XXI.
Concerning Noah’s ark
The ark gives a form to the church, the water gives a form to baptism.
XXII.
It is better that you be written as a king with iron (i.e. a pen) than as a slave with gold.
King, choose that you be written (recorded as king) with (by means of) an iron pen than recorded as a slave in gold.
A king is more well-known in a hut, than a slave in a palace.
XXIII.
Concerning that one who first gives and afterwards asks (for it) again
He violates the contract of friendship by repossessing his gift;
His curved hand drags back what he first gave fully.
He who asks back the gift, by that deed he soon loses his friend,
By your gift I carry worthy joys.
XXIV.
How empty are the good things of this world
When we see that the ashes of a king and the bones of a powerful people
Lie in dry collections of powdery graves,
The dry collection having been brought together to lie in a grave of powder,
How can the vigor of the flesh or the possession of the mind please?
XXV.
The Lord pope was beginning the matter without me and and when he was wishing to finish and was speaking with me in this way: “As it was in the beginning,” when he had not said with me: “Glory to the Father”
“As it was...,” I condemn, because I never sing “Glory:”
Whoever has gnawed off the head will also deservedly keep the tail
(and) he who has sucked out the marrow earlier
will hurt his mouth with the bones.
XXVI.
This thing is said to those who make a false treaty
So that they are able by their mouths, and may their lips be joined to their hearts.
Peace ends anointing, they take quarrels last.
XXVII.
That a friend often appears to be angry and an enemy to flatter falsely
Love is furious with the just, a bruise flatters the unjust.
Love is bitter, sweetness rages, faithfulness is angry.
Even flatterers are tyrants under the hide of sheep.
In this way even a friend’s blame returns to fierce fathers.
XXVIII.
The pope should not engage in greed
Whoever wishes to retain the apostolic seat.
May he balance equal weights of sterness and justice.
He cannot know how to balance equally the pans of the law.
Whoever favor bends, or greedy hope draws.
For whom the mouth of many purses open with gifts of plenty,
Weak justice destroys the empty soul.
Rome holds the keys of heaven and rules the reins of the earth;
If he would want more things than these, he is headed for hell alone.
XXIX.
A servant of God must do this
Indeed I carry take many things, but I hand over everything to the monks (my brothers).
I take away steal many things from rich people, I offer (give) (many things) to the poor.
XXX.
About to take breakfast we say: “Thee poor will eat”; relaxing the silence we say: “Precious in the sight of the Lord”
Just as if “They will eat” returns us to food, “Precious” returns (us to) the conversation