Vulneratur karitas (208)

Summary

[fol. 103v]

Vulneratur karitas, amor egrotatur,

Regnat et perfidia, liuor generatur.

Fraus primatum optinet, pax subpeditatur.

Fides uincta carcere nimis desolatur.

¶ Amur gist en maladie, charite est nafre,

Ore regne tricherie, hayne est engendre.

Boidie ad seignurie, pes est mise suz pe.

Fei nad ki lui guie, en prisun est lie.

¶ In presenti tempore non ualet scriptura

Sed sopita ueluti latent legis iura.

Et nephandi generis excecata cura

Nullo sensu preuio formidat futura.

¶ Ne lerray ke ne vus die, ne vaut ore escripture

Mes cum fust endormie e tapist dreiture.

De la gent haye avugle est la cure

Ke el ne dute mie venjance a venir dure.

[fol. 104r]

¶ Resistentes subruunt iniquitatis nati.

Perit pax ecclesie, regnant et elati.

Hoc silendo sustinent improbi prelati

Mortem pro iusticia recusantes pati.

¶ Les contre estanz abatent li fiz de felonie.

Lors perit seinte eglise quant orgoil la mestrie.

Ceo sustenent li prelaz ki se ne peinent mie.

Pur dreiture sustenir nolent perdre vie.

Vulneratur karitas (208)

London, British Library, Harley MS 746, fols 103v–104r

[Latin] Kindness is wounded and love sickens, while treachery rules and hatred is bred. Deceit has gained the upper hand and peace is trodden down, while faithfulness lies bound and utterly helpless in prison.

[French] [5] ¶ Love lies sick, kindness is wounded. Now treachery rules and hatred is bred. Deceit has the upper hand and peace is trodden underfoot. Faithfulness has no-one to lead it and is bound in prison.

[Latin] [9] ¶ At the present day the written word is not valued and the rule of law seems to be hidden away and asleep. And the blind preoccupation of a wicked people has no apprehension of things to come.

[French] [13] ¶ I shall not omit to tell you that the written word is not valued now and justice is hidden away. Blind hatred is the people's preoccupation, for they have no apprehension at all of harsh vengeance to come.

[Latin] [17] ¶ The sons of iniquity strike down those who resist. The peace of the church perishes while the proud hold power. The unprincipled prelates are supporting this by being silent, unwilling to suffer death for the sake of justice.

[French] [21] ¶ The sons of iniquity strike down those who resist. Thus does holy church perish while pride rules it.