Williram von Ebersberg, Kommentar des Hohen Liedes (Commentary of the Song of Songs)

Cgm 10 is the first translation and vernacular interpretation of the "Song of Songs". It was written by Abbot Williram von Ebersberg (died 1085), who dedicated an interpretation and paraphrasing of the Song of Songs to his Emperor Henry IV (1050-1106), preceded by a dedication poem in Latin distich (leaf 8va-8vb). His work, which was influenced by the spirit of the Cluniac Reform movement, was intended for the representatives of secular offices who could not read Latin and is written in a German-Latin mixed prose.

The Latin text of the "Song of Songs", in which the bridegroom and bride, Christ and Church, have a dialogue, is presented synoptically, i.e. in columns. It is accompanied in the left column by a paraphrase and allegorical interpretation in hexameters. In the right column, Williram's Old High German translation is written in Bavarian, Rhine-Franconian, followed by his German-Latin commentary.

The Carolingian minuscule carefully written by one single hand and the three-column page layout are to be regarded as the scriptorium's special achievement. The most important surviving oldest manuscript, the Munich Codex, was probably created during William's lifetime and may be regarded as authorized.

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