VOCES8 Scholars: Veni, Dilecte Mi by Sebastián de Vivanco

The VOCES8 UK Scholars perform Sebastián de Vivanco’s ’Veni Dilecte Mi’ at the VOCES8 Centre in London. TEXT Veni, dilecte mi, egrediamur in agro, commoremur in villis. Mane surgamus ad vineas, videamus si floruit vinea, si flores fructus parturiunt, si floruerunt mala punica. Ibi dabo tibi ubera mea. Mandragorae dederunt odorem suum, in portis nostris omnia poma, nova et vetera, dilecte mi, servavi tibi. TREANSLATION Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field, let us abide in the villages. Let us arise and go early to the vineyards, let us see if the vines flourish, if the blossom be ready to bring forth fruits, if the pomegranates are in flower. There will I give thee my breasts. Mandrakes give forth their fragrance, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.