Traduction Masquer
On the Apparel of Women

Chapter VI.--Of Dyeing the Hair.

I see some (women) turn (the colour of) their hair with saffron. They are ashamed even of their own nation, (ashamed) that their procreation did not assign them to Germany and to Gaul: thus, as it is, they transfer their hair ¹ (thither)! Ill, ay, most ill, do they augur for themselves with their flame-coloured head, ² and think that graceful which (in fact) they are polluting! Nay, moreover, the force of the cosmetics burns ruin into the hair; and the constant application of even any undrugged moisture, lays up a store of harm for the head; while the sun's warmth, too, so desirable for imparting to the hair at once growth and dryness, is hurtful. What "grace" is compatible with "injury?" What "beauty" with "impurities?" Shall a Christian woman heap saffron on her head, as upon an altar? ³ For, whatever is wont to be burned to the honour of the unclean spirit, that--unless it is applied for honest, and necessary, and salutary uses, for which God's creature was provided--may seem to be a sacrifice. But, however, God saith, "Which of you can make a white hair black, or out of a black a white?" ⁴ And so they refute the Lord! "Behold!" say they, "instead of white or black, we make it yellow,--more winning in grace." ⁵ And yet such as repent of having lived to old age do attempt to change it even from white to black! O temerity! The age which is the object of our wishes and prayers blushes (for itself)! a theft is effected! youth, wherein we have sinned, ⁶ is sighed after! the opportunity of sobriety is spoiled! Far from Wisdom's daughters be folly so great! The more old age tries to conceal itself, the more will it be detected. Here is a veritable eternity, in the (perennial) youth of your head! Here we have an "incorruptibility" to "put on," ⁷ with a view to the new house of the Lord ⁸ which the divine monarchy promises! Well do you speed toward the Lord; well do you hasten to be quit of this most iniquitous world, ⁹ to whom it is unsightly to approach (your own) end!

Edition Masquer
De Cultu Feminarum

VI.

[1] Video quasdam et capillum croco uertere. Pudet eas etiam nationis suae quod non Germaniae atque Galliae sint procreatae. Ita patriam capillo transferunt. Male ac pessime sibi auspicantur flammeo capite et decorum putant quod inquinant. [2] Atqui et detrimentum crinibus medicaminum uis inurit et cerebro perniciem etiam cuiuslibet sinceri humoris assiduitas reseruat, tum solis animando simul et siccando capillo exoptabilis ardor. Quis decor cum iniuria? Quae cum immunditiis pulchritudo? Crocum capiti suo mulier christiana ingeret ut in aram? Quodcumque enim immundo spiritui excremari solet, id nisi probis et necessariis et salubribus usibus adhibeatur, ad quod Dei creatura prospecta est, sacrificium uideri potest. Sed enim dominus ait: [3] «Quis uestrum potest capillum atrum ex albo facere aut album ex atro?» Hae quae reuincunt Deum: «Ecce, inquiunt, pro albo uel atro flauum facimus, gratiae faciliorem». Quamuis et atrum ex albo conantur facere quas paenituit ad senectam usque uixisse. Pro temeritas! Erubescit aetas exoptata uotis: furtum conficitur. Adulescentia in qua delinquimus suspiratur; occasio grauitatis interpolatur. Absit a sapientiae filiabus stultitia tanta. Senectus cum plus occultari studuerit, plus detegetur.

[4] Haec est aeternitas uestra de capitis iuuentute! Hanc incorruptibilitatem habemus superinduere ad domum domini quam acacia pollicetur! Bene properatis ad dominum! Bene festinatis excedere de isto iniquissimo saeculo quibus ad finem appropinquare deforme est!