For Master Julien de LaPointe
Pars mea Dominus dixit
anima mea propterea
expectabo eum. Amen. Alleluia.
Lamentationes Jeremiæ Prophetæ 3:25
First they breached the western wall
Domine Deus
in the night without a sound
meus in te speravi
We awoke to skies of smoke
libera me, et salva me
and rang the bells to give the call
Amen, alleluia.
We gathered all at the abbey hall
Domine Deus
bidding all to flee the grounds
meus in te speravi
fearful faces neath their cloaks
libera me, et salva me
the cardinal urged that none forstall.
Amen, alleluia.
Pars mea Dominus dixit
anima mea propterea
expectabo eum. Amen, Alleluia.
All fled save he and you, my Lord
Domine Deus
The others through the darkness gone
meus in te speravi
The only sound to hear was fire
libera me, et salva me
Then the pounding of the horde
Amen, alleluia.
In your name he took up the sword
Domine Deus
praying he would greet the dawn.
meus in te speravi
To serve you was his best desire
libera me, et salva me
within these walls which he adored.
Amen, alleluia.
Pars mea Dominus…
He would not see them desecrate
Domine Deus
Relics, icons, sacred Host.
meus in te speravi
In his vestments sanguine red
libera me, et salva me
he protects our blessed estate.
Amen, alleluia.
Then they came fast past the gate
Domine Deus
soon to crush upon his fearless post.
meus in te speravi
Through night’s dark fear and dread
libera me, et salva me
your servant’s will did not abate.
Amen, alleluia.
Pars mea Dominus…
No armor was there to be donned
Domine Deus
as vigil candles brightly shined
meus in te speravi
before your altar on his knees
libera me, et salva me
to ask Your blessing of his brond.
Amen, alleluia.
We heard a music from beyond
Domine Deus
thus strengthened by the psalm divine,
meus in te speravi
pater nosters filled the trees
libera me, et salva me
our faith, unfolded as a frond.
Amen, alleluia.
Pars mea Dominus…
We sensed the breaching of the door
Domine Deus
the splintring of the carved facade
meus in te speravi
our master’s faith would soon be proved
libera me, et salva me
for vailent peace he would implore.
Amen, alleluia.
We heard his song across the moor
Domine Deus
He is my savior and my God
meus in te speravi
No more now shall I be moved!
libera me, et salva me
My victory He does assure!
Amen, alleluia.
Pars mea Dominus dixit
anima mea prop-terea
expect-abo eum. Amen, Alleluia.
Notes:
Master Julien took to the field of fencing garbed as a cardinal, in brilliant red. The idea of him, this warrior-abbot, caring for a tiny, besieged town
pars mea Dominus dixit
anima mea prop-terea
expect-abo eum. Alleluia.
The Lord is my portion, said my soul: therefore will I wait for him.
Domine Deus meus in te speravi.
salva me ab omnibus persequentibus me et libera me
O Lord, my God,
in thee have I put my trust;
save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me.