Vidi speciosam
Motet for the feast of the Assumption of the BVM.
Settings by composers
- Felice Anerio SATB
- Giovanni Battista Riccio SATB
Original text and translations
Latin text
Vidi speciosam sicut columbam ascendentem desuper rivos aquarum:
Cuius inaestimabilis odor erat nimis in vestimentis eius.
Et sicut dies verni, flores rosarum circumdabant eam, et lilia convallium.
Quae est ista, quae ascendit per desertum sicut virgula fumi, ex aromatibus myrrhae et thuris?
Et sicut dies verni, flores rosarum circumdabant eam, et lilia convallium.
English translation <poem> I saw the fair one rising like a dove above the streams of water: whose priceless fragrance clung to her garments. And as on a spring day, she was surrounded by roses and lily-of-the-valley. Who is this who rises from the desert like a pillar of smoke from incense of myrrh and frankincense? And as on a spring day, she was surrounded by roses and lily-of-the-valley.