Haec nox, carissimi, nox illa flebilis

Haec  nox, carissimi, nox illa flebilis. Peter Abelard* (1079-1142).  From Hymnarius Paraclitensis, the hymnal that Abelard wrote for the religious house of The Paraclete, where Heloise was prioress (see Paraclete Hymnal*). It was written ‘In Paraceve Domini. In 1 Nocturno’ (for the first nocturnal office on the night of the preparation for the events of Good Friday and Easter Day). It had four stanzas:  Haec nox, carissimi, nox illa flebilis,  Qua comprehenditur dies a tenebris,  Piis fidelium est plena lacrimis,  Aquas imanitas compellit sceleris. Haec nocte proditor est per se proditus,  Qui lupus fuerat permixtus ovibus,  Agnus ad victimam per lupum traditus,  Scelat antidotum fecit...