R65: Manegold von Hirsau an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Greeting to Hildegard
Manegold opens his letter by addressing Hildegard with reverent greetings and a humble prayer.
To Hildegard. The abbot from Hirsau. To the most holy lord and his mother Hildegard. M. The unworthy abbot from Hirsau, with every prayer and deference — for I have indeed heard that at Cyrene too a certain vein of waters flows with wine. orationem cum obsequio. Audiui quidem et apud cirenen. quandam aquarum uenam uino effluere.
Hildegard as Spiritual Mother
Manegold praises Hildegard as a life-giving spiritual mother and channel of divine grace.
And you, good mother, are the vein of those who enter and those who go out among the Alemanni. And you are the bosom of all kinds. And in all things you are to the eye what the pupil is to sight. For you draw up, my lady, and you pour out, and into specific forms! And from practical matters you wish to move into contemplation, and you come forth in motion. For that reason the impulse has been mine for a long time and still is. To love you. To honor you.
Devotion and Service
Manegold professes his personal devotion, readiness to serve, and desire for Hildegard's prayers.
I marvel at you. I am here to serve you and your people! And in every word or deed, yours and those of your people, to simply be present. With prayers, as far as I am able, and with acts of service. I ask you, my mother and my lady. Remember me in your most holy prayers. Love, most humble one, the one who loves you. Acknowledge in Christ the one who holds you in reverence!
Request for a Reply
Manegold asks Hildegard to write back to him in God.
And write back to me, having been asked in God.
Read the original Latin
Hildegardi. Abbas de hirsania. Sanctissime domine ac matri suę hildegardi. M. abbas indignus de hirsania! orationem cum obsequio. Audiui quidem et apud cirenen. quandam aquarum uenam uino effluere.
et te bona mater apud alamannos ingredientium et egredientium uenam. teque specierum sinum. et rebus sicut pupillę uisum esse. Hauris enim mea domina et effundis et in formas specificas! et practicis in theoriam uis et motus existis. Eapropter mihi impetus fuit diu et est. diligere te. honorare te.
mirari te. seruire tibi tuisque! et in omnibus uerbo uel opere tuus et tuarum esse. orationibus in quantum michi fas est et obsequijs. Rogo te mea mater et domina. memento mei in tuis sanctissimis orationibus. dilige humillime te diligentem. recognosce in christo te reuerentem!
et litteras mihi rescribe in deo rogata.
Epistolae: Letters to Frederick Barbarossa and Henry II of England companion
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