Annotations to James Joyce's Ulysses/Circe/410

Annotations

Vidi aquam egredientem de templo a latere dextro. Alleluia     (Latin) I saw water coming out of the temple on the right-hand side. This is not from the Introit for paschal time; it is the opening phrase of one of the antiphons that may be sung during Eastertide in the Asperges, or rite of sprinkling the congregation with holy water, a penitential rite that ordinarily precedes the principal Mass on Sunday. This particular antiphon is based on Ezekiel 47 and Psalms 117 (Vulgate):

Vidi Aquam

Vidi aquam egredientem de templo, A latere dextro, Alleluia: Et omnes, ad quos pervenit aqua ista, Salvi facti sunt, et dicent, Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Confitemini Domino quoniam bonus: R. Quoniam in saeculum misericordia eius. V. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto: R. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, Et in saecula sæculorum. Amen.

I saw water coming forth from the temple On the right side, Alleluia: And all those to whom this water came Were saved, and shall say, Alleluia, Alleluia. V. Give praise to the Lord, for He is good: R. For His mercy endureth forever. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, World without end. Amen.

Altius aliquantulum     (Latin) Somewhat higher. Gifford translates this incorrectly as "with considerable profundity"; it is actually a reference to the fact that this verse is sung at a slightly higher pitch than the first verse in the traditional chant.

Et omnes ad quos pervenit aqua istas     (Latin) And all those to whom this water came. See 410.22 above.