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What joy those wise kings knew when they saw you, a sign, a bright star shimmering across the sky, guiding their hearts from the east to that fixed point over a hovel. Lucky people who knew such rejoicing. And you, kings, saw the humbler a powerful king becomes--here a baby swaddled in rags-- the nobler he is, the more beloved: these humble people made you reach for God's paradise. Surely, the place, animals, cold, hay, even the rough woollen blankets showed God's goodness; and the star and clear night his power. You gave him presents, loved him with a heart filled with reverence and joy. |
An image of the Italian text from Visconti's 1840 edition |
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Notes: From V CIX:269. See also B S1:133:151; MSs L (the 3rd in sequence); V2 (Ve2). Valgrisi 134. Translation: Bainton 207. A sixteenth in a series meditating Christ. Another nativity sonnet. Key |
