Progymnasma Latinitatis
Day of Rest
Polycarpus and Ignatius
Polycarpus: O Day of Mercury, how desired and welcome you have dawned, as in every other week. You are full of festivity and beauty.
Ignatius: I know what you are thinking. Because you are going to play, you greet the day at hand in such a friendly way.
Poly: If only, <o day> you would come back every other day; for I, sick to my stomach, am studying literature for two whole continuous days.
Ignat: The wish of asses; who, if they would speak, would say, just like my friend Polycarpus, that they wish that only every other day they would travel loaded on their backs.
Poly: I am not alone in this wish, Ignatius; many want this right along with me.
Ignat: Actually, it is just as I tell you: many right along with you love their pets much more, than the studies of the liberal arts, and they believe that God will do everything for them while they sleep.
Poly: Provided that l know to speak Latin, I will leave Aristotle, Euclides to you and the others.
Ignat: But you will not even learn Latin at any time, if you do not apply some diligence in hearing, reading, speaking, and writing.
Poly: To what end do we, like some sort of Catos, say these grim things that lack all sense of cheer? I say that today we must play with all our hearts and our energies must be renewed, which so much long work has worn out.
Ignat: Nor would Ignatius reject playing and necessary leisure: on the contrary, I am prepared to play with you this very hour; in this business there will not be any difficulty from me. I hate abundant and excessively frequent breaks, because they are detrimental to honest customs and the liberal studies.
Poly: Do and think whatever would please you; nothing could happen to me more pleasing to me than the indulgence of a break. Let teachers see what, to whom, and when they may indulge, I decide it is our role to receive willingly that which is granted and as often as it is granted.
Ignat: One day you will recognize that you have played too much.
Poly: And one day you will see, you have studied too much, when, I tell you, your eyes will grow dim, your belly will digest food poorly, paleness and leanness will take possession of your whole body. Too much of all things delivers too much bother to men.
Ignat: O false prophet! I do not indulge myself in literature so immoderately that I need to be afraid of those predictions of yours. I have also heard that many learned men have extended their lifespan to very old age, because they have constantly been occupied with books and studies.
Poly: Limit the philosophizing! This day must be spent cheerfully.
Ignat: So in what way should this day be spent?
Poly: Do you wish to run away to the green meadows and there to put ourselves to the test in handball?
Ignat: I am willing, truly: this type of playing is useful and delightful. Go upstairs right away to our room and bring back both our cloaks with the ball.
Poly: Where is the ball?
Ignat: On the bookshelf or surely in the drawer under the table.
Poly: I am going to get it.
Ignat: Return instantly. Here I will wait for you.
Poly: I am both there and here!
