medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Thanks for reminding us of this one, Brenda. It's always been one of my
favorites too.
Sherry Reames
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ms Brenda M. Cook" <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Saturday, September 9, 2006 2:46 pm
Subject: [M-R] Hymns to the Virgin
To: [log in to unmask]
> medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and
> culture
> I do not want to steal Bill's thunder, but of all the mediaeval
> poems, my favourite is this macaronic (Middle English / Latin) Hymn
> to the Virgin. I find it not only deeply moving but technically
> amazing - for me, this poem "takes the prize". To write good poetry
> in one language is a triumph; to do it in two languages interlacing
> the grammar is mind-blowing. The lines alternate English and Latin.
> The sense runs over.
>
> In this context I would like to share it with you. For those who
> are not good on Middle English (and this dates to the 13th C) I
> have translated each verse (and if I have misunderstood I am sure
> someone will happily enlighten me!).
>
> Stella maris
> +
> Translation
>
> Of on that is so fayr and briht
> Velud maris stella,
> Brihter than the dayis liht,
> Parens et puella,
> Ic crie to the, thou se to me,
> Levedy, preye thi sone for me
> Tam pia,
> That ic mote come to the,
> Maria.
>
> [To one who is so fair and bright,
> Like the star of the sea,
> Brighter than the daylight,
> A mother and a maiden,
> I appeal to you, (please will) you attend to
> me,
> Lady, intercede with your son for me,
> (Lady) so devout,
> So that I may come to you,
> Mary.]
>
> Levedi, flour of alle thing,
> Rosa sine spine,
> Thou bere Jhesu, Hevene king,
> Gratia divina.
> Of alle thou berst the pris,
> Levedi, quene of parays
> Electa;
> Mayde milde moder es
> Effecta.
>
> [Lady, the flower of all things,
> The rose without a thorn,
> You gave birth to Jesus, King of Heaven
> Through divine grace.
> Of all (women) you take the prize,
> Lady, Queen of Paradise,
> The chosen one,
> Gentle virgin, a mother you are
> Proved to be.]
>
> Al this world was forlore,
> Eva peccatrice,
> Tyl our lord was ybore
> De te genitrice.
> With aue it was went away
> Thuster nyth and comet the day
> Salutis.
> The welle springet hut of the
> Virtutis.
>
> [All this world was utterly lost,
> Because of EVA the sinner,
> Until Our Lord was born,
> Of you (his) mother.
> With AVE it was cleared away -
> The dark night - and the day comes,
> (The day) of Salvation.
> The well springs out of you
> (The well) of virtue.]
>
> Wel he wot he is thi sone
> Ventre quem portasti;
> He wyl nout werne the thi bone
> Paruum quem lactasti.
> So hende and so god he his,
> He havet brout ous to blis
> Superni,
> That hauet hidut the the foule put
> Inferni.
>
> [He knows well that he is your son,
> You who carried him in your womb,
> He will not refuse you your request
> You who suckled him when he was small.
> So gracious and so good he is,
> That he has brought us all to joy,
> Supernatural (joy),
> (He) who has closed up the foul pit
> Of hell.]
>
> Of kare conseil thou ert best,
> Felix fecundata;
> Of alle wery thou ert rest,
> Mater honorata.
> Besik him wit milde mod
> That for ous alle sad is blod
> In cruce,
> That we moten komen til him
> In luce.
> In trouble, you are the best of advisers,
> Happy fruitful one.
>
> [For all the tired you are (a source of) rest,
> Honoured mother.
> With a gentle demeanor, ask him
> Who shed his blood for us all
> On the cross,
> That we may come to him
> In the light.]
>
>
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