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Veni Creator Spiritus

A Medieval Meditation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 August 2024

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And therefore, good Lord, sith it is so that I may not nor can not have no good thought be it never so little a thought but if I have it of thee, as thou sayest thyself: Sine me nihil potestis facere. Therefore, Lord, I knowledge well that thou art of my soul both the door and the key, as thy gospel saith: Ego sum ostium. And Holy Church clepith thee the key, saying O clavis David, O thou Jesu the key of David. And sithen good Lord I am of un-power and thou art the door and the key, therefore my sweet lord now at this time I fall down to thy majesty, knowing that I am not worthy to lift up mine eyes towards thee for the multitude of my sins, but with a meek will I say Domine labia mea aperies, Lord thou shalt open my lips with the key of thy mercy, and so come in and let in thyself into mine heart, thy privy chamber, I Pray thee Lord.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1950 Provincial Council of the English Province of the Order of Preachers

References

1 made it worse—ad prior atus (?)

2 except

3 in the old sense, 'skilful'.

4 dignitatem, esteem.

5 giveth them to drink, cf. 'drench.

6 swellings, 'bosses'.

7 an omission here?—give thyself?

8 An omission is marked and written into the margin in another hand. '—is thyn esy oy that helpyght ma a sinfnll sonle—'?

9 Knowing, Knowledge.

10 discomfit.

11 the Saviour of us all.