University of Massachusetts, Amherst Leaf 25
Otto Ege identifies this leaf as coming from a Psalter made in France in the late fourteenth century, but it seems more likely to have come from a Book of Hours. One reason for this suspicion is that some of the leaves from this manuscript contain text in French--this is one of only a few manuscripts in the Ege portfolio not entirely in Latin. The vellum measures 18 x 12 cm and is thick and dirty (Ege speculates it may have been exposed to dampness); it has been cut or torn across the top edge. The lining is done in ink, with the primary text in brown and blue, orange, and white in the decoration. There are large illuminated initials with painted blocks. In the left margin on both sides is a large gold and blue bar with pointed ivy, and the decoration bleeds through to the opposite side of the leaf. See Denison University Leaf 25 for more information about this manuscript.
Text: Possibly the Office of our Blessed Lady at Compline; contains Psalms 129:7-130:3 (verso). A scan of the recto is not currently available.
Amherst Leaf 25 Verso
University of Massachusetts, Amherst Leaf 25 Verso
Amherst Leaf 25 Verso Transcription
copiósa apud eum redémptio. Et ipse rédimet Ísraël ex ómnibus iniquitátibus ejus.
Dómine, non est exaltátum cor meum, neque eláti sunt óculi mei, neque ambulávi in magnis, neque in mirabílibus super me. Si non humíliter sentiébam, sed exaltávi ánimam meam sicut ablactátus est super matre sua, ita retribútio in ánima mea. Speret Ísraël in Dómino, ex hoc nunc et usque in saeculum. Gloria.
Amherst Leaf 25 Verso Translation
[Psalms 129:7-130:3]
7 Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with him plentiful redemption. 8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Lord, my heart is not exalted: nor are my eyes lofty. Neither have I walked in great matters, nor in wonderful things above me. 2 If I was not humbly minded, but exalted my soul: As a child that is weaned is towards his mother, so reward in my soul. 3 Let Israel hope in the Lord, from henceforth now and for ever.