R171: Äbtissin D. von Lippoldsberg an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Greeting and Longing
The abbess of Lippoldsberg greets Hildegard with deep affection and confesses her long-standing desire to see her face and enjoy her conversation.
The abbess on Lippoldsberg mountain. To Hildegard. Hildegard, bride of Christ, on the mountain of Saint Robert! D. The humble governess of the sisters on Lippoldsberg mountain. A devout prayer in Christ. With what deep longing I have wanted to see your face. and to rejoice in your conversation — I have longed to for a long time, and I still do.
Confession of Hindered Desire
Invoking God as witness, the writer confesses that sin has prevented her from fulfilling her desire, yet she hopes for consolation through Hildegard's letters and counsel.
God, the searcher of heart and kidneys! But I have never been able to reach the fulfillment of my desire, because my sins got in the way. Still, since I have often known that many have received consolation through your letters — but it has not been my good fortune to see your face! For this reason I, a sinner, hope for the same thing: I have dared to seek your counsel through this present letter. if perhaps divine mercy has arranged, through your goodness, to console my affliction. The contrition of my heart is manifold!
Heartfelt Plea for Consolation
The abbess concludes with a single, intense plea to be relieved through Hildegard with her whole heart.
How I long to be relieved through you, with my whole heart.
Read the original Latin
Abbatissa in luobboldes berge. hildegardi. Hildigardi sponsę christi in monte sancti Roberti! D. humilis gubernatrix sororum in luobboldes berge. piam in christo orationem. Quanto desiderio faciem tuam uidere. tuoque colloquio gaudere diu desideraui et desidero.
nouit scrutator cordis et renum deus! numquam tamen peccatis meis impedientibus ad desiderij mei effectum potui peruenire. Verumtamen quoniam sepe cognoui multos per tuas litteras consolationem accepisse. quibus tamen faciem tuam uidere non contigit! propterea et ego peccatrix idem sperans. consilium tuum per cartulam presentem querere ausa sum! si forte diuina clementia per bonitatem tuam consolari afflictionem meam disposuerit. Multiplex siquidem est cordis mei contritio!
quam per te alleuiari totis uisceribus meis exopto.
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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