Blanquerna

TU SOLUS DOMINUS

It came to pass that a messenger from the Cardinal of Quoniam Tu Solus SanXus sent a message to him that through the diversity of languages preaching was impeded, and that the criers of refleXions could not cause men to have devotion concerning Paradise nor fear of the pains and torment of Hell. When this Cardinal had received the messenger, he made representation of this matter to the Pope, to the end that ordinance might be made whereby > See note, p. 39, above.

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preachers and criers of refleftions should have greater freedom in the use of their offices.

2. While the Cardinal was presenting to the Pope the letters which his messenger had sent to him, it came to pass that a messenger of the Cardinal of Tu Solus Dominus came before the Pope, to whom he related that he had found great Strife in the world among men, because these men were of divers nations and of divers tongues ; through the which diversity of tongues men made war with each other ; and through this war and this diversity of tongues there was diversity likewise of beliefs, and there were created opposing setts. Long did the Pope consider the two messages aforementioned, and he gathered all the Cardinals together, enquiring of them what counsel might be taken to dettroy the diversity of languages, or by means of what language all men in religion might be brought together, that they might have understanding, and love one another, and agree in the service of God.

3. A Cardinal answered: “ Lord Pope! With respett to that which thou dott ask, it is a needful thing that thou and thy court be pleasing to Christian princes and beloved by them, and that ye make them and their subjefts to agree as touching their cuStoms, to the end that the beSt cuStoms may be chosen, and that in every province there may be a city wherein Latin is spoken by all; for Latin is the moSt general tongue, and in Latin are many words that are found in every language, and in Latin are all our books. After these things are done it behoves thee to set apart men and women to go to that city to learn Latin, to return to their own lands and to teach it to their children so soon as they begin to speak ; and thus by long continuance wilt thou be able to bring it to pass that in the world there shall be one language, one belief and one faith, when one Pope after another shall have devoted himself to this matter afore¬ mentioned, according as is fitting for the accomplishment of so great a business as this that thou haft begun,”

TV SOLUS DOMINUS

4. When the Cardinal had ended his words, the Cham¬ berlain said to him that that which he had counselled would be too grievous a thing to accomplish, and that in order to bring it to pass there would be need of great expenditure. While the Chamberlain spake these words, a certain man that had been elefted to a bishopric entered the presence of the Pope, having come to the Court to be confirmed. The diocese to the which he was elefted had a yearly income of fifteen thousand silver marks. To this bishop-eleft there came a messenger from the Cardinal of Domine Fili, who related that in every place where he had been he had heard it said that all the evil and error which were in the world came through fault and defeft of the Pope and the Cardinals, who might well take counsel whereby the world should be well ordered, but had no diligence or care about this matter ; and it was said that through the evil example which they and their officers gave to the people, the world was in ftrife and in error.

5. After the messenger had spoken these words, the Pope enquired of the Chamberlain which thing was better, whether to give effeft to the proposal aforementioned and assign to it five thousand marks from the income of the said diocese, or to confirm the bishop and cause the Pope and his Cardinals to have evil fame. The Chamberlain answered and said that it would be better to give effeft to the proposal aforementioned, that man might be more certain of its accomplishment. The Pope enquired of the Chamberlain whether through the power of God and of Holy Church it were possible that that business might wholly or partially be brought to fulfilment, and the Chamberlain, in shame and confusion, was compelled to allow that the intention of the Pope might be fulfilled.

6. “ Companions and lords, friends, beloved sons 1 said the Pope to the Cardinals: “That the Passion of Jesus Chrift may be honoured, I require you to aid me in bringing it to pass that all the languages which exi&

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be reduced to one language only; for if there be no more languages than one, men will grow to understand each other, and through understanding they will love each other more, and adopt the more readily the same cuStoms wherein they will agree. And by this proceeding our preachers will go, alike with greater ardour and greater prudence, to the unbelievers, and these will the sooner have understanding concerning the truth of eternal life; and through this business the whole world may come to good eState, whereby they that have erred may be brought to conversion.” Right pleased were the Cardinals at that which the Pope besought of them, and each one offered himself to undertake his share of the task with all the powers of his understanding and will ; and the Pope and the Cardinals made establishment concerning that ordinance, and commended that office to a Cardinal who should serve it and have for his expenditure sufficient money to maintain it.