Prologus
The Symbolism of the Valley
The author introduces the metaphor of the Valley of Lilies as a place of humility, contrasting it with the Garden of Roses.
The righteous will sprout like a lily and bloom forever before the Lord. This little book may be called the Valley of Lilies, to distinguish it from the previous one, which is titled the Garden of Roses. For just as that one treats of many virtues as if they were red roses born in the garden of Jesus, so this one speaks of many virtues as if they were white lilies planted by the Lord Jesus in the valley of humility, and sweetly watered by the inner sprinkling of the Holy Spirit. For as blessed Gregory testifies, whoever gathers virtues without humility is carrying dust into the wind.
The Bride's Song of Devotion
The soul expresses its intimate union with Christ through the imagery of the Song of Songs.
The bride of Christ—that humble and devout soul—also speaks of these lilies to Jesus, her bridegroom, in the Song of Songs, singing with her mouth and rejoicing in her heart over his visitation and his gifts. "My beloved is mine, and I am his," she says, "who feeds among the lilies." And again. "My beloved is white and ruddy; he will rest between my breasts."
A Closing Doxology
The prologue concludes with a prayer of praise and honor to the Lord.
To Him be praise, honor, and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Read the original Latin
Iustus germinabit sicut lilium: et florebit in aeternum ante Dominum. Iste libellus potest nominari Vallis liliorum; ad distinctionem alterius praecedentis: qui Hortulus rosarum intitulatur. Quia sicut ille tractat de multis virtutibus tamquam de rubeis rosis in hortulo Iesu natis; sic iste loquitur de multis virtutibus tamquam de candidis liliis in valle humilitatis a Domino Iesu plantatis: et Spiritus sancti intima aspersione dulciter irrigatis. Nam testante beato Gregorio qui sine humilitate virtutes congregat: in ventum pulverem portat. De his quoque liliis loquitur etiam sponsa Christi humilis et devota anima ad Iesum sponsum suum in Canticis canticorum: ore cantans et corde iubilans de visitatione sua et donis eius. Dilectus meus inquit mihi et ego illi: qui pascitur inter lilia. Et iterum. Dilectus meus candidus et rubicundus: inter ubera mea commorabitur.
Cui laus honor et gloria in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
The Little Garden of Roses & The Valley of Lilies companion
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Chosen Portion serves the complete Little Garden and Valley of Lilies — plus the Imitation — as daily portions.
These treatises were composed as brief daily counsels for a community's rhythm of reading, and Chosen Portion delivers them the same way: one short chapter each morning.
- All 53 chapters of both treatises in modern readable English
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- Complete both treatises in under two months at one chapter a day