First, that Florence—”
“Let us have the Latin bit by bit, and then tell us what it means,” said the shoemaker, who had been a frequent hearer of Fra Girolamo.
“Willingly,” said Tito, smiling. “You will then judge if I give you the right meaning.”
“Yes, yes; that’s fair,” said Goro.
“ Ecclesia Dei indiget renovatione ; that is, the Church of God needs purifying or regenerating.”
“It is true,” said several voices at once.
“That means, the priests ought to lead better lives; there needs no miracle to prove that. That’s what the Frate has always been saying,” said the shoemaker.
“ Flagellabitur ,” Tito went on. “That is, it will be scourged. Renovabitur : it will be purified. Florentia quoque post flagellam renovabitur et prosperabitur : Florence also, after the scourging, shall be purified and shall prosper.”