Sette Flagelli

** Submitted by the player of Agnetta:

First Scourge

When He first fell into their unholy hands, they issued unto him a scourge: that they should take his home and all his wealth and scatter the coin all amongst the people. And they did so. And the Prophet Noam replied that this was no scourge that they had set upon him, but the true scourge was that he had so falsely hoarded so much wealth to himself and kept it from the people in the first place, and that now he was cured of the First Scourge: Hoarding (Tesaurizzando, aka Excess Wealth, Greed).

Second Scourge

Seeing the Prophet unharmed by them, the Empire raged, and issued unto him another scourge: that they should throw him into a pit of despair where he should have no food or water. And they did so. And the Prophet Noam replied that this was no scourge that they had set upon him, but the true scourge was that he had so falsely believed himself in need of fine and frequent repast, and that, in learning how little food would sustain him, he was now cured of the Second Scourge: Voracity (Consumando, aka Luxuries, Gluttony).

Third Scourge

Seeing the Prophet unharmed by them, the Empire raged, and issued unto him another scourge: that they should set him the task of building his own gallows under the threat of the lash should he slacken in his labors. And they did so. And the Prophet Noam replied that this was no scourge that they had set upon him, but the true scourge was that he had so falsely believed himself annoyed by labors and given to frequent periods of rest, when his body and soul were built to be industrious and energetic, and that now he was cured of the Third Scourge: Idleness (Oziando, aka Sloth, Laziness).

Fourth Scourge

Seeing the Prophet unharmed by them, the Empire raged, and issued unto him another scourge: that they should nail him wrist and ankle upon his gallows, that, should he move, he would be tormented the further. And they did so. And the Prophet Noam replied that this was no scourge that they had set upon him, but the true scourge was that he had so falsely once believed that it was possible to move away from his path of faith and devotion, and that now, fixed firmly in place, he might only face what comes, and he was cured of the Fourth Scourge: Straying (Divagando, aka Cowardice, Aimlessness).

Fifth Scourge

Seeing the Prophet unharmed by them, the Empire raged, and issued unto him another scourge: that they should lash the Prophet's face and arms, and render him hideous to look upon with the removal of his nose and ears. And they did so. And the Prophet Noam replied that this was no scourge that they had set upon him, but the true scourge was that he had so falsely treasured his fine looks, and vainly adorned himself in glittering jewels and comely clothing in order to impress himself upon others, and that, having been so disfigured, he was now cured of the Fifth Scourge: Vanity (Fregiando, aka Overweening Pride, Conspicuous Consumption).

Sixth Scourge

Seeing the Prophet unharmed by them, the Empire raged, and issued unto him another scourge: that they should lash the Prophet's bare body and thighs, and come away with his bloodied manhood. And they did so. And the Prophet Noam replied that this was no scourge that they had set upon him, but the true scourge was that he had ever put such false hope of importance upon sating the needs of that part of which he was now relieved, and that, having been so relieved of this burden, he was now cured of the Sixth Scourge: Lust (Desiderando, aka Sexual Gratitifcation, Worldly Pleasure).

Seventh Scourge

Seeing the Prophet unharmed by them, the Empire raged, and issued unto him another scourge: that they should leave the man nailed to his gallows and allow the birds and animals to come and eat him, if he should not betray his resolutions. And they did so. And the Prophet Noam replied that this was no scourge that they had set upon him, but the true scourge was that he had ever thought that any torture might compel him to betray his faith and convictions, and that, having had it proven otherwise, he was now cured of the Seventh Scourge: Betrayal (Tradendo, aka Faithlessness, Deceit).

Having been relieved of which seven scourges by seven scourges, The Prophet Noam was exonerated of all worldly sin, and became more like god than man.

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