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| Heresy Compared to (1) the Stormy Ocean, (2) the Rocks of the Sirens; Moral from Ulysses and the Sirens.
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Chapter I.—Heresy Compared to (1) the Stormy Ocean, (2) the
Rocks of the Sirens; Moral from Ulysses and the Sirens.
The pupils of these men, when they perceive the
doctrines of the heretics to be like unto the ocean when tossed into
waves by violence of the winds, ought to sail past in quest of the
tranquil haven. For a sea of this description is both infested
with wild beasts and difficult of navigation, like, as we may say, the
Sicilian (Sea), in which the legend reports were Cyclops, and
Charybdis, and Scylla, and the rock801
| 801 A hiatus
here has given rise to conjecture. Cruice suggests χορός (band) instead
of ὄρος. | of the Sirens. Now, the poets of the
Greeks allege that Ulysses sailed through (this channel), adroitly
using (to his own purpose) the terribleness of these strange
monsters.802
| 802 Or,
“practices of the monsters,” or “inhospitable
beasts.” Abbe Cruice suggests παροξέων, and
Roeper ἐμπλάστων. | For the
savage cruelty (in the aspect) of these towards those who were sailing
through was remarkable. The Sirens, however, singing sweetly and
harmoniously, beguiled the voyagers, luring, by reason of their
melodious voice, those who heard it, to steer their vessels towards
(the promontory). The (poets) report that Ulysses, on
ascertaining this, smeared with wax the ears of his companions, and,
lashing himself to the mast, sailed, free of danger, past the Sirens,
hearing their chant distinctly. And my advice to my readers is to
adopt a similar expedient, viz., either on account of their infirmity
to smear their ears with wax, and sail (straight on) through the
tenets of the heretics, not
even listening to (doctrines) that are easily capable of enticing them
into pleasure, like the luscious lay of the Sirens, or, by binding
one’s self to the Cross803
| 803
Literally, the (accursed) tree. |
of Christ, (and) hearkening with fidelity (to His words), not to be
distracted, inasmuch as he has reposed his trust in Him to whom ere
this he has been firmly knit, and (I admonish that man) to continue
stedfastly (in this faith).E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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