Traditional: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Aestimavit Hortolanum

Traditional

“Aestimavit Hortolanum” as printed in Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences (1867).

Traditional: Collected Lyrics Text 292 1867 · historical text
Public domainHymnMediaeval song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences, edited by John Mason Neale, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

As the Gardener, Him addressing,

Well and rightly she believ'd:

He, the Sower, gave His blessing

To the seed her heart receiv'd:

Not at first His Form confessing,

Soon His Voice her soul perceiv'd.

Verse 2

She beheld, as yet not knowing

In the mystical disguise,

Christ, That in her breast was sowing

Deep and heavenly mysteries:

Till His Voice, her name bestowing,

Bade her hear and recognize.

Verse 3

She to Jesus, Jesus weepeth,

Of her Lord removed complains;

Jesus in her breast she keepeth;

Jesus seeks, yet still retains:

He That soweth, He That reapeth

All her heart, unknown remains.

Verse 4

Why, kind Jesu, why thus hiding,

When Thyself Thou would'st reveal?

Why, in Mary's breast abiding,

From her love Thyself conceal?

Why, True Light, in her residing,

Can she not Its radiance feel?

Verse 5

Oh, how strangely Thou eludest

Souls that on Thee have believ'd!

But eluding, ne'er deludest,

Nor deceiv'st, nor art deceiv'd;

But including, still excludest;

Fully known, yet not perceiv'd.

Verse 6

Laud to Thee and praise for ever,

Life, Hope, Light of every soul!

Through Thy merits may we never

Be inscribed in Death's dark roll,

But with Mary's true endeavour

All our sins, like her, condole! Amen.

Credits

Written by Traditional

Traditional words. Historical text published in Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences (1867); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences (1867), edited by John Mason Neale, “Aestimavit Hortolanum”

The 1867 published edition is in the public domain in the United States (pre-1931 publication). Entries whose credited author or translator died more than 70 years ago are also in the public domain in life-plus-70 jurisdictions; other entries are held.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-25. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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