The Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage

...we have translated into Latin; or rather, we have clothed the meaning of the book in Latin garments. For this reason, perhaps, because it is dressed in a foreign habit, it may be held as either changed, or less lovable, by those skilled in both languages. However, according to your Jerome St. Jerome (c. 347–420 AD), the patron saint of translators, who famously advocated for translating "sense for sense" rather than "word for word.", the best method of translation is where the property of the language into which one translates is observed (if such a thing can be done).

Indeed, brothers, do not let the dissonance of the "garments" The "garments" refers to the Latin language vs. the original Middle Dutch. dismay you, provided that the same harmony of meaning resonates for you. But also, most dear ones, let it not weary you to grant an exchange of your prayers for our labor; so that we too, having become followers of its scent, may deserve at some time to be sharers with you—you who wrote that you have already smelled the fragrance of this work beneath the husks of our letters.

¶ THE AUTHOR’S PREFACE to his book on the

Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage.

Woodcut decorative initial 'E' with floral scrollwork within a double-lined square border. Behold, the bridegroom comes; go out to meet him. original: "Ecce sponsus venit exite obviam ei." A quotation from the Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25:6, which forms the structural foundation of this entire work. Wake up, you wise virgins, who for a long time (while the bridegroom delayed) have all drowsed and likewise slept. For now at midnight (that is, in the deep night), while faith makes its journey and hastens toward the brightness of the heavenly homeland, the cry of the Gospel grows louder every day, saying: "Behold, the bridegroom comes." Arise quickly; take oil in your vessels; adorn your lamps; and go out to meet the bridegroom.

You ask, who is this bridegroom? He is surely the one to whom the apostle betrothed you, to present you as a chaste virgin A reference to 2 Corinthians 11:2.. He is truly beautiful in form beyond the sons of men, coming forth from the royal court of the virginal womb like a bridegroom proceeding from his chamber. And if he is only a bridegroom because he has a bride, who then is the bride of this bridegroom? It is indeed human nature, created after the image and likeness of God.