Type 3865
(formerly typ/1964)
| Ξένην φύσιν κλίμακος καὶ θέσιν βλέπω, | |
| ἐξ ἀρετῶν ἔχει γὰρ αὐτῆς τὰς βάσεις, | |
| εἰς οὐρανὸν φέρει δὲ πλὴν ξενοτρόπως· | |
| τὸν γὰρ τοσοῦτον ἀναβάσεως τόπον | |
| βαθμίσι μετρεῖ τριάκοντα καὶ μόναις. | |
| Τὸ χάσμα λοιπὸν τῶν ἀναβαθμῶν βλέπε, | |
| ἅπας ἀνελθεῖν ἀσφαλῶς ταύτην θέλων· | |
| κἂν γὰρ πολὺ κέχηνε, λανθάνει δ’ ὅμως. | |
| Εἰ γὰρ μεταξὺ βαθμίδων διαστάσεις | |
| κρημνοὶ τελοῦσι καὶ πλανῶσιν ὡς βάσεις, | |
| καὶ τοὺς παραρρίπτοντας αὐταῖς τοὺς πόδας | |
| αἴφνης καταστρέφουσιν εἰς ᾅδου στόμα. | |
| Δεῖ δὴ τολοιπὸν ἀκριβοῦς ποδηγέτου | |
| ὡς εἰς ἀληθεῖς τοὺς πόδας στήσῃ βάσεις | |
| τῆς τῶν βαράθρων ἐκκαλούμενος πλάνης. | |
| Μόλις γὰρ οὕτω τὴν κατάπτωσιν φύγῃς, | |
| τὴν γῆν ὑπερβὰς καὶ πρὸς οὐρανὸν φθάσας. |
| Title(s) | Στίχοι ἰαμβικοὶ εἰς τὴν ἁγίαν κλίμακα |
| Text status | Text completely known |
| Editorial status | Critical text |
| Genre(s) | Text-related epigram |
| Metre(s) | Dodecasyllable |
| Subject(s) | John Klimax (6th c. - 7th c.) - PMBZ: 13914: "Personenkennziffer: 2791" |
| Tag(s) | Reference to content of the book |
| Critical Notes | 2 γαρ αὐτ(ης) cod. 3 δε cod. 6 ἀναβάθμ(ων) cod. 8 κέχυνε cod. |
| Translation(s) |
Iambic verses on the holy ladder I gaze upon the strange nature and setting of the ladder. Its stairs consist of virtues and it leads to heaven in a strange manner, as the ladder divides the length of such a long track upwards into only thirty steps. Also, take a look at the chasm between the rungs, you who are willing to ascend this ladder safely. Although it is yawning widely, this still goes unnoticed. If the separations between the rungs are abysses that deceitfully present themselves as steps, then they suddenly throw down into the mouth of hell those who risk placing their feet in such gaps. This being the case, it is necessary to have a guide, who places your feet on the true stairs, and who calls you back from the delusion of the deep pit. That way, you will escape the fall with much effort as you transcend the earth and reach for heaven. |
| Comment | Text critically edited by Renaat Meesters. |
| Bibliography | |
| Number of verses | 17 |
| Occurrence(s) |
[19837] Ξένην φύσιν κλίμακο(ς) κ(αὶ) θέσιν βλέπω
[1376-1400]
OXFORD - Bodleian Library - Barocci 141 [1326-1350] (f. 247r) (17 verses) |
| Acknowledgements |
Contributor(s)
The credits system has been implemented in 2019. Credits from before the new system was in use might be incomplete. |
| Identification | Vassis ICB 2005, 497: "In Ioannis Climaci Scalam Paradisi" |
| Permalink | https://www.dbbe.ugent.be/types/3865 |
Last modified: 2019-08-02.
