Peter Abelard
April 24th 2011 04:59
Peter Abelard
In Parasceve Dominis :
III Nocturno.
Many of you have heard the story of Abelard and Heloise and perhaps read their letters but have you read any of his poetry?
Here's one of his Easter Hymns with a translation by Helen Waddell.
Solus ad victimam procedis, Domine,
morti te offerens quam venis tollere:
quid nos miserrimi possumus dicere
qui quae commisimus scimus te lucere?
Nostra sunt sunt, Domini, nostra sunt crimina:
quid tua criminum facis supplicia?
quibus sic compati fac nostra pectora,
ut vel compassio digna sit venia.
Nox ista flebilis praesensque triduum
quod demorabitur fletus sit vesperum,
donec laetitiae mane gratissimum
surgente Domino sit maestis redditum.
Tu tibi compati sic face nos, Domine,
tuae participes ut simus gloriae;
sic praesens triduum in luctu ducere,
ut risum tribuas paschalis gratiae.
From pages 178 - 9 of her Mediaeval Latin Lyrics
Alone to sacrifice thou goest, Lord,
Giving thyself to death whom thou hast slain.
For us thy wretched folk is any word,
Who know that for our sins this is thy pain?
For they are ours, O Lord, our deeds, our deeds,
Why must thou suffer torture for our sins?
Let our hearts suffer for thy passion, Lord,
That sheer compassion may thy mercy in.
This is that night of tears, the three days' space,
Sorrow abiding of the eventide,
Until the day break with the risen Christ,
And hearts that sorrowed shall be satisfied.
So may our hearts have pity on thee, Lord,
That they may sharers of thy glory be:
Heavy with weeping may the three days pass,
To win the laughter of thine Easter Day.
In Parasceve Dominis :
III Nocturno.
Many of you have heard the story of Abelard and Heloise and perhaps read their letters but have you read any of his poetry?
Here's one of his Easter Hymns with a translation by Helen Waddell.
Solus ad victimam procedis, Domine,
morti te offerens quam venis tollere:
quid nos miserrimi possumus dicere
qui quae commisimus scimus te lucere?
Nostra sunt sunt, Domini, nostra sunt crimina:
quid tua criminum facis supplicia?
quibus sic compati fac nostra pectora,
ut vel compassio digna sit venia.
Nox ista flebilis praesensque triduum
quod demorabitur fletus sit vesperum,
donec laetitiae mane gratissimum
surgente Domino sit maestis redditum.
Tu tibi compati sic face nos, Domine,
tuae participes ut simus gloriae;
sic praesens triduum in luctu ducere,
ut risum tribuas paschalis gratiae.
From pages 178 - 9 of her Mediaeval Latin Lyrics
Alone to sacrifice thou goest, Lord,
Giving thyself to death whom thou hast slain.
For us thy wretched folk is any word,
Who know that for our sins this is thy pain?
For they are ours, O Lord, our deeds, our deeds,
Why must thou suffer torture for our sins?
Let our hearts suffer for thy passion, Lord,
That sheer compassion may thy mercy in.
This is that night of tears, the three days' space,
Sorrow abiding of the eventide,
Until the day break with the risen Christ,
And hearts that sorrowed shall be satisfied.
So may our hearts have pity on thee, Lord,
That they may sharers of thy glory be:
Heavy with weeping may the three days pass,
To win the laughter of thine Easter Day.
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