LXXI.
By which a blessing is sent concerning spoonfuls
Stonecutters of marble, workmen give impression to quarries;
Gravediggers make by joining coffins for poor folk,
Nor do we bear a sign, but the firewood of our servant.
LXXII.
How much better it is to be a farm worker than a battling lord
The lord stirs war, the country tiller ploughs;
That man opens javelins, this one rejoices in a heap of produce.
LXXIII.
Concerning these who do not blame themselves, but blame others
Polybus, emitting a clinging smell, does not smell bad to himself.
There are those, those who feel their own way, (who) condemn the sins of others.
LXXIV.
I exhort Damian, so that he may become a monk.
The almighty teaches, let us put in motion, so that we might do that which he does.
The laws of the bed are absent from the (nuptial) bed, if rubbed away by the narrow path of Christ.
You are now (already) a father, give generously of space to the following generations,
So that your traces (footsteps) may (be) open to bordering shoots (your progeny),
And a cornfield bursts forth, while it does not obstruct what is (already) produced.
The sprigs set under the roots of the mother are numb.
Distinguished old leaves will flow with (on) buds of flowers,
And the grass, having come from seed, calls a curved knife (sickle).
Begin therefore to be uprooted from the turf of the earth,
To remove to the heaven, where hope having been animated it grows green;
In this way the root of the heart of the fields of the heavens carries itself across,
And no fruit about to fall breaks out on the tree.
LXXV.
He who is hungry and thirsty consumes anything cheap
The hungry one makes agreeable to his throat the dark field grass;
The fire of thirst returns hard-packed vapid wine that can be drawn;
A hungry man eats,the sated man with an empty mouth licks up.
LXXVI.
Concerning that one who prides himself on a high pitched voice
A speaking small she-ass bellows with a high enough voice
A swan’s voice buzzing shapes a sweet pleasing song.
LXXVII.
Concerning those who dress in mail (breastplate, armor) toward flesh
The clothing of hooks offer unlovely cover;
The clothing of hooks are twin with disgusting disease:
The weight presses the bones, the cold binds the guts.
LXXVIII.
Concerning Hildebrand who (is) indeed of little stature (he’s short), but seems to be of great prudence.
A small tigress makes equal (to sent arrows) by hurrying;
Common iron indeed nevertheless subdues all metals,
But a strong magnet draws it after footsteps..
This man, who dominates all, contracts height to Sisyphus,
And many tremble before him, not wishing, to the one me is he put under.
LXXIX.
Concerning the Pope and Hildebrand
I care for the Pope with due observance, but I venerate you prostrate;
You make this one (Him) a Lord, that one (the Lord) makes you a god.
LXXX.
To the Roman archdeacon who sent me half a fish
It is not a surprise if Peter always places me in need,
When rivers create half little fishes.