XLII. Favus distillans (De undecim milibus virginibus)
The Virgin as Dripping Honeycomb
Ursula is praised as a dripping honeycomb who longs for the Lamb, with honey and milk beneath her tongue.
Responsory: A dripping honeycomb was the virgin Ursula, who longed to embrace the Lamb of God, honey and milk beneath her tongue.✦✦
The Fruit-Bearing Garden of Virgins
Ursula gathers a fruit-bearing garden and flowers of flowers among the throng of virgins.
For she gathered to herself a fruit-bearing garden and flowers of flowers in the throng of virgins.
Rejoice, Daughter of Zion
The verse calls the daughter of Zion to rejoice in the most noble dawn.
Verse: Therefore, in the most noble dawn, rejoice, daughter of Zion.✦
The Garden Refrain Returns
The refrain repeats: Ursula gathers a fruit-bearing garden and flowers of flowers among the virgins.
For she gathered to herself a fruit-bearing garden and flowers of flowers in the throng of virgins.
Glory to the Trinity
The doxology glorifies the Trinity, and the refrain closes with the image of the garden among the virgins.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. For she gathered to herself a fruit-bearing garden and flowers of flowers in the throng of virgins.
Read the original Latin
Responsum: Favus distillans Ursula virgo fuit, que agnum dei amplecti desideravit, mel et lac sub lingua eius. Quia pomiferum hortum et flores florum in turba virginum ad se collegit. Versus: Unde in nobilissima aurora gaude, filia Syon. Quia pomiferum hortum et flores florum in turba virginum ad se collegit. Gloria patri et filio et spiritui sancto. Quia pomiferum hortum et flores florum in turba virginum ad se collegit.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Song.4.11 — Your lips drip, bride — honey and milk are beneath your tongue; the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon.
- ↩Ps.19.10 — The fear of the LORD is pure, standing forever; the judgments of the LORD are true, righteous altogether.
- ↩Zech.9.9 — Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem. Behold, your king comes to you; he is righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
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