E04380: Paulinus of Nola, writing in Latin in 393/408 in Spain or Nola, southern Italy, composes a consolation poem for the death of an aristocratic child. He reflects on the earlier death of his own son and describes the spiritual benefits which his burial near the tombs of unidentified saints in Complutum (Spain) will bring.

Paulinus of Nola, Carmen 31, verses 605-612

credimus aeternis illum tibi, Celse, uirectis
laetitiae et uitae ludere participem,
quem Conplutensi mandauimus urbe propinquis
coniunctum tumuli foedere martyribus,
ut de uicino sanctorum sanguine ducat,
quo nostras illo spargat in igne animas.

forte etenim nobis quoque peccatoribus olim
sanguinis haec nostri guttula lumen erit.


'We believe that he shares your joyful life, Celsus, sporting with you in eternal glades. In the city of Complutum we buried him, alongside the martyrs with whom he shares the compact of the tomb, so that with the blood of the saints close by he may sprinkle our souls when they are in the fire after death.

Indeed, perhaps this tiny drop of blood will some day be a source of light even for us sinners.'

Text: Dolveck 2015. Translation: Walsh 1975, slightly adapted.