De laude Cestrie - Lucian
Edited by Mark Faulkner
Excerpt 23
Set iam duabus portis, Iohannis et Petri, uidelicet orientali et occidentali , utcumque i pertactis, ad Virginis portam deinceps ueniendum est,Incipit de porte Virginis ut etiam inde aliquid dicere satagamus, prout dicendum dederit Virginis sponsus. Vbi ueemens amor indigenarum trahit affectum, set dignitas materie terret elinguem, uolentem aliquid reponere ad competenciam loci et ciuium caritatem. Verum quia erudito lectori multum dissimiliter sapit stilus et stilus, qui omnem literam componit ad libram et ibi circumferre satagit explorationis oculum, ubi bauosus et brutus nec suspicatur aliquid inquirendum,¶Vere dicitur hoc, ¶nullus color ceco quia caret oculo. demus tamen operam ii , ut literatis sensibus, non tam limatum eloquium, quam lucida porrigatur euidentia rerum. Res et enim ipse multociens etiam sine literis habent linguam suam, que interius absque lectione uel uoce, mentem oblectentur humanam. 1 Itaque portam aquilonis Virgini assignauit miris racionibus omnium rerum conditor et iustissimus ordinator Deus.
Excerpt 23
But now, having thoroughly discussed both St John's East Gate and St Peter's West Gate, it is time to discuss the Virgin's gate Now concerning the gate of the Virgin. and say something about it just as the Virgin's bridegroom has given us something to say. The fervent devotion of the inhabitants always compels love, but the seriousness of the subject matter strikes one speechless, when I should offer something in exchange for the beauty of the city and the generosity of the citizens. But granted that the learned reader detects great difference between one style and another and brings every letter to be weighed up and makes it his business to focus on such an examination whereas a fool and a blockhead does not even suspect that there is anything to be inquired after, ¶It is truly said that there is no showing a blind man because he lacks eyes. let us even so give attention to providing such learned dispositions not with polished eloquence as much as with clear evidence of the facts. Indeed very often things have their own unwritten language, which without narrative or expression, delight the human mind. 1 Thus for marvellous reasons God, the creator of all and most just ordainer, assigned the North Gate to the Virgin.
Excerpt 24
De foco furente qui nulli fauet. Item ignis inuadit plateas ciuium, 2 incipit lambere lucella temporum et annorum, structa sternere, partis non parcere, pulcra planare, peccata punire, edes euertere, animos mestissimos reddere, deicere decorem, inducere uastitatem, cognicionem aduentantibus tollere, confusionem manentibus importare. In memoriam uenit nomen illud absque monitore, uenit in mentem uocabulum uenerabile, strepit populus, petit paruulus, gemit infirmus; De porta Virginis. Virgo recolitur, Virgo recensetur, Virgo memoratur, quasi dormiens excitatur, quasi in uiam posita reuocatur, 3 quasi in alto consistens inuocatur. Non est in populo tam simplex neque fatuus qui tunc nesciat ethimologiam nominis eius. Wereburga quia tuens urbem. Ipsa comuni necessitate quasi fortissima prece pulsatur et petitur aduenire flammarum insanias mitigare, dampna, pauperiem, opprobium declinare. Nichil amplius formidatur quam ne differat uel moretur. Ibi necessario innotescit eius nominis euidentia.
Excerpt 24
Concerning the raging fire which spared no-one.Likewise fire attacked the streets of the city, 2 began to lick at the petty gains of days and years, to level what had been built, not sparing what had been laid out, to destroy beautiful things, to punish sins, to ruin altars, to pay back the unkindest souls, to overthrow propriety, to bring about desolation, to bemuse the wits of those arriving, and to bring confusion to those remaining. That name came unprompted into the memory, the venerable word came to mind, the people called, the unworthy sought, the unwell groaned;Concerning the Virgin's Gate the Virgin was recollected, the Virgin was recalled, the Virgin was remembered, was awoken as if from sleep, was called back as if in the street, 3 was invoked as if positioned on high. There was no-one so simple or foolish among the people who then did not know the etymology of her name.She is called Werburgh because she protects the town. She was struck by the strongest prayer of communal need and was asked to step forward to tame the madness of the flames, to minimise the losses, the impoverishment, the scandal. Nothing was more feared than that she should postpone or delay. There the meaning of her name became unavoidably clear.
Excerpt 25
Set quam in scriptura Job tam eleganter asseritur, nichil in terra fit sine causa (Job 5:6), utinam perpendat et attendat saltem literatus Cestrie habitator,¶Quare Virgo ab aquilone. quo iudicio, qua dispositione, portam aquilonis uirginali custodie Deus omnipotens uoluit consignare. Cum enim ipse dixerit per prophetam ab aquilone pandetur omne malum super faciem uniuerse terre (Jer 1:14), uideretur non solum consequens, set etiam necessarium contra fornacem dolorum non tam uirilem manum et dexteram, quam et uirtutem robustam, ualidam, numerosam uigilanter opponere. Vbi namque omne malum panditur et omnis malicie auctor insidiatur, percutit et bachatur unius Virginis simplicitas et innocentia, sustinere uel sufficere a quo crederetur? Veniret contra aquilonis maliciam frigidam, inuidiam feruidam saltim precursor ille qui regem errantem prophetica auctoritate corripuit,In Jeremia est frigida cisterna que iii malicia ibidem interpretatur. 4 ueniret Petrus, qui concilia calcans impiorum principibus restitit, ueniret ipse Michael ad nota luctamina, qui draconem uicit. Numquid in parte et ex parte periculosa Virginem statuisse dicetur ceca fortuna? Aut de tribus prenominatis si nullus dimittere debuit portam suam , habet plures alios nostra ciuitas ex munere Saluatoris uigiles idoneos et excellentes, assumeret sibi contra maliciam aquilonis seruatorem Jacobum apostolum 5 uel certe confessorem Martinum , 6 aut etiam Olauum amabilem atque preciosum. 7
Excerpt 25
Let the learned inhabitant of Chester assess carefully that which is so elegantly expressed in the Book of Job, that nothing upon earth is done without a voice cause (Job 5:6);¶Why the Virgin was placed in the North. and thus by what authority, by what arrangement, Almighty God chose to assign the North Gate to St Werburgh. For when he said through the prophet from the North shall break forth evil upon all the face of the whole earth (Jer 1:14), it was a necessary consequence that opposite that furnace of grief he should with his hand vigilantly set someone not only strong and skillful of hand but with a robust, strong and plentiful virtue. For where all evil is arrayed and the author of all evil lies in wait, the simplicity and innocence of one virgin pierces and ravages; but by whom might she be believed sufficient? The precursor of he who confounded the king of sin can come to help against the the evil cold and malicious heat of the north,In the Book of Jeremiah, there is a cold cistern which is interpreted as that very evil. 4 Peter can come who spurning the authorities, withstood pagan princes, Michael can come to notable combats, who defeated the dragon. Surely it cannot be said that blind fortune placed the Virgin in that dangerous place? And if none of these three guardians is willing to abandon his gate , the Saviour has provided our city with many other qualified guardians and she may take James the apostle 5 as her preserver against any malice from the North or indeed Martin the Confessor 6 or even the worthy and lovable Olave. 7
Excerpt 26
Pari litera lucet in rebus, qualiter assidue uel in Hiberniam recedentes, uel in Angliam reuertentesSi hoc contueris, cur non confiteris? ibi suaue capiant refrigerium, sollempne contubernium, a sole et imbribus tectum, utrumque dedicantes et moras pariter et meatum. Ibi statiuas ordinant, ibi tempora nectunt, concordiam uenti et maris expectant. Dat regia uirgo refectionem, fatigatis requiem, fessis ab unda uel itinere reparationem. Recedens inde, retenta memoria, reparatus apud se dicet: populus iste Domini est et de terra eius egressi sunt (Ez 36:20), corus sanctorum, liberale collegium; mella fluant illis, ferat et rubus asper amomum (Virgil, Ecl 3.89).Nullus mutus nisi qui malignus. Si fuerit homo, reputabit. Si pecus fuerit, redditor Deus erit. Inter tot uenientes impossibile est, ut ipse non ueniat qui dixit, cuius dictum non preterit, hospes fui et suscepistis me (cf. Matt 25:35). Quod sensum alium uel certe ueriorem non habet, quam uos ciues eritis in mea ciuitate. Omnibus par uotum est, regem suscipere non solum libenter set etiam optanter hospicio, certis quod uberius suo remunerentur obsequio.De porta Virginis. Quis regem celi fouere ducat non solum fructuousum set etiam gloriosum? Aut ipse patietur panem artum et aquam breuem (Isa 30:20), ubi uiderit feruidam fidem?
Excerpt 26
The truth of what I say is self evident: how often do English and Irish travellers find in the monastery sweet relief,If you notice this, why do you not acknowledge it? sacred lodging and shelter from the weather, torn between remaining and carrying on? There they are assigned quarters, while theyawait a favourable tide and wind. Werburgh, the royal virgin, gives them refreshment, rest to the weary and respite to those tired from journeys on land and sea. Recalling the memory as he returns home, the refreshed man will say: this is the people of the Lord and they are come forth out of his land (Ez 36:20); they are a school of saints, an honorable brotherhood; let honey flow for them, and the bitter briar bear spice (Virgil, Ecl 3.89).Only the niggardly will remain silent. A man should reflect, God will reward an ungrateful beast. When so many visit, it is impossible that He should not come who said memorably I was a stranger and you took me in (cf. Matt 25:35). This has no truer meaning than that you will be citizens in my city. Everyone must undertake to receive the king with generous and willing hospitality, for which they shall be rewarded with his greater generosity.Concerning the Virgin's Gate. Who will think to take care of the king of heaven, so fecund and glorious? He will only hand out his spare bread and short water (Isa 30:20) where he sees a burning faith.
Apparatus Criticus
- i.
- utcumque] utrumque ta Back to context...
- ii.
- operam] opera ta Back to context...
- iii.
- que] qui ta Back to context...
Footnotes
- 1.
- Lucian appears to use oblecto deponently here, a use not recorded in the DML. Back to context...
- 2.
- Lucian describes the great fire of 1180 entirely in the present tense for rhetorical effect; in my translation, I have used the past tense for readability. Notice also Lucian's heavy use of alliteration in this passage. Back to context...
- 3.
- It is possible that Werburgh's shrine was carried through the streets either in an attempt to avert the fire or to save her relics should the fire attack the monastery. Back to context...
- 4.
- See Jer 6:7. Back to context...
- 5.
- The status of St James's in Lucian's time is uncertain. His contemporary, Gerald of Wales, believed it to have been the last refuge of King Harold after his defeat at the Battle of Hastings. See Lewis and Thacker, 2005, 126. Back to context...
- 6.
- The advowson of St Martin's belonged to the Orby family in the early thirteenth century, and later passed to St John's. See Lewis and Thacker, 2005, 141. Back to context...
- 7.
- St Olave's was presented to St Werburgh's in 1119 by Richard the Butler. See Lewis and Thacker, 2005, 148. Back to context...