A letter from Hrabanus Maurus (841-51)

Translated letter:

Glorious queen, holding the scepter, I beg that you accept this work undertaken for you, great one do not scorn the song sent, but receive it with happy heart in which you recognize the right to serve you of the minister never unfaithful, but more devoted with art. For the grace of Christ has filled you with nourishing gifts and made you pleasing to all, such that you holding kingdoms may remain humble, and preserve your many gifts, if you should continue as you have begun. Accept, I ask, this noble Judith as model for all, 10 And imitate her rightly with mind and hand. Having accepted her, may she make you happy with Christ in heaven, so the enemy can never henceforth say “puppup,” but lasting glory remain with you in the citadel of heaven. For I pray one thing, that always in great struggle you strive to serve Christ and give aid to vows: then may the savior keep you through all time, and the pious judge set you before his tribunal, bestowing on you heavenly things with a nod for the great merits, increased with all goods so you may be happy through time. 20

Original letter:

Inclita sceptra tenens, commissum deprecor istud, Regina, accipias opus et tibi, maxima, carmen Missum non spernas, laeto sed suscipe corde In quo cognoscis tibi ius servire ministri Nequaquam infidi, devoti sed magis arte. Gratia nam Christi donis te impleverat almis Ac gratam cunctis effecit, taliter ut tu Regna tenens humilis maneas, et plurima servat Dona tibi, in cepto si tu permanseris actu. Accipe, quaeso, Iudith exemplar nobile cunctis, 10 Mente manuque simul atque hanc imitabere rite. Acceptam haec Christo faciet te et in aethere laetam, Ut numquam valeat hostis dehinc dicere puppup, Gloria sed perpes maneat tibi in aetheris arce. Unum namque precor, magno in certamine semper Servire studeas Christo et succurrere votis: Tunc te salvator servat per tempora cuncta, Atque suum statuet iudex pius ante tribunal, Magnis pro meritis tribuens caelestia nutu, Omnibus aucta bonis ut sis per saecula laeta. 20

Historical context:

Rabanus sent his commentary on Judith, which he had previously dedicated to empress Judith, to Ermengard with a poem dedicating it to her. The first letter of each line spells Irmingardam Augustam; the order is therefore more distorted than usual, so the translation is not exactly line by line.

Printed source:

MGH, Poetarum Latinorum Medii Aevi, v.2, p.167.

Date:

841-51