Note 204 — Chapter VII · SCOT AGAIN AT COURT

As a characteristic specimen, we may take the chapter of the Liber Introductorius on the moon as it is given in the Roman MS. (Fondo Vaticano 4087, p. 38ro.). It commences thus: ‘Luna terris vicinior est omnibus planetis.’ Some passages are curious, as when Scot says that the moon has her light from the sun and he again receives his ‘a summo coelo in quo Trinitas residet.’ The heathen, he adds, used to call the moon Diana, and the sister of the sun, whom they named Apollo. Her proper figure is that of a virgin with a torch in either hand whereof the flames are triple to signify the Trinity, that ‘true light which lighteneth every man that cometh into the world’ (S. John i. 9). ‘Virgil saith of her “tria Virginis ora Dianae,” that is heavenly, earthly, and infernal. Her power causes hunters to profit more by night than by day, and the owl and night-hawk sleep all day that they may follow their prey by night. Such creatures of the night are hated by the rest and hate them in return. The wolf hates the sheep, and birds the owl. This last is of use in fowling when they use a night-hawk. Builders, too, know that wood must be felled in the wane of the moon or it will warp.’ It ends thus: ‘Explicit Liber quem edidit micael scotus de signis et ymaginibus celi, qui scriptum (sic) et exemplatum fuit per me baltasaram condam (quondam) Domini Dominici in mcccxx de mense Aprilis Deo gratias Amen.’