Cassiodorus: Orationum Reliquiae

tenuis munera laudatoris. et cum desiderio vestro de illo satisfieri cupitis, inmensae praedicationis obsequia postulatis. O quam nimium est amorem publicum ieiuna oratione saturare et quam arduum de celsis principibus humiles loqui: ut quos vestra solet oratio comere, audiant incauta desideriis vota laudare.

meager are the gifts of the praiser. and when you desire that your longing in his regard be satisfied, you demand the services of immense praise. O how excessive it is to sate public love with a jejune oration, and how arduous for the humble to speak about lofty princes: so that those whom your speech is accustomed to adorn may hear heedless prayers, driven by desires, offering praise.

Sed iustitiam vestram postulo, proceres viri, ne ab uno exigatis, quod debetur ab omnibus. caret culpa necessitas: nec possum solus in reatum vocari, cum omnes insolubiliter videntur obnoxii. habemus quandam dei iustitiam: quis a me postulet infinita?

But I demand your justice, noble lords, that you not exact from one what is owed by all. Necessity is without fault; nor can I alone be called into indictment, since all seem indissolubly liable. We have a certain justice of God: who would demand the infinite from me?

quis exigat, quae numerare non sufficit? repetitio nisi explicabilis non tenet debitorem; inmensa semper absolvunt et magnitudo rerum respuit conpensationis angustum. partimini ergo, principes viri, ut quibus satisfacere cuncta non possumus, eis offeramus devotis viribus quae valemus.

Who would exact what he is not sufficient to enumerate? A demand for repayment, unless explicable, does not hold the debtor; the immense always absolve, and the magnitude of affairs rejects the narrowness of compensation. Therefore share it, princes, that to those whom we cannot satisfy in all things we may offer, with devoted energies, what we can.

quis enim momentis omne recolligat, quod tot saeculis manus larga profundit? hoc sacrarium vestris implet honoribus, plebem statutis pascit inpensis, provincias iustitiae serenitate tranquillat, frenat superbas gentes imperio: et illud ad solum videtur esse confusum, quod ab eius regno cognoscitur alienum.

for who could in moments recollect the whole that a liberal hand has poured forth through so many centuries? this treasury is filled by your honors, it feeds the plebs with statutory expenditures, it tranquilizes the provinces by the serenity of justice, it bridles proud nations by empire: and that alone seems to be confounded which is recognized as alien from its realm.

Macte, infatigabilis triumphator, quo pugnante fessa rei publicae membra reparantur et ad saecula nostra antiqua beatitudo revertitur. Galliam quondam fuisse Romanam solis tantum legebamus annalibus: aetas non erat iuncta notitiae, credulitas incerta vagabatur ***

Hail, indefatigable triumphator, with you fighting the weary limbs of the republic are repaired and to our ages ancient beatitude returns. We used to read only in the annals that Gaul had once been Roman: the age was not conjoined to acquaintance, credulity wandered uncertain ***

Pyrro testante praeconium; in quo tantum valuere virtutes, ut eum in acie positus laudaret inimicus. Regulum affectata poena concelebrat; Deciorum famam mors devota vivificat; Fabius efficaci cunctatione laudatur; quid Catonem repetam disciplinarum libros moribus transeuntem? vel nostrum Tullium armis omnibus eloquentiae viribus fortiorem?

The encomium, with Pyrrhus bearing witness; in which the virtues so prevailed that an enemy, set in the battle-line, praised him. Regulus is celebrated by the sought-after penalty; the devoted death vivifies the fame of the Decii; Fabius is praised for efficacious cunctation; why should I recall Cato, carrying the books of disciplines over into morals? or our Tullius, stronger than all arms by the forces of eloquence?

quos mihi tam difficile est numerare, ut vobis facile datum est felicitate superasse. Gratum quidem orationi nostrae opus in laude priscorum, quorum laboribus consistit imperium; sed tantum est praesentis boni publici decus, ut feliciter maiores suos inumbret fortunata successio et posteritati libenter cedant, qui suis saeculis omnia humana transcenderant. nam, ut Aventini turbam civica dissensione pollutam et volubilis urnae vertiginem totumque in Campo venale taceamus: paresne fuerunt in religione maiores, cum simulacris sensu carentibus rationabiles subplicarent?

whom it is as difficult for me to enumerate as it has been easy for you to surpass in felicity. Welcome indeed to our oration is the work in the praise of the ancients, by whose labors the empire stands; but so great is the ornament of the present public good, that a fortunate succession happily casts their elders into shade, and they gladly yield to posterity, who in their own ages had transcended all human things. For, to keep silence about the mob of the Aventine polluted by civic dissension, and the vertigo of the whirling urn, and all that was venal on the Campus: were the ancestors equal in religion, when, being rational, they used to supplicate senseless simulacra?

petebantur vitae remedia, quae vitae munera non habebant; et, si causam antiquae foeditatis excutias, plus ille poterat, qui rogabat. Veniat nunc vetustas ad medium et, si audet, prudentiam sibi cum nostris vindicet, quae divina nescivit.

Remedies for life were being sought, which did not have the gifts of life; and, if you examine the cause of the ancient foulness, the one who was asking had more power. Let Antiquity now come into the open and, if it dares, claim prudence for itself to rival ours, which did not know the divine.

Iactent se prisci consules praepetum initiati semper auspiciis, qui motus avium quam hominum iudicia captaverunt: firmabat trepidum candidatum errans volatus; et iudicium erat publicum, quod venisset ad casum. et nos gloriamur de sententia boni principis; laetamur de consensu senatus ***

Let the ancient consuls vaunt themselves, always initiated by the auspices of favorable birds, who courted the motions of birds rather than the judgments of men: a wandering flight would steady the trembling candidate; and that was the public judgment which had come down to chance. and we glory in the judgment of a good prince; we rejoice in the consensus of the senate ***

[*]

Hinc est, clementissime domine, quod te populi non patiuntur abscedere, sed omnes sibi cupiunt advenire. ingrata vita est, quae tuos non meretur aspectus; et taedet propriis sedibus inhaerere, quos coactus fueris pro rerum necessitate deserere. Iure ergo omnium desideria in tuam praesentiam concitantur: amore principis murmur exoritur et ex eo subiectos tristes efficis, quia nimium diligi conprobaris.

Hence it is, most clement lord, that the peoples do not allow you to depart, but all desire that you come to themselves. It is an ungrateful life which does not merit your aspects; and it wearies to cling to their own seats for those whom you have been compelled, by the necessity of affairs, to desert. Rightly, therefore, the desires of all are stirred toward your presence: from love of the prince a murmur arises, and from this you make your subjects sad, because you are proven to be loved too much.

sed tu, domine, prudentissimo principi maiestatis tuae praesta consilia: humana vota nesciunt praevidere quod eligant: tu eum fac semper gerere, quod nosti generaliter omnibus expedire * e * ralia intren * arad * inedic * eiusdem * is repererit * a. Cum laudes tuas, clementissime regum, ingenio quidem destitutus sed magna fultus alacritate recitarem, in ordinem me dicta redigere .nsinr.uetr.ris *** gloria fieret f * anis, et mihi nomen praestetur amatoris earn * ens praeceptis et expe * fier * nsae ta conclusi * us * ne praeterita quae.n.tunt * taes * nam iugiter videntur a * futuris saeculis redun * m moritu * s * ni * fere quod de..minum * c. texisse

but you, lord, provide counsels of your majesty to the most prudent prince: human vows do not know to foresee what they should choose: do you make him always to carry out what you know to be generally expedient for all * e * ralia intren * arad * inedic * eiusdem * is repererit * a. When I, most clement of kings, though indeed destitute of native talent yet propped by great alacrity, was reciting your praises, to bring my words into order .nsinr.uetr.ris *** so that glory might be made f * anis, and that there be granted to me the name of a lover of earn * ens by precepts and expe * fier * nsae ta I concluded * us * lest the things past quae.n.tunt * taes * for they continually seem a * to future ages redun * m to a dying man moritu * s * ni * to have almost de..minum * c. woven a covering.

Auge, regum prudentissime, gentem * sat * inaquam gloriam tuam sic intellegis diligi ut numquam de mundo patiatur auferri. nam quilibet potest vobis ad tempus offerre quae bona sunt; a Romano eloquio tibi tribuitur, quod omni aetate laudetur: non immerito, quando a n * perpetua recipitis, pro quorum libertate * vestris post arma * sequi mi * castra, quando * posset referre victorias.

Increase, most prudent of kings, the nation * sat * inaquam; you thus understand your glory to be so loved that it never suffers to be taken away from the world. for anyone can for a time offer to you the things which are good; by Roman eloquence there is attributed to you that which is praised in every age: not undeservedly, since from a n * you receive perpetual *, for whose liberty * after your arms * to follow mi * camps, whenever * could report victories.

Ver * as pul * as * en * nt * g * te. que * umte *** fe * et ***

Words * as beautiful * as * often * are * born * from * people. and * sometimes *** faith * and ***

quando ille inter virgines delicatas occultatus * as non solum fortem se sed et virum negavit: nam qui potuit atrociter ferrum distringere, elegit molliter pensa tractare. Dicat aliquis matris iussionibus obsecutum; sed hoc pati non debuit bellicosus: fas fuit illam sub pietatis excusatione peccare, hic vero se non potuit sine magno dedecore pudoris occulere.

when he, concealed among delicate virgins, not only denied himself to be brave but even to be a man: for he who could atrociously draw the iron chose softly to handle the spinning-tasks. Let someone say he complied with his mother’s commands; but a bellicose man ought not to have suffered this: it was permissible for her to err under the excuse of piety, but he on the other hand could not conceal himself without great disgrace of modesty.

Tu autem cum gente ferocissima pugnaturus quaesisti, quem ad modum a communione discretus occultum aliquid non haberes, sermones non gravatus a gente mutuari, ut quae dicenda sunt, distinctius explicentur.

But you, about to fight with a most ferocious nation, asked how, being separated from communion, you might have nothing occult; not scrupling to borrow words from the nation, so that the things that must be said may be explained more distinctly.

Equum tibi galeare eligis decenter aptare, cui inter niveas comas iubarum crines nigerrimos miscuisti, ut quia poterant natura reperiri similes, hic ingenio fieret singularis. quae fuit virium tanta fiducia illud magis quaerere, quod in te hostes potuisset violentius excitare.

You choose to fit for yourself, becomingly, a helmeted horse, to which, among the snow-white tresses of the manes, you mingled jet-black hairs, so that, since by nature similars could be found, here by ingenuity it might be made singular. What confidence of strength was so great as to seek rather that which could have roused the enemies against you more violently?

Gloriose cupiunt fallendi subsidia pugnaturi, ut quoquo modo decipiant, quos vincere velle festinant. tu contra nisus es, ut asperos belli casus minime falleres, sed ut notabilis potius cunctis hostibus appareres: non contentus utique hanc robori tuo fieri contumeliam, ut clandestinis videreris praesidiis adiuvari, quando illam virtutis gloriam constat esse perfectam, cui aperto quaeritur marte victoria.

Those about to fight gloriously desire supports of deception, so that by whatever method they may deceive those whom they are eager to conquer. You, on the contrary, strove not to elude in the least the rough chances of war, but rather to appear notable to all enemies: by no means content that this contumely be done to your strength, namely that you should seem to be aided by clandestine supports, since it is agreed that that glory of virtue is perfect for which victory is sought in open battle.

Denique, ut congrua factis probetur esse praesumtio, quando explicabilia subire fortis, inpossibilia temtare dementis est: cum Deorici civitas fortium Gothorum obsidione *** laeva percussus vehementius dimicavit, ut putares inlaesum, quem non ambigeres sauciatum. dicam incredibilia sub conscientia veritatis: vulnerato quoque quo videbatur insedere cornipede sola tantum dextera et se tueri potuit et inimicorum mortibus gloriosa sufficit. Sentio me quidem, clementissime regum, in hac audientiae corona praestrictum laurearum vestrarum amoenitate refoveri, sed a circumstantibus nescio qui adicitur: et cum diversa clade peremtos referunt qui interfuisse noscuntur, tot praecones facti sunt, quot tuis virtutibus affuerunt.

Finally, in order that presumption may be proved congruent to deeds, since it is the brave man’s part to undergo explicable things, and the demented man’s to attempt impossibles: when the city of Deoric, of the brave Goths, was under siege, *** struck in the left hand he fought more vehemently, so that you would think uninjured him whom you would not doubt to be wounded. I will speak unbelievable things with the consciousness of truth: even with the very steed on which he seemed to be sitting wounded as well, by his right hand alone he both could protect himself and proved gloriously sufficient for the deaths of his enemies. I feel myself indeed, most clement of kings, in this crown of audience dazzled and refreshed by the pleasantness of your laurels, but from those standing around something I know not what is added: and when those who are known to have been present report men laid low by different disaster, they have become as many heralds of the deed as there were those who were present at your virtues.

Taceamus paulisper, dum maiora dicat exercitus. ñ o me beate superatum: video relationem meam per augmenta transcendi, cui putabam posse vix credi.

Let us be silent for a little while, while the army says greater things. not am I, O blessed one, overcome: I see my relation to be transcended by augmentations, which I thought could scarcely be believed.

Felicem te, domine, praedicatione multiplici: de quo plus contigit a pugnatoribus prodi quam potuit a laudatore narrari.

Happy you, lord, in manifold predication: about whom more it befell to be brought forth by the fighters than could be narrated by a laudator.

Persequamur itaque ordinem rerum, ne, dum te tardius remuneratum esse referimus, regnatorem illius temporis accusemus. mox enim, ut Ravennam deo nobis praestante reversus es, spatarii meruisti nihilominus dignitatem, ut laborem bellicum honor testaretur armorum. quem locum tua modestia et maturitate nobilitans, otioso pro parvula aetate rege, cum legatis saepius necessaria dissertabas; et miro laudis eventu reverentiam tibi potius impendi feceras, qui senilibus curis adulto principi serviebas. Singidunum civitas quondam otii ***

Let us therefore pursue the order of things, lest, while we report that you were remunerated too slowly, we accuse the ruler of that time. For soon, when you returned to Ravenna, God granting it to us, you nonetheless earned the dignity of a spatharius, so that honor of arms might testify to your warlike labor. Ennobling that position by your modesty and maturity, with the king inactive on account of his very small age, you quite often discussed necessary matters with the legates; and with a wondrous outcome of praise you had caused reverence rather to be paid to you, you who with senile cares were serving a grown prince. Singidunum, a city once of leisure ***

Trahis nos * e gesta retexere ne perpens * f * se * ndia, quae hodie * ssideres s * de * denique * c. * c. [*] e * * r. * ntes * ea * quae * * tus * s . ris * * * a * et suspiciones, quas iam de cunctorum laude concitaveras, apud sollicitos dominos non haberes. Delectat me, regum eximie, vestrae quidem * * es, quia bonarum rerum nulla satietas est, sed pia * tum frequenter m * aeterna ti * s sint, tam * a desideria * di * audien * * est * suum. Vindica * interitum * m gladio c * com * meristam gravissimus * t * percussit, quem urbis hodie felicitas ammiranda custodiat, ut quotiens mutum animal inspicitur sinistra, totiens livo * i non leve miraculum fuit * d . na . tantis * s consueta sic apricis *** qui regem * s * d * an Rom * e * l * e * is . fortem gladium * er * s * ne * pa tium * tatum ruina * in * ce * s * sanguine restai ta * ta * reg * s * ius fa * s * rum * ma biorum spes certa tituba * eri meris pervenit ad regnum * sus * e felici res publica potuit quassatas validare Co * testi sapiente conplestis felicissime * e fortite cu * tudii * ito * nes intelle * cii c * us factum quod lu * titerit seta te * berbatim * Habe * paemi tanti.

You draw us * to reweave the deeds, lest, having weighed * f * se * ndia, which today * you would sit s * from * at last * c. * c. [*] e * * r. * considering * those things which * * you had obtained * s. you would not have * * * and suspicions, which already from the praise of all you had stirred up, among anxious lords. It delights me, most exceptional of kings, your * * indeed, because of good things there is no satiety, but pious * often m * let them be eternal ti * s, so * the desires * di * of hearing * * has * its own. Avenge * the destruction * with the sword c * the very heavy * struck the plotter, whom the city’s admirable happiness today should guard, so that as often as the mute animal is looked upon on the left, so often livo * i it was no light miracle * d . na . such great * s, thus accustomed to sunny *** who the king * s * d * at Rom * e * l * e * is. the strong sword * er * s * ne * the ruin of * of the states * in * was restored with blood * * to the king * his fa * s * of the * the greater hopes certain tituba * by merits he arrived at the kingdom * and by a happy commonwealth it was possible to strengthen the shaken things Co * with a wise witness you have completed most happily * and bravely cu * of guardianship * undertakings you understand * of intellect c * the deed which lu * titerit seta te * verbatim * Have * a reward of such a thing.

* udic * de consilio vestro hoc * fabula mundi citura est * a * non potuissent eligere, nisi qui probetur saepius bella peregisse. Redeamus igitur ad dominam felicem * digi * aliquid * snata * no virtutibus excusare non poterit, cum, se coniugem viri fortis agnoscit. huc ergo ad aulica penetralia, sorores honestissimae, convenite; hic cum summo nitore comite, quae vos possit ornare.

* judg * from your counsel this * the fable of the world will cite * that * they could not have chosen, unless one is proved to have more often carried wars through. let us return therefore to the happy lady * digi * something * snata * no she will not be able to excuse by virtues, since she acknowledges herself the consort of a brave man. hither therefore to the courtly inner chambers, most honorable sisters, assemble; here with a companion of the highest splendor, who can adorn you.

prima frontem castitas caelestis instituat; deinde rosea verecundia genas depingat; moderata temperantia fulgentium luminum serenet aspectum; cor nobile mitis pietas amministret; sermonem linguae honora sapientia largiatur; gressus religiosos modestia tranquilla conponat: talem pompam habere meretur obsequii, quae tantorum regum posteritas potuit inveniri. Vos autem nubescite prasini, pallescite lychnides, albescite hyacinthi, fuscamini margaritae: non hic regias opes insana cupiditate devoratis, tulit vobis pretia, quae de se probatur ornata. Ferunt amabilem Venerem toto orbe laudatam strabis intendisse, inter innumeras margaritas et ostrum verenda nigredine decorum serena facie plus lucentem, quae in medio constituta gemmarum suum vincit ornatum.

let celestial chastity first shape the brow; then let rosy modesty paint the cheeks; let moderated temperance make serene the aspect of the shining eyes; let gentle piety administer the noble heart; let honorable wisdom bestow the speech of the tongue; let tranquil modesty compose the religious steps: such a pomp of attendance she deserves to have, who could be found the posterity of so great kings. But you, be overcast, prasini, grow pale, lychnides, grow white, hyacinths, grow dusky, pearls: not here do you devour royal wealth with mad cupidity; she has carried off your prices, she who is proved to be adorned from herself. They report that lovely Venus, praised through the whole world, cast sidelong glances, that, among numberless pearls and purple, a reverend decorum of becoming blackness, with a serene face shining the more, which, set in the midst of gems, conquers their ornament by her own adornment.

En corusca sedes, quam dives India miretur, Persis gemmata concelebret, Hispania nobilis obstupescat; ubi roseas virgines intuemur pinnis rutilantibus alatas, quales pomposas decet esse Victorias. margaritarum quin etiam lacteae coronae flexis auro circulis pulcherrima rotunditate clauduntur: sic in opere tuo videtur positum, quod sola felicitas meretur ad praemium.

Behold the gleaming seat, which rich India might marvel at, let gemmed Persia solemnly celebrate, let noble Spain be astonished; where we behold rosy virgins winged with rutilant pinions, such as it befits Victories to be—pompous. The milky crowns of pearls too are enclosed by circles of gold, bent into most beautiful rotundity: thus in your work there seems to be set that which only Felicity merits for a reward.

Hyacinthi quoque taetra luce vibrantes cum luminibus claris mixtas cernuntur emicare nigredines, prasini tremula viriditate conludunt, lychnitae vomunt frigidas flammas, Hispanae sanguineos colores emanant: et una dispositio tua tot diademata

Hyacinths too, vibrating with a baleful light, are seen to flash forth blacknesses mixed with bright lights; the prasin(e)s play together with a tremulous viridity, the lychnites vomit cold flames, the Spanish ones emanate sanguineous colors: and your single arrangement so many diadems

(I.)

(1.)

conficit, quae cunctas mundi dominas suf * sidereum quoddam * sun * * anon * * deinde * ***

fashions, which surpasses all the queens of the world suf * a certain sidereal * sun * * anon * * then * ***

(II.)

(2.)

conficit, quae cunctas mundi dominas * Sidereum quoddam * sunt * inpigre * perenne * quod non * praestat aestate. Nam * qui * re * peculi altitudinem * propria est intentam dulcedinem * meritos esse conspectu * essent * sol operibat * summa * semper illis quod semper laudaretur. Videmus enim * do relucent in amictus lat [*] ***

it brings to completion, which all the mistresses of the world * a certain sidereal * are * energetically * perennial * which summer does not * provide. For * those who * in the matter * the peculiar height * its own is an intent sweetness * that they were worthy to be seen * were * the sun was covering * the highest * always for them that which would always be praised. For we see * they shine back upon garments broad [*] ***

omnia regna superat, dinosceris potens tui. iam, si cum propriis moribus compareris, facile ab insigni animae parte superaris, quae pulchritudine corporis mortalia cuncta transcendis.

it surpasses all kingdoms; you are discerned as mistress of yourself. Now, if you are compared with your own morals, you are easily surpassed by the distinguished part of the soul—you who by the beauty of the body transcend all mortal things.

Fecisti quoque, domina; palatium, quod te etiam ignotis evidenter ostenderet, quando ex ingenti habitaculo residentis colligitur magnitudo.

You have also made, lady, a palace, which would evidently display you even to the unknown, since from the immense habitation the magnitude of the resident is inferred.

Renidet crusta marmorum concolor gemmis, sparsum aurum fulget in * s, rotatas saxorum venas musivi munera describunt; et totum metallicis coloribus comitur, ubi cerea pictura noscatur. Samiramis regina Babylonicos muros bitumine sulpureque permixto in circulum fabricasse memoratur; sed quid mirum, si ferro fuit inadibile, quod ab armis se non potuit vindicare?

The veneer of marbles, same-colored with gems, smiles; scattered gold gleams in * s, the works of mosaic delineate the whorled veins of stones; and the whole is accompanied by metallic colors, where wax-painting is recognized. Samiramis the queen is remembered to have fashioned the Babylonian walls in a circuit with bitumen and sulfur mixed; but what wonder, if it was unassailable by iron, when it could not defend itself from arms?

Regis Persarum Cyri domus variis auro lapidibus inligatis constructa perhibetur,

The house of Cyrus, king of the Persians, is reported to have been constructed with various stones bound with gold,

Susae qu * d * aes * lo * sae * t [***] qu [***] ue [***] au [***] fer [***] am [***] rid [***] Q *

At Susa which * d * bronze * lo * sae * t [***] which [***] and [***] gold [***] iron [***] am [***] rid [***] Q *