[De contemptu mundi]

the Bishop of Seville Isidore of Seville, who in the fourteenth book of his Etymologiae Etymologies, in the chapter concerning Asia and its parts (the origin and beginning of which he takes from paradise), says: Paradise is a place situated in the eastern parts, whose name is translated from Greek into Latin as "garden." Furthermore, it is called Eden delight in Hebrew, which in our language is interpreted as "delights." Both joined together make a garden of delights. It is planted with every kind of wood and fruit-bearing tree, also having the tree of life. There is no cold there, no heat, but a perpetual and temperate air. And from its midst a fountain bursts forth, irrigating the whole grove, divided into four rising rivers. The entrance to this place was blocked after the sin of man. For it is fenced on all sides by a flaming sword, that is, surrounded by a wall of fire, so that it almost joins its fire with the sky. Furthermore, a cherubim angelic guard, that is, the protection of angels, has been ordained above the flaming sword to ward off evil spirits, so that while the flame drives away men, the good angels drive away evil angels, so that no entrance to paradise may be open to any flesh or spirit of transgression. This is Isidore. Whom Vincentius follows almost to the letter in his Speculum naturale Natural Mirror in the chapter concerning paradise. Bar-