Juvencus, Historia Evangelica, Liber I, 572-583

Juvencus, Historia Evangelica, Liber I, 572-583

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Written c. 330 CE. The Gospels in the style of a Homeric Epic. An adaption of Matthew 5:33-37.

Source: David A. Collier. 2008. “Nam Mihi Carmen Erit Christi Vitalia Gesta: Book One of the Evangeliorum Libri IV of Juvencus and the Evolution of Latin Epic in Late Antiquity.” p. 107-109. Masters Thesis, University of Missouri - Columbia.

“Ancient laws prohibit perjury in speech,

but let the audacity of swearing yield to our laws.

For it is not right for man to swear by lofty heaven,

which is the seat of God, nor will the earth,

which carries God’s imprint, nor the venerable name of the city of Solomon,

which belongs to the great king, ever be sworn by.

Nor will it be allowed for anyone to swear by his own head,

for indeed you see that you do not have the power

over even the smallest hair or to change its color to white or black.

Let yes suffice for yes, say that which is not is not.

Anything beyond these, the foul power of poison will supply all of it,

deceitfully stealing upon a weak mind"

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Source: PL 19:128-129 

Antiquae leges prohibent periuria linguis.

Sed nostris cedat iurandi audacia iussis;

Nec fas est homini coelum iurare per altum,

Quod sedes Domini est, nec quae vestigia gestat

Terra Dei, Solymaeque Urbis venerabile nomen,

Quod regis magni propria est, iurabitur unquam.

Nec caput in proprium cuiquam iurare licebit,

Namque potestatem minimi non esse capilli

Cernitis, albumve, aut nigrum mutare colorem.

Est, est, sufficiat; quod non est, dicite, Non est. 
Quod superest istis, totum fallaciter aegro

Suggeret obreptans animo vis tetra veneni.