Quis dabit oculis

General information

Lament for a dead monarch.

Settings by composers

• Jean Mouton ATTB
• Ludwig Senfl ATTB

Texts and Translations

Latin text Quis dabit oculis nostris fontem lacrymarum et plorabimus coram Domino? Germania/Britannia, quid ploras? Musica, cur siles? Austria/Francia, cur inducta veste reproba moerore consumeris? Heu, nobis Domine, Maximilianus/Anna! Gaudium cordis nostri Conversus est in luctum cecidit corona capitis nostri. Ergo ululate pueri, plorate sacerdotes, lugite cantores, plangite nobiles et dicite: Maximilianus/Anna requiescat in pace.

English translation Who will give our eyes a fountain of tears to weep before the Lord? Germany/Britain, why do you weep? Music, why do you keep silent? Austria/France, why are you in mourning and spent with grief? Alas for our lord Maximilian/Anne! The joy of our hearts was turned into mourning; The crown has fallen from our head. Therefore, boys howl, priests weep, the singing men lament, the nobles weep and say:  May Maximilian/Anne rest in his peace.