INCIPIUNT VERSUS BREVITER DIGESTI [et] Ad dominum Pippinum regem fideliter directi.
A Humble Offering
Jonas humbly presents his poetic gift to King Pippin, acknowledging that true skill belongs to those learned in Virgil's art.
Devout king, I most earnestly ask you to receive this small gift I offer, so that I may often gladly bring you welcome gifts. But if it seems fitting to you, our Thalia will give more fittingly—and promptly.1 For those who are learned and skilled enough in Maro's art produce better verse, because care still remains with them—those whose abundant craft is renowned.2
From Play to Weeping
Jonas contrasts his past delight in composing verse with his present brokenness, which leaves him fit only for tears.
I once was eager to play in metrical odes; now, with my body broken, I care for nothing but weeping.
A Kingly Prayer
Jonas prays that God will guard King Pippin and that he will rule on earth in such a way as to gain heaven.
May God himself be your guardian and supporter forever; through him, all your people love that you reign. May you hold the heights of kingship so carefully on earth that after death you may dwell in the citadel of heaven.
Read the original Latin
Rex pie, summe precor munus quod defero parvum, Ut tibi saepe libens munera grata feram.
Verum si vestris fuerit conspectibus aptum, Aptius et propere nostra Thalia dabit.
Nam potiora ferunt docti satis arte Maronis, His quia cura manet, ars quibus ampla cluit.
Qui quondam metricis ludebam promptus in odis, Corpore nunc quasso nihil nisi flere lubet.
Sit Deus ipse tibi tutor fautorque per aevum; Per quem regnare te tuus omnis amat.
Culmina regnandi teneas sic cautus in arvis, Ut sis post mortem mansor in arce poli.
Notes
- 1 ↩Thalia is the classical Muse of poetry; kept as a proper name rather than flattened to a generic “muse.” Aptius is taken as adverbial with propere modifying dabit (“more fittingly and promptly”), not as “more fitting gifts.”
- 2 ↩Maronis = Virgil (Publius Vergilius Maro). Rendered as Maro to keep the Latin surface; 'Virgil' is the familiar modern name.
On the Institution of a King (De institutione regia) companion
Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat
Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.
Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.
- A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
- One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
- Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit