VIII (BWV Anh. 19) Thomana saß annoch betrübt
Inauguration of the new Rector of the St. Thomas School, Johann August Ernesti (21 November 1734). Johann August Landvoigt; PT (Leipzig, 1734); Facs: Neumann T, p.414 and NBA I/39, Krit. Bericht, p. 149. 21 November 1734, Leipzig; Parody: ?9 ← BWV 201/15? BG 34, Vorwort; NBA I/39, Krit. Bericht. [English translation follows German text.] [1.] Recit. Thomana saß annoch betrübt, [2.] Aria Himmel! und wie lange noch! [3.] Recit. Der Klage-Ton war noch auf ihrer Zunge, [4.] Arioso [and Recit.] Thomana wiederum zu trösten und zu freun,
. . . Ernesti seyn. Was hör ich? wie? wer? (war ihr Wort,) Mein Kummer soll sich legen? Ernesti soll nun meiner Kinder pflegen? Drauf fuhr sie also fort: [5.] Aria So hat mein Wunsch und Hoffen,
[6.] Recit. Ja, ja, gepriesner Mann? Willkomm, geschätzt geliebter Mann! [8.] Recit. Erlauben denn, daß unsre Pflicht [9.] Chorus Himmel, streue deinen Seegen auf Ernesti und sein Hauß !
1. Recit. St. Thomas sat till now in griefAnd silenced by and by her weeping, Which had the pain within her breast, Which had the newness of her loss, Which had the faithful longing For her esteemed and worthy head (Whom she so dear did hold, so true did love, And whom now providence so early stole), Forth from her eyes so long been pressing. She sat in gloomy mourning’s shadows As though an orphaned child, Which doth its only comfort in quiet weeping find, Which doth its hated fortune scold, For whom the absent father’s form, For whom the wonted fond caresses In empty recollection Now nought but pain and fretting And bitter sorrow are inspiring; And of whose burdens and distress The best physician, time, must bring relief. She sighed again once more And made amidst her final weeping At last her voice attended: 2. Aria Heavens! And how long still yet Must my children live as orphans And I as a widow reckoned? Let amidst our anxious mourning At long last thy foresight tell us, “Quiet, children, quiet now!” Heavens! Ah, how long still yet? 3. Recit. As sound of grief abode upon their tongues yet And echoed slowly through the air, A sudden glad report, like some translucent mist, Did press itself upon her; The air with piercing sounds was parted And to her ears and to her breast rushed forward. Saint Thomas, which from her depression Her soul and her afflicted heart So quickly could not loosen, When once this happy voice was heard, Her ear and mind did tend And, was she right, she thought indeed she now could hear: 4. Arioso Saint Thomas once again to comfort and make glad Shall now her leader and her head Ernesti be. Though deeply, true, this sound did touch her, Yet dared she not to trust herself, And thought it might be but a vague And odd report, and worked her own deception. And while she thus did ponder, Came confirmation clear of what the echo said, Who to her with those short word-endings The content of the truth reported. (Echo)
. . . Ernesti be. “My troubles shall be settled? Ernest shall now these my children nurture?” Then to this did she add: 5. Aria Just as my hope and longing Are happily accomplished, May health and peace me row Thus with Ernesti’s coming now. It seems the port of joy is open. Da Capo. 6. Recit. In truth, O honored man? My longing shows to me How well doth foresight’s care provide me, How good are its intentions for my welfare, To me what new-found luck appeareth, That it doth thee to be my head now grant me. I recognize thy merit and thy worth, I have indeed for quite a lengthy stretch of years now Thy previous pains and efforts for my good examined and experienced, And know how great a love for me from thee doth spring. I can from thy great scholarship, From thy great doctrine’s seed and strength Conclude that in the coming ages My situation will through thy direction In fairest health and flower and constant increase prosper, And I, when once is dried my weeping, Henceforth with these my sons now Shall with thy welcome care and father’s faith be favored. E’en now thou canst perceive how our expectant trust To thee with greatest joy already runs and says: 7. Aria O hail, esteemed, belovéd man! We open to thee now our hearts, ears and portals, As father thee to us with gladness to usher. With pleasure do we seek to hear thee, With faith to love thee, humbly praise thee; We welcome thee with gladness here. O hail, esteemed, belovéd man! 8. Recit. Permit us then, as duty bids, To thee now our first toll to pay, And let our ardent expectation Be with contentment to receive thee. We’re led by loyalty, Which is, O worthy man, Heard through the voices of our chorus With wishes for thy welfare singing. 9. Chorus Heaven, cast abroad thy blessing on Ernesti and his house! Let good fortune and contentment Coincide with all his office! Broadly now his years extend. Heaven, cast abroad thy blessing on Ernesti and his house! Da Capo. © Copyright Z. Philip Ambrose |