164 – ‘Veri vana.’ This is simply one of the Virgilian
expressions of which S. Ambrose is so full. It is taken
from Aen. x. 630, Nunc manet insontem gravis exitus, aut
ego veri Vana feror.
165 – The Engl. Vers. is ‘Prepare war, wake up the mighty men.’
The Vulg. ‘Sanctificate bellum, suscitate robustos.’
166 – This refers to Ps. xix. 5. where the sun, that _rejoiceth
as a giant to run his course_, is usually interpreted
by the Fathers of the Messiah. It was a very favourite
thought with S. Ambrose. In his Hymn ‘De Adventu Domini’
he adapts the language of the Psalm to it in words of
beautiful simplicity,
Procedit e thalamo suo,
Pudoris aulâ regiâ
Geminæ Gigas substantiæ
Alacris ut currat viam.
Egressus Ejus a Patre,
Regressus Ejus ad Patrem,
Excursus usque ad Inferos,
Recursus ad sedem Dei.
In the De Incarn. ch. v. he gives a fuller explanation.
‘Him the Prophet Daniel describes as a Giant, because
being of a twofold nature, He partaketh in one Person
both of the Godhead and of a human Body, and exulted in
going forth as a Bridegroom from His chamber, like a Giant,
to run His course. He is Bridegroom of the soul as being
the Word, He is a Giant of earth because He fulfilled all
the duties of our daily life, and, though He was ever the
eternal God, took upon Him the Mystery of the Incarnation.’
167 – The English Version has ‘_The partridge sitteth on eggs
and hatcheth them not_.’ S. Ambrose is referring to § 11
of the preceding Letter, where he applies the text to
Satan. He makes the same application of it in Letter
xlvi. 14.