11th Century Sequence of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Sequence of the late 11^th Century: verbum bonum et suave = ave; so this verbun bonum ‘ave’ is repeated in each of the first five stanzas;  compendium of Marian typology.

Although this sequence is not found in the Liturgica Horarum, many of the medieval sequences, long lost to the Mass, instruct us in the rich iconography of the hymns of the Office. As here: the Davidic ascent, the true Solomon, the fleece of Gideon, safe harbor, the burning bush,  aromatum virga fumi.

Cf. The Akahist Hymn:  Gideon, holding a fleece. In the book of Judges dew appeared miraculously on Gideon’s fleece (Jud 6:11-16; 6:33-40). So too, the Dew Christ, appeared miraculously on the Living Fleece the Theotokos. One prayer to the Mother of God reads: From you has dripped the refreshing dew that quenched the flame of idolatry. We therefore cry aloud to you: Rejoice, O Virgin, fleece cover with dew which Gideon foresaw. In the Akathist Hymn we sing: “Hail, you who quenched the worship of fire” (Oikos 5), making the same allusion.

Verbum bonum et suave

personemus illud ave

per quod Christi fit conclave

Virgo mater filia.

Per quod ave salutata

mox concepit fecundata

Virgo David stirpe nata

inter spinas lilia.

Ave veri Salomonis

mater,vellus Gedeonis

cuius magi tribus donis

laudant puerperium.

Ave solem genuisti

ave prolem protulisti

mundo lapso contulisti

vitam et imperium

Ave mater verbi summi

maris portus signum dumi

aromatum virga fumi

angelorum domina

Supplicamus nos emenda

emendatos nos commenda

tuo natu ad habenda

sempiterna gaudia.

Amen.

Let us resound that good and sweet word ‘ave’ though which the Virgin-Mother-Daughter was made the dwelling place of Christ. Through that salutation ‘ave’  the Virgin, born of the root of David, a lily among the thorns, soon was made fertile and conceived.  Hail, Mother of the true Solomon, Hail, fleece of Gideon, whose child-bearing the Magi with their three gifts praise. Hail, you who gave birth to the Sun, Hail, you brought forth your offspring, you who established life and rule for a fallen world.  Hail, Mother of the most high Word, safe harbor and sign of the burning bush, pillar of fragrant smoke, Lady of angels. We humbly beg you correct us and corrected commend us to your Son, that we may have eternal joys. Amen.