Machaut: Fons totius superbie
O livoris feritas
Fera pessima (M9)

Three-voice motet.

Sources: Machaut Manuscripts A B C E & G

Lyrics

Fons totius superbie,
Lucifer, et nequicie
Qui, mirabili specie
Decoratus,
Eras in summis locatus,
Super thronos sublimatus,
Draco ferus antiquatus
Qui dicere
Ausus es sedem ponere
Aquilone et gerere
Te similem in opere
Altissimo.
Tuo sed est in proximo
Fastui ferocissimo
A judice justissimo
Obviatum.
Tuum nam auffert primatum;
Ad abyssos cito stratum
Te vidisti per peccatum
De supernis.
Ymis nunc regnas infernis;
In speluncis et cavernis
Penis jaces et eternis
Agonibus.
Dolus et fraus in actibus
Tuis et bonis omnibus
Obviare missilibus
Tu niteris;
Auges que nephas sceleris
Adam penis in asperis
Te fuit Stigos carceris.
Sed Maria
Virgo, que, plena gratia,
Sua per puerperia
Illum ab hac miseria
Liberavit,
Precor elanguis tedia
Augeat et supplicia
Et nos ducat ad gaudia
Quos creavit.

O livoris feritas,
Que superna rogitas
Et jaces inferius!
Cur inter nos habitas?
Tua cum garrulitas
Nos affatur dulcuis,
Retro pungit sevius,
Ut veneno scorpius:
Scariotis falsitas
Latitat interius.
Det mercedes Filius
Dei tibi debitas!

Fera pessima.

Discography

1. Cantus C 9626
   Le Jugement du Roi de Navarre
   Ensemble Gilles Binchois - Dominique Vellard, dir.
   Rec.: 1988

2. ECM "New Series" 1823
   Machaut: Motets
   Hilliard Ensemble
   Rec.: 2001

3. EMI "Reflexe" 1C 063-30 109 [LP]
   Guillaume de Machaut: Chansons II
   Studio der frühen Musik - Thomas Binkley, dir.
   Rec.: 1972

4. Erato EFM 18 041 or MCE 18 041 [LP or Cassette]
   Guillaume de Machaut - Messe de Nostre Dame, Trois motets latins & François Andrieu: Double Ballade sur la mort de Guillaume de Machaut
   Séminaire européen de musique ancienne - Bernard Gagnepain, dir.
   Rec.: 1977

5. Hyperion 68277
   Machaut: The Single Rose
   Orlando Consort
   Rec.: 2018

6. Panton 8111 0056 [LP]
   Hommage à Machaut
   Ars Cameralis - Lukás Matousek, dir.
   Rec.: 1978 or prior

7. Renaissance der Renaissance 3.108 [CDx3]
   Machaut: 7 Isorhythmic sacred motets / Dufay: Complete Isorhythmic motets, 7 Cantilena motets
   Helga Weber Ensemble
   Rec.: 1990-1991

8. Studio Matous MK 0026 - 2 231
   Gothic Music in Bohemia 13th-15th century - Gotická hubda v Cechá 13.-15. stolet
   Ars Cameralis - Lukas Matousek, dir.
   Rec.: 1991

9. Telefunken Das Alte Werk SAWT B-9566 [LP]
   Guillaume de Machaut: La Messe de Nostre Dame und Motetten
   Capella antiqua München - Konrad Ruhland, dir.
   Rec.: 1970:

10. Zig-Zag Territoires ZZT 021002 [CDx2]
    Machaut - Les Motets
    Ensemble Musica Nova
    Rec.: 2002

Please see the Machaut index page for an introduction, discussion of methodology, and notes on this project.

To Machaut index page

To Early Music FAQ