Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto	The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary And she conceived of the Holy Ghost.
Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum: Benedicta tu in mulieribus Et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae	Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee Blessed art thou among women And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners Now and in the hour of our need. Angelus and Ave Maria from Roman Gradual

Ecce ancilla Domini Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum	Behold the handmaid of the Lord Be it done according to Thy Word
Inviolata integra et casta es, Maria, quae es effecta fulgitda coeli porta. O Mater alma Christi carissima, suscipe laudum praeconia nostra ut pura pectora sint et corpora, te nunc flagitant devota corda et ora. Tua per precata dulcisona, nobis concedats veniam per saecula. quae sola inviolata permansisti.	Inviolate, immaculate and chaste art thou, Maria who has become the glowing gate of heaven. O Mother of Christ, so kind and most dear, receive our devoted hymns of praise: that our minds and bodies may be always chaste, with fervent heart and tongue we now implore thee. Through thy sweetly sounding prayer Obtain for us, pardon for ever. O tender, O Queen, O Maria, who alone stayed inviolate. Angelus and Inviolata from Roman Gradual
Our children must be taught, from the earliest periods at which their minds can grasp such teaching, the inviolable sanctity of their sexual nature - the irreparable ills which follow its abuse. They must be saturated with the conviction that impurity is a foul and hateful sin, that the perversion of these instincts through whatever agency is a plunge into a fathomless abyss of turpitude from which they will never emerge with a clean soul. Victorian Child Rearing Manual

I am Woman, revered and reviled I am Woman, abused and adored You put me on a pedestal, see how I smile. I cannot harm you here on my pedestal. I am Woman.

I was Woman, for two thousand years Enduring your oppression, hiding my tears Look what you made me. Look how you re-designed me. I cannot harm you here on my pedestal. Can I, can I.

I will be Woman, in control and free, No longer woman, Madonna or whore. I walk off my pedestal see how you smile. In control of my destiny, rid of my pedestal.

I am woman, fighting your oppression See how I smile, Always Woman, here off my pedestal. Eternal Woman. Free Robert Hugill

To say that woman is an angel is to impose all duties on her, in a sentimental and admiring fashion; it is to imply that her speciality is self-effacement, resignation and sacrifice; it is to suggest to her that woman's greatest glory, her greatest happiness is to immolate herself for those she loves; It is to say she will respond to absolutism by submission, to brutality by meekness, to indifference by tenderness, to inconstancy by fidelity, to egotism by devotion.
I decline the honour of being an angel. No one has the right to force me to be both dupe and victim. Self-sacrifice is not a habit, a custom: No power has the right to impose it on me. Of all acts sacrifice is the freest, and it is admirable because it is free.
This above all, to refuse to be a victim. Unless I can do that I can do nothing. This above all I have to recant, give up the old belief that I am powerless give up the old belief that nothing I can do will ever hurt anyone. This above all, I refuse to be a victim. Maria Deraisnes trans. Robert Hugill
Ora Pro Nobis Sancta Dei Genitrix Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi Sancta Maria, Ora pro nobis Sancta Dei Genitrix, Ora pro nobis Sancta Virgo Virginum, Ora pro nobis Mater Christi, Ora pro nobis Mater Divinae Gratia, Ora pro nobis Mater Purissima, Ora pro nobis Mater Castissima, Ora pro nobis Mater Inviolata, Ora pro nobis Mater Intemerata, Ora pro nobis Mater Amalibis, Ora pro nobis Mater Admirabilis, Ora pro nobis Mater Boni consili, Ora pro nobis Mater Creatoris, Ora pro nobis Mater Salvatoris, Ora pro nobis Virgo Prudentissima, Ora pro nobis Virgo Veneranda, Ora pro nobis Virgo Potents, Ora pro nobis Virgo Clemens, Ora pro nobis Virgo Fidelis, Ora pro nobis Speculum Justitiae, Ora pro nobis Sedes Sapientiae, Ora pro nobis Causa Nostra Laetitiae, Ora pro nobis Vas Spirituale, Ora pro nobis Vas Honorabile, Ora pro nobis Vas Insigne Devotionis, Ora pro nobis Rosa Mystica, Ora pro nobis Turris Davidica, Ora pro nobis Turris Eburnea, Ora pro nobis Domus Aurea, Ora pro nobis Foederis Arca, Ora pro nobis Janua Coeli, Ora pro nobis Stella Matutina, Ora pro nobis Salus Infimorum, Ora pro nobis Refugium Peccatorum, Ora pro nobis Consolatrix Afflictorum, Ora pro nobis Regina Angelorum, Ora pro nobis Regina Patriarcharum, Ora pro nobis Regina Apostolorum, Ora pro nobis	Pray for us Holy Mother of God That we may be made worthy of the promise of Christ Holy Mary Pray for Us Holy Mother of God Pray for Us Holy Virgin of Virgins Pray for Us Mother of Christ Pray for Us Mother of Divine Grace Pray for Us Mother most pure Pray for Us Mother most chaste Pray for Us Mother inviolate Pray for Us Mother undefiled Pray for Us Mother most amiable Pray for Us Mother most admirable Pray for Us Mother of good counsel Pray for Us Mother of Our Creator Pray for Us Mother of Our Saviour Pray for Us Virgin most prudent Pray for Us Virgin most Venerable Pray for Us Virgin most powerful Pray for Us Virgin most Merciful Pray for Us Virgin most Faithful Pray for Us Mirror of Justice Pray for Us Seat of Wisdom Pray for Us Cause of our joy Pray for Us Spiritual Vessel Pray for Us Vessel of Honour Pray for Us Singular Vessel of Devotion Pray for Us Mystical Rose Pray for Us Tower of David Pray for Us Tower of Ivory Pray for Us House of Gold Pray for Us Ark of the Covenant Pray for Us Gate of Heaven Pray for Us Morning Start Pray for Us Health of the Sick Pray for Us Refuge of Sinners Pray for Us Comfort of the Afflicted Pray for Us Queen of Angels Pray for Us Queen of Patriarchs Pray for Us Queen of Apostles Pray for Us Litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary from the Roman Missal

Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto	The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary And she conceived of the Holy Ghost.
Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum: Benedicta tu in mulieribus Et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae	Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee Blessed art thou among women And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners Now and in the hour of our need. Angelus and Ave Maria from Roman Gradual

Ecce ancilla Domini Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum	Behold the handmaid of the Lord Be it done according to Thy Word
Inviolata integra et casta es, Maria, quae es effecta fulgitda coeli porta. O Mater alma Christi carissima, suscipe laudum praeconia nostra ut pura pectora sint et corpora, te nunc flagitant devota corda et ora. Tua per precata dulcisona, nobis concedats veniam per saecula. O benigna, O Regina, O Maria, quae sola inviolata permansisti.	Inviolate, immaculate and chaste art thou, Maria who has become the glowing gate of heaven. O Mother of Christ, so kind and most dear, receive our devoted hymns of praise: that our minds and bodies may be always chaste, with fervent heart and tongue we now implore thee. Through thy sweetly sounding prayer Obtain for us, pardon for ever. O tender, O Queen, O Maria, who alone stayed inviolate. Angelus and Inviolata from Roman Gradual
Gaude Maria Virgo, Cunctas haerese sola interemisti quae Gabrielis archangeli dictis credidist.	Rejoice maiden Mary you alone have done away with all rivalry of beliefs, you who believed the sayings of the archangel Gabriel.
Dum virgo Deum et hominem genuisti et post partum virgo inviolata permansisti.	While a virgin, you have borne God and man; and after birgh you remained pure and inviolate.
Gabrielem archangelyum scimus divinitus te esse affatum. Uterum tuum de spiritu sancto credimus impregnatum. Erubescat Iudeus infelix qui dicit Christum ex Jospeh semine esse natum.	We know that Gabriel the archangel spoke to you prophetically. We believe that your womb was made pregnant by the Holy Spirit. May the unhappy Jew blush who says that CHrist was born from the seed of Joseph.
Dum virgo Deum et hominem genuisti et post partum virgo inviolata integra et casta es Maria. Quae es effecta fulgida caeli porta.	While a virgin, you have borne God and Man; and after birth, a virgin pure inviolate and chaste are you, Mary. You who have been made the shining door of Heaven. taken from the Sequence Gaude, Gaude Maria

Salve Regina, mater misericordiae; Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamamus, exsules filii Evae. Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrymarum valle. Eia ergo, advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte; Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsilium ostende. Virgo mater ecclesiae, Virgo dulcis o Maria, Esto nobis refugium Apud Patrem et Filium. O clemens ! O Pia! O dulcis Maria, salve !

Hail O Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope, hail. To you we cry, exiled children of Eve. To you we sigh, as we mourn and weep in this valley of tears. Ah then, our advocate, turn those merciful eyes of yours upon us; and Jesus, the blessed fruit of your womb, show to us after our exile here.. Virgin mother of the church, O sweet virgin Mary, be our refuge before the Father and the Son. O gentle! O loving! O sweet Mary, Hail From an early version of the Salve Regina

Ora Pro Nobis Sancta Dei Genitrix Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi Sancta Maria, Ora pro nobis Sancta Dei Genitrix, Ora pro nobis Sancta Virgo Virginum, Ora pro nobis Mater Christi, Ora pro nobis Mater Divinae Gratia, Ora pro nobis Mater Purissima, Ora pro nobis Mater Castissima, Ora pro nobis Mater Inviolata, Ora pro nobis Mater Intemerata, Ora pro nobis Mater Amalibis, Ora pro nobis Mater Admirabilis, Ora pro nobis Mater Boni consili, Ora pro nobis Mater Creatoris, Ora pro nobis Mater Salvatoris, Ora pro nobis Virgo Prudentissima, Ora pro nobis Virgo Veneranda, Ora pro nobis Virgo Potents, Ora pro nobis Virgo Clemens, Ora pro nobis Virgo Fidelis, Ora pro nobis Speculum Justitiae, Ora pro nobis Sedes Sapientiae, Ora pro nobis Causa Nostra Laetitiae, Ora pro nobis Vas Spirituale, Ora pro nobis Vas Honorabile, Ora pro nobis Vas Insigne Devotionis, Ora pro nobis Rosa Mystica, Ora pro nobis Turris Davidica, Ora pro nobis Turris Eburnea, Ora pro nobis Domus Aurea, Ora pro nobis Foederis Arca, Ora pro nobis Janua Coeli, Ora pro nobis Stella Matutina, Ora pro nobis Salus Infimorum, Ora pro nobis Refugium Peccatorum, Ora pro nobis Consolatrix Afflictorum, Ora pro nobis Regina Angelorum, Ora pro nobis Regina Patriarcharum, Ora pro nobis Regina Apostolorum, Ora pro nobis	Pray for us Holy Mother of God That we may be made worthy of the promise of Christ Holy Mary Pray for Us Holy Mother of God Pray for Us Holy Virgin of Virgins Pray for Us Mother of Christ Pray for Us Mother of Divine Grace Pray for Us Mother most pure Pray for Us Mother most chaste Pray for Us Mother inviolate Pray for Us Mother undefiled Pray for Us Mother most amiable Pray for Us Mother most admirable Pray for Us Mother of good counsel Pray for Us Mother of Our Creator Pray for Us Mother of Our Saviour Pray for Us Virgin most prudent Pray for Us Virgin most Venerable Pray for Us Virgin most powerful Pray for Us Virgin most Merciful Pray for Us Virgin most Faithful Pray for Us Mirror of Justice Pray for Us Seat of Wisdom Pray for Us Cause of our joy Pray for Us Spiritual Vessel Pray for Us Vessel of Honour Pray for Us Singular Vessel of Devotion Pray for Us Mystical Rose Pray for Us Tower of David Pray for Us Tower of Ivory Pray for Us House of Gold Pray for Us Ark of the Covenant Pray for Us Gate of Heaven Pray for Us Morning Start Pray for Us Health of the Sick Pray for Us Refuge of Sinners Pray for Us Comfort of the Afflicted Pray for Us Queen of Angels Pray for Us Queen of Patriarchs Pray for Us Queen of Apostles Pray for Us
Litany to the Blessed Virgin Mary from the Roman Missal
Stabat iuxta Christi crucem Videns pati veram lucem Mater regis omium. Vidit caput coronatum, Spinis latus perforatum, Vidit mori filium. Vidit corpus flagellari, Manus, pedes perforari, itis a crudelibus. Vidit caput inclinatum, Totum corpus cruentatum Pastoris pro oviris pro ovibus. In dolore tunc fuisti, Virgo pia, cum vidisti Mori tuum filium. Dolor ingens, dolor ille Dicunt sancti plus quam mille Praecellit martyrium. Virgo mitis, virgo pia, Spes reorum, vitis via, Virgo plena gratia, Iube natum et implora Servis tuis sine mora Nobis donet gaudia.	Near the cross of Christ stood Mary, As the True Light suffered there Mother of the King of glory, There she saw Him cruelly crowned, Saw the spear his side that wounded, Watched as death overcame her Son. Beheld his body scourged, afflicted, Gentle hands and feet transfixed By the blows of cruel men. And as he bowed his head She saw the Shepherd's body bloodied over For the sake of all his sheep. Then was thou sorry sorest Holy Virgin, when thou sawest Death invade thy dearest Son. Greater suffering thou enduredst, say the saints, than pain and torment of a thousand matyrdoms. Gentle Virgin, Virgin holy, Hope of sinners, Path of glory, Virgin full of Heavenly grace, Bid thy Son, thy servants beg thee, and implore Him that He quickly Bring us into heaven's bliss.
Stabat Iuxta Christi Crucem

FIRST DIALOGUE - PRELUDIUM

Chorus:

Four in the morning.
Sweating again,
A hand,
A frail hand reaches for the panic button.

Death:

Good morning my son,
I trust that you are ready for your journey.

Death:

O I am death and in the end, Everyman is my son and I would care for you.

Youth:

Is this how you take me, Death, Death?
Like a thief, laying heavy sleep on my eyes as you descend to my side.
I am not ready for my journey,
I have no-one to comfort me,
No friend to help me along the way
I am still young, pass me by.

Death:

I am a friend and do not come to punish you,
You will sleep sweetly in my arms.

Youth:

Death, you approach me with such gentle steps,
Settle yourself immovably by my side.
I cannot understand the things you say.
I don’t want your comfort, this life is mine and I’ll do what I want.
You do not belong here.

Death:

Death belongs to life as birth does. The walk is in the laying down of the foot as in the raising of it.

FIRST CHORALE

Youth:

Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain,
but for the heart to conquer it.

Chorus:

He may cry out for rest, peace and dignity,
But he will get infusions, transfusions, a heart machine or a tracheotomy.

Youth:

Let me not look for allies in life’s battlefield,
But to my own strength.

Chorus:

He may want one single person to stop for one minute
So that he can ask one single question
But he will get a dozen people all busily preoccupied but not with him as a person.

Youth:

Let me not crave in anxious fear to be saved,
But hope for patience to win my freedom

Chorus:

He may wish to fight it all but it is a useless fight,
Since all this is done in the fight for his life.

SECOND DIALOGUE - DENIAL

Youth:

No, not me, it cannot be true.

Death:

Since in your unconscious mind you are immortal,
It is inconceivable for you to acknowledge that you have also to face Death.

Youth:

I just need to see another consultant.
I need a better explanation for my troubles.

Death:

You consider the possibility of your own death for a while,
You put these thoughts away to pursue your own life.

SECOND CHORALE

Chorus:

We cannot look at the sun all the time,
We cannot face Death all the time

THIRD DIALOGUE - ANGER

Youth:

Why me?
Why not someone else?

Chorus:

You would be angry if all your activities were interrupted so prematurely;
If you had put some hard earned money aside to enjoy a few years of rest, only to be confronted with the fact that this is not for you.

Death:

I had hoped for a calm end to your struggles,
I thought your debts were paid, your battles won.
And now you could thankfully sleep in my lap.
But not I know that you can no more close your eyes in slumber.

Youth:

No. I am still alive, don’t forget that.
You can hear my voice.
I’m not dead yet.

Death:

You must leave family and friends. All that is discardable must remain behind.

Youth:

I no longer have a family, they’ve disowned me. But I’m not ready to leave yet.
I want a little more time.
I’ve never had time of my own, time to be me.
I’m sick of people rushing busily around just to remind me that I can’t even stand on my own two feet any more.
Doctors are no good,
They don’t even know what tests to require,
What diet to prescribe,
They keep patients too long in hospital.

Death:

No-one understands what you cry,
They wonder,
They want to know the cause.

Youth:

Doctors & drugs are a greater torment than the illness itself.
Different labelled bottles, different shaped pill-boxes all piled up.

Death:

You read the world wrong and say that it deceives you.

THIRD CHORALE

Chorus:

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high; Where knowledge is free,
Where the world has not been broken into fragments by narrow domestic walls,
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection,
The mind led forward into ever widening thought.

FOURTH DIALOGUE - BARGAINING

Youth:

Please, just give me a few days more.
A few days without pain or physical discomfort.
Silence)

Youth:

You don’t respond to my pleas.
O Death, grant me just this one wish,
I will ask for no more favours from you.
Silence)

Youth:

Now I know I can no more close my eyes in slumber.
Why did you speak so softly to me, Death, Death,
Creep upon me,
Watch me so stealthily.

FOURTH CHORALE

Chorus:

The water in a vessel is sparkling
The water in the sea is dark
The small truth has words that are clear
The greatest truth has great silence.

FIFTH DIALOGUE - DEPRESSION

Youth:

What’s the use...
I cannot fight it any longer.

Death:

You loiter alone amidst them all
Each day hangs so heavily
People here are like worms
Crawling between bricks
There is no love
There is no gaiety

Youth:

The gave me no hope
All I could do was wait for my end.

Death:

Day’s end has come,
The world is darkening.

Youth:

In desperate hope I go and search in all the corners of my room.
I find nothing.
But infinite is your mansion my Lord
Seeking, I have come to your door.

FIFTH CHORALE

Chorus:

The world rushes on over the strings of the lingering heart making the music of sadness.

SIXTH DIALOGUE -ACCEPTANCE

Death:

There seem to be people all around you
You cannot speak your heart in case they hear you.
Weeping is wasted here
It is stopped by the walls.
Your weeping always comes back to you.

Youth:

I have come to the brink of eternity
From which nothing can vanish.
No hope, no happiness,
No vision of a face seen through tears.

Death:

The storm of last night has crowned this morning with a golden peace.

Youth:

Bid me farewell my brothers,
I bow to you all and take my departure.
Now the day has dawned.
The lamp that lit my dark corner is out.
A summons has come.
I am ready for my journey.

Death:

So, come my son.

Youth:

I have no more energy to fight you.
Just grant me time for rest before we being our journey.
The pain has gone, the struggle is over.
There comes the time for final rest.

Youth:

I shall go down where the boat is moored, Death, Death,
To the sea where the wind rolls darkness towards me from infinity,
I may see black clouds massing
In the far Northeast corner of the sky,
Fiery snakes of lightening may rear up with their hoods raised.
But I shall not flinch in unfounded fear.
I shall press silently, unswervingly,
Across that storming sea, Death, Death.

SIXTH CHORALE

Chorus:

Death, your servant is at my door. He has crossed the unknown sea and brought you to my home. The night is dark and my heart is fearful. It is thy messenger who stands at my door.
Death will return with his errand done, leaving a dark shadow on the morning.
In that desolate home, only a forlorn self will remain as a last offering.

FINAL CHORUS

Chorus:

O come sweet and lovely Death
Bring rest to my tired and weary soul
O come sweet and lovely Death
Give my poor torn body its relief.

My journey has been short and hard
I have struggled long and bitterly
Against this dread disease and its attendants
Fought those filled with prejudice and scorn

O come sweet and lovely Death
Only now am I ready for thee
I will relinquish this frail frame
O come sweet and lovely Death
I ache to journey with thee

Robert Hugill, incorporating poetry by Rabindranath Tagore

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia The word of God has provided nine designations for the heavenly beings, angels, archangels, transcendent principalities, authorities, powers, dominions, divine thrones, cherubim, seraphim, always and forever near God and with God.
 
The first sphere angels who serve as heavenly counsellors, for ever around God, united with him
  Seraphim, fire-makers, carriers of warmth
  Cherubim, fullness of knowledge, outpouring of wisdom
  Thrones, of equal order with the cherubim and seraphim
 
The middle rank of the heavenly hierarchy. The second sphere angels who work as heavenly governors.
  Dominions, a lifting up which is free, unfettered by earthly tendencies
  Holy Powers, unshakeable courage in all its God-like activities
  Holy Authorities, harmoniously, unfailingly uplifted toward the things of God
 
The final rank in the hierarchy, the third sphere angels who function as heavenly messengers.
  Heavenly Principalities, who possess a God-like, princely hegemony, the power to receive to the full mark of the Principle of Principles
  Archangels, who commune with the most Holy Principalities and with the Holy Angels
  Angels, who possess the final quality of being an angel, they too make known the enlightenment proceeding from the Deity.
 
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

From 'De Celestia Hierarchia' by Dionysius the Pseudo-Areopagite
adapted by the composer

Would it bother you if you did not know how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.
Do angels dance to the rhythm of today’s raucous beat or do they do it cheek-to cheek?
Is the count made when angels are standing on one foot or on two?
If the angels use their wings for balance, is it cheating.
Do angels really enjoy dancing or standing on the heads of pins.
 
Would it bother you if you did not know how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.
 
One Angel - since an angel is incorporeal, it would entirely fill the pin. The pin would need to be animated by one angelic substance excluding all others.
None - because angels have no spatial position.
As many as they please - because ‘on’ can only mean ‘attending to’ and one attention does not exclude others. An angel is in a place, not as a body is said to be in a place but by the application of its power to that place.

Robert Hugill, based on the writings of Jospeh Glanville, Nicholas Cudworth and St. Thomas Acquinas

 
Uriel, Raphael, Raguel, Michael, Saraquel, Gabriel, Remiel, Smlazaz, Arklba, Rameel ,Kokablel, Tamlel, Ramlel, Danel, Ezeqeel, Baraqijal, Asael, Armaros, Batarel, Ananel. Zaqlel, Samsapeel, Satarel, Turel, Jomjael, Sariel, Semjaza

From the Book of Enoch

Those who, from the pit of Hell
Roaming to seek their prey on Earth, durst fix
Their seats, next the seat of God,
Their altars by his altar and durst abide
Jehovah thundering out of Sion, throned
Between the Cherubim; with cursed things
His holy rites and solemn feasts profaned,
And with their darkness durst affront his light.
 
First, Moloch, horrid king, besmeared with blood of human sacrifice
Next Chemos, th' obscene dread of Moab's sons, from Aroar to Nebo and the wild of southmost Abarim;
Peor, his lustful orgies, lust hard by hate, drove them thence to hell.
Baalim and Ashtaroth, spirits either sex assume, in what shape they choose, works of love or enmity fulfil.
Astoreth, Queen of Heaven with crescent horns
Astarte, beguiling.
Next Dagon, sea-monster, upward man and downward fish, dreaded throughout the coast.
Osiris, Isis, Orus, with monstrous shapes and sorceries abused Fanatic Egypt.
Belial, a Spirit more lewd Fell not from Heaven,
 
All in a moment through the gloom were seen
Ten thousand banners rise into the air,
Their dread Commander, he, above the rest
In shape and gesture proudly eminent,
Stood like a tower. An archangel ruined,
Of dauntless courage, and considerate pride
Waiting revenge.

Adapted byt the composer from Book 1 of Paradise Lost, by Milton

And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, Leah and Rachel and his two women servants, Bilhah, Zilpah and his eleven sons, (Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Juda, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulum, Joseph) and his daughter, Dinah and passed over the ford Jabbok.
 
He sent his family across the river, sent over all that he had. All the paraphernalia of many years of clever living.
 
The water flowed past them.
 
And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
 
Jacob was wrestling in the arms of a stranger

Genesis, adapted by the compose

So the two began to struggle together.
The angel, tall and slim, his bones very thin and fine
Jacob was much heavier.
His bones strong and round,
all his contours beautifully moulded.
The angel was abstract, almost intangible.
Suddenly, piercing in a fierce, tense grip.
 
All that evening, Jacob wrestled in the arms of a stranger.
 
So the two entwined and wrestled together
Both were white and clear,
but Jacob flushed smart red where touched,
the angel white and tense.
He seemed to penetrate into Jacob’s solid bulk,
to interpose his body through Jacob’ body
as if to bring it subtly into subjection.
 
All that evening, Jacob wrestled in the arms of a stranger.
All that evening, the water flowed past them.
 
So the two were wrestling swiftly, with rapture
two white figures struggling so closely
A sharp gasp of breath,
a sound like a sigh., no head to be seen,
Just swift tight limbs, the solid white backs
Rapturously struggling
the physical junction of two bodies
working into a tighter whole, clinched into one.
 
All that evening, Jacob wrestled in the arms of a stranger.
They explored each other’s strength in tender repetition

Robert Hugill

His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me.
Until the daybreak, and shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bethel.
By night, I sought him whom my soul loveth.
 
And when the angel saw that he prevailed not against Jacob, he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh:
and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint
as he wrestled with him.
And he said, let me go, for day breaketh.

Song of Songs, Genesis

His head is as the most fine gold,
his locks are bush, and black as raven.
His eyes are as the eyes of doves,
by the rivers of waters, washed with milk and fitly set.
His cheeks are as a bed of spices as sweet as flowers.
His lives are like lilies dropping sweet smelling myrrh.
His hands are as gold rings set with beryl.
His belly is bright ivory overlaid with sapphires
His legs are as pillars of marble,
set upon sockets of fine gold
His countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.
His mouth is most sweet; yea his is altogether lovely.
This is my beloved and this is my friend.

Song of Songs

Jacob said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
And the angel said, thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince, hast thou power with God and with man and has prevailed.
 
And Jacob asked him, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name.
And the angel said,
Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name,
An he blessed him there.
 
Suddenly, there never had been an angel
 
Jacob passed over the brook as the sun rose upon him.
Lucky, lucky Jacob.

Gensis, adapted by the composer

This was a city once, that’s now a copse
Of lusty privet: she had twice five years
Of war and killing and the destroyer, fire.
She bore great chieftains once: hazelnuts now.
It bewilders her, crouching there with her doomed head low,
To see a wood has grown out of her: how the corn
Grows yellow about Priam’s judgement seat,
And cattle dung where Hecuba suckled kings.
Men lived in her houses once, that were sweet with Syrian nard,
They house the tiger now and the deadly snake...
 
Alas, what war can do! The delicate column
Lies broken, and in Jove’s shrine
Is bedded here a sheep, and yonder a kid.
The ground is shaggy with rushes and thistles and briars,
And stumps of trees and thorns and wild growing thyme.
And the heart turns sick to look on her squalor
That once rayed out like the sun with jewels and bronze,
Topaz, emerald, onyx, sard,
That Trojan victories brought from the springs of the Nile,
Now shabby in the dust...
 
O Troy, enough! When I remember thee,
Remember thy beginning and thy end,
I cannot hold my weeping,
Until in mercy comes the night for sleeping.

Hugh Priams of Orleans (c1094 - 1160)
translated by Helen Waddell
(with permission from Miss Mollie Martin and Stanbrook Abbey)

To weep thine ashes am I come,
And have no tears.
All words are withered and the heart is numb
With too much grief.
 
Time was when thou hadst all,
Beauty and wealth and state,
Gallant thy wall,
Gallant the citizens that made thee great.
 
Came godless Attila,
Fierce, cruel, merciless,
Swept round thee his great wheel,
Five hundred thousand men.
 
He saw the storks that nested in thy towers
Come flying through the fields, carrying their young.
He knew it for a sign: he knew
Thine hour was come.
 
Dead lie the priests of God;
No man to give their bodies burial.
Hands bound behind their backs, the living go
Captive to slavery.
 
City of nobles, now the poor men crouch
In cellars underground.
City of palaces, thy best shelter now
A shepherd’s hut.
 
O Christ our King, the judge no man gainsays,
Look down in pity, turn away thy wrath.
Forbid a fate the like of this to fall
Again upon thy folk.
 
Chasten us, Father, but be merciful.
Go thou before thy folk, and come behind:
Thy folk that walk upon the harmless road
Keep to eternity.

Paulinus of Aquilea (762 - 802)
translated by Helen Waddell
(with permission from Miss Mollie Martin and Stanbrook Abbey)

Since man went out from the fields of Paradise,
A beggared alien walking beggars lands,
He hath paid with bitter pangs, he and his sons,
His stealth, his broken faith.
For change and chance come on mortality,
And no man lives for ever in one stay...
No time, there is no time for private sorrow:
So vast the evil,
So universal through the whole wide world,
A man’s own grief seems lighter.
Now the dear House of God
Where Peter’s body lies, the Prince-Apostle,
Men say is now laid waste by treacherous hands,
Her precious things their loot...
Christ,
Why dost thou suffer that such things should be,
By what mysterious judgement,
I cannot know.
Some other life sure waits thy folk in heaven,
Where grows kind peace, and no man makes a war...
So take it to heart, my brothers,
This inconsistency of earthly things,
The swirling eddies.
So was and so shall be in this changing world,
And let none think that he is sure of joy.
He lies bedridden now, who coursed with stags
Over the ploughed lands: age was far away.
And this man tugging at his ancient tatters
To hide his shivering legs
Slept under purple once.
The eyes are dim and fogged with length of days,
That counted dancing atoms: the right hand
That swung the sword and brandished the stout spear
Is shaky now, and finds it hard enough
To carry to the mouth a piece of bread.
Clearer than any trumpet call, the voice
That halts and quavers close to your straining ear.
Ah, God,
If days to come must change us, body and soul,
Would it were for the better in desert!
Beloved, let us love the lasting things
Of heaven, than the dying things of earth.
Here time brings change, and nothing canst thou see
But suffers alteration: there abides
One sole unchanging everlasting day.

Alcuin(c.735 - 804)
translated by Helen Waddell
(with permission from Miss Mollie Martin and Stanbrook Abbey)

De profundis clamavi ad te Domine: Domine exaudi vocem meam.

Good people, I had intended indeed to desire you to pray for me; which because Mr. Doctor hath desired, and you have done already, I thank you most heartily for it. And now I will pray for myself, as I could best devise for mine own comfort, and say the prayer, word for word, as I have written it.

Fiant aures tuae intendentes: in vocem deprecationis meae. Si iniquitates observabis, Domine: Domine, quis sustinebit? Quia apud te propitiatio est: propter legem tuam sustinui te, Domine.

Our Father which art in heaven; hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever, Amen.

Pater noster qui es in coelis; sanctificetur nomen tuum: adveniat regnum tuum: Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in coelo, et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie: et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem. Sed libera nos a malo.

Sustinuit anima mea in verbum eius: speravit anima mea in Domino. A custodia matutina usque ad noctem: speret Israel in Domino.

Every man desireth, good people, at the time of their deaths, to give some good exhortation, that others may remember after their deaths, and be the better hereby. So I beseech God grant me grace that I may speak something, at this my departing, whereby God may be glorified, and you edified.

Quia apud Dominum misericordia et multa apud eum redemptio: et ipse redimet Israel ex omnibus iniquitatibus eius.

And now I come to the great thing which so much troubleth my conscience more than any other thing that ever I said or did in my whole life and that is, the setting abroad of writings contrary to the truth which I though in my heart, and written for fear of death, and to save my life, if it might be: and that is, all such bills which I have written or signed with mine own hand since my degradation: wherein I have written many things untrue.

And forasmuch as my hand offended in writing contrary to my heart, therefore my hand shall first be punished: for if I may come to the fire, it shall be first burned. And as for the pope, I refuse him, as Christ's enemy and Anti-Christ, with all his false doctrine. As for the sacrament, I believe as I have taught in my book against the bishop of Winchester, which my book teacheth so true a doctrine of the sacrament, that it shall stand at the last day before the judgement of God, where the papistical doctrine contrary thereto shall be ashamed to shew her face.

This unworthy Right Hand Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit

De profundis clamavi ad te Domine: Domine exaudi vocem meam. Fiant aures tuae intendentes: in vocem deprecationis meae. Si iniquitates observabis, Domine: Domine, quis sustinebit? Quia apud te propitiatio est: propter legem tuam sustinui te, Domine. Sustinuit anima mea in verbum eius: speravit anima mea in Domino. A custodia matutina usque ad noctem: speret Israel in Domino. Quia apud Dominum misericordia et multa apud eum redemptio: Et ipse redimet Israel ex omnibus iniquitatibus eius.

Translation for the De Profundis
Out of the depths have I cried to Thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice. Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. If Thou, O Lord, shalt observe iniquities: Lord, who shall endure it? For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of Thy law I have waited for Thee, O Lord. My soul hath relied on His word: my soul hath hoped in the Lord. For the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Anonymous eye-witness account, adapted by the composer.

1. There Came Wise Men
Behold, for there came three wise men from the East to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is He that is born to be King of the Jews? for we have seen, seen His star in the East, and are come to worship Him.They saw clearly this star.It is not a star only, but a loadstar; and whither should stella Ejus ducere, but ad Eum. Whither lead us but to Him whose the star is. The star to the star's Master. You have seen His star for a while, let Him see your star for another while. And so they do; their faith in the steps of their faith.

Ecce magi ab Oriente venerunt Jerosolymam, Dicentes, Ubi est Qui natus est Rex Judaeorum? Vidimus nim stellam Ejus in Oriente, et veni mus adorare Eum.

It is not commended to stand gazing up to heav'n too long; not on Christ Himself ascending, much less on His star. ah For they sat not still gazing on the star. Their vidimus begat venimus. Their seeing made them come, come a great journey. Many a wide and weary step they made. Consider, we consider the distance, the distance of their coming, the place they came from. It was not hard by as the shepherds, but a step to Bethlehem over the fields; this was riding many a hundred miles, and cost many a day's journey.

2. Consider the way that they came
Secondly, consider the way that they came, this was nothing pleasant, for through deserts, all the way waste and desolate. Nor easy neither; over the rocks and crags, rocks and crags of both Arabias, especially Petra, their journey lay. Safe it was not, but exceeding dangerous, lying through the midst of the black tents of Kedar, a nation of thieves and cutthroats; to pass over the hills of robbers, infamous then, and infamous to this day. No passing without great troop or convoy.

3. Consider the time of their coming
Lastly we consider the time of their coming, the season of the year. It was no summer progress. A cold, cold coming they had of it at this time of the year, just the worst time of the year to take a journey, and specially a long journey. specially a long journey. The ways deep, the weather sharp, the days short, the sun farthest off, in solsittio brumali, the very dead of winter. Venimus, we are come, if that be one, venimus, we are now come, come at this time, that sure is another. And these difficulties they overcame, of a wearisome, irksome, troublesome, dangerous unseas'nable journey, journey. We are come.

Lancelot Andrewes, adapted by the composer.

Cantemus cuncti melodum nunc Alleluia. In laudibus aeterni regis haec plebs resultat Alleluia. Hoc denique Caelestes chori cantat in altum Alleluia. Hoc beatorum per prata paradisica psallat concentus Alleluia. Quin et astrorum micantiam luminaria jubilant altum Alleluia. Nubium cursus ventorum volatus Fulgurum coruscatio et tonitruum sonitus Dulce consonent simul Alleluia. Fluctus et undae imber et procellae Tempestas et serenitas cauma, gelu, nix, pruinae saltus, Nemora pangant Alleluia. Hinc variae volueres Creatorem laudibus concinite cum Alleluia Ast illinc resondeant voces altae diversarium bestiarum Alleluia Istinc montium celsi vertices sonent Alleluia. Illinc vallium profunditates saltent Alleluia. Nec non terrarum molis immensitates: Alleluia. Nunc omne genus humanum laudans exsultet Alleluia. Et creatori grates frequentans consonent Alleluia. Hoc denique nomen audire jugitur delectatur Alleluia. Hoc etiam carmen caeleste comprobat ipse Christus Alleluia. Nunc vos o socii cantate laetantes Alleluia Et vos puerulis respondete semper Alleluia. Nunc omnes canite simul Alleluia Domino Alleluia Christo pneumatique Alleluia. Laus Trinitati aeterne: Alleluia

Let us sing the melody now of Alleluia. In praise of the eternal king let this assembly resound Alleluia. Then let the heavenly choirs sing on high Alleluia. Let the blessed in the fields of paradise sing together Alleluia Let the stars glittering shining lamps rejoice on high Alleluia Let the clouds as they sweep, the winds as they fly The lightnings as they flash and the thunders as they roll Sweetly utter in harmony Alleluia Let the floods and billows, rain and storms, Tempests and calm, heat, ice, snow, frosts, woods and forests Strike up Alleluia Ye many coloured birds, to the Creator sing your praise together Alleluia. With them let resound the high voices of the diverse beasts, Alleluia Here let the mountain high peaks sing Alleluia There let the deep valleys burst forth Alleluia. Let the continents vast immensity sing Alleluia. Now let the whole human race burst into praise, shouting Alleluia. And to the creator thanks repeatedly resound, Alleluia For he hears with delight Alleluia That hymn celestial is approved by Christ, Alleluia Now you, brethren, sing joyfully Alleluia And you children answer always Alleluia Now all sing together Alleluia to the Lord, Alleluia to Christ and to the Spirit Alleluia. Praise to the Trinity eternal: Alleluia

Traveller, where do you go?
I go to bathe in the sea in the reddening dawn,
along the tree-bordered path.
Traveller, where is that sea?
There where the river ends its course,
where the dawn opens into morning,
where the day droops to the dusk.
Traveller, how many are they who come with you?
I know not how to count them.
They are travelling all night with their lamps lit,
they are singing all day through land and water.
Traveller how far is that sea?
How far is it, we all ask.
The rolling roar of its water swells to the sky when we hush our talk.
It ever seems near yet far.
Traveller, the sun is waxing strong.
Yes, our journey is long and grievous.
Sing, who are weary in spirit, sing who are timid of heart.
Traveller, what if the night overtakes you?
We shall lie down to sleep till the new morning dawns with its song, and the call of the sea floats in the air.

Comrade of the road,
Here are my travellers greetings to thee.
O Lord of my broken heart, of leave-taking and loss, of the grey silence of the day-fall,
My greetings of the ruined house to thee!
O Light of the new-born morning,
Sun of the everlasting day,
My greetings of the undying hope to thee!
My guide,
I am a wayfarer of an endless road,
My greetings of a wanderer to thee!

Rabindranath Tagore