Plays, Roswitha of Gandersheim [readera ebook reader TXT] 📗

Arithmetic, geometry, music, and philosophy form the quadrivium. Disciples I should like to know why they are given that name. Paphnutius Because just as paths branch out from the quadrivium, the place where four roads meet, so do these subjects lead like roads from one principle of philosophy. Disciples We had best not question you about the other three, for our slow wits can scarcely follow what you have told us about the first. Paphnutius It is a difficult subject. Disciples Still you might give us a general idea of the nature of music. Paphnutius It is hard to explain to hermits to whom it is an unknown science. Disciples Is there more than one kind of music? Paphnutius There are three kinds, my son. The first is celestial, the second human, the third is produced by instruments. Disciples In what does the celestial consist? Paphnutius In the seven planets and the celestial globe. Disciples But how? Paphnutius Exactly as in instruments. You find the same number of intervals of the same length, and the same concords as in strings. Disciples We do not understand what intervals are. Paphnutius The dimensions which are reckoned between planets or between notes. Disciples And what are their lengths? Paphnutius The same as tones. Disciples We are none the wiser. Paphnutius A tone is composed of two sounds, and bears the ratio of nine to eight. Disciples As soon as we get over one difficulty, you place a greater one in our path! Paphnutius That is inevitable in a discussion of this kind. Disciples Yet tell us something about concord, so that at least we may know the meaning of the word. Paphnutius Concord, harmony, or symphonia may be defined as a fitting disposition of modulation. It is composed sometimes of three, sometimes of four, sometimes of five sounds. Disciples As you have given us these three distinctions, we should like to learn the name of each. Paphnutius The first is called a fourth, as consisting of four sounds, and it has the proportion of four to three. The second is called a fifth. It consists of five sounds and bears the ratio of one and a half. The third is known as the diapason; it is double and is perfected in eight sounds. Disciples And do the spheres and planets produce sounds, since they are compared to notes? Paphnutius Undoubtedly they do. Disciple Why is the music not heard? Disciples Yes, why is it not heard? Paphnutius Many reasons are given. Some think it is not heard because it is so continuous that men have grown accustomed to it. Others say it is because of the density of the air. Some assert that so enormous a sound could not pass into the mortal ear. Others that the music of the spheres is so pleasant and sweet that if it were heard all men would come together, and, forgetting themselves and all their pursuits, would follow the sounds from east to west. Disciples It is well that it is not heard. Paphnutius As our Creator foreknew. Disciples We have heard enough of this kind of music. What of “human” music? Paphnutius What do you want to know about that? Disciples How is it manifested? Paphnutius Not only, as I have already told you, in the combination of body and soul, and in the utterance of the voice, now high, now low, but even in the pulsation of the veins, and in the proportion of our members. Take the finger-joints. In them, if we measure, we find the same proportions as we have already found in concord; for music is said to be a fitting disposition not only of sounds, but of things with no resemblance to sounds. Disciples Had we known the difficulty that such a hard point presents to the ignorant, we would not have asked you about your “lesser world.” It is better to know nothing than to be bewildered. Paphnutius I do not agree. By trying to understand you have learned many things that you did not know before. Disciples That is true. Disciple True it may be, but I am weary of this disputation. We are all weary, because we cannot follow the reasoning of such a philosopher! Paphnutius Why do you laugh at me, children? I am no philosopher, but an ignorant man. Disciples Where did you get all this learning with which you have puzzled our heads? Paphnutius It is but a little drop from the full deep wells of learning⁠—wells at which I, a chance passerby, have lapped, but never sat down to drain. Disciple We are grateful for your patience with us; but I for one cannot forget the warning of the Apostle: “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.” Paphnutius Whether a fool or a wise man does wrong, he will be confounded. Disciples True. Paphnutius Nor is God offended by Knowledge of the Knowable, only by undue pride on the part of the Knower. Disciples That is well said. Paphnutius And I would ask you⁠—unto whose praise can the knowledge of the arts be more worthily or more justly turned than to the praise of Him Who made things capable of being known, and gave us the capacity to know them? Disciples Truly, to none. Paphnutius The more a man realizes the wonderful way in which God has set all things in number and measure and weight, the more ardent his love. Disciples That is as it should be. Paphnutius But I am wrong to dwell on matters which give you so little pleasure. Disciples Tell us the cause of your sadness. Relieve us of the burden of our curiosity. Paphnutius Perhaps you will not find the tale to your liking. Disciples A man is often sadder for having his curiosity satisfied, yet he cannot overcome this tendency to be curious. It is part of our weakness. Paphnutius Brothers⁠—there is a woman, a shameless woman, living in our neighbourhood. Disciples A perilous thing for the people. Paphnutius Her beauty is wonderful: her impurity is⁠—horrible. Disciples What is her wretched name? Paphnutius Thais. Disciples Thais! Thais, the harlot! Paphnutius Yes⁠—she. Disciple Everyone has heard of her and her wickedness. Paphnutius It is no wonder, for she is not satisfied to ruin herself with a small band of lovers. She seeks to allure all