James, M. R.; Hereford Cathedral / Library [Hrsg.]; Bannister, Arthur Thomas [Bearb.]: A descriptive catalogue of the manuscripts in the Hereford Cathedral library (Hereford: Wilson & Phillips, 1927)

0.3. ix.J

35

Hec est ilia stella maria
Per quam fulsit lux solaria,
Cujus festum celebremus,
Et juvamen imploremus.
EVOVAE.
0 Maria, clausus ortus,
Naufragantis mundi portus,
Placa nobis qui te fecit
Matrem, sibi qui elegit.
EVOVAE.
Adesto jam supplicibus
Nostris favendo precibus.
Manum benignam porrige,
Vitamque nostram dirige.
EVOVAE.
Ave, decus virgineum,
Ave, jubar ethereum.
Nobis presens solennitas
Da sit perpes jucunditas.
Tua namque conceptio
Summis est gratulatio.
ALLELUIA. EVOVAE.
“ This Historia de concepcione (the word Historia being used in
the liturgical sense, to cover the whole office) is a very-
interesting text. In respect of the Lessons, these form the
first part of an apocryphal Infancy gospel. The earlier story,
to the eve of the Annunciation, is divided into six Lessons,
the gospel hymns, antiphons, etc. being intercalated. After
this, the rest of the document is given continuously, (p. 122-
133) containing the narrative from the Annunciation to
the slaying of Zacharias by Herod.
It is based on three known documents : (a) the Book of
James or Protevangelium ; (5) the Liber de infantia or
gospel of Pseudo-Matthew ; (c) the History (often called