Nuper rosarum flores

Technically, the dome itself was not finished until five months later, at which time a separate consecration was celebrated by Benozzo Federighi, the bishop of Fiesole, substituting for the newly appointed archbishop of Florence, Cardinal Vitelleschi.

[4] The two homographic tenors, which define the overall structural plan of the piece, are both based on a Gregorian cantus firmus melody taken from the introit for the consecration of churches, Terribilis est locus iste ('Awesome is this place', Genesis 28:17), a fifth apart and with different, interlocking rhythmic configurations.

The first two strophes describe the event being celebrated: "recently roses bloomed in the bitter cold of winter, adorning the Church; today it will be consecrated by Pope Eugenius with holy hands and oils".

Following these critiques, Craig Wright published a compelling refutation, demonstrating that Warren's analysis "does violence to the architecture of the church", and that the "unique ratio 6:4:2:3, which governs Dufay's motet, is... in no way immanent, or even superficially apparent, in the design of the cathedral of Florence".

[13] Nuper rosarum flores Ex dono pontificis Hieme licet horrida Tibi, virgo coelica, Pie et sancte deditum Grandis templum machinae Condecorarunt perpetim.

Igitur, alma parens Nati tui et filia Virgo decus virginum, Tuus te Florentiae Devotus orat populus, Ut qui mente et corpore Mundo quicquam exorarit

Cantus firmus: Terribilis est locus iste Recently roses (came) as a gift from the Pope, despite the cruel winter, to you, heavenly Virgin, to whom a temple of magnificent design is dedicated dutifully and through sacred rites.