RT Article
T1 Zwei metrische Liebesepisteln aus dem Kreis des Petrus Abaelardus
JF Sacris erudiri
VO 49
SP 339
OP 377
A1 Wollin, Carsten 1942-
LA German
YR 2010
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1817449346
AB The present article offers a new edition and interpretation of two Latin love letters (WIC 13188 Omine felici te Musa salutat amici; WIC 4791 Dulcis amica mea, speciosior es Galatea) preserved in the famous late twelfth-century anthology of medieval poetry and theology that is presently housed at Zurich (Zentralbibliothek, Ms. C. 58/275). These poems are remarkable for both their verbal virtuosity and the free combination of different species of rhymed hexameters and pentameters. Though the letters have recourse to classical mythology they are aimed directly at the beloved, praising her beauty, depicting her lover’s pains when separated from her, and admonishing her to be faithful. The second poem Dulcis amica mea reveals interesting — hitherto unnoticed — verbal parallels to Peter Abaelard’s praise of the Virgin Mary (Chevalier 19862, WIC 10519, Checklist § 359 Lux orientalis et amica Dei specialis; published previously in SE 47, 2008, 296-303). As the two love letters have a number of stylistic and metrical features in common with Abaelard’s Marian poem we may assume that they were written by someone thoroughly acquainted with his style, if not by the philosopher himself. On this ground they deserve to be included in any future discussion of Abaelard’s love poetry.
DO 10.1484/J.SE.1.102059