Hymnus Ieiunantium

Prudentius (348–413) · 1905

trochaic hexameter · 210 lines · from The Hymns of Prudentius

O Nazarene, lux Bethlem, verbum Patris,quem partus alvi virginalis protulit,adesto castis Christe parsimoniis,festumque nostrum rex serenus adspice,ieiuniorum dum litamus victimam.

Nil hoc profecto purius mysterio,quo fibra cordis expiatur uvidi,intemperata quo domantur viscera,arvina putrem ne resudans crapulamobstrangulatae mentis ingenium premat.

Hinc subiugatur luxus et turpis gula,vini atque somni degener socordia,libido sordens, inverecundus lepos,variaeque pestes languidorum sensuumparcam subactae disciplinam sentiunt.

Nam si licenter diffluens potu et ciboieiuna rite membra non coerceas,sequitur frequenti marcida oblectaminescintilla mentis ut tepescat nobilis,animusque pigris stertat in praecordiis.

Frenentur ergo corporum cupidines,detersa et intus emicet prudentia:sic excitato perspicax acumineliberque flatu laxiore spiritusrerum parentem rectius precabitur.

Elia tali crevit observantia,vetus sacerdos, ruris hospes aridi:fragore ab omni quem remotum et segregemsprevisse tradunt criminum frequentiam,casto fruentem syrtium silentio.

Sed mox in auras igneis iugalibuscurruque raptus evolavit praepete,ne de propinquo sordium contagiodirus quietum mundus adflaret virum,olim probatis inclitum ieiuniis.

Non ante caeli principem septemplicisMoyses tremendi fidus interpres thronipotuit videre, quam decem recursibusquater volutis sol peragrans sideraomni carentem cerneret substantia.

Victus precanti solus in lacrimis fuit:nam flendo pernox inrigatum pulveremhumi madentis ore pressit cernuo,donec loquentis voce praestrictus Deiexpavit ignem non ferendum visibus.

Ioannis huius artis hand minus potens,Dei perennis praecucurrit filium,curvos viarum qui retorsit tramiteset flexuosa conrigens dispendiadedit sequendam calle recto lineam.

Hanc obsequelam praeparabat nuntiusmox adfuturo construens iter Deo,clivosa planis, confragosa ut lenibusconverterentur, neve quidquam deviuminlapsa terris inveniret veritas.

Non usitatis ortus his natalibusoblita lactis iam vieto in pectorematris tetendit serus infans ubera:nec ante partu de senili effusus est,quam praedicaret virginem plenam Deo.

Post in patentes ille solitudinesamictus hirtis bestiarum pellibussetisve tectus hispida et lanuginesecessit, horrens inquinari et polluicontaminatis oppidorum moribus.

Illic dicata parcus abstinentiapotum cibumque vir severae industriaein usque serum respuebat vesperum,parvum locustis et favorum agrestiumliquore pastum corpori suetus dare.

Hortator ille primus et doctor novaefuit salutis, nam sacrato in flumineveterum piatas lavit errorum notas:sed tincta postquam membra defaecaverat,caelo refulgens influebat spiritus.

Hoc ex lavacro labe dempta criminumibant renati non secus, quam si rudisauri recocta vena pulchrum splendeat,micet metalli sive lux argentei,sudum polito praenitens purgamine.

Referre prisci stemma mine ieiuniilibet fideli proditum volumine,ut diruendae civitatis incolisfulmen benigni mansuefactum Patrispie repressis ignibus pepercerit.

Gens insolenti praepotens iactantiapollebat olim, quam fluentem nequiterconrupta vulgo solverat lascivia,et inde bruto contumax fastidiocultum superni negligebat numinis.

Offensa tandem iugis indulgentiaecensura iustis excitatur motibus,dextram perarmat rhompheali incendionimbos crepantes et fragosos turbinesvibrans tonantum nube flammarum quatit.

Sed paenitendi dum datur diecula,si forte vellent inprobam libidinemveteresque nugas condomare ac frangere,suspendit ictum terror exorabilispaullumque dicta substitit sententia.

Ionam prophetam mitis ultor excitat,paenae inminentis iret ut praenuntius,sed nosset ille qui minacem iudicemservare malle, quam ferire ac plectere,tectam latenter vertit in Tharsos fugam.

Celsam paratis pontibus scandit ratem,udo revincta fune puppis solvitur,itur per altum, fit procellosum mare:tum causa tanti quaeritur periculi,sors in fugacem missa vatem decidit.

Iussus perire solus e cunctis reus,cuius voluta crimen urna expresserat,praeceps rotatur et profundo inmergitur:exceptus inde beluinis faucibusalvi capacis vivus hauritur specu.

Intactus exin tertiae noctis vicemonstri vomentis pellitur singultibus,qua murmuranti fine fluctus frangitur,salsosque candens spuma tundit pumices,ructatus exit seque servatum stupet.

In Ninivitas se coactus percitogressu reflectit, quos ut increpaveratpudenda censor inputans opprobria;Inpendet, inquit, ira summi vindicis,urbemque flamma mox cremabit, credite.

Apicem deinceps ardui montis petitvisurus inde conglobatum turbidaefumum ruinae cladis et dirae struem,tectus flagellis multinodis germinis,nato et repente perfruens umbraculo.

Sed maesta postquam civitas vulnus novihausit doloris, heu supremum palpitat:cursant per ampla congregatim moeniaplebs et senatus, omnis aetas civium,pallens iuventus, eiulantes feminae.

Placet frementem publicis ieiuniisplacare Christum, mos edendi spernitur,glaucos amictus induit monilibusmatrona demptis, proque gemma et sericocrinem fluentem sordidus spargit cinis.

Squalent recincta veste bullati patres,setasque plangens turba sumit textiles,inpexa villis virgo bestialibusnigrante vultum contegit velamine,iacens arenis et puer provolvitur.

Rex ipse Coos aestuantem muriceslaenam revulsa dissipabat fibula,gemmas virentes et lapillos sutiles,insigne frontis exuebat vinculumturpi capillos inpeditus pulvere.

Nullus bibendi, nemo vescendi memor,ieiuna mensas pubis omnis liquerat,quin et negato lacte vagientiumfletu madescunt parvulorum cunulae,sucum papillae parca nutrix derogat.

Greges et ipsos claudit armentaliumsollers virorum cura, ne vagum pecuscontingat ore rorulenta gramina,potum strepentis neve fontis hauriant,vacuis querelae personant praesepibus.

Mollitus his et talibus brevem Deusiram refrenat temperans oraculumprosper sinistrum, prona nam clementiahaud difficulter supplicem mortaliumsolvit reatum fitque fautrix flentium.

Sed cur vetustae gentis exemplum oquor?pridem caducis cum gravatus artubusIesus dicato corde ieiunaverit,praenuncupatus ore qui propheticoEmanuel est, sive NOBISCUM DEUS.

Qui corpus istud molle naturalitercaptumque laxo sub voluptatum iugovirtutis arta lege fecit liberum:emancipator servientis plasmatisregnantis ante victor et cupidinis.

Inhospitali namque secretus locoquinis diebus octies labentibusnullam ciborum vindicavit gratiam,firmans salubri scilicet ieiuniovas adpetendis inbecillum gaudiis.

Miratus hostis posse limum tabidumtantum laboris sustinere ac perpeti,explorat arte sciscitator callida,Deusne membris sit receptus terreis,sed increpata fraude post tergum ruit.

Hoc nos sequamur quisque nunc pro viribus,quod consecrati tu magister dogmatistuis dedisti Christe sectatoribus,ut, cum vorandi vicerit libidinem,late triumphet inperator spiritus.

Hoc est, quod atri livor hostis invidet,mundi polique quod gubernator probat,altaris aram quod facit placabilem,quod dormientis excitat cordis fidem,quod limat aegram pectoris rubiginem.

Perfusa non sic amne flamma extinguitur,nec sic calente sole tabescunt nives,ut turbidarum scabra culparum segesvanescit almo trita sub ieiunio,si blanda semper misceatur largitas.

Est quippe et illud grande virtutis genusoperire nudos, indigentes pascere,opem benignam ferre supplicantibus,unam paremque sortis humanae viceminter potentes atque egenos ducere.

Satis beatus quisque dextram porrigit,laudis rapacem, prodigam pecuniae,cuius sinistra dulce factum nesciat:illum perennes protinus conplent opes,ditatque fructus faenerantem centuplex.

Words in this poem 41
nazarene n.
A native or inhabitant of Nazareth; -- a term of contempt applied to Christ and the early Christians.
nostrum n.
A medicine, the ingredients of which are kept secret for the purpose of restricting the profits of sale to the inventor or proprietor; a quack medicine. [Neut. sing. of L. noster ours, fr. nos we. See Us.]
scintilla n.
A spark; the least particle; an iota; a tittle. R. North. [L.]
ergo conj.
Therefore; consequently; -- often used in a jocular way. [L.]
solus a.
Alone; -- chiefly used in stage directions, and the like. [L.]
calle n.
A kind of head covering; a caul. [See Caul.]
recto n.
A writ of right. [Abbrev. fr. LL. breve de recto. See Right.]
iter n.
A passage; esp., the passage between the third and fourth ventricles in the brain; the aqueduct of Sylvius. [L. See Eyre.]
veritas n.
The Bureau Veritas. See under Bureau. [Cf. F. véritas. See Verity.]
primus n.
One of the bishops of the Episcopal Church of Scotland, who presides at the meetings of the bishops, and has certain privileges but no metropolitan authority. Internat. Cyc. [L., the first.]
referre v. t.
To carry or send back. [F. référer, L. referre; pref. re- re- + ferre to bear. See Bear to carry.]
gens n.
A clan or family connection, embracing several families of the same stock, who had a common name and certain common religious rites; a subdivision of the Roman curia or tribe. [L. See Gentle, a.]
inde a.
Azure-colored; of a bright blue color. Rom. of R.
tandem adv.
One after another; -- said especially of horses harnessed and driven one before another, instead of abreast. [L. tandem at length (of time only), punningly taken as meaning, lengthwise.]
forte n.
The strong point; that in which one excels. fort"a The construction of a fable seems by no means the forte of our modern poetical writers. Jeffrey. [IT. forte: cf. F. fort. See Fort.]
ferire a.
, compar. of Fere, fierce.
missa n.
The service or sacrifice of the Mass. [LL. See 1st Mass.]
voluta n.
Any one of numerous species of large, handsome marine gastropods belonging to Voluta and allied genera. [L., a spiral scroll. See Volute.]
pudenda n.
The external organs of generation. [L., from pudendus that of which one ought to be ashamed, fr. pudere to be ashamed.]
censor n.
One of two magistrates of Rome who took a register of the number and property of citizens, and who also exercised the office of inspector of morals and conduct. [L. censor, fr. censere to value, tax.]
petit a.
Small; little; insignificant; mean; -- Same as Petty. [Obs., except in legal language.] [F. See Petty.]
plebs n.
The commonalty of ancient Rome who were citizens without the usual political rights; the plebeians; -- distinguished from the patricians.
placet n.
A vote of assent, as of the governing body of a university, of an ecclesiastical council, etc. [L. placet it pleases.]
gemma n.
A leaf bud, as distinguished from a flower bud. [L., a bud.]
puer n.
The dung of dogs, used as an alkaline steep in tanning. [Etymol. uncertain.]
vinculum n.
A bond of union; a tie. [L., from vincire, vinctum, to bind.]
pubis n.
The ventral and anterior of the three principal bones composing either half of the pelvis; sharebone; pubic bone. [NL. See Pubes.]
quin n.
A European scallop (Pecten opercularis), used as food. [Prov.
prosper v. t.
To favor; to render successful. [F. prospérer v. i., or L. prosperare, v. i., or L. prosperare, v. t., fr. prosper or prosperus. See Prosperous.]
molle a.
Lower by a semitone; flat; as, E molle, that is, E flat. [See Moll.]
lege v. t.
To allege; to assert. Bp. Fisher. [Abbrev. fr. allege to assert.]
emancipator n.
One who emancipates. [L.]
loco adv.
A direction in written or printed music to return to the proper pitch after having played an octave higher. [It.]
scilicet adv.
To wit; namely; videlicet; -- often abbreviated to sc., or ss. [L., fr. scire licet you may know.]
quod v.
Quoth; said. See Quoth.
magister n.
Master; sir; -- a title of the Middle Ages, given to a person in authority, or to one having a license from a university to teach philosophy and the liberal arts. [L. See Master.]
livor n.
Malignity. [P.] Burton. [L.]
quippe n.
A smart, sarcastic turn or jest; a taunt; a severe retort; a gibe. [Cf. W. chwip a quick flirt or turn, chwipio to whip, to move briskly, and E. whip. Cf. Quib, Quibble.]
ferre a.
compar. of Fer.
dulce v. t.
To make sweet; to soothe.
factum n.
A man's own act and deed; particularly: (a) (Civil Law) Anything stated and made certain. [L. See Fact.]

Definitions and etymologies from Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913.

About this text

Hymnus Ieiunantium is in the public domain. This text is taken from The Hymns of Prudentius, Project Gutenberg ebook #14959; the transcription's header, footer and licence were removed and nothing else was changed. You may copy, print and reuse it freely.

Cite as: Prudentius, Hymnus Ieiunantium, in The Hymns of Prudentius (1905), text of Project Gutenberg ebook #14959, Laurel, https://laurelpoetry.com/poem/prudentius-hymns/hymnus-ieiunantium.html, id L23678.

Form and metre

Hymnus Ieiunantium is 210 lines in 42 stanzas of 5 lines each. The metre is trochaic hexameter, measured from the stress the words themselves fix (confidence 82%).

See other poems in trochaic hexameter.

Measured by Laurel's pipeline, not copied from a handbook: how stress and metre are counted, how rhyme is lettered, how a drifted rhyme is found. Where the dictionary cannot confirm a rhyme the letter is withheld, not guessed.

Rhyme words, stanza by stanza

The word that ends each line, lettered by the rhyme it makes; a dash is a line whose rhyme the dictionary could not confirm.

  1. 4 -A--A cibo · coerceasA · oblectamine · nobilis · praecordiisA
  2. 13 -A--A solitudines · pellibusA · lanugine · pollui · moribusA
  3. 17 --AA- ieiunii · volumine · incolisA · patrisA · pepercerit
  4. 18 A-A-- iactantiaA · nequiter · lasciviaA · fastidio · numinis
  5. 30 A-A-- muricesA · fibula · sutilesA · vinculum · pulvere
  6. 31 -A--A memor · liqueratA · vagientium · cunulae · derogatA
  7. 32 -A--A armentalium · pecusA · gramina · hauriant · praesepibusA
  8. 33 ---AA deus · oraculum · clementia · mortaliumA · flentiumA
  9. 35 ---AA naturaliter · iugo · liberum · plasmatisA · cupidinisA
  10. 38 A-A-A viribusA · dogmatis · sectatoribusA · libidinem · spiritusA
  11. 39 --AAA invidet · probat · placabilemA · fidemA · rubiginemA
  12. 41 -A--A genus · pascereA · supplicantibus · vicem · ducereA
Scansion, line by line

Each line with its syllable count and the stresses the words themselves fix: / stressed, ˘ unstressed, · a syllable the word leaves free and the metre decides. Read against trochaic hexameter. How this is done.

LineSyl.Stress
O Nazarene, lux Bethlem, verbum Patris,11···········
quem partus alvi virginalis protulit,12············
adesto castis Christe parsimoniis,10··········
festumque nostrum rex serenus adspice,10··/˘······
ieiuniorum dum litamus victimam.10··········
Nil hoc profecto purius mysterio,10··········
quo fibra cordis expiatur uvidi,11···/˘······
intemperata quo domantur viscera,12·········/˘˘
arvina putrem ne resudans crapulam12············
obstrangulatae mentis ingenium premat.11···········
Hinc subiugatur luxus et turpis gula,12··········/˘
vini atque somni degener socordia,10/˘···/˘···
libido sordens, inverecundus lepos,12˘/˘·········
variaeque pestes languidorum sensuum9·········
parcam subactae disciplinam sentiunt.10··········
Nam si licenter diffluens potu et cibo12············
ieiuna rite membra non coerceas,8········
sequitur frequenti marcida oblectamine12/˘··········
scintilla mentis ut tepescat nobilis,12˘/˘·········
animusque pigris stertat in praecordiis.11···········
Frenentur ergo corporum cupidines,11···/˘······
detersa et intus emicet prudentia:12············
sic excitato perspicax acumine11···········
liberque flatu laxiore spiritus9·········
rerum parentem rectius precabitur.11···········
Elia tali crevit observantia,11˘/˘········
vetus sacerdos, ruris hospes aridi:11···········
fragore ab omni quem remotum et segregem13···/˘········
sprevisse tradunt criminum frequentiam,10··········
casto fruentem syrtium silentio.9/˘·······
Sed mox in auras igneis iugalibus11···/˘······
curruque raptus evolavit praepete,10··········
ne de propinquo sordium contagio10··········
dirus quietum mundus adflaret virum,11···········
olim probatis inclitum ieiuniis.10··········
Non ante caeli principem septemplicis12·/˘·········
Moyses tremendi fidus interpres throni11/˘·········
potuit videre, quam decem recursibus11···········
quater volutis sol peragrans sidera12············
omni carentem cerneret substantia.11/˘·········
Victus precanti solus in lacrimis fuit:12/˘··········
nam flendo pernox inrigatum pulverem12············
humi madentis ore pressit cernuo,10/˘········
donec loquentis voce praestrictus Dei10··········
expavit ignem non ferendum visibus.12············
Ioannis huius artis hand minus potens,10···/˘·/˘/˘
Dei perennis praecucurrit filium,10··········
curvos viarum qui retorsit tramites10··········
et flexuosa conrigens dispendia10··········
dedit sequendam calle recto lineam.10······/˘··
Hanc obsequelam praeparabat nuntius11···········
mox adfuturo construens iter Deo,11·······/˘/˘
clivosa planis, confragosa ut lenibus13·············
converterentur, neve quidquam devium10··········
inlapsa terris inveniret veritas.12···/˘····/˘˘
Non usitatis ortus his natalibus12············
oblita lactis iam vieto in pectore11···········
matris tetendit serus infans ubera:12············
nec ante partu de senili effusus est,14·/˘·········˘/
quam praedicaret virginem plenam Deo.12··········/˘
Post in patentes ille solitudines9··/˘·····
amictus hirtis bestiarum pellibus11···········
setisve tectus hispida et lanugine11···········
secessit, horrens inquinari et pollui12············
contaminatis oppidorum moribus.12············
Illic dicata parcus abstinentia11···········
potum cibumque vir severae industriae9·········
in usque serum respuebat vesperum,10··/˘······
parvum locustis et favorum agrestium12············
liquore pastum corpori suetus dare.10··········
Hortator ille primus et doctor novae10····/˘·/˘·
fuit salutis, nam sacrato in flumine11···········
veterum piatas lavit errorum notas:12············
sed tincta postquam membra defaecaverat,12············
caelo refulgens influebat spiritus.11···········
Hoc ex lavacro labe dempta criminum11···········
ibant renati non secus, quam si rudis12··········/˘
auri recocta vena pulchrum splendeat,11·····/˘····
micet metalli sive lux argentei,10··········
sudum polito praenitens purgamine.11··˘/˘······
Referre prisci stemma mine ieiunii9˘/··/˘···
libet fideli proditum volumine,11···········
ut diruendae civitatis incolis10··········
fulmen benigni mansuefactum Patris11···········
pie repressis ignibus pepercerit.11···········
Gens insolenti praepotens iactantia11···········
pollebat olim, quam fluentem nequiter11···········
conrupta vulgo solverat lascivia,11···········
et inde bruto contumax fastidio10··········
cultum superni negligebat numinis.12············
Offensa tandem iugis indulgentiae10···/˘·····
censura iustis excitatur motibus,12············
dextram perarmat rhompheali incendio11···········
nimbos crepantes et fragosos turbines10·····˘/˘/˘
vibrans tonantum nube flammarum quatit.11···········
Sed paenitendi dum datur diecula,11···········
si forte vellent inprobam libidinem12·/˘·········
veteresque nugas condomare ac frangere,12········//··
suspendit ictum terror exorabilis12·····/˘·····
paullumque dicta substitit sententia.10··/˘······
Ionam prophetam mitis ultor excitat,12·····/······
paenae inminentis iret ut praenuntius,11···········
sed nosset ille qui minacem iudicem11···········
servare malle, quam ferire ac plectere,10······//··
tectam latenter vertit in Tharsos fugam.12············
Celsam paratis pontibus scandit ratem,12············
udo revincta fune puppis solvitur,11/··········
itur per altum, fit procellosum mare:11···········
tum causa tanti quaeritur periculi,12············
sors in fugacem missa vatem decidit.12·····/˘·····
Iussus perire solus e cunctis reus,10··········
cuius voluta crimen urna expresserat,12·˘/˘········
praeceps rotatur et profundo inmergitur:13·············
exceptus inde beluinis faucibus10··········
alvi capacis vivus hauritur specu.12············
Intactus exin tertiae noctis vice9·········
monstri vomentis pellitur singultibus,12············
qua murmuranti fine fluctus frangitur,11···········
salsosque candens spuma tundit pumices,10········/˘
ructatus exit seque servatum stupet.11···/˘······
In Ninivitas se coactus percito12······/·····
gressu reflectit, quos ut increpaverat12············
pudenda censor inputans opprobria;11˘/˘/˘······
Inpendet, inquit, ira summi vindicis,12·····/˘·····
urbemque flamma mox cremabit, credite.10··········
Apicem deinceps ardui montis petit11·······/˘/˘
visurus inde conglobatum turbidae10··········
fumum ruinae cladis et dirae struem,8········
tectus flagellis multinodis germinis,12············
nato et repente perfruens umbraculo.11/˘·········
Sed maesta postquam civitas vulnus novi12··········/˘
hausit doloris, heu supremum palpitat:12············
cursant per ampla congregatim moenia11···········
plebs et senatus, omnis aetas civium,11·····/˘····
pallens iuventus, eiulantes feminae.9·········
Placet frementem publicis ieiuniis10/˘···˘/˘··
placare Christum, mos edendi spernitur,11···········
glaucos amictus induit monilibus11···········
matrona demptis, proque gemma et serico12······/˘····
crinem fluentem sordidus spargit cinis.11·········/˘
Squalent recincta veste bullati patres,11·········/˘
setasque plangens turba sumit textiles,10········/·
inpexa villis virgo bestialibus11···/˘/˘····
nigrante vultum contegit velamine,10··········
iacens arenis et puer provolvitur.12······/˘····
Rex ipse Coos aestuantem murices9·········
laenam revulsa dissipabat fibula,11·········/˘
gemmas virentes et lapillos sutiles,10/˘········
insigne frontis exuebat vinculum10·······/˘˘
turpi capillos inpeditus pulvere.11···········
Nullus bibendi, nemo vescendi memor,12·····/˘·····
ieiuna mensas pubis omnis liquerat,11····/˘/˘···
quin et negato lacte vagientium9·········
fletu madescunt parvulorum cunulae,11···········
sucum papillae parca nutrix derogat.11···········
Greges et ipsos claudit armentalium10··········
sollers virorum cura, ne vagum pecus12/˘··········
contingat ore rorulenta gramina,11···········
potum strepentis neve fontis hauriant,10··········
vacuis querelae personant praesepibus.11···········
Mollitus his et talibus brevem Deus11···········
iram refrenat temperans oraculum12············
prosper sinistrum, prona nam clementia11/˘······˘/˘
haud difficulter supplicem mortalium11···········
solvit reatum fitque fautrix flentium.9·········
Sed cur vetustae gentis exemplum oquor?11······˘/˘··
pridem caducis cum gravatus artubus12············
Iesus dicato corde ieiunaverit,10··········
praenuncupatus ore qui prophetico11···········
Emanuel est, sive NOBISCUM DEUS.10˘/˘˘/·····
Qui corpus istud molle naturaliter11·/˘········
captumque laxo sub voluptatum iugo11···········
virtutis arta lege fecit liberum:11···········
emancipator servientis plasmatis10˘/˘˘······
regnantis ante victor et cupidinis.12···/˘/˘·····
Inhospitali namque secretus loco11·········/˘
quinis diebus octies labentibus9·········
nullam ciborum vindicavit gratiam,11···········
firmans salubri scilicet ieiunio10/˘···/˘˘··
vas adpetendis inbecillum gaudiis.11···········
Miratus hostis posse limum tabidum12·····/˘·····
tantum laboris sustinere ac perpeti,13········//···
explorat arte sciscitator callida,11···········
Deusne membris sit receptus terreis,9·········
sed increpata fraude post tergum ruit.10·······/˘·
Hoc nos sequamur quisque nunc pro viribus,11···········
quod consecrati tu magister dogmatis12······˘/˘···
tuis dedisti Christe sectatoribus,10··········
ut, cum vorandi vicerit libidinem,12············
late triumphet inperator spiritus.10··········
Hoc est, quod atri livor hostis invidet,13·˘/···˘/·····
mundi polique quod gubernator probat,11/˘·········
altaris aram quod facit placabilem,12············
quod dormientis excitat cordis fidem,11·······/˘··
quod limat aegram pectoris rubiginem.11·····/˘····
Perfusa non sic amne flamma extinguitur,12············
nec sic calente sole tabescunt nives,9·········
ut turbidarum scabra culparum seges12··········/˘
vanescit almo trita sub ieiunio,10···/˘·····
si blanda semper misceatur largitas.11·/˘········
Est quippe et illud grande virtutis genus12˘/········/˘
operire nudos, indigentes pascere,9···/˘/˘··
opem benignam ferre supplicantibus,11···········
unam paremque sortis humanae vicem10··········
inter potentes atque egenos ducere.10˘//˘······
Satis beatus quisque dextram porrigit,10··········
laudis rapacem, prodigam pecuniae,10··········
cuius sinistra dulce factum nesciat:9·····/˘··
illum perennes protinus conplent opes,10··········
ditatque fructus faenerantem centuplex.11···········

The reader shows the same poem with its rhymes coloured and a stress row above each line, the notes beside their stanzas, and any word's definition on a tap; the analysis page takes the whole book apart. How every part of this site was made.

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