Antiphona 4

Canticles 2:11-13 describes the Bridegroom's call to his beloved as winter ends. 'Iam hiems transiit' (already winter has passed) represents the old covenant's time of waiting. 'Imber abiit et recessit' (the rain has departed and gone) indicates purification completed. The double imperative 'surge... et veni' (arise... and come) echoes the resurrection command - the Bride must rise from death-like sleep. At Vespers, as evening brings rest, this antiphon presents Mary as the one who rose at Christ's call, the first to experience the new creation's eternal spring.