Archipoeta: ARCHIPOETA (12th century)

stammering in tongue, dull in intellect,
I make a sermon to learned men.
but that I speak, I who do not know how to speak,
is necessity, not presumption.

nulli vestrum reor ambiguum 5
viris bonis hoc esse congruum,
ut subportet magnus exiguum,
aegrum sanus et prudens fatuum.

I think it is doubtful to none of you 5
that this is congruous for good men:
that the great support the little,
the sound the sick, and the prudent the fatuous.

ne sim reus et dignus odio,
si lucernam ponam sub modio, 10
quod de rebus humanis sentio,
pia loqui iubet intentio.
brevem vero sermonem facio,
ne vos gravet longa narratio,
ne dormitet lector prae taedio 15
et «tu autem» dicat in medio.

lest I be guilty and worthy of odium,
if I should set the lamp under a bushel, 10
what I perceive concerning human affairs,
a pious intention bids me speak.
Yet I make a brief sermon,
lest a long narration weigh upon you,
lest the reader doze from tedium 15
and say «but you» in the middle.

ad aeternam beatitudinem
lapsum deus revocans hominem
verbum suum, suam imaginem
misit ad nos per matrem virginem. 20<

to eternal beatitude
god, recalling fallen man,
sent his word, his own image,
to us through a virgin mother. 20<

est unita deitas homini,
servo suo persona domini,
morti vita, splendor caligini,
miseria beatitudini.

the deity is united to man,
to his servant the person of the lord,
to death life, splendor to gloom,
misery to beatitude.

scimus ista potentialiter 25
magis facta quam naturaliter,
scrutantibus spiritualiter
scire licet quare, non qualiter.

we know these things potentially 25
rather effected than naturally,
to those scrutinizing spiritually
it is permitted to know why, not how.

arte mira, miro consilio
quaerens ovem bonus opilio 30
vagantibus in hoc exilio
locutus est nobis in filio.

by wondrous art, by wondrous counsel
seeking the sheep, the good shepherd 30
to those wandering in this exile
has spoken to us in the son.

sanctum suae mentis consilium
patefecit mundo per filium,
ut reiecto cultu sculptilium 35
deum nosset error gentilium.

the holy counsel of his mind
he laid open to the world through the son,
so that, with the cult of graven images rejected 35
the error of the gentiles might know god.

poetarum seductos fabulis
veritatis instruxit regulis,
signis multis atque miraculis
fidem veram dedit incredulis. 40

those seduced by the fables of the poets
he instructed with the rules of verity,
with many signs and miracles
he gave true faith to the incredulous. 40

obmutescant humana somnia,
nil occultum, iam patent omnia;
revelavit fata latentia
non sapiens, sed sapientia.

let human dreams be mute,
nothing occult; now all things are patent;
has revealed the latent fates
not the wise man, but Wisdom.

conticescat falsa temeritas, 45
ubi palam loquitur veritas;
quod divina probat auctoritas,
non improbet humana falsitas.

let false temerity fall silent, 45
where truth speaks openly;
what divine authority proves,
let not human falsity disapprove.

huius mundi praeterit orbita;
stricta ducit ad vitam semita. 50
qui scrutatur renum abscondita,
trutinabit hominum merita.

the orbit of this world passes by;
a strait path leads to life. 50
he who searches the hidden things of the reins
will weigh the deserts of men.

iudex iustus, inspector cordium
nos ad suum trahit iudicium
redditurus ad pondus proprium 55
bona bonis, malis contrarium.

just judge, inspector of hearts
draws us to his own judgment
about to render according to the proper weight 55
good things to the good, the contrary to the evil.

in hac vira misere vivitur,
vanitas est omne, quod cernitur.
heri natus hodie moritur,
finem habet omne, quod oritur. 60

in this life one lives miserably,
vanity is everything that is perceived.
born yesterday, today he dies,
everything that arises has an end. 60

sed qui dedit ad tempus vivere,
vitam brevem potest producere;
vitam potest de morte facere,
qui mortuos iubet resurgere.

but he who gave to live for a time,
can prolong a brief life;
he can make life from death,
he who bids the dead to rise again.

nos ad regna vocat caelestia, 65
ubi prorsus nulla miseria,
sed voluptas et vera gaudia,
quae sit deus ornnibus omnia.

he calls us to the celestial realms, 65
where there is absolutely no misery,
but pleasure and true joys,
that God may be all in all.

puniamus virtute vitium,
cuius caret fine supplicium. 70
terreat nos ignis incendium,
foetor, fletus et stridor dentium.

let us punish vice with virtue,
whose punishment lacks an end. 70
let the conflagration of fire terrify us,
the fetor, the weeping, and the gnashing of teeth.

sciens deus nos esse teneros
et gehennae dolores asperos
pia voce revocat miseros 75
ovem suam ponens in humeros.

God, knowing us to be tender,
and that the pains of Gehenna are harsh,
with a pious voice calls back the wretched 75
placing his sheep upon his shoulders.

o pietas inaestimabilis!
omnipotens incorruptibilis,
creaturae misertus mobilis
est pro nobis factus passibilis. 80

o inestimable piety!
the omnipotent, incorruptible one,
having pitied the changeable creature,
has been made passible for us. 80

est alapas passus et verbera,
ludicrorum diversa genera,
spura, spinas et praeter cetera
crucis morte damnatus aspera.

he has suffered slaps and scourges,
diverse kinds of ludicrous mockeries,
spittle, thorns, and besides the rest,
condemned to the harsh death of the cross.

cum creator in cruce patitur, 85
ferreus est, qui non conpatitur;
cum salvator lancea pungitur,
saxeus est, qui non conpungitur.

when the creator suffers on the cross, 85
he is iron who does not sympathize;
when the savior is pierced by a lance,
he is stone who is not pierced with compunction.

conpungamur intus in anima
iram dei placantes lacrima! 90
dies irae, dies novissima
cito venit, nimis est proxima.

let us be pricked with compunction within, in the soul
placating the wrath of god with a tear! 90
day of wrath, the very last day
comes quickly; it is too proximate.

ecce redit districtus arbiter,
qui passus est misericorditer.
redit quidem, sed iam minaciter; 95
coactus est, non potest aliter.
mundus totus commotus acriter
vindicabit auctorem graviter,
et torquebit reos perenniter
quamvis iuste, tamen crudeliter. 100

behold, the strict arbiter returns,
who suffered mercifully.
he does indeed return, but now menacingly; 95
he is compelled; he cannot do otherwise.
the whole world, fiercely stirred,
will avenge its Author grievously,
and will torment the guilty everlastingly,
although justly, yet cruelly. 100

vos iudicis estis discipuli,
in scriptura divina seduli,
Christiani lucernae populi,
contemptores praesentis saeculi.

you are disciples of the judge,
diligent in divine scripture,
christians, lamps of the people,
despisers of the present age.

vos non estis virgines fatuae, 105
vestrae non sunt lampades vacuae,
vasa vestra manant assidue
caritatis oleo mutuae.

you are not foolish virgins, 105
your lamps are not empty,
your vessels flow continually
with the oil of mutual charity.

vos pascitis gregem dominicum
erogantes divinum triticum 110
quibusdam plus, quibusdam modicum,
prout quemque scitis famelicum.
decus estis ecclesiasticum;
cum venerit iudex in publicum,
ut puniat omne maleficum, 115
sedebitis in thronis iudicum.

you feed the Lord’s flock
dispensing the divine wheat 110
to some more, to some a small portion,
as you know each one to be famished.
you are an ecclesiastical ornament;
when the judge comes in public,
to punish every malefactor, 115
you will sit upon the thrones of judges.

verumtamen in mundi fluctibus,
ubi nemo mundus a sordibus,
quod dicitis in vestris cordibus,
compungendum est in cubilibus. 120
insistite piis operibus
bene vestris utentes opibus;
nam deo dat, qui dat inopibus:
ipse deus est in pauperibus.

nevertheless amid the billows of the world,
where no one is clean from stains,
what you say in your hearts,
must be brought to compunction in your bedchambers. 120
persist in pious works
making good use of your resources;
for he gives to God, who gives to the needy:
God himself is in the poor.

ut divina testatur pagina, 125
opes multae sunt iusto sarcina;
summa virtus est elemosina,
dici debet virtutum domina.

as the divine page bears witness, 125
many riches are a burden to the just;
almsgiving is the highest virtue,
it ought to be called the mistress of the virtues.

hanc commendo vobis prae ceteris;
abscondatur in sinu pauperis. 130
crede mihi: si quid deliqueris,
per hanc deum placare poteris.

this I commend to you above the rest;
let it be hidden in the bosom of the poor. 130
believe me: if you commit any offense,
through this you will be able to placate God.

hanc conmendo vobis praecipue,
haec est via vitae perpetuae,
quod salvator ostendens congrue 135
dixit: omni petenti tribue.

this I commend to you especially,
this is the way of perpetual life,
since the savior, aptly showing this, 135
said: give to everyone who asks.

scitis ista, neque vos doceo,
sed quod scitis, facere moneo.
pro me loqui iam tandem debeo,
non sum puer, aetatem habeo. 140
vitam meam vobis enucleo,
paupertatem meam non taceo:
sic sum pauper et sic indigeo,
quod tam siti quam fame pereo.

you know these things, nor do I instruct you,
but what you know, I admonish you to do.
I ought now at last to speak for myself,
I am not a boy, I have age. 140
I set forth my life to you,
I do not keep silent about my poverty:
thus I am poor and thus I am in need,
for I perish as much from thirst as from hunger.

non sum nequam, nullum decipio: 145
uno tantum laboro vicio:
nam libenter semper accipio
et plus mihi quam fratri cupio.

I am not worthless, I deceive no one: 145
I suffer only from one vice:
for I gladly always accept,
and I covet more for myself than for my brother.

si vendatur propter denarium
indumentum, quod porto, varium, 150
grande mihi fiet opprobrium;
malo diu pati ieiunium.
largissimus largorum omnium
praesul dedit hoc mihi pallium
magis habens in caelis praemium 155
quam Martinus, qui dedit medium.

if the garment, which I wear, variegated, be sold for a denarius
great opprobrium will be made to me; 150
I prefer to suffer fasting for a long time.
the most lavish of all the lavish,
the prelate gave this pallium to me,
having a reward in the heavens greater 155
than Martin, who gave the half.

nunc est opus, ut vestra copia
sublevetur vatis inopia;
dent nobiles dona nobilia:
aurum, vestes et his similia. 160

now there is need, that your plenty
may relieve the poet’s indigence;
let the nobles give noble gifts:
gold, garments, and things similar to these. 160

ne pauperi sit excusatio,
det quadrantem gazophylatio;
haec viduae fuit oblatio,
quam divina conmendat ratio.

let there not be an excuse for the pauper,
let him give a quadrans to the treasury;
this was the widow’s oblation,
which the divine reckoning commends.

viri digni fama perpetua, 165
prece vestra complector genua:
ne recedam hinc manu vacua,
fiat pro me collecta mutua.

men worthy of perpetual fame, 165
with your prayer I embrace your knees:
lest I depart hence empty-handed,
let a mutual collection be made on my behalf.

mea vobis patet intentio;
vos gravari sermone sentio; 170
unde finem sermonis facio,
quem sic finit brevis oratio.

my intention lies open to you;
I perceive you are burdened by the sermon; 170
whence I make an end of the sermon,
which the brief oration thus finishes.

praestet vobis creator Eloy
caritatis lecytum olei,
spei vinum, frumentum fidei, 175
et post mortem ad vitam provehi.

may the creator Eloy grant to you
the lekythos of oil of charity,
the wine of hope, the grain of faith, 175
and, after death, to be conveyed to life.

nobis vero mundo fruentibus,
vinum bonum saepe bibentibus,
sine vino deficientibus
nummos rnultos pro largis sumptibus. 180

but for us indeed, enjoying the world,
often drinking good wine,
being deficient without wine,
many coins go for lavish expenditures. 180

amen.

Fama tuba dante sonum
excitata vox preconum
clamat viris regionum
advenire virum bonum,
patrem pacis et patronum, 5
cui Vienna parat tronum.
multitudo marchionum;
turba strepens istrionum
iam conformat tono tonum.
genus omen balatronum 10
intrat ante diem nonum;
quisque sperat grande donum.

Fame, the trumpet giving a sound
the roused voice of the heralds
cries to the men of the regions
that a good man is arriving,
a father of peace and a patron, 5
for whom Vienna prepares the throne.
a multitude of margraves;
a clamorous throng of histrions
now matches tone to tone.
every kind of buffoons 10
enters before the ninth day;
each one hopes for a great gift.

Nomen vatis vel personam
manifeste non exponam;
sed quem fuga fecit Ionam 15
per figuram satis bonam
Ione nomen ei ponam.

The name of the vates or the person
I will not manifestly expose;
but him whom flight made a Jonah 15
by a sufficiently good figure
I will impose the name Jonah upon him.

Lacrimarum fluit rivus
quas effundo fugitivus
intra cetum semivivus, 20
tuus quondam adoptivus;
sed pluralis genitivus
nequam nimis et lascivus
mihi factus est nocivus.

A river of tears flows
which I, a fugitive, pour out
within the whale, half-alive, 20
once your adoptive son;
but the genitive plural,
too worthless and lascivious,
has become noxious to me.

Voluptate volens frui 25
conparabar brute sui
nec cum sancto sanctus fui.
unde timens iram tui
sicut Ionas dei sui
fugam petens fuga rui. 30

Willing to enjoy voluptuous pleasure 25
I was being compared, a brute of my own,
nor was I holy with the holy.
whence, fearing your wrath,
as Jonah of his God,
seeking flight I rushed headlong into flight. 30

Ionam deprehensum sorte
reum tempestatis orte,
condempnatum a cohorte
mox absorbent ceti porte.
sic et ego dignus morte 35
prave vivens et distorte
cuius carnes sunt absorte
(sed cor manet adhuc forte)
reus tibi vereor te
miserturum mihi forte. 40

Jonah, apprehended by lot,
arraigned as guilty of the tempest arisen,
condemned by the cohort,
soon the whale’s gates absorb him.
so too am I worthy of death 35
living depravedly and distortedly,
whose flesh has been absorbed
(but the heart remains still strong),
guilty before you I fear you,
that perhaps you will have mercy on me. 40

Ecce Ionas tuus plorat,
culpam suam non ignorat,
pro qua cetus eum vorat:
veniam vult et implorat,
ut a peste qua laborat 45
solvas eum quem honorat
tremit colit et adorat.

Behold, your Jonah weeps,
he does not ignore his guilt,
for which the whale devours him:
he wants pardon and implores it,
that from the plague by which he suffers 45
you may release him—you whom he honors,
trembles, worships, and adores.

Si remittas hunc reatum
et si ceto des mandatum,
cetus cuius os est latum          50
more suo dans hiatum
vomet vatem decalvatum
et ad portum destinatum
feret fame tenuatum,
ut sit rursus vates vatum          55
scribens opus tibi gratum.
te divine mentis fatum
ad hoc iussit esse natum,
ut decore probitatum
et exemplis largitatum          60

If you remit this guilt
and if you give a mandate to the whale,
the whale whose mouth is broad          50
granting, after its manner, a hiatus,
will vomit the shaven prophet,
and to the destined port
will carry him attenuated by hunger,
so that he may again be the prophet of prophets          55
writing a work pleasing to you.
the decree of the divine Mind
has ordered you to be born for this,
that you be adorned with decor and probity
and endowed with examples of largesses.          60

reparares mundi statum.

you might repair the state of the world.

Hunc reatum si remittas,
inter enses et sagittas
tutus ibo quo me mittas,
hederaum ferens vittas. 65

If you remit this guilt,
amid swords and arrows
safe I shall go wherever you send me,
bearing ivy fillets. 65

Non timebo Ninivitas
neque gentes infronitas;
vincam vita patrum vitas
vitans ea que tu vitas.
poetria inauditas          70
scribam tibi, si me ditas.
Ut iam loquar manifeste;
paupertatis premor peste
stultus ego qui penes te
nummis equis victu veste          75
dies omnes duxi feste;
nunc insanus plus Oreste,
male vivens et moleste,
trutannizans inhoneste
omne festum duco meste;          80

I will not fear the Ninevites
nor the shameless peoples;
I shall conquer by my life the lives of the fathers,
avoiding the things which you avoid.
poems unheard-of          70
I will write for you, if you enrich me.
So that I may now speak manifestly;
I am pressed by the plague of poverty—
fool that I am, who, with you,
with coins, horses, victuals, clothing,          75
I have led all my days festively;
now, more insane than Orestes,
living badly and in hardship,
buffooning dishonorably,
I lead every feast sadly.          80

res non eget ista teste.

this matter does not need a witness.

Pacis auctor, ultor litis,
esto vati tuo mitis
neque credas imperitis;
genitivis iam sopitis 85
sanctior cum heremeits:
quicquid in me malum scitis
amputabo, si velitis.
ne nos apprehendat sitis,
ero palmes et tu vitis. 90

Author of peace, avenger of strife,
be gentle to your poet,
and do not believe the unlearned;
with the genitives now lulled to sleep 85
holier with the hermits:
whatever evil you know in me
I will cut off, if you are willing.
lest thirst seize us,
I will be the branch and you the vine. 90

III

«omnia tempus habent», et ego breve postulo tempus,
ut possim paucos praesens tibi reddere versus:
electo sacro, praesens in regmine macro.
virgineo more non haec loquor absque rubore.
vive, vir inmense, tibi concedit regimen se, 5
consilio cuius regitur validaque manu ius.

«everything has its time», and I ask a brief time,
so that, present, I may render to you a few verses:
the sacred one elected, present in the great regimen.
in a virginal manner I do not speak these things without blush.
live, immense man, to you the regimen yields itself, 5
by whose counsel law is steered and by a strong hand justice.

pontificum flos es et maximus inter eos es.
incolumis vivas, plus Nestore consilii vas.
vir pie, vir iuste, precor, ut moneam precibus te,
vir ratione vigens, dat honorem tota tibi gens. 10
amplecti minimos magni solet esse viri mos.

you are the flower of pontiffs and the greatest among them.
may you live unharmed, a vessel of counsel more than Nestor.
pious man, just man, I pray that I may admonish you with prayers,
man vigorous in reason, the whole nation gives honor to you. 10
it is the custom of a great man to embrace the least.

cor miseris flecte, quoniam probitas decet haec te.
pauperie plenos solita pietate fove nos.
et transmontanos, vir transmontane, iuva nos.
nulla mihi certe de vita spes nisi per te. 15

bend your heart to the wretched, since probity befits you in this.
with accustomed piety cherish us, filled with poverty.
and us transmontanes, O transmontane man, help us.
surely I have no hope of life except through you. 15

frigore sive fame tolletur spiritus a me.
asperitas brumae necat horriferumque gelu me.
continuam tussim patior, tamquam phthisicus sim,
sentio per pulsum, quod non a morte procul sum.
esse probant inopes nos corpore cum reliquo pes. 20
unde verecundo vultu tibi verba precum do,
in tali veste non sto sine fronte penes te:
liber ab interitu sis et memor esto mei tu.

by frigidity or by famine my spirit will be taken from me.
the asperity of winter kills me, and the horror-bearing frost.
I suffer a continual cough, as if I were phthisic,
I perceive by the pulse that I am not far from death.
the foot, together with the rest of the body, proves us indigent. 20
whence with a modest countenance I give to you words of prayers,
in such a garment I do not stand shameless before you:
may you be free from destruction, and do you be mindful of me.

Archicancellarie, vir discrete mentis,
cuius cor non agitur levitatis ventis
aut morem transgreditur viri sapientis,
non est in me forsitan id, quod de me sentis.
audi preces, domine, veniam petentis; 5
exaudi suspiria gemitusque flentis
et onus impositum ferre non valentis,
quod probare potero multis argumentis.

Archchancellor, man of discreet mind,
whose heart is not driven by the winds of levity
nor transgresses the custom of a wise man,
perhaps that is not in me which you think about me.
hear the prayers, lord, of one seeking pardon; 5
hearken to the sighs and groans of one weeping
and not strong to bear the burden imposed,
which I shall be able to prove by many arguments.

tuus in perpetuum servus et poeta
ibo, si praeceperis, etiam trans freta, 10
et, quodcumque iusseris, scribam mente laeta,
sed angusti temporis me coartat meta.

your servant and poet in perpetuity
I will go, if you command, even across the seas, 10
and whatever you order, I will write with a joyful mind,
but the goal-post of narrow time constrains me.

iubes angustissimo spatio dierum
me tractare seriem augustarum rerum,
quas neque Virgilium posse nec Homerum 15
annis quinque scribere constat esse verum.

you command, in the most narrow span of days,
me to handle the series of august affairs,
which neither Virgil nor Homer could write 15
in five years—it stands established as true.

vis, ut infra circulum parvae septimanae
bella scribam fortia breviter et nane,
quae vix in quinquennio scriberes, Lucane,
vel tu, vatum maxime, Maro Mantuane. 20

do you wish that within the circle of a little week
I should write mighty wars briefly and inane,
which you would scarcely write in a five-year span, Lucan,
or you, greatest of bards, Maro of Mantua. 20

vir virorum optime, parce tuo vati,
qui se totum subicit tuae voluntati;
precor, cum non audeam onus tantum pati,
ut rigorem temperes ardui mandati.

O best man of men, spare your poet,
who submits himself wholly to your will;
I pray, since I do not dare to endure so great an onus,
that you temper the rigor of the arduous mandate.

nosti, quod in homine non sit eius via; 25
prophetiae spiritus fugit ab Elia,
Elisaeum deserit saepe prophetia,
nec me semper sequitur mea poetria.

you know that in man his way is not; 25
the spirit of prophecy flees from Elijah,
prophecy often deserts Elisha,
nor does my poetry always follow me.

aliquando facio versus mille cito
et tunc nulli cederem versuum perito, 30
sed post tempus modicum cerebro sopito
versus a me fugiunt carminis oblito.

sometimes I make a thousand verses quickly
and then I would cede to no one skilled in verses, 30
but after a short time, with my cerebrum lulled,
the verses flee from me, with the song forgotten.

quae semel emittitur, nescit vox reverti;
scripta sua corrigunt etiam diserti.
versus volunt corrigi denuoque verti, 35
ne risum segnities pariat inerti.

which, once emitted, the voice does not know to revert;
even the eloquent correct their own writings.
verses want to be corrected and to be turned anew, 35
lest sluggishness beget laughter in the inert.

loca vitant publica quidam poetarum
et secretas eligunt sedes latebrarum,
student, instant, vigilant nec laborant parum
et vix tandem reddere possunt opus clarum. 40

some of the poets avoid public places
and choose secret seats of hiding,
they study, press on, keep vigil, nor do they labor a little,
and scarcely at last can they render a clear work. 40

ieiunant et abstinent poetarum chori,
vitant rixas publicas et tumultus fori
et, ut opus faciant, quod non possint mori,
moriuntur studio subditi labori.

they fast and abstain, the choirs of poets,
they avoid public quarrels and the tumults of the forum,
and, so that they may make a work whereby they cannot die,
they die, subjected by zeal to labor.

unicuique proprium dat natura munus: 45
ego numquam potui scribere ieiunus;
me ieiunum vincere posset puer unus:
sitim et ieiunium odi quasi funus.

to each one nature gives a proper gift: 45
I could never write while fasting;
fasting, a single boy could conquer me;
I hate thirst and fasting as if a funeral.

unicuique proprium dat natura donum:
ego versus faciens bibo vinum bonum 50
et quod habent melius dolia cauponum;
tale vinum generat copiam sermonum.

to each one Nature gives a proper gift:
I, making verses, drink good wine 50
and what the casks of innkeepers have better;
such wine generates an abundance of discourse.

tales versus facio, quale vinum bibo;
nihil possum facere nisi sumpto cibo;
nihil valent penitus, quae ieiunus scribo; 55
Nasonem post calicem carmine praeibo.

Such verses I make as the wine I drink;
I can do nothing unless food has been taken;
the things which I write fasting avail nothing at all; 55
after the cup I shall outstrip Naso in song.

mihi numquam spiritus prophetiae datur,
nisi prius fuerit venter bene satur;
dum in arca cerebri Bacchus dominatur,
in me Phoebus irruit et miranda fatur. 60

to me the spirit of prophecy is never given,
unless first the belly has been well sated;
while in the ark of the brain Bacchus rules,
upon me Phoebus rushes and utters marvels. 60

scribere non valeo pauper et mendicus,
quae gessit in Latio Caesar Fridericus,
qualiter subactus est Tuscus inimicus,
praeter te, qui Caesaris integer amicus.

I am not able to write, poor and a beggar,
what Caesar Frederick has carried out in Latium,
how the Tuscan enemy was subdued,
except you, who are the Caesar’s loyal friend.

poeta pauperior omnibus poetis 65
nihil prorsus habeo, nisi quod videtis;
unde saepe lugeo, quando vos ridetis;
nec me meo vitio pauperem putetis.

a poet poorer than all poets 65
I have absolutely nothing, except what you see;
whence I often lament, when you laugh;
nor should you think me poor by my own fault.

fodere non debeo, quia sum scholaris,
ortus ex militibus proeliandi gnaris; 70
sed quia me terruit labor militaris,
malui Virgilium sequi quam te, Paris.

I ought not to dig, because I am a scholar,
sprung from soldiers skilled in battle; 70
but because military toil terrified me,
I preferred to follow Virgil rather than you, Paris.

mendicare pudor est, mendicare nolo,
fures multa possident, sed non absque dolo.
quid ergo iam faciam, qui nec agros colo, 75
nec mendicus fieri nec fur esse volo?

begging is a disgrace; I do not wish to beg,
thieves possess many things, but not without deceit.
what, then, shall I now do, I who do not till fields, 75
nor do I wish to become a mendicant nor to be a thief?

saepe de miseria meae paupertatis
conqueror in carmine viris litteratis.
laici non sapiunt ea, quae sunt vatis,
et nil mihi tribuunt, quod est notum satis. 80

Often about the misery of my poverty
I complain in song to lettered men.
The laity are not wise in the things that belong to the vates,
and they grant nothing to me, which is well enough known. 80

a viris Teutonicis multa solent dari,
digni sunt prae ceteris laude singulari.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
praesules Italiae, praesules avari, 85
potius idolatrae debent nominari;
vix quadrantem tribuunt pauperi scholari:
quis per dona talia poterit ditari?

by Teutonic men many things are wont to be given,
they are worthy before the rest of singular praise.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
prelates of Italy, prelates avaricious, 85
ought rather to be named idolaters;
they scarcely bestow a quadrans upon a poor scholar:
who will be able to be enriched through such gifts?

doleo, cum video leccatores multos
penitus inutiles penitusque stultos, 90
nulla prorsus animi ratione fultos
sericis et variis indumentis cultos.

I grieve, when I see many lickspittles
utterly useless and utterly foolish, 90
supported by no rational account of mind,
adorned with silks and variegated garments.

vellem, soli milites eis ista darent,
et de nobis praesules nostri cogitarent,
non leonum spoliis asinos ornarent; 95
sed dum quaerunt gloriam, pietate carent.

I would that only soldiers would give them those things,
and that our prelates would think about us,
that they would not adorn asses with the spoils of lions; 95
but while they seek glory, they lack piety.

eia nunc pontifices pietatis mirae,
cum poeta soleat foris esurire,
mimi solent cameras vestras introire,
qui nil sciunt facere praeter insanire. 100

come now, pontiffs of wondrous piety,
while the poet is wont to go hungry outside,
the mimes are wont to enter your chambers,
who know how to do nothing except to be insane. 100

pereat hypocrisis omnium parcorum!
scimus, quod avarus est cultor idolorum.
commendetur largitas praesulum largorum;
electus Coloniae primus est eorum.

let the hypocrisy of all the stingy perish!
we know that the greedy man is an idol‑worshiper.
let the largess of generous prelates be commended;
the elect of Cologne is the first of them.

in regni negotiis potens et peritus 105
a regni negotio nomen est sortitus;
praecepti dominici memor, non oblitus
tribuit hilariter, non velut invitus.

powerful and experienced in the affairs of the realm 105
from the realm’s business he has drawn his name;
mindful of the Lord’s precept, not forgetful,
he bestows cheerfully, not as if unwilling.

unde fit, ut aliquid petere praesumam:
nudus ego, metuens frigus atque brumam, 110
qui vellus non habeo nec in lecto plumam;
tam libenter mihi det, quam libenter sumam.

whence it comes about that I presume to petition for something:
i, naked, fearing the cold and the brumal midwinter, 110
i who have no fleece nor a feather in my bed;
let him give to me as gladly as i gladly would take.

Archicancellarie, spes es mea solus;
in te non est macula, non est in te dolus.
longa tibi tempora det fatalis colus, 115
cuius illustrabitur claritate polus.

Archchancellor, you are my sole hope;
in you there is no blemish, there is no guile in you.
may the fateful distaff grant you long years, 115
by whose clarity the pole will be illuminated.

nummos, quos tu dederas, bene dispensavi:
pauperem presbyterum hac aestate pavi,
ut te deus protegat in labore gravi
et coram te corruant inimici pravi. 120

the coins, which you had given, I have well dispensed:
I fed a poor presbyter this summer,
so that God may protect you in grave labor
and before you may the depraved enemies collapse. 120

largum habens dominum nolo parcus esse,
nolo sine socio mea frui messe:
nobilis est animi pluribus prodesse;
largo numquam poterit animo deesse.

having a generous lord, I do not wish to be sparing,
I do not wish to enjoy my harvest without a companion:
it is noble of spirit to benefit more people;
to a bountiful spirit nothing will ever be able to be lacking.

secundum quod habeo, tribuo libenter 125
neque panem comedo solus et latenter,
et non sum, qui curias intrem imprudenter,
sicut illi faciunt, quorum deus venter.

according to what I have, I contribute gladly 125
nor do I eat bread alone and secretly,
and I am not one to enter the curiae imprudently,
as those do whose god is the belly.

Archicancellarie, spes et vita mea,
in quo mens est Nestoris et vox Ulixea, 130
Christus tibi tribuat annos et trophaea
et nobis facundiam, ut scribamus ea.

Archchancellor, my hope and my life,
in whom is the mind of Nestor and a Ulyssean voice, 130
may Christ grant you years and trophies
and to us eloquence, that we may write them.

nocte quadam sabbati somno iam refectus,
cum mihi fastidio factus esset lectus,
signo crucis muniens frontem, vultus, pectus
indui me vestibus, quibus eram tectus.
sic dum nec accumberem neque starem rectus, 5
tantus odor naribus rneis est iniectus,
quantum numquam protulit spica nardi nec thus
neque liquor balsami recens et electus.

on a certain sabbath night, already refreshed by sleep,
when the bed had become irksome to me,
fortifying my forehead, face, chest with the sign of the cross,
i clothed myself with the garments with which i was covered.
thus, while i was neither reclining nor standing upright, 5
so great an odor was cast into my nostrils,
as never the spike of nard nor frankincense produced,
nor the fresh and choice liquor of balsam.

ortus erat Lucifer, stella matutina,
cum perfusus undique luce repentina 10
sum raptus ad aethera quadum vi divina;
ubi deus raptor est, dulcis est rapina.

Lucifer had arisen, the morning star,
when, suffused on every side with sudden light 10
I was rapt to the aether by a certain divine force;
where God is the ravisher, the ravishment is sweet.

repente sub pedibus hunc relinquo mundum
et in orbem videor ingredi secundum,
cuius admirabile lumen et iocundum 15
non valet exprimere verbis os facundum.

suddenly I leave this world beneath my feet
and I seem to enter into the second orb,
whose admirable and jocund light 15
an eloquent mouth does not have the power to express in words.

non est ibi gemitus neque vox dolentis,
ubi sanctus populus immortalis gentis
liber a periculis, tutus a tormentis
pace summa fruitur et quiete mentis. 20

there is no groaning there nor the voice of one in pain,
where the holy people of an immortal race
free from perils, safe from torments,
enjoys the highest peace and the quiet of mind. 20

ibi pulchritudinem vidi domus dei,
ipsum tamen oculi non videre mei;
nam divinae tantus est splendor faciei,
quod mirantur angeli, qui ministrant ei.

there I saw the beauty of the house of God,
yet my eyes did not see him himself;
for so great is the splendor of the divine face,
that the angels marvel at it, who minister to him.

hic nec Aristotelem vidi nec Homerum 25
tamen de sententiis nominum et rerum,
de naturis generum atque specierum
magnus mihi protulit Augustinus verum.

here I saw neither Aristotle nor Homer 25
yet about the meanings of names and of things,
about the natures of genera and species
the great Augustine proffered the truth to me.

post haec ad archangelum loquens Michaelem,
qui regit per angelos populum fidelem, 30
ab eo sum monitus, ut secreta celem
et caeli consilia nemini revelem.

after these things, speaking to the archangel Michael,
who governs through the angels the faithful people, 30
by him I was admonished to conceal the secrets
and to reveal to no one the counsels of heaven.

unde quamvis cernerem de futuris multa,
quae sunt intellectibus hominum sepulta,
caeli tamen prodere vereor occulta. 35
tu vero ne timeas, praesul, sed exulta.

whence although I was discerning many things about the future,
which are buried to the intellects of men,
yet I fear to disclose the occult things of heaven. 35
but you, indeed, do not fear, prelate, but exult.

tibi deputatus est unus angelorum,
super omnes alios os habens decorum,
sicut tu virtutibus operum clarorum
meritis praeradias omnium proborum. 40

to you one of the angels has been deputed,
having a decorous countenance above all the others,
just as you, by the virtues of illustrious works,
by merits outshine all men of probity. 40

huius ope proelia te vicisse scias,
ut des deo gloriam nec superbus fias;
tui dux itineris est per omnes vias
pro tuis excessibus preces fundens pias.

by his aid know that you have conquered battles,
that you may give to God glory and not become proud;
he is the leader of your journey through all ways
pouring forth pious prayers for your excesses.

per hunc regnum Siculi fiet tui iuris; 45
ad radicem arboris ponitur securis:
tyrannus extollitur et est sine curis,
sed eius interitus venit instar furis.

through him the Kingdom of Sicily will become of your jurisdiction; 45
at the root of the tree the axe is set:
the tyrant is exalted and is without cares,
but his destruction comes like a thief.

nolo tibi denique nimium blandiri
neque meo domino blandiens mentiri: 50
nemo potest adeo mundus inveniri,
ut sit sine macula mens et actus viri.

I do not wish, finally, to blandish you too much
nor, while blandishing, to lie to my lord: 50
no one can be found so pure,
that the mind and act of a man be without stain.

ille sanctus, inclitus, gemma sacerdotum,
cuius nomen omnibus reor esse notum,
qui suis miraculis replet orbem totum, 55
se dicit adversum te nimis esse motum.

that holy one, illustrious, the gem of priests,
whose name I reckon to be known to all,
who with his miracles fills the whole orb, 55
declares himself to be excessively moved against you.

cumque vellet conqueri de te coram deo,
vix querelam distulit flexus fletu meo;
flebam namque graviter, sicut saepe fleo,
lacrimis indutias postulans ab eo. 60

and when he wished to complain of you before god,
scarcely did he defer the complaint, swayed by my weeping;
for I was weeping grievously, as I often weep,
with tears petitioning a truce from him. 60

fluebant ab oculis lacrimarum rivi,
et quia compescere lacrimas nequivi,
de terra ridentium lacrimans exivi,
inventus in lectulo more semivivi.
precor ergo, domine, flos praesentis aevi, 65
ut ad sancti gratiam redeas in brevi:
res eius diripiunt quidam lupi saevi,
quas tu restituere verbo potes levi.

rivulets of tears were flowing from my eyes,
and because I could not restrain my tears,
weeping I went out from the place of those laughing,
I was found on my little bed like one half-alive.
I therefore pray, lord, flower of the present age, 65
that you return to the saint’s favor soon:
some savage wolves are plundering his goods,
which you can restore with a light word.

quamvis incessabilis sarcina curarum
mentem tuam distrahat nec fatiget parum, 70
scire tamen opus est, quid sit deo carum:
iuvare viriliter res ecclesiarum.

although the incessant burden of cares
distracts your mind and does not weary it a little, 70
yet it is needful to know what is dear to God:
to help manfully the ecclesiastical affairs.

fac ergo concordiam cum sancto Martino,
qui pro te multotiens me potavit vino;
quod haec pax sit melior quam cum Palatino, 75
novit quisquis agitur spiritu divino.

therefore make concord with Saint Martin,
who for your sake many times made me drink wine;
that this peace is better than with the Palatine, 75
whoever is actuated by the divine Spirit knows.

cum te vir sanctissimus vellet accusare,
vix eum prohibui lacrimans amare.
et quia sic volui pro te laborare,
debes mihi magnum quid in hoc festo dare. 80

when a most holy man wished to accuse you,
I scarcely restrained him, weeping bitterly.
and because I thus wished to labor for you,
you ought to give me something great on this feast-day. 80

tussis indeficiens et defectus vocis
cum ruinam nuntient obitus velocis,
circumdant me gemitus in secretis locis,
nec iam libet solitis delectari iocis.

an incessant cough and a defect of the voice
when they announce ruin, a swift obit,
groans surround me in secret places,
nor do I now care to take delight in the accustomed jests.

quamvis tamen moriar et propinquem fini, 85
et me fata terreant obitus vicini,
non possum diligere nomen Palatini,
per quem facta carior est lagoena vini.

yet although I may die and draw near the finish, 85
and the Fates frighten me at the nearness of death,
I cannot love the name of the Palatine,
by whom the bottle of wine has been made dearer.

afflixit iniuriis populum et clerum;
sed de tot iniuriis diversarum rerum 90
ego non conquererer, ut iam loquar verum,
nisi mihi carius venderetur merum.

he has afflicted the people and the clergy with injuries;
but of so many injuries of diverse things 90
I would not complain, to speak the truth now,
were not the pure wine sold to me more dearly.

ut tyrannis comitis exponatur ipsi,
tales versus facio, quales numquam scripsi:
omne vae, quod legitur in Apocalypsi, 95
ferat, nisi liberet vites ab eclipsi.

that the tyranny of the count may be exposed to him himself,
I make such verses as I have never written:
may he bear every woe that is read in the Apocalypse, 95
unless he liberate the vines from eclipse.

interim me dominus iuxta psalmum David
regit et in pascuae claustro collocavit;
hic mihi, non aliis vinum abundavit:
abbas bonus pastor est et me bene pavit. 100

Meanwhile the Lord, according to the Psalm of David,
guides me and has placed me in the cloister of pasture;
here for me, not for others, wine has abounded:
the abbot is a good pastor and has fed me well. 100

en habeo versus te praecipiente reversus;
sit tibi frons laeta versus recitante poeta.
laudibus aeternum nullus negat esse Salernum;
illuc pro morbis totus circumfluit orbis,
nec debet sperni, fateor, doctrina Salerni, 5
quamvis exosa mihi sit gens illa dolosa.
quid sim passus ibi, nequit ex toto modo scribi;
iam febre vexatus nimioque dolore gravatus
hic infirmabar, quod vivere posse negabar,
et mihi dicebant medici, qui signa videbant: 10
«ecce, poeta, peris, non vives, sed morieris.»
sed febrem tandem medicina fugavit eandem;
nostri languoris testis tibi sit color oris,
in vultu pallor apparet adhuc, nisi fallor.

behold I have verses, returned at your bidding;
may your brow be glad while the poet recites verses.
no one denies Salerno to be eternal in praises;
thither for diseases the whole world streams around,
nor ought, I confess, the doctrine of Salerno to be spurned, 5
although that deceitful people is hateful to me.
what I suffered there cannot now be written in full;
already harassed by fever and burdened by excessive pain
here I was infirm, since it was denied that I could live,
and the physicians who saw the signs were saying to me: 10
«behold, poet, you are perishing; you will not live, but you will die.»
but at length medicine put that same fever to flight;
let the color of my face be to you witness of my languor,
paleness appears on my countenance still, unless I am mistaken.

dum sapiens fieri cupio medicusque videri, 15

while I desire to become wise and to seem a physician, 15

insipiens factus sum mendicare coactus.
nunc mendicorum socius sum, non medicorum,
nudus et incultus cunctis appareo stultus;
pro vili panno sum vilis parque trutanno.
nec me nudavit ludus neque fur spoliavit: 20
pro solo victu sic sum spoliatus amictu,
pro victu vestes consumpsi, dii mihi testes.

I have become foolish, compelled to beg.
now I am a companion of mendicants, not of medics,
naked and unkempt I appear foolish to all;
for a cheap rag I am cheap and on a par with a buffoon.
neither has sport stripped me nor has a thief despoiled me: 20
for mere sustenance thus I have been stripped of my cloak,
for sustenance I have consumed my clothes, the gods my witnesses.

dum redeo, didici populi totius ab ore,
quod tua distribuas solo pietatis amore.
per mundum redoles tanto bonitatis odore, 25
Caesaris adiutor, speciali dignus honore.

as I return, I have learned from the mouth of the whole people,
that you distribute your goods from the love of piety alone.
through the world you are redolent with so great an odor of goodness, 25
a helper of Caesar, worthy of special honor.

te pauper sequitur, te praedicat omnis egenus,
idcirco quod sis hilaris dator atque serenus;
tu miseris pater es multa dulcedine plenus;
nulla quidem virtus est, a qua sis alienus. 30

the pauper follows you, every indigent proclaims you,
for this reason: because you are a cheerful donor and serene;
you are a father to the wretched, full of much sweetness;
indeed there is no virtue from which you are alien. 30

cum de praesulibus male quisque loquatur avaris,
omnes extollunt te laudibus undique claris.
tu cum trans Alpes famosus ut hic habearis,
re famam superas, non a fama superaris.

when anyone speaks ill of avaricious prelates,
all extol you with praises illustrious on every side.
although beyond the Alps you are held to be famous, as here,
in deed you surpass your fame; you are not surpassed by fame.

optime vir, cuius soror est et amica Minerva, 35
qua bene cuncta regis quamvis in gente proterva,
sic da pauperibus, sic in caelis coacerva,
ne totum dones aliis, vero mihi serva.

most excellent man, for whom Minerva is both sister and friend, 35
by whom you rule all things well, although among an insolent people,
thus give to the poor, thus heap up in the heavens,
do not give it all to others; but indeed save some for me.

vir pie, qui numquam bursam pro paupere nodas,
quantum sis largus, largo mihi munere prodas. 40
inde poeta tuus tibi scribam carmen et odas.
sit finis verbi verbum laudabile: do, das.

pious man, who never ties your purse for the poor,
show how lavish you are to me by a lavish gift. 40
then your poet will write for you a poem and odes.
let the end of my speech be a laudable word: I give, you give.

VII

Archicancellarie,
viris maior ceteris,
splendore prudentiae,
qua prudentes praeteris,
iubar es ecclesiae,           5
sicut sol est aetheris.
laudes tibi canimus,
cuius luce iubaris
illustratur animus
Friderici Caesaris,           10
quod libenter facimus,
cum sis dator hilaris.
pollens bonis moribus
et nitore generis
in humanis artibus           15
et divinis litteris
cum sis maior omnibus,
nullo minor crederis.
vir fortis et sapiens
Fortunam non sequeris,           20

Archchancellor,
greater than the other men,
by the splendor of prudence,
by which you surpass the prudent,
you are the radiance of the Church,           5
just as the sun is of the ether.
we sing praises to you,
by the light of whose radiance
the spirit of Frederick the Caesar
is illumined, which we gladly do,          10
since you are a cheerful giver.
powerful in good morals
and in the brilliance of lineage,
in human arts          15
and in divine letters,
since you are greater than all,
you are thought inferior to none.
a brave and wise man,
you do not follow Fortune,          20

in adversis patiens,
modestus in prosperis,
cuncta bene faciens
recta via graderis.
Ulixe facundior           25
Tulliane loqueris,
columba simplicior
nulli fraudes ingeris,
serpente callidior
a nullo deciperis.           30
Alexandro fortior
inimicos conteris,
David mansuetior
a cunctis diligeris,
Martinoque largior           35

patient in adversities,
modest in prosperities,
doing all things well
you walk by the straight way.
more eloquent than Ulysses          25
you speak in Tullian style,
more simple than a dove
you inflict deceits on no one,
more cunning than a serpent
you are deceived by no one.          30
stronger than Alexander
you crush enemies,
meeker than David
you are loved by all,
and more generous than Martin          35

das, quod iuste peteris.
in regni negotio
fit quodcumque praecipis,
qui sine consilio
nihil prorsus incipis; 40
viget tanto socio
mens Romani principis.
adhuc starent moenia
Mediolanensium
nec Caesar per proelia 45
victor esset hostium,
nisi dei gratia
te dedisset socium.

you give what is justly petitioned.
in the kingdom’s business
whatever you prescribe is done,
you who without counsel
begin absolutely nothing; 40
with so great an associate
the mind of the Roman prince thrives.
as yet the walls
of the Milanese would still be standing,
nor would Caesar through battles 45
have been victor over his enemies,
unless the grace of God
had given you as an ally.

electum Coloniae
claris dignum laudibus 50
prae multa pauperie
nudis laudo pedibus;
conqueror hoc hodie
coram sanctis omnibus.
dum sanctorum omnium 55

the one elected at Cologne
worthy of illustrious praises 50
because of much poverty
I praise with bare feet;
I lament this today
before all the saints.
while of all the saints 55

colitur celebritas,
singuli colentium
gerunt vestes inclutas,
Archicancellarium
vatem pulset nuditas. 60
poeta composuit
rationem rhythmicam,
at Irus imposuit
melodiam musicam,
unde bene meruit 65
mantellum et tunicam.

the celebration is celebrated,
each of the celebrants
wear illustrious garments;
may nakedness strike the Archchancellor,
the poet. 60
the poet composed
a rhythmic scheme,
but Irus set
a musical melody,
whence he well deserved 65
a mantle and a tunic.

VIII

Praesul urbis Agrippinae,
qui rigorem disciplinae
bonitate temperas,
nihil agens indiscrete,
ne sit fama mendax de te, 5
vita famam superas.

Prelate of the city of Agrippina,
who temper the rigor of discipline
with goodness,
doing nothing indiscreetly,
lest report be mendacious about you, 5
by your life you surpass your fame.

salve mundi domine, Caesar noster ave!
cuius bonis omnibus iugum est suave;
quisquis contra calcitrat putans illud grave,
obstinati cordis est et cervicis pravae.
princeps terrae principum, Caesar Friderice, 5
cuius tuba titubant arces inimicae,
tibi colla subdimus tigres et formicae
et cum cedris Libani vepres et myricae.

hail, lord of the world, our Caesar, hail!
by whose benefits to all the yoke is sweet;
whoever kicks against it, thinking it heavy,
is of an obstinate heart and a crooked neck.
prince of the princes of the earth, Caesar Frederick, 5
at whose trumpet the enemy citadels totter,
to you the tigers and the ants submit their necks,
and, along with the cedars of Lebanon, the brambles and tamarisks.

nemo prudens ambigit te per dei nutum
super reges alios regem constitutum 10
et in dei populo digne consecutum
tam vindictae gladium, quam tutelae scutum.
unde diu cogitans, quod non esset tutum
Caesari non reddere censum vel tributum,
vidua pauperior tibi do minutum, 15
de cuius me laudibus pudet esse mutum.

no prudent person doubts that you, by the nod of God,
have been constituted king over other kings, 10
and in the people of God have worthily obtained
both the sword of vengeance and the shield of protection.
whence, long considering that it would not be safe
not to render to Caesar the census or tribute,
as a poorer widow I give you a mite, 15
of whose praises I am ashamed to be mute.

tu foves et protegis magnos et minores,
magnis et minoribus tuae patent fores;
omnes ergo Caesari sumus debitores,
qui pro nostra requie sustinet labores. 20
dent fruges agricolae, pisces piscatores,
auceps volatilia, feras venatores:
nos poetae pauperes, opum contemptores,
scribendo Caesareos canimus honores.

you cherish and protect the great and the lesser,
for the great and the small your doors stand open;
therefore we all are debtors to the Caesar,
who for our repose endures labors. 20
let farmers give crops, fishermen fish,
the fowler birds, hunters wild beasts:
we poor poets, despisers of wealth,
by writing sing the Caesarean honors.

filius ecclesiae fidem sequor sanam, 25
contemno gentilium falsitatem vanam,
unde iam non invoco Phoebum vel Dianam
nec a Musis postulo linguam Tullianam.
Christi sensus imbuat mentem Christianam,
ut de Christo domini digna laude canam, 30
qui potenter sustinens sarcinam mundanam
relevat in pristinum gradum rem Romanam.

a son of the church I follow sound faith, 25
I despise the vain falsity of the gentiles,
whence now I do not invoke Phoebus or Diana
nor do I ask from the Muses a Tullian tongue.
let Christ’s sense imbue the Christian mind,
so that of Christ the Lord I may sing with worthy laud, 30
who, powerfully sustaining the worldly burden,
restores the Roman state to its pristine rank.

scimus per desidiam regum Romanorum
ortas in imperio spinas impiorum
et sumpsisse cornua multos populorum, 35
de quibus commemoro gentem Lombardorum.

we know that through the sloth of the kings of the Romans
there arose in the empire the thorns of the impious,
and that many peoples took up horns, 35
of whom I commemorate the nation of the Lombards.

quae dum turres erigit more Giganteo,
volens altis turribus obviare deo,
contumax et fulmine digna Cyclopeo
instituta principum sprevit ausu reo. 40

which, while it raises towers in the Gigantean manner,
wishing with lofty towers to confront god,
contumacious and worthy of Cyclopean thunderbolt,
spurned the institutions of princes with guilty audacity. 40

libertatis titulo volens gloriari,
nolens in Italia regem nominari,
indignata regulis legum coartari
extra legum terminos coepit evagari.

wishing to glory in the title of liberty,
unwilling in Italy for a king to be named,
indignant at being constrained by the rules of the laws,
it began to wander beyond the terms of the laws.

de tributo Caesaris nemo cogitabat, 45
omnes erant Caesares, nemo censum dabat;
civitas Ambrosii velut Troia stabat,
deos parum, homines minus formidabat.

of Caesar's tribute no one was thinking, 45
all were Caesars, no one rendered the census;
the city of Ambrose stood like Troy,
it feared the gods little, men less.

dives bonis omnibus et beata satis,
nisi quia voluit repugnare fatis, 50
cuius esse debuit summa libertatis,
ut, quod erat Caesaris, daret ei gratis.

rich in all goods and sufficiently blessed,
unless because she wished to resist the fates, 50
for whom the summit of liberty ought to have been,
that what was Caesar’s she should give to him gratis.

surrexit interea rex iubente deo,
metuendus hostibus tamquam ferus leo,
similis in proeliis Iudae Maccabaeo, 55
de quo, quidquid loquerer, minus esset eo.

meanwhile the king arose at God’s behest,
fearsome to enemies like a fierce lion,
akin in battles to Judas Maccabaeus, 55
about whom, whatever I might say, would be less than he.

non est eius animus in curanda cute,
curam carnis comprimit animi virtute;
de communi cogitans populi salute
pravorum superbiam premit servitute. 60

his spirit is not set on tending the skin,
he restrains the care of the flesh by the virtue of the spirit;
thinking of the common salvation of the people
he presses down the pride of the depraved with servitude. 60

quanta sit potencia vel laus Friderici,
cum sit patens omnibus, non est opus dici.
qui rebelles lancea fodiens ultrici,
repraesentat Carolum dextera victrici.

how great is the potency or laud of Frederick,
since it is patent to all, there is no need to say.
who, piercing rebels with an avenging lance,
makes Charles present with his victorious right hand.

hic ergo considerans orbem conturbatum 65
potenter aggreditur opus deo gratum
et ut regnum revocet ad priorem statum,
repetit ex debito census civitatum.

here therefore, considering the world disturbed 65
powerfully he undertakes the work pleasing to God
and so that he may call back the kingdom to its former state,
he demands back, as due, the assessments of the cities.

prima suo domino paruit Pavia,
urbs bona, flos urbium, clara, potens pia; 70
digna foret laudibus et topographia,
nisi quod nunc utimur brevitatis via.

first Pavia obeyed its lord,
a good city, the flower of cities, illustrious, powerful, pious; 70
it would be worthy of praises and of a topography,
except that now we are using the path of brevity.

post Paviam ponitur urbs Novariensis,
cuius pro imperio dimicavit ensis
frangens et reverberans viribus immensis 75
impetum superbiae Mediolanensis.

after Pavia the city of Novara is placed,
whose sword fought for the empire,
breaking and beating back with immense might 75
the onslaught of Milanese pride.

carmine, Novaria, semper meo vives,
cuius sunt per omnia commendandi cives,
inter urbes alias eris laude dives,
donec desint Alpibus frigora vel nives. 80
laetare, Novaria, numquam vetus fies,
meis te carminibus renovari scies:
famae tuae terminus nullus erit dies,
nunc est tibi reddita post laborem quies.

by my song, Novara, you will always live,
whose citizens are through all things to be commended,
among other cities you will be rich in praise,
until cold or snows cease from the Alps. 80
rejoice, Novara, you will never grow old,
you will know yourself to be renewed by my songs:
no day will be the limit of your fame,
now after labor rest has been restored to you.

Mediolanensium dolor est immensus, 85
prae dolore nimio conturbatur sensus.
civibus Ambrosii furor est accensus,
dum ab eis petitur ut a servis census.

The grief of the Milanese is immense, 85
by too great grief their sense is confounded.
the fury of Ambrose’s citizens is enkindled,
while from them the tax is demanded as from slaves.

interim praecipio tibi, Constantine:
iam depone dexteram, tuae cessent minae! 90
Mediolanensium tantae sunt ruinae,
quod in urbe media modo regnant spinae.
tantus erat populus atque locus ille,
si venisset Graecia tota cum Achille,
in qua tot sunt moenia, tot potentes villae, 95
non eam subicere possent annis mille.

in the meantime I enjoin you, Constantine:
now lower your right hand, let your menaces cease! 90
The calamities of the Milanese are so great,
because in the middle of the city now thorns reign.
so great was the populace and that place,
if all Greece had come with Achilles,
in which there are so many walls, so many powerful villas, 95
they could not subjugate it in a thousand years.

iussu tamen Caesaris obsidetur locus,
donec ita venditur esca sicut crocus.
in tanta penuria non est ibi iocus,
ludum tandem Caesaris terminavit rochus. 100

by Caesar’s order, however, the place is besieged,
until food is sold as dear as saffron.
in such great penury there is no joke there,
at last the rook ended Caesar’s game. 100

sonuit in auribus angulorum terrae
et in maris insulis huius fama gerrae;
quam si mihi liceat plenius referre,
hoc opus Aeneidi poteris praeferre.

it sounded in the ears of the corners of the earth
and in the islands of the sea the fame of this chatter;
which, if it be permitted to me to relate more fully,
this work you will be able to prefer to the Aeneid.

modis mille scriberem bellicos conflictus, 105
hostiles insidias et viriles ictus,
quantis minis impetit ensis hostem strictus,
qualiter progreditur castris rex invictus.
erant in Italia greges vespillonum,

in a thousand ways I would write of warlike conflicts, 105
hostile ambushes and virile blows,
with how great threats the drawn sword assails the enemy,
how the unconquered king advances from the camps.
there were in Italy throngs of undertakers,

semitas obsederat rabies praedonum, 110
quorum cor ad scelera semper erat pronum,
quibus malum facere videbatur bonum.
Caesaris est gloria, Caesaris est donum,
quod iam patent omnibus viae regionum,
dum ventis exposita corpora latronum 115
surda flantis boreae captant aure sonum.

the rage of brigands had beset the paths, 110
whose heart was always prone to crimes,
to whom to do evil seemed good.
it is Caesar’s glory, it is Caesar’s gift,
that now the roads of the regions lie open to all,
while the bodies of the robbers, exposed to the winds, 115
with a deaf ear catch the sound of blowing Boreas.

iterum describitur orbis ab Augusto,
redditur res publica statui vetusto;
pax terras ingreditur habitu venusto,
et iam non opprimitur iustus ab iniusto. 120

again the world is enrolled by Augustus,
the republic is restored to its ancient state;
peace enters the lands in a comely habit,
and now the just man is not oppressed by the unjust. 120

volat fama Caesaris velut velox equus;
hac audita trepidat imperator Graecus,
iam, quid agat nescius, iam timore caecus,
timet nomen Caesaris, ut leonem pecus.

the fame of Caesar flies like a swift horse;
with this heard, the Greek emperor trembles,
now not knowing what he should do, now blind with fear,
he fears the name of Caesar, as cattle fear the lion.

iam tyranno Siculo Siculi detrectant; 125
Siculi te sitiunt, Caesar, et exspectant;
iam libenter Apuli tibi genu flectant,
mirantur, quid detinet, oculos humectant.

now the Sicilians refuse the Sicilian tyrant; 125
the Sicilians thirst for you, Caesar, and await you;
now gladly the Apulians bend the knee to you,
they marvel what detains you, they moisten their eyes.

Archicancellarius viam praeparavit,
dilatavit semitas, vepres exstirpavit, 130
ipso iugo Caesaris terram subiugavit;
et me de miseriae lacu liberavit.

The Archchancellor prepared the way,
broadened the paths, extirpated brambles, 130
by Caesar’s very yoke he subjugated the land;
and he freed me from the pit of misery.

imperator nobilis, age sicut agis!
sicut exaltatus es, exaltare magis!
fove tuos subditos, hostes caede plagis, 135
super eos irruens ultione stragis.

Noble emperor, act as you act!
as you have been exalted, be exalted more!
foster your subjects, slay the enemies with blows, 135
rushing upon them with the vengeance of carnage.

Estuans intrinsecus ira vehementi
in amaritudine loquar mee menti:
factus de materia levis elementi
folio sum similis de quo ludunt venti.

Seething inwardly with vehement ire
in bitterness I will speak to my mind:
made from the matter of a light element,
I am similar to a leaf with which the winds play.

Cum sit enim proprium viro sapienti
supra petram onere sedem fundamenti,
stultus ego comparor fluvio labenti
sub eodem aere nunquam permanenti.

For since it is proper to the wise man
to set the seat of the foundation upon a rock with weight,
I, foolish, am compared to a river gliding away,
never remaining beneath the same air.

Feror ego veluti sine nauta navis,
ut per vias aeris vaga fertur avis.
non me tenent vincula, non me tenet clavis,
quero mei similes et adiungor pravis.

I am borne like a ship without a sailor,
as through the ways of the air a wandering bird is borne.
no bonds hold me, no key holds me,
I seek my similars and join myself to the depraved.

Mihi cordis gravitas res videtur gravis,
iocus est amabilis dulciorque favis;
quicquid Venus imperat, labor est suavis;
que nunquam in cordibus habitat ignavis.

to me the gravity of the heart seems a grave thing,
jest is amiable and sweeter than honeycombs;
whatever Venus commands, the labor is sweet;
which never dwells in the hearts of the faint-hearted.

Via lata gradior more iuventutis,
inplico me viciis immemor virtutis,
voluptatis avidus magis quam salutis,
mortuus in anima curam gero cutis.

On the broad way I stride, in the manner of youth,
I entangle myself in vices, unmindful of virtue,
avid for pleasure rather than for salvation,
dead in soul, I carry concern for the skin.

Presul discretissime, veniam te precor:
morte bona morior, dulci nece necor;
meum pectus sauciat puellarum decor,
et quas tactu nequeo, saltem corde mechor.

Prelate most discreet, I beg you for pardon:
by a good death I die, by a sweet death I am slain;
the beauty of maidens wounds my breast,
and those whom I cannot by touch, at least in my heart I fornicate.

Res est arduissima vincere naturam,
in aspectu virginis mentem esse puram;
iuvenes non possumus legem sequi dura
leviumque corporum non habere curam.

It is a most arduous thing to conquer nature,
for the mind to be pure at the sight of a virgin;
we young men cannot follow the severe law
and have no concern for delicate bodies.

Quis in igne positus igne non uratur?
quis Papie demorans castus habeatur,
ubi Venus digito iuvenes venatur,
oculis illaqueat, facie predatur?

Who, placed in fire, is not burned by fire?
who, dwelling at Pavia, would be held chaste,
where Venus hunts youths with her finger,
ensnares with her eyes, and preys with her face?

Si ponas Ypolitum hodie Papie,
non erit Ypolitus in sequenti die:
Veneris in thalamos ducunt omnes vie;
non est in tot turribus turris Alethie.

If you set Hippolytus today at Pavia,
he will not be Hippolytus on the following day:
all roads lead into the bridal chambers of Venus;
there is not, among so many towers, a tower of Aletheia (Truth).

Secundo redarguor etiam de ludo,
sed cum ludus corpore me dimittit nudo,
frigidus exterius mentis estu sudo;
tunc versus et carmina meliora cudo.

Secondly I am also reproved for gaming,
but when the game dismisses me with my body naked,
cold outwardly, I sweat with the heat of the mind;
then I forge better verses and songs.

Tercio capitulo memoro tabernam.
illam nullo temore sprevi neque spernam,
donec sanctos angelos venientes cernam
cantantes pro mortuis "Requiem eternam."

In the third chapter I recall the tavern.
that one I have at no time spurned, nor will I spurn it,
until I behold the holy angels coming,
singing for the dead, "Eternal rest."

Meum est propositum in taberna mori,
ut sint vina proxima morientis ori.
tunc cantabunt letius angelorum chori:
"Sit deus propitius huic potatori."

My purpose is to die in a tavern,
that the wines may be nearest to the mouth of the dying.
then the choirs of angels will sing more gladly:
"May God be propitious to this drinker."

Poculis accenditur animi lucerna;
cor inbutum nectare volat ad superna.
mihi sapit dulcius vinum de taberna
quam quod aqua miscuit presulis pincerna.

By goblets the lamp of the mind is kindled;
the heart, imbued with nectar, flies to the things above.
To me the wine from the tavern tastes sweeter
than that which the prelate’s cupbearer has mixed with water.

Ecce mee proditor pravitatis fui,
de qua me redarguunt servientes tui.
sed eorum nullus est accusator sui,
quamvis velint ludere seculoque frui.

Behold, I have been the betrayer of my depravity,
for which your servants accuse me.
but none of them is an accuser of himself,
although they wish to play and to enjoy the world.

Iam nunc in presentia presulis beati
secundum dominici regulam mandati
mittat in me lapidem neque parcat vati,
cuius non est animus conscius peccati.

Even now, in the presence of the blessed prelate,
according to the rule of the Lord’s mandate,
let him cast a stone at me and not spare the prophet,
whose mind is not conscious of sin.

Sum locutus contra me quicquid de me novi
et virus evomui quod tam diu fovi.
vita vetus displicet, mores placent novi;
homo videt faciem, sed cor patet Iovi.

I have spoken against myself whatever I knew about myself
and I have vomited forth the virus that I so long fomented.
the old life displeases, the new mores please;
man sees the face, but the heart lies open to Jove.

Iam virtutes diligo, viciis irascor,
renovatus animo spiritu renascor;
quasi modo genitus novo lacte prascor,
ne sit meum amplius vanitatis vas cor.

Now I cherish virtues, at vices I grow irate,
renewed in mind, in spirit I am reborn;
as if just now begotten, I am nourished with new milk,
lest my heart be any longer a vessel of vanity.

Electe Colonie, parce penitenti,
fact, misericordiam veniam petenti
et da penitenciam culpam confitenti:
feram quicquid iusseris animo libenti.

Elect of Cologne, spare the penitent,
grant mercy to the one seeking pardon
and give penance to the one confessing the fault:
I shall bear whatever you order with a willing spirit.

Parcit enim subditis leo ex ferarum
et est erga subditos immemor irarum,
et vos idem facite, principes terrarum:
quod caret dulcedine, nimis est amarum.

For the lion among the wild beasts spares his subjects,
and toward his subjects is unmindful of wrath,
and you do the same, princes of the lands:
what lacks sweetness is too bitter.