Incipit operis praefatio subsequentis
The Artistry of Divine Governance
Art is the divine instrument by which God creates, rules, and orders the world, and by which earthly rulers secure the public good.
Every ministry that presides over the threefold world — steered by art — holds the richest gifts of art. The all-creating Lord creates lands, sea, stars, and heavens by art, and governs the whole beautiful world and the cosmos by art. With excellent arts, the wisdom of the thunderer on high placed humankind before all the creatures of the world. Art drives the chariots, art rightly steers the ships, and the triumphal, warlike enterprise looks to art. So the public good needs art's aid and resources, that it may flourish under a good ruler and a blessed people.
Garlands from the Heavenly Meadow
The author gathers teachings from Scripture and divine sources to adorn the king's mind, affirming that true royal glory comes from the Lord's instruction.
For this reason, running through the flowery meadows of heavenly books, I have gathered for you, renowned king, garlands that may adorn the diadem of your royal mind and glorify the scepters of Christ ruling by his will; and with my thumb I plucked the healing herbs of divine teaching, fragrant with nard, into baskets: take from the liquid springs of Israel the waters that may satisfy the thirsty palate with exceeding sweet dew! For the glory of kings — their splendor and their lineage's scepters — are the teachings of the Lord, not the examples and noble deeds of famous nobles handed down through the world.
A Prayer for Flourishing and Eternal Glory
The chapter closes with a prayer that the king's reign may prosper and lead to heavenly glory, commending all beginnings and endings to Christ the King.
Through these arts may your commonwealth flourish in victory and be steered happily for many years, until you ascend into the starry hall of those who reign justly, where enduring glory thrives. With you is the beginning, with you the end, Christ the King; be the Alpha of your servant's work, O God, and of yours as well.
Read the original Latin
Omne ministerium, trifido quod praeminet orbe, Arte gubernandum, sunt artis plurima dona. Omnicreans dominus terras, mare, sidera, caelos Arte creat, totum pulchrum regit arteque mundum. Artibus egregiis sapientia celsitonantis Praeposuit hominem cunctis animalibus orbis. Ars currum regitat, naves ars rite gubernat Atque triumphalis res artem bellica spectat. Indiget artis opis sic et res publica, felix Esse queat rectore bono populoque beato. Ob hoc caelestum transcurrens prata librorum Florida congessi vobis, rex inclite, serta, Quae capitis vestrae mentis diadema perornent Sceptraque glorificent Christi dominantia nutu, Atque salutiferas divini dogmatis herbas Pollice decerpsi nardo redolente calathis: Sumite de liquidis Israhel fontibus undas, Quae satient bibulum praedulci rore palatum! Gloria nam regum, nitidis et stemmata sceptris Dogmata sunt Domini nec non exempla priorum Gestaque nobilium procerum famosa per orbem. Artibus his vigeat vestri res publica victrix Atque gubernetur multis feliciter annis, Donec sideream vos ascendatis in aulam, Iuste regnantum qua perpes gloria pollet.
Tecum principium, finis rex Christeque tecum; Alpha operis famuli sis, Deus, coque tui.
On Christian Rulers (De rectoribus christianis) companion
Formation did not end with the Carolingians
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