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CyYPRIAN’s AD DONATUM AS A MYSTAGOGIC PROTREPTICUS
perceptions are vividly described. Particularly noticeable is the metaphorical
use of “to nourish” (pascere) in the sense of “to uplift.” In chapter 1, the text
reads “we nourish the soul [...] by what we see” (animam |...] pascit obtutus),
while in chapter 16, Donatus is said to “nourish his dearest” (carissimos
pascis) by singing a religious song." In short, not only literary conventions,
which determine the form of the dialogue frame, but also several common
motifs demonstrate that the beginning and the end of the work refer to each
other. This, however, underlines the differences. The initial scene is situated
in an idyllic place, where the perfect beauty of God’s creation can be perceived
with all senses. But then the text reads:
And that no profane critic may impede our talk and no unrestrained clamour
of a noisy household annoys us, let us seek out this spot. The neighbouring
thickets furnish seclusion, where the wandering slips of vines, with their pendent
interlacing creep over the burden-carrying reeds, and the leafy covering has made
a vine-covered portico.
Ac ne eloquium nostrum arbiter profanus impediat aut clamor intemperans
familiae strepentis obtundat, petamus hanc sedem: dant secessum uicina secreta,
ubi dum erratici palmitum lapsus nexibus pendulis per harundines baiulas
repunt, uiteam porticum frondea tecta fecerunt. (Donat. 1)
That means that the place is adequate for this conversation about faith
because it is not only beautiful, but also quiet and secret. Let us compare
the final scene:
And since now is the quiet of a holiday and a time of leisure, whatever is left of
the day as the sun slopes toward evening, let us spend this time in gladness, and
let not even the hour of repast be void of heavenly grace. Let a temperate repast
resound with psalms, and as you have a retentive memory and a musical voice,
approach this task as is your custom. You sustain your dearest friends the more,
if we listen to something spiritual, if the sweetness of religion delights our ears.
Et quoniam feriata nunc quies ac tempus est otiosum, quicquid inclinante iam
sole in uesperam dies superest, ducamus hunc diem laeti nec sit uel hora conuiuii
gratiae caelestis inmunis. Sonet psalmus conuiuium sobrium: ut tibi tenax
memoria est, uox canora, adgredere hoc munus ex more. Magis carissimos pascis,
si sit nobis spiritalis auditio, prolectet aures religiosa mulcedo. (Donat. 16)
According to Thesaurus linguae Latinae X,1 595,51, pascere would (literally, not
metaphorically) mean “to nourish” here, but of course, Donatus is not expected to provide
his fellow Christians with food, but to uplift them during their common meal, which,
thereby, becomes a physical and mental nourishment.
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