On the Inconstancy of Man

[Beda Venerabilis 5]

 

Verily, I have confirmed this to be finished on the

• 17th of the Amber Cold in the year 1537,

May GOD render this account of mine a fine read and a pleasant sight to set aright ways that have been deviated from, and so this essay begins:

 

De Acedia - On the Inconstancy of Man (or 'On Sloth')

Verily, this is an honest account of which I have traveled and collected. May GOD ensure my eyes and tongue mimic no lies nor that the latter sung no concocted tales. The domestic affairs of man are in disarray in which all paths save for the Felsenic lay abandoned and with little to no traffic. The various townships and hamlets that dot the corridors of man's realm lay barren with nary a sign of life. The trenches are filled with a bare and starved regiment, starved for brave men and wise counsel. We have an empire at our command, but whither are we bound save for inertia? Our tools proved supreme in folding the Elvellyn dominion into our imperial system and our warrior ethos is conquering, thanks be to GOD, as we are pushing further into the domain of the Dwed. I dare say, my tender audience, that no external factor is to blame and therefore diagnose an internal malaise.

 

We have forsaken the interplay between morals and power. Our histories spread page to page with rich cooperation between Church and State, but verily our inconstancy has loosened our grip on this invigorating tradition. Man and his awareness is always prone to trice abandonment. We must not treat the affair of losing tradition and concentration on righteous and beneficial routes lightly. We have dissolved the bond betwixt clergy and the layman that once permitted the former to serve his role proactively and the latter to keep faith, keep his actions clear, and ascend higher planes. I walked even the streets of Felsen and saw little interaction between the commoner and his priest. It is not mere conversation that I hope for, but the resulting cooperation in building, in beautifying, in benefiting the society.

 

Let me not beat and rend my clothing in pious mourning any longer and describe the malaise in general. Inconstancy permits sloth and sloth reinforces inconstancy. Man has chosen to forfeit his involvement in the realm in which he belongs. This forfeiture has seen not only his state diminish and his essence become cold, but has seen to the decay of buildings, the absence of literature (save for a few who still publish, thank GOD), the breakdown of domestic and territorial integrity, and more. His meandering is only guided by the staff of salient reward, he earns something for his person and his person alone so that he may enjoy improved status and arrogant parading (but to whom would he parade given his brotherhood, fellow men, nary traffic the parading grounds of his choice!). The lust of battle seems the only spectacle to draw man together and even then, only until the blade is sated. We must do better than that. GOD expects better than that.

 

I have heard the bona annunciatio, the good news, of the Ecclesiastical Synod. A new High Pontiff should be crowned soon and I contend that His Holiness will come to the same observation as I have. I suggest an earnest and church-wide council on the matter of inspiring man from this sloth and to revive the High Culture of the Church for the benefit and adornment of greater intellect, greater faith, and greater conditions for the true Canonists hither in this world and before the judgement of GOD.

 

- Si operam medicantis exspectas, oportet vulnus detegas.
If you expect a physician to help you, you must lay bare your wound

Authored by: Einhard Vuestroni of Felsen

Edited December 15, 2015 by Beda Venerabilis

[Heff 2460]

The young High Pontiff, Lucien III, nods slightly as he scans this thesis. He returns a reply,

Dearest Acolyte,

It is like a refreshing drink to see an aspiring clergyman so esteemed in his play of words, in this dance of pens. Furthermore, your ideas intrigue me. I hope we can discuss soon in person, I feel you will have much and more to say on the modern Church and Empire.

Dios bendice,

Lucien III

[Beda Venerabilis 5]

The young monk strides along the highway to Felsen, having left the hilly meadow he oft visited for contemplation and writing. He passes a message to a local clergyman that confirmed his want for a meeting with the High Pontiff Lucian III. Einhard rests and waits in the Felsen Cathedral.

[_Sug 2809]

*The Hermit Father Timothy now the age of 70 nods reading over the work as he makes the sign of Blessing over his forehead and the paper* "Suscípiat Creator Troiaque profectis et animus animus qui hanc factam quatenus vestrum omnes qui quaerunt verbum fidei alimentum. Benedic, non in nomine tuo." (May the Creator bless both my mind and the mind of the Deacon who wrote this so he may bring your word to all those who seek nourishment in faith. Bless Him, not in my name but yours."

 

[Daisy 9735]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

If you feel this is a mistake, please contact myself or any FM and we'll restore it.