R147: Propst C. von Bonn an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Greeting and Self-Introduction
The provost C. of Bonn addresses Hildegard with a formal monastic greeting and a humble pledge of devoted service.
The provost at Bonn. To Hildegard. Hildegard, bride of Christ and most proven teacher of the sisters from Saint-Robert in Pingua. C. The provost at Bonn — the unworthy one. Service with full devotion. If the Lord alone is mighty. The only good.
God Hears the Cry of the Sinner
The writer confesses God's sole mercy and power, and testifies that he has persistently prayed for Hildegard, drawn by love since first hearing of her goodness.
He alone is pious. He alone is merciful to the voice of any sinner — and this I hold by faith. He deigns to incline the ear of His majesty. With the unwearied cry of my heart and mouth, I am knocking at the door for you. I call as witness God, the one who knows all secrets. From the time I first heard of your goodness, proclaimed by report. Which I afterwards proved in your very selves. I fled wholly inclined toward love of you.
Desire for Fellowship and Unshakable Love
The provost expresses his longing to be counted among Hildegard's community, declaring that no fear or danger will separate them.
You too are among all those things that I have spoken well of, from then until now. or have conducted myself well. If you would be pleased to appoint me as a fellow member. So I both hope for that very thing from you and, in a certain sense, claim it as owed. But I ask for it all the more because of God's love and your goodness. Finally, neither fire nor iron nor water nor the pressure of any other fear or danger
Love Stronger Than Death
The letter closes with a solemn vow that death itself cannot diminish their bond of love, followed by a final farewell.
But not even death itself will be able to diminish the integrity of your love for my soul in any way, or to remove it by any means. Farewell.
Read the original Latin
Prepositus in bunna. hildegardi. Hildigardi sponsę christi et magistrę probatissime sororum de sancto Roberto in pinguia! C. prepositus in bunna indignus! seruitium cum omni deuotione. Si dominus solus potens. solus bonus.
solus pius. solus misericors uoci cuiuspiam peccatoris quod fide teneo. aurem suę maiestatis acclinare dignatur! indefesso cordis et oris mei clamore pro uobis pulsatur. Testor nempe secretorum omnium cognitorem deum. ex quo primum de bonitate uestra fama prodente audiui. quam postmodum in uobismetipsa probaui. totus in uestram dilectionem pronus fugi.
Uos quoque omnium eorum quę abinde hactenus uel bene dixi. uel bene gessi. si dignamini participem statui. Idipsum igitur a uobis et spero et quodam debito. magis autem pro dei amore et uestra bonitate exigo. Postremo nec ignis nec ferrum. nec aqua. nec alterius cuiuslibet timoris aut periculi instantia.
sed nec ipsa mors uestrę integritatem dilectionis animę meę aut imminuere in quoquam aut summouere ullo modo poterit. Valete.
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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