Page Summary:
This text is a Latin poem meditating on themes of vanity, repentance, and divine grace, using the story of Mary Magdalene for illustration. It reflects on youthful attraction to earthly desires and the transformative power of Christ's acceptance. The poem urges self-reflection, portraying a shift from vanity to humility.
Image of Original Page
English Translation of this page:
Magdalene
I, in my youth, was drawn to Venus (ah, the pleasures to be shunned)
Too pleasing I was, to the dark Magdalena.
And yet saw myself: in the mirror, I saw the worst.
When Christ turns his face to mine,
Come see, let my heart be combed and lay deprived;
The show of arrogance shall then soon fall.
Translation Notes:
- "Venus" refers to the Roman goddess of love and beauty, used here to symbolize worldly pleasures.
- "Magdalis atra" and "Magdalene" refer to Mary Magdalene, a biblical figure associated with repentance.
- The poem uses Latin, and the translation attempts to capture the essence of reflection and repentance central to Magdalena's story.