Letters156 Letter CLVI. To the same, on behalf of the clergy of Orleans. (Circa A.D. 1135 OR 1136)
Letter CLVI. To the same, on behalf of the clergy of Orleans. (Circa A.D. 1135 OR 1136)
For how long is the unhappy Church of Orleans to knock at the heart of the Father of the fatherless and the Judge of widows? How long now has the noble virgin of Israel been lying in the dust, bereft not only of her husband, but also of the dear pledges of his affection! Alas! there is none to lift her up. How long will it be before you send away the children crying after you with their unhappy mother? I mean those who having lost their houses and their goods have only saved their lives by flight. Why hangs back the powerful hand, which never yet has shrunk from avenging the oppressed, or from smiting the haughty? Why delays it, I ask, to rescue the afflicted from the hand of the strong, and to mete out punishment to the proud? Even if it delays, let it not rest idle for ever. Help that has been withheld should, when it is given, come in greater force, and render more thorough service. Let this be the reward, if you see good, for painful waiting, that both those who in their arrogance have abused the patience of the Apostolic See, should in the end gain nothing by it; and also that those who have patiently endured, trusting in your word, should never have any cause to repent them of their patience.
Usquequo misera illa Aurelianensis Ecclesia incassum viscera pulsat patris orphanorum, et judicis viduarum? Quippe jacet jam olim in pulvere virgo nobilis Israel, non solum viduata viro, sed et charis orbata pignoribus. Proh dolor! non est qui sublevet eam. Quousque et filios non dimittitis cum matre misera clamantes post vos? illos dico, qui, amissis rebus et domibus, capitibus suis refugium solum invenere diffugium. Quid tardat intrepida manus, nullis hactenus vel negata oppressis, vel remissa praesumptoribus? Quid tardat, inquam, afflictos eripere de manu fortium, et reddere retributionem superbis? Et si tardat, non derelinquat usquequaque. Oportet magis dilatum auxilium tandem venire validius, et subvenire perfectius. Illa sit, si placet, molestae tarditatis recompensatio, ut et qui apostolica patientia superbe abusi sunt, nihil inde in fine lucrentur: et qui in verbo vestro patienter passi sunt, minime eos suae quandoque pigeat patientiae.