The Cathars and the Albigensian Crusade by Catherine Léglu Rebecca Rist & Claire Taylor

Author:Catherine Léglu, Rebecca Rist & Claire Taylor
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Routledge

2.2.3 Peire Cardenal, ‘Un sirventés vuelh far dels auls glotos’ (Lavaud, 37)

1

I want to compose a sirventés about the vile gluttons who sell God, who destroy people, and who preach that we should live in sanctity. They conceal their betrayals with a fine appearance: that is why I do not ever want to be someone who hides their vicious deeds. There is Disloyalty in that, because the man who supports the thief is as guilty before God as the thief himself.

2

They are thieves and they reign over us. So we are foolish indeed and we lack judgement, because the man who consents to the actions of a thief is a thief too. So what shall we do if Reason cannot help us? Let us shout about the wickedness that they commit or that they get others to do, so their sins might be recognised, and no one can feel secure if he sees his neighbour or his brother ruined.

3

They are all brothers, but those parts of the possessions of Jesus Christ that they share out are not equal. Ah, True God, who redeemed us with Your blood, look at how Holy Church is venal! For no man can obtain offices or livings without frequent, helpful gifts, unless he is the nephew or son of Your shepherds, or he approves of their disloyal behaviour.

4

They are of criminal deeds and spiritual words, with strong voices and with sorrowful hearts. I think they are the messengers of Antichrist. Beware: all sorts of evil could come from them. But God extracts all-too-lovely fines from these people every day. The higher they have climbed into worldly honour, the lower they fall into suffering and tears, into the depths of Hell. And another man collects their income!

5

They seek out rents that they can bequeath to their families, and a lay brother is never such a friend to them that he will not be regarded as a beggar, unless a present he gives them can remind them of his existence.

Tornada

Let those men beware who make crime into justice, because I direct my anger towards them alone.

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