VENANTIUS FORTUNATUS. 
165 
Mr. Rooker referred to the prevalence of ornamentirg the gospels, 
some copies being laden with gold, silver, and gems, and others 
printed in gold and silver letters. Curious inscriptions were put 
in these books cautioning persons against stealing or mutilating 
them. Yarious literary men were mentioned who distinguished 
themselves during these centuries. The lecture concluded with a 
description of the rise of literature in various countries. 
VENANTIUS FQRTUNATUS. 
ABSTEACT OF ME. J. SHELLY's PAPEE. 
(Bead November 23rd, 1872.) 
The lecturer gave a brief sketch of the life and an account of the 
works of Yenantius Fortunatus, born at Treviso about the year 
530, Bishop of Poitiers at the end of the sixth century, and best 
known as the author of the hymn Yexilla Regis." 
Fortunatus was the composer of a great many clever, playful 
verses, most of them addressed to Rhadegund, the queen and saint, 
who founded a monastery at Poitiers about the middle of the sixth 
century. She persuaded Fortunatus to settle there as the steward 
and manager of the external affairs of the community. He re- 
ceived holy orders, and became the queen's secretary, her friend, 
and counsellor, and at last her biographer. Translations of some 
of the verses addressed to her, and of some of the longer and 
graver poems of Fortunatus, were given by the lecturer. In one 
of the latter, a poem on the brevity and emptiness of human life 
(Ad Jovinum, Misc. vii. 12), is a passage which anticipates, if 
indeed it be not the original, of Shirley's well-known lines — 
" Only the actions of the just 
Smell sweet, and blossom in their dust." 
Fortunatus has been asking. Of what avail shall be weapons of 
war, beauty, or strength, music or poetic skill, when the last hour 
draws near? But, he continues, there is one thing that will 
save us : — 
" Hoc valet atque viget, manet et neque fine peribit, 
Huic quoque post tumulum nascitur almus honor. 
Quod superest habitu meritorum flore beato 
Suavis justorum fragrat odor tumulo." 
