Folio 31v - the hawk, continued.
acquires new ones, as anyone entering the cloister is deprived of his former vices and adorned with the virtues of a new man.
The hawk is not released from the mew until its old feathers have been cast off and the new ones are firmly in place. But when it is strong enough to fly and is released outside, it comes to settle on the hand. Likewise, if a convert leaves the cloister, he must settle on a virtuous way of life, and when he is flown from that perch he should soar with all his will to heavenly things, the object of his desires.
Why the hawk is carried on the left hand
The hawk is customarily carried on the left hand, so that when it has been let off the leash to catch something, it should fly back onto the right. 'His left hand', it is written, 'is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me' (Song of Solomon, 2:6).
The left hand represents temporal possessions; the right, eternal life. Those who manage temporal possessions sit on the left. Those who desire eternal life with all their heart fly on the right. It is there that the hawk will catch the dove - that is, anyone who has changed for the better will receive the grace of the Holy Spirit.
The end of the account of the dove and the hawk. The beginning of the account of the turtle dove and the sparrow.
After the mournful note of the dove and the plaintive call of the hawk, lest I linger too long, I shall write more speedily of the lament of the turtle-dove and the cry of the sparrow - and not only write of them, but also portray them. My purpose is to show how the turtle-dove cherishes the solitude of the wilderness, and the sparrow cries ceaselessly, alone on the roof; so that, following the example of the turtle dove, you may cleave to the purity that comes of chastity, and following that of the sparrow, you may take pleasure in acting shrewdly and prudently; living chastely and going your way with caution.
Of the turtle dove
The turtle dove, so called from the sound it makes, turtur, is a shy bird, and stays all the time on mountain summits and in deserted, lonely places. It shuns the houses and society of men and keeps to the woods.
- Commentary
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Commentary
Text
Domestic and wild hawks; how the hawk moults; why the hawk is carried on the left hand; the end of the dove and hawk; the beginning of the dove and sparrow.
Illustration
A pair of turtle doves on top of a symmetrical tree is placed beside the heading of dove and sparrow.
Comment
The text on f.32r refers to the female turtle dove's chaste devotion to her mate, even when widowed. So, the illustration refers to the birds' faithful marriage. Initials type 2, colour indicator (V) for the vermilion initials 'A' and 'T'. The spacious initial 'P' is squeezed around the text and overlaps the frame of the illustration.
Folio Attributes
- Transcription and Translation
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Transcription
assumit, quia quilibet claustralis [qui] pristinis viciis spoliatur, novi \hominis virtutibus adornatur. Nec inde extrahitur, nisi prius eiectis veteribus \pennis nove soliduntur. Sed cum firmus in volatu fuerit eiectus \foras ad manum venit. Similiter si aliquis conversus de claustro \exeat, necesse est ut ad manum bone operationis accedat, et inde \emissus volet, ut ad desideranda celestia toto nisu mentis \seipsum levet. \ Quod accipiter in sinistra manu gestatur \ Accipiter in sinistra manu gestari solet, ut in dexteram ad \aliquid capiendum emissus volet. Leva inquit eius \sub capite meo, et dextera illius amplexabitur me. Leva sunt \bona temporalia, dextera vero sunt eterna. In leva ergo sedet, qui \bonis temporalibus presidet. In dextera vero volat, qui toto affectu \mentis eterna desiderat. Ibi capiet accipiter columbam, id est, quilibet \mutatus in melius sancti spiriti recipiet gratiam. \ Explicit de columba et accipitro. Incipit de turture et de passere \ Post columbe gemitum et acci\pitris questum, ne diutius differam [,] \planctum turturis et clamorem pas\seris velocius scribam, nec tantum \scribam, sed etiam pingam. Qualiter \turtur heremi secretum diligat, et \passer solitarius in tecto clamare non \desinat, ut sub exemplo turturis, \teneas mundiciam castitatis, et sub \exemplo passeris, ames custodiam callide circumspectionis, \et ut vivas caste, et ambules caute. \ De turture \ Turtur de voce vocate, avis pudica, et semper in monti\um iugis, et in desertis solitudinibus commorans. Tecta \enim hominum et conversationem fugit, et commoratur in silvis. \Translation
acquires new ones, as anyone entering the cloister is deprived of his former vices and adorned with the virtues of a new man. The hawk is not released from the mew until its old feathers have been cast off and the new ones are firmly in place. But when it is strong enough to fly and is released outside, it comes to settle on the hand. Likewise, if a convert leaves the cloister, he must settle on a virtuous way of life, and when he is flown from that perch he should soar with all his will to heavenly things, the object of his desires. Why the hawk is carried on the left hand The hawk is customarily carried on the left hand, so that when it has been let off the leash to catch something, it should fly back onto the right. 'His left hand', it is written, 'is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me' (Song of Solomon, 2:6). The left hand represents temporal possessions; the right, eternal life. Those who manage temporal possessions sit on the left. Those who desire eternal life with all their heart fly on the right. It is there that the hawk will catch the dove - that is, anyone who has changed for the better will receive the grace of the Holy Spirit. The end of the account of the dove and the hawk. The beginning of the account of the turtle dove and the sparrow. After the mournful note of the dove and the plaintive call of the hawk, lest I linger too long, I shall write more speedily of the lament of the turtle-dove and the cry of the sparrow - and not only write of them, but also portray them. My purpose is to show how the turtle-dove cherishes the solitude of the wilderness, and the sparrow cries ceaselessly, alone on the roof; so that, following the example of the turtle dove, you may cleave to the purity that comes of chastity, and following that of the sparrow, you may take pleasure in acting shrewdly and prudently; living chastely and going your way with caution. Of the turtle dove The turtle dove, so called from the sound it makes, turtur, is a shy bird, and stays all the time on mountain summits and in deserted, lonely places. It shuns the houses and society of men and keeps to the woods.
