by St. Hildegard of Bingen[1]
 |
| St. John, the beloved disciple, resting with Jesus. Andachtsbild, carved and painted wood, ca. 1320. From the Dominican convent in Sankt-Katharinenthal (Switzerland). Museum Mayer van den Bergh, Antwerp / Web Gallery of Art. |
| O speculum columbe castissime forme, qui inspexisti misticam largitatem in purissimo fonte: O mira floriditas que numquam arescens cecidisti, quia altissimus plantator misit te: O suavissima quies amplexuum solis: tu es specialis filius Agni in electa amicicia nove sobolis. |
O mirror of the dove— the perfect form of chastity— you gazed upon the mystic bounty within the clearest font: O wondrous, flourished bloom that never withered, never fell— the Gardener on high has sent you forth: O sweet repose of sunshine’s warm embrace: the Lamb’s especial son you are within that privileged friendship of a new posterity. |
