E05761: Venantius Fortunatus describes in a poem how the action of Count Sigoald in feeding the poor at the church of *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050) in Tours on behalf of King Childebert, gained the saint's favour for the king. Poem 10.17, written in Latin in Gaul, 576/595.
Creators: name: Kwojtalik
Publisher: name: University of Oxford
Year: 2018
Subjects: History

description: Venantius Fortunatus, Poems 10.17 (Ad Sigoaldum comitem, quod pauperes pro rege paverit, 'To Count Sigoald, because he fed the poor on behalf of the king'), 21-42<br><br>Sigoald, probably the count of Poitiers, distributed alms to the poor on behalf of King Childebert. The poem begins (lines 1-20) with an exposition of the idea that for the rich to distribute alms to the poor was to purchase their own salvation.<br><br>Pro Childebercthi regis florente salute,<br> surgat ut in solio qui fuit altus avo,<br>fiat ut hinc iuvenis validis robustior annis,<br> ceu viguit proavus, sic sit in orbe nepos.<br>Ergo suus famulus Sigoaldus amore fidelis 25<br> pauperibus tribuit, regis ut extet apex. <br>Hinc ad Martini venerandi limina pergens<br> auxilium domini dum rogat ipse sui<br>et dum illuc moderans rex pro regione laborat,<br> ut precibus sanctus hunc iuvet, illud agit. 30<br>Denique procedens * * sacra festa tenere<br> pauperibus Christi praebuit ipse dapem.<br>dispensata placent alimenta per agmina Christi,<br> pascitur et populus quem fovet arce deus.<br>Plurima caecorum refovetur turba virorum, 35<br> est quibus in tenebra lux deus atque via.<br>Hinc alitur clodus quem dirigit ordine Christus<br> quique sui domini pendulus implet opus.<br>Quis referat tantos memorare sub ordine morbos,<br> occurrens pariter quos sua cura fovet? 40 <br>Unde catervatim coeuntia milia pascens<br> erogat ut habeat, rex quoque cuncta regat.<br><br>'It is for the prosperity and well-being of King Childebert – that he rise high on the throne exalted by his grandfather and that thereby that young man grow stronger and sturdier each year, and the grandson wield worldly power as his great-grandfather once did – for these reasons his faithful servant Sigoald out of affection distributed alms to the poor, that the king's glory might be exalted. Then proceeding to the shrine of the venerable Martin, when he asked for assistance for his lord, while the king was striving to govern in the interests of that realm, he brought it about that the saint would aid the king with his prayers. Next when going to celebrate the holy festival of * * he furnished a meal for the poor of Christ. The nourishment provided for the ranks of Christ won favor, and the people whom God in heaven protects found sustenance. A large number of blind men thereby found refreshment, for whom God is their light and the path in their darkness. In this way the lame were fed whom Christ set on the right way, and who, though unsteady, fulfilled the behest of their Lord. Who will be able to record in total the many illnesses which his solicitude attended to and relieved? And so feeding the thousands who collected together en masse, he paid out to take in and to secure the king's rule over all.'<br><br>Text: Leo 1881, 250-251. Translation: Roberts 2017, 699, modified.