Music files
(Posted 2012-10-11) CPDL #27308 : (XML)
Editor: Renato Calcaterra (submitted 2012-10-11 ) . Score information: A4, 2 pages, 111 kB Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: The source (MusicXML) file is zipped.
General Information
Title: Mittit ad virginem
Composer: Anonymous
Lyricist: Peter Abelard
Number of voices: 3vv Voicing: STT
Genre: Sacred , Sequence hymn for Annunciation
Language: Latin
Instruments: unknown
First published:
Description: Transcribed from the Trent manuscript tr88. The time signature and the notes' values are as in the manuscript. Polyphonic setting of the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, and 10th verses only. The notes' values within the "ligaturæ" are as follows: the left ustemmed notes are semibreves and the unstemmed notes are breves – the right downstemmed notes are longæ. The “musica ficta” suggestions are in the MIDI and MusicXML files.
External websites:
Original text and translations
Latin text
(Mittit ad virginem
non quemvis angelum
sed fortitudinem
suum archangelum
amator hominis.)
Fortem expediat
pro nobis nuntium
naturae faciat
ut praejudicium
in partu virginis.
(Naturam superet
natus rex gloriae
regnet et imperet
et zyma scoriae
tollat de medio.)
Superbientium
terat fastigia
colla sublimium
calcans vi propria
potens in proelio.
(Foras ejiciat
mundanum principem
secumque faciat
matrem participem
patris imperii.)
Exi qui mitteris
haec dona discere
revela veteris
velamen litterae
virtute nuntii.
(Accede nuntia
dic Ave cominus
dic plena gratia
dic tecum Dominus
et dic ne timeas.)
Virgo suscipias
dei depositum
in quo perficias
castum propositum
et votum teneas.
(Audit et suscipit
puella nuntium
credit et concipit
et parit filium
sed admirabilem.)
Consiliarium
Humani generis
et deum fortium
et patrem posteris
in pace stabilem.
(Cujus stabilitas
nos reddat stabiles
ne nos labilitas
humana labiles
secum praecipitet.
Sed dator veniae
concessa venia
per matrem gratiae
obtenat gratia
in nobis habitet.
Qui nobis tribuat
peccati veniam
reatus deleat
et donet patriam
in arce siderum.
Amen.)
English translation
To the Virgin He sends
no inferior Angel;
But Gabriel He summons,
His Might, His Archangel;
He, Lover of men.
And mighty must needs be
the Messenger sent,
By whom shall the order
of Nature be bent,
When a Virgin shall bear.
The King's Natal glory
shall Nature o'er sway;
Let Him reign, let Him conquer,
by purging away
The dross of corruption.
Let Him cast ev'ry haughty
one down from his seat,
In His Might, on the mighty ones,
setting His feet,
The Victor in battle.
Let Him cast out the Monarch
whom this world obeys;
To the Throne of the Father
His Bride let Him raise,
To be sharer with Him.
Go forth on my message,
these gifts to unfold;
From the letter of Scripture
the veil shall be rolled,
By the might of thy word.
Draw night, — speak the tidings —
say Hail! to her now;
And say, Highly favoured,
and say, Fear not thou,
And the Lord is with thee.
Receive, then, O Virgin,
the Gift God ordains,
While yet the firm purpose
unalter'd remains
Of thy chaste resolve.
The word she receiveth,
that lowliest one,
Believeth, conceiveth,
and beareth the Son
And His Name shall be called:
Wonderful, Counselor,
Lord God of Hosts;
The Father Eternal,
the Monarch Who boasts
A Kingdom of Peace! Amen.
Translation by John Mason Neale