Isaac: Optime pastor - Tallis Scholars

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Heinrich Isaac: Optime pastor

The Tallis Scholars
Peter Phillips

Score: www.cpdl.org (Ulrich Alpers)
Performed a tone above written pitch.

This motet was composed in 1513 for the meeting of the Chancellor of the Emperor Maximilian I and the newly elected Pope, Leo X (Giovanni de Medici). Hence the references to both parties ("medicus", "regina volucrum" "aquila" the eagle as the stemma of the Habsburgs, "rex ferarum", "leo".) Also the two middle voices sing two plainchant melodies: Da pacem Domine, a prayer for peace and Sacerdos et pontifex, a chant praising the pope.

=== LATIN ===

Optime divino date munere pastor ovili,
Tandem qui laceri medicus gregis ulcera sanes,
Sis foelix pecori et nobis tuque ipse beatus.
Sit totum pacare gregem tibi cura perennis;
Reddatur pax alma tuis pax aurea saeptis,
Et tua, qua polles, tam blando fistula cantu
Foedere cornipetas concordi vinciat agnos.
Reginam volucrum regi tibi iunge ferarum,
Reddatur vobis ut abactis vestra Chimaeris.
Postmodum concordes generosi pectoris iras
In Turcas animate, lupos et monstra Canopi.
Nulla gregi quadrupes, volucris ve inimica resistet,
Dum videant aquilamque ducem verumque leonem,
Haec pia Caesarei cantores vota frequentant.

Vobis religio parque est reverentia recti.
Vis animi et pietas clementiaque insita vobis.
Par mundi imperium et gladius debetur utrique.
Vera ergo auspiciis vigeat sapientia vestris
Floreat et sanctis cum moribus inclita virtus;
Sit suus ingenuis honor artibus et sua merces.
Tum Medico exsultent colles et pascua plaudant
Pontifici et tanto laetatur Caesare mundus.
Haec pia Caesarei cantores vota frequentant.
Amen.

Tenor I:
Da pacem Domine in diebus nostris:
quia non est alius qui pugnet pro nobis,
nisi tu Deus noster.

Tenor II:
Sacerdos et pontifex et virtutum artifex,
bonus pastor in populo.
Sic placuisti Domino.

=== ENGLISH ===

Most worthy shepherd, granted to the flock by heaven's gift,
Doctor, who at long last cure the sores of your wounded flock,
May you be a source of blessing to your flock and to us and be yourself blessed.
May soothing all your flock be your eternal care,
Let bountiful peace, golden peace return to your folds,
And may your shepherd's pipe, in which you excel, that pipe with its caressing song
Bind your butting lambs in pact of concord.
Join the queen of birds to yourself, the king of beasts,
that once the Chimaeras are driven away, your flock may be restored to you as your own.
Then kindle the united wrath of your noble heart
against the Turk, wolves and monsters of Canopus.
No beast nor hostile bird shall withstand the flock,
When they see the eagle as leader, and the true lion.
These holy prayers the singers of Caesar re-echo.

In you do religion and reverence for right exist side by side.
In you are planted force of mind, piety and mercy,
equal share of world dominion and the sword is owed to you both.
Therefore let true wisdom flourish under your guidance,
And may glorious virtue blossom with holy ways.
May the liberal arts have their due reward.
Then may the hills rejoice in the Doctor,
And the pastures applaud the Pontiff,
And the world delight in so great a Caesar.
These holy prayers the singers of Caesar re-echo.
Amen.

Tenor I
Give peace in our time, O Lord,
for there is no other that fights for us,
but only you, our God.

Tenor II
Priest and Pontiff and Maker of virtues,
good shepherd amidst the people,
thus have you pleased the Lord.