Commodian — Instructiones 21
Alas I grieve, citizens, that you are so dulled by the world! One runs to lots, another watches birds; another, wicked, looks when Bellona’s blood is poured and longs to hear good answers — cruel — where so many leaders and kings are consulted about life. Or what did it profit him to have known his own portents? Learn the good, I ask, citizens; beware images: for all of you seek into the Almighty’s law. So it pleased the Lord of lords on high that demons wander in the world for our proving. ****** who leave their altars to become heavenly. Whence I do not care to dispute this in a little book: the law teaches in the midst; I beg, take counsel for yourselves! You have entered into two ways: learn thoroughly the right one.
Latin
21 HEBETUDO SAECULI. Heu doleo, ciues, sic uos hebetari de mundo! Excurrit alius ad sortis, aues aspicit alter Belantum cruore fuso malus inspicit alter Et cupit audire responsa bona crudelis, Tot duces et reges ubi sunt consulti de uita. Uel portenta sua scisse quo profuit illi? Di<s>cite quaeso bonum, ciues, simulacra cauete: Omnipotentis enim in legem quaerite cuncti. Sic ipsi conplacuit domino dominorum in altis Ad probationem nostram daemones in mundo uag<ar>i. **************** Caelestis fieri qui relinquant aras eorum. Unde non hoc curo disputari paruo libello: Lex docet in medio; oror consulete pro uobis! In duas intrastis uias: condiscite rectam.