Page:Disciplina Clericalis (English translation) from the fifteenth century Worcester Cathedral Manuscript F. 172.djvu/18

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PETER ALPHONSE'S DISCIPLINA CLERICALIS
A Complete Middle English Version
from
The Worcester Cathedral Library Ms. F. 172.
Prolog^[1] (f. 118^b)

Petir Alfons seruaunt of Jhesu Crist, maker of this booke saith: Thankynges I do to god the whiche is first and without bigynnyng, to whom is the bigynnyng and the end and of all goodenes the fulfillyng Sapiens and wisdam; whiche sapiens and reason whiche aspirith vs with his wisdam, and of his wounderful reason with cliernes shyneth and with manyfold maner of the holigost with his grace vs hath enriched. Forwhi therfor god though I beyng a synner vouchestsauf to cloth me with many maner wisdams, ne that the lantern to me taken be nat hid vnder a busshel; but with stiryng of the same spirite to the profite of many to make and compowne this booke I am monysshed and warned, beseechyng hym as to the bigynnyng of this my litel booke he enjoyne a goode end; me also kepe that nothyng in it be saide that to his wil be displeasure.
Amen^[2]

The paragraph omitted from the Introduction (see I, 1-2) by the English translator runs as follows: May God then who constrained me to write this little book and to translate it into Latin aid me in the undertaking. For when I wished to know by my own efforts the source of human life, I discovered that intellect was given to man by God for this purpose, that he might be zealous in the study of sacred philosophy as long as he lives; for by this he will gain more and better knowledge about his Creator and will strive to live temperately and know how to protect himself against threatening misfortunes; and he may thus follow that path in the world that leads to the kingdom of heaven. And if he lives according to these precepts of sacred discipline, he will fulfill the purpose for which he was created and will deserve to be called perfect. Moreover, I have considered that man's nature is weak, so that he must be assisted and instructed in a few things if he is not to fall into a state
————

↑ The prolog indicated in Ms. only by paragraphing.
↑ The long paragraph immediately following in the Latin is omitted in the English. There is in fact evidence everywhere that this translator (or possibly the copyist of this Ms.) was both ignorant of the Latin and careless. He pays no attention to prolog or epilog; he frequently omits words, clauses, sentences, and sometimes extensive passages from the original; he occasionally transfers a passage from its natural connection in the Latin; and the instances of his misunderstanding and mistranslating the Latin are almost countless.

I shall attempt to supply free translations, for the sake of the connection in the narrative, of all omissions of any length and importance. Wherever there is any doubt as to the meaning of a word or passage the original Latin will also be given in the footnotes.

[1] The prolog indicated in Ms. only by paragraphing.

[2] The long paragraph immediately following in the Latin is omitted in the English. There is in fact evidence everywhere that this translator (or possibly the copyist of this Ms.) was both ignorant of the Latin and careless. He pays no attention to prolog or epilog; he frequently omits words, clauses, sentences, and sometimes extensive passages from the original; he occasionally transfers a passage from its natural connection in the Latin; and the instances of his misunderstanding and mistranslating the Latin are almost countless.

I shall attempt to supply free translations, for the sake of the connection in the narrative, of all omissions of any length and importance. Wherever there is any doubt as to the meaning of a word or passage the original Latin will also be given in the footnotes.

[1]

[2]