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.
Creators: name: Mszada
Publisher: name: University of Oxford
Year: 2018
Subjects: History

description: Liber Peristephanon II.537–584<br><br>Nos Vasco Hiberus diuidit<br>binis remotos Alpibus<br>trans Cottianorum iuga<br>540 trans et Pyrenas ninguidos.<br><br>Vix fama nota est abditis<br>quam plena sanctis Roma sit,<br>quam diues urbanum solum<br>sacris sepulcris floreat.<br><br>545 Sed qui caremus his bonis<br>nec sanguinis uestigia<br>uidere coram possumus,<br>caelum intuemur eminus.<br><br>Sic, sancte Laurenti, tuam<br>550 nos passionem quaerimus,<br>est aula nam duplex tibi,<br>hic corporis, mentis polo.<br><br>Illic inenarrabili<br>adlectus urbi municpes<br>555 aeternae in arce curiae<br>gestas coronam ciuicam.<br><br>Videor uidere inlustribus<br>gemmis coruscantem uirum,<br>quem Roma caelestis sibi<br>560 legit perennem consulem.<br><br>Quae sit potestas credita<br>et muneris quantum datum<br>probant Quiritum gaudia<br>quibus rogatus adnuis.<br><br>565 Quod quisque supplex postulat<br>fert inpetratum prospere;<br>poscunt iocantur indicant<br>et tristis haud ullus redit,<br><br>ceu praesto semper adsies<br>570 tuosque alumnos urbicos<br>lactante conplexus sinu<br>paterno amore nutrias.<br><br>Hos inter, o Christi decus,<br>audi poetam rusticum<br>575 cordis fatentem crimina<br>et facta prodentem sua.<br><br>Indignus agnosco et scio<br>quem Christus ipse exaudiat,<br>sed per patronos martyras<br>580 potest medellam consequi.<br><br>Audi benignus supplicem<br>Christi reum Prudentium <br>et seruientem corpori<br>absolue uinclis saeculi!<br><br><br>'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.'<br><br>Text: Cunnigham 1966: 276–277. Translation: Thomson 1953: 141-143, modified.