Liber parabolarum by Alanus de Insulis, 14th century
Contents
The Liber parabolarum is a collection of edifying analogies written by Alanus de Insulis (also knonw as Alain de Lille, c. 1128 - 1202/03), French theologian and poet who spent several years teaching in Paris and was a very prolific author, famous for his wide knowledge. This work is also known under the title Doctrinale altum or Doctrinale minus: the latter has the same meaning of the name with which it is indicated in the manuscript (Liber parvi doctrinalis). The text is written in distichs (i.e. couples of verses) and it is divided into six sections; in each section the distichs are clustered in groups of different length.
Chapter one: starts on f. 12r with the words Incipit liber parvi doctrinalis. A phebo phebe lumen capit a sapiente / Incipiens sensum quo quasi luce micat; it ends on f. 14v with the words Quam maris in motus remige rector agit.
Chapter two: starts on f. 14v with the words Luctatur cum nocte dies cum nube serenum; it ends on f. 16v with the words Vis si pacem tela domato fame.
Chapter three: starts on f. 16v with the words Non teneas aurum totum quod splendet ut aurum; it ends on f. 18v with the words Si quid adesset quod latere (sic) posset eo.
Chapter four: starts on f. 18v with the words Non bene de pedibus tribuli spineque trahuntur; it ends on f. 20v with the words Cum eras venturum sit sine fine suum.
Chapter five: starts on f. 20v with the words Non sunt digna coli quecumque coluntur in orbe; it ends on f. 22r with the words Vitet qui vita carpere curat iter.
Chapter six: starts on f. 22r with the words Si quis arare cupiat fructuosum curat agellum; it ends on f. 24v with the words Quid plus sunt vanitas omnia queque nichil. Explicit liber parvi doctrinalis.
Dates
- Creation: 14th century
Language of Materials
Latin.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to all. The manuscripts can be consulted in the Centre for Research Collections, Edinburgh University Main Library.
Full Extent
5 folios
Repository Details
Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository
Centre for Research Collections
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