Poems, Volume 1

PREFACE

PREFACE If my memory fails me not, Through five periods of ten years my life ran its course And since then seven bright summers have passed, cheering me with their sun.l Life's close draws on apace, and God To the port of old age steers my declining days. 5 In the time that has passed what have I done worthy of Heaven's smile? My first years wept beneath the rod2 With its merciless blows; soon, in the toga clad, I was taught to declaim lying conceits, often defiled with sin.8 Then an impudent wantoness4 10 And indulgence perverse tainted my youthful years With the canker of vice. Shame and remorse rack me to think of itlll 1. Cf. Lucan, De bello civili 7.SS1. 2. Cf. Horace, Epistles 2.1.70; Juvena!, Satires 1.15; Ausonius, Epistles 22. 24-S2. S. The reference is to the exercises from pagan literature used in the schools of rhetoric. Cf. Jerome, Adversus Rufinum I.S0; Augustine, Sermon 70.2; Paulinus of Nola, Poema 10.33-42 (PL 61.553). 4. Cf. Horace, Odes 1.19.S-7. 5. Cf. Hamartigenia 94S-951 and Peristephanon 2.57S-576. xxix xxx AURELIUS PRUDENTIUS CLEMENS Next the forum's contention roused My impetuous spirit, eager for victory,8 And the obdurate wars waged in the law courts led to bitter falls. 15 Twice in cities renowned, I held Reins of government high, ruling with might of laws, As I rendered to good men their due rights and to the wicked doom. Then the Emperor's kind regard Advanced me to a post, high in its dignity, 20 When he chose me to stand next to himself in the imperial train.7 While my life thus engaged flew by, The gray hairs of old age suddenly stole on me,8 Urging me not to lose sight of the years Salia ruled in Rome,D When I first saw the light of day; 25 And what winters have passed, what glad springs have returned, Bringing roses to meadows when the ice fled, my white head declares.1o 6. Cf. Horace, Odes 1.9.24. 7. See Introduction, p. xi. 8. Cf. Juvenal, Satires 9.129. 9. SaIia was consul with Phillip in 848, the year of Prudentius' hirth. 10. Cf. Horace, Odes 4.U.12. PREFACE ~ What will all these things profit me, Whether evil or good, after the flesh decays, When whatever I was, death will efface, blotting out all my deeds. 30 To me it must one day be said: Whosoever thou art, earth, which thy soul held dear, Is no more. Not of God, who is thy Judge, were those pursuits of thine. And yet now at the end of life Let my sinful soul cast off its vanities;l1 35 Let it render to God praise with the voice, even if not by works. Let me link day to day with hymns, And no night be without homage of song to God; Let me strive against false teachings, defend Catholic Faith with zeal; Let me trample on heathen rites, 40 Break thy idols, 0 Rome, ending their evil sway, Hymns to martyrs devote, lauding their acts, praise to Apostles give.12 While these verses I write or sing, o may I wing my flight, free from the body's chains,13 To that heavenly sphere, whither my last utterance shall be borne. 45 II. Cf. Basil, Epistles 22~.2. 12. In this and the previous stanza, the poet alludes to his various works. See Introduction, p. xiii. IS. Cf. Paulinus of Nola, Poema 11.57·60 (PL 61.462). ...