Cleveland Institute of Art Leaf 45
This leaf is from a Book of Hours made in France in the later fifteenth century, and its text conforms very clearly to the Use of Paris. The vellum is very well prepared, and measures 18.5 x 13 cm; the text block is ruled in red, and the main ink is a dark slate color. The formation of the letters, both in shape and in position above the ruling, gives them a slightly insubstantial quality; there are, moreover, a surprising number of grammatical and other scribal errors in these leaves. Simple vines of red, blue, and gold flower buds ascend and descend from at least one large initial on each leaf; the blue ink used for the decoration is especially vivid. See Denison University Leaf 45 for more information about this manuscript.
Text: Based on the leaves we have seen, this Book of Hours accords with the Use of Paris: the leaves in the Ohio State University and Cleveland Institute of Art portfolios provide the best clues. The recto of this leaf contains contains the text of the hymn "Memento salutis auctor," (Be mindful, author of our health) and the verso contains the beginning of Psalms 1.
Cleveland Institute of Art Leaf 45 Recto
Cleveland Institute of Art Leaf 45 Recto
Cleveland Institute of Art Leaf 45 Recto Transcription
-tes turoum insita imple superna gracia que tu creasti per cora.
Memento salutis auctor.
Quod nostri quondam corporis,
Ex illibata virgine
Nascendo, formam sumpseris.
Maria mater gratiae,
Mater misericordiae,
Tu nos ab hoste protege,
Et hora mortis suscipe.
Gloria tibi Domine,
Qui natus es de virgine,
Cum patre, sanc-
Cleveland Institute of Art Leaf 45 Recto Translation
[3 lines untranslated.]
Be mindful author of our health,
That thou sometime didst take on thee
Of a pure virgin being born,
The form of our humanity.
Mary that mother art of grace,
Of mercy mother also art,
Save and defend us from our foe,
Receive us when we hence depart.
Glory be unto thee O Lord,
That born was of the virgin pure,
With the father and the holy...
Cleveland Institute of Art Leaf 45 Verso
Cleveland Institute of Art Leaf 45 Verso
Cleveland Institute of Art Leaf 45 Verso Transcription
-to spiritu,
In sempiterna saecula. Amen. Ant. Benedicta tu in.
Beátus vir qui non ábiit in consílio impiórum, et in via peccatórum non stetit, et in cáthedra pestiléntiæ non sedit;
Sed in lege Dómini volúntas ejus, et in lege ejus meditábitur die ac nocte.
Et erit tamquam lignum quod plantátum est secus decúrsus aquárum, quod fructum dabit
Cleveland Institute of Art Leaf 45 Verso Translation
...Ghost,
All ages ever to endure. Amen. Ant. Blessed art thou among.
[Psalms 1:1-3] Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the chair of pestilence. 2 But his will is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he shall meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree which is planted near the running waters, which shall bring forth its fruit...