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The Latin Poems/Book 2 · Musae Responsoriae
Chapter 14HerbL.2.14

De Juramento Ecclesiae (Epigr. XI)

The Irony of Evasion

The poet reflects on the ironic excuse of a man who claims physical infirmity to avoid signing the sacred articles of the Church.

Someone was ordered to sign the sacred articles, and—ah! "Gout keeps me from doing it," he said. Oh, well said and truly put! It’s a fitting irony when a joint-related ailment torments everyone who hates the Order.

Read the original Latin

Articulis sacris quidam subscribere jussus, Ah! Cheiragra vetat, quo minus, inquit, agam. O vere dictum, et belle! cum torqueat omnes Ordinis osores articulare malum.

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