R229: Mönch V. von Soissons an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Salutation and Self-Description
The monk introduces himself humbly to Hildegard as a broken reed-pen and food of the devil, noting that it is written we have no coverings.
A certain monk. Of Hildegard. To Hildegard, holy and God's friend, bride of Christ. 5. A broken reed-pen of Soissons. A shape of evil. Food of the devil. It is written.
Lament over Present Hardship
He laments present suffering, describing how stones have been removed from the road, mountains have yielded, and the shameful deeds of humans have been laid bare before God.
We have no coverings! Stones are embraced. But this — oh, the grief of this time! The stones have been carried away from the road. Those who would oppose the way of iniquity — the mountains have yielded — so that those who would fall upon the mountains might fall. Let the hills cover the fugitives of Christ. Before God, the shameful deeds of humans have been laid bare.
Personal Despair and Plea for Mercy
He confesses his despair against the rock of scandal, yet hopes in God's mercy and adjures Hildegard by Christ's precious blood not to despise him.
In their own course, holding the middle path! With no one to mediate. They eagerly dash against the stone of offense and the rock of scandal. It is out of these and in these, my lady, that I am in despair. Daily, striking against this rock, I am crushed and broken. Still, I dare to hope in the mercy of God. Through that same mercy of God, then, I adjure you: do not cast me away as I lean upon you, and do not despise me — through him who for our sake deigned to be despised. I call upon you by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, your beloved bridegroom, flowing from the cross.
Appeal Through Christ and from the Depths
He appeals to Hildegard through Christ her Bridegroom, asks her to intercede, and cries from the depths, pleading for hope of pardon and a broken heart.
through whom he betrothed you, and took you as his bride. by the words of those present speaking about me, incline your devout ears. and intercede for me with your own Bridegroom himself. Why does he disdain to snatch me away, though I cry out to him so often from the depths of my wickedness and from the mire of its dregs?✦ If there is still hope of pardon— if a crushed spirit—✦
Final Petition and Farewell
He asks for a broken heart, urges Hildegard to seek this in earnest prayer, and repeats his plea through Christ in a farewell.
and grant me a broken heart. My lady, seek this with earnest prayer. commanding in your letter the things that seem to demand it. Farewell. Again and again, repeating these very things! I beg you through Christ: do not let it go.
Read the original Latin
Monachus quidam. hildegardi. Hildigardi sanctę ac dei amicę sponsę christi. V. vvessionensis calamus confractus. forma mali. esca diaboli. Scriptum est.
Non habentes tegumenta! amplexantur lapides. Sed hoc proch dolor tempore. ablati sunt de uia lapides. qui uię iniquitatis obsistant. cesserunt montes qui super montes cadant. colles profugos christi operiant. denudata sunt apud deum turpia hominum facta.
in suo cursu medium iter habentia! nulloque mediante. certatim in lapide offensionis et petram scandali impingunt. Ex quibus et in quibus mi domina ego desperatus. cottidie huic impingens petrę contritus et confractus. adhuc de dei misericordia sperare presumo. Per ipsam itaque dei misericordiam uos adiuro ne me uobis innitentem abiciatis nec spernatis per eum qui propter nos sperni dignatus est. Obtestor uos per precium sanguinis iesu christi dilecti sponsi uestri de cruce fluentis.
per quem uos subarrauit. et sponsam assumpsit. uerbis presentium de me narrantis. pias aures inclinetis. et apud ipsum sponsum uestrum sollicitantes. quid sit quod me tociens ad se clamantem de profundis nequitiarum et de luto fecis eripere dedignatur. Si sperare ulterius ueniam. si spiritum contribulatum.
et cor contritum mihi largiri uelit. domina intenta prece exquire. litteris mandans. que uidentur demanda. Vale. Iterum atque iterum hęc eadem iterans! per christum ne dimittatis adiuro.
Scripture echoes
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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