R145: Propst G. von Frankfurt an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Greeting and Longing
The provost greets Hildegard with longing and explains that hindrances have kept him from visiting her.
The provost in Frankfurt. To Hildegard. To Hildegard, his beloved lady in Christ, G. Only in name the provost in Frankfurt. After the labor of Martha! The consolation of Mary. With longing I have longed to behold your presence! But various matters have gotten in the way.
Letter as Embrace and Prayer
The provost embraces Hildegard through letters, promises intercession, and asks for her prayers in return.
Now at least God has given us the opportunity, through letters, to embrace and greet you. We don't want you to be unaware of your name either. Your very person. And at the same time, to embrace you with every care for your well-being. And to be honored! And to be interceded for before God on your behalf, day and night, as best we can. Therefore we ask for your mercy! That I, a sinner, might find mercy before the divine majesty.1
Farewell and Today's Call
The provost asks to be remembered in prayer, bids farewell, and alludes to the urgency of hearing God's voice today.
should you wish to make mention of me. Farewell! as long as it is said today in the heavenly realms.
Read the original Latin
Prepositus in frankenforth. hildegardi. Hildigardi in christo dilectę dominę suę G. solo nomine prepositus in frankenforth. post marthę laborem! Marię consolationem. Desiderio desideraui uestram conspicere personam! sed diuersis negocijs nos impedientibus.
nunc saltem facultatem dedit nobis deus per litteras uos amplecti atque salutare. Nolumus etiam uos ignorare nomen uestrum. personam uestram. simulque cum salute super omni diligentia uos amplecti. atque honorari! deumque pro uobis pro posse nostro die noctuque interpellari. Rogamus igitur clementiam uestram! ut mei peccatoris coram diuinę maiestatis clementia.
mentionem facere uelitis. Valete! quamdiu in supernis dicitur hodie.
Notes
- 1 ↩The phrase 'coram diuinę maiestatis clementia' is grammatically compressed: 'clementia' may be appositive to 'maiestatis' (the mercy of the divine majesty) or a separate ablative of means (with the mercy of the divine majesty). The translation preserves the ambiguity by rendering it as 'before the divine majesty' with 'mercy' as the governing sense of the petition.
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