Poetry

August 9 – Ode XVIII – To a Rose by Maciej Kazimierz Sarbiewski

Intended to be used in the garlands for decorating the head of the Virgin Mary

Siderum sacros imitata vultis. – Lib. iv. Ode 18.

Rose of the morning, in thy glowing beauty
Bright as the stars, and delicate and lovely,
Lift up thy head above thy earthly dwelling,
Daughter of heaven!

Wake! for the watery clouds are all dispersing;
Zephyr invites thee, —” frosts and snows of winter
All are departed, and Favonian breezes
Welcome thee smiling.

Rise in thy beauty, —” Wilt thou form a garland
Round the fair brow of some beloved maiden?
Pure though she be, unhallow’d temple never,
Flow’ret! shall wear thee.

Thou shouldst be wreath’d in coronal immortal, —”
Thou shouldst be flung upon a shrine eternal, —”
Thou shouldst be twined among the golden ringlets
Of the pure Virgin.

Translation from Wybór Poezyi Polskiey — Specimens of the Polish Poets Poets with Notes and Observations on the Literature of Poland by Sir John Bowring.

Peter Paul Rubens - The Education of the Virgin

Quotannis Kalendis Juniï D. Virginis caput coronaturus.

Siderum ſacros imitata vultus
Quid lates dudum, roſa? delicatum
Effet e terris caput, o tepentis
        Filia cæli.
Jam tibi nubes fugiunt aquoſæ,
Quas fugant albis Zephyri quadrigis:
Jam tibi mulcet Boream jocantis
        Aura Favoni.
Surge: qui natam deceant capilli,
Mitte ſcitari: nihil heu profanæ
Debeas fronti, nimium ſeveri
        Stemma pudoris.
Parce plebeios redimire crines.
Te decent aræ: tibi colligenda
Virginis latè coma per ſequaces
        Fluƈtuat auras.