The Oracles of Leo the Wise

A manuscript page features two columns of verse, framed by an intricate red ornamental border featuring scrollwork and foliage. The page is divided vertically by a similar red border. Each column is topped by a title in red ink. The left column contains the English translation of the Greek text, and the right column contains the English translation of the Latin version. Both columns begin with large decorative initials: a red 'T' in the left column and a blue 'S' in the right, both set in square gold-decorated frames. Each subsequent line begins with a red capital letter. The folio number '7' is written in the top right corner.

On the Serpent

The second child of the wild beast,

A serpent flying toward the south,

Washing in blackness, and entirely black,

Dreadfully deprived of light by ravens, Ravens in these oracles often represent agents of destruction or specific enemies of the Empire.

And showing the time with geometrical figures,

Which shall follow after your father’s end.

The serpent who is the destroyer of the Bear Likely referring to the constellation Ursa Major, often a symbol for the North or a specific northern power., alone and miserable,

Oh, how will you become food for terrible ravens?

For the base race of those from the sun original: "tōn ap’ hēliou" — This may refer to eastern peoples or those associated with the rising sun. exists;

Piteously you will shake both yourself and the city, In the context of Leo's oracles, "the city" almost always refers to Constantinople.

And your groaning will give lamentation to the heavens.

To the Serpent

The second son of another wild beast,

Flying toward the south, a serpent,

Who is anointed with black, and is all black,

Wretchedly deprived of light by ravens,

And manifesting the time by linear figures,

Which follows your father’s end.

The serpent, the wretched lone destroyer of the Bear,

Oh, how will you become food for the hostile ravens?

For their base race, existing from the sun,

You will miserably disturb yourself and the city together,

And your groaning will give grief to the upper air.