P-BRad (Braga) Arquivo Distrital Pasta 163
P-BRad Pasta 163
Two hands; both notate the music with large-sized neumes around a clefless, single red line. The first (recto, top) uses the virga to represent a single note; it is influenced by square notation. The other is typically Aquitanian (Portuguese variety). No custodes. The rhombus-shaped punctum is always used to indicate the lower note of the semitone.
Red and blue alternated initials with simple filigree for the first chants of a liturgical occasion. Simpler initials in brown ink for other chants. Rubrics in red.
Inscriptions only on the verso. Two modern inscriptions: on the left, a number pencilled in red, "163"; and on the right, in blue ink, "Caixa 247, nº8".
In the lower part of the folio, in brown ink, a poetic text by Luis de Góngora y Argote, written by a Portuguese hand from the 17th or 18th century, reads " Manda Amor en su fadiga Que se cienta y no se diga; Pero a mim más me contenta Que se diga y no se cienta."
On the top part of the folio another poetical fragment (for singing?) reads: "Dejar de amarte no puedo no porque amar tu Cielo me manda, amor, me manda amor me manda, amor"; below it, perhaps a signature (Souzas...?).
On the left side another inscription reads "Sam Joam de Villarcham" [= freguesia de Vilarchão, Vieira do Minho]. The same inscription (variant: "Villar Cham") can be read on the right side of the folio. The fragment probably served as a cover for documents from this parish.
The single folio is very well preserved and shows no content loss. The folio has been folded probably for its use as a book cover. Almost no spots or dirtiness.
Single column with alternated text and music notation for a total number of 14 lines.
A cursive roman numeral can be read on the recto side at the top of the page. Could be a XLII or XVII.