"Ave Maria Stella" and "Song of Simeon" from 15th Century Book of Hours

Prepare a safe way

Detail.  Additional images below.

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. 3 large illuminated double-line ornate initials in burnished gold, red, and blue with white tracery.  Marginal vine border extends from each initial.  Text includes the words to the popular liturgical hymn "Ave Maria Stella" and "Song of Simeon" or "Nunc dimittis," a canticle from a text in the second chapter of Luke (2:29-32).  A bright, clean leaf.

Size: 164 x 120 mm (approx 6.5 x 4.7 inches)

 $2 70                                                   #IMC5255

Frame available for this item.

Virgo singularis, inter omnes mitis, nos culpis solutos mites fac et castos.
Vitam præsta puram,iter para tutum, ut videntes Jesum semper collætemur.
Sit laus Deo Patri, summo Christo decus, Spiritui Sancto honor, tribus unus. Amen.

O unique Virgin, meek above all others, make us set free from our sins.   Meek and chaste, bestow a pure life.   Prepare a safe way: that seeing Jesus, we may ever rejoice. Praise be to God the Father. To the Most High Christ be glory. To the Holy Spirit be honour, to the Three equally. Amen. (English translation)

The text in Latin of Song of Simeon

Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace:  Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum,  Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum:  Lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam plebis tuae Israel.

Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace;  because my eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples:  A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel (English translation).

Click on image to enlarge