DESCRIPTION:
A double-texted motet, with one voice praising Thomas Becket, the murdered archbishop of Canterbury, and another celebrating the martyrdom of Thomas de la Hale, sung as part of a concert performed by Schola Antiqua on 8 January 2017. This was the second performance of the 2016-2017 season of Early Music at the Byron Colby Barn. Texts and translations:
Voice 1 text:
Thomas gemma Cantuarie primula
fide pro tuenda cesus in ecclesia,
a divina repentina mira caritate
fulgens matutina vespertina lucis increate
gratia late tibi nova reparte
sublimaris curia regis pro fidelitate
tua a ruina lete bina per te libertate
sunt a fece et ab amaro malo frivolo
a sentina serpentina gentes expiate
et a viciis singularis nuncuparis gratia ditatus
super hinc perfectos et electos tu es sublimatus
rivulo madido pie sanans egros
preciosis generosis gemmis tumulatus aureis modulo tumulo
cum decore vel honore pie laureatus.
In celis inter cives celicos digne veneratus
Thoma nunc pro populo stimulo tempestatis
caritate fervida rogatus.
Voice 1 Translation:
Thomas, unequalled jewel of Canterbury, slain in church as defender of the faith, shining, through God’s wondrous immediate love, far and wide, morning and evening, with the new grace of pure light restored to thee, you are elevated in the court of the heavenly king for your fealty. Through you, humanity is freed from the twofold affliction of death, from the cesspool of our sins, and from the bitter, wretched apple; it is cleansed of the serpent’s filth and of corruption; you are called outstanding, rich in grace, and hence you are exalted above the perfect and elect; with the moisture flowing from your veins you faithfully heal the sick; you are buried with admirable, precious jewels wrought with gold in your seemly shrine, meetly crowned in heaven with grace and honor and properly revered among the blessed in heaven, Thomas, now sought with burning love to help your people in the suffering of their misery.
Voice 2 text:
Thomas caesus in Doveria emulo lesus a divina repentina
mira caritate fulgens matutina vespertina
lucis increate gratis rivulo patulo sublimaris
curia manens in eternitate patris a ruina repentina
per te libertate sunt sane tu doctrina medecina serva sanitate tremulo sub dolo purga a sentina serpentina
gentes expiate dirige singularis nuncuparis
gratia ditatus super Remu atque Romulo tremulo
tu per sanctos et electos pie sublimatus
merito peris in ecclesia decora tumulatus
stimulo primulo de Sancto in honore et decore pie laureatus gaudiis inter cives celicos summe veneratus
querulo celo sine fine manens tam beatus.
Voice 2 Translation:
Thomas, wounded by your enemy and slain in Dover, radiant, through God’s wondrous immediate love, morning and evening, with the grace of pure light, through the stream of you blood, openly shed by you, you are glorified, residing forever in the heavenly father’s court; through you all are truly freed from sudden ruin; you, fount of learning and healing, with your miraculous curing power save humanity in the face of its trembling wrongdoing, and, having been purified, cleanse it from the serpent’s filth and guide it; you are called eminent, rich in grace, and, with Remus and Romulus quivering, you are rightly exalted by the holy and elect; you die and lie buried in the magnificent church because of your holy suffering; rightly you are crowned in heaven with honor and grace, and are greatly revered with joy among the heavenly host; so blessed are you, as you reside forever in heaven with its captivating sounds.