Complete Poetic Works, Volume 7

The World acts in such a way as to deceive. That image of things, which was beautiful enough to mislead us, has perished. Previously, it intended to seduce us with a true brilliance, but it was unable. Now, it is almost no longer strong enough to corrupt us even with its false ostentation. It lacked solid goods; see how even its fleeting ones slip away. Neither do beautiful things adorn it for the present, nor do lasting things strengthen it for the future. Unless we deceive ourselves, the World can almost no longer deceive us.

But why do we hesitate to bring forth those things which are stronger? We speak of the dissipated riches of the World, when the World itself is turning toward its end and is driven in its final stretches. How much greater and more serious is it that the world itself will not exist for long? Why do we mention its worn-out wealth and furniture? Not without cause is it driven into decline, its strength consumed by age. It is deprived of its supports, since it now collapses under the weight of its wavering old age. The last age of the world is stuffed with evils, just as old age is with diseases. Have these things not been seen, and seen for a long time now in this gray Age? I mean famine, pestilence, devastation, wars, and terrors. These are its illnesses in its final years. From this we often see signs and earthquakes, the changed cycles of seasons, and the monstrous births of living creatures. All of these are wonders of a preceding time, but now they belong to a failing one. All these things were said wisely, I think, and with vigor. They are worthy of Eucherius, who bore the name of by far the greatest of the great Bishops of his Century. Saint Eucherius of Lyon was a 5th century bishop known for his letter "On the Contempt of the World," which argued that the Roman Empire's decline was a sign of the world's end.

You have, Friend Reader, the most heartfelt testimony of two Church Fathers, both illustrious for their learning and their fame of holiness. Each exclaims: Vanity of vanities, and all is vanity. original: "Vanitas Vanitatum, & omnia Vanitas." A quote from the Book of Ecclesiastes 1:2. With both of them, I sing, I groan, I play, I write, and I resound the same thing. Nor indeed does the world itself deny this. But because it has "rubbed its harlot's brow," it is not confused by shame. original: "meretriciam frontem perfricuit." This is a Latin idiom meaning to cast off all shame or to become brazenly bold. It received the first editions of my simple Ode with a favorable will, and even with pleasure. However, when its blemishes and its OWN UGLINESS were shown in the mirror, it was not at all offended. It simply smiled, as if saying: THIS IS WHAT WE ARE. I lit the torch from the Trojan tomb. original: "A Trojano busto facem accendi." This suggests the author draws his warning from the ruins of antiquity, specifically the fall of Troy, to illustrate the inevitable end of worldly glory. For why...