Angelus ad Virginem (or its English title, Gabriel, From Heven King Was To The Maide Sende) was a popular medieval carol, whose text is a poetic version of the Hail Mary and the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary. Probably Franciscan in origin, it was brought to Britain by French friars in the 13th century. It is said to have originally consisted of 27 stanzas, with each following stanza beginning with the consecutive letter of the alphabet.
Contents
Surviving manuscripts may be found in a c. 1361 Dublin Troper (a music book for use at Mass) and a 13th or 14th century vellum Sequentiale that may have been connected with the Church of Addle, Yorkshire. Its lyrics also appear in the works of John Audelay (perhaps a priest, he definitely spent the last years of his life at Haughmond Abbey, where he wrote for the monks), in a group of four Marian poems.
It appears in Geoffrey Chaucer's Miller's Tale, where the scholar Nicholas sings it in Latin to the accompaniment of his psaltery:
And over all there lay a psalteryWhereon he made an evening's melody,Playing so sweetly that the chamber rang;And Angelus ad virginem he sang;And after that he warbled the King's Note:Often in good voice was his merry throat.For many years, "Angelus Ad Virginem" was the first piece of music sung at the annual Bracebridge Dinner, a lavish Christmas feast held at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park. It was sung as the guests entered the dining room. This piece of music was selected by Ansel Adams in 1929, who was director of the pageant at that time.
Lyrics
1.
Angelus ad virginem,Subintrans in conclave,Virginis formidinemDemulcens, inquit "Ave!Ave, regina virginum:Coeli terraeque dominumConcipies et paries intactaSalutem hominum;Tu porta coeli facta,Medela criminum."The angel came to the Virgin,entering secretly into her room;calming the Virgin's fear, he said, "Hail!Hail, queen of virgins:you will conceive the Lord of heaven and earthand bear him, still a virgin,to be the salvation of mankind;you will be made the gate of heaven,the cure of sins."2.
"Quomodo conciperem,Quae virum non cognovi?Qualiter infringerem,Quae firma mente vovi?""Spiritus sancti gratiaPerficiet haec omnia.Ne timeas, sed gaudeasSecura, quod castimoniaManebit in te puraDei potentia.""How can I conceive,When I have never known a man?How can I transgressresolutions that I have vowed with a firm mind?"The grace of the Holy Spiritshall do all this.Do not be afraid, but rejoicewithout a care, since your chastitywill remain in you unspoiltthrough the power of God."3.
Ad haec, virgo nobilisRespondens inquit ei,"Ancilla sum humilisOmnipotentis Dei.Tibi coelesti nuntio,Tanti secreti conscio,Consentiens et cupiens videreFactum quod audio,Parata sum parereDei consilio."To this, the noble Virgin,replying, said to him,"I am the humble maidservantof almighty God.To you, heavenly messenger,and bearer of such a great secret,I give my consent, and wishing to seedone what I hear,I am ready to obeythe will of God."4.
Angelus disparuitEt statim puellarisUterus intumuitVi partus salutaris.Qui, circumdatus uteroNovem mensium numero,Hinc exiit et iniit conflictum,Affigens humeroCrucem, qua dedit ictumHosti mortifero.The angel vanished,and at once the girl'swomb swelledwith the force of the pregnancy of salvation.He, protected by the wombfor nine months in number,left it and began the struggle,fixing to his shouldera cross, with which he dealt the blowto the deadly Enemy.5.
Eia Mater Domini,Quae pacem reddidistiAngelis et hominiCum Christum genuisti!Tuum exora filiumUt se nobis propitiumExhibeat, et deleat peccata,Praestans auxiliumVita frui beataPost hoc exsilium.Hail, Mother of our Lord,who brought peace backto angels and menwhen you bore Christ!Pray your sonthat he may show favor to usand blot out our sins,giving us helpto enjoy a blessed lifeafter this exile.Middle English version
A 14th middle-English version begins:
Gabriel fram Heven-King / Sent to the Maide sweete,Broute hir blisful tiding / And fair he gan hir greete:'Heil be thu, ful of grace aright! / For Godes Son, this Heven Light,For mannes love / Will man bicome / And take / Fles of thee,Maide bright, / Manken free for to make / Of sen and devles might.'