Bridging the Continental divide: neo-Latin and its cultural role in Jacobean Scotland, as seen in the Delitiae Poetarum Scotorum (1637)

  [p81]

A true account of David Black's departure to the heavenly fatherland

1 Of true things I shall sing, and you heavens above be favourable as I sing of the truth. And you, o chief inspiration of all truth, you nourishing heavenly breeze, complete this task which you set forth for me:   [p82] you, the expounder of the truth, and you the father and maintainer of the truth, there is nothing true without you, nor is anything true ever said. Envy begone, and consume yourself with your own poison. Eminent Black sits atop the highest heights; and is beyond the range of ill-will's missiles, and hostile envy's too. Golden Black sparkles amid the flame-gold stars, and a beautiful torch now shines amid the little white flames and starry citizens of heaven, and amid the decorated soldiery of Christ. After the violent strifes of stern Mars, as victor he parades in triumph over conquered death, and with his eyes he drinks in Christ, for whom he thirsted so greatly in life, and without restraint he fills his eager countenance with your love, in open-mouthed longing for you, greatest one. On the fourth day before his exit from this life, by your water, Abirlot, a Black burns with a virtuous passion for heavenly matters while he dedicates the food of a holy meal, and the vine-produced charms of sacred juice, a heavenly banquet with like-minded souls. The pastor makes his peace with his flock in a renewed convenant, a peace which was first created by the deeds, and death, and blood of Christ. How many thunderbolts did he throw through the heavenly flames as he pierced souls crude with shameful fear, or laid low on the ground minds haughty without regulation, which he compelled to bear the yoke of Christ on their necks? How many floods of tears while grieving and lamenting did he produce in many streams from his eyes, with sighs from his innermost soul? But also how much joy and how much happiness did he provide while healing the sick in soul and minds much overcome by affliction? For I may say that at this turning point, just as before, he seemed to have conquered his mortal self, and he matched the heavenly armies with his roar, both by animating every gesticulation, and in rousing movement. Such was the burning love for the deity raging through his pious soul.

33 After he beheld the opened heavens among his holy gathering, and the true and extensive delights of everlasting life, he instantly and fervently wished to cast off his earthly limbs and dying body, and free the seat of his divine soul which was locked in a dark prison,   [p83] and he wished to enjoy heavenly freedom in the clear light, joined with the reverend fellow citizens of the heavenly father's court.

44 Nor did he conceal from his wife, or his children, or his flock his desire to see the heavenly fatherland, but rather alongside the Tay, with salvation already spoken of many times with them, alongside the river Tay he spoke often with divine inspiration about the end of this woeful world and the blessed world: and so, not ignorant of the bright light of the life to come after death, he ackowledged that the sharpness and the vigour of mind and soul is dulled by a sluggish and worn-out body, and that it will not be supported by our own power, but rather can only be sustained by the strength of the divinity. Meanwhile, as brief as the dinner was, so long after dinner did the discussion extend late into the night, and his pointed and passionate prayers, along with his pointed and passionate meditation, and his mighty voice seeking peace and grace, were heard again and again amid the heavy sobbing and sighs. In the morning he rises from his bed, and with holy offerings made in accordance with his regular habit, and no more coming from his mouth, he takes communion himself with his guests on the blood-red altar of Christ. Reclining and not partaking of the food, he dedicates the rites on the stainless table, as if ready for battle and almost raring to set forth. Scarcely did he finish the rites, when a chilly stiffness quickly seized him as he lingered among his friends. Standing close by on his one side and on his other they hold him upright, one in the same manner as the other: however he forces himself to his knees, with eyes obstinately held up, and with hands outstretched defiantly he worships: soon, desirous of pleasant sleep, his sweet and deep rest withholds from his mouth the soul's vital air, and he leaves his beautiful frame and his body which with limbs arranged correctly is to be respected in its appearance. Thus peacefully, without any sense or pang of grief, blessed Black departed to the heavenly citadel, and from the swollen waves of vexing matters, from the uncertain storms, from this age's hostile and mountainous sea of troubles, and having passed over the strait of his destiny through the serene heights, quickly on sails and wings of lightning, as if in the blink of an eye, and the passing of a moment, into his long-hoped-for home port with God as his oarsman.   [p84] He is just like the prophet Elijah or Enoch, b who were snatched away on a fiery chariot above the ether: and who found the ancient world guilty of noxious crimes.