Angelus Ad Virginem
Written: 13th Century
Performed by: The King's Singers
Album: Christmas
Angelus ad Virginem subintrans in conclave
Virginis formidinem demulcens inquit: 'Ave!'
Ave, Regina virginum, caeli terraeque Dominum
Concipies et paries intacta salutem hominum,
Tu porta caeli facta medela criminum.
Quomodo conciperem quae virum non cognovi?
Qualiter infringerem quod firma mente vovi?
Spiritus Sancti gratia perficiet haec omnia;
Ne timeas, sed gaudeas, secura quod castimonia
Manebit in te pura Dei potentia.
Angelus ad Virginem subintrans in conclave
Virginis formidinem demulcens inquit: 'Ave!'
Ave, Regina virginum, caeli terraeque Dominum
Concipies et paries intacta salutem hominum,
Tu porta caeli facta medela criminum.
Non-literal translation, by Gerald Manley Hopkins:
Gabriel, from heaven's king
Sent to the maiden sweet,
Brought to her blissful tiding
And fair 'gan her to greet.
'Hail be thou, full of grace aright!
For so God's Son, the heaven's light,
Loves man, that He | a man will be | and take
Flesh of thee, maiden bright,
Mankind free for to make
Of sin and devil's might.'
Gently to him gave answer
The gentle maiden then:
'And in what wise should I bear
Child, that know not man?'
The angel said: 'O dread thee nought.
'Tis through the Holy Ghost that wrought
Shall be this thing | whereof tidings | I bring:
Lost mankind shall be bought
By thy sweet childbearing,
And back from sorrow brought.'