After a
concert in Brussels and Antwerp, I revisited the original manuscript and
checked the Latin text which is used in almost all performances (live
and CD). Some errors - always the same (!) - can be found in almost all
editions. The two most obvious examples: the final stanza of Mariam
matrem virginem is almost impossible to translate when one follows
the usual transcription.
Pugnare quem viriliter per famulis percussus duris iaculis atrociter.
To whom does
quem refer And per demands an accusativus which
famulis is not. And with which/whom percussus should be
connected? If one
checks the original manuscript things get a lot simpler. One should
transcribe:
Pugnare quam
viriliter
profamulis percussis
duris iaculis atrociter.
Quam
needs no strict reference, pro simply fits
famulis, and percussis is nicely lined up with the rest of
the words. The translation is still not simple, but one can at
least try to make some sense of it (see below,
there also the facsimile of these lines).
After correcting the Latin text, I felt impelled to
check the usual translations (copy from copy from copy...). Most
translators did not seem to know that iocalibus
ornantes (in Stella splendens) does not mean "full
of joy", but "decorating it (=shrine, or church) with jewels",
quite something else, esp. since it refers to the shrine of Mary. The
result, in which I am now to blame for the errors, I publish below. The
Catallan (or/and Occitan?) texts I did not check for the simple reason
that these languages are not familiar to me. I just copied them from the
internet, only numbering the seven joys of Mary in Los set
goytxs.
The music fascicule of the
LLibre Vermell begins at fol. 21v° and ends on fol. 27r° of
this 14th century manuscript (entirely written on parchment).* The
non-musical elements on these pages I also describe and - if relevant -
translate. The source is digitized in the
Biblioteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes. [editorial note:
For readability I resolved the medieval abbreviations and changed 'e'
into 'ae' (or 'oe') when appropriate ( = not always/everywhere, but when
it helps the understanding).
Llibre Vermell
[click to enlarge]
fol 21v° - 22r°
fol 22v° - 23r°
fol 23v°- 24r°
fol 24v° - 25r°
fol 25v° - 26r°
fol 26v° - 27r°
Antiphona dulcis
armonia dulcissime virginis Mariae de Monte serrato.
Sweet antiphonal melody for the most sweet virgin
Mary of Montserrat.
written in
margine :
« Caça de duobus vel tribus ? »
two- or threefold canon?
[1. O Virgo splendens]
O
Virgo
Splendens hic in monte celso
Miraculis serrato
fulgentibus
ubique
Quem
fideles
conscendunt universi,
Eya
pietatis oculo placato,
Cerne ligatos fune peccatorum
Ne
infernorum ictibus graventur
Sed cum beatis
tua prece vocentur.
O Virgin,
shining
brightly, on this high
serrated
mountain,
with splendid
miracles all around,
where the
believers
from
everywhere ascend,
Ah, with your
gentle loving eye
behold those
caught in the bonds of sin,
that they not
be vexed by the blows of hell
but be called
among the blessed by your prayer.
Follows a prayer to the virgin Mary, of which I transribe the beginning and the
end:
Ora pro nobis mater […] per Christum dominum
nostrum. amen
Sequitur alia cantilena ad trepudium rotundum
follows another song for a round dance
[First line of Stella splendens, without music
notes, then:]
Quia interdum peregrini quando vigilant in ecclesia Beate Marie de Monte Serrato
volunt cantare et trepudiare, et etiam in platea de die, et ibi non debeant nisi
honestas ac devotas cantilenas cantare, idcirco superius et inferius aliquae
sunt scriptae. Et de hoc uti debent honeste et parce, ne perturbent
perseverantes in orationibus et devotis contemplationibus, in quibus omnes
vigilantes insistere debent pariter et devote vaccare.
Because sometimes
pilgrims keeping vigil in the church of the Blessed Virgin of Montserrat
want to sing and dance - and similarly on the square during daytime – and
since it is not appropiate to sing there anything else than honourable and
pious songs, above and below some have been written. They should be used
neatly and frugally in order not to disturb those who persevere in prayers and pious contemplations, things all
people who keep vigil should concentrate on and piously apply themselves
to.
[2. Stella splendens in monte]
R.
Stella
splendens in monte
ut solis radiummiraculis
serrato,
exaudi populum.
Splendid star on the serrated mountain
(Montserrat), shining with wonders like a sunbeam, hear the people.
Concurrunt unvisersi gaudentes populi,
divites et egeni, grandes et parvuli,
ipsum
ingrediuntur, ut cernunt oculi,
et
inde revertuntur gracijs repleti.
From all around they rally, rejoicing,
rich and poor, young and old,
they assemble here to see with their own eyes,
and return from it filled with grace.
Principes et magnates ex stirpe regia,
saeculi potestates optenta venia
peccaminum proclamant tundentes pectora.
Poplite flexo clamant hic : Ave Maria.
Rulers and magnates of royal stirpes,
the mighty of the world, having obtained
indulgence
for their sin, they cry out and beating their
breast
they kneel and cry here: Ave Maria.
Prelati et barones, comites incliti,
religiosi omnes atque presbyteri,
milites, mercatores, cives, marinari
burgenses, piscatores praemiantur ibi.
Prelates and barons, famous counts,
all kinds of monks and priests,
soldiers, merchants, citizens, sailors,
burgers and fishermen are recompensed here.
Rustici, aratores, nec non notarii,
Advocati, scultores, cuncti ligni fabri,
sartores et sutores, nec non lanifici,
artifices et omnes gratulantur ibi.
Peasants, ploughmen and also scribes,
advocates, stone-masons and all carpenters,
tailors and shoemakers, and weavers as well,
all kinds of craftsmen rejoice here.
Reginae, comitissae,illustres dominae,
potentes et ancillae, juvenes, parvulae
virgines et antiquae, pariter viduae
conscendunt et hunc montem, et religiosae.
Queens, countesses, illustrious ladies
powerful and maidens, teenagers and girls,
virgins, old women and widows equally,
climb this mountain; so do nuns.
Coetus hii aggregantur hic ut exhibeant
vota
regratiantur: ut ipsa et reddant
aulam istam ditantes hoc cuncti videant
iocalibus ornantes, soluti redeant.
All these groups assemble to present
themselves here.
May their vows be granted, so that they return
(repay
them)
enriching this shrine
- visible for all - decorating it with jewels,
may they return home released.
Cuncti ergo precantes sexus utriusque,
mentes nostras mundantes oremus devote
virginem
gloriosam matrem clementiae,
in coelis
gratiosam, sentiamus vere.
Therefore, everybody, male and female,
beseeching and cleansings our minds, let us devoutly pray:
that we may really experience that the
glorious virgin,
the merciful mother in heaven, is gracious.
[3a. Laudemus virginem ]
Caça de
duobus vel tribus(canon à 2 or3)
Laudemus virginem mater est
Et
eius filius Ihesus est.
Plangamus scelera acriter
Sperantes in Ihesum iugiter.
Let us praise the virgin Mother
and her son Jesus.
Let us steadfastly mourn our sins,
constantly hoping in Jesus.
[3b.
Splendens ceptigera]
Caça de duobus vel tribus(canon à 2 or3)
Splendens ceptigera
Nostri sis
advocata
Virgo
puerpera,
Tudentes pectora
Crimina confitentes
Simus altissimo.
Shining sovereign,
Be our advocate,
Virgin Mother,
Beating our breast
Confessing our guilt
Let us be in the highest
[= heaven; or: let us exist before
the Highest = God]
[4. Los set goytxs recomptarem]
Ballada dels goytxs de Nostre Dona en vulgar cathallan
a ball redon (Ballad of the Joys of Our Lady in vernacular Catalan, for a round dance)
Los set
goytxs recomptarem et devotament xantant
humilment
saludarem la dolça verge Maria.
We tell you of the 7 joys and sing with
devotion,
humbly greeting the sweet Virgin Mary.
R:
Ave
Maria gracia plena
Dominus tecum Virgo serena.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord may be with you, serene Virgin.
Verge fos abans del part
pura
e sens falliment
en
lo part e prés lo part
sens
negun corrumpiment.
Lo
Fill de Déus Verge pia
de
vós nasque verament.
Virgin, before your labour you were pure and
faultless, from your labour and after it you remained uncorrupted
(1); The son of God was truly born of you, pious Virgin. (2)
Verge tres reys d’Orient
cavalcant amb gran coratge
al
l’estrella precedent
vengren al vostré abitatge.
Offerint vos de gradatge Aur
et
mirr’ et encenç.
Virgin, three Kings from the Orient, riding
with great courage, following the star, they arrived at your house. They
offered you - one after the other - gold and myrrh and incense. (3)
Verg’estant dolorosa
per
la mort del Fill molt car
romangues tota joyosa
can
lo vis resuscitar.
A
vos maire piadosa
prima se volch demostrar.
Virgin, being grieved by the death of your
beloved son, you are now full of joy, having seen him revive. (4)
He wanted to appear first to you, merciful mother.
Verge lo quint alegratge
que’n agues
del fill molt car
estant al munt
d’olivatge
al cel l’on
véès pujar.
On
aurem tots alegratge
si
per nos vos plau pregar.
Virgin, the fifth joy that you received from
your beloved son happened when, on Mount Olive, you saw him ascend to
Heaven. We will be full of joy if you pray for us. (5)
Verge quan foren complitz
los
dies de pentecosta amb vos
eren
aunits los apostols et de costa.
Sobre tots sens nula costa
devallà l’espirit sant.
Virgin, after the days of Pentecost, the
apostles and the others were united by you.
Above all came the Holy Spirit.(6)
Verge’l derrer alegratge
que’n agues en aquest mon
vostre Fill amb coratge
vos
munta al cel pregon.
On
sots tots temps coronada
Regina perpetual.
Virgin, the last joy you is not found here;
your son takes you to heaven with great courage, where you will remain
crowned for all time, perpetual queen. (7)
[5. Cuncti simus concanentes]
A ball redon(for a round dance)
Cuncti simus concanentes : Ave Maria.
Virgo sola existente en affuit angelus,
Gabriel est appellatus atque missus celitus
Clara facieque dixit : Ave Maria.
Clara facieque dixit : audite karissimi.
En
concipies Maria, Ave Maria.
En
concipies Maria : audite karissimi.
Pariesque Filium : Ave Maria.
Pariesque Filium : audite karissimi.
Vocabis eum Jhesum : Ave Maria.
Let us all sing together: Hail Mary.
When the Virgin was alone, lo, an angel appeared,
Gabriel was his name and he was sent from
Heaven.
With a shining face he said: Hail Mary.
With a shining face he said (listen my dear ones):
comment
1 (quem or quam): Two dots above a character always indicate the presence of
the vowel "a"; hence "qm" = quam
comment
2 (per or pro): both per and pro are abbreviated. The difference is the place
and direction of the added element:
A straight horizontal line through the tail
of the "p" suggests: per.. par.. por; an oblique line: pro.
[8. Imperaytritz de la ciutat joyosa]
discantus :
1.
Imperaytritz de la ciutat joyosa
de
paradis amb tot gaug eternal
neta
de crims de virtutz habundosa
mayre de Déu per obra divinal
verges plasent amb fas angelical
axi
com sotz a Déu molt graciosa
plaçaus estar als fidels piadosa
preyan per lor al rey celestial.
Empress of
the joyous city of paradise, eternally happy, purified of sin, abounding
in virtues, Mother of God, by divine order; pleasing Virgin with angelic
face, because you are so gracious for God,
be pityful with the faithful, pious one, praying for them to the
celestial king.
2.
Rosa flagran de vera benenança
fons
de mercè jamays no defallent
palays d’onor on se fech l’aliança
de
deu e d’hom per nostre salvament
e fo
ver Déus es hom perfetament
sens
defallir en alcuna substança
e
segons hom morí sens dubtança
e
com ves Déus llevech del moniment.
Fragrant
rose of true goodness, source of virtues which never failed, palace of
honour, where the alliance was made, between god and man, to save
us. Who saw God become a perfect man without any failing, and -
according to man - died without any doubt and rised from the tomb as the
true God .
3.
Flor de les flors dolça clement et pia
l’angel de Déu vesem tot corroçat
e
par que Déus lamandat qu’ens alcia
don
elles prest amb l’estoch affilat.
Dons
plaça avos que’l sia comandat
qu’estoyg l’estoch e que remès nos sia
tot
falliment tro en lo presen dia
ens
done gaug e patz e sanitat.
Flower of
flowers, sweet, merciful and pious, we see the grim angel of God, and
because God sent him to punish, he is ready for it, with raised
sword.Let it be your will that he is ordered not to raise the sword, and
that our failings may be forgiven to the present day, and that we may
receive joy, peace and health.
tenor :
1.
Verges sens par misericordiosa
de
vos se tany quens defentas de mal
é no
siats devas nos endenyosa
pels
fallimentz que fem en general.
Mas quens cubratz amb lo manto real
de
pietat pus quen etz cupiosa
car
totz som faytz d’avol pasta fangosa
per
que’l fallir es de carn humanal.
Virgin out
of mercy, trusted by those who are to be defended from evil.
And do not be enraged by the failures which we always commit, but give
us shelter under your royal coat of mercy, because who is abounding in
virtues can improve ordinary mud, since failure is of human flesh.
2.
Vexell de patz corona d’esperança
port
de salut bé segur de tot vent
vos
merexets de tenir la balança
on
es pesat bé dreyturerament.
E
pesa mays vostre fill excellent
mort
en la crotz per nostra deliurança
quels peccats d’om en fayt nen cobejança
al be fidel confes e penident.
Vessel of
peace, crown of hope, port of health, certain for all, you merit to hold
the scale on which virtue is weighed, and your excellent son, who died
on the cross for our deliverance, weighs more than the sins commited
amongst those, who confess and do penance.
3.
Estel de mar qui los perillans guia
e’ls
fay venir a bona salvetat
si
Jesu Christ obesir no volia
ço
que per vos li sera supplicat
mostratzli els pitz don l’avetz alletat
et
totz los santz amb la gran jerarchia
de
paradis qui us faran companya
tot
quan volretz vos es ben autreyat.
Star of the
sea, who guides us through perils, so that we can safely reach the
harbour, if Jesus Christ does not wish to obey what is requested through
you, show him the breasts that suckled him, and all the saints from the
great hierarchy of paradise who are with you: Everything you wish will
be granted, and more.
[9. Ad mortem festinamus]
R. Ad mortem festinamus peccare desistamus.
We hurry towards death, let us desist
from sin.
Scribere proposui de contemptu mundano,
ut
degentes seculi non mulcentur in vano.
Iam
est hora surgere a sompno mortis pravo.
I have
resolved to write about the contempt of the world,
that the
now living will not bide their time in vane things.
Now is the
hour to rise from the evil sleep of death.
Vita
brevis breviter, in brevi finietur,
mors
venit velociter quae neminem veretur.
Omnia mors perimit et nulli miseretur.
Life is
short, and shortly it will end;
death
arrives faster than anyone fears.
Death
annihilates all and has mercy with no-one.
Ni
conversus fueris et sicut puer factus,
et
vitam mutaveris in meliores actus,
intrare non poteris regnum Dei beatus.
If you
don’t convert and become pure as a child,
And change
your live by doing better deeds,
you can not as
a blessed one enter the kingdom of God.
Tuba
cum sonuerit dies erit extrema
et
judex advenerit, vocabit sempiterna
electos in patria praescitos ad inferna.
When the
horn sounds the last day will be there,
And the
Judge will appear, and he will forever call
home the
chosen and the other ones to hell.
Quam
felices fuerint qui cum Christo regnabunt,
facie ad
faciem sic eum adspectabunt,
Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Sabaoth conclamabunt.
How happy
will those be, who will reign with Christ,
they will
see him face to face and
Holy, holy
is the Lord Zebaoth, they will shout.
Et
quam tristes fuerint qui aeterne peribunt,
pene
non deficient nec propter has obibunt:
Heu,
heu miseri numquam inde exibunt.
And how
miserable will the eternally damned be;
no escape
from retribution, they will perish.
Woe, the
wretched will never get out from there.
Cuncti reges seculi et in mundo magnates
advertant et clarici omnesque potestates
fiant velut parvuli dimitant vanitates.
All earthly
kings, all mighty men of this world must change,
And the
clerics and all powerful officials
have to
become like children, renouncing vainglory.
Heu,
fratres karissimi, si digne contemplemus
passionem Domini, amare et si flemus,
ut
pupillam oculi servabit ne peccemus.
Alas,
dearest brothers, les us so decently contemplate
the Lord’s
passion, and also bitterly weep and ask,
that he
will guard the apple of his eye, that we sin no more.
Alma Virgo
virginum, in caelis coronata,
apud tuum
filium sis nobis advocata,
et
post hoc exilium occurrens mediata.
Nourishing
virgin among virgins, crowned in heaven,
be our
advocate with your son,
and after
this exile meet us halfway (i.e. intercede).
[clearly a paraphrase of the "Salve Regina"]
[The next part is sometimes sung as well, although the
text is separated from the song by the image of a cadaver, headed by the words:
O mors, quam amara est memoria tua
O death, how bitter is your memory
Vile
cadaver eris, cur non peccare vereris.
Vile
cadaver eris, cur intumescere quaeris
Vile
cadaver eris, ut quid peccuniam quaeris.
Vile
cadaver eris, quid vestes pomposas geris.
Vile
cadaver eris, ut quid honores quaeris.
Vile
cadaver eris, cur non paenitens confiteris.
Vile
cadaver eris, contra proximum non laeteris.**
You will be
a vile corpse: Why not avoid sinning?
... Why seek for anger?
... Why want money?
... Why wear splendid clothes?
... Why look for signs of glory?
... Why not
confess, doing penance?
... Do not rejoice at your neighbour's expense.
** The final phrase is hard to translate but does ring a bell because of the
close intertext with the Decaloque: 'contra proximum non loqueris testimonium
falsum'. Cf. also Psalm 15 (Latin: Psalm 14), verse 3: '...nec fecit proximo suo
malum, et opprobrium non accepit adversus proximos suos.' (= Vulgata. The
Psalterium Romanum has a singular: '... adversus proximum suum'). And verse 3:
'qui iurat proximo suo et non decipit eum.'
Dick Wursten, 28 september 2010 /2019 (minor corrections in Latin transcription,
and some new translations)
For more ars nova texts and translations
(iso-rythmic motets),
click here
---
* The Llibre vermell is a collection of manuscripts bound
together. 137 folios of the orignal 172 are preserved. The book has been dated
(in the past) to the year 1327; but the terminus post quem has to be
advanced at least to 1397 as a consequence of the miracles mentioned in the
text that bear this date. The present opinion considers the oldest part of the
codex having been copied in the year 1399 because of the indication on folio
56, where, in speaking of the sixth age of the world inaugurated by the
incarnation of Jesus Christ, it is said that it has already lasted 1,399
years. The fact that the texts mention very close dates, such as the
years 1382 and 1397 - three times - makes this assumption quite convincing.
Moreover, it was probably finished in the year 1400, the year in which the new
privilege of Pope Boniface IX allowed the possibility of acquiring
the indulgence of the Portiuncula during the whole octave of the
patron saint's feast of Montserrat on the 8th of September, privilege granted
on 3rd of August of the eleventh year of his pontificate - that is to say, in
1400. This corresponds to the privilege (mutilated) on f. 41, referring to the
previous concession of the Portiuncula to Montserrat. It is preceded by the
heading Privilegium pro indulgentiis impetrandis.
