Columba Aspexit

Columba aspexit
Per cancellos fenestre
Ubi anti faciem eius
Sudando sudavit balsamum
De lucido maximo

Calor solis exarsit
Et in tenebras resplenduit
Unde gemma surrexit
In deificatione templi
Purissimi cordis benivoli

Iste turris excelsa
De ligno libani
Et cipresso facta
Iacinto et sardio ornata est
Urbs precellens artes
Aliorum artificum

Ipse velox cervus
Cucurrit ad fontem
Purissimi atque
Fluentis de fortissimo lapide
Qui dulcia aromata irrigavit

A pigmentarii
Qui estis in suavissima viriditate
Hortorum regis
Ascendentes in altum
Quando sanctum sacrificium
In arietibus perfecistis

(translation, original by Hildegard von Bingen)

The dove peered in
Through the lattices of the windows
Where, before its face
A balm exuded
From incandescent Maximilian

The heat of the sun burned
Dazzling into the gloom:
Whence a jewel sprang forth
In the building of the temple
Of the purest loving heart

He, the high tower
Constructed of Lebanon wood and cypress
Has been adorned with jacinth and diamonds
A city excelling the crafts
Of other builders

This swift hart sped
To the fountain of clearest water
Flowing from the most powerful stone
Which courses with delightful spices

O Perfume-Makers
You who are in the sweetest greenness
Of the gardens of the King
Ascending on high
When you have completed the holy sacrifice
With the rams