The Book of the Twelve Béguines

John of Ruysbroeck

Translated by John Francis

20 chapters · about 41 min

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The opening

CHAPTER I

TWELVE Beguines sat Talking of the fair Lord Jesus Each after her own manner: “Let us treasure this Love,” said they, “For sweet is Its beginning, “And the end Thereof passing tender. ”

The First said: — “I would bear the burden of the Love of Jesus, “Unaided, save by God, Who strengtheneth me. “Oh, wise are we, who know and who love “This noble Son of a Royal House.”

The next said: — “Willingly would I love Him, “Knew I but how to begin; “But He is hidden from me. “Alas, I confess that it is I who am at fault; “For my heart is restless and distracted, “And I live in the midst of petty cares. ”

The Third said: — “He cometh to me like One in utter holiness, “Showing me all beauty: “Anon He flieth from me, like a fickle lover, “Taking all my joy with Him: “And I but follow after Him as best I can. “Unwise is he who rejoiceth in the day, “Before he hath seen the ending thereof “In a calm and peaceful eventide.”

The whole book is in the Sphinx app.

About this edition

The words
John Francis's English translation, copied word for word.
Left out
  • Specks and library marks on the cover and blank leaves of the scanned copy (“'a/.”, “*”, “c I”) (9 blocks)
  • The title page and opening pages before chapter 1
  • Other material that isn't the author's
  • A preface, foreword or afterword, in 3 places
  • Page numbers and running heads from the printed pages, in 7 places
  • The printed table of contents (the app makes its own)
  • The title line printed above Chapter I (“THE BOOK OF THE TWELVE B£GUINES”)
  • The printer's line (“PRINTED BY NEILL AND CO., LTD., EDINBURGH.”)
  • Notes and pages added by translators, editors or publishers, in 2 places
  • The library's spine label and marks on the back of the scanned copy (“Jan5080 'J313 1913 IMS”) (5 blocks)
  • Printer's signature mark (2 blocks)
  • Printed ornaments and dividers
  • The source website's menus, layout and notices