mediumaevum:
Hildegard of Bingen, Ordo virtotum, opening
Patriarche et Prophete
Qui sunt hi, qui ut nubes?
Virtutes
O antiqui sancti, quid admiramini in nobis? Verbum del clarescit in forma hominis, et ideo fulgemus cum illo, edificantes membra sui pulchri corporis.
Patriarche et prophete
Nos sumus radices et vos rami, fructus viventis oculi, et nos umbra in illo fuimus.
TRANSLATION
Patriarchs and Prophets:
Who are these, who seem like clouds?
Virtues:
O ancient holy ones, why do you marvel at us? The Word of God grows bright in the form of a man, and thus we shine with him, building the limbs of his beautiful body.
Patriarchs and prophets:
We are roots, and you are branches, the fruit of the living eye, of which we were the shadow.