Vita Wenceslai (Legenda Gumpoldi)
The Prince's Inner Conflict
Wenceslas is inwardly torn between his devotion to heavenly things and the burdens of earthly rule.
Given the heavy and varied troubles stirred up by the disturbance that attended the new prince's kindness, once earthly law had been taken up, it is no wonder he was inwardly tormented, since with a devoted mind he had set his heart on heavenly things above all else; and so, though he had shown himself obligated to provide for the public good, he nonetheless entangled himself in the sweetest service of God during his early years, and did not reject secular rank, but rather despised it.
Of the People
A brief heading introducing the prince's governance of his people.
Of the people.
Discerning Governance
Wenceslas governs with keen discernment, balancing civil law and heavenly aspiration without neglecting either.
But fearing the charge of a committed crime that needed to be atoned if he had not inflicted a worthy punishment under civil law, he did not leave this doubt a go-between for long; rather, seizing the path keenly, he strove with princely authority to moderate the common interests of citizens and the military, the decrees of the laws, residing in a most kind and thoroughly discerning household, so that he neither omitted what needed to be done in a secular way, nor was he frightened that this would be neglected by him in the future because of aiming at heavenly things.
A Heart of Mercy and Charity
Wenceslas shows ready pity, humble charity, and generous care for the poor, the exiled, and the bereft, becoming an eternal example of mercy.
Prudent in deciding and ready to show pity to anyone, he was easily entreated to relax the wretched offenses of the accused through punishment, yet untouched by the domestic disposition of any kind of penalties in his judgments; straightforward in his habits, evident in the purity of his character, not slow to fulfill the promises of good men with a bronze-like strength, and equally devoted to carrying these through; he also often preferred the rusticity of the needy inhabitants to their elders in loving them, and shone forth with the wonderful splendor of always-dear charity as a comforter to those bereft of parents or property, and as a fatherly patron to those exiled from their homeland. Modest in all his acts, a remarkable lover of patience, and a prudent moderator among all the adversities of misfortunes, he was a most generous dispenser of resources to the tearful needs of the poor, a peaceful executor of most gentle humility, generally stricter with himself but everywhere more merciful to others, shining through to all as an example for eternity by giving generously, by pitying, by reforming the ignorant, and by strengthening the instructed.
Read the original Latin
Quam gravibus tunc perturbantis molestiae diversitatibus principis novelli benignitas, terreno iure suscepto, intrinsecus angeretur, non est admirandum, quoniam coelestia prae ceteris intuendo mente devota proposuit, ut quamvis publicae utilitati providendae debitor extitisset, dei tamen praedulci obsequio uti primis se annis implicavit, potius despecto seculari fastigio, non repudiavit. Plebis. autem commissae crimen luendum veritus, si dignam civilis districtionis legem non inpendisset; sed hoc ambiguum non diu mediastinum tractatus, quam sagaciter arripiens callem, ut neque loc seculariter agendum omisisset, vel istud ob coelestia tendendum a se neglegi in futurum non expavisset; moderari in civium ae miliciae communes utilitates legum decreta, benignissimo et admodum discreto domicilio denique residens, nutu certauit principali. In decernendo providus, et misereri cuiquam promptus, in miseras reorum noxas facilius cessanda punitate exorabilis, omnigenarum qualitate poenarum in iudiciis alienus; domestica habitudine simplex, morum castitate perspicuus, bonorum promissione erea potentiores haud tardus, hisque adimplendis aeque devotus; incolarum quoque inopum iam rusticitatem maioribus saepe in diligendo praeferens; viduatis parentum vel rerum adminiculo, aecnon patria exulantibus consolator ac paternus fautor miro semper cari- tatis splendore effulsit. Modestus in omnes actus, memorabilisque amator pacientiae, et inter cunctas casuum adversitates prudens moderator, substantiarum largissimus in pauperum flebiles indigentias dispensator, humilitatis mansuetissimae placidus exsecutor, in se plerumque severior| in ceteros ubique clementior, omnibus in aeternitatis exemplum largiendo, miserando, inscios reformando, edoctos roborando perluxit.
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