E05958: Prudentius, in his Latin Crowns of the Martyrs (Peristephanon), written c. 400 in Calahorra (northern Spain), in a poem on the martyrdom of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) writes that, though the inhabitants of Spain are far from Rome and thus lack the blessings of many martyrial tombs, they can still look up to heaven and seek the intercession of its citizen, Laurence. Prudentius finishes the poem with a personal prayer to Laurence, seeking his intercession.
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posted on 2018-07-14, 00:00 authored by mszadaLiber Peristephanon II.537–584
Nos Vasco Hiberus diuidit
binis remotos Alpibus
trans Cottianorum iuga
540 trans et Pyrenas ninguidos.
Vix fama nota est abditis
quam plena sanctis Roma sit,
quam diues urbanum solum
sacris sepulcris floreat.
545 Sed qui caremus his bonis
nec sanguinis uestigia
uidere coram possumus,
caelum intuemur eminus.
Sic, sancte Laurenti, tuam
550 nos passionem quaerimus,
est aula nam duplex tibi,
hic corporis, mentis polo.
Illic inenarrabili
adlectus urbi municpes
555 aeternae in arce curiae
gestas coronam ciuicam.
Videor uidere inlustribus
gemmis coruscantem uirum,
quem Roma caelestis sibi
560 legit perennem consulem.
Quae sit potestas credita
et muneris quantum datum
probant Quiritum gaudia
quibus rogatus adnuis.
565 Quod quisque supplex postulat
fert inpetratum prospere;
poscunt iocantur indicant
et tristis haud ullus redit,
ceu praesto semper adsies
570 tuosque alumnos urbicos
lactante conplexus sinu
paterno amore nutrias.
Hos inter, o Christi decus,
audi poetam rusticum
575 cordis fatentem crimina
et facta prodentem sua.
Indignus agnosco et scio
quem Christus ipse exaudiat,
sed per patronos martyras
580 potest medellam consequi.
Audi benignus supplicem
Christi reum Prudentium
et seruientem corpori
absolue uinclis saeculi!
'Us the Vascon Ebro separates from you [Rome], we are far removed beyond two mountain-ranges, across the Cottian heights and the snowy Pyrenees. Scarcely even have we heard report how full Rome is of buried saints, how richly her city's soil blossoms with holy tombs. (545) Still, though we lack these blessings and cannot see the traces of blood with our own eyes, we look up to heaven on high. It is thus, holy Laurence, that we seek your passion; for you have two seats, that of your body here on earth, that of your soul in heaven. Admitted there as a freeman of the ineffable city, you wore the civic crown in that Capitol where sits the everlasting senate. I think I see the hero flashing with brilliant jewels, whom the heavenly Rome has chosen to be her perpetual consul. (561) The power entrusted to you, the greatness of the function assigned to you, is proved by the rejoicing of Rome's citizens, to whose requests you gave assent. What each one asks in prayer, is happily granted. They ask, and are gay, and tell, and none returns home sorrowful; it is as if you were ever by their side to help, taking your foster-children of the city to the richness of your breast and feeding them with a father's love. (573) Among them, you glory of Christ, listen to a country poet as he acknowledges the sins of his heart and confesses his deeds. He is unworthy, I know and own, that Christ himself should listen to him; but through the advocacy of the martyrs he may attain healing. Be gracious and hear the prayer of Prudentius who stands arraigned by Christ, and set him free from the fetters of the world where he is in bondage to the body.'
Text: Cunnigham 1966: 276–277. Translation: Thomson 1953: 141-143, modified.
Nos Vasco Hiberus diuidit
binis remotos Alpibus
trans Cottianorum iuga
540 trans et Pyrenas ninguidos.
Vix fama nota est abditis
quam plena sanctis Roma sit,
quam diues urbanum solum
sacris sepulcris floreat.
545 Sed qui caremus his bonis
nec sanguinis uestigia
uidere coram possumus,
caelum intuemur eminus.
Sic, sancte Laurenti, tuam
550 nos passionem quaerimus,
est aula nam duplex tibi,
hic corporis, mentis polo.
Illic inenarrabili
adlectus urbi municpes
555 aeternae in arce curiae
gestas coronam ciuicam.
Videor uidere inlustribus
gemmis coruscantem uirum,
quem Roma caelestis sibi
560 legit perennem consulem.
Quae sit potestas credita
et muneris quantum datum
probant Quiritum gaudia
quibus rogatus adnuis.
565 Quod quisque supplex postulat
fert inpetratum prospere;
poscunt iocantur indicant
et tristis haud ullus redit,
ceu praesto semper adsies
570 tuosque alumnos urbicos
lactante conplexus sinu
paterno amore nutrias.
Hos inter, o Christi decus,
audi poetam rusticum
575 cordis fatentem crimina
et facta prodentem sua.
Indignus agnosco et scio
quem Christus ipse exaudiat,
sed per patronos martyras
580 potest medellam consequi.
Audi benignus supplicem
Christi reum Prudentium
et seruientem corpori
absolue uinclis saeculi!
'Us the Vascon Ebro separates from you [Rome], we are far removed beyond two mountain-ranges, across the Cottian heights and the snowy Pyrenees. Scarcely even have we heard report how full Rome is of buried saints, how richly her city's soil blossoms with holy tombs. (545) Still, though we lack these blessings and cannot see the traces of blood with our own eyes, we look up to heaven on high. It is thus, holy Laurence, that we seek your passion; for you have two seats, that of your body here on earth, that of your soul in heaven. Admitted there as a freeman of the ineffable city, you wore the civic crown in that Capitol where sits the everlasting senate. I think I see the hero flashing with brilliant jewels, whom the heavenly Rome has chosen to be her perpetual consul. (561) The power entrusted to you, the greatness of the function assigned to you, is proved by the rejoicing of Rome's citizens, to whose requests you gave assent. What each one asks in prayer, is happily granted. They ask, and are gay, and tell, and none returns home sorrowful; it is as if you were ever by their side to help, taking your foster-children of the city to the richness of your breast and feeding them with a father's love. (573) Among them, you glory of Christ, listen to a country poet as he acknowledges the sins of his heart and confesses his deeds. He is unworthy, I know and own, that Christ himself should listen to him; but through the advocacy of the martyrs he may attain healing. Be gracious and hear the prayer of Prudentius who stands arraigned by Christ, and set him free from the fetters of the world where he is in bondage to the body.'
Text: Cunnigham 1966: 276–277. Translation: Thomson 1953: 141-143, modified.
History
Evidence ID
E05958Saint Name
Laurence/Laurentius, deacon and martyr of Rome : S00037Saint Name in Source
LaurentiusRelated Saint Records
Type of Evidence
Literary - Poems Literary - Hagiographical - Accounts of martyrdomLanguage
- Latin
