Folio 97v - chalcedony, continued. Quartus Smaragdus; The fourth, smaragdus
The third, that is, the third decoration of the foundation is chalcedony; it is pale yellow, similar to lamp-light, and shines more under the open sky than indoors; warmed by the sun or by a rub of the fingers, it attracts particles to itself; it does not resist the subjects of the engraver, and it signifies the charity which is within us, hidden in the heart.
It is pale yellow like lamplight, but when it is forced into the open for the benefit of others, then what its virtue was inside is demonstrated outside. Touched by the sun, that is Christ, or the spirit, namely the finger, it attracts sinners to itself; that it cannot in any way be cut signifies that it is not wanting in times of adversity but is rather of advantage. In this context, it is said in the Song of Solomon: 'Love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love' (8:6-7). It cannot, therefore, be carved, because it is not shattered by adversity or even softened by fulsome praise. In this context, the psalms: 'My head shall not be annointed with the oil of wicked men' (NEB, Psalms 141: 5); 1 Corinthians, 13: 'Charity is patient; it is kind; charity it suffers everything; it endures everything; it is not puffed up; it is not ambitious etc.' (see 13:4-5).
Verse
Chalcedony is a stone which shines with a faint paleness. It comes between the hyacinth and the beryl. Anyone who carries it will, it is said, be successful in lawsuits.
The fourth, smaragdus
The fourth foundation, smaragdus, outdoes in its greenness every kind of grass and the boughs of trees; it makes those who wear it appear attractive; it makes the air around grow green; it yields an image just as a mirror does; it signifies virginity, which wholly preserves the freshness of the flesh; and it surpasses all other virtues in a way. Because it preserves virginity
- Commentary
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Commentary
Text
Chalcedony and smaragdus.
Comment
Initials type 4.
Folio Attributes
- Transcription and Translation
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Transcription
Tercium, id est fundamenti ornamentum est cal\cedonius, qui lapis pallenti lucerne similis\ est, et fulget magis sub divo quam in domo, cale\factus a sole vel digitorum attritu, paleas ad se trahit scul\penti non argumentis resistit, et significat caritatem que\ intus in corde celata, pallet quasi lux in lucerna, sed cum ad\ aliorum utilitatem exire cogitur, tunc qualis intus erat,\ exterius ostenditur, et tacta a sole Christo vel spiritu, scilicet digito, pec\catores ad se trahit et omnino secari nequit quia nulla ad\versitate deficit, sed magis proficit. Unde Canticum Canticorum viii: Fortis\ est ut mors dilectio et dura sicut infernus emulacio, lam\pades eius lampades ignis atque flammarum. Aque mul\te non poterunt extinguere caritatem. Sculpi ergo\ non potest, quia adversitate non frangitur nec etiam adulatoria\ laude emollitur. Unde Psalmis: oleum peccatoris non inpinguet\ caput meum;\ i Corinthios, xiii: Caritas paciens est benigna est,\ omnia suffert, omnia sustinet, non inflatur, non est ambiciosa et cetera. \ Versus \ Calcedon lapis est hebeti pallo\re refulgens. Inter iacinctum medioctinus atque beril\lum. Hiis qui portat eum perhibetur vincere causis.\ Quartus Smaragdus \ Quartum, smaragadus\ qui omnes herbas et arborum frondes viriditate\ superat et gerentes eam, reddit intuentibus graciosos,\ aerem vicinum virescere facit ymaginem sicut\ speculum reddit, et significat virginitatem, que virorem\ carnis integre servat, et omnes alias virtutes quodam\ modo superat, quia virginitatem servare, magis estTranslation
The third, that is, the third decoration of the foundation is chalcedony; it is pale yellow, similar to lamp-light, and shines more under the open sky than indoors; warmed by the sun or by a rub of the fingers, it attracts particles to itself; it does not resist the subjects of the engraver, and it signifies the charity which is within us, hidden in the heart. It is pale yellow like lamplight, but when it is forced into the open for the benefit of others, then what its virtue was inside is demonstrated outside. Touched by the sun, that is Christ, or the spirit, namely the finger, it attracts sinners to itself; that it cannot in any way be cut signifies that it is not wanting in times of adversity but is rather of advantage. In this context, it is said in the Song of Solomon: 'Love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love' (8:6-7). It cannot, therefore, be carved, because it is not shattered by adversity or even softened by fulsome praise. In this context, the psalms: 'My head shall not be annointed with the oil of wicked men' (NEB, Psalms 141: 5); 1 Corinthians, 13: 'Charity is patient; it is kind; charity it suffers everything; it endures everything; it is not puffed up; it is not ambitious etc.' (see 13:4-5). Verse Chalcedony is a stone which shines with a faint paleness. It comes between the hyacinth and the beryl. Anyone who carries it will, it is said, be successful in lawsuits. The fourth, smaragdus The fourth foundation, smaragdus, outdoes in its greenness every kind of grass and the boughs of trees; it makes those who wear it appear attractive; it makes the air around grow green; it yields an image just as a mirror does; it signifies virginity, which wholly preserves the freshness of the flesh; and it surpasses all other virtues in a way. Because it preserves virginity
