Poem: "O Spirit of Fire," Hildegard von Bingen

O ignis Spiritus Paracliti  -  Hildegard von Bingen  -  1098 - 1179

English version by Ivan M. Granger

 

O Spirit of Fire, O Guide,
life in the life of all life,
holy are you,
enlivening all things.

Holy are you,
a healing balm
to the broken.
Holy are you,
washing
blistered wounds.

O Holy Breath,
O Fire of Life,
O Sweetness in my breast
infusing my heart
with the fine scent of truth.

O Pure Fountain
through which we know
God unites strangers
and gathers the lost.

O Heart Shield, guarding life
and hope, joining the many members
into one body;
Belt of Truth,
wrap them in beauty.

Protect those ensnared
by the enemy,
and free the worthy
from their fetters.

O Great Way that runs through all,
from the heights,
across the earth,
and in the depths,
you encompass all and unify all.

From you the clouds stream
and the ether rises;
from your stones precious water pours,
springs well and birth waterways,
and the earth sweats green with life.

And eternally do you bring forth knowledge
by the breath of wisdom.

All praise to you,
you who are the song of praise
and the joy of life,
you who are hope and the greatest treasure,
bestowing the gift of Light