Archive of Our Own ^beta

Let us continue, Gregor. Copy the Latin first, and then write the Czech below it, as I taught you.

Sextus humilitatis gradus est si omni vilitate vel extremitate contentus sit monachus et ad omnia que sibi injunguntur velut operarium malum se judicet.

The sixth degree of humility is to be content at the harshest labour being imposed upon oneself.

I wouldn't translate "vilitate" as harshest.

Evillest?

Not a word.

Most humiliating.

Closer.

I certainly feel imposed upon.

Imagine how I feel.

But you love this sort of thing, Antonius.

What I would love is to have my free time to myself, and not have to waste away in the library watching you butcher Latin.

Then let's do some illuminations! I think we could both be content with that.

Septimus humilitatis gradus est?

Septimus humilitatis gradus est si omnibus se inferiorem et viliorem non solum sua lingua pronuntiet sed etiam intimo cordis credat affectum.

The seventh degree of humility is to not only to say with all his tongue, but to believe in one's heart, that one is inferior to all.

See that? Saint Benedict says you are inferior to me.

I hardly think so, especially if your Latin is anything to go by.

That doesn't sound very humble of you, Antonius.

Fine, I am inferior to you. But you must also believe you are inferior to me. Now what?

Now I

Now you write the next one.

Octavus humilitatis gradus est. si nihil agat monachus nisi quod communis monasterii regula vel majorum cohortantur exempla.

The eighth degree of humility is to not do anything but follow the ruling of the elders.

Even when their rulings are stupid.

You shouldn't say such things, Brother.

Why not? Saint Benedict only says to follow the rulings, not that you have to respect them. No "believing in one's heart" like in step seven.

Just because Saint Benedict does not prescribe it does not mean it wouldn't be wise to hold your tongue. I think that's step nine, actually.

But this goes back to what you were saying about the election, right? If we have to follow their rules all our lives we ought to make sure the elders in charge are just.

Well, yes. But we're just novices. They don't care what we have to say.

Now who's wagging their tongue?

Write the Latin, Gregor.

What's that?

Circator John!

With horns and a tail?

Of course, haven't you seen them?

I must have missed them. I suppose he only shows them to misbehaving novices.

Aye. I forgot you're an angel sent by God himself.

Something like that.

If you're so perfect how do you illuminate a page?

Intelligently, neatly, with emphasis on the letters and not silly animals.

Sounds terrifically dull.

There's an art to it. We are prescribed to work diligently, each stroke having a purpose.

Drawings have a purpose.

And what is that?

To make you laugh.

That's absolutely forbidden. Step ten.

I don't see the point in writing out all these steps if they all boil down to "no fun allowed."

At the moment the point is to teach you Latin. Or had you forgotten?

One drawing, Antonius. Just to prove to me you can.

No.

Please? I won't tell.

No.

I'll go back to the boring Latin, I swear.

You swear?

I swear.

All right then.

Behold.

A snake?

Jodok.

Aye, you really captured his eyes.

At first I thought it was a self portrait.

Oh no, I'm much more handsome. And if I were an animal I'd be a sheep.

Because you chew grass?

Because the Lord is our Shepherd and we are his flock.

Is that why our meals taste like that?

Anyway, that's stupid. Give me a real answer.

That is my answer.

You're no sheep. You're too smart, I can tell. From that look in your eyes.

You're more like a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Hm, takes one to know one I suppose.

We wolves have to stick together!

If you say so.

Is that some sort of dog?

It's a horse!

Are its legs meant to be broken?

They're not.

Horses' legs don't look like that.

Like you could do better, O wise one.

Of course I could.

Prove it.

Looks more like a donkey.

Still better than yours. Come on now, I want to finish before the sun sets. Nonus humilitatis gradus est?

Nonus humilitatis gradus est. si linguam ad loquendum prohibeat monachus et taciturnitatem habens usque ad interrogationem

The ninth degree of humility is to not speak until one is addressed.

I told you.

What was that? You're not speaking out of turn, are you?

I'm teaching you right now. If anyone is speaking out of turn it's you.

That's not what Saint Benedict says.

It's irrelevant anyway. We're not speaking, we're writing. See? My mouth is closed.

You making me yelp by poking me with your quill does not count as me speaking out of turn.

It was worth a shot.

Come on, Gregor, it's almost curfew. Hurry up and do the tenth one.

Decimus humilitatis gradus est si non sit facilis ac promptus in risu.

The tenth degree of humility is to not laugh at the slightest provocation

How sad.

Is it?

Antonius, when was the last time you laughed?

When I saw your stupid face.

Ha ha. Really though, when?

Before I took my vows, I suppose.

That won't do.

Gregor

St o p tickl

Sto

I MEAN

IT

Brother Libr

Aye all right all right.

You didn't have to hit me so hard.

You left me no choice.

It's going to be an ugly bruise. What will the Circators say? Violence, here, in the monastery?

That was hardly violence. Anyway, you started it.

I have no regrets.

Seriously, what will I say?

Tell them you walked into a door? You're clumsy enough no one will question it.

Gee thanks.

His name isn't really "Librarian" is it?

Of course not. Did you really think for even a second that it was?

No. What is it then.

Enough with the questions.