Heavenly Food (Prudentius, Psychomachia Pref. 29-44)
Here is Brendan Boston reading a section from the iambic preface that Prudentius wrote to his hexameter mini-e...
pic, the Psychomachia, composed around AD 400. It is a fine example of the allegorical interpretation of the Bible that was such an important feature of ancient and medieval exegesis. For more on the fascinating allegorical approach of Prudentius, see this brand new review of Marc Mastrangelo’s book on the subject.
Brendan BostonPrudentiusPodcast29-44.mp3
frangit catenas et rapinam liberat:
aurum, puellas, paruulos, monilia,
greges equarum, uasa, uestem, buculas.
Loth ipse ruptis expeditus nexibus
attrita bacis colla liber erigit.
Abram triumphi dissipator hostici
redit recepta prole fratris inclytus
ne quam fidelis sanguinis prosapiam
uis pessimorum possideret principum.
adhuc recentem caede de tanta uirum
donat sacerdos ferculis caelestibus,
dei sacerdos, rex et idem praepotens,
origo cuius fonte inenarrabili
secreta nullum prodit auctorem sui,
Melchisedech, qua stirpe, quis maioribus
ignotus, uni cognitus tantum deo.
