SIR,—I should be grateful if you will allow me through
the medium of your columns to ask for light on the following short passage in "The Pope." Speaking of Caponsacchi's self-sacrifice, the Pope says (Smith, Elder, and Co.'s two- volume edition, Vol. II., p. 231, lines 1123-27) :- " All this sweet savour was not ours but thine, Nard of the rock, a natural wealth we name Incense, and treasure up as food for saints, When flung to us—whose function was to give Not find the costly perfume."
What does "food for saints" mean ? A sweet savour to be sent up to saints in heaven, or an ensample, of godly life to struggling saints on earth ? Why "flung to us " ? " Give " to whom? Does " give " mean "offer to God" or "supply to worshippers " ? Does " find " mean " find already existent " or "supply to worshippers" (as we talk of " finding " the money for a scheme) ? Probably the passage will be familiar
and present no difficulties to many of your readers. I have sought in vain for an intelligible interpretation of it : as an earnest if inexperienced student, I appeal to you for assistance.—I am, Sir, &c., A. D. B.
Previous page
