R63: Konrad von Kaisheim an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Salutation and Humble Praise
The abbot of Kaisheim greets Hildegard humbly, rejoicing that he has heard of her God-given gift and virtues.
The abbot of Kaisheim. To Hildegard. Conrad, abbot of Kaisheim, though unworthy. Most holy lady Hildegard. In the monastery of Saint Robert in Bingen. Prelate! Devout prayers with humble submission. From the first moment I was able to hear about your virtues, most holy mother, and the special gift God bestowed on you — to hear it I was able.
Love, Glory, and the Bridegroom in the Soul's Dwelling
Though unknown face to face, he has loved her in spirit, rejoices in her glory, and marvels that the Bridegroom who feeds among the lilies now rests in her, filling her garden with delights.
Although unknown to you by bodily presence, I have loved you with my whole mind's affection. I rejoice, therefore, in your glory. Because you've deserved to find the one your soul sought, beloved. You have no need to wander after the flocks of companions! Since the one who is fed among the lilies has rested in your dwelling. Filling your garden with the abundance of diverse delights. Yet I marvel, dearest lady, that since you are, as it were, a stream flowing forth from the very fountain of goodness itself— pouring out your benevolence on all who desire to know and to hear the great works of God through you.
Anxiety of Heart and a Plea for Intercession
Feeling shut out, he begs her to intercede with the Bridegroom in her heart's bedchamber, asking whether he should lay down or continue bearing the burden of pastoral care.
Why do you shut me — so small a person — out in such deep anxiety of heart, struggling as I am? Why close off the compassion of your heart? And the small gift I long for — one born of love rather than presumption — why do you send it across to me so reluctantly? So I beg you, with all my heart's devotion: please intercede for me with that Bridegroom himself, the one who rests in the bedchamber of your heart. May he, who gladly bends his ear of mercy to your prayers, intercede on my behalf. And may you ask him — so that it may be made clear to you whether it would be better for me to lay down the burden of pastoral care, or to bear it any longer!
Entrusting the Answer to Prayer and Farewell
Burdened and handing himself to forgetfulness, he asks her to let him know she has been heard, and commends her farewell to God.
Because this weighs heavily on me, and I give myself over to forgetfulness. But let me know, in this, that you have been heard. If I receive your answer from there. Farewell, dear one, in God.
Read the original Latin
Abbas de keisheim. hildegardi. Cunradus de keisheim abbas licet indignus. sanctissime domine hildegardi. in claustro sancti Roberti in bingo. prelatę! deuotas orationes cum humili obsequio. Ex quo primum insignia uirtutum tuarum mater sanctissima et speciale munus a deo tibi collatum audire potui.
quamuis corporali presentia tibi incognitus tamen te tota mentis affectione dilexi. Congaudeo ergo glorię tue. quia dilectum quem quesiuit anima tua inuenire meruisti. et non necesse habes uagari post greges sodalium! quoniam qui in lilijs pascitur requieuit in tabernaculo tuo. implens hortum tuum copia diuersarum deliciarum. Miror tamen domina carissima quia cum sis quasi quidam riuulus ab ipso fonte bonitatis emanans. diffundens beniuolentiam tuam in omnes qui desiderant scire et audire magnalia dei per te.
cur mihi tantillo in magna cordis anxietate laboranti. uiscera pietatis claudas. et munusculum quod ex caritate magis quam ex presumptione desidero tam morose transmittas. Obsecro igitur cum omni deuotione. ut ad ipsum sponsum qui requiescit in cubili cordis tui. qui tuis peticionibus aurem clementię suę libenter inclinat pro me intercedas. et ut ab ipso petas quatenus tibi manifestetur. utrum mihi utilius sit onus pastoralis curę deponere an diutius ferre!
quia in eo ualde premor et memetipsum obliuioni trado. Sed in hoc sciam te exauditam. si responsum tuum inde habuero. Vale deo cara.
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