De Cormacho rege
The Golden House of Glory
Tundal and the angel approach a wondrous house of gold, silver, and precious stones, shining with the light of many suns, yet open to all without doors or windows.
When they had gone a little farther, they saw a house wonderfully adorned. Its walls and every part of its structure were made of gold and silver, and of every kind of precious stone. There were no windows there, nor any doors; yet everyone who wished to enter was going in. Inside, the house was so dazzlingly splendid — and I don't mean as splendid as a single sun. It was as if many suns were shining there. And the house itself was exceedingly spacious and round. It was supported by no columns, and yet adorned with gold and precious stones. Its entire entrance hall was paved.
King Cormachus on His Throne
Within the house the soul beholds a golden throne adorned with gems and silk, where King Cormachus sits clothed in garments surpassing any earthly royalty.
While that soul was taking delight in such buildings, looking around, it saw a single golden seat adorned with gems and silk. It was adorned with every ornament, and the soul saw Lord King Cormachus himself sitting on that very throne, clothed in garments of the same kind. Neither he himself nor any of the kings of the land could ever have been clothed in such garments.
Gifts, Priests, and Sacred Vessels
Many people bring joyful gifts to the king, priests and levites arrive in silk vestments as for Mass, and the house is adorned with gold and silver cups, chalices, and ivory boxes, prompting the blessing from Psalm 128.
So while he stood there marveling for a moment, many people came into that house with gifts for the king, and each one offered him their gifts with joy. And when he had stood for some time before his lord the king — for the king had been his lord while they both lived — many priests and levites came, dressed solemnly as for Mass, wearing silk chasubles, and other very fine vestments. And the royal house was adorned on every side with magnificent splendor. They also set out cups and chalices, both gold and silver. And ivory boxes, on pegs and boards. And so that house was adorned. So much so that if there were no greater glory in the kingdom of God, these things alone would have been enough. Therefore all those who served, coming before the king, knelt before him, saying, "You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessed are you, and it will go well with you."✦
The Soul's Question and the Angel's Answer
The soul marvels that none of the king's present servants belonged to him in life, and the angel explains they are those who labored under him, now receiving the blessed reward of their work.
Then the soul said to the angel, I'm amazed, my lord — where did this lord of mine get so many servants? Among them all, I couldn't pick out a single one who belonged to him while he was still alive. These are not, said the angel, from the household he had while he was still alive. Don't you hear, he said, how they're crying out, saying: You will eat the fruit of your labor;✦ you are blessed, and it will go well with you?✦
Darkness, Lamentation, and the King's Prayer
The house suddenly grows dark, its inhabitants are distressed, and the king goes out weeping, stretching his hands toward heaven and devoutly begging God for mercy on his servant.
And when they had not waited long, the house grew dark. And all its inhabitants were immediately distressed and troubled. Weeping, he rose and went out. And as that soul followed him, it saw this multitude that it had seen before within. It saw him with his hands stretched out toward heaven, most devoutly beseeching God and saying: 'Lord God Almighty, just as you will and you know, have mercy on your servant.'
The King's Punishment and Its Cause
The king is seen engulfed in fire to the navel and clothed in haircloth above; the angel explains he suffers three hours daily for defiling marriage, killing a companion near Saint Patrick, and violating his oath, while all other sins are forgiven.
And looking back, he saw the king himself engulfed in fire up to the navel, and from the navel upward clothed in a haircloth. Then the soul said to the angel, 'How long will this soul endure these things?' And the angel replied, 'Each day it suffers for a space of three hours, and then for periods' of twenty-three hours it rests.' 'Lord,' said the soul, 'why is it judged worthy of these torments, and not of other punishments?' The angel answered. That's why he suffers fire up to his navel. Because he defiled the sacrament of lawful marriage.1 And from the navel upward he suffers a hair shirt. Because he ordered a companion to be killed near Saint Patrick. And he violated his oath. Apart from these two, all his crimes are forgiven.
Journey Onward to a Glorious Wall
The angel urges the soul to go up, and as they advance they behold an exceedingly high and very glorious wall.
And after this he says, 'Let us go up.' And when they had advanced a little, they saw a wall exceedingly high and very glorious.
Read the original Latin
Cum autem modicum procederent. viderunt domum mirabiliter ornatam. cuius parietes et omnis structura ex auro erat et argento. et ex omnibus lapidum preciosorum generibus. et fenestre ibi non erant nec hostium; et tamen omnes qui intrare voluerant intrabant.
Erat vero domus intus tam splendida; ac si non dico unus sol. sed quasi multi ibi splenderent soles. Verum ipsa domus erat ampla nimis atque rotunda. nullisque columpnis fulcita; et cum auro et lapidibus preciosis. totum eius vestibulum erat stratum.
Cum autem illa anima in talibus delectaretur edificiis. circumspiciens vidit unum sedile aureum cum gemmis et serico. et omnibus ornamentis ornatum; et vidit dominum regem Cormachum in ipso trono sedere vestitum talibus vestimentis. qualibus nec ipse nec aliquis regum terre umquam vestiri potuit.
Dum igitur ipse ammirans aliquantulum staret. venerunt plurimi in illam domum cum muneribus ad regem; et offerebant illi singuli cum gaudio munera sua. Et cum diutius ante dominum suum regem staret. erat enim dominus eius dum uterque viveret; venerunt multi sacerdotes et levite vestiti sollempniter sicut ad missam. cum sericis casulis. et ceteris ornatibus valde bonis. et ornabatur undique regia domus mirabili ornamento. Ponebant etiam cifos et calices aureos et argenteos.
et eburneas pixides. super paxillos et tabulas. et sic domus illa ornabatur. ita ut si maior gloria in regno dei non esset ista sufficere posset. Omnes ergo isti qui ministrabant venientes ante regem. coram eo genua flectebant dicentes. 'Labores manuum tuarum qui manducabis; beatus es et bene tibi erit.'
Tunc anima dixit ad angelum. 'Miror mi domine unde huic domino meo tot ministri. inter quos nec unum dum esset in corpore possim conicere?' 'Non sunt isti' ait angelus 'de eius familia quam habebat dum esset in corpore. Nonne audis' ait 'quomodo isti clamant dicentes; labores manuum tuarum qui manducabis. beatus es et bene tibi erit?'
Et cum non diu expectarent obscurata est domus. et omnes habitatores eius ilico contristati sunt; et conturbatus est. flensque surrexit et exivit. Cumque illa anima sequeretur eum; vidit hanc multitudinem quam intus antea viderat. expansis in celum manibus devotissime deprecantem deum atque dicentem. 'Domine deus omnipotens sicut vis et scis. miserere servi tui.'
Et respiciens vidit ipsum regem in igne usque ad umbilicum; et ab umbilico sursum cilicio indutum. Ait autem anima ad angelum. 'Quam diu ista anima hec patietur?' Et angelus. 'Cottidie per trium horarum patitur spacium; et per spacia. viginti et unius requiescit horarum.' 'Domine' inquit anima 'quare his. et non aliis dignus iudicatur suppliciis?'
Angelus respondit. 'Ideo ignem patitur usque ad umbilicum. quia legitimi coniugii maculavit sacramentum. et ab umbilico sursum patitur cilicium. quia iussit comitem interficere iuxta sanctum Patricium. et prevaricatus est iusiurandum. Exceptis his duobus; cuncta eius crimina sunt remissa.'
Et post hec ait. 'Ascendamus.' Et cum paululum processissent; viderunt murum nimis altum et valde preclarum.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Ps.128.2 — When you eat the fruit of your own labor, you are blessed, and it will go well with you.
- ↩Ps.127.2 — It is futile for you—rising early, staying late, eating the bread of anxious toil—for so He gives sleep to His beloved.
- ↩Ps.127.2 — It is futile for you—rising early, staying late, eating the bread of anxious toil—for so He gives sleep to His beloved.
Notes
- 1 ↩sacramentum rendered as 'sacrament' preserving theological specificity of marriage as a sacrament.
Visions of Tondal (Les Visions du chevalier Tondal) companion
Tondal came back and changed how he lived daily. That's the whole point.
Chosen Portion builds the daily practice Tondal's vision demanded: a morning reading that keeps eternity in view.
The Visio was written 'for the edification of many' as a spur to daily amendment of life, and Chosen Portion supplies that daily spur with a morning reading and evening examen.
- A daily portion from historic texts on living well and dying well
- The complete 27-chapter Visions of Tondal in modern readable English
- A built-in daily examen prompt — 2 minutes at day's end