Cincinnati Public Library 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. This leaf contains text from the Hours of the Virgin at Matins, specifically Psalms 8.
Cincinnati Leaf 45 Recto
Cincinnati Public Library Leaf 45 Recto
Cincinnati Leaf 45 Recto Transcription
Domine Dominus noster: quam admirabile est nomen tuum in universa terra!
Quoniam elevata est magnificentia tua: super caelos.
Ex ore infantium et lactantium perfecisti laudem propter inimicos tuos: ut destruas inimicum, et ultorem.
Quoniam videbo caelos tuos opera
Cincinnati Leaf 45 Recto Translation
[Psalms 8] O Lord our Lord: how marvelous is thy name in the whole earth. For thy magnificence is lifted up: above the heavens. Out of the mouth of infants and sucklings thou hast perfected praise because of thine enemies: that thou mayest destroy the enemy, and revenger. For I shall behold thy heavens the works...
Cincinnati Leaf 45 Verso
Cincinnati Public Library Leaf 45 Verso
Cincinnati Leaf 45 Verso Transcription
digitorum tuorum: lunam et stellas quae tu fundasti.
Quid est homo, quod memor es eius: aut filius hominis, quoniam visitas eum?
Minuisti eum paulo minus ab Angelis, gloria et honore coronasti eum: et constituisti eum super opera manuum tuarum.
Omnia subiecisti sub pedibus eius: oves et boves in-
Cincinnati Leaf 45 Verso Translation
...of thy fingers: the Moon and the Stars, which thou hast founded. What is man, that thou art mindful of him: or the son of man, that thou dost visit him? Thou hast diminished him a little less than Angels, with glory and honour thou hast crowned him: and hast appointed him over the works of thy hands. Thou hast subjected all things under his feet...