Kenyon College Leaf 16
This is a leaf from a French breviary of the late 13th century, containing text with clerical instructions for the performance of church ritual throughout the year. A chief physical characteristic of these leaves is the shriveled and dirtied condition of their upper right corners, possibly from water damage. The decoration involves an unusual style of bright green ivy in the left margins, connecting together heavily-illuminated initials. As is the case in many breviaries, the black text is rendered in two sizes to distinguish readings from responses and prayers. The leaf measures 10.5 x 7.5 cm.
Text: Not fully identified, but most of the leaf is devoted to Psalms 118:1-9 (recto) and 9-20 (verso).
Kenyon Leaf 16 Recto
Kenyon College Leaf 16 Recto
Kenyon Leaf 16 Recto Transcription
-tas. Ut cum dies abcesserit noctemque sors reduxerit mundi per abstinentiam ipsi canamus gloriam. Deo patri. Deus deus meus respice.
[2 lines of rubrication untranscribed.]
Deus in nomine tuo.
Beáti immaculáti in via, qui ámbulant in lege Dómini. Beáti qui scrutántur testimónia ejus; in toto corde exquírunt eum. Non enim qui operántur iniquitátem in viis ejus ambulavérunt. Tu mandásti mandáta tua custodíri nimis. Útinam dirigántur viæ meæ ad custodiéndas justificatiónes tuas. Tunc non confúndar, cum perspéxero in ómnibus mandátis tuis. Confitébor tibi in directióne cordis, in eo quod dídici judícia justítiæ tuæ. Justificatiónes tuas custódiam; non me derelínquas usquequáque. In
Kenyon Leaf 16 Recto Translation
[Beginning at the illuminated B, the text is Psalms 118:1-9]
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. 2 Blessed are they who search his testimonies: that seek him with their whole heart. 3 For they that work iniquity, have not walked in his ways. 4 Thou hast commanded thy commandments to be kept most diligently. 5 O! that my ways may be directed to keep thy justifications. 6 Then shall I not be confounded, when I shall look into all thy commandments. 7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned the judgments of thy justice. 8 I will keep thy justifications: O! do not thou utterly forsake me. 9 By...
Kenyon Leaf 16 Verso
Kenyon College Leaf 16 Verso
Kenyon Leaf 16 Verso Transcription
quo córrigit adolescéntior viam suam? in custodiéndo sermónes tuos. In toto corde meo exquisívi te; ne repéllas me a mandátis tuis. In corde meo abscóndi elóquia tua, ut non peccem tibi. Benedíctus es, Dómine; doce me justificatiónes tuas. In lábiis meis pronuntiávi ómnia judícia oris tui. In via testimoniórum tuórum delectátus sum, sicut in ómnibus divítiis. In mandátis tuis exercébor, et considerábo vias tuas. In justificatiónibus tuis meditábor: non oblivíscar sermónes tuos.
Retríbue servo tuo, vivífica me, et custódiam sermónes tuos. Revéla óculos meos, et considerábo mirabília de lege tua. Íncola ego sum in terra: non abscóndas a me mandáta tua. Concupívit ánima mea desideráre justificatiónes
Kenyon Leaf 16 Verso Translation
[Psalms 118:9-20]
...what doth a young man correct his way? by observing thy words. 10 With my whole heart have I sought after thee: let me not stray from thy commandments. 11 Thy words have I hidden in my heart, that I may not sin against thee. 12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy justifications. 13 With my lips I have pronounced all the judgments of thy mouth. 14 I have been delighted in the way of thy testimonies, as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on thy commandments: and I will consider thy ways. 16 I will think of thy justifications: I will not forget thy words. 17 Give bountifully to thy servant, enliven me: and I shall keep thy words. 18 Open thou my eyes: and I will consider the wondrous things of thy law. 19 I am a sojourner on the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. 20 My soul hath coveted to long for thy justifications...