Vidi impium (Giacomo Carissimi)

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• (Posted 2022-12-24)  CPDL #71997:       

Editors: Mick Swithinbank and Jonathan Goodliffe (submitted 2022-12-24).   Score information: A4, 6 pages, 238 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes:

General Information

Title: Vidi impium
Composer: Giacomo Carissimi
Lyricist:
Number of voices: 3vv   Voicing: ATB
Genre: Sacred, Motet

Language: Latin
Instruments: Basso continuo

First published: Not known
Description:  A 3 voice motet subsequently parodied by Henry Aldrich in his anthem "I am well pleased"

Source: at BNF. The work uses text from Psalm 36 verses 35-36,Psalm 48 verse 18, Wisdom of Solomon chapter 5 verse 15

Original text and translations

Latin text

Vidi impium superexaltatum et elevatum sicut cedros Libani, et transivi, quaesivi illum et ecce non erat, et non est inventus locus eius.

Spes illius tamquam lanugo est quia vento tollitur,
Spes illius tamquam spuma gracilis quae a procella dispergitur,
Spes illius tamquam fumus est quia vento diffunditur.

Cunctus diebus suis superbat impius sonitus terroris in auris eius.

Semper insidias suspicatur. Et undique territ eum tribulatio et angustia.

Neque descendet cum eo gloria eius. Quid prosunt illi divitiae et gloria domus quoniam cum interierit non sumit omnia?

English translation

I have seen a wicked person highly exalted, and lifted up like the cedars of Lebanon.
And I passed by, and behold, he was not to be found: and I sought him and his place was not found.

His hope (of salvation) is like a bird's down which is carried away by the wind.
His hope is like the delicate spray which is dispersed by the waves.
His hope is like smoke which is dissolved by the wind.

All his days the wicked one will show off his pride but will have the sound of terror in his ears.
He always suspects an ambush and from all directions tribulation and problems fill him with terror.
Neither will his glory descend with him. What use will his riches and the glory of his house be when he cannot take them with him?