [2142] having resumed Thy flesh, as a warrior Thou carriest back ample trophies to the heavens. Those whom chaos held in punishment [2143] he [2144] has now restored; and those whom death might seek, a new life holds. Oh, sacred King, behold a great part of Thy triumph shines forth, when the sacred laver blesses pure souls! A host, clad in white, [2145] come forth from the bright waves, and cleanse their old [2146] fault in a new stream. The white garment also designates bright souls, and the shepherd has enjoyments from the snow-white flock. The priest Felix is added sharing [2147] in this reward, who wishes to give double talents to his Lord. Drawing those who wander in Gentile error to better things, that a beast of prey may not carry them away, He guards the fold of God. Those whom guilty Eve had before infected, He now restores, fed [2148] with abundant milk at the bosom of the Church. By cultivating rustic hearts with mild conversations, a crop is produced from a briar by the bounty of Felix. The Saxon, a fierce nation, living as it were after the manner of wild beasts, when you, O sacred One! apply a remedy, the beast of prey resembles [2149] the sheep. About to remain with you through an age with the return [2150] of a hundred-fold, you fill the barns with the produce of an abundant harvest. May this people, free from stain, be strengthened [2151] in your arms, and may you bear to the stars a pure pledge to God. May one crown be bestowed on you from on high gained from yourself [2152] , may another flourish gained from your people.