R127: Friedrich von Gottesthal an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Greeting and Blessing
Frederick identifies himself and sends a humble blessing to Hildegard, invoking God's mercy upon her.
The provost in the valley of God. To Hildegard. Frederick, by the grace of God provost in the valley of God, though unworthy. To Hildegard, devoted handmaid of Christ, a blessing to receive from the Lord. And mercy from God your Savior.
Thanksgiving for Hildegard's Virtue
Frederick gives thanks for Hildegard's strength in God, her flourishing virtues, and her wholehearted devotion to Christ alongside her sisters.
We have given the deepest thanks to God that you are strong in him. Because you flourish with the beauty of virtues. Because you are leaning, with wholehearted devotion, upon the Beloved — from the Beloved — together with the sisters entrusted to you.
Appeal for Remembrance and Generosity
Frederick expresses confidence in Hildegard's prayers, apologizes for his delay, asks her not to take offense, urges her to fulfill her promise for divine reward, and commends all to Christ's mutual remembrance.
Because we trust in the Lord, we are confident that you will keep us in his remembrance. But I've been held back by many pressing matters. That's why I didn't send a proper messenger. So I ask that your love not find this burdensome. Now, through the bearer [REDACTED] this letter, please pay what you promised, so that through this you may receive a reward from God. I implore all of you, together with your sisters. May you be mindful before Christ, who is himself ever mindful of you.
Read the original Latin
Prepositus in ualle dei. hildegardi. Fridericus gratia dei in ualle dei prepositus licet indignus. hildegardi christo deuotę famulę benedictionem accipere a domino. et misericordiam a deo salutari suo. Gratias deo quam intimas persoluimus quod in ipso ualetis. quod uirtutum decore floretis. quod dilecto ex dilecto una cum commissis uobis sororibus toto cordis affectu innixę estis.
quia confidimus in domino quia apud ipsum nostri memoriam habeatis. Multis autem negocijs prepeditus sum. quod iuxta placidum nuncium non misi. unde rogo ne grauetur dilectio uestra. nunc per presentem latorem soluere quod promisistis ut ex hoc mercedem a deo acquiratis. Vos una cum sororibus imploro uniuersis. ut apud christum memores memoris sitis.
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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