Chapter III.
Through the fountain of paradise, Christ; through the four rivers that flow from there, the cardinal virtues, and the four ages of the world are represented.
12. Therefore, there is a certain fertile land, that is, a fruitful soul, planted in Eden, that is, exercised in a certain pleasure or exercise of the earth, in which there is delight for the souls. There is also the νοῦς, like Adam: and there is the sense, like Eve. And so that you would not have anything to turn back to the weak nature, or to the condition that is subject to endure dangers, consider what supports this soul has.
13. There was a fountain that irrigated the paradise. What fountain, if not the Lord Jesus Christ! He is the fountain of eternal life, just like the Father; for it is written: 'For with you is the fountain of life' (Ps. XXXV, 10). Moreover, rivers of living water will flow from his belly (John VII, 38). And the fountain is read, and the river is read, which irrigates the fruitful tree of paradise, which bears fruit unto eternal life. Therefore, this fountain, as you have read, for the fountain says, proceeds from Eden, that is, in your soul there is a fountain. Where Solomon says: Drink water from your own vessels, and from the fountains of your wells (Prov. V, 15). This is the fountain that springs forth from a soul exercised as full of pleasure: this is the fountain that irrigates paradise, that is, the virtues of a soul flourishing with the highest merit.
And it is divided, he says, this fountain into four sources. The name of one is Phison: this is the one that encircles all the land of Evilath, where there is gold. And the gold of that land is good, where there is carbuncle and green stone. And the name of the second is Geon: this is the one that encircles all Ethiopia. And the third river is Tigris: this is the one that goes against the Assyrians. And the fourth river is Euphrates (Gen. II, 10 et seq.). These, therefore, are the four rivers, that is, according to the Hebrews. But the Ganges, according to the Greeks, flows against India. The Nile, however, encircles the land of Egypt or Ethiopia. Mesopotamia is so called because it is enclosed by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers; it is situated between these two rivers, which is also expressed by its name and common opinion even to those far away. But as the fountain is called the Wisdom of God. For the fountain is according to the Gospel, saying: If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink (John 7:37); the fountain is also according to the prophet who says: Come and eat from my bread and drink the wine which I have mixed for you (Proverbs 9:5). Just as wisdom is the fountain of life, the source of spiritual grace, so it is the fountain of the other virtues that guide us toward eternal life. Therefore, this fountain does not proceed from a soul that is uncultivated, but from one that is cultivated, in order to irrigate the paradise, that is, the various orchards of virtues. Among these virtues, there are four beginnings into which this wisdom is divided. What are these four beginnings of virtues if not one of prudence, another of temperance, a third of fortitude, and a fourth of justice (Plato, Book IV, Republic)? Even the wise of this world, taken from our own, translated into the writings of their books. Therefore, just as the source of wisdom, so also these four rivers flowing from that source are the streams of virtues.
15. Therefore, prudence is like Phison, and therefore has good gold, a splendid carbuncle, and a green stone. For we often receive gold as a reward for prudent discoveries. Hence, the Lord says through the Prophet: I have given her gold and silver (Hosea II, 8). And David speaks of the prudent ones: If you sleep among my clergy, their wings shining like silver, and their backs appearing like gold (Psalm LXVII, 14): because whoever adheres to the old and new Testament can proceed abundantly in the secret wisdom of God's disputation. Therefore it calls this good gold, not that corruptible and earthly coin. It also has a splendid carbuncle, in which a certain spark of our soul lives, he says. It also has a green gem, which seems to show a green and lively thing by the beauty of its color. For living trees are green, while those that die wither; the earth is green when it blooms, and seeds are also green when they sprout. And in the first place, this river is called Phison, which according to the Hebrews is called Pison, that is, a change of appearance; because it does not flow around one nation only, but also flows through Lydia. For it is not a narrow-mindedness, but a wealthy prudence that is useful, which benefits many. Therefore, as a first step, if someone has exited from paradise, let him be received like a river of prudence, so that he may not quickly dry up, but easily return to paradise through it. This river is frequented by many people and is said to have great beauty and fertility. And therefore, prudence is understood in the sense of this river, which has brought many benefits in the Lord's coming. And it flows to the ends of the earth, for through Wisdom all men are redeemed. Hence it is said: Their message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world (Psalms 19:5).
16. The second river is the Geon, beside which the Israelites were settled when they were in Egypt, to go forth from which and to gird their loins and to eat a lamb, which is a sign of temperance. For it is necessary to celebrate the Lord's Passover with chaste and sanctified ones. And therefore, next to this river, the first legitimate observance was established, because it signifies a certain gaping of this earth. Therefore, just as the yawning abyss absorbs the earth and whatever refuse or foliage is in it, so too chastity is accustomed to abolish all the passions of the body. And rightly there the first establishment of observance, because through law carnal sin is absorbed. Well therefore does Geon, in which there is the figure of chastity, is said to go around the land of Ethiopia; so that it may wash away the cast-off body, and extinguish the fire of the most vile flesh. For Ethiopia is marked by the interpretation of being cast-off and vile. But what is more cast-off than our body? What is so similar to Ethiopia, which is also black with certain shadows of sins?
The third is the river Tigris, which flows against the Assyrians, to whom the rebellious Israel was led captive. This river is said to be swifter than all those inhabited by the Assyrians, that is, those directing, for this is what the interpretation signifies. Therefore, whoever, by the strength of his soul, captures the rebellious vices of the body and directs them towards heavenly things, is considered similar to this river. And for this reason, strength also emanates from him who is in paradise, as from a source. But strength, with a certain rapid course, pierces through every resistance, and does not get stuck with any obstacles of its course.
18. The fourth is the river Euphrates, which in Latin is called fertility and abundance of fruits, offering a certain emblem of justice, which nourishes every soul. For no virtue seems to have more abundant fruits than fairness and justice, which benefits others more than itself, neglecting its own interests for the common good. Many believe that Euphrates is derived from the Greek word ἀπὸ τοῦ εὐφραίνεσθαι, meaning 'to rejoice', because humanity rejoices in nothing more than justice and fairness. However, the reason why the other regions through which rivers flow are described, but not the regions through which the Euphrates flows, we have understood because its water is said to be life-giving and nourishing. Hence the wise men of the Hebrews and Assyrians called it Auxen. On the other hand, it is said that the water of other rivers is different. Furthermore, because where there is wisdom, there is also cunning; where there is strength, there is also anger; where there is moderation, there is often lack of moderation, or other faults; but where there is justice, there is harmony of the other virtues. Therefore, it is not known from the regions through which it flows, that is, not from the region itself. For justice is not a part, but it is like the mother of all. In these four rivers, the four principal virtues are expressed, which, as it were, encompassed the ages of this world.
First, therefore, the time from the beginning of the world until the flood was a time of wisdom, during which the just were counted: Abel, who was called just by God (Matthew 23:35); and Enos, which means man made in the image of God, who hoped to invoke the name of the Lord God; and Enoch, who is called in Latin 'by the grace of God', taken up to heaven; and Noah, who himself was just and a guide to some rest.
20. According to time, there is Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and the number of other patriarchs, in whom a certain chaste and pure moderation of religion shone forth. For indeed, Isaac, being immaculate, was given as a son through the promise of Abraham, not so much as a physical birth, but rather as a gift of divine indulgence, in which the true figure of the immaculate went before, as the Apostle teaches, saying: Because the promises were made to Abraham and his seed. He does not say 'and to seeds,' as referring to many, but as referring to one, 'and to your seed,' who is Christ. (Gal. III, 16).
21. The third time is in the law of Moses and the other prophets. For time will fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, David, Solomon, and Samuel, and the other prophets, Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, and Daniel, Elijah, and Elisha who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, captured the strongholds of foreigners (Hebrews 11:32-34). Therefore, they do not undeservedly possess this form of courage. For they were cut up, as you have below, tested, dead in the slaughtering of the sword. They were surrounded in goat skins, needy, afflicted, and distressed with pain, of whom the world was not worthy of their merits. Wandering in solitude, in mountains, in caves, and in the holes of the earth (Ibid. XVII, 38). Therefore, we rightly place this form of courage among them.
22. According to the Gospel, the likeness of justice is worthy because it is the power to bring salvation to all who believe. Finally, the Lord Himself says: Suffer it to be so now; for thus it becometh us to fulfil all justice (Matth. III, 15): and this is the parent of the remaining virtues. In which, although some of the virtues we have mentioned are of greater importance, justice is preeminent; the others are also present in it, for they are connected and united virtues. For certainly Abel was just, and Abraham was both the strongest and most patient, and the prophets were most prudent. But Moses, educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, considered the treasures of Egypt as an insult to Christ. And who is wiser than Daniel? Solomon also sought wisdom, and deserved it. Therefore, it has been said about the four rivers of virtues, that their waters are beneficial. And because it was said that the Phison had good gold of the land, and the carbuncle, and the green stone, let us also consider what kind of these things are.
23. Indeed, Enos seems to us like a good gold, who wisely desired to know the name of God. But Enoch, who was translated and did not see death, is a certain carbuncle, a good-smelling stone, which the holy Enoch presented to God with his works, breathing forth grace in his deeds and character. But Noah, like a green stone, surpassed them all in vital color. For during the time of the flood, he alone, like vital seed for the future order, was preserved in that ark. Therefore, the paradise that is irrigated by many rivers is towards the East, not against the East, that is, according to that East which is called the Orient, that is, according to Christ, who has shed a certain radiance of eternal light, and is in Eden, that is, in delight.