Ruysbroeck Part 6

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

I. Flemish Text

_Werken van Jan van Ruusbroec_. Ed. J. David. 6 vols. (Maetschappy der Vlaemsche Bibliophilen). (Gent, 1858-68.)

This edition, based on the MSS. preserved at Brussels and Ghent, and the foundation of all the best translations, is now rare. It may be consulted at the British Museum.

A re-issue of the Flemish text is now in progress; the first volume being _Jan van Ruysbroeck, Van den VII. Trappen_ (i.e. _The Seven Degrees of Love_) _met Geert Groote's latijnsche Vertaling_. Ed. Dom. Ph. Muller (Brussels, 1911).

II. Translations

A. _Latin_

The chief works of Ruysbroeck were early translated into Latin, some during their author's lifetime, and widely circulated in this form. Three of these early translations were printed in the sixteenth century: the _De Ornatu Spiritualium Nuptiarum_ of Jordaens, at Paris, in 1512; and the _De Septem Scalae Divini Amoris Gradibus_ of Gerard Groot, together with the _De Perfectione Filiorum Dei_ (i.e. _The Sparkling Stone_), at Bologna, in 1538.

The standard Latin translation, however-indispensable to all students of Ruysbroeck-is the great work of the Carthusian monk, Laurentius Surius: _D. Joannis Rusbrochii Opera Omnia_ (Cologne, 1552).

This was reprinted in 1609 (the best edition), and again in 1692. It contains all Ruysbroeck's authentic works, and some that are doubtful; in a translation singularly faithful to the sense of the original, though it fails to reproduce the rugged sublimity, the sudden lapses into crude and homely metaphor, so characteristic of his style.

B. _English_

_The Book of the Twelve Beguines_ (the first sixteen chapters only).

Translated from the Flemish, by John Francis (London, 1913).

A useful translation of one of Ruysbroeck's most difficult treatises.

C. _French_

_uvres de Ruysbroeck l'Admirable. Traduction du Flamand par les_ Benedictins de Saint Paul de Wisques.

Vol. I.: _Le Miroir du Salut eternel_; _Les Sept Clotures_; _Les Sept Degres de l'ech.e.l.le d'Amour Spirituel_ (Brussels, 1912, in progress).

This edition, when completed, will form the standard text of Ruysbroeck for those unable to read Flemish. The translation is admirably lucid, and a short but adequate introduction is prefixed to each work.

_L'Ornement des Noces Spirituelles. Traduit du Flamand par_ Maurice Maeterlinck (Brussels, 1900).

This celebrated book, still more its beautiful though unreliable introduction, is chiefly responsible for the modern interest in Ruysbroeck. The translation, exquisite as French prose, over-emphasises the esoteric element in his teaching. Those unable to read Flemish should check it by Lambert's German text (see below).

_Vie de Rusbroch suivie de son Traite des Sept Degres de l'Amour.

Traduction litterale du Texte Flamand-Latin, par_ R. Chamonal (Paris, 1909). _Traite du Royaume des Amants de Dieu. Traduit par_ R. Chamonal (Paris, 1911). _De la Vraie Contemplation_ (i.e. _The Twelve Beguines_). _Traduit par_ R. Chamonal. 3 vols. (Paris, 1912).

These are the first volumes of a proposed complete translation; which is, however, far from literal, and replaces the rough vigour of the original by the insipid language of conventional French piety.

_Livre des XII. Beguines ou de la Vraie Contemplation_ (first sixteen chapters only). _Traduit du Flamand, avec Introduction, par_ L'Abbe P.

Cuylits (Brussels, 1909).

This also contains a French version of the _Vita_ of Pomerius. The translator is specially successful in rendering the peculiar quality of Ruysbroeck's verse; but the statements in his introduction must be accepted with reserve.

D. _German_

_Drei Schriften des Mystikers Johann van Ruysbroeck, aus dem Vlamischen ubersetzt von_ Franz A. Lambert (Leipzig, 1902).

A vigorous and accurate translation of _The Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage_, _The Sparkling Stone_ and _The Book of Supreme Truth_.

Ruysbroeck translates better into German than into any other language; and this volume is strongly recommended to all who can read that tongue.

III. Selections

_Rusbrock l'Admirable: uvres Choisies. Traduit par_ E. h.e.l.lo (Paris, 1902).

A series of short pa.s.sages, paraphrased (_not_ translated) from the Latin of Surius. There are two English versions of this unsatisfactory book, the second being the best:

_Reflections from the Mirror of a Mystic._ Translated by Earle Baillie (London, 1905).

_Flowers of a Mystic Garden._ Translated by C. E. S. (London, 1912).

_Life, Light, and Love: Selections from the German Mystics._ By the Very Rev. W. R. Inge, D.D., Dean of St. Paul's (London, 1905).

Contains an abridged version of _The Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage_.

Biography and Criticism

(_A Selection_)

Auger, A.-_De Doctrina et Meritis Joannis van Ruysbroeck_ (Louvain, 1892).

Engelhardt, J. G. von.-_Richard von St. Victor und J. Ruysbroeck_ (Erlangen, 1838).

Useful for tracing the correspondences between the Victorines and Ruysbroeck.

Maeterlinck, Maurice.-_Ruysbroeck and the Mystics._ Translated by Jane Stoddart (London, 1908).

An English version of the Introduction to _L'Ornement des Noces Spirituelles_, above-mentioned; with many fine pa.s.sages translated from Ruysbroeck's other works.

Pomerius, H.-_De Origine Monasterii Viridisvallis una c.u.m Vitis Joannis Rusbrochii._

Printed in _a.n.a.lecta Bollandiana_, vol. iv. (Brussels, 1885). The chief authority for all biographical facts.