R91: Ludwig von St. Eucharius in Trier an Hildegard von Rupertsberg
Salutation and Self-Introduction
Ludwig identifies himself as abbot and addresses Hildegard with affectionate titles, introducing his letter with a playful, incomplete thought.
Ludwig, abbot of Saint Eucharius. To Hildegard. To the holy virgin Hildegard, dedicated to God! To my own beloved mother! I, Ludwig, in name only the abbot of Saint Eucharius. Greeting, and the affection of a devotion as great as mine. If anyone but me knew — or nothing at all.
The Boldness of a Humble Abbot
Through absurd hypothetical images, Ludwig depicts his own unworthiness and sinfulness as the reason his letter seems laughably presumptuous.
Or if someone knew things that aren't even knowable— That would seem ridiculous enough! If eagles were to address butterflies— If stags were to address fleas— If lions of Lemblich were to send letters of greeting—1 Indeed, it's more than astonishing— or, to put it more truthfully, laughably so. —because a sinner who has little or no ability in divine or human matters
Hildegard's Gift and the Plea for Pardon
Ludwig praises Hildegard's chastity and God-given excellence, then asks her to forgive his boldness and declares his eagerness to visit her.
Someone dares to write to you, whom God has endowed with the wondrous gift of a singular chastity. God has made you remarkable with so lofty and distinguished an excellence of mind! so that not only philosophers and dialecticians but the keenest insights of the ancient prophets as well you surpass. Nevertheless, most pious mother, you will not with your customary kindness refuse forgiveness to rash presumption! since the boldness behind writing back has been nothing other than familiarity. But writing to you, and coming to you often — the hardship of the journey won't deter me!
Labor, Love, and Consolation
He reflects that hard-won blessings are more cherished, asks Hildegard not to be troubled by bodily weakness, and affirms that love will supply what strength she lacks.
Since the usefulness of your words invites me, the more welcome it is in proportion to the greater effort with which it has been acquired. For we possess more gratefully the things we acquire through labor. Therefore, our lady, let no shamelessness move you — since the bodily weakness denies you the strength that love, sympathizing, will supply.
A Request for Letters and a Trusted Matter
Ludwig eagerly awaits Hildegard's promised letters and asks her to write without delay, including whatever she deems right about a matter entrusted to her.
I await the letters promised to you with great desire! Don't delay sending them by the bearer [REDACTED] this letter.2 But also write whatever has seemed right to you about the matter entrusted to you.3 Do write back.
Read the original Latin
Ludevvicus abbas De sancto Evchario. hildegardi. Sanctę et deo dicatę uirgini hildegardi! matri suę dilectę! Ludovvicus solo nomine abbas de sancto Euchario. salutem et tantę deuotionis affectionem. quod si quis preter me sciret. uel nichil.
uel ea quę non sunt scibilia sciret. Satis ridiculosum uideretur! si aquilas papiliones. si ceruos pulices. si leones lemblici missis litteris salutarent. Sic immo plus quam sic mirandum. uel ut uerius dicam ridendo. quod peccator in diuinis uel humanis artibus parum uel nichil ualens.
illi scribere presumit. quam deus cum mirabili castitatis prerogatiua. tam alta et tam insigni mirificauit ingenij excellentia! ut non solum philosophorum et dialeticorum. uerum etiam antiquorum prophetarum exsuperes acumina. Temerarię tamen presumptioni mater pijssima solita benignitate non denegabis ueniam! cum rescribendi causa fuerit familiaritatis audacia. At tibi scribendum et ad te sepe ueniendum non me uię absterrebit difficultas!
dum sermonum tuorum me inuitet utilitas! tanto gratior. quanto maiori fuerit studio comparata. Gratius enim possidemus. quę cum labore acquirimus. Vnde domina nostra te non moueat improbitas! quoniam uires quas tibi corporis denegat infirmitas. compaciens administrabit caritas.
Litteras a te promissas cum magno desiderio expecto! quas per presentium latorem mittere non differas. Sed et etiam quod tibi uisum fuerit de negotio tibi commisso. rescribas.
Notes
- 1 ↩lemblici is uncertain; possibly a proper name or ethnic adjective. Rendered as a proper name 'Lemblich' pending further review.
- 2 ↩presentium latorem ('bearer [REDACTED] those present') rendered as 'the bearer [REDACTED] this letter' for naturalness; the Latin refers to the carrier who is among those present
- 3 ↩negotio tibi commisso ('the matter entrusted to you') — the entrustment could be divine or institutional; left open
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