R178: Hildegard von Rupertsberg an Hazecha von Krauftal
Eyes to See and to Act
Hildegard calls her reader to use the gift of sight to cleanse what is soiled, bring life to what is dry, and let good gifts bear fruit.
Hildegard's reply. The One who sees all things says: You have eyes for seeing. And for looking around on every side. Where you see mud, wash it away. And what is dry, make it green! And the spices you have, make them impart flavor. If you did not have eyes —
The Burden of Boasting and Judgment
Hildegard rebukes the reader for judging others while refusing self-examination, and for boasting in reasoning instead of walking in humble sight.
you could excuse yourself. But you have eyes! and why don't you look around through them? You take pride in your reasoning. For you often judge others in these matters. but you don't wish to judge yourself in the very things you judge them! but at least sometimes you speak wisely. the things you say.
Bearing the Burden and Imitating the Dove
Hildegard urges right endurance, interior gathering of good work, and imitation of chastity so that the reader may behold God with a pure face.
Pay attention, therefore, so that you bear your burden rightly. And gather good work into the pouch of your heart, so that you don't fall away.1 For in the solitary life, which the sound of your words demands, you would not be able to rest because of the diversities of your habits.2 Because your last things would then become much worse than the earlier ones. And things have become so grievous that it is like the loss of a stone.3 Imitate the turtledove in chastity. And diligently care for the chosen vineyard.4 So that you may behold God with an upright and pure face.
Read the original Latin
Responsvm hildegardis. Qui omnia uidet dicit. Oculos habes ad uidendum. et ad circumspiciendum undique. Vbi lutum uides illud ablue. et quod aridum est fac uiride! et aromata quę habes fac saporem habere. Quod si oculos non haberes.
te excusare posses. Sed oculos habes! et quare per eas non circumspicis? Magniloquium habes in racionalitate. Multociens enim alios in his diiudicas. in quibus te diiudicare non cupis! sed tamen aliquando sapienter profers. que dicis.
Adtende ergo quod onus tuum recte portes. et collige bonum opus in sacculum cordis tui ne deficias. quoniam in solitaria uita quam requirit sonus uerborum tuorum non ualeres quiescere propter diuersitates morum tuorum. quia nouissima tua tunc multo peiora fierent prioribus. et etiam tam grauia ut iactura lapidis est. Imitare enim turturem in castimonia. et electam uineam diligenter procura. ut deum recta et pura facie inspicias.
Notes
- 1 ↩in sacculum cordis tui: a striking image for treasuring good works inwardly; 'pouch/purse' (sacculus) suggests storing something carefully, not casual accumulation.
- 2 ↩sonus uerborum tuorum: likely 'the sound/voice of your words,' i.e., the demands your own profession or speech have created; the sense is that the life of solitude requires a consistency your varied habits cannot sustain.
- 3 ↩iactura lapidis: the sense is uncertain; likely 'like losing a stone' — i.e., something seemingly small but deeply felt, or a loss that is solid and real. The image is unusual and may carry a proverbial resonance.
- 4 ↩electam uineam: 'the chosen vineyard' — likely an image for the soul, the church, or the monastic community under her care; resonant with the Song of Songs and the Gospel vineyard parables.
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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