For him that stealeth, or borroweth and returneth not,
this book from its owner, let it change into a serpent in
his hand and rend him.
Let him be struck with palsy, and all his members blasted.
Let him languish in pain, crying aloud for mercy, and let
there be no surcease to this agony till he sing in dissolution.
Let bookworms gnaw his entrails...and when at last he
goeth to his last punishment, let the flames of hell consume
him for ever.
Curse on book thieves,
from the monastery of San Pedro, Barcelona, Spain
**************
[used in Inkheart, by Cornelia Funke, which I am enjoying,
even if it is a bit slow]
[Joke, I had to use an online translator, so let me know if it came even remotely close to something understandable...]
5 comments:
BabBab...not having the original to compare the translation, I'll say it sounds pretty accurate.
If nothing else, it expresses a noble sentiment.
-J.
Amen!
In fact, I'm willing to bet the thieves at either side of Jesus were, in fact, book thieves.
In which case the punishment might be seen as somewhat light.
-J.
Great, now when I'm at Good Friday services I'll be picturing the two thieves as bookthieves and everyone will wonder why I chuckle so...
::cough, cough:: LOL!!
Thanks Babs and Jess, I needed something to make me smile.
Happy Easter!
Post a Comment