043booklet 14/11/04 1:57 pm Page 1

SIGCD043 043booklet 14/11/04 1:57 pm Page 3

Temple of Chastity Performing editions and arrangements by Belinda Sykes and Mille Fleurs. Codex Las Huelgas - Music from 13th century Spain Special thanks to Dr Christopher Page, Cambridge University, for his advice and guidance, and to Reverend Robert Atwell for the use of the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Primrose Hill, London. 1Virgines egregie; JC, HG, BS, JW [2:11] 2 Salve, sancta parens / Salve, porta regis / Salve, salus gencium; JC, HG, BS [1:19] 3 Surrexit de tumulo; JC, HG, JW [1:22] Recorded at the Church of St. Silas the Martyr, Kentish Town, 3 - 6 September 2002 4 Rosa das rosas (cantiga); BS, JW,(JC, HG) [4:06] Production, Engineering and Editing by Floating Earth Producer and editor: Tony Harrison 5 Castitatis thalamum; JC, HG, BS, JW [2:29] Engineer: Limo Hearn 6 Benedicamus benigno voto; HG, BS [3:10] Booklet notes: Dr Tess Knighton 7 Catholicorum concio; JW [2:12] Translations of original texts into English: Dr Shelagh Sneddon 8 Alpha bovi et leoni; JC, JW [1:37] Text and translation editor: Christine Darby 9Veni, redemptor gencium; HG,(JC) [2:16] Booklet design & typesetting: Jan Hart 10 Audi pontus, audi tellus; JC, HG, BS [2:36] Design and Artwork: ATX Design Associates 11 Improvisation on Audi pontus; BS,(JC) [2:48] 12 Salve regina glorie; JC, HG, BS, JW [2:26] 13 Gaude, virgo, plena Deo; JC, HG, BS [4:54] P 2003 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Signum Records Ltd. 14 Alpha bovi et leoni; JC, HG, BS [1:04] Any unauthorised broadcasting, public performance, copying or re-recording of 15 Vella e mininna (cantiga); JC, JW,(HG, BS) [3:40] Signum Compact Discs constitutes an infringement of copyright and will render the infringer liable to 16 Confessorum agonia; JW, JC, BS [2:21] an action by law. Licences for public performances or broadcasting may be obtained from 17 Ex illustri nata prosapia; JC, HG, BS [1:41] Phonographic Performance Ltd, 1 Upper James Street, London W1R 3HG, England. 18 Parit preter morem; JC, HG, BS, JW [2:58] © 2003 The copyright of this CD booklet, notes, translations and visual design 19 Castrum pudicicie / Virgo viget melius; JC, BS, JW [2:56] is owned by Signum Records Ltd. 20 Como poden per sas culpas (cantiga); JW [4:57] 21 O Maria, virgo regia / Organica cantica; JC, HG, BS [1:57] All rights reserved. No part of this booklet may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or 22 Maria, virgo virginum; JC,(HG, BS) [4:35] transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Signum Records Ltd. Total running time: [59:38] Booklet part number: SIGCD043.1 CD part number: SIGCD043 Mille Fleurs Jennie Cassidy, Helen Garrison and Belinda Sykes, with Jan Walters (harp) www.signumrecords.com www.signumrecords.com SignumClassics, Signum Records Ltd., Suite 14, 21 Wadsworth Road, Perivale, Middx UB6 7JD, UK +44 (0) 20 8997 4000 E-mail: [email protected] SignumClassics, Signum Records Ltd., Suite 14, 21 Wadsworth Road, Perivale, Middx UB6 7JD, UK +44 (0) 20 8997 4000 E-mail: [email protected] - 19 - 043booklet 14/11/04 1:57 pm Page 5

by her husband. She combines her singing with a century Erard single-action pedal harp. She has distinguished career as a radio broadcaster, and performed and recorded with many prominent Temple of Chastity is currently a senior producer for BBC Radio 3. groups including The Consort of Musicke, Codex Las Huelgas - Music from 13th century Spain Tragicomedia, Red Byrd, The Gabrieli Consort, Belinda Sykes is an international concert and The Sixteen, The Purcell Quartet, The recording soloist. She studied voice and Harp Consort, Netherlands , and Sammy Early in the last century two monks from the performance tool in regular, if not everyday, use improvisation in Morocco, Bulgaria, Syria, Spain Davis Jr. She has accompanied tenor John monastery of Santo Domingo de Silos discovered as the occasion demanded? It has been suggested and India, and oboe and recorder at the Potter (Hilliard an impressively large music manuscript in the that Juan Rodríguez may have been a choir Guildhall School of Music. She has recorded and Ensemble) in duo royal convent of Las Huelgas outside Burgos. It director at Las Huelgas, but the name is a performed as a soloist with Red Byrd, New recitals of both rapidly became clear that they had chanced upon common one and his position at the monastery, if London Consort, Tragicomedia, Harp Consort, early and new one of the treasures of early music: 170 any, cannot be ascertained. The element of Paul O’Dette, Ensemble Unicorn, Sarband and music, tenor Rufus parchment folios of monophonic and polyphonic mystery surrounding the original function of the Oni Wytars. As an oboist she has played for the Muller in recitals works from the 13th and early 14th centuries. manuscript extends to the mode of performance Gabrieli Consort, English Concert, King’s of late 18th The Las Huelgas manuscript is unusual in several of the repertory it contains: were its polyphonic Consort, BBC Symphony , Age of century harp and ways: not only is it highly organised according to motets or monophonic sequences, melismatic Enlightenment and Hanover Band, and has voice repertoire genre, liturgical function and number of voices, organa or sonorous, declamatory conducti, collaborated with many composers including Sir and soprano but it also encompasses a wide range of forms performed by the Cistercian nuns themselves? Harrison Birtwistle. Belinda directs the medieval Rachel Elliot in and styles: it is one of the very few sources, for Or, as has been tentatively ventured but not music ensemble Joglaresa and is Professor of 18th century example, to include organa, conducti, sequences proved, were they sung by the male chaplains Medieval Song at Trinity College of Music. Her Georgian reper- and motets. In addition, it is very rare to find a who led worship there, at least on major outstanding creativity and understanding of toire. Jan has conducted early harp masterclasses major collection that has survived in the place occasions when polyphony was required? have been a major inspiration for for The American Harp Society, The Historical where it was originally compiled and copied, that groups such as The Harp Consort and Sarband. Harp Society, The UK Clarsach Society, Glasgow process being undertaken principally by one Most of the repertory, whether monophonic or Early Music Festival, The Royal Academy of scribe in the early decades of the 14th century, polyphonic settings of Latin texts, was clearly American historical harpist Jan Walters Music, The Guildhall School of Music, and in with some slightly later additions. designed to solemnify the major feasts of the performs on a range of instruments from Holland at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague Virgin, to whom the royal monastery was medieval to modern, both as a solo recitalist and and the Hogeschool voor de kunsten Arnhem. These unusual features make the manuscript dedicated from the time of its foundation in as an accompanist. A Fulbright research scholar Musica Fabula has been featured on BBC Radio 3 especially intriguing for music historians, 1187. In this, it makes an interesting counterpart in 1993, she has uncovered much early and has three CD releases, on ASV, of music by performers and listeners alike. Was it originally to the celebrated collection known as the repertoire for the harp in European music the little-known Monteverdi contemporary, intended as a retrospective anthology, an act of Cantigas de Santa María, rather earlier in date archives and this has formed the basis of her own Giovanni Felice Sances. Jan’s other recordings musical conservation, which was later added to and distinguished by its settings in the ensemble, Musica Fabula. Based in England since include a disc of Georgian music for harp and in completion or updating of this process? Or do vernacular. There can be no doubt that the 1993, Jan worked as an advisor and recorded sopranos, and a solo harp CD of l8th century the later additions from the 1430s and 40s by contents of Las Huelgas were closely connected part of the soundtrack for the Merchant Ivory music by Jean-Baptiste Krumpholtz on ASV. one ‘Johannes Rodrigues’ reflect that, on the to the monastery: laments to its founder, Alfonso film Jefferson in Paris on her original 18th contrary, it was consistently used as a VIII, and first abbess, the Infanta Doña

- 18 - - 3 - 043booklet 14/11/04 1:57 pm Page 7

Berenguela, sister of Alfonso X (the visionary French influence is strong, and there are many An imaginative and virtuosic singer, Jennie king behind the compilation of the Cantigas), concordances between Las Huelgas and French Cassidy has specialised in the field of early were included. To a great extent, the manuscript sources. This is hardly surprising given Burgos’s music for ten years, performing and recording must reflect the liturgical and devotional situation as a focal point on the pilgrimage route throughout Europe, the Americas and Asia. She practices of a medieval Cistercian monastery, but to Santiago de Compostela and its growing has sung with many leading early in itself it was not designed as a luxury object, importance as a centre for commerce, music ensembles, including one-to-a-part despite the considerable wealth of Las Huelgas: particularly in artistic fields such as sculpture and performances of Bach with the Taverner Consort rather, it was a pragmatic tool, an anthology to be manuscript copying and illumination. The two- in Vienna and Ansbach, and frequently appears used as a source of reference or for actual vegregieoice organum Benedicamus benigno voto,for with the Harp Consort at major festivals in performance. Its general appearance, and the example, is a troped version of a piece found in Europe and America. She has also performed and flexibility of the notation used according to the French sources, while the monophonic Virgines recorded with the New London Consort, Gothic genre and style of each piece, suggest a high , also believed to be of French origin, is Mille Fleurs Voices, Joglaresa, the Gabrieli Choir, Musicians degree of practicality in its compilation. preserved in mensural notation only in the Las of the Globe, Musica Antiqua of London and Huelgas codex. Similarly, a setting of the Jennie Cassidy (voice, sinfonye) (JC) Psalmody. She directs the acclaimed ensemble By the time the manuscript was copied, the monophonic conductus Audi, pontus; audi, tellus, Helen Garrison (voice) (HG) Frottola, combining , viol and voice. Jennie is monastery was well established and exceptionally the first verse of the famous ‘Cantio’ of the Belinda Sykes (voice, shawm, drums) (BS) renowned for her clarity of tone, her two-and-a- well endowed: Doña Berenguela’s constitutions Epistolarum of the French abbey of Aniane, is half octave range and her variety of vocal specified that there should be 100 nuns, all noble preserved in a Montpellier manuscript, but with Jennie Cassidy, Helen Garrison and Belinda colours. She has recorded over thirty CDs, most women, with about 40 servants of various kinds, a different melody. Still another piece, the two- Sykes bring a wealth of experience and as a soloist. and some chaplains, the number of which was voice conductus Castitatis thalamum, with its research to their performance, incorporating increased in 1313 to 17 through the will of the long melismas on the initial note followed by improvisation and recreating the art of the ‘The sweetest nightingale of the evening’ was Infanta Doña Blanca. The monastery’s verses in syllabic style, follows the Parisian school medieval singer. how the press described Helen Garrison whilst considerable wealth and power were sustained by but is not known to be preserved elsewhere. The a choral scholar in Cambridge. Noted for its extensive lands, and there can be no doubt that three-voice motet Salve, porta regis takes as its These characterful singers do not believe female her purity of tone, sensitive musicality and it had the resources—and the needs—for artistic tenor the Marian introit Salve sancta parens (a early music singers should sound like modern wide vocal range, she has since performed creativity of all kinds, from the intricate text favoured in the Iberian peninsula) whereas choirboys but instead celebrate their different and recorded with many of the top choirs in plasterwork that adorns its walls to the acquisition the Nôtre-Dame repertory does not usually vocal timbres with each voice’s natural the country including the Taverner Choir, and performance of polyphonic repertory. employ introits as tenors. In other words, the personality shining through the polyphonic mix. English Voices, A Cappella Portuguesa, The repertory of the manuscript is both international Working with medieval harpist Jan Walters, Cambridge Taverner Choir, Capella Nova, The 45 monodic and 141 polyphonic pieces and local, imported and adapted in a continual Mille Fleurs performed their inaugural tour in BBC Daily Service Singers, The Chapel Royal contained in the Las Huelgas manuscript reflect process of cultural absorption and reinvention. 1998, which included the Aust Festival, Farnham Tower of London and the London Handel the full range of Latin-texted music from about Castle and St George’s, Hanover Square. Since Festival Choir, and she is a member of the choir 1200 to the first half of the 14th century, from The selection of pieces from the Las Huelgas then they have been much in demand around the of St Mary’s, Bourne St. As a soloist she works in the forms and idioms of the Nôtre- manuscript by Mille Fleurs affords a glimpse into country whilst working towards this, their long- has performed with many groups all over the Dame school to the beginning of the Ars Nova. its wide range of genres and styles in an equally awaited debut recording. world, as well as giving recitals, accompanied

- 4 - - 17 - 043booklet 14/11/04 1:57 pm Page 9

Summi regis hospicium, Lodging of the highest king, varied and eclectic approach to performance. lumen, vita fidelium: light, life of the faithful: Some pieces are performed as written; in others, Ave Maria. Hail, Mary! notably in the improvisation on Audi pontus, the Mundi salus, protectio, Salvation, protection of the world, notated music provides a starting-point for nos tuo pasce gaudio: feed us with your joy: musicalgencium elaboration. Drones are added to some Ave Maria. Hail, Mary! monophonic pieces, such as Veni redemptor Nobis tibi canencibus Help us, singing to you, ,while instrumental accompaniments succure tuis pascibus: with your sustenance: provide background support, as in particularly Ave Maria. Hail, Mary! lyrical works such as Castitatis thalamum,or glorie Tu, que es nobis omnia, You, who are all things to us, more movement and colour as in the nos tua pascat gracia: feed us with your grace: declamatory two-voice sequence Salve regina Ave Maria. Hail, Mary! . Just as the manuscript is pragmatic in its Gracia tua faciat, May your grace bring it about layout and presentation, and adaptable as ut Deus nos exaudiat: that God hears us: regards the notation of its musical repertory, so Ave Maria. Hail, Mary! the performance options and approaches Amen. Amen. adopted and realised on this recording offer variety and flexibility, always respecting the nature of each piece. One thing is clear: throughout the Middle Ages the walls of the monastery of Las Huelgas resounded to the most highly refined and eloquently beautiful musical settings then in circulation northern Spain.

Tess Knighton, June 2003

- 16 - - 5 - 043booklet 14/11/04 1:57 pm Page 11

Virgines egregie coluit, qui nobis condoluit she cared for the one who had pity on us, cui cum iubilo sine termino to whom with rejoicing, without end, Virgines egregie, virgines sacrate Illustrious virgins, consecrated virgins, benedicamus Domino. let us bless the Lord. coram vestri facie sponsi coronate, crowned before the face of your bridegroom, in eterna requie sursum sublimate, in eternal rest lifted on high, O Maria, virgo regia / Organica cantica canticum leticie Domino cantate! sing a song of joy to the Lord! O Maria, virgo regia, O Mary, royal virgin, Castitatis lilium olim custodistis You once guarded the lily of chastity because of tu, stella clara rutila, shine, you bright star, propter Dei filium, cui placuistis; the Son of God, to whom you were pleasing; tu, pia, expia scelera; purge our sin, O holy one, templum sancti Spiritus esse voluistis, you wished to be the temple of the Holy Spirit, duc nos ad gaudia celica, cum Domino. lead us to the heavenly joys, with the Lord. tactus et concubitus ideo fugistis. therefore you fled touch and intimacy. Organica cantica nostra psallat musica, Let our music produce skilfully modulated songs, Non estis de fatuis, You are not among the foolish, mater cum sit unica filia, as the mother is the only daughter, que cum vasis vacuis sponsum prestolantur, who with empty vessels wait for the bridegroom, mundo ferens gaudia, bringing joys to the world, immo de prudencibus, rather you are among the prudent, who with virgo manens in secula cum Domino. remaining a virgin eternally, with the Lord. que plenis lampadibus bene preparantur. full lamps are well prepared. Amen. Amen.

Fatuis virginibus, oleo carencibus, To the foolish virgins, without oil, Maria, virgo virginum sponsus est dicturus: the bridegroom will say: ‘Vobis non aperiam; ‘I will not open up to you: I will receive the prudentes recipiam premium daturus.’ prudent, to give them the prize.’ Maria, virgo virginum, Mary, virgin of virgins, Amen. Amen. ora pro nobis Dominum: pray to the Lord for us: Ave Maria. Hail, Mary! Fundamentum ecclesie, Foundation of the church, Salve, sancta parens / Salve, porta regis / Salve, salus gencium fons, aula sapiencie: spring, hall of wisdom: Ave Maria. Hail, Mary! Salve, porta regis glorie, lux gracie, vas Hail, gate of the king of glory, light of grace, O virgo plena gracia, O virgin, full of grace, prudencie, regina clemencie, thalamus vessel of wisdom, queen of mercy, bride- mater Dei et filia: mother of God and his daughter: mundicie, salve! chamber of purity, hail! Ave Maria. Hail, Mary! Trinitatis palacium, Palace of the Trinity, Salve, salus gencium, Maria, fidelium, spes Hail, salvation of the nations, Mary, of the mundi porta, refugium: gate of the world, refuge: errancium et consilium, vite premium, salve! faithful, hope and counsel of the erring, prize of Ave Maria. Hail, Mary! life, hail! Virgo, peccati nescia, Virgin, not knowing sin, Spiritus sancti conscia: conscious of the Holy Spirit: Salve, sancta parens. Hail, holy parent. Ave Maria. Hail, Mary!

- 6 - - 15 - 043booklet 14/11/04 1:57 pm Page 13

Mira genitura, Wondrous birth, Surrexit de tumulo fit creans creatura, the Creator becomes the created, fracta carnis iura, the laws of flesh are broken: Surrexit de tumulo, He has risen from the tomb, mirata est natura; nature wondered. fulgens plus quam stella; shining more brightly than a star; mirabili, laudabili, With God’s miraculous, praiseworthy, kindly frangit in diluculo hostis dira bella. in the early dawn he breaks the dread forces of pia Dei cura, Rex, humili care, the king, taking the part of the humble, the enemy. stans, labile iacet sub figura. lies under a transient form: Vitam dedit seculo, He has given life to the world, Sic redempta est gens peritura, thus the race doomed to perish has been celi prebens mella; offering the honey of heaven; et mundum a labe lavit impura. redeemed, and he has cleansed the world from dat cruoris rivulo gaudia novella; from the stream of blood he gives new joys; Sedens throno stabili, its unclean stain. dulce leta concio pangat: sweetly let our happy assembly sing: ex mobili compingens et immobili Sitting on his unmoving throne, composing, ‘Alleluya, alleluya!’ ‘Alleluia, alleluia’. quiddam nova mixtura, from the mobile and immobile, something - in a simplex sine iunctura new mixture - simple, without a join, Rosa das rosas et modo tam subtili, and in so subtle a manner, sub specie servili under a servile appearance, saxa confregit dura, he shattered the hard rocks, Rosa das rosas e fror das frores, Rose of roses, flower of flowers, lady of ladies, ut populo gentili so that for the gentile people, dona das donas, sennor das sennores. liege of lieges. iam procul ab ovili now far from the sheepfold, pateret via pura; the pure way might lie open. Rosa de beldad’ e de parecer, Rose of beauty and semblance, pro vili, pro fragili, As a cheap thing, as a frail thing, e fror d’alegria e de prazer, and flower of happiness and delight, pro re mirabili, as a miraculous thing, dona en mui piadosa seer, lady, being most compassionate, liege, habebatur scriptura. was the scripture seen. sennor en toller coitas e dolores. taking away troubles and sadness. Rosa das rosas ... Rose of roses … Castrum pudicicie / Virgo viget melius Atal sennor dev’ ome muit amar, Man must love such a liege, que de todo mal o pode guardar, who can protect him from every ill, Castrum pudicicie, numinis triclinium, Castle of chastity, couch of the deity, e podell’os pecados perdõar and can forgive him his sins which he commits spes tocius leticie, gracie tenens privilegium, hope of all joy, possessing the privilege of grace: que faz no mundo per maos sabores. in the world through evil desires. regem glorie, virgo, filium fac nobis propicium, virgin, make your Son, the king of glory, Rosa das rosas ... Rose of roses … ut reis det venie remedium. favourable to us, that he may give us sinners the remedy of mercy. Devemola muit’ amar e servir We should love and serve her greatly, ca punna de nos guardar de falir; for she tries to keep us from failing; Virgo viget melius dum peperit, The Virgin flourishes best while she gives birth, desi, dos erros nos faz repentir also, she makes us repent of the sins sed nature plenius ius deperit but the law of nature perishes more completely, que nós fazemos come pecadores. which we sinners commit. nasci Dei filius dum voluit; when the Son of God wished to be born: Rosa das rosas ... Rose of roses …

- 14 - - 7 - 043booklet 14/11/04 1:57 pm Page 15

Esta dona que tenno por sennor, This lady whom I hold as my liege, Sponsa Christi, lux in ecclesia, Bride of Christ, light in the church, e de que quero seer trobador: and whose troubadour I wish to be: rosa rubens propter martirium. a red rose through your martyrdom. se eu per ren poss’ aver seu amor, If I could win her love, Virgo vernans, sed viri nescia, A virgin blossoming but not knowing a man, dou ao demo os outros amores. I would give all my other loves to the devil. pellens a te viri consorcium, driving from you the intimacy of a man: Rosa das rosas ... Rose of roses … te rogamus, ut tua gracia roget illum, we ask you that, in your grace, you may ask him cuius imperium sine fine regnat in secula, whose power reigns without end through the Castitatis thalamum quod det nobis celi palacium. ages, to grant us the palace of heaven. Ex illustri nata prosapia, Catherina, Born from illustrious stock, Catherine, candens ut lilium. shining like a lily. Castitatis thalamum, ventrem virginalem, The bride-chamber of chastity, the virginal womb, Pater dedit Filio, vallem specialem; the Father has given his Son a special valley. invenire poterat quis in mundo talem, Who could find such a one in the world, Parit preter morem ut portaret Filium Patri coequalem? that she might bear the Son, coequal to the Father? Parit preter morem The created one, outside the bounds creata creatorem of the normal, gives birth to her creator, Benedicamus benigno voto retinens pudorem retaining her chastity virginumque florem; and her virginal flower. sic floruit, nec respuit Thus the rod has flowered, Benedicamus benigno voto, Let us bless with beneficent prayer omnem virga rorem; and did not reject all dew: qui cuncto presidet mundo, the one who presides over the whole world, sic patuit quod latuit thus has been uncovered what had lain hidden celo, arvo atque ponto, heaven, field and sea, Ade per uxorem. through Adam’s wife. Domino sidereo. the starry Lord. Retinens verum Dei decorum God, retaining the true magnificence of God, Deo dicamus gracias. Let us give thanks to God. deitatis sue Deus honorem the honour of his deity, togam carnis induit; has put on the robe of flesh; Deo, cui perpetuitas To God, to whom eternity indiguit et inter servos viluit, has become wretched and vile among slaves: in sempiterna manet secula, belongs for everlasting ages, nec ideo minorem nor on that account does his deity redamus omnes nunc et semper let us all now and always dat deitas splendorem, give off less splendour. gracias letissimas. render our most joyful thanks. sed qui lux est et fuit, But he who is and was light, Deo dicamus gracias. Let us give thanks to God. per nubem carnis pluit rains down the sweetness of his dew roris sui dulcorem, through the cloud of flesh. Alpha bovi et leoni (tracks 8 and 14) qui mentes nostras huit, He who frees our minds, tenebras quoque luit, also washes away the darkness, Dei fundens amorem, pouring out the love of God; Alpha bovi et leoni aquile volanti, To the alpha, the ox and the lion, to the flying qui struit non destruit, he who constructs, eagle, to the sheep, the worm and the dragon, to immo restituit who does not destroy, ovi verni et drachoni anquem conculanti, the one who treads the snake under foot, statum antiquiorem. but rather restores our former state.

- 8 - - 13 - 043booklet 14/11/04 1:57 pm Page 17

ca Deus lle quis dar todas estas cousas por for God was willing to give her all these qualities, Isaac, Ioseph, Samsoni portas asportanti, to Isaac, to Joseph and to Sampson, carrying off melloria, to raise her up so that nobody can be David, vero Salomoni pacem restauranti, the gates, to David, to the true Solomon, bringing porque lle nunca ja achassen par; equal to her ever again; masculo agniculo, virge matris flosculo, peace, to the little male lamb, to the little flower e por aquesto, assí a loar deviamos sempre, and because of this we should always praise her giganti gemineo, igne lepra grano, of the rod - the mother, to the two-fold giant, in ca por nós vela. because she watches over us. tramiti plano, unico et trino, fire, in leprosy, to the grain, to the smooth path, Vella e mininna ... Old, and but a child … omnium Domino. to the one and three-fold Lord of all.

Ca vella é, segund’ a profecia que Salamón foi For she is old, according to Solomon’s prophecy Larga manu seminatum, granum hoc frumenti, Sown with a generous hand, this grain of wheat, dela profetar: of her: terre bone conmendatum hora competenti. entrusted to good earth at a fitting hour; unless que ante do mundo foi todavia criada, that before the world began she was created, and Nisi morte sit mundatum vitam conferenti, it is cleansed by the death that confers life, it e que nunc’ á de menguar o seu gran ben. her great goodness will never diminish. And non resurget duplicatum sibi, vel serenti. will not rise again doubled to itself, or its sower. E por end’, encarnar quis Deus en ela, therefore God, who orders all things, sought to Igitur pre moritur sic ad vitam reducitur Therefore it dies: thus the divine sacrifice is que todo caudela. take flesh in her. lustum deificum. brought back to life. Vella e mininna ... Old, and but a child ... O! Troplicum celicum granum et triticum O! Figurative, heavenly grain, and glorious glorificum sed ex uno reliquum. wheat; yet the remnant of one grain. Con razón nossa madr’ é, She is rightly our mother, que nos cria e sempre punna de mal nos guardar; who brings us up and tries to keep us safe; Veni, redemptor gencium e criou Deus, que a criad’ avia, and she gave birth to God who made her, que foi seu Fill’ e ouve de criar, who was her Son whom she would bring up, Veni, redemptor gencium, veni, creator Spiritus, Come, redeemer of the nations, come, creator que por nós foi o iferno britar who overcame hell, the devil and all his horde Spirit, e o dem’ e toda sa alcavela. for us. veni, vita vivencium, nostros solari gemitus, come life of the living, to comfort our groans. Vella e mininna ... Old, and but a child … veni nobis Paraclitus, in fide firma mencium, Come to us, Paraclete, in the firm faith of our minds, Ex illustri nata prosapia in fine moriencium, te laudat omnis exercitus. at their end for the dying: the whole host praises you. Ex illustri nata prosapia, Catherina, Born from illustrious stock, Catherine, candens ut lilium, et nobilis, shining like a lily, noble too with the gift of Audi, pontus; audi, tellus dono mundicie, crystalina gemma, purity, crystalline jewel, lux virginum, sponsa Christi, lux in ecclesia, light of virgins, bride of Christ, light in the Audi, pontus; audi, tellus; Hear, ocean, hear, land, rosa rubens propter martirium. church, a red rose through your martyrdom. audi, maris magni lumbus; audi, homo; hear, belt of the great sea. Virgo fulgens et nobilissima, A glittering virgin and very noble, audi, omne, quod vivit sub sole: Hear, man, hear, everything that lives beneath et devincens falsa sophismata, conquering false arguments, prope est veniat. the sun: he is near - let him come! bona docens et viri nescia, teaching the good and not knowing a man, Ecce iam dies est, dies illa, Behold, it is now the day, that day, fit residens in Dei gloria. becomes resident in the glory of God. dies invisa, dies amara, the day not yet seen, the bitter day,

- 12 - - 9 - 043booklet 14/11/04 1:57 pm Page 19

qua celum fugiet, sol erubescet, on which the heavens will flee, the sun will turn Gaude, virgo, plena Deo luna fulgabitur, sidera super terram cadent. red, the moon will flash like lightning, the stars will fall on the earth. Gaude, virgo, plena Deo, Rejoice, Virgin, full of God, Heu, miser, heu, miser, heu! Alas, unhappy one, alas, unhappy one, alas! de qua natus fortis leo, from whom was born the strong lion, Cur, homo, ineptam sequeris leticiam? Why, man, do you follow after inappropriate Christus mortem Philisteo dedit, id est zabulo. Christ killed the Philistine, that is, the devil. joys? Orbem luce destitutum tu illustras, You illuminate the world, deprived of light, dum virtutum regem paris, when you give birth to the King of the virtues, Salve regina glorie nostrum scutum in omni periculo. our shield in every danger. Rex est Christus, qui gravatis The king is Christ, who offered the gift of Salve, regina glorie, Maria, stella maris, Hail, queen of glory, Mary, star of the sea, in Egypto captivatis donum prestat libertatis, liberty to the oppressed, to the captives in Egypt, solem paris iusticie, que lune compararis. you bear the sun of righteousness, you, who are ruptis vinclis validis; who burst open their strong bonds; compared to the moon. nam in luti servitute nostre manus involute for our hands, tangled in the servitude of mud, Vite dulcedo gracie, fons aque salutaris, Sweetness of life, of grace, spring of health- sunt a luto iam solute operisque sordidis. are now released from mud, and squalid works. mater misericordie, tu portus appellaris. giving water, Ergo per te iam placatus Deus, olim provocatus, Therefore God, formerly provoked, now mother of mercy, you are called our haven. aufert nobis miseratus servitutem lateris; placated by you, taking pity on us, takes from us Summi regis palacium, tronus imperatoris, Palace of the highest king, throne of the the servitude of the brick; sponsi reclinatorium, tu sponsa creatoris. emperor, couch of the bridegroom, you are the Deus quoque miserator, omnis boni dispensator, God too, the compassionate one, the dispenser bride of your creator. plage nostre fit sanator plaga sui lateris. of all good, becomes the healer of our wound, O pauperum solacium, remedium languoris, O comfort of the poor, remedy for weakness, with the wound of his side. dignum Dei palacium, vas eterni splendoris. worthy palace of God, vessel of eternal Ecce quantum nos dilexit, Behold how much he loved us, splendour. qui de luto nos erexit et ab hoste nos protexit, who raised us from the mud, and protected us O melle dulcior, auro splendidior, O sweeter than honey, more splendid than gold, suum mittens filium. from the enemy, sending his Son. risu iocundior, amore carior! more delightful than laughter, dearer than love! Hic laborans, languens, lassus, He, struggling, fainting, faint, Nive candidior, rosa fragrancior, Whiter than snow, more fragrant than a rose, est pro nobis mortem passus, suffered death for us: palma sublimior, saphiro pulchrior! loftier than a palm tree, more beautiful than a hic et nobis sit compassus, may he also have pity on us, sapphire! per te det et premium. through you may he also give the prize. Virgo davitica, te vox prophetica Virgin of David, the prophetic voice praises Amen. Amen. laudat et cantica, lex evangelica; you, and the songs, the gospel law. te laus armonia decet angelica; Angelic praise and harmony are fitting to you: Vella e mininna duc nos ad celica regna, spes unica. lead us to the heavenly realms, you who are our only hope. Vella e mininna, madr’ e donzela, pobre e reïnna, Old and but a child, mother and maiden, poor Amen. Amen. don’ e ancela. and yet a queen, lady and handmaid.

Desta guisa deve Santa Maria seer loada, In this way we should praise holy Mary,

- 10 - - 11 -