De Verbi Incarnatione

I. PRELIMINARY MATTERS PERTAINING TO SEDULIUS. L. TURCIUS RUFUS ASTERIUS’S POEM. Take up, holy one in merits, the words of a truthful poet, Which have been composed without the fault of fiction, Which holy faith lacks, which the grace of Christ lacks, Through whom the just Sedulius speaks such things. Order your Asterius always to remember, By whose help and care these works have been published to the peoples. Though the highest renown celebrates him through the ages, Yet it is more to his merit if he thrives by your mouth. II. VERSES OF BELLESABIUS THE SCHOLASTIC. S edulius sets forth Christ’s miracles in verses; S he shines, inviting to the solemnities of a small table A worthy guest, not one who would tear apart that Which the hall of nobles scarcely offers, prepared in a triple course; L ittle which it places under gilded roofs, a tribunal, In which jewelled and golden baskets carry L ively repasts for themselves for a modest victory; B ut that which a poor man’s garden produces, cheap vegetables. A nd after delicacies, those who hasten to take great things S trive to scorn the small shoot of the wretched: S afe because it is nothing (safe, the belly not swelling with nothing); T hey move snares for the limbs and for the soul, playing, I f yet they deign to feed on these feasts for the needy, T he spirit despises riches and rests in few things. B y the example of the Lord taken up, who with five thousand, A ll removed, satisfied from modest foods.

Sedulius, proceeding through the cultivated fallow lands of the Lord, looked upon places shining with many flowers. He gladly runs through the meadows, where David saw, with divine song, a man singing with a praiseworthy psaltery; the cithara flows back to me. That man, captivated by the sweetness of the loud-sounding plectrum, burns and walks with swift step through the lilies, and again he looked upon the sacred, pleasant places far and wide, the eternal rivers of Christ, which the water washes. Nor did he allow the teacher’s keenness to lie idle for long; then the Davidic man, cast down, demanded his own plectra, despising the polluted deities of the vain world. He places the sign of the cross on his forehead and briefly touches, O Christ, your triumphs and the numerous rewards he offers. Therefore, while he adorns his fields with varied colors, these verses will stand, spoken by the garrulous tortoise-shell lyre. III. [POEM ON THE INCARNATION]. The almighty Father, at last taking pity from on high, after he gave everything to stand in the serene heaven, breathes divine love into all lands, always to honor with pious reverence the name of Son and Father, and to sing and to be called to equal kingdoms. From these auspices, a future progeny, outstanding in virtue, and which will occupy the whole world with its laws. Yet, lest an unknown divinity disturb mortal hearts in the lands, God, sent from the high ether, was able to be seen as mortal, and as great as he could be seen.

The virgin was mature, already of full marriageable years, Whose lineage from ancestors was vast, and name and honor, Undefiled in her marriage bed. She bore herself so joyfully, Chaste, she preserved her modesty with wondrous love. To her the form of God, a spirit sent from high heaven, Nourishes within and mingles with her chaste body. Yet first he soothes her doubt with friendly words: "Nurturing mother, about to bear the powerful Lord of the world (For worthy of you remain the sacred cradle of your race), Go," he says, "O blessed one, by the piety of your son, wherever you are called, Manifest under new auspices! Here the order is turned, In whose coming faith and eternal renown abide." He had spoken; she, fearful, her eyes suffused with tears, Sighing and drawing her voice from deep in her breast, The virgin replies: "I do not deem myself worthy of such honor— It is not within my power—nor is it right, nor have I ever Held forth marriage torches or come into such a covenant. But after the commands of the gods, there is nothing I may refuse from what is said. I accept and acknowledge willingly; I follow such great omens, And by the promises of the Father I will fulfill the heavenly gifts, The wondrous gifts of God, worthy of such praises." Meanwhile, the house of almighty Olympus is opened.

He addresses the starry seat, from which he, towering, sees all lands, and speaks to his son with friendly words: "Son, my strength, my great power alone, Son, whom no day from the beginning of things has proven unlike me, I embrace as a companion in all things. Without you, my mind begins nothing lofty; you rule all things with me by eternal commands; and whatever exists anywhere, no glory is sought for my deeds without you. All things beneath the feet, where the sun, returning, sees both oceans, will see themselves turned and ruled. What I promise you—and there is nothing that can deceive you—these things will always be yours, as foretold by the prophets of old; nor does my resolve, now changed in place, yield. Be born, and drive the coming day, O morning star, kindly; be born, so that the golden race may arise throughout the whole world. Whence also the great order of the heavens is born. Be born, so that the great months may begin to proceed, lest the ancient traces of deceit remain on earth, so that all things may rejoice in the coming blessed age. Approach, O great honors (the time is now at hand): then harsh ages will grow mild with wars laid aside, and kings will pacify the world with ancestral virtues. Without delay: immediately he carries out his father's commands, sends himself from the ether and fixes his gaze upon the virgin.

Not looking at mortal things, she was filled with light when the nearer light of God came. For at the same time, the long months of ten brought weariness to the mother, and soon a new offspring shone forth in bright light. Soon also the star of the great divinity advanced, a torch-bearing star ran with much light. That first day of death and first day of salvation shows us the way to him, whom all, ever harsh, ever honored, celebrate with favor. Yet annual vows, not more than one night, keep watch, men, not slothful, and with future feasts heap the altars with pious gifts openly in the light. In this religion, let your descendants remain. And now I myself revisit the seat and citadel of my father. Therefore receive these my words in your minds and fix them, favor with your mouths all, and turn your mind here. Whenever you come from different directions into one seat, gathered from all sides, praise peace frequently. Convene a council, let right hands join in treaties, where alone the inviolable pledge of peace is given. Learn justice, in eternal peace of the future.

Harmonious souls, if you do not think my words in vain: no day will ever remove you from mindful eternity. I will snatch away your mortal form and grant the rewards of the blessed groves and the blessed abodes. You will not be dishonored in the kingdom, nor will your fame be lightly borne; you will sit with me equally in the realms. The city I establish is yours; you will be permitted to enter. I will never be absent, and I will set you safe within the paternal boundary. We will raise the same future descendants to the stars. But what worthy rewards shall I now also bring to you, while life remains? By our divine power, you will not lack the wealth of rich fields and the abundance of things. The most just earth pours forth an easy livelihood from the soil, and burdens the furrows with produce and overcomes the granaries; the field blooms, the vintage foams in full vats, the branches of the leafy olive abound with offspring. And as many fruits as the fertile tree puts on in new blossom, so many will it hold ripe in autumn. Nor will clear springs for herds, nor grasses be lacking; and as much as the herds graze during the long days, the cold dew restores just that much by night. These are the things which it befits you to be warned by my voice. Live happily and keep them stored in your mind. When she had given these words, soon she lifts herself into the breezes.

Lifting his gaze to heaven, he hides his head among the clouds. And thus departing from the lands and from the minds of his own, he removes the congealed stain and leaves behind the pure ethereal sense and the fire of simple air. From that time, his celebrated honor and joyful descendants have kept the day, and every year these pious rites mothers and men, boys and unwedded girls celebrate with songs and pour libations from bowls upon the altars. But I, who have sung of the great and wondrous divinity, these same things will remain for my people and my race.