R21: Eberhard von Biburg an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Greeting from a Humble Archbishop
The Archbishop of Würzburg greets Hildegard, commending himself to her prayers and longing to join the wise virgins in the embrace of the heavenly Bridegroom.
The Archbishop of Würzburg. To Hildegard. E. By the grace of God, minister and—though unworthy—archbishop of the church of Würzburg! To Hildegard, sister and abbess of St. Rupertsberg in Bingen. Whatever worth a sinner's prayer has. And after the triumph of this flesh, to enter into the embrace of the heavenly Bridegroom with the wise virgins.✦ I, a sinner, placed in the valley of tears, worn down by many storms and tempests of this world.✦
A Sinner in the Valley of Tears
The archbishop confesses his inner fears and outer battles, asks for Hildegard's intercession amid imperial pressure from the schism, and recalls how he previously commended himself to her prayers.
Within, fears; without, battles suffered. I earnestly ask for your love, that you would deign to pour out prayers for me! that divine mercy may open the bowels of its piety over me, and mercifully snatch me from all tribulations! because the emperor, on account of the schism that is now in the church, is also attempting to inflict force on us. For your love, a virgin worthy of God, ought to remember, because when I was at Mainz in the court of the same emperor, I commended myself more attentively to your holy prayers. For this, that through your intercession the state of my life might have progress in the Lord!
A Promise Claimed and a Farewell
The archbishop reminds Hildegard of her promise to write back with whatever the Lord reveals, calls it a debt of love, and sends his farewell.
And a blessed completion. For this reason you also made a promise to my lowliness! Namely, that upon receiving my letters, inasmuch as the Lord might deign to reveal to you, do not refuse to write back to me. This is the debt owed under that promise! My lowliness demands this of your holiness. Farewell, virgin of God! And remember me.
A Charge of Secrecy
The archbishop instructs Hildegard to seal whatever she writes in reply.
Whatever it is, though, that you write back— place it under seal.
Read the original Latin
Archiepiscopus uuauensis. hildegardi. E. uuauensis ęcclesię dei gratia minister et archiepiscopus licet indignus! hildegardi sorori et magistrę de sancto ruberto in pingis. quicquid ualet peccatoris oratio. et post huius carnis tropheum ad amplexus celestis sponsi cum prudentibus uirginibus introire. Ego peccator in ualle lacrimarum positus multis seculi turbinibus et procellis attritus.
intus timores. foris pugnas passus. obnixe tuam postulo dilectionem ut pro me preces fundere digneris! quatenus diuina misericordia suę pietatis uiscera super me aperiat et ab omnibus tribulationibus clementer eripiat! quia et imperator pro scismate quod nunc in ęcclesia est nobis uim inferre conatur. Meminisse etenim debet caritas tua uirgo deo digna quia cum essem apud mogontiam in curia eiusdem imperatoris. sanctis orationibus tuis attentius me commendaui. pro eo ut per tuam intercessionem status uitę meę profectum haberet in domino!
et felicem consummationem. Vnde etiam pollicita es paruitati meę! ut acceptis litteris meis. secundum quod dominus dignaretur tibi reuelare non graueris mihi rescribere. Huius pollicitationis debitum! requirit paruitas mea a tua sanctitate. Vale uirgo dei! et memento mei.
Quicquid tamen illud est quod rescribis! pone sub sigillo.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Matt.25.1-Matt.25.13 — Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Matt.25.2 — Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. Matt.25.3 — For the foolish ones took their lamps, but took no oil with them. Matt.25.4 — but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps Matt.25.5 — While the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. Matt.25.6 — But at midnight a cry has gone out: 'Look! The bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Matt.25.7 — Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. Matt.25.8 — The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' Matt.25.9 — But the prudent ones answered, saying, 'No — there will not be enough for us and for you. Go instead to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' Matt.25.10 — But while they were going away to buy, the bridegroom came, and the ready ones went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut. Matt.25.11 — Afterward the other virgins also come, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us.' Matt.25.12 — But he answered, 'Truly, I tell you, I do not know you.' Matt.25.13 — Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
- ↩Ps.83.7 — the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites,
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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