"Benedictus" from a 15th Century Manuscript

Blessed be our Lord God of Israel

Detail.  Additional images below.

Leaf from a 15th century Book of Hours illuminated on both sides.  15 lines of text on each side written in Latin with black ink in gothic script on vellum.  1 illuminated double-line ornate initials in burnished gold, red, and blue with white tracery opens the prayer with the word "Benedictus."   Marginal vine border extends from the large initial.  The text contains the Benedictus (Canticle of Zechariah).  A bright, clean leaf in fine condition. 

Size: 240 x 164 mm (approx 9.5 x 6.6 inches)

$ 255                                                         # IMC5253

The Text in Latin beginning with the 2-line initial "B":

Benedictus dominus deus Israel quia visitavit, et fecit redemptionem plebis suæ; Et erexit cornu salutis nobis : in domo David pueri sui; Sicut locutus est per os sanctorum : qui a sæculo sunt, Prophetarum eius ;Salutem ex inimicis nostris : et de manu omnium qui oderunt eos; Ad faciendam misericordiam cum patribus nostris : et memorari Testamenti sui sancti; Jusjurandum quod juravit ad Abraham patrem nostrum : daturum se nobis; Ut sine timore, de manu inimicorum nostrorum liberati : serviamus illi; In sanctitate et iustitia coram ipso, omnibus diebus nostris. Et tu puer, propheta Altissimi vocaberis: praeibis enim ante faciem Domini parare vias eius: Ad dandam scientiam salutis plebi eius: in remissionem peccatorum eorum: Per viscera misericordiae Dei nostri: in quibus visitabit nos, oriens ex alto: Illuminare his qui in tenebris et in umbra mortis sedent: ad dirigendos pedes nostros in viam pacis.

Blessed be our Lord God of Israel: because he hath visited and wrought the redemption of his people. And hath erected the horn of salvation to us: in the house of David his servant. As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets: that are from the beginning.  Salvation from our enemies: and from the hand of all that hate us.  To show mercy to our forefathers and to be mindful of His holy covenant: The oath, which He swore to Abraham, our father, that He would grant us, that being delivered from the hand of our enemies, we may serve Him without fear. In holiness and justice before Him all our days. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people through forgiveness of their sins (English translation).