University of South Carolina Leaf 43
This leaf is from a Dutch Book of Hours from the later fifteenth century, and measures 17.5 x 13 cm. Compared to those of other contemporary Books of Hours, these leaves are somewhat plain; the text is dark black, with (as Ege notes) an even darker tone created by the closely-spaced lines. The latter contrasts nicely with the alternating red and blue initialing and feathery tracery, some of which is in violet. The vellum of several leaves is puckered outside the text block. See Denison University Leaf 43 for more information about this manuscript.
Text: This leaf contains text only from Habakkuk and Deuteronomy, specifically the Canticle (or Prayer) of Habakkuk and the Canticle (or Song) of Moses. Assuming that this book is in accord with the Roman rite, these "lesser canticles" would be used at Lauds. See http://www.smithcreekmusic.com/Hymnology/Latin.Hymnody/Canticle.php for more information.
South Carolina Leaf 43 Recto
University of South Carolina Leaf 43 Recto
South Carolina Leaf 43 Recto Transcription
páuperem in abscóndito. Viam fecísti in mari equis tuis, in luto aquárum multárum. Audívi, et conturbátus est venter meus; a voce contremuérunt lábia mea. Ingrediátur putrédo in óssibus meis, et subter me scáteat: ut requiéscam in die tribulatiónis, ut ascéndam ad pópulum accínctum nostrum. Ficus enim non florébit, et non erit germen in víneis; mentiétur opus olívae, et arva non áfferent cibum: abscindétur de ovíli pecus, et non erit arméntum in praesépibus. Ego autem in Dómino gaudébo; et exsultábo in Deo Jesu meo. Deus Dóminus fortitúdo mea, et ponet pedes meos quasi cervórum: et super excélsa mea dedúcet me victor in psalmis canéntem.
South Carolina Leaf 43 Recto Translation
[Habbakuk 3:14-19:] ...the poor man in secret. 15 Thou madest a way in the sea for thy horses, in the mud of many waters. 16 I have heard and my bowels were troubled: my lips trembled at the voice. Let rottenness enter into my bones, and swarm under me. That I may rest in the day of tribulation: that I may go up to our people that are girded. 17 For the fig tree shall not blossom: and there shall be no spring in the vines. The labour of the olive tree shall fail: and the fields shall yield no food: the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls. 18 But I will rejoice in the Lord: and I will joy in God my Jesus. 19 The Lord God is my strength: and he will make my feet like the feet of harts: and he the conqueror will lead me upon my high places singing psalms.
South Carolina Leaf 43 Verso
University of South Carolina Leaf 43 Verso
South Carolina Leaf 43 Verso Transcription
Canticum Deuteronomii.
Audíte, cæli, quae loquor: áudiat terra verba oris mei. Concréscat ut plúvia doctrína mea, fluat ut ros elóquium meum, quasi imber super herbam, et quasi stillae super grámina. Quia nomen Dómini invocábo: date magnificéntiam Deo nostro. Dei perfécta sunt ópera, et omnes viae ejus judícia: Deus fidélis, et absque ulla iniquitáte, justus et rectus. Peccavérunt ei, et non fílii ejus in sórdibus: generátio prava atque pervérsa. Haeccine reddis Dómino, pópule stulte et insípiens? numquid non ipse est pater tuus, qui possédit te, et fecit, et creávit te? Meménto diérum antiquórum, cógita generatiónes síngulas: intérroga patrem tuum, et annuntiábit
South Carolina Leaf 43 Verso Translation
The Song of Deuteronomy.
[Deuteronomy 32:1-7] Hear, O ye heavens, the things I speak, let the earth give ear to the words of my mouth. 2 Let my doctrine gather as the rain, let my speech distil as the dew, as a shower upon the herb, and as drops upon the grass. 3 Because I will invoke the name of the Lord: give ye magnificence to our God. 4 The works of God are perfect, and all his ways are judgments: God is faithful and without any iniquity, he is just and right. 5 They have sinned against him, and are none of his children in their filth: they are a wicked and perverse generation. 6 Is this the return thou makest to the Lord, O foolish and senseless people? Is not he thy father, that hath possessed thee, and made thee, and created thee? 7 Remember the days of old, think upon every generation: ask thy father, and he will declare to thee...