R139: Hermann von St. Martin in Mainz an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Greeting and Self-Introduction
Hermann, provost in Mainz, greets Hildegard with honor and confesses his deep spiritual stirring toward her.
Hermannus, provost. To Hildegard. To Hildegard. With all glory and honor, most worthy lady. Hermannus. Provost of the house in Mainz and a wretched sinner. Whatever servant or son belongs to the most beloved lady and mother My soul is deeply stirred!
The Gift of Wisdom and Eloquence
Hermann praises the divinely granted wisdom, eloquence, and shining authority given to Hildegard.
And let it be feared. Let it burn so that it may speak! But let the magnitude of your wisdom and eloquence be held in awe. For to you it has been granted, with happiness heaped up, both to perceive wisely and to speak usefully. and to bring forth what is useful. The authority of those who shine like stars finds its seat in you.✦ It remains with you! He has made you a treasury.
Longing for Her Presence and Teaching
Hermann expresses his aching desire to hear Hildegard continually and to be refined through her presence.
Beyond this, the honor of the church, approved by discipline and enriched with gifts, is added to these things. You have become an example to the peoples. Would that the gift of clinging to you constantly had been given to me from on high. To hear you always! To be refreshed without interruption by your companionship. Then at last I would not be cheated of my desire. Because I have always longed to hear you. Whatever in me displeases him.
Prayer, Blessing, and Farewell
Hermann begs for Hildegard's intercession, prays for her enduring holiness and community, and sends a final blessing.
And how I might drive this out of myself! Grant that God and our Lord may, through your sealed letters, deign to announce to you — I beg you, I beg you — to me. May your holiness endure forever. May they be strong and may all your daughters remain faithful! My most heartfelt sisters.
Read the original Latin
Hermannus prepositus. hildegardi. Hildigardi. omni gloria et honore dignissimę domine. hermannus. de domo in moguntia prepositus et peccator sordidus. quicquid seruus uel filius dilectissimę dominę et matri suę. Animus meus estuat!
et ueretur. Estuat ut loquatur! sed sapientię et eloquentię tuę magnitudinem ueretur. Tibi enim cumulata felicitate concessum est et sentire sapienter! et proferre utiliter. Stellantium auctoritas scripturarum sedem inuenit in te. manet apud te! de te fecit armarium.
Accedit ad hęc quod disciplinę dotibus approbata decus ęcclesię. populorum exemplum es facta. Utinam mihi desuper datum esset assidue tibi adherere. semper audire te! tuo consortio sine intermissione refoueri. Tum denique non essem fraudatus a desiderio meo. quia semper desideraui audire te. Vnde quicquid sibi displicet in me.
et quomodo hoc depellere ualeam a meipso! deo ac domino nostro donante tuis litteris insigillatis denuntiare mihi digneris mihi digneris obsecro. Ualeat in eternum sanctitas tua. Valeant ac fideles permaneant omnes filię tuę! precordialissimę sorores meę.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Dan.12.3 — And those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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