The Minor Latin Works

with In Praise of Peace

By (author) John Gower Edited and translated by R. F. Yeager Edited by Michael Livingston

Book cover: The Minor Latin Works

Extent: 152 pages

Publisher: Medieval Institute Publications

Subjects: Literary Studies, Medieval Studies

Series: TEAMS Middle English Texts Series

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(January 2006)

ISBN: 9781580440974

7.01 x 10 inches

Price: $12.95

In stock

PDF (Published)

(January 2006)

ISBN: 9781580444323

Price: $10.00

Gower’s achievement in writing substantially in all three primary languages of his time-Anglo-French, English, and Latin-was a source of pride to others and, undoubtedly, to him too: into the final years of his life he continued to produce poetry in all three languages. Certainly there is reason to know these poems for the light they shed on the intense partisanship and events of great moment surrounding the usurpation 1399-1400. It was during these parlous times that Gower composed most of the poems included here. All are important documents historically; but they are also poems admirable equally for their skill and craft. In Praise of Peace is in the same position as the shorter Latin works edited and translated in this volume: ignored, neglected, reduced, or relegated to the dusty realm of footnotes. But there is far more at work in this complex poem, as Gower’s verse deftly weaves in and out of the historical, political, social, and religious contexts and controversies of its day. In tone, In Praise of Peace is, if not triumphant, determinedly optimistic. In this light, we might view the poem as a coda to Gower’s long career, restating and reinvigorating his famously moral principles about just rule of self and society.

Acknowledgements Minor Latin Works Introduction 1. De lucis scrutinio An Examination of the Light 2. Carmen super multiplici viciorum pestilencia A Poem on the Manifold Plague of Vices 3. Est amor Love Is 4. O deus immense O Boundless God 5. Quia unusquisque Because Each One 6. Ecce patet tensus Lo, the Taut Bow 7. Rex celi deus King of Heaven 8. O recolende O Venerable 9. H. aquile pullus H. Son of the Eagle 10. Quicquid homo scribat (In fine) To Whatever a Man Writes 11. Presul ouile regis Prelate 12. Unanimes esse qui secula To Be of One Mind He Who the Ages 13. Cultor in ecclesia The Husbandman in the Church 14. Dicunt scripture They Say in Scripture 15. Orate pro anima (Armigeri scutum) Pray for the Soul Textual and Explanatory Notes Appendix: Eneidos bucolis In Praise of Peace Introduction In Praise of Peace Explanatory Notes Textual Notes Select Bibliography, Acknowledgements

Minor Latin Works
Introduction
1. De lucis scrutinio
An Examination of the Light
2. Carmen super multiplici viciorum pestilencia
A Poem on the Manifold Plague of Vices
3. Est amor
Love Is
4. O deus immense
O Boundless God
5. Quia unusquisque
Because Each One
6. Ecce patet tensus
Lo, the Taut Bow
7. Rex celi deus
King of Heaven
8. O recolende
O Venerable
9. H. aquile pullus
H. Son of the Eagle
10. Quicquid homo scribat (In fine)
To Whatever a Man Writes
11. Presul ouile regis
Prelate
12. Unanimes esse qui secula
To Be of One Mind He Who the Ages
13. Cultor in ecclesia
The Husbandman in the Church
14. Dicunt scripture
They Say in Scripture
15. Orate pro anima (Armigeri scutum)
Pray for the Soul
Textual and Explanatory Notes
Appendix: Eneidos bucolis

In Praise of Peace
Introduction

In Praise of Peace

Explanatory Notes
Textual Notes

Select Bibliography
  • By (author) John Gower
  • Edited and translated by R. F. Yeager
  • Edited by Michael Livingston