Edition notes: Source: New Josquin Edition, vol 24, ed. Willem Elders et al., KVvNM, 2007. Notation here is at the original pitch with time values halved. Translation, text underlay, editorial accidentals, and alterations (see last page) by John Hetland and the Renaissance Street Singers. 19 Mar 2021
Firstpublished: Description: Celebrating the Annunciation
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Original text and translations
Latin text
Míttit ad vírginem Non quem vis ángelum,
Sed fortitúdinem, Súum archángelum,
Amátor hóminis.
Fórtem expédiat Pro nóbis núntium,
Natúre fáciat Ut prejudícium
In pártu vírginis.
Natúram súperet Nátus rex glórie:
Régnet et ímperet, Et zýma scórie
Tóllat de médio.
Superbiéntium Térat fastígia,
Cólla sublímium Cálcans vi própria,
Pótens in prélio.
Fóras ejíciat Mundánum príncipem,
Matrémque fáciat Sécum partícipem
Pátris impérii.
Exi, qui mítteris Hec dóna dícere:
Revéla véteris Velámen líttere,
Virtúte núntii.
Accéde, núntia: Dic, áve, cóminus;
Dic, pléna grátia; Dic, técum dóminus;
Et dic, ne tímeas.
Vírgo suscípias Déi depósitum,
In quo perfícias Cásta propósitum,
Et vótum téneas.
Audit et súscipit Puélla núntium;
Crédit et cóncipit, Et párit fílium,
Sed admirábilem
Consiliárium Humáni géneris,
Et déum fórtium, Et pátrem pósteris,
In páce stábilem.
Qui nos sálvet per ómnia seculórum sécula.
Amen.
--Peter Abelard (1079-1142)
English translation
He sends to the virgin not just any angel,
but the strength, his archangel,
the lover of mankind.
May he declare for us the mighty message,
may he effect in nature the preordained
birth by a virgin.
May the born king of glory overcome nature:
May he reign and rule, and the weight of dross
may he remove from our midst.
May he frighten the highest of the proud,
treading upon the very necks of the exalted,
mighty in battle.
May he throw out the worldly prince,
and make his mother a partner with him
in his father's kingdom.
Go forth, you who send these gifts, to speak:
remove the veil from the ancient writings
by the strength of the news.
Come close, messenger, say "Hail" in person;
say "full of grace;" say "the Lord is with you;"
and say "fear not."
Virgin, may you take up what God has set down,
in which to accomplish your chaste intention
and keep your vow.
The maiden hears and accepts the message;
she believes and conceives and bears a son,
but a wondrous
Counselor of the human race,
and God of the strong, father of those to come,
and steadfast in peace.
Who heals us through all ages of ages.
Amen.
Latin text
English translation