For him that stealeth, or borroweth and returneth not, this book from its owner,Let it change into a serpent in his hand and rend him. Let him be struck with palsy and all his members blasted. Let him languish in pain crying out for mercy, Let there be no surcease to his agony till he sink in dissolution. Let bookworms gnaw his entrails in token of the worm that dieth not.When at last he goeth to his final punishment, Let the flames of Hell consume him forever.{attributed to the Monastery of San Pedro in Barcelona, Spain}
The passage reflects a deep condemnation of those who steal or fail to return books, portraying the act as one deserving of severe curses. The author urges that such offenders should suffer greatly and experience a multitude of painful consequences. The imagery is vivid and extreme, suggesting a relentless punishment that encompasses both physical suffering and eternal damnation.
This powerful excerpt serves to emphasize the reverence held for books and the seriousness with which book ownership and integrity are regarded. It highlights the strong emotional and moral attachment bibliophiles feel towards their collections, suggesting that literature is not merely valued for its content but as an integral part of one's identity and soul.