Regis Quotes
More Regis Quotes
In commune iubes si quid censesque tenendum, primus iussa subi: tunc observantior aequi fit populus nec ferre negat, cum viderit ipsum auctorem parere sibi. componitur orbis regis ad exemplum, nec sic inflectere sensus humanos edicta valent quam vita regentis.
— If thou make any law or establish any custom for the general good, be the first to submit thyself thereto; then does a people show more regard for justice nor refuse submission when it has seen their author obedient to his own laws. The world shapes itself after its ruler's pattern, nor can edicts sway men's minds so much as their monarch's life; the unstable crowd ever changes along with the prince.
— Panegyricus de Quarto Consulatu Honorii Augusti, lines 296-301.
Exemplum autem de responso Ricardi regis Anglorum, facto magistro Fulconi viro bono et sancto…et hic interserere praeter rem non putavi. Cum inter cetera vir ille sanctus regi dixisset; "Tres filias habetis, quae quamdiu penes vos fuerint, nunquam Dei gratiam habere poteritis, superbiam scilicet, luxuriam, et cupiditatem." Cui rex, post modicam quasi pausationem, "Jam," inquit, "maritavi filias istas, et nuptui dedi; Templariis superbiam, nigris monachis luxuriam, albis vero cupiditatem."
— I have thought it relevant to include here an exemplum found in the answer which Richard, King of the English, made to Fulk, a virtuous and holy man…This saintly man had been talking to the King for some time. "You have three daughters," he said, "and, as long as they remain with you, you will never receive the grace of God. Their names are Superbia, Luxuria nd Cupiditas." For a moment the King did not know what to answer. Then he replied: "I have already given these daughters of mine away in marriage. Pride I gave to the Templars, Lechery I gave to the Black Monks and Covetousness to the White Monks".
— Book 1, chapter 3, pp. 104-5.
At vos, o superi, et divum tu maxime rector Juppiter, Arcadii, quaeso, miserescite regis Et patrias audite preces: si numina vestra Incolumem Pallanta mihi, si fata reseruant, Si visurus eum vivo et venturus in unum: Vitam oro, patiar quemvis durare laborem. Sin aliquem infandum casum, Fortuna, minaris, Nunc, nunc o liceat crudelem abrumpere vitam, Dum curae ambiguae, dum spes incerta futuri, Dum te, care puer, mea sola et sera voluptas, Complexu teneo, gravior neu nuntius auris Vulneret.
virgil— Ye gods, and mighty Jove, in pity bring
Relief, and hear a father and a king!
If fate and you reserve these eyes, to see
My son return with peace and victory;
If the lov'd boy shall bless his father's sight;
If we shall meet again with more delight;
Then draw my life in length; let me sustain,
In hopes of his embrace, the worst of pain.
But if your hard decrees—which, O! I dread—
Have doom'd to death his undeserving head;
This, O this very moment, let me die!
While hopes and fears in equal balance lie;
While, yet possess'd of all his youthful charms,
I strain him close within these aged arms;
Before that fatal news my soul shall wound!Lines 578–580 (translated by John Dryden).Cf. Pitt's translation:
Exemplum autem de responso Ricardi regis Anglorum, facto magistro Fulconi viro bono et sancto…et hic interserere praeter rem non putavi. Cum inter cetera vir ille sanctus regi dixisset; "Tres filias habetis, quae quamdiu penes vos fuerint, nunquam Dei gratiam habere poteritis, superbiam scilicet, luxuriam, et cupiditatem." Cui rex, post modicam quasi pausationem, "Jam," inquit, "maritavi filias istas, et nuptui dedi; Templariis superbiam, nigris monachis luxuriam, albis vero cupiditatem."
gerald of wales— I have thought it relevant to include here an exemplum found in the answer which Richard, King of the English, made to Fulk, a virtuous and holy man…This saintly man had been talking to the King for some time. "You have three daughters," he said, "and, as long as they remain with you, you will never receive the grace of God. Their names are Superbia, Luxuria nd Cupiditas." For a moment the King did not know what to answer. Then he replied: "I have already given these daughters of mine away in marriage. Pride I gave to the Templars, Lechery I gave to the Black Monks and Covetousness to the White Monks".Book 1, chapter 3, pp. 104-5.
At vos, o superi, et divum tu maxime rector Juppiter, Arcadii, quaeso, miserescite regis Et patrias audite preces: si numina vestra Incolumem Pallanta mihi, si fata reseruant, Si visurus eum vivo et venturus in unum: Vitam oro, patiar quemvis durare laborem. Sin aliquem infandum casum, Fortuna, minaris, Nunc, nunc o liceat crudelem abrumpere vitam, Dum curae ambiguae, dum spes incerta futuri, Dum te, care puer, mea sola et sera voluptas, Complexu teneo, gravior neu nuntius auris Vulneret.
— Cf. Conington's translation:
- "O ye Gods, and O great Jove,
Have pity on a father's love
And hear Evander's prayer:
If 'tis your purpose to restore
My Pallas to my arms once more;
If living is to see his face,
Then grant me life, of your dear grace:
No toil too hard to bear.
But ah! if Fortune be my foe,
And meditate some crushing blow,
Now, now the thread in mercy break,
While hope sees dim and cares mistake,
While still I clasp thee darling boy.
My latest and my only joy,
Nor let assurance, worse than fear,
With cruel tidings wound my ear."
