Class *5Y^ 
 
 Book ^Xlh. 
 
 Copyright N° 
 
 COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 
 
EARLY 
 CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
EARLY 
 CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 TRANSLATIONS OF THE VERSES OF THE 
 
 MOST NOTABLE LATIN WRITERS OF 
 
 THE EARLY AND MIDDLE AGES 
 
 BY 
 
 DANIEL JOSEPH DONAHOE 
 
 Author of " Idyls of Israel" " A Tent by the Lake" " In' Sheltered Ways" 
 " Th'e Rescue of the Princess," etc. 
 
 s 
 THE GRAFTON PRESS 
 
 PUBLISHERS NEW YORK 
 
.1U 
 
 jubhary of 0dNG>e«s5 
 
 wo uooies nece«vc« 
 S£P 16 WU8 
 
 IU833L 
 
 Copyright, 1908 by 
 THE GRAFTON PRESS 
 
 IN THE UNITED STATES 
 AND GREAT BRITAIN 
 
 080163% 
 
PREFACE 
 
 This volume may fairly be said to contain the best 
 religious songs of all the ages of the Latin Church. The 
 name of the work would indicate that only the earlier 
 hymns were included; and that, indeed, was the in- 
 tention of the author when the publication of the book 
 was commenced. But as some of the hymns inserted 
 in that treasure-house of spiritual song, the Roman 
 Breviary, since the pontificate of Urban VIII. are ex- 
 quisitely beautiful, both in poetry and religious feeling, 
 it has been deemed best to make the work sufficiently 
 complete to include practically all the hymns there 
 found, both ancient and modern. 
 
 Many of the hymns here translated were gleaned from 
 the pages of the great works of Daniel, Mone and 
 Wackernagel. A volume of Latin hymns published by 
 Professor March of La Fayette College, will be found to 
 contain a number of the most beautiful; but the chief 
 source has been the Roman Breviary. And as that 
 work is more easily obtained by the ordinary student, 
 than the great collections above named, it has been 
 thought advisable to note all hymns drawn from that 
 source, so that the reader, who may desire to compare 
 the translation with the original, will have little diffi- 
 culty in doing so. 
 
VI PREFACE 
 
 The attempt to turn these glorious songs of the Church 
 into something fairly representative of the thought and 
 feeling of the original has been a labor of love during 
 the past four years. The translator has always been 
 an ardent lover of the Latin hymns, but the idea of 
 making English versions of them came about as if by 
 accident. While reading the Veni Sancte Spiritus, 
 the "golden sequence," as it has been called, one Sun- 
 day afternoon in April, 1904, the words and melody of 
 the hymn shaped themselves, as it were, into an Eng- 
 lish form, without any apparent effort, a form which 
 seemed to give an adequate representation of the orig- 
 inal both in thought and feeling. 
 
 Immediately upon the appearance of that poem in 
 print, the author was urged by scholarly friends, both 
 clerical and lay, lovers, like himself, of the fine old 
 church songs, to try his hand at others, especially those 
 used for liturgical purposes and found in the Breviary 
 and Missal. The more of these translations that 
 appeared, the more popular they seemed to become. 
 
 The very act of translating afforded a singular pleas- 
 ure and exhilaration of spirit. In a short time the 
 number of English renderings on the author's hands 
 became so great, and the requests of friends to collect 
 them in a volume, so urgent, that the present work is 
 the result. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 ST. HILARY . 3 
 
 A Hymn for the Penitent (Ad Coeli Clara) 5 
 
 A Hymn for Pentecost (Beata Nobis Gaudia) 6 
 
 A Morning Hymn (Deus Pater Ingenite) 8 
 
 St. Hilary's Morning Hymn (Lucis Largitor Splendide) .... 9 
 
 A Song of Dawn (Jam Meta Noctis Transiit) 10 
 
 A Song of Dawn (Another Version) 11 
 
 ST. DAMASUS 13 
 
 Hymn to St. Agatha {Martyr is ecce dies Agathae) 15 
 
 ST. AMBROSE 17 
 
 Easter Hymn (Aurora Coelum Purpura!) 19 
 
 The Truth of Truths (Tristes Erant Apostoli) 20 
 
 The Resurrection (Paschale Mundo Gaudium) 21 
 
 A Paschal Morning Hymn (Rex Sempiterne Coelitum) 22 
 
 Vesper Hymn, for the Feast of a Martyr (Deus Tuorum Militum) 23 
 
 Hymn for Lauds for the Feast of a Martyr (Invicte Martyr Unicum) 24 
 
 An Early Morning Hymn (Jam Lucis Orto Sidera) 25 
 
 A Hymn for Advent (Creator Alme Siderum) 26 
 
 Hymn for Matins (Somno Refectis Artubus) 27 
 
 A Hymn for Advent (En Clara Fox) 28 
 
 Hymn for the Nativity of Our Lord (Jesu Redemptor Omnium) 29 
 
 A Hymn for the Night Season (Nox Atra Rerum) 31 
 
 Paschal Tide (Ad Regias Agni Dapes) 32 
 
 Morning Hymn for Ascension Day (Aeterne Rex Altissime) 33 
 
 Vesper Hymn for Ascension Day (Jesu Nostra Redemptio) ... 35 
 
 Pentecost (Jam Christus Astra Ascenderat) 36 
 
 O Splendour of the Father's Face (Splendor Paternae Gloriae) . . 37 
 
 A Morning Hymn (Aeterna. Coeli Gloria) 39 
 
 The Morning's Golden Radiance (Aurora Jam Spargit) ... 40 
 
 Evening Hymn (Te Lucis Ante Terminum) 41 
 
 vii 
 
Vlll CONTENTS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Hymn for the Feast of a Virgin (Jesu, Corona Virginum) . . 42 
 
 A Night Song (Rerum Deus Tenax Vigor) 43 
 
 Hymn Before Daylight (Consors Paterni Luminis) 43 
 
 Hymn for Early Morning (Summae Parens Clementiae) .... 44 
 
 A Hymn for Eventide {Deus Creator Omnium) 45 
 
 A Morning Prayer (Rector Potens Verax Deus) 47 
 
 A Hymn to the Holy Ghost (Nunc Sancte Nobis Spiritus). ... 47 
 
 A Vesper Song (Jam SoJ Recedit Igneus) 48 
 
 O Word of Might (Verbum Supemum Prodiens) 49 
 
 Hymn for the Feast of a Martyr (Rex Gloriose Martyrum) . . 50 
 
 A Hymn for the Feast of an Apostle (Aeterna Christi Munera) . 51 
 
 A Hymn for Sunday (Aeterne Rerum Conditor) 52 
 
 PRUDENTIUS 55 
 
 A Hymn for Epiphany (0 Sola Magnarum Urbium) 57 
 
 Hymn for the Holy Innocents (Audit Tyrannus Anxius) ... 58 
 
 Hymn for the Holy Innocents (Salvete, Flores Martyrum) ... 59 
 
 A Morning Hymn (Ales Diei Nuntius) m 60 
 
 The Glory of Christ (Quicumque Christum Quaeritis) .... 61 
 
 Morning Hymn (Nox et Tenebrae et Nubilae) 62 
 
 Behold the Golden Light (Lux Ecce Surgit Aurea) 63 
 
 SEDULIUS 65 
 
 A Christmas Hymn (A Solis Onus Cardine) 67 
 
 Hymn for Epiphany (Crudelis Her odes Deum) 68 
 
 ELPIS 71 
 
 To Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles (Decora Lux Aeternitatis) . . 73 
 
 FORTUNATUS 75 
 
 On the Holy Cross (Crux Benedicta Nitet) 77 
 
 Vesper Hymn to the Virgin (Ave Maris Stella) 78 
 
 A Hymn for Matins (Quern Terra, Pontus, Sidera) . . . . 80 
 
 A Hymn to the Virgin (0 Gloriosa Virginum) 81 
 
 The Holy Cross (Vexilla Regis) 82 
 
 The Crucifixion (Pange Lingua) 83 
 
 ST. GREGORY THE GREAT 87 
 
 The Works of the Days (Lucis Creator Optime) 91 
 
 The Works of the Days (Immense Coeli Conditor) 92 
 
CONTENTS IX 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Works of the Days {Telluris Alme Conditor) 92 
 
 The Works of the Days (Coeli Deus Sanctissime) 93 
 
 The Works of the Days {Magnae Deus Potentiae) 94 
 
 The Works of the Days {Hominis Superne Conditor) .... 95 
 
 The Works of the Days {Doxology) 95 
 
 A Morning Hymn {0 Sol Salutis Intimis) 96 
 
 A Lenten Hymn {Audi, Benigne Conditor) 97 
 
 Hymn to the Saviour {Salvator Mundi Domine) 98 
 
 Early Morning Hymn {Rerum Creator Optime) 99 
 
 A Hymn for Lent (Ex More Docti Mystico) 100 
 
 A Hymn for Matins (Tu Trinitatis Unitas) 101 
 
 Sunday Morning Hymn {Prima Die Quo Trinitas) 103 
 
 At Matins {Node Surgentes) 104 
 
 At Matins (Another Version) 105 
 
 At Daybreak {Ecce Jam Noctis) 105 
 
 At Daybreak (Another Version) 106 
 
 A Hymn for Pentecost {Vent Creator Spiritus) 107 
 
 EUGENIUS 109 
 
 The Prayer of Eugenius {Rex Deus, Immensi) 111 
 
 PAUL THE DEACON 113 
 
 Vesper Hymn to St. John the Baptist {Ut Queant Laxis) . . . 115 
 
 Hymn for Matins {Antra Deserti) 116 
 
 Hymn for Lauds {0 Nimis Felix) 117 
 
 ST. PAULINUS OF AQUILEIA 119 
 
 The Apostles, Peter and Paul {Felix Per Omnes Festum) . . . 121 
 
 THEODULPHUS . 123 
 
 Hymn for Palm Sunday {Gloria, Laus et Honor) 125 
 
 RABANUS MAURUS .127 
 
 Vesper Hymn for All Saints {Placare Christe Servulis) .... 129 
 
 Morning Hymn for All Saints {Salutis Aeterne Dator) . . . . 130 
 
 Hymn to the Archangel Raphael {Tibi Christe Splendor Patris) . 131 
 
 Hymn to the Archangel Michael {Te Splendor et Virtus Patris) . 132 
 
 O Jesus, Joy of Angel Choirs {Christe, Sanctorum Decus) . . 133 
 
 Hymn for the Apostles {Exultet Orbis Gaudiis) 134 
 
 Hymn for the Feast of a Confessor {Jesu Redemptor Omnium) . 135 
 
X CONTENTS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Hymn for a Confessor (Iste Confessor Domini) 136 
 
 NOTKER 139 
 
 The Allelu'iatic Seqjjence (Cantemus Cuncti) 141 
 
 ST. ODO OF CLUNY 143 
 
 For St. Mary Magdalene (Summi Parentis Unice) ..... 145 
 
 ROBERT I., KING OF FRANCE 147 
 
 Hymn for Whitsunday (Veni Sancte Spiritus) 149 
 
 HERMANN CONTRACTUS 151 
 
 Vesper Hymn to the Virgin (Alma Redemptoris Mater) .... 153 
 
 A Vesper Psalm (Salve Regina) 153 
 
 Vesper Hymn (Ave Regina Coelorum) ; 155 
 
 PIERRE ABELARD 157 
 
 The Everlasting Sabbath (0 Quanta Qualia) 159 
 
 The Everlasting Sabbath (Another Version) 161 
 
 ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX 165 
 
 Vesper Hymn to Jesus (Jesu Dulcis Memoria) 167 
 
 Hymn to the Holy Name, for Matins (Jesu Rex Admirabilis) . . 168 
 
 Morning Hymn to Jesus (Jesu Decus Angelicum) 169 
 
 Hymn to the Saviour (Jesu Mi Bone, Sentiam) 170 
 
 THOMAS OF CELANO 171 
 
 The Last Judgment (Dies Irae) 173 
 
 ST. BONAVENTURE 177 
 
 The Passion of Our Lord (In Passione Domini) 179 
 
 On the Holy Cross (Recordare Sanctae Crucis) 180 
 
 ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 183 
 
 Hymn for the Blessed Sacrament (Verbum Supernum Prodiens) . 185 
 
 The New Pasch (Pange Lingua) . . , 186 
 
 Morning Hymn for Corpus Christi (Sacris Solemniis) .... 187 
 
 Hymn for Private Meditation (Adoro Te Devote) 189 
 
 Hymn for Holy Communion (0 Esca Viatorum) 190 
 
 Sequence for Corpus Christi (Lattda Sion) 191 
 
CONTENTS XI 
 
 PAGE 
 
 JACOPONE DA TODI 195 
 
 The Sorrowful Mother (Stabat Mater Dolorosa) 197 
 
 THOMAS A KEMPIS 201 
 
 Meekness (Adversa Mundi Tolera) 203 
 
 Suffer With Humility (Quum a Malts Molestaris) 203 
 
 Life (Labor Parva est) 203 
 
 The Fruits of Patience (Patiendo Fit Homo) 204 
 
 Trust in God (In Domino Semper Spera) 204 
 
 CARDINAL SILVIO ANTONIANO 205 
 
 Hymn for the Feast of Holy Women (Fortem Virili Pectore) . . 207 
 
 CARDINAL ROBERT BELLARMIN 209 
 
 Hymn for the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene (Pater Superni Luminis) 211 
 
 Hymn for the Feast of the Angel Guardian (Aeterne Rector Siderum) 212 
 
 Hymn to the Angel Guardians (Custodes Hominum Psallimus) . 213 
 
 URBAN Vin 215 
 
 Hymn to St. Theresa (Regis Superni Nuntia) 217 
 
 Hymn to St. Theresa (Haec est Dies) 217 
 
 Hymn to St. Elizabeth of Portugal (Domare Cordis Impetus) . 218 
 
 Hymn for the Feast of St. Martina (Martinae Celebri Plaudite) . 219 
 
 Hymn for the Feast of St. Martina (Tu Natale Solum Protege) . 220 
 
 The Transfiguration (Lux Alma Jesu Mentium) 221 
 
 Hymn to St. Joseph (Te Joseph Celebrent Agmina Coelitum) . . . 221 
 
 To St. Joseph (Coelitum Joseph Decus) 222 
 
 Morning Hymn to St. Joseph (Iste Quern Laeti Colimus) . . . 223 
 
 Hymn for the Feast of a Confessor (Jesu Corona Celsior). . . 224 
 
 HYMNS BY UNKNOWN AUTHORS 227 
 
 Hymn to the Blessed Virgin (Flos Pudicitiae. A Cento) . . . 229 
 
 Hymn to the Blessed Virgin (Flos Pudicitiae. A Cento) . . . 230 
 
 Hymn to the Blessed Virgin (Aurora Quae Solem Paris) . . . 230 
 
 Hymn on the Dedication of a Church (Coelestis Urbs Jerusalem) . 232 
 
 Hymn on the Dedication of a Church (Alto Ex Olympi Vertice) . 233 
 
 The Prayer on Mount Olivet (Aspice ut Verbum Patris) . . . 234 
 
 The Prayer on Mount Olivet (Venit e Coelo) 235 
 
 Hymn on the Passion of Our Lord (Moerentes Oculi) .... 236 
 
 Hymn on the Passion of Our Lord (Aspice Infami Deus) . . . 237 
 
Xii CONTENTS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Hymn on the Passion of Our Lord (Saevo Dolorum Turbine) . . 238 
 
 On the Crown of Thorns (Exite, Sion Filiae) 239 
 
 On the Crown of Thorns (Legis Figuris Pingitur) 240 
 
 On the Spear and Nails (Quaenam Lingua Tibi) 241 
 
 On the Spear and Nails (Sahete Clavi et Lancea) 242 
 
 On the Spear and Nails (Tinctam Ergo Christ?) 242 
 
 On the Winding-Sheet (Gloriam Sacrae Celebremus) 243 
 
 On the Winding-Sheet (Mysterium Mirabile) 244 
 
 On the Winding-Sheet (Jesu Dulcis Amor Meus) 246 
 
 Our Lady, Help of Christians (Saepe Dum Ckristi Populus Cruentis) 247 
 
 Our Lady, Help of Christians (Te Redemptoris Dominique Nostri) 248 
 
 On the Most Precious Blood (Festivis Resonent Compita) . . . 249 
 
 On the Most Precious Blood (Ira Justa Conditoris) .... 250 
 
 On the Most Precious Blood {Sahete Christe Vulnera) .... 252 
 
 On the Sacred Heart (Auctor Beate Saeculi) 253 
 
 On the Sacred Heart (Quicumque Certum Quaeritis) 254 
 
 On the Sacred Heart (En, Ut Superba Criminum) 255 
 
 On the Sacred Heart (Summi Parentis Filio) 256 
 
 On the Sacred Heart (Cor, Area Legem Continens) 257 
 
 On the Seven Dolors (0 Quot Undis Lacrimarum) 258 
 
 On the Seven Dolors (Jam Toto Subitus Vesper) 260 
 
 On the Seven Dolors (Summae Deus Clementiae) 261 
 
 On the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin (Te Mater Alma Numinis) 261 
 
 On the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin (Coelo Redemptor Praetulii) 262 
 
 On the Purity of the Blessed Virgin (PraecJara Custos Virginum) 263 
 
 On the Purity of the Blessed Virgin (0 Stella Jacob) . »■ , ■ 264 
 
EARLY 
 CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
ST. HILARY 
 
 Born at Poitiers, in France, about a.d. 300, St. Hil- 
 ary was one of the most noted men of his age. St. 
 Augustine styles him "The illustrious doctor of the 
 Churches," and St. Jerome characterizes him as "a 
 most eloquent man, and the trumpet of the Latins 
 against the Arians." 
 
 According to his own account, St. Hilary was brought 
 up in idolatry; but made a special study of religion, 
 and soon was led to conclude that the system of poly- 
 theism, under which he had been trained, was absurd; 
 and he became convinced that there can be only one 
 God. This led him to a study of both the old and new 
 Testaments, and in a short time he was baptized, and 
 was afterwards ordained as priest. 
 
 Before his conversion he was married. His wife 
 and one daughter, Apra, were living in 353, at which 
 time he was chosen bishop of Poitiers. From the time 
 of his ordination he lived in perpetual continency. 
 
 He was banished by order of the Emperor Constan- 
 tius for his strong opposition to the Arian heresy, in 
 356, and remained in exile upwards of three years. 
 
 While in exile he sent his daughter two hymns, one 
 for the morning, "Lucis Largitor Splendide," and one 
 for evening, which does not seem to have reached our 
 times, unless it may be the abecedary, "Ad Coeli Clara," 
 as some think. 
 
 3 
 
4 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 During his banishment Hilary opposed the Arians 
 with such force, that they requested Constantius to 
 send him back to Gaul, so that they might be rid of his 
 antagonism. This was done by the weak Emperor, 
 and Hilary returned to his province in 360. 
 
 He died at Poitiers January 13, 368, but his office is 
 celebrated in the Roman Breviary on the 14th. 
 
 With St. Ambrose, who was writing at the time, St. 
 Hilary was a powerful influence in reforming and per- 
 fecting the songs used in the church in his day. The 
 oriental custom of antiphonal singing, first said to be 
 introduced into the western church by St. Ambrose, 
 was probably brought by Hilary from the east, at the 
 time of his return from banishment. 
 
A HYMN FOR THE PENITENT 
 
 Ad Coeli Clara 
 
 I AM not worthy, Lerd, mine eyes 
 To turn unto thy starry skies; 
 But bowed in sin, with moans and sighs, 
 I beg thee, hear me. 
 
 My duty I have left undone, 
 Nor sought I crime or shame to shun, 
 My feet in sinful paths have run, 
 Sweet Christ, be near me. 
 
 O, fill my soul with grief sincere 
 For mine offences; let the tear 
 Moisten my pillow; Father hear, 
 And grant repentance. 
 
 For all my many crimes, O Lord, 
 The pains of hell were just reward; 
 But thou, O God, my cry regard, 
 And spare the sentence* 
 
 Redeemer, sole-begotten Son, 
 Father and Spirit, three in one, 
 Thou art my hope; as ages run 
 Be thine all glory. 
 
 5 
 
EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 If in the balance thou shouldst weigh 
 My crimes, there were nor hope nor stay, 
 But Lord, thy clemency I pray, 
 To grace restore me. 
 
 Dear Jesus, I acknowledge thee, 
 Thou gavest thy life upon the tree; 
 Who takes from thy Divinity 
 Is a blasphemer. 
 
 All godless errors, proud or vain, 
 The false belief and murmuring strain 
 Insult thy love, thy law profane, 
 Gentle Redeemer. 
 
 Sweet Lord, I love thy holy name; 
 I hear my mother church proclaim 
 The Spirit, Sire and Son the same, 
 One God eternal. 
 
 Power, love and glory be to thee, 
 O high and holy Trinity; 
 Be ours the bliss thy face to see 
 In light supernal. 
 
 A HYMN F<t»R PENTECOST 
 
 Beata Nobis Gaudia 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 T 
 
 HE rolling years, in joy complete, 
 The jubilee of glory wrought, 
 
ST. HILARY 
 
 What time the Heavenly Paraclete 
 His gifts to the apostles brought. 
 
 Aglow with living light he came 
 
 Upon the twelve in tongues of fire, 
 
 That they might all the world inflame 
 
 With word of truth and pure desire. 
 $ 
 
 Then, guided by a power divine, 
 
 The tongue of every clime they spake, 
 
 Filled with God's love, as with new wine, 
 They bade the earth from sin awake. 
 
 The mystic rites are all complete, 
 The paschal-tide is overpassed; 
 
 From sin and shame remission sweet 
 The new law brings our souls at last. 
 
 Dear God of mercy and of power, 
 Bowed at thy feet in prayer and love 
 
 We come; send down thy heavenly dower, 
 The Spirit's largess, from above. 
 
 As thou hast filled our lives with light, 
 And oped our bosoms to thy grace, 
 
 So guide us ever in thy might, 
 And fit us for thy dwelling-place. 
 
 All praise to God the Father be, 
 The same to Christ, the risen Son; 
 
EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 And, Holy Paraclete, to thee, 
 Forever reigning, three in one. 
 
 A MORNING HYMN 
 
 Deus Pater Ingenite 
 
 r I A HOU unbegftten God, the Sire, 
 
 ■*- And thou, the sole-begotten Son, 
 Who, with the Spirit's sacred fire, 
 Art everlasting, three in one; 
 
 To thee no mortal calls in vain, 
 Nor doth the lover of the light 
 
 Lift up unheard a prayerful strain 
 Nor blindly seek thy holy height. 
 
 Nay, Father, they that sigh for thee, 
 And they that bow in humble prayer, 
 
 Or yield the heart on bended knee, 
 Still meet the sweetness of thy care. 
 
 Reminded by the rising sun, 
 
 To thee our grateful hearts we bring; 
 With love and praise and orison, 
 
 In hymns and songs, we gladly sing. 
 
 Lord, let the day be one of light, 
 Build all our labours unto thee; 
 
 Thou, who hast brought us out of night, 
 Keep us in strong sincerity. 
 
ST. HILARY 
 
 ST. HILARY'S MORNING HYMN 
 
 Lucis Largitor Splendide 
 
 f~\ WONDROUS giver of the light! 
 
 ^-^ By whose eternal ray serene, 
 After the lingering hours of night, 
 The glory of the morn is seen, — 
 
 Bringer of light indeed art thou; 
 
 Not like the common sun of day 
 That o'er the world is rising now 
 
 And shining with a narrow ray; 
 
 Nay, brighter than the solar beam, 
 Thyself the sun and perfect light, 
 
 And in the breast thy tender gleam 
 Illumes with glory pure and bright. 
 
 Creator of the world, be near, 
 
 Thou radiance of the Father's face! 
 
 Oh, shield us from all shapes of fear 
 And guide us by thy saving grace. 
 
 Inspire us with thy living breath, 
 
 Dwell in our hearts both night and day, 
 
 Lest by the tempter lured to death, 
 Our erring souls be made his prey. 
 
 Be all our actions free from stain, 
 Let purity our souls refine, 
 
10 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 That shunning evil thoughts and vain, 
 We live within thy laws divine. 
 
 Let not our minds be overcome 
 By false desire or deed of shame, 
 
 And be our hearts a shrine and home 
 Wherein shall burn thy holy flame. 
 
 Our hope, O Saviour, is in thee, 
 In thee we trust, we seek thy light; 
 
 Lord, let thy love a beacon be 
 
 To guide us through the gloom of night. 
 
 A SONG OF DAWN 
 
 Jam Meta Noctis T ran si it 
 
 |~"^HE bounds of night are safely passed, 
 -*- And slumber's bars asunder cast, 
 While morn uprises on the blue 
 And bathes the skies in radiance new. 
 
 Soon as the earliest light we see 
 We lift our souls, O Lord, to thee; 
 To thee, sweet source of living light, 
 In song and prayer our hearts unite. 
 
 Renew our spirits, Heavenly Dove, 
 In holy joy and deeds of love; 
 The brightness of thy glory give 
 That we may know thy light and live. 
 
ST. HILARY II 
 
 To thee, O Lord of love, we raise, 
 In sounding hymns, eternal praise, 
 The same to Christ, the sole-born Son, 
 And Holy Spirit, three in one. 
 
 A SONG OF DAWN 
 
 (Another version) 
 
 Tj^ROM heaven has fled the starry night, 
 ■*- And startled sleep has taken flight; 
 The rosy morn, uprising, spills 
 Her crystal light o'er vales and hills. 
 
 Soon as the earliest ray we see, 
 Our souls are lifted, Lord, to thee; 
 Dear God, to thee, our prayers we bring; 
 To thee rejoicing hymns we sing. 
 
 Lord, be our hearts and hopes renewed 
 In light and love and gratitude, 
 So may our deeds, illumed by thee, 
 Worthy thy love and glory be. 
 
 We praise thee, Lord, forevermore; 
 Thee, with the Son our souls adore, 
 And with the Spirit, three in one, 
 Reigning while endless ages run. 
 
ST. DAMASUS 
 
 Born in the city of Rome a.d. 304, of Spanish de- 
 scent, St. Damasus engaged himself in an ecclesiastical 
 state at an early age, and became successively reader, 
 deacon and priest of the parish church of St. Laurence 
 in that city. He was chosen bishop of Rome in the 
 year 366, which office he held for eighteen years, dying 
 December 10, 384. St. Jerome was his secretary for 
 three years before the pope's death, and speaks of him 
 as "an incomparable person, learned in the Scriptures." 
 He adorned the cemeteries of the saints with epitaphs 
 in verse. He has been called the inventor of rhyme, 
 though without satisfactory proof. 
 
 The small pious Christian poems which have been 
 printed among the works of Claudian, have been attrib- 
 uted with good authority to Damasus. 
 
 His office is celebrated in the Roman Breviary on 
 December 1 1. 
 
 13 
 
HYMN TO ST. AGATHA 
 
 Martyr is ecce dies Agathae 
 
 BRIGHT shall the day of St. Agatha rise, 
 Virgin and martyr, for lo! from the skies, 
 Christ, as a lover, stooped tenderly down, 
 Crowning her brow with his duplicate crown. 
 
 Born unto affluence, gentle in blood, 
 Wealth and temptation she bravely withstood; 
 Earth with its vanities casting aside, 
 Binding her soul to her God as a bride. 
 
 Stronger of heart than the tyrant, her foe, 
 Patient she bowed 'neath the lash and the blow; 
 And by her bosom, all rent by the sword, 
 Proved her invincible love for the Lord. 
 
 Bleeding and bound in the prison, behold! 
 Peter restored the sweet lamb to his fold; 
 Gladly she faces the torture again, 
 Rising in triumph o'er evil and pain. 
 
 Even the strangers, who knew not the Lord, 
 Flying destruction, were saved by her word; 
 Surely to those who are marked with His seal, 
 She will bring graces to help and to heal. 
 *5 
 
l6 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Glorious Agatha, now as a bride, 
 Raised by thy Saviour, thou stand 'st at his side; 
 Hear us and plead for us, keeping thy day, 
 Lift us and lead us to Jesus, we pray. 
 
 Praise to the Father and praise to the Son, 
 Praise to the Paraclete, God, Three in One; 
 Blessing and glory be thine evermore; 
 Keep us and care for us, Lord, we implore. 
 
ST. AMBROSE 
 
 St. Ambrose is unquestionably the greatest of all 
 the Latin hymn writers, not so much, perhaps, by reason 
 of the value of the hymns in themselves, as the influ- 
 ence which those hymns have produced in the Church. 
 
 St. Ambrose, son of Ambrose, the prefect of the pre- 
 torium in Gaul, probably in the city of Aries, was born 
 in the same city in the year 340. While Ambrose was 
 yet an infant his father died, and his mother returned 
 with him to Rome, her own country. 
 
 The youth learned the Greek language, and became 
 a good poet. He also studied law, and practised with 
 so much success, that he was soon chosen governor of 
 Liguria and ^Emilia, a territory including what after- 
 wards became the diocese of Milan, Turin, Genoa, 
 Ravenna and Bologna. 
 
 On the death of Auxentius, an Arian, who, on the 
 banishment of St. Dionysius, had usurped the see of 
 Milan, the people of that community were stirred up 
 by religious strife, some demanding an Arian, and some 
 a Catholic, as bishop. Ambrose felt it his duty to go 
 to the church and preserve peace, and made an admi- 
 rable address to the people, exhorting them to proceed 
 in their choice quietly and in a spirit of peace. While 
 he was yet speaking, a child cried out "Ambrose Bishop. " 
 The whole assembly took up the cry, and both Catho- 
 lics and Arians unanimously chose him as bishop. 
 
 17 
 
1 8 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 He strove for a long time against assuming the duties 
 of the office. But at last he felt himself obliged to yield 
 to the wishes of the people. He was at this time only 
 a catechumen; but he was soon baptized, and received 
 the episcopal consecration on December 7, 374. 
 
 He devoted the remainder of his life entirely to the 
 church, and became one of its four most noted Latin 
 doctors; the others being St. Jerome, St. Augustine 
 and St. Gregory the Great. 
 
 He immediately surrendered all his lands and estates 
 to the church, reserving only the income for the use of 
 his sister Marcellina, during her life. 
 
 Most of the hymns which occur in the ferial office of 
 the Latin Church seem to be either by St. Ambrose or 
 in his style. He is said to have first introduced into 
 the west the custom of singing hymns in the church. 
 
 His hymns are so composed that the sense ends with 
 the fourth verse, so that they may be sung by two choirs. 
 He established the custom of chanting, by alternate 
 choirs, the psalms, and other religious songs, in his 
 church at Milan; and this custom soon spread to all 
 churches of the west. The practice was introduced 
 from the east. Since the time of St. Ambrose, antiphonal 
 singing has been a feature in all Christian churches. 
 
 St. Ambrose died about midnight before Holy Sat- 
 urday, April 4, 397, at the age of fifty-seven years. But 
 his feast is kept and office celebrated in the Roman 
 Breviary on December 7, the day on which he was 
 consecrated bishop. His body lies under the high altar 
 in the Ambrosian basilica at Milan. 
 
EASTER HYMN 
 
 Aurora Coelum Purpurat 
 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 M|~^HE morn awakes with rosy glow, 
 
 -*■ And heaven resounds with joyful strain; 
 Sweet voices cheer the earth below, 
 While hell is rent with fear and pain. 
 
 For Christ, the King of love and might, 
 
 Hath conquered death and broke the tomb; 
 
 He leadeth forth to heavenly light 
 
 The souls that long have pined in gloom. 
 
 A guard was set before his grave, 
 
 And at the door they placed a stone, — 
 
 The guarded tomb the Saviour clave, — 
 And death and doom are overthrown. 
 
 Then cast aside the mourning weed, 
 Restrain the tear, let sorrow cease; 
 
 "The Saviour Christ is risen indeed," - 
 Thus speaks the messenger of peace. 
 
 Be with us, Jesus, evermore, 
 Our paschal joy forever be; 
 
 Renew our lives, our hopes restore, 
 From sin and sorrow set us free. 
 J 9 
 
20 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Be praise and love and glory meet 
 Unto the Sire and risen Son, 
 
 The same unto the Paraclete 
 Forever reigning three in one. 
 
 THE TRUTH OF TRUTHS 
 
 Tristes Erant Apostoli 
 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 * I ^HE sad disciples sat in gloom, 
 -■■ For in the grave the Crucified 
 Was laid to rest; they mourned his doom, 
 And shuddered o'er the death he died. 
 
 An angel to the women gave 
 
 The truth of truths: "God is not dead; 
 The Lord is risen from the grave, 
 
 And bids his flock be comforted." 
 
 The women hie, these tidings sweet 
 Unto the sorrowing band to bring; 
 
 Upon the road in joy they meet, 
 And there adore the risen King. 
 
 Then to the Galilean height 
 
 The Apostles haste, their Lord to see; 
 He sends them, blessed with bounteous light, 
 
 His chosen witnesses to be. 
 
ST. AMBROSE 21 
 
 Be with us, Lord, forevermore, 
 And let thy resurrection be 
 
 Our paschal joy; our faith restore, 
 And fill our souls with love for thee. 
 
 THE RESURRECTION 
 
 Paschale Mundo Gaudium 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 TN paschal joy the morning sun 
 
 -*- Drives from the world the gloom of night; 
 
 The faithful see the Holy One 
 
 Shining with new and glorious light. 
 
 The wounds within his flesh appear 
 Like stars amid the heavens aflame; 
 
 The brethren rise, and void of fear, 
 The Christ, their risen Lord, proclaim. 
 
 Most clement Jesus, tender King, 
 
 Possess our souls that, all aglow, 
 The tongue may fitly say and sing 
 
 The love that unto thee we owe. 
 
 Be with us evermore, O Lord, 
 
 And let thy resurrection be 
 Our paschal joy; from crimes abhorred, 
 
 In loving mercy make us free. 
 
22 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 A PASCHAL MORNING HYMN 
 
 Rex Sempiterne Coehtum 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 ETERNAL King of heaven, thy word 
 Made all the spheres that roll above, 
 Thou art the everlasting Lord, 
 The Son of everlasting love. 
 
 Thou gavest when the earth was new, 
 To Adam's race thy image bright; 
 
 His baser clay thou didst endue 
 
 With spirit breathing love and light. 
 
 When Satan's wiles in evil day 
 Deformed the glory of the race, 
 
 Thou robed'st thyself in lowly clay 
 To bring again the godlike face. 
 
 Born of a virgin void of stain, 
 
 Thy birth, thy death, thy cloven tomb. 
 
 Cleansing and lifting man again 
 
 Redeemed the soul from mortal doom. 
 
 Shepherd, whose love with grief condoles, 
 Thy baptism comes, a heavenly rain, 
 
 Bathing with grace our waking souls, 
 And washing out each deadly stain. 
 
ST. AMBROSE 23 
 
 Redeemer sought and promised long, 
 Thy blood is poured, the price of sin; 
 
 Upon the cross in shame uphung, 
 Thy life is paid, our life to win. 
 
 Be with us evermore, O Lord, 
 
 And let thy resurrection be 
 Our paschal joy; from crimes abhorred 
 
 In loving mercy make us free. 
 
 Give praise and love and glory meet 
 
 Unto the Sire and Risen Son; 
 The same to thee, O Paraclete 
 
 Forever reigning, three in one. 
 
 VESPER HYMN, FOR THE FEAST OF A MARTYR 
 
 Deus Tuorum Militum 
 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 OGOD, of all thy host the king, 
 The crown, the prize, the hand that stays, 
 Absolve from stain thy flocks, who sing, 
 And sound abroad thy martyr's praise. 
 
 All joys of earth to him were nought, 
 The flattering cup of pleasure seemed 
 
 But bitter gall; he only sought 
 
 The ways wherein thy glory beamed. 
 
24 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 The pangs of death he bravely bore, 
 He felt thy presence in all pain; 
 
 Freely, dear Christ, did he outpour 
 His blood, thy holy light to gain. 
 
 We bow before thee, pitying Lord, 
 We sing his glory for thy praise; 
 
 Hear us and bring the sweet reward; 
 Give pardon and our souls upraise. 
 
 All praise and love and glory be 
 To God the Father and the Son, 
 
 And Holy Paraclete, to thee, 
 While everlasting ages run. 
 
 HYMN FOR LAUDS FOR THE FEAST OF A 
 MARTYR 
 
 Invicte Martyr Unicum 
 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 UNVANQUISHED soul, brave saint of God, 
 True follower of the Martyred Son, 
 In Christ's bright footsteps thou hast trod, 
 And in his glorious triumph won. 
 
 Lift up to God thy prayers for us, 
 
 That he may purge our sins away, 
 May change our evil will, and thus 
 
 Up-raise our souls to endless day. 
 
ST AMBROSE 
 
 The chains that bound thee to the earth 
 Are stricken from thy sacred feet, 
 
 Break thou our chains; thy sacred worth 
 Can gain the meed of mercy sweet. 
 
 To God the Father glory be, 
 
 The same unto the sole-born Son, 
 
 And heavenly Paraclete, to thee 
 Forever reigning three in one. 
 
 AN EARLY MORNING HYMN 
 
 Jam Lucis Orto Sidera 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 WHILE morn awakes with wondrous light 
 We come to thee, O Lord, in prayer; 
 Guard thou and guide our steps aright 
 And keep us in thy holy care. 
 
 Lord, let our tongues be free from blame, 
 
 Nor utter words of guilt or strife; 
 Lift up our eyes from deeds of shame, 
 
 And all the vanities of life. 
 
 Our hearts be purged and purified 
 
 That nought of evil shall remain; 
 From worldly vice and fleshly pride 
 
 Our souls by temperance restrain. 
 
 25 
 
26 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 So keep us, Lord, from evil free, 
 Till fades in dusk the sunset flame, 
 
 That we unstained may come to thee 
 And sing the glories of thy name. 
 
 All praise to God the Father be 
 And to his sole-begotten Son, 
 
 And Holy Paraclete to thee, 
 
 Now and while endless ages run. 
 
 A HYMN FOR ADVENT 
 
 Creator Alme Siderum 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 OH, kind Creator of the skies, 
 Eternal light to guide our feet, 
 Give ear to our beseeching cries 
 And save us in thy mercy sweet. 
 
 Descending from thy throne above, 
 
 Thou earnest the sluggish world to win, 
 
 Moved by the power of mighty love, 
 Lest earth be lost in death and sin. 
 
 Brought forth, a sacrifice divine 
 To expiate our deeds of doom, 
 
 Thy way was through the sacred shrine 
 Of earth's most precious Virgin's womb. 
 
ST. AMBROSE 2J 
 
 Thy name is power; we call on thee, 
 
 And lo, thy glory shines aflame, 
 While heaven and hell with trembling knee 
 
 Bow down before thy holy name. 
 
 To thee we come, we cry to thee, 
 
 O Ruler of the judgment day; 
 Defend us by thy grace, lest we 
 
 With powers of gloom, be cast away. 
 
 Be honour, praise and glory meet 
 
 To God the Father and the Son 
 And to the Holy Paraclete, 
 
 Forever reigning, three in one. 
 
 HYMN FOR MATINS 
 
 Somno Refectis Artubus 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 WITH limbs refreshed by slumber's balm, 
 We spurn the needless couch and rise; 
 We come to thee with song and psalm, 
 O Father, Lord of earth and skies. 
 
 To thee the waking tongue shall sing, 
 The soul with fire shall seek thy love; 
 
 And thus, O Holy One, shall spring 
 Our every act from light above. 
 
28 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Behold, the shadows fly the dawn, 
 Night yields unto the star of day; 
 
 So may the shades of vice be gone, 
 And every stain be washed away. 
 
 Hear us, dear Lord, while day is young, 
 Banish, we pray, all guilt and crime, 
 
 And let thy love by every tongue 
 Be sung unto the end of time. 
 
 Father of mercy, unto thee 
 
 And to the sole and equal Son, 
 
 And Paraclete, all glory be, 
 Forever reigning, three in one. 
 
 A HYMN FOR ADVENT 
 
 En Clara Vox 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 CLEAR voice sounds from out the skies 
 The hour of woe has passed from earth; 
 
 A 
 
 After each dream of darkness flies, 
 The light of Jesus shineth forth. 
 
 Now lifts her head the torpid soul, 
 No longer prone as in a tomb, 
 
 A new star gleams from pole to pole, 
 Its glorious rays expel the gloom. 
 
ST. AMBROSE 20. 
 
 Behold the Lamb! he comes to bear 
 
 From all the world its load of sin; 
 O let us haste, in humble prayer, 
 
 And strive his loving grace to win. 
 
 Shine out, O wondrous star, on high, 
 Enclose the world in flaming light, 
 
 Let us not fall in guilt and die; 
 
 Lord, guard and guide our steps aright. 
 
 Praise, honour, power and glory be 
 
 To God the Father and the Son, 
 And Holy Ghost, the same to thee, 
 
 Forever reigning, three in one. 
 
 HYMN FOR THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD 
 
 Jesu Redemptor Omnium 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 JESUS, Reedemer of the earth, 
 Begotten by the God of light, 
 Equal in majesty and might, 
 Before the day-star had its birth; 
 
 The splendour of the Father thou, 
 
 Of humankind the living hope, 
 
 Aid all that under heaven's cope 
 Before thy holy presence bow! 
 
30 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Remember, O Creator Lord, 
 
 That from the stainless Virgin's womb 
 The flesh of man thou didst assume 
 
 To save man's flesh from guilt abhorred. 
 
 And lo, this day that gave thee birth 
 Shall glorify thy holy name, 
 Who from the Father's bosom came, 
 
 Sole Son and Saviour of the earth. 
 
 The heavens, the earth, the rolling seas, 
 And all that live beneath the skies 
 Uplift to thee adoring eyes 
 
 And hail thee with new harmonies. 
 
 And Saviour, we with souls bedewed 
 In thy redeeming blood, upraise 
 The tribute of our earnest praise, 
 
 Bowed down in holy gratitude. 
 
 Let endless power and glory be 
 
 To Christ whom stainless Virgin bore; 
 The Sire and Paraclete adore, 
 
 With equal love eternally. 
 
ST. AMBROSE 3 1 
 
 A HYMN FOR THE NIGHT SEASON 
 
 Nox Atra Rerum 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 NIGHT veils the earth in darkness, 
 And holds the skies above; 
 We come in prayer and seek thy care, 
 Just Judge and Lord of Love. 
 
 We call on thee to save us, 
 
 From grovelling deed of shame; 
 O make us thine by grace divine, 
 
 To love and bless thy name. 
 
 Lo, though our hearts are evil, 
 
 Though strong the tempter's power, 
 
 We dare to raise our voice in praise, 
 And seek thee every hour. 
 
 Drive from our hearts all darkness, 
 
 All evil from the mind; 
 Forever be our joy in thee, 
 
 O Saviour of mankind. 
 
 To Sire and Son and Spirit 
 
 Be honour, love and praise, 
 Blest Three in one, whose reign shall run 
 
 Unto the end of days. 
 
32 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 PASCHAL TIDE 
 
 Ad Regias Agm Dapes 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 TO the high table of the Lamb, 
 White-robed, we come with song and psalm; 
 The Red Sea's passage won, we sing 
 In triumph unto Christ, the King. 
 
 We glorify the love divine, 
 
 Who pours for us his blood as wine; \ 
 
 Sweet sacrifice! he deigns to give 
 
 His flesh that man may eat and live. 
 
 The blood is sprinkled on the door, 
 The smiting angel passeth o'er; 
 The cloven path across the sea 
 Is closed, and whelmed the enemy. 
 
 Our Pasch is now the Christ, our Lord, 
 Our victim at the saving board; 
 The true unleavened bread is he 
 To souls of faith and purity. 
 
 Celestial victim! from thy face 
 The powers of darkness fly apace; 
 The chains are broken from the tomb; 
 True life is won and death o'ercome. 
 
ST. AMBROSE 33 
 
 The Victor, Christ, with flag unfurled 
 Brings triumph o'er the sinful world, 
 The king of darkness quells, and opes 
 The gates of heaven to human hopes. 
 
 Dear Jesus, bring us purity, 
 That thou our paschal joy may'st be; 
 Be with us always; let thy love 
 Illume our spirits from above. 
 
 To God the Father glory be, 
 The same, O Risen Son, to thee; 
 And to the Paraclete, we raise 
 An equal meed of love and praise. 
 
 MORNING HYMN FOR ASCENSION DAY 
 
 Aeterne Rex A It is si me 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 ETERNAL King and Lord most high, 
 Redeemer robed in majesty, 
 Who didst the world and death o'ercome 
 And rise triumphant from the tomb; 
 Then to thine everlasting height 
 Wast lifted in a cloud of light, 
 Above the stars, through heaven's cope, — 
 Thou art our light, our love, our hope. 
 
 Earth, sea and sky, the threefold frame 
 Bow down before thy sacred name, 
 
34 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 The ranks of hell in terror see, 
 
 Feel thy stern power, and bend the knee, 
 
 Thy angel hosts behold and know 
 
 The changed estate of man below, 
 
 The flesh that sinned, made clean again, 
 
 And God as man take up his reign. 
 
 Be thou our lasting joy, O Lord, 
 Our love on earth, our high reward; 
 Kind Ruler of the world, inspire 
 Our longing souls with holy fire. 
 To thee we bow our hearts in prayer, 
 Lord, keep us from the tempter's snare; 
 Lift up our souls with heavenly grace, 
 And fit us for thy dwelling-place. 
 
 So when thou comest in majesty, 
 Among the clouds, our judge to be, 
 We may be freed from guilt and pain 
 And our lost crown assume again. 
 Jesus to thee be glory meet, 
 Triumphant in thy heavenly seat, 
 Unto the Sire and Spirit praise 
 In equal meed through endless days. 
 
ST. AMBROSE 35 
 
 VESPER HYMN FOR ASCENSION DAY 
 
 Jesu Nostra Redemptio 1 
 
 JESUS, our love, our Saviour, 
 The joy of every heart, 
 Thou bringest light unto our night, 
 For light itself thou art. 
 
 What wealth of love o 'ercame thee 
 
 That thou shouldst will to die 
 Upon the tree of Calvary 
 
 To save mankind thereby! 
 
 The night of sin is broken, 
 
 The power of hell o'erthrown, 
 The heavenly door made wide once more 
 
 By thee, most Holy One. 
 
 'Twas heavenly love impelled thee 
 
 Thus to redeem our race, 
 And bless our sight with the sweet light 
 
 That shineth from thy face. 
 
 Thou to the stars ascended 
 
 Hast banished fear, O Lord; 
 Be thine all praise, through endless days, 
 
 Be thou our sweet reward. 
 
 1 The hymn "Salutis Humanae Sator" in the Roman Breviary is an adap- 
 tation of this. 
 
36 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 PENTECOST 
 
 yam Christus Astra Ascenderat 
 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 NOW to the stars is Christ, the King, 
 Ascended, whence he came, to bring 
 The heavenly Paraclete, with gifts 
 For the disciples' comforting. 
 
 The solemn hours approach; we see 
 Accomplished all the mystery; 
 
 The seven times seven change of days 
 Brings round the heavenly jubilee. 
 
 The day had lifted up its light 
 Three hours above the orient height, 
 
 And still the apostles prayed; then came 
 With roar of winds the God of might. 
 
 In everlasting lustre came 
 
 The living and abounding flame; 
 
 It filled each breast with holy speech 
 And love for the Redeemer's name. 
 
 The hearts of the disciples glow 
 With inspiration; lo, they know 
 
 And speak in all the tongues of earth 
 The deeds that God hath done below. 
 
ST. AMBROSE 37 
 
 They cry aloud, all void of fear; 
 Greek, Roman and barbarian hear; 
 The word of God in every tongue 
 They utter, speaking loud and clear. 
 
 The faithless Jews behold the sign 
 They see the miracle divine; 
 
 But moved to wrath and fear, they cry: 
 "Lo, these are overcome by wine! ,, 
 
 Then Peter, rising up to meet 
 
 The slanders, speaks with holy heat 
 
 And Joel as his witness calls, 
 To drive the faithless to retreat. 
 
 To God the Father glory be, 
 And Christ the risen Son, to thee, 
 
 Who with the heavenly Paraclete, 
 Reignest one God, eternally. 
 
 O SPLENDOUR OF THE FATHER'S FACE 
 
 Splendor Paternae Gloriae 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 SPLENDOUR of the Father's face, 
 
 o 
 
 Bringer of glory from above, 
 True light, and Fount of every grace, 
 Illume our day with faith and love. 
 
38 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Pour on our way, O Sun Divine, 
 Thy holy truth with rays serene, 
 
 And let the heavenly spirit shine 
 With purging fires to make us clean. 
 
 The glory of the Sire we seek, 
 The Father of enduring grace; 
 
 Lift up our spirits, fallen and weak, 
 And guide us to thy dwelling place. 
 
 Confirm us in thy love divine, 
 
 Smooth for our feet life's rugged way; 
 
 Our wills make ever one with thine, 
 Lest evil lead our steps astray. 
 
 Be with us still as guard and guide, 
 
 Keep us in holy chastity, 
 Let our firm faith on thee abide, 
 
 From fraud and error hold us free. 
 
 Dear Christ, be still our drink and food, 
 Our hope, our love, our lasting faith; 
 
 And be our souls each day renewed, 
 Fired by the Spirit's quickening breatho 
 
 Thus joyful let the day go by; 
 
 Our modesty like morn shall glow; 
 Our faith be like the midday sky, 
 
 Nor gloom of doubt nor shadow know. 
 
ST. AMBROSE 39 
 
 Lo, as the dawn brings forth the light, 
 The Virgin brings the birth divine, 
 
 True God the Son in love and might, 
 True God the Sire, in power benign. 
 
 To God the Father glory be, 
 
 The same unto the sole-born Son, 
 And Holy Paraclete to thee, 
 
 Now and while endless ages run. 
 
 A MORNING HYMN 
 
 Aeterna Coeli Gloria 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 HAIL, heaven's eternal glory, thee we sing 
 Who unto man the blessed hope didst bring, 
 Sole offspring of the Virgin, pure and chaste, 
 And of creation's dreaded Lord and King. 
 
 Give us thy right hand, Lord, that we may rise, 
 Make clean our hearts and purify our eyes, 
 
 Like blazing torches let our songs of praise 
 And gratitude ascend against the skies. 
 
 Now rises o'er the sea the star of morn; 
 Above the wave the earliest rays are borne, 
 
 As messengers of the returning sun; 
 So let thy holy light our souls adorn. 
 
40 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 All lingering shadows from our minds expel, 
 With dreams and motions that in darkness dwell, 
 
 Our bosoms purge of all that bringeth stain, 
 And bathe our spirits in thy crystal well. 
 
 Within our souls let saving faith find place, 
 Let hope draw radiance from thy tender face, 
 
 And let our hearts in brotherhood expand, 
 The love of God and neighbour; grant this grace. 
 
 To thee, Eternal Sire, all glory be, 
 And sole and co-eternal Son, to thee, 
 
 And unto thee, O Heavenly Paraclete, 
 Almighty, everlasting, one in three. 
 
 THE MORNING'S GOLDEN RADIANCE 
 
 Aurora Jam Spargit 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 THE morning's golden radiance 
 Now glows along the sky; 
 Pierced by the shafts of sunrise, 
 All lingering shadows fly. 
 
 So from our souls all evils, 
 
 Dear Lord, or vile or vain, 
 Be driven by thy radiance, 
 
 And nought but good remain. 
 
ST. AMBROSE 41 
 
 Thus shall we come each morning, 
 
 And bow before thee, Lord; 
 Thus bring our hymns and praises; 
 
 Be thou our sweet reward. 
 
 To God the Sire, all glory, 
 
 The same, O Son, to thee, 
 And thee, O Holy Spirit, 
 
 Eternal one in three. 
 
 EVENING HYMN 
 
 Te Lucis Ante Terminum 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 BEFORE the light has passed away, 
 Dear Lord, we come in prayer to thee; 
 Oh, be our guide, our guard, our stay, 
 And soothe us with thy clemency. 
 
 Protect us from the powers of night, 
 All base desires and dreams restrain. 
 
 Repress all evil, bring all light, 
 And keep us from unholy stain. 
 
 Father of mercy, unto thee, 
 
 And to the sole-begotten Son, 
 And Holy Ghost, all glory be, 
 
 Forever reigning, three in one. 
 
42 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 HYMN FOR THE FEAST OF A VIRGIN 
 
 Jesu, Corona Virginum 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 O JESUS, crown of virgin choirs, 
 Whom the sole Virgin mother bore, 
 Behold our needs and our desires; 
 To thee our vows and prayers we pour. 
 
 Among white lilies walkest thou, 
 
 Surrounded by a virgin band, 
 The bridegroom's glory on thy brow, 
 
 The prizes in thy bounteous hand. 
 
 Where'er thou goest, lo! the throngs 
 
 Of virgins follow in the way, 
 And sing to thee eternal songs 
 
 And sacred hymns by night and day. 
 
 We bow before thy lofty throne; 
 
 Refine our souls and purify, 
 That we may know thee, Holy One, 
 
 And swift from all corruption fly. 
 
 Be honour, glory, power and praise 
 To God the Father and the Son, 
 
 Like glory to the Spirit raise, 
 Forever reigning, three in one. 
 
ST. AMBROSE 43 
 
 A NIGHT SONG 
 
 Rerum Deus Tenax Vigor 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 GOD of creation, wondrous Might, 
 Eternal power that all adore, 
 Thou rulest the changing day and night, 
 Thyself unchanging evermore. 
 
 Pour light upon our fading day, 
 
 So in our lives no dusk shall be, 
 So death shall bring us to the ray 
 
 Of heavenly glory, Lord, with thee. 
 
 Father of Mercy, unto thee 
 
 We lift our voice in prayer and praise, 
 And to the Son and Spirit be 
 
 Like glory to the end of days. 
 
 HYMN BEFORE DAYLIGHT 
 
 Consors Paterni Luminis 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 O RADIANCE of the Father, 
 Thyself our light and day, 
 We rise at night to praise thee, 
 Assist us, Christ, we pray. 
 
44 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Drive from our souls all darkness, 
 All thoughts and dreams of ill, 
 
 Be thou our guide and master, 
 And be thy law our will. 
 
 Make strong thy faith within us, 
 Thou knowest how weak we be: 
 
 Lord, hear in loving kindness 
 The psalms we sing to thee. 
 
 All glory to the Father 
 And sole-begotten Son, 
 
 And to the Holy Spirit, 
 While endless ages run. 
 
 HYMN FOR EARLY MORNING 
 
 Summae Parens Clementiae 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 PARENT of heavenly clemency, 
 And ruler of creation's frame, 
 In substance one, in persons three, 
 We praise and bless thy holy name. 
 
 O Lord of all the rolling spheres, 
 
 We send our cries and prayers to thee; 
 
 In mercy mark the prayers and tears, 
 And keep our souls from evil free. 
 
ST. AMBROSE 45 
 
 Our bodies and our minds refine 
 
 In fires of love; dear Saviour, be 
 Our strength, and give us grace divine 
 
 To keep our wills aloft with thee. 
 
 So shall we hourly evermore 
 
 Bring songs of praise and hymns of love, 
 That when our earthly days are o'er 
 
 Thou 'It bring us to our home above. 
 
 Father most merciful, thy name 
 
 We glorify; thou sole-born Son, 
 And Heavenly Spirit, each the same, 
 
 Forever reigning, three in one. 
 
 A HYMN FOR EVENTIDE 
 Deus Creator Omnium 
 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 OSHAPER of tremendous might, 
 Whose will the spheres in place doth keep. 
 Robing the day in radiant light, 
 The silent night in balmy sleep. 
 
 Now all the toils of day are o'er, 
 The weary limbs from labour free, 
 
 Our minds, aroused, shall heavenward soar, 
 And leave all anxious cares with thee. 
 
46 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 The day is done, and with the night 
 
 Let thanks and prayers and hymns begin; 
 
 We cry to Thee, O God of Light, 
 
 Keep thou our souls from stain of sin. 
 
 From our deep hearts we sing to thee, 
 Our blended voices hail thy name; 
 
 O holy Love, our lover be, 
 
 As we adore thee and proclaim. 
 
 When shadows round the world shall flow, 
 And heavy night shut out the day, 
 
 Lord, let our faith no darkness know, 
 But, shining, light us on our way. 
 
 Let not the mind in slothful ease 
 Leave aught of evil to remain; 
 
 Let faith drive forth all phantasies, 
 And every dream impure and vain. 
 
 Dispel all vices from the mind, 
 And be the soul's one aim to thee, 
 
 That thus the tempter shall not find 
 Power to awake impurity. 
 
 Eternal Father, sole-born Son, 
 And Holy Spirit, hear our prayer, 
 
 Thou potent Godhead, three in one, 
 Support and keep us in thy care. 
 
ST. AMBROSE 47 
 
 A MORNING PRAYER 
 
 Rector Potens Verax Deus 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 ALMIGHTY Ruler, Lord of light, 
 Thy hand controls the day and night, 
 Robing the morn in rosy ray, 
 And lifting high the fire of day. 
 
 Dear Lord, extinguish from our life, 
 The fire of sin, the flame of strife; 
 Unto our bodies health impart, 
 And tender peace to every heart. 
 
 Father, we bow before thy throne, 
 Thee with the Christ, thine only Son, 
 And Paraclete, our souls adore, 
 With equal love forevermore. 
 
 A HYMN TO THE HOLY GHOST 
 
 Nunc Sancte Nobis Spiritus 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 COME, Holy Spirit, Lord of light, 
 Who with the Sire and Saviour art 
 One God of majesty and might, 
 Thy brightness pour in every heart. 
 
48 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 V\ ith tongue, and soul, and sense and power 
 Thy praise forevermore we il sing; 
 
 Thy love shall be our holv dower, 
 -And man to brotherhood shall bring. 
 
 Be with us Father evermore, 
 
 W horn, with the sole-begotten Son 
 
 And Heavenly Spirit, all adore, 
 One God, while endless ages run. 
 
 A VESPER SOXG 
 
 Jam Sol Recedit Igneus 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 WHILE sinks in golden fire the sun. 
 We seek thee, Lord, ere fall of night: 
 O, tender Master, three in one, 
 Inflame our souls with holy light. 
 
 With morning song of praise we came, 
 Again we come with evening hymn; 
 
 Lord, let us ever bless thy name 
 With cherubim and seraphim. 
 
 To God the Father and the Son 
 And Holv Ghost be endless praise, 
 
 From earliest hour, as ages run, 
 All glory to the end of days. 
 
ST. AMBROSE 
 
 O WORD OF MIGHT 
 
 Verbum Supernum Prodiens 
 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 OWORD of Might, that springing forth 
 From out the Father's heart, wast born 
 To raise our fallen state on earth, 
 Bring help, and leave us not forlorn. 
 
 Illume our breasts with heavenly light, 
 And set our souls aflame with love, 
 
 That we, forsaking things of night, 
 Shall lift our hopes to joys above. 
 
 When from the awful judgment throne 
 Dread doom unto his foes the Lord 
 
 Shall send, and call in tender tone 
 The just unto their sweet reward; 
 
 Let not our souls on that dread day 
 Be rolled in seething pools of fire; 
 
 Let mercy melt thine ire away, 
 And be thy love our sole desire. 
 
 Then to the Father and the Son 
 
 And Holy Spirit, one in three, 
 From first to last, as ages run, 
 
 Eternal praise and glory be. 
 
 49 
 
50 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 HYMN FOR THE FEAST OF A MARTYR 
 
 Rex Gl or iose Martyrum 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 OHOPE of Martyrs, glorious King, 
 Rich crown of all who preach thy might, 
 Spurning the earth, their souls upspring, 
 With thee for guide, to heavenly light. 
 
 To us thy tender mercy lend, 
 
 And hear the humble prayers we raise; 
 
 In holy love our voices blend; 
 
 Make strong our hearts to sing thy praise. 
 
 By martyr blood thou quellest sin; 
 
 Thou savest the world by wondrous love; 
 Lord, let our souls thy mercy win, 
 
 To meet thy saints in joy above. 
 
 To God the Sire all glory be, 
 
 To God the sole-begotten Son, 
 And Holy Paraclete to thee, 
 
 While everlasting ages run. 
 
ST. AMBROSE 5 1 
 
 A HYMN FOR THE FEAST OF AN APOSTLE 
 
 Aeterna Christi Munera 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 ETERNAL Servants of the Lord, 
 With psalms and hymns and praises due, 
 To you, who brought the holy word, 
 We come, and lift our hearts to you. 
 
 Princes to whom the church was given, 
 
 Strong leaders in the war sublime, 
 And soldiers in the halls of heaven, 
 
 Ye are the lamps that light all time. 
 
 The faith that fires the holy heart, 
 
 The true believer's blessed hope, 
 And perfect love, — these powers impart, — 
 
 The strength with evil force to cope. 
 
 In these, O Father, is thy power, 
 
 In these thy victory, O Son, 
 In these the Spirit's will to shower 
 
 On all the heavens' sweet benison. 
 
 To God the Father sound the praise, 
 
 The Son with equal love adore, 
 And God the Spirit, — let us raise 
 
 One strain of blessing evermore. 
 
5* 
 
 E 
 
 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 A HYMN FOR SUNDAY 
 
 Aeterne Rerum Conditor 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 TERNAL builder of the skies, 
 
 Dread ruler of the night and day, 
 With glories thou hast blessed our eyes, 
 To drive the stain of pride away. 
 
 To those that seem in gloom forlorn 
 Thou art a light; our scattered fold 
 
 Now hear the herald of the morn, 
 The splendour of its rays behold. 
 
 The day star rising from the wave 
 Scatters the mist from heaven's blue, 
 
 And buried in a sunless grave 
 
 The dreams of error sink from view. 
 
 The sailors stand upon the deck, 
 
 The sea grows mild, the waves subside, 
 
 The ship of evil lies awreck, — 
 
 Calm stands thy rock above the tide. 
 
 And hark the crowing of the cock! 
 
 The sound shall rouse earth's erring sons; 
 Arise and seek the saving rock, 
 
 Ye weary, weak and fainting ones. 
 
St. AMBROSE 53 
 
 Hope cometh with the morning song, 
 The sick shall rise from bed of pain, 
 
 Ensheathed shall be the sword of wrong, 
 And faith shall find her own again. 
 
 O Jesus guard thy wandering sheep 
 
 From thy sweet fold ne'er more to stray; 
 
 Our feeble steps from danger keep, 
 And fear shall melt in tears away. 
 
 Shine on our souls, O Living Light; 
 
 From stain of error keep us free; 
 Let songs of praise by day and night, 
 
 And vows of love arise to thee. 
 
 Now let us sing in anthems sweet 
 
 To God the Father and the Son, 
 Who with the Holy Paraclete 
 
 Forever reigneth, three in one. 
 
PRUDENTIUS 
 
 Aurelius Prudentius Clemens, "the glory of the 
 ancient Christian poets," as he has been called, was 
 born in Spain in 348, at Calahorra, in Old Castile. As 
 he resided for some time at Saragossa, in the quality 
 of Governor, it has been mistakenly believed by some 
 writers that he was born in that city. 
 
 He studied rhetoric in his youth, and became accom- 
 plished and noted as a pleader. He was made twice 
 governor of provinces and cities in Spain, and was 
 afterwards, as he says, raised by Theodosius I. to the 
 highest rank and dignity of the Court, by which it is 
 generally understood that he became prefect of the pre- 
 torium. 
 
 In his fifty-seventh year be began to devote his whole 
 time to the divine service, and consecrated his leisure 
 hours to the composition of sacred poems. 
 
 He has always been esteemed the most learned of the 
 Christian poets. Erasmus declares that for the sanc- 
 tity and sacred erudition which are displayed in his 
 writings he deserves to be ranked among the gravest 
 doctors of the church. Some ecclesiastical writers give 
 him the title of saint, but his name does not occur in 
 the Martyrologies. The year of his death is not known. 
 
 55 
 
A HYMN FOR EPIPHANY 
 
 Sola Magnarum Urbium 
 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 A SACRED town is Bethlehem, 
 Its walls are wondrous fair; 
 For Jesus, our salvation, came 
 And made his birthplace there. 
 
 The star that leads the sages three 
 
 Is bright as early day, 
 And in its light their God they see 
 
 Enrobed in mortal clay. 
 
 They bow to earth as they behold, 
 
 And orient offerings bring, 
 The myrrh, the frankincense, the gold, 
 
 As God, as man, as king. 
 
 Unto the King the golden hoard, 
 
 As tribute they prefer; 
 The incense to the deathless Lord, 
 
 To mortal man the myrrh. 
 
 To thee, O Christ, be glory meet; 
 
 Thy name all lands adore; 
 Unto the Sire and Paraclete 
 
 Like glory evermore. 
 
 57 
 
58 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 HYMN FOR THE HOLY INNOCENTS 
 
 Audit Tyrannus Anxius 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 WITH dread the tyrant Herod hears 
 The tidings of the king to come; 
 The Prince of Israel he fears, 
 
 And trembling feels impending doom. 
 
 He bids the guard, with maddened cry, 
 "Go forth and loose the avenging flood; 
 
 The infant king must surely die; 
 So be the cradles drenched in blood. 
 
 "Let not a nursing boy escape, 
 
 Rob every bosom by the sword, 
 Lest fraud or guile a way shall shape 
 
 To save the Christ, the infant Lord." 
 
 The willing executioner 
 
 Received the direful word, and drew 
 The striking sword, the piercing spear, 
 
 And all the tender nurslings slew. 
 
 What profit, Herod, this to thee ? 
 
 What help can such dread crime afford ? 
 Alone of all the infants, see, 
 
 Borne safe and harmless is the Lord. 
 
PRUDENTIUS 59 
 
 To God the Sire be glory meet, 
 
 To Jesus whom the Virgin bore, 
 And to the Heavenly Paraclete, 
 
 One God, one praise forevermore. 
 
 HYMN FOR THE HOLY INNOCENTS 
 
 Salvete, Flore s Martyr urn 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 HAIL, tender wreath of flowers, whose day 
 Of beauty, crossed by tyrant spite, 
 Was offered, as a budding spray 
 Of roses to the Lord of light. 
 
 Yours was the foremost glory given 
 To martyrdom; O shining throng, 
 
 Ye play amid the halls of heaven 
 With palm and crown in holy song. 
 
 Jesus, to thee be glory meet, 
 
 Who filFst the nations with thy rays, 
 
 And to the Sire and Paraclete 
 Be equal glory, power and praise. 
 
60 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 A MORNING HYMN 
 
 Ales Die i Nuntius 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 THE bird that heralds in the day 
 Sings out his knell of passing night, 
 And Christ, whose love is still our stay, 
 Recalls our souls to love and light. 
 
 He speaketh, "Leave your beds in haste, 
 No more in ease and sloth abide, 
 
 Be sober, righteous, just and chaste, 
 And watch, for I am at your side." 
 
 We call thee, Lord, in psalm and song, 
 With prayers and tears we come to thee; 
 
 Lord, let our hearts be pure and strong, 
 From sin and sorrow make us free. 
 
 Dispel the cloud of idle sleep, 
 
 And break the bands that hold the night, 
 Our souls from stain of evil keep, 
 
 And grant us, Lord, thy holy light. 
 
 To God the Father glory be, 
 
 The same to Christ, the sole-born Son, 
 
 And Holy Ghost eternally, 
 
 One God, one praise as ages run. 
 
PRUDENTIUS 6 1 
 
 THE GLORY OF CHRIST 
 
 Ouicumque Christum Quaeritis 
 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 OTHOU who seek'st the Christ to find, 
 Uplift thine eyes on high; 
 For lo! to every humble mind 
 His glory fills the sky. 
 
 His mighty wonders there behold, 
 
 In boundless fields of light, 
 Sublime, eternal, and as bid 
 
 As heaven and ancient night. 
 
 Here is the nation's King indeed, 
 
 Here Israel's mighty Lord, 
 To Abraham promised and his seed, 
 
 Forevermore adored. 
 
 To him each prophet witnesseth, 
 
 By word and sign sincere; 
 Acknowledged by the Sire, who saith, 
 
 "Behold, believe and hear!" 
 
 To Jesus, who his light displays 
 
 To babes, all glory be, 
 To Sire and Spirit equal praise 
 
 For all eternity. 
 
62 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 MORNING HYMN 
 
 Nox et Tenebrae et Nubilae 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 THE clouds, the shadows, and the night 
 Long held in gloom both earth and sky, 
 Light enters, and the heavens grow bright, 
 Christ comes, and lo, the shadows fly. 
 
 The blinding fog is pierced amain, 
 
 By shining arrows of the sun, 
 Earth's golden rays return again, 
 
 The glory of the morn is won. 
 
 The light is thine, O Christ! we see 
 
 Thy glory in the open day; 
 With tears and songs we come to thee; 
 
 Lift up and guide our souls, we pray. 
 
 Cleanse us from stain of sinful pride, 
 And warm us in thy living light; 
 
 Thou art our heavenly lamp, our guide; 
 Shine in thy sweetness, clear and bright. 
 
 To God the Father, glory be, 
 
 And equal glory to the Son, 
 The same, O Paraclete, to thee, 
 
 Forever reigning, three in one. 
 
PRUDENTIUS 63 
 
 BEHOLD THE GOLDEN LIGHT 
 
 Lux Ecce Surgit Aurea 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 BEHOLD, the golden light appears, 
 The blinding shadows pass away, 
 That filled our souls with shuddering fears, 
 And led our feeble feet astray. 
 
 Fair weather cometh with the morn; 
 
 Its radiance purifies the soul; 
 It drives away deceit and scorn, 
 
 And clears the heart of gloom and dole. 
 
 Lord, in thy day no sin shall be, 
 
 Each tongue be true and just each hand, 
 
 Our eyes no evil thing shall see, 
 
 Nor deed of guile on earth be planned. 
 
 Thy gaze, O Lord, is on our way, 
 Thou walk'st a guardian by our side, 
 
 Thou see'st our every act each day 
 From earliest dawn to eventide. 
 
 To God the Father glory be, 
 
 With equal love the Son adore, 
 And, Holy Paraclete, to thee 
 
 Be praise and power forevermore. 
 
SEDULIUS 
 
 A native of Ireland, born about the year 400, Sedu- 
 lius was an eminent poet, orator and divine. For love 
 of learning he left his native country and travelled into 
 France, Italy and Asia. He settled at length in Rome, 
 where he came to be held in high esteem for his great 
 accomplishments. 
 
 He is said by some to have become a bishop under 
 Theodosius the Great. 
 
 The two following hymns are taken from an abecedary 
 on the life of Christ, and are used in the Roman Brev- 
 iary for Christmas Day and the Epiphany. 
 
 Facts are wanting as to the dates of his birth and 
 death. 
 
F 
 
 A CHRISTMAS HYMN 
 
 A Solis Ortus Cardine 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 ROM where the sun awakes the morn 
 Unto his utmost westering, 
 We sing the Christ, the Virgin-born, 
 
 The Prince of heaven and earth we sing. 
 
 Behold, the God of ages comes 
 And taketh flesh of humble clay; 
 
 Man's Maker man's poor form assumes 
 To wash the stains of flesh away. 
 
 A virgin's womb becomes the shrine 
 
 That holds the Lord of heaven and earth, 
 
 Through stainless maid, by grace divine, 
 The God-child hath his wondrous birth. 
 
 Her modest breast is made his home, 
 
 The temple of her God is she; 
 Enshrined in Mary's spotless womb, 
 
 He comes the world from doom to free. 
 
 He comes upon this happy morn, 
 Announced by angel's heralding, 
 
 Known by the Baptist, yet unborn, 
 Adoring in the womb his King. 
 
 67 
 
68 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 On lowly bed of hay he lies, 
 His palace but a stable poor; 
 
 The God that rules the earth and skies 
 Doth all our wants and woes endure. 
 
 The angel choirs rejoice on high, 
 
 Through radiant skies their voices ring, 
 
 The shepherds see the blazing sky, 
 And bow before the Infant King. 
 
 All praise and power and glory be 
 To Jesus whom the Virgin bore; 
 
 Father, be equal meed to thee 
 And to the Spirit evermore. 
 
 HYMN FOR EPIPHANY 
 
 Crudelis H erodes Deum 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 WHY fear the coming of the king, 
 O cruel Herod ? Christ, the Son 
 Asks nought of earth, but comes to bring 
 To all who seek, a heavenly throne. 
 
 The Magi follow through the night 
 The mystic star that goes before; 
 
 By light, they seek the Lord of Light, 
 The King and God whom they adore. 
 
SEDULIUS 69 
 
 Oh, purer than the morning ray,. 
 
 Celestial Lamb, thou comest to bear 
 Our sins, and wash our guilt away, 
 
 That we with thee, God's love may share. 
 
 O Fount of Love! O power divine! 
 
 We bow before thy holy might; 
 Thy word makes water pour as wine; 
 
 Thy love brings day unto our night. 
 
 Jesus to thee be glory meet, 
 
 Who shinest o'er earth in light and love, 
 So to the Sire and Paraclete 
 
 Let earth resound and heaven above. 
 
ELPIS 
 
 Wife of the illustrious Roman writer and statesman, 
 Boetius, Elpis was born, perhaps not later than 475, of 
 a noble Sicilian family. In 500, when King Theodoric 
 came to Rome he made Boetius master of the palace. 
 He was chosen consul three times, and his two sons, by 
 Elpis, were made consuls in their nonage, in 523. 
 
 Her husband was cruelly put to death by the bar- 
 barian king in 525, and his estates confiscated; but 
 these were restored to Elpis, who survived Boetius, by 
 the king's daughter Amalasunta, on the death of Theo- 
 doric, which took place soon after the martyrdom of 
 Boetius. It is not known when the death of Elpis 
 occurred. 
 
 Elpis was noted as a lady of great learning, wit and 
 beauty. 
 
 The following hymn is divided, and adapted for three 
 several hymns in the Roman Breviary, one for January 
 25, the feast of the conversion of St. Paul, the other 
 two for June 29, the feast of the Apostles Peter and 
 Paul. 
 
 71 
 
TO STS. PETER AND PAUL, APOSTLES 
 
 Decora Lux Aeternitatis 
 
 ETERNAL glory, with the streaming ray 
 Of holy fire, has filled the golden day, 
 Crowning with light the apostolic chiefs, 
 And opening through the stars their luminous way. 
 
 The guide of earth, the guard of heaven's gate, 
 Fathers of Rome and lords of every state, 
 
 Death was their triumph by the sword and cross, 
 The martyr's laurel is their crown elate. 
 
 Kind Shepherd, Peter, unto thee was given 
 The keys to close and ope the gates of heaven; 
 
 Strike from our souls the galling chain of crime, 
 And gain the grace for which our hearts have striven 
 
 O learned Paul, inspire us from above 
 With all the graces of the Heavenly Dove; 
 
 Bring us the faith to see the truth of God, 
 And brighten earth with the sweet reign of love. 
 
 O happy Rome, that by their martyr blood 
 Art glorified and consecrate; the flood 
 
 Thy gates emblazon; through the flying years 
 Fairest of earthly cities hast thou stood. 
 
 n 
 
74 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Unto the everlasting Trinity 
 
 All power and praise and jubilation be; 
 
 One God eternal ruling heaven and earth; 
 Thy name is holy; Lord we worship thee. 
 
FORTUNATUS 
 
 Venantius Honorius Clementianus Fortunatus, 
 the chief Latin poet of his time, was born in Italy, not 
 far from Treviso, in the year 530. 
 
 He studied at Ravenna, and became an able gram- 
 marian and rhetorician. He was the author of a num- 
 ber of books both in prose and verse. He wrote the 
 life of St. Martin of Tours in verse, and compiled biog- 
 raphies, in prose, of a number of saints; but, says Alban 
 Butler, these lives "are barren of facts and filled with 
 relations of miracles. " His prose is stiff and mechan- 
 ical, while most of his poetry is harmonious, animated, 
 and possesses an easy rhythmical flow. 
 
 He fled from the swords of the barbarians at Ra- 
 venna, and settled at Tours in 565. He was afterwards 
 invited to Poitiers by St. Radegund, the cloistered 
 queen of France, where he became her private secre- 
 tary, was ordained priest, and on the death of Plato, 
 bishop of Poitiers, in 595, he was chosen to fill that 
 See some years after the death of Radegund. 
 
 His life of St. Radegund, different from his other 
 prose works, is a useful narrative of the actions and 
 virtues of that holy woman. 
 
 In 566, the Emperor Justin, sent on the queen's re- 
 quest a fragment of the true Cross from Constantinople, 
 adorned with gold and precious stones, to be deposited 
 
 75 
 
76 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 in the Sanctuary of the Holy Cross, which she had 
 erected at Poitiers. 
 
 It was on that occasion that the hymns, Vexilla Regis, 
 and Pange Lingua were composed by Fortunatus, and 
 these were sung for the first time on the arrival of the 
 relic. Since that time they have been used in the whole 
 church. The Pange Lingua is spoken of by Daniel 
 as one of the most beautiful of the Latin hymns, and 
 Randolph places the Vexilla Regis among the seven 
 great hymns of the Mediaeval Church. The hymn, Ave 
 Maris Stella, assigned by Wackernagel and others to 
 Fortunatus, is perhaps the most popular of all the 
 hymns to the Blessed Virgin. 
 
 Fortunatus died, probably, December 4, 609, and his 
 name is honoured at Poitiers among the saints on that 
 day. 
 
ON THE HOLY CROSS 
 
 Crux Bene dicta Nitet 
 
 BRIGHT is the benedight cross, where the Lord, 
 in his agony hanging, 
 Washes our wounds in his blood, bathing and healing 
 our souls. 
 
 Urged by his tender love, he has offered himself as a 
 victim, 
 Yielded his life as a lamb, saving the flock from the 
 wolf. 
 
 There by his bleeding palms he has saved the nations 
 from ruin; 
 And by his sacred death closed the gate of the grave. 
 
 Pierced by the merciless nails, here see we the hand 
 that will later 
 Rescue Paul from his crime, rescue Peter from death. 
 
 Wonderful tree! what wealth of fertility goes to thy 
 springing, 
 That on thy branches thou bear'st fruit of such mar- 
 vellous kind. 
 
 Marvellous fruit! by whose quickening odor the dead 
 from their graves rise, 
 And unto life return they that were worn with the day. 
 
 77 
 
jS EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Under thy sheltering leaves we feel not the heat of the 
 summer, 
 Neither at noon shall the sun burn, nor the moon in 
 the night. 
 
 Fair as a tree that is set by the running waters thou 
 standest 
 Spreading thy branches wide, robed in the glory of 
 flowers. 
 
 Hangs from thine arms that Vine which is weighed as 
 the price of salvation, 
 Rosy the wine that flows, sweet is the cup to our 
 souls. 
 
 VESPER HYMN TO THE VIRGIN 
 
 Ave Maris Stella 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 HAIL, O star of ocean, 
 Hail, our golden door, 
 Mother of the Mighty, 
 Virgin Evermore. 
 
 By the angel's "Ave!" 
 
 Thou didst fain receive, 
 Change our grief to glory, 
 
 Be our better Eve. 
 
FORTUNATUS 79 
 
 Break the bonds of sorrow, 
 Bring our souls thy light; 
 
 By thy tender radiance 
 
 Guide us through the night. 
 
 Be indeed our mother, 
 Help us in our need; 
 
 Lift thy voice to Jesus, 
 He will hear and heed. 
 
 Virgin of all virgins, 
 
 Thee our queen we seek; 
 
 Fire with love our bosoms, 
 Make us chaste and meek. 
 
 Raise our hearts in rapture, 
 Lead us on the way, 
 
 To thy Son, Lord Jesus, 
 In eternal day. 
 
 Praise to God the Father 
 
 And the Saviour be, 
 With the Holy Spirit, 
 
 Reigning one in three. 
 
80 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 A HYMN FOR MATINS 
 
 Quern Terra, Pontus, Sidera 
 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 THE God whom earth and skies proclaim, 
 And all the hosts of heaven adore, 
 The ruler of the three-fold frame, 
 The humble womb of Mary bore. 
 
 That selfsame power that heaven and earth 
 Have served since dawn of time began, 
 
 From mortal womb hath wondrous birth, 
 To bear away the sins of man. 
 
 O Mother bright! thy blessed soul 
 He shaped all pure and undefiled; 
 
 He holds the world in his control, 
 Yet in thy arms he lies, a child. 
 
 Bride of the Spirit! Blessed One! 
 
 Thy name shall sound in psalm and song; 
 Emmanuel comes, the Virgin's Son, 
 
 For whom the world has waited long. 
 
 All praise and power and glory meet 
 To Christ whom spotless Virgin bore, 
 
 And to the Sire and Paraclete 
 Be equal meed forevermore. 
 
FORTUNATUS 8 I 
 
 A HYMN TO THE VIRGIN 
 
 Gloriosa Virginum 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 O GLORY of Virginity, 
 Fairest of stars upon the skies, 
 The Master who created thee 
 An infant on thy bosom lies. 
 
 The blessings lost by Eva's crime 
 
 Thy marvellous motherhood restored, 
 
 And oped for man the gate sublime 
 
 Where shines the brightness of the Lord. 
 
 Through thee the halls of heaven we gain, 
 
 Thou regent of the golden door; 
 We hail thee Virgin, void of stain, 
 
 And sound thy praise forevermore. 
 
 Jesus to thee be glory meet, 
 
 The Virgin-born, our God and King; 
 
 So to the Sire and Paraclete 
 Let everlasting praises ring. 
 
82 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 THE HOLY CROSS 
 
 Vexilla Regis 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 BEHOLD the standard of the King! 
 The wondrous cross is borne on high 
 Whereon the Saviour willed to die, 
 That out of death new life should spring. 
 
 O, wounded by the spear, a flood 
 Flows from his side in love sublime, 
 To wash our souls from stain and crime 
 
 He sheds the water and the blood. 
 
 Fulfilled is all the prophecy 
 
 Which David in his holy strain, 
 Sang to the nations; God doth reign; 
 
 Lo, he hath conquered by the tree. 
 
 O beauteous tree! O wondrous wood! 
 Dight with the purple of our king, 
 Deemed worthy all our hope to bring, 
 
 And touch the sacred limbs of God. 
 
 O blessed balance, where was weighed 
 The price of ages; here was brought 
 The sacred body that hath bought 
 
 Our life and our salvation paid. 
 
FORTUNATUS 83 
 
 Hail cross, our only hope! in this 
 The paschal-tide give added grace; 
 Let tears of penance bathe each face; 
 
 O cleanse our hearts and bring us bliss. 
 
 Salvation's fountain, three in one, 
 
 Let every spirit praise thy name; 
 
 Grant that we may the victory claim, 
 And evermore thy will be done. 
 
 THE CRUCIFIXION 
 
 Pange Lingua 
 
 T^RAME, my tongue, a song of wonder, 
 -■- Let the noble numbers ring; 
 Sing the glorious triumph crowning 
 
 Our Redeemer, Christ the King; 
 Sing the sacred immolation 
 
 That from death revoked the sting. 
 
 By the tree the crime of Adam 
 
 Plunged the earth in blighting sin; 
 
 From the tree man's woe was measured, 
 All the evil lay therein; 
 
 On the tree, by God's appointment, 
 Christ must die the world to win. 
 
 Thus the work of our salvation 
 Was by law divine ordained, 
 Thus by good to ill opposing, 
 
84 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Was the tempter's power restrained; 
 Whence the evil, thence the healing, 
 Whence came death true life is gained. 
 
 In his holy hour the Saviour 
 
 From the halls of heaven is come, 
 
 Takes the flesh of human nature; 
 So to save the flesh from doom; 
 
 Born as man, the world's Creator 
 Issues from a virgin's womb. 
 
 In a stable poor and lowly, 
 
 He, a tender child is born, 
 With a manger for a cradle, 
 
 Our Redeemer lies forlorn; 
 Swathing him in bands, the mother 
 
 Shields the Babe from shame and scorn. 
 
 Thirty years are soon completed, 
 
 And the day of woe is nigh; 
 Comes the hour of man's redemption, 
 
 When the Christ is doomed to die; 
 On the cross, a lamb, uplifted, 
 
 Lo! the Lord of earth and sky! 
 
 With a crown of thorns they crown him, 
 And they nail him to the wood, 
 
 With a lance they pierce his body 
 Whence the water and the blood 
 
 Flow, till ocean, earth and heaven 
 Bathe in the redeeming flood. 
 
FORTUNATUS 85 
 
 Faithful cross, a tree so noble 
 Never grew in grove or wood; 
 
 Never leaf or blossom flourished 
 Fair as on thy branches glowed; 
 
 Sweet the wood and sweet the iron 
 Bearing up so dear a load. 
 
 Ah! relax thy native rigour, 
 Bend thy branches, lofty tree! 
 
 Melt, O wood, in tender mercy! 
 Christ, the King of Glory, see! 
 
 Veiled in human sin and sorrow, 
 Slain, from sin the world to free. 
 
 Thou alone art found all worthy 
 Earth's dread sacrifice to bear; 
 
 Thus to save the world from ruin, 
 And the way to heaven prepare; 
 
 By his sacred blood anointed, 
 
 Thou, O Tree, art wondrous fair. 
 
 Everlasting praise and glory 
 
 To the blessed trinity; 
 Glory to the heavenly Father, 
 
 To the Son like glory be; 
 Glory to the Holy Spirit, 
 
 God eternal, one in three. 
 
ST. GREGORY THE GREAT 
 
 St. Gregory, a monk of the Benedictine order, and 
 surnamed the Great, on account of his illustrious actions 
 and extraordinary virtues, was born at Rome about 
 540, and died in the same city on December 12, 604. 
 
 On the death of Pope Pelagius II. in January, 590, 
 Gregory was unanimously chosen to fill the papacy, al- 
 though much against his wishes. It is said that he 
 opposed his own election with all his power. He was 
 the first monk to ascend the Apostolical See. 
 
 His humility through life was only equalled by his 
 wonderful ability. He impressed the seal of humility 
 upon the papacy itself by adopting as his title "The 
 servant of the servants of God." 
 
 Some time before his elevation, he had observed some 
 Saxon youths exposed for sale as slaves in the market 
 place. Struck with their beauty, he asked to what 
 country they belonged; and being told they were 
 "Angles," he replied that they might better be called 
 angels. Then with a sigh he said it was a pity that the 
 prince of darkness should enjoy so fair a prey; and 
 that men with so fine an outside should have none of 
 God's grace for their internal adornment. 
 
 He resolved at once to undertake the mission to Brit- 
 ain and, having obtained permission from Pope Pelagius, 
 he was already on his way, when the people of Rome, 
 
 87 
 
88 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 among whom the popularity of Gregory was very great, 
 raised so much opposition to his departure, that the 
 Pope felt obliged to recall him. It was not as a mission- 
 ary but as a Pope that he was to win England to the 
 church. He afterwards sent St. Augustine on the mis- 
 sion, who in 597 arrived in Kent with forty monks to 
 preach the gospel to the English. 
 
 Gregory rendered noble services to the Liturgy. 
 He put in order the work of his predecessors and gave 
 its definitive form to the holy sacrifice of the Mass. 
 
 The Gregorian Chant is a monument to his skill as 
 a sacred musician. "He had the glory," says Mon- 
 talembert, "of giving to ecclesiastical music that sweet 
 and solemn, and, at the same time, popular and durable 
 character, which has descended through ages, and to 
 which we must always return after the most prolonged 
 aberrations of frivolity and innovation. " 
 
 He established at Rome a school of music to which 
 all Christian nations sent representatives. 
 
 According to mediaeval legend, it was while consider- 
 ing the fascination exercised by profane music, that 
 Gregory was led to inquire whether he could not, like 
 David, consecrate music to the service of God. One 
 night he had a vision in which the church appeared to 
 him in the form of a muse, writing her songs and gather- 
 ing her children under the folds of her mantle. Upon 
 this mantle was written the whole art of music, with 
 all the forms of its tones, notes, neumes, and various 
 measures and symphonies. He prayed to God to give 
 him the power of recollecting all he saw. After he awoke 
 
ST. GREGORY THE GREAT 89 
 
 a dove appeared and dictated to him the musical com- 
 positions with which he has enriched the church. 
 
 He served in his own school as a teacher of music 
 and singing. 
 
 Gregory has been falsely accused of possessing a 
 contempt for literature and science, and of having de- 
 stroyed certain ancient monuments and writings. These 
 imputations date no further back than the twelfth cen- 
 tury. The writers of his own time show him as a highly 
 educated and wise man, surrounded by the most learned 
 priests and monks of his day, and as John the deacon, 
 his biographer, says, "he made the seven liberal arts 
 noble pillars of the portico of the Apostolical Chair." 
 
 St. Gregory the Great ranks next to St. Ambrose in 
 the number of hymns contributed to the church services. 
 
 I have placed the Works of Days among his poems 
 for, although it is customary to count them as Ambro- 
 siana, the better opinion is that most if not all were 
 written by Gregory. 
 
D 
 
 THE WORKS OF THE DAYS 
 
 Lucis Creator Optime 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 First day. Genesis i: 1-5 
 
 IVINE creator of the light, 
 
 Who, bringing forth the golden ray, 
 Didst join the morning with the night 
 And call the blessed union day; 
 
 We bow to thee, whose mighty word 
 Made time begin and heaven move; 
 
 Hear thou our tearful prayer, O Lord, 
 And warm us with the light of love. 
 
 Lord, let no crime our souls oppress, 
 Or keep us from thy law divine; 
 
 Oh guard us by thy saving grace 
 
 And make our wills accord with thine. 
 
 Still may we seek thy heavenly seat, 
 
 And strive eternal life to gain; 
 Oh, keep us in thy mercy sweet, 
 
 And cleanse our souls from earthly stain. 
 
 9* 
 
92 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Immense Coeli Conditor 
 Second day. Genesis i: 6-8 
 
 ALMIGHTY Maker of the skies, 
 Thy power the mingled waters clave, 
 And bade the clouds on high to rise 
 And fixed with bounds the ocean wave. 
 
 So shall the moistening rain and dew 
 Temper the flaming heats of noon; 
 
 So shall the year its wealth renew 
 Of vernal glow and harvest boon. 
 
 Grant to our souls, O Lord of Love, 
 The gift of thy perennial grace, 
 
 Lest evil should our senses move 
 And bring again the old disgrace. 
 
 Let faith increase the fire of love, 
 And bring the glory of thy light, 
 
 Let all our dreams come from above, 
 And banish every deed of night. 
 
 Telluris Alme Conditor 
 
 Third Day. Genesis i: 9-13 
 
 IND Builder of the earth, thy hand 
 Confined the currents of the sea, 
 And fixed with bounds the stable land 
 Above the raging waters free. 
 
 K 
 
ST. GREGORY THE GREAT 93 
 
 Then earth brought forth the tender green, 
 The wealth and glow of fruit and flower; 
 
 O'er all the world thy love was seen, 
 O'er all the world was felt thy power. 
 
 So clothe, O Lord, my barren soul 
 In brightening beauty of thy grace, 
 
 Her every hope and deed control, 
 
 And let no grovelling thought have place. 
 
 Thy will be hers forever, Lord, 
 
 And far from evil's poisonous breath 
 
 Let her rejoice in thy sweet word, 
 Nor ever know the stroke of death. 
 
 Coeli Deus Sanctissime 
 Fourth day. Genesis 1: 14-19 
 
 MOST Holy God, who dost adorn 
 With shining spheres the brow of night, 
 And bringest to the rosy morn 
 The tender glow of growing light. 
 
 Thy fourth day's labour fired the sun, 
 And sent the moon upon her way, 
 
 And gave each orb its course to run, 
 As guiding signs by night and day. 
 
 The moon and stars to rule the night, 
 The sun to bring his warming glow, 
 
94 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Thus ever changing, dark or bright, 
 
 The days and months and seasons flow. 
 
 Lord, fire our breasts with holy light, 
 That we may know thy law sublime; 
 
 Drive from our heart all deeds of night, 
 And cleanse the soul of guilt and crime. 
 
 Magnae Deus Potentiae 
 
 Fifth day. Genesis i: 20-23 
 
 ALMIGHTY God, thy mercy gave 
 The teeming life of sea and sky, 
 The fish to welter in the wave, 
 
 The bird to sing and soar on high. 
 
 So for the flowing waters formed, 
 The finny tribe shall multiply; 
 
 So in the pleasant sunshine warmed, 
 The feathered race shall throng the sky. 
 
 Grant unto us, thy servants, Lord, 
 Imbathed in thy all-cleansing blood, 
 
 To cling unto thy saving word, 
 
 That sin and death may be withstood. 
 
 Lord, let no weltering thoughts oppress, 
 Nor soaring pride the bosom swell, 
 
 To wreck the soul with wretchedness, 
 Or lead her unto deeds of hell. 
 
ST. GREGORY THE GREAT 95 
 
 Hominis Superne Conditor 
 Sixth day. Genesis 1: 24-31 
 
 MAKER of man, thou God of Might, 
 Thy will commanded earth to bring 
 Out of its womb, to life and light, 
 The cattle and the creeping thing. 
 
 The wonders of thy mighty plan, 
 
 The wealth and power of land and sea, 
 
 Are subject, by thy word, to man, 
 His will controls the world for thee. 
 
 Then Lord, subdue all false desire, 
 
 From every evil keep us free, 
 Inflame our souls with holy fire, 
 
 And lift our aims to heaven and thee. 
 
 O, be thyself our sweet reward, 
 
 Light up our hearts with saving grace, 
 
 Bring all mankind to sweet accord, 
 And fit us for thy dwelling place. 
 
 Doxology 
 
 Most gracious Father, hear our cry, 
 
 Hear thou, O Sole and equal Son, 
 And holy Paraclete, on high, 
 
 Forever reigning, three in one. 
 
96 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 A MORNING HYMN 
 
 Sol Salutis Intimis 
 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 OSUN of our salvation, rise, 
 Illume our souls with light divine; 
 Drive night and darkness from the skies, 
 And let thy day of mercy shine. 
 
 Grant that we may with streaming tears 
 Wash from the heart all stain of sin, 
 
 And freed from worldly joys and fears, 
 Kindle the fire of love therein. 
 
 Seal up the fount of sin, and bring 
 The sigh of sorrow and the smart; 
 
 So shall the rod of penance wring 
 
 With softening grief the hardened heart. 
 
 Thy day of glory comes; the glow 
 Shall every hollow fill and height; 
 
 And we rejoicing, Lord, shall go 
 In safety, guided by thy light. 
 
 Benignant Trinity, to thee 
 
 The world shall bow; the weak and strong 
 Shall call upon thy name; and we, 
 
 Renewed in grace, lift up the song. 
 
B 
 
 ST. GREGORY THE GREAT 97 
 
 A LENTEN HYMN 
 
 Audi, Benigne Conditor 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 ENIGN Creator of the spheres! 
 
 Hear thou the prayers, behold the tears, 
 That in this holy season we 
 With Lenten fastings, pour to thee. 
 
 Searcher of hearts, we seek thy throne, 
 Man's feeble will to thee is known, 
 We bow in grief and pardon crave, 
 From error, Lord, thy suppliants save. 
 
 Much have we sinned in deed and word, 
 We bare our hearts before thee, Lord; 
 Thy tender clemency we seek, 
 Oh heal our wounded souls and weak. 
 
 Grant that we may the body cleanse 
 Of sinful stain through abstinence, 
 May lift our fasting hearts to thee, 
 From all defiling evils free. 
 
 O tender Godhead, three in one! 
 Be ours the will all crime to shun, 
 To know and keep thy laws divine, 
 And be the fruits of fasting thine. 
 
98 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 HYMN TO THE SAVIOUR 
 
 Salvator Mund'i Domine 
 
 DEAR Jesus, Saviour of the world, 
 Our Saviour be to-day; 
 Protect our hearts in darkness hurled, 
 And guide us in thy way. 
 
 Haste, tender Christ, our souls to bless; 
 
 We bow before thy might; 
 Blot from our lives all sinfulness; 
 
 Be thou our beacon light. 
 
 With thee for guide we fear no foe, 
 No phantoms shall oppress; 
 
 Our souls no sinful stain shall know, 
 But (eel thy blessedness. 
 
 We pray thee, Lord, our souls to raise, 
 
 Our bosoms purify, 
 That we may rise and sing thy praise 
 
 In holy chastity. 
 
 All glory to the Father be, 
 
 All glory to the Son, 
 And Holy Ghost, the same to thee 
 
 While endless ages run. 
 
ST. GREGORY THE GREAT 99 
 
 EARLY MORNING HYMN 
 
 Rerum Creator Optime 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 CREATOR of the earth and skies, 
 Our blessed guide, we call on thee; 
 Look down upon our miseries, 
 
 From sin and sorrow make us free. 
 
 Dear Christ, to thee we come for aid, 
 Look not upon our faults, we pray; 
 
 To thee our grateful thanks are paid 
 Before the night has passed away. 
 
 We lift our hearts and hands to thee, 
 As prophet bade and Paul hath shown; 
 
 While darkness yet holds land and sea 
 We seek thee; hear our earnest moan. 
 
 Thou see'st the evil we have done, 
 
 Each deed before thee open lies; 
 Thy pardon send, O Holy One! 
 
 In pity heed our prayers and cries. 
 
 Father of mercy, unto thee 
 
 Be glory; to the sole-born Son 
 And Spirit equal honour be, 
 
 One God forever, three in one. 
 
100 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 A HYMN FOR LENT 
 
 Ex More Docti Mystico 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 BY holy custom taught, we raise 
 Our minds and hearts the Lord to serve, 
 And through the space of forty days 
 The fasts and laws of Lent observe. 
 
 By ancient rule and prophet's word 
 The sacred custom first was taught; 
 
 And in the desert Christ the Lord 
 The rite unto perfection brought. 
 
 Be ours to practice temperance spare, 
 In word, in food, in drink, in sleep; 
 
 Our pleasures curb, while, bowed in prayer, 
 A guard upon our wills we keep. 
 
 And let us shun each evil thought 
 That undermines the restless soul, 
 
 And bring the tempter's power to nought 
 By spirits bound in close control. 
 
 We kneel before thee, Lord, and weep; 
 
 Thine ire is just; our judge thou art; 
 We cry with suppliant voice, and keep 
 
 Our hope in thee, with humbled heart. 
 
ST. GREGORY THE GREAT 10 1 
 
 Our deeds insult thee, Lord of love; 
 
 And yet thy clemency we seek; 
 Pour forth thy mercy from above; 
 
 Thou know'st our hearts, how base and weak. 
 
 Remember, Father, we are thine, 
 
 Preserve us from the stain of sin; 
 Grant us to love thy name divine, 
 
 To know thy law and dwell therein. 
 
 Forgive the evil we have done; 
 
 The blessing that we need, increase; 
 Inflame our hearts all crime to shun, 
 
 And keep our souls in endless peace. 
 
 Honour be thine, Eternal Three, 
 
 Thou single Godhead, just, benign, 
 Let all our lives be turned to thee, 
 
 And be the fruits of fasting thine. 
 
 A HYMN FOR MATINS 
 
 Tu Trinitatis Unitas 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 THOU triune God, eternal King, 
 Almighty ruler of the spheres, 
 Hark to the song of praise we bring, 
 
 And hear and heed our psalms and tears. 
 
102 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 For we, arising out of sleep 
 Amid the darkness of the night 
 
 Beseech thee, Lord, our souls to keep, 
 And heal our wounds with holy light. 
 
 Whate'er of evil we have done 
 
 Lured by the tempter's foul deceit, 
 
 O wash away, thou Holy One, 
 And bring us to thy mercy sweet. 
 
 Lord, be our bodies chaste and pure, 
 Thy love let every bosom feel, 
 
 Keep thou our lives from sin secure, 
 And fire our souls with holy zeal. 
 
 For this, Redeemer, thee we seek, 
 For this we call thee in the night; 
 
 Uplift and help, for we are weak, 
 And guide us by thy heavenly light. 
 
 Father of mercy, hear our prayer, 
 And thou, O sole-begotten Son, 
 
 And Holy Spirit, yield thy care, 
 Eternal Godhead, three in one. 
 
ST. GREGORY THE GREAT IO3 
 
 SUNDAY MORNING HYMN 
 
 Primo Die Quo Trinitas 
 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 THIS day the blessed Trinity 
 Upbuilded by creative word 
 The earth; this day the risen Lord 
 O'er death a victor, made us free. 
 Then casting off all lethargy, 
 Arise and sing in sweet accord; 
 While yet 'tis night be God adored — 
 The prophet bids, — so let it be. 
 
 Seek we the Lord in humble prayer, 
 
 That he may stretch his hand and save, 
 
 And lift each soul above the grave, 
 The living joys of heaven to share; 
 With hymns and orisons prepare, 
 
 Ere yet the dawn is on the wave; 
 
 Sing out the praise of him that gave 
 All blessed gifts, and crave his care. 
 
 Yea, now, O Fount of living light, 
 
 Thy tender guidance we require; 
 
 Keep from our hearts the fleshly fire, 
 And lead us from the deeds that blight. 
 Oh be our bodies in thy sight 
 
 So purified from foul desire, 
 
 That, all appeased thy righteous ire, 
 Thou bring us to thy holy height. 
 
104 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Redeemer of the world, thou Sun 
 
 Of justice, thee do we entreat; 
 
 Oh wash our hearts from stain complete, 
 And be our souls to glory won! 
 To God the Father and the Son 
 
 Be praise and love and glory meet, 
 
 And unto thee, O Paraclete, 
 Eternal Godhead, three in one. 
 
 AT MATINS 
 
 JSfocte Surgentes 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 FROM slumber's bonds, before the day, 
 Uprising, let us watch and pray; 
 Let all on psalm and sacred word 
 Now meditate, and in accord 
 Praise God with consecrated lay. 
 
 So, joining with the choirs on high, 
 
 The songs shall sound through earth and sky, 
 
 In praise of our eternal King; 
 
 O Father! let thy mercy bring 
 Our souls to endless ecstasy. 
 
 Be with us, Lord, by day and night, 
 The Father's Godhead, power and might, 
 
 So of the sole-begotten Son 
 
 And Holy Ghost; as ages run 
 One praise shall fill the world with light. 
 
ST. GREGORY THE GREAT I05 
 
 AT MATINS 1 
 
 (Another Version) 
 
 RISE we, now, ere dawn, and begin our watching, 
 Lift our hearts in psalms, and in meditation; 
 And with voices tuned to the Lord, in music 
 Sing his sweet anthems. 
 
 Let us join our songs with the choirs supernal, 
 In unending praise to the King of mercy, 
 So our souls may come to the halls of splendour 
 Shining eternal. 
 
 Be thou blessed, O God, in thy might tremendous, 
 Spirit, Sire and Son, thou art God eternal, 
 One forevermore; let thy praise and glory 
 Sound through the ages. 
 
 AT DAYBREAK 
 
 Ecce Jam JSfoctis 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 LO, now the shadows of the night 
 Are passing by; the changing light 
 Purples the skies of morn; and we 
 Our suppliant voices lift to thee 
 In Prayer and song, O God of might! 
 
 1 In the Sapphics of the original. 
 
106 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Let all thy mercies, Lord, increase 
 Upon our erring hearts; surcease 
 Of sorrow bring; and make us free 
 From sin and shame and misery, 
 And grant us everlasting peace. 
 
 Unto the Father glory raise 
 With love and joy, in hymns of praise; 
 So to the sole-begotten Son, 
 And Holy Spirit, three in one, 
 Resounding to the end of days. 
 
 AT DAYBREAK 1 
 
 (Another Version) 
 
 LO, the night goes by with its gloomy shadows, 
 And the skies grow fair in the light of morning, 
 Lord, we come to thee and our suppliant voices 
 Lift up before thee. 
 
 Be thy mercy shown to our feeble nature, 
 Sin and shame and woe from our bosoms banish; 
 Everlasting peace, in thy halls of splendour, 
 Grant us, O Saviour. 
 
 Be thou with us, Lord, and be thine all glory, 
 God eternal, Sire, with the Son and Spirit, 
 Heaven and earth shall ring with unending praises 
 Down through the ages. 
 
 1 In the Sapphics of the original. 
 
ST. GREGORY THE GREAT IO7 
 
 A HYMN FOR PENTECOST 
 
 Veni Creator Spiritus 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 COME, Spirit of the mighty word, 
 We need thy presence and thy aid; 
 Be thy supernal graces poured 
 
 Into the breasts which thou hast made. 
 
 Well art thou called the Paraclete, 
 
 Thy mercies comfort and condole, 
 The fount of life, the love, the heat, 
 
 The soothing unction of the soul. 
 
 Bearer of sevenfold blessedness, 
 
 Finger of God to guide and teach, 
 Shedding from heaven the promised grace, 
 
 Enriching tongues with holy speech; 
 
 Kindle our senses with thy light, 
 
 Thy love into our bosoms pour, 
 Sustain each weakness with thy might, 
 
 And raise our souls forevermore. 
 
 Drive from our path the evil one; 
 
 Bring gentle peace to crown our day; 
 With thee before us leading on, 
 
 We shall not into error stray. 
 
108 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Grant, that we may the Father know, 
 And feel the love of Christ the Son, 
 
 Through thee; and in thy holy glow 
 Forever see the Three in one. 
 
 Be glory to the Father given, 
 And to the risen Son, and thee, 
 
 O Holy Ghost; let earth and heaven 
 Ring with one praise eternally. 
 
EUGENIUS 
 
 The date of birth of Eugenius is not definitely known. 
 It is believed to have occurred in the later part of the 
 sixth century. He was a theologian of note, and counted 
 among the most learned men of his age. At the time 
 of his death in 657, he was archbishop of Toledo, which 
 See he had held for twelve years. 
 
 He was a prelate of eminent sanctity and the author 
 of several pious epigrams. His most noted poetical 
 production was called the "Hexaemeron," being a de- 
 scription of the six days of creation. 
 
 The following poem is now translated for the first 
 time into English. It is valuable, not only for certain 
 poetical merits, which it possesses, but as a good ex- 
 pression of the ideal of a Christian gentleman and scholar 
 of the early years of Christianity. I have attempted 
 to imitate the hexameters of the original. 
 
 109 
 
THE PRAYER OF EUGENIUS 
 Rex Deus, Immensi 
 
 MONARCH of infinite majesty, Maker and Lord 
 of creation, 
 Feeble and vile at thy feet I dare to implore thee for 
 favours; — 
 
 Give me the vigour to govern my will like a king in his 
 kingdom; 
 
 Soften my spirit with kindness, and open my mind to 
 thy glory; 
 
 Let me live in thy faith, all sects and falsehoods resisting, 
 
 Make me in deed and desire a servant worthy thy ser- 
 vice. 
 
 Grant that love may be mine; make me truthful, humble 
 
 and prudent; 
 Silent when wisdom requires, and always cautious in 
 
 language. 
 Bless me with faithful companions, with friendships 
 
 fast and enduring, 
 And with a servant chaste and kind and careful and 
 
 willing. 
 
 Give me not over to poverty's pains, nor to languor's 
 allurements; 
 
112 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Only the needful I crave, but health as a constant com- 
 panion. 
 
 Keep me from riches and envy; from arrogance, quarrel 
 and law suits, 
 
 Gluttony's foul desires, and luxury's gratifications. 
 
 No one by crime let me harm, from no one by crime 
 
 let me suffer, — 
 Let not my will from justice turn, nor my thoughts 
 
 toward evil; 
 Nothing unworthy be found in will or in word or in 
 
 action; 
 Utterance, spirit and deed, let them sing thee, desire 
 
 thee and show thee; 
 
 Grant, I beseech, such power, as shall overcome all 
 
 temptation, 
 While in the race of life my running shall gain me the 
 
 trophy. 
 Then when the hour of death shall come, and my spirit 
 
 soars upward, 
 Let thy mercy awake, and bless me, O Lord, with thy 
 
 pardon. 
 
 Glory be thine forever, of heaven and earth the creator, 
 Triune God that reignest, alone over all through the 
 ages. 
 
PAUL THE DEACON 
 
 Paul was born in Italy in 735, and died in 798. He 
 was known as a historian and a poet, and was one of 
 the learned men whom Charlemagne invited to aid him 
 in establishing the great school of the Emperor's palace. 
 
 His famous hymn on St. John the Baptist has been 
 divided in the Roman Breviary into the following three, 
 for Vespers, Matins and Lauds. 
 
 This hymn is noted as having afforded Guido of Ar- 
 rezzo the names of the notes of the musical scale. 
 
 The hymn was a great favourite in the Middle Ages. 
 It was thought that its recitation would induce pure 
 musical tones. 
 
 113 
 
VESPER HYMN TO ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST 
 
 Ut Queant Laxis 
 
 AS we thy servants will to bring 
 Thy deeds before the world and sing 
 Thy name, St. John, as should be sung, 
 Cleanse thou the lips and loose the tongue, 
 That so thy praise may fitly ring. 
 
 When Gabriel from God's presence came, 
 
 And stood before the altar flame, 
 With tidings of thy coming birth 
 And of thy deeds of heavenly worth, 
 
 He brought from God thy holy name. 
 
 Thy Father's faith was sorely wrung; 
 
 Doubting the message tied his tongue; 
 And dumb, till past thy natal hour, 
 Thy name restored his vocal power, 
 
 And filled his soul with flowing song. 
 
 While closed within thy mother's womb 
 Thou didst perceive the Christ to come, 
 
 And give thy mother to disclose 
 
 The unborn King, ere yet he rose 
 To wrest the world from death and doom. 
 
Il6 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 HYMN FOR MATINS 
 
 Antra Deserti 
 
 FOR years thy spirit found it well 
 Within a desert cave to dwell, 
 To fly the crowds, that so no vain 
 Or evil deed thy life should stain, 
 Nor idle thought thy tongue should tell. 
 
 Thy limbs were clothed in camel's hair, 
 A leathern girdle didst thou wear, 
 Thy drink was water from the flood, 
 And the wild honey of the wood, 
 With the shrill locust, all thy fare. 
 
 The prophets sang, in sacred lay, 
 The brightness of the coming day; 
 Thy soul the glory saw, and calm 
 Proclaimed the presence of the Lamb, 
 Who came to bear our sins away. 
 
 The world shall ever sing thy worth, 
 Great Saint; it knows no holier birth 
 
 Than thine, whose hands the water poured 
 Upon the forehead of thy Lord, 
 The Lamb of God, who cleansed the earth. 
 
 All glory to the Father be 
 And sole-begotten Son, to thee, 
 
PAUL THE DEACON llj 
 
 While to the Holy Ghost we raise 
 An equal meed of love and praise, 
 One God, one rule, eternally. 
 
 HYMN FOR LAUDS 
 
 Nimis Felix 
 
 GREAT Saint, thy worth is heavenly high; 
 No stain is on thy purity; 
 Most potent martyr, lo, we bring 
 The seemly song of praise, and sing 
 With voices sounding to the sky. 
 
 Of crowns thrice ten the angels weave 
 For other martyrs; some receive 
 
 A double glory; but to thee 
 
 Three hundred shining wreaths shall be 
 Of fruit and flower, in sacred sheaf. 
 
 Enrich our souls with strength, we pray; 
 
 Pluck from our breasts all faults away; 
 O, smooth our rugged road, and be 
 Our guide, that we the light may see 
 
 Across the hills, of God's white day. 
 
 So through thy prayers the Lord shall bless 
 And light our souls with holiness, 
 
 Shall lift our heavy hearts, and deign 
 To wash away all worldly stain, 
 In the clear fountain of his grace. 
 
Il8 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Now, with the heavenly choirs we raise 
 To thee, O Trinity, all praise, 
 
 We bow in prayer before thy throne, 
 Redeem and save us, Holy One, 
 And fill with light our lonely ways. 
 
ST. PAULINUS OF AQUILEIA 
 
 One of the most illustrious and holy prelates of the 
 eighth century, St. Paulinus, was born about the year 
 726, in a country farm not far from Friuli, and died 
 in Aquileia, January 11, 804, although his feast is held 
 in some places on January 28. 
 
 He was one of the saintly and learned men whom 
 Charlemagne invited to assist in building up his great 
 school of the Palace. 
 
 He was appointed in 776 as Patriarch of Aquileia, 
 which dignity had then but recently been annexed to 
 that See. 
 
 He was honoured by Charlemagne with the titles 
 "Master of Grammar," and "Very Venerable," and the 
 Emperor required his presence at all his great councils. 
 
 The Church has adapted in the Roman Breviary the 
 fourth stanza of the following hymn for the feast of 
 St. Peter's chains, and the fifth stanza for the feast of 
 St. Peter's chair at Rome. 
 
 119 
 
THE APOSTLES, PETER AND PAUL 
 
 Felix Per Omnes Festum 
 
 THROUGH earth's wide bounds the honoured festival 
 Of blessed Peter and of Holy Paul 
 Is kept in happy memory, and maintained 
 To grace whom Christ's redeeming blood ordained 
 Among the apostles princes over all. 
 
 Two olives they on God's eternal height, 
 
 Two candlesticks that gleam with heavenly light, 
 
 Resplendent stars that glorify the skies; 
 
 The words that ope the gates of Paradise, 
 And break the bonds of sin by gentle might. 
 
 Their word has power to close the golden bar, 
 Or bare the thresholds, where the angels are; 
 
 Their tongues are keys that guard the golden light 
 Of God's high justice; they uphold the right, 
 And drive all falsehood from the earth afar. 
 
 Peter most wondrously, at Christ's command, 
 The iron fetters broke from foot and hand, 
 And so came forth, defender of the fold, 
 The teacher of God's people, calm and bold, 
 A tower of strength to guard the little band. 
 
122 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Whate'er on earth he bindeth, by decree 
 Is bound among the stars eternally; 
 
 And what his will shall loose on earth, behold! 
 
 'Tis loosed forever in the halls of gold; 
 The judge of all the ages he shall be. 
 
 No less in glory is the teacher Paul, 
 Who, persecuting, heard the Saviour call; 
 Lamps of the Church, and equal in renown, 
 Partners in death, and sharers of one crown, 
 Amid the skies their light surpasseth all. 
 
 O Happy Rome! that art empurpled by 
 The precious blood of princes; thou canst vie 
 In beauty with the world; not by thine own, 
 But by their merits, is thy glory known, 
 Whose blessed bones beneath thy pavement lie. 
 
 O blessed Peter, and O Paul, the flower 
 Of earth, triumphant chiefs in holy power, 
 Look on the world in pity, heed our cares, 
 Protect us from all evil by your prayers; 
 Guide and uplift us to the heavenly tower. 
 
 Unto the Sire eternal praises sing, 
 And let the chorus to the Son outring, 
 
 And to the Holy Spirit, one in three; 
 
 An everlasting song of glory be 
 To God the everlasting Lord and King. 
 
THEODULPHUS 
 
 Theodulphus was educated in the school of the 
 Palace of Charlemagne, and according to the custom 
 of that age, and particularly of that school, assumed, for 
 himself the title of Pindar. This was on account of 
 his supposed lyric power. 
 
 He became bishop of Orleans about the first part of 
 the ninth century and died while occupying that See 
 in 821. 
 
 For some reason, which does not clearly appear, he 
 is said to have been confined for a time by Louis the 
 Debonair, son and successor of Charlemagne, in a prison 
 at Angers, during which time the following hymn is 
 said to have been written. The story states that the 
 Bishop sang the new hymn from his dungeon window 
 as the emperor was passing to the Cathedral on Palm 
 Sunday, in the year 821, and that as a result the bishop 
 was liberated from his captivity. 
 
 The hymn is still used in the church as a processional 
 hymn on Palm Sunday. 
 
 m 
 
HYMN FOR PALM SUNDAY 
 
 Gloria, Laus et Honor 
 
 ALL glory, praise and honour 
 To thee, O Christ, we bring, 
 And sing like Sion's children, 
 Hozannas to our King. 
 
 For thou art King, Lord Jesus, 
 
 Of David's royal line, 
 And blest are all who serve thee 
 
 And call thy name divine. 
 
 The saints and holy angels 
 
 Exalt in heaven thy name, 
 And men on earth forever 
 
 Thy glory shall proclaim. 
 
 As came the Jews to meet thee 
 
 With palms upon the way, 
 So we with prayerful voices 
 
 Lift up our songs to-day. 
 
 As they loud praises paid thee 
 
 Upon the road of pain, 
 So we with sounding music 
 
 Salute thy endless reign. 
 i*5 
 
126 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 As their devotion pleased thee, 
 So be our offering, — 
 
 The song, the prayer, the praises, 
 We bring thee, gentle King. 
 
RABANUS MAURUS 
 
 One of the most learned and holy men of his age, 
 Rabanus Maurus was born in Germany about the year 
 800. 
 
 While Abbot of Fulda, he made that house the great- 
 est nursery of science in Europe. 
 
 He was Archbishop of Mentz from 847 to 856, when he 
 died on February 4, on which day his name appears in 
 certain private German martyrologies, though he has 
 never been publicly honored among the saints. 
 
 Most of the hymns for the feasts of saints and angels 
 are believed to have been composed by Rabanus. All 
 the following hymns are found in the Roman Breviary. 
 
 127 
 
VESPER HYMN FOR ALL SAINTS 
 
 Placare Christe Servulis 
 
 O SOOTHE thy servants' woes, and bring 
 Our souls to thee, most clement King; 
 We seek before thy mercy seat 
 The Virgin's intercession sweet. 
 
 And ye, O blessed ones, who move 
 In circles near the throne of love, 
 Shield us from all iniquity, 
 Or past, or present, or to be. 
 
 Ye prophets and apostles, hear; 
 
 Lift up before the Judge severe 
 
 Our tearful prayers, and give your voice, 
 
 That he may bid our souls rejoice. 
 
 Ye noble martyrs of the Lord, 
 And white-robed preachers of the word, 
 Behold us exiled, bowed in gloom; 
 Oh guide us to our heavenly home. 
 
 Ye holy bands of virgins chaste, 
 And godly dwellers of the waste, 
 Now glorified with God, look down, 
 And help us to the heavenly crown. 
 
 129 
 
130 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Lord save us from the poisonous breath 
 Of heresy, that bringeth death; 
 So all thy people, joined as one, 
 Shall bow before thy heavenly throne. 
 
 To God the Father glory be, 
 And sole-begotten Son to thee, 
 And to the Spirit, three in one 
 While everlasting ages run. 
 
 MORNING HYMN FOR ALL SAINTS 
 
 Salutis Aeterne Dator 
 
 O SAVIOUR, Fount of heavenly life, 
 Assist us in our earthly strife; 
 Thou pitying Virgin, hear our cries, 
 And raise us from our miseries. 
 
 Angelic hosts our needs attend; 
 
 Ye holy patriarchs, defend; 
 
 Ye choirs of prophets, by your prayers, 
 
 Protect us from unholy snares. 
 
 Herald of Christ, we call on thee; 
 And thou that hold'st the golden key; 
 Apostles all, your voice we claim, 
 Dissolve the bonds of sin and shame. 
 
 Triumphant martyrs of the Lord; 
 Ye holy preachers of the word; 
 
RABANUS MAURUS I3I 
 
 And virgins chaste; to you we pray; 
 Wash all our sinful stains away. 
 
 All ye among the halls of heaven, 
 To whom the light of love is given, 
 In pity hear our cries, — that we 
 The glory of God's face may see. 
 
 All praise and honour, power and love 
 To God the Sire who rules above, 
 Unto the Son like glory be 
 And Holy Ghost eternally. 
 
 HYMN TO THE ARCHANGEL RAPHAEL 
 
 T ibi Christe Splendor Patris 
 
 JESUS, unto thee, the splendour 
 Of the Father's face, we sing; 
 Mighty, meek, forgiving, tender, 
 
 All our hope from thee we bring; 
 Praise with angel choirs we render, 
 Glad hozannas to our King. 
 
 Voicing songs of veneration, 
 
 All the heavenly chiefs we praise, 
 
 Lift our hymns in loud laudation; 
 But to Raphael we upraise 
 
 Special love and jubilation, 
 
 Guide and friend from ancient days. 
 
132 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 By his care be darkness driven 
 
 From our souls, with sin and shame; 
 
 Light our bosoms, Lord, from heaven, 
 Cleanse us by thy purging flame; 
 
 So by tender love forgiven, 
 
 God shall be our home and aim. 
 
 Then with psalm and song sonorous, 
 Praise the Sire from shore to shore; 
 
 Praise alike in swelling chorus 
 Son and Spirit evermore; 
 
 While with cross upraised before us 
 We one living God adore. 
 
 HYMN TO THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL 
 
 1 e Splendor et Virtus Pains 
 
 THEE the Father's power and splendour, 
 Jesus, thee we praise in song, 
 Bless thy name, O Shepherd tender, 
 Joining with the angel throng. 
 
 'Mid the myriad host before thee, 
 
 Ranged along the radiant sky, 
 Michael holds the cross of glory, 
 
 Our salvation's hope, on high. 
 
 By that sign he drives in terror 
 Satan and his godless powers, 
 
RABANUS MAURUS I33 
 
 All the rebel ranks of error, 
 
 Headlong from the heavenly towers. 
 
 Blessed Michael, be our leader, 
 
 In our war on sin and pride; 
 Be with Christ our interceder, 
 
 That the crown be not denied. 
 
 Glory to the Father ever, 
 
 Glory to the sole-born Son, 
 Glory to the Spirit; never 
 
 Cease the song while ages run. 
 
 O JESUS, JOY OF ANGEL CHOIRS 
 
 Cbrtste, Sanctorum Decus 
 
 O JESUS, joy of angel choirs, 
 Thou Sire and Saviour of the race, 
 Illume our souls with pure desires, 
 And lead us heavenward by thy grace. 
 
 Let Michael, messenger of peace, 
 Visit our temples, day and night; 
 
 For in his presence wars shall cease 
 And love shall fill the world with light. 
 
 Let Gabriel's arm of flame and power 
 Protect us from the ancient foe, 
 
 And be to us a shielding tower 
 To guard us in our strife below. 
 
134 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Let blessed Raphael's healing hand 
 Uplift us; him we need and seek 
 
 To guide us to the heavenly land, 
 
 To raise the faint and nerve the weak. 
 
 And Virgin Mother of the Light, 
 
 Thou hope of souls, thou heavenly Queen, 
 
 Assist us by thy gentle might 
 
 And light us home in rays serene. 
 
 So God shall heed and help our needs, 
 The Sire, the sole-begotten Son, 
 
 And Spirit who from both proceeds, 
 Forever reigning three in one. 
 
 HYMN FOR THE APOSTLES 
 
 Exultet Orhis Gaudiis 
 
 LET all the world exult in song, 
 Let praises through the heavens ring, 
 Let earth and skies the hymn prolong, 
 The great apostles' glory sing. 
 
 Ye judges of the centuries, 
 
 And beacons of the world, we dare 
 
 Appeal to you on bended knees, 
 
 Oh, heed and hear our suppliant prayer. 
 
 O ye, whose word may close or ope 
 The sacred temple of the Lord, 
 
RABANUS MAURUS 135 
 
 Restore our souls with heavenly hope, 
 And break the chain of sin abhorred. 
 
 Both life and death your will obey, 
 
 At your command all evils fly; 
 From our frail hearts take guilt away, 
 
 And frame our lives with love on high. 
 
 So when at last the Christ shall come 
 To judge the world, our deeds may be 
 
 Worthy to make his heaven our home, 
 Co-heirs with you eternally. 
 
 Unto the Father glory be, 
 
 And equal glory to the Son, 
 The same, O Paraclete to thee, 
 
 One God, while endless ages run. 
 
 HYMN FOR THE FEAST OF A CONFESSOR 
 
 Jesu Redemptor Omnium 
 
 JESUS, Redeemer of mankind 
 And crown of guides who lead for thee, 
 Turn on our souls thy glances kind; 
 We ask thy love on bended knee. 
 
 Lord, thy confessor's holy fame, 
 Whose solemn feast we keep to-day, 
 
 Still glorifies thy sacred name; 
 
 Through him our vows to thee we pay. 
 
I36 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 No earthly joys he sought or won, 
 
 Pleasures he spurned as things of nought, 
 
 He prized thy tender love alone, 
 
 Thy heavenly light was all he sought. 
 
 Send us, dear Lord, thy rays sublime 
 That we his beaten path may see; 
 
 And purged from every stain of crime, 
 May find our endless home with thee. 
 
 Christ, King of love, be glory meet 
 To God the Father and to thee, 
 
 And to the Spirit Paraclete, 
 Now and through all eternity. 
 
 HYMN FOR A CONFESSOR 
 
 Iste Confessor Domini 
 
 THE people thy confessor praise to-day, 
 Lord, over all the world, and tributes bring; 
 This day he rose to walk the heavenly way, 
 Where angels sing. 
 
 Meek, prudent, humble, modest on the earth, 
 
 A sober life he led without a stain; 
 He lived for thee, O Lord; his deeds of worth 
 
 For thee remain. 
 
 The sick and dying, through his holy hand, 
 Were oft upraised to health by thee, O Lord; 
 
RABANUS MAURUS I37 
 
 And suffering ones to-day from every land, 
 Are still restored. 
 
 And so we sing our choiring songs of praise, 
 We bring our palms to crown his holy day; 
 
 And beg that for our needs he may upraise 
 His voice and pray. 
 
 All honour, power and glory let us sing 
 Unto the living God who reigns alone; 
 
 Ruler of all the worlds, the Lord, the King, 
 The three in one. 
 
 In case the day celebrated is not the day of the Saint's death, the following 
 may be sung instead of the third and fourth lines of the first stanza: 
 
 Unto his honour lift the joyous lay, 
 And praises sing. 
 
NOTKER 
 
 A native of northern Switzerland, Notker Balbulus 
 was born about 840, and died in 912 on the sixth of 
 April, on which day he is commemorated as a saint in 
 the monastery of St. Gall, where he had been one of 
 the most noted followers of the founder of that great 
 house. 
 
 He compiled a life of St. Gall in verse, and left a 
 martyrology, chiefly collected from Rabanus Maurus 
 and St. Odo of Cluny. 
 
 He was a man of gentle and contemplative nature, 
 accustomed to find spiritual and poetical suggestions 
 in the common sights around him. 
 
 His name is chiefly important in the history of eccle- 
 siastical music as the inventor of sequences, which may 
 be regarded as marking the beginning of the later medi- 
 aeval epoch of Latin hymnody. The Notkerian se- 
 quence is, in form, a rhythmical prose something like 
 the psalms of David. 
 
 The sequence was a chant of praise to be sung be- 
 tween the epistle and the gospel at the Mass. 
 
 One of the best known and most remarkable of the 
 Notkerian sequences, is that brief antiphon, translated 
 in the burial service of the Episcopal Book of Common 
 Prayer, "In the midst of life we are in death." 
 
 The following selection, ranked as one of the seven 
 139 
 
140 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 great hymns, is a good example of the Notkerian se- 
 quence. It has been attributed by some writers to 
 Gotschalk, another monk of St. Gall, who died in 950. 
 It is known as the "Alleluiatic Chorus," or the "Alle- 
 luiatic Sequence. " 
 
THE ALLELUIATIC SEQUENCE 
 
 Cantemus Cuncti 
 
 COME, let us all sing out the song of praise, 
 Swelling in thanks to our eternal Lord, 
 
 Alleluia! 
 Let the rejoicing choirs of heaven unite, 
 And lift their golden voices to the strain, 
 
 Alleluia! 
 Sounding along the fields of Paradise 
 Shall ring the music of the blessed throngs, 
 
 Alleluia! 
 The jubilee of everlasting stars 
 Shall give their shining answer to the song, 
 
 Alleluia! 
 Let cloud, wind, lightning and the rolling thunder, 
 Mingle their tones in solemn harmony, 
 
 Alleluia! 
 River and ocean, rain and gale and calm, 
 Summer and winter, field and grove shall sing, 
 
 Alleluia! 
 The birds of every plumage first shall raise 
 Loud praises to their Maker in sweet songs, 
 
 Alleluia! 
 Then all the beasts shall lift their various voices, 
 And give eternal answer to the praises, 
 
 Alleluia! 
 i 4 i 
 
142 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Thou, too, O deep of ocean, shout in joy, 
 Nor silent, you, ye continents, remain, 
 
 Alleluia! 
 Let every man exulting, sing sweet psalms, 
 While thanks unending rise to God on high, 
 
 Alleluia! 
 So as we shout the canticles of joy, 
 The praise shall bring delight unto his ear, 
 
 Alleluia! 
 And so the heavenly tunes that we upraise 
 Be pleasing to the Saviour's tender heart, 
 
 Alleluia! 
 Then, brethren, lift your voices and rejoice, 
 And you, ye little children, answer forth, 
 
 Alleluia! 
 Now to the Father Alleluia sing, 
 To Jesus Alleluia, and the Spirit, 
 
 Alleluia! 
 Sing praises to the eternal Trinity, 
 Sing in the cleansing baptism of the Lord, 
 
 Alleluia! 
 
ST. ODO OF CLUNY 
 
 The son of a nobleman of the first rank, Odo was born 
 at Tours in 879, and from his childhood was much given 
 to piety and prayer. At nineteen years of age he received 
 the tonsure, and from that time he put away learning 
 and devoted himself to religious exercises. 
 
 He was admitted to the monastic habit by S. Berno, 
 Abbot of Beaume, in 909. The monastery of Beaume 
 stands in a lonely spot among barren rocks at a great 
 height. The great Abbey of Cluny was founded by 
 William, Count of Auvergne, in 910, and placed in the 
 care of St. Berno. 
 
 In 927 St. Odo was made abbot of the three monas- 
 teries of Cluny, Massay and Deols. He made his res- 
 idence at Cluny, where the reputation of his sanctity 
 and discipline drew to his house many illustrious men. 
 
 He died at Tours November 18, 942. 
 
 H3 
 
FOR ST. MARY MAGDALENE 
 
 Summi Parentis Unice 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 JESUS, sole son of God most high, 
 Look on our souls with pitying eye, 
 Thou who didst call the Magdalene 
 To holy love and light serene. 
 
 The coin that had been lost and mourned, 
 Is to the treasure house returned; 
 New-found and cleansed, thy gem divine 
 Now fairer than the stars outshine. 
 
 Oh, balm of every wounded heart, 
 The sorrowing sinner's hope thou art; 
 Dear Jesus, by sad Mary's tears, 
 Wash out our sins and chase our fears. 
 
 Mother of God, our prayers receive, 
 All weak and weeping sons of Eve; 
 Calm by thy word the waves of strife, 
 And guide us to the port of life. 
 
 Be love and glory evermore 
 To the sole God whom all adore, 
 Who heals us by his plenteous grace 
 And lifts us to his holy place. 
 
 H5 
 
ROBERT I., KING OF FRANCE 
 
 Son and successor of Hugh Capet, Robert I. was born 
 at Orleans in 971, and died at Melun in 103 1. He is 
 sometimes, but improperly, cited as Robert II., the first 
 of that name being taken to mean Robert, duke of France, 
 who died in 923. In history he is surnamed the Pious. 
 
 While wholly different from his warlike father, he 
 lacked neither physical advantages nor moral virtues. 
 He was said to be versed in all the sciences, a good phi- 
 losopher, an excellent musician, and so devoted to sacred 
 literature that he never passed a day without reading 
 the Psalter. 
 
 He composed several hymns, which he set to music 
 and deposited upon the altar of St. Peter, while on a 
 pilgrimage to Rome. 
 
 The following hymn, which is sung in the Mass for 
 Whitsuntide, is known as the "Golden Sequence," and 
 represents the transition from the rhythmical prose of 
 Notker to the metrical form. It is one of the most 
 popular of the hymns of the Middle Ages, and has a 
 place among the seven great hymns. 
 
 147 
 
HYMN FOR WHITSUNDAY 
 Vent Sancte Spiritus 
 
 HOLY Spirit, come and shine 
 On our souls with light divine, 
 Warm us with thy rays of love; 
 Come, O Father of the poor, 
 Make thy gifts to man secure, 
 Fire our bosoms from above. 
 
 Tender Comforter and best, 
 Of the soul most precious guest, 
 
 Soother of all trembling fears, 
 Rest for labour's wearing strains, 
 Temperer of burning pains, 
 
 Solace to the soul in tears. 
 
 Holy radiance, most benign! 
 Into every bosom shine 
 
 With the blessed light of faith; 
 Without thy divinity 
 Nothing good in man can be, 
 
 All is dark and worthy death. 
 
 Wash away whate 'er is vile, 
 Make our souls like gardens smile, 
 Heal all bitter wounds, we pray; 
 149 
 
150 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Bend our stubborn wills to thine, 
 Melt our souls with love divine, 
 Guide us lest we go astray. 
 
 All thy sevenfold gifts impart 
 Unto every faithful heart 
 
 Meekly trusting in thy love; 
 Grant that without sin or stain 
 We a holy death may gain, 
 
 And eternal joy above. 
 
HERMANN CONTRACTUS 
 
 The son of the Swabian Count Wolfrat of Voringen, 
 Hermann was born in 1013, and died in 1054. He was 
 surnamed Contractus, or the Lame, on account of a 
 physical defect. 
 
 Educated at the monastery of Reichenau, and after- 
 ward admitted as a member of the fraternity, he added 
 greatly to the reputation of that house, which had been 
 noted for its learning from the time of St. Berno. 
 
 He is famous as a chronicler of his time. He also 
 devoted himself to mathematics and music, and con- 
 structed watches and instruments of various kinds. 
 He wrote a number of hymns, besides producing a 
 didactic poem on "The eight chief vices." 
 
 The "Alma Redemptoris" and the beautiful anthem 
 "Salve Regina," found in the Roman Breviary, are his, 
 although the last words of the latter were added by 
 St. Bernard of Clairvaux. The Vesper hymn, "Ave 
 Regina Coelorum," is probably of a later period. 
 
 '5 1 
 
VESPER HYMN TO THE VIRGIN 
 
 Alma Redemptoris Mater 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 MOTHER of majesty, 
 God's love adorning, 
 Thou that hast oped for man 
 
 Heaven's high door, 
 Star of the ocean wave, 
 Gate of the morning, 
 Look on our wanderings, 
 Thee we implore. 
 
 Born without stain of sin, 
 
 Formed for the Holy, 
 Gabriel's Ave still 
 
 Rises to thee. 
 Virgin and Mother pure, 
 
 Tender and lowly, 
 Hear us and plead for us, 
 
 Bowed at thy knee. 
 
 A VESPER PSALM 
 
 Salve Re gin a 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 HAIL, holy queen, 
 Mother of Mercy sweet, 
 Life of our souls, 
 
 i53 
 
154 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Our hope, our refuge be; 
 Children of Eve, 
 
 Bending at thy dear feet, 
 Out of the gloom, 
 
 Tearful we cry to thee. 
 
 Born without stain, 
 
 Plead for our souls we pray, 
 Turn unto us 
 
 Thy pitying eyes of love; 
 So while our lives 
 
 Pass from the earth away, 
 Bring thou our souls 
 
 Safe to thy Son above. 
 
 O clement Maid, 
 
 Merciful advocate, 
 Virgin, most sweet, 
 
 Hear thou our constant prayer, 
 Thee do we call, 
 
 Thou that art heaven's gate, 
 Lift up our hearts, 
 
 Save us from sin and care. 
 
HERMANN CONTRACTUS 1 55 
 
 VESPER HYMN 
 
 Ave Regina Coelorum 
 
 HAIL, thou Virgin Queen of Heaven, 
 Mistress unto Angels given, 
 Root of Jesse, golden portal, 
 Whence was poured the light immortal. 
 
 Holy Virgin, high in glory, 
 Heaven and earth shall sing thy story, 
 Heed us, mother, bowed before thee, 
 Plead with Jesus, we implore thee. 
 
PIERRE ABELARD 
 
 Pierre Abelard, philosopher, theologian and monk, 
 was born near Nantes in 1079. 
 
 His false doctrines were condemned in the Council 
 of Soissons in 1121 and in the Council of Sens in 1140. 
 He died in the Abbey of St. Marcel in 1142. 
 
 157 
 
THE EVERLASTING SABBATH 
 
 O Quanta Qualia 
 
 OWHAT a blessed state 
 Is that sweet Sabbath-time 
 Which the saints celebrate, 
 
 High in the halls sublime, 
 There, for the weary, rest, 
 
 There for the brave, reward, 
 Comes to the spirits blest, 
 Where they enjoy the Lord. 
 
 Who is the monarch there ? 
 
 What court and Kingly throne ? 
 What peace untouched by care, 
 
 What wondrous joy is shown ? 
 O could those souls above 
 
 Bring these before our eyes, 
 Raised upon wings of love 
 
 We would the world despise. 
 
 Truly Jerusalem 
 
 Call we that blessed shore, 
 Vision of peace, its name, 
 
 Glorious evermore. 
 Wish and fulfilment there 
 
 Ever in mercy meet; 
 iS9 
 
l6o EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Instant the soul in prayer 
 Finds her reward complete. 
 
 There from all finite ills 
 
 Riseth the spirit free, 
 Singing o'er Sion's hills 
 
 One endless jubilee; 
 And everlastingly 
 
 Thanks for the gifts of grace 
 Thy people bring to thee, 
 
 Lord in thy dwelling place. 
 
 There an unending day 
 
 Shines for all souls at rest; 
 Glories ne'er pass away; 
 
 Young are those spirits blest. 
 Ceaseless the holy song 
 
 Choirs of the ransomed sing; 
 We too shall join the throng, 
 
 Praising the Lord our King. 
 
 Ours is the duty now 
 
 Upward our souls to raise, 
 Low at God's altar bow, 
 
 Seek him through love and praise. 
 And to Jerusalem 
 
 From this far Babylon, 
 Turn with increasing flame, 
 
 God's peace to look upon. 
 
PIERRE ABELARD l6l 
 
 Praises eternal bloom, 
 
 God, for thy garland fair, 
 Through whom, and out of whom 
 
 And in whom all things are. 
 From whom — is God the Sire 
 
 Through whom — is God the Son, 
 In whom — the Heavenly Fire — 
 
 Three and forever one. 
 
 THE EVERLASTING SABBATH 
 
 (Another Version) 
 
 OWHAT a blessed station, 
 Sweet goal of all desires, 
 That everlasting Sabbath 
 
 Among the heavenly choirs. 
 There rest comes to the weary, 
 
 And to the brave, reward; 
 For there the ransomed spirits 
 Enjoy their living Lord. 
 
 Who reigneth there as monarch ? 
 
 What court and Kingly throne, 
 What peace untouched by sorrow, 
 
 What wondrous joy is shown ? 
 O, could the holy angels 
 
 Bring these before our eyes, 
 On wings of love borne upward, 
 
 Our souls would earth despise. 
 
1 62 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Jerusalem, most truly 
 
 We call that blessed shore; 
 Of peace it shines a vision 
 
 In glory evermore. 
 The wish and its fulfilment 
 
 Meet instant in the prayer, 
 Desiring and its object 
 
 Come both together there. 
 
 There from all finite evils 
 
 The spirit riseth free, 
 And o'er the hills of Sion 
 
 Keeps heavenly jubilee. 
 Lord, everlasting praises 
 
 And thanks for gifts of grace 
 Rise from thy ransomed people 
 
 Through all thy dwelling place. 
 
 There one unending Sabbath 
 
 Shines out for souls at rest; 
 The glow of youth forever 
 
 Adorns the spirits blest. 
 A holy song and ceaseless 
 
 The angel choirs outsing, — 
 O, we shall join that singing, 
 
 And praise the Lord, our King. 
 
 But here it is our duty 
 
 Our souls to fire and raise; 
 To bow before God's altar 
 
PIERRE ABELARD 163 
 
 And sing his love and praise; 
 And toward the heavenly Sion, 
 
 From this far Babylon, 
 Turn home, like weary exiles, 
 
 God's peace to look upon. 
 
 Let everlasting glory 
 
 To God eternal rise 
 For whom, through whom, and in whom 
 
 Are earth and sea and skies; 
 From whom — is God the Father, 
 
 Through whom — is God the Son, 
 In whom — is God the Spirit, 
 
 Forever Three in One. 
 
ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX 
 
 The son of noble Burgundian parents, Bernard was 
 born at Fontaines, a castle near Dijon, in 1091. His 
 mother, a woman of great piety, consecrated him to 
 the service of the Church as soon as he was born, and 
 from that day considered him as not belonging to her 
 but to God. 
 
 In 1 1 13 Bernard with his brothers and nearly thirty 
 other noblemen and gentlemen, who were led by his 
 example, entered the monastery of Citeaux, and as- 
 sumed the monastic habit in the following year. 
 
 On account of the great progress he had made in the 
 spiritual life, Bernard was appointed abbot, and ordered 
 to go with twelve monks, among whom were his brothers, 
 to found a new house in the diocese of Langres. They 
 walked in procession, singing psalms, with the new 
 abbot leading, and settled in a desert called the Valley 
 of Wormwood. 
 
 With wonderful skill and industry the new monastery 
 was established; and in a short time the reputation of 
 the house and of the sanctity of the abbot became so 
 great that the number of monks in it amounted to one 
 hundred and twenty, and the people changed the name 
 of the place to Clairvaux, or the Valley of Light. This 
 famous monastery was founded in 11 15. 
 
 St. Bernard was particularly devoted to the Blessed 
 165 
 
1 66 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Virgin. In one of his missions into Germany, in the 
 great church at Spire, he repeated as in a rapture, "O 
 Clemens! O Pia, O Dulcis Virgo Maria!" and these 
 words the church added to the anthem "Salve Regina." 
 
 As to his poetical writings St. Bernard has been called 
 the father, in Latin hymnody, of that warm and passion- 
 ate form of devotion which seems to apply the language 
 of human affection to divine objects. This tendency 
 has become very popular both in Catholic and Protes- 
 tant churches. 
 
 Erasmus characterizes St. Bernard as "cheerful, 
 pleasant and vehement in moving the passions." He 
 is counted among the ablest doctors of the church. 
 After a life of wonderful activity and good works he 
 died on August 20, 1153, and was buried before Our 
 Lady's altar at Clairvaux. 
 
 The following hymns are all taken from a poem of 
 fifty four-line stanzas. The first three are used in the 
 Roman Breviary for the office of the most Holy Name 
 of Jesus, the Second Sunday after Epiphany. The last 
 hymn is an entirely new cento. 
 
VESPER HYMN TO JESUS 
 
 Jesu Dulcis Memoria 
 
 JESUS, thy memory divine 
 To every heart is heavenly wine; 
 But sweetness more than sweetest things 
 Thy presence in the bosom brings. 
 
 Such gladness ne'er hath poet sung, 
 Such joy ne'er pleasured ear or tongue, 
 To man no dream, so sweet e'er came, 
 Dear Son of God, as thy blest name. 
 
 True hope of all repenting hearts, 
 What tender joy thy love imparts! 
 Thou givest thy seekers here below 
 Such bliss as only they can know. 
 
 O Lord, if we but claim thy love, 
 Our souls are lighted from above, 
 And feel such wondrous happiness 
 As tongue or pen can ne'er express. 
 
 Be still our joy and stay, dear Lord, 
 Our guide, our hope, our sweet reward; 
 Let praise and love and glory be 
 Sung to thy name eternally. 
 167 
 
[68 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 HYMN TO THE HOLY NAME, FOR MATINS 
 
 Jesu Rex Admirabilis 
 
 JESUS, admirable King, 
 Whose love did our salvation bring, 
 To sing thy praise needs tongue of fire; 
 Our joy, our hope, our whole desire. 
 
 o 
 
 When thou art present in the breast, 
 It shines with radiance true and blest, 
 The world's vain glories fade away, 
 And love illumines like the day. 
 
 Our hearts with love thy law controls, 
 O Fount of life and Light of souls; 
 Thou fill 'st the breast with such pure joy, 
 All earthly pleasures pale and cloy. 
 
 How showers thy sweetness from above! 
 
 Let every soul desire thy love; 
 
 Let every bosom burn to feel 
 
 The wondrous joys thy laws reveal. 
 
 To thee, O Lord, our songs we raise; 
 Let all our works express thy praise; 
 Thee shall our prostrate hearts adore 
 In tender love forevermore. 
 
ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX 1 69 
 
 MORNING HYMN TO JESUS 
 
 Jesu Decus Angelicum 
 
 O JESUS, joy of angel choirs! 
 Thy name is all the soul desires; 
 Unto the tongue a taste divine 
 That soothes like draft of heavenly wine. 
 
 Who tasteth, hungers e'er for thee, 
 Who drinketh, thirsts most yearningly, 
 Who knoweth, burns with holy fire, 
 Thou fount of love, our sole desire. 
 
 Jesus, my best of bliss thou art, 
 The hope that cheers my sighing heart; 
 With tears of guilt I bow the knee 
 And send repenting cries to thee. 
 
 Remain with us, dear Lord, and shine 
 Upon our souls with light divine; 
 Drive every evil cloud away 
 And bring the sweetness of thy day. 
 
 Flower of the Virgin Mother blest, 
 The love of every loving breast, 
 Honour and praise and blessing be 
 To thy sweet name eternally. 
 
o 
 
 170 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 HYMN TO THE SAVIOUR 
 
 yesu Mi Bone, Sentiam 
 
 TENDER Jesus, let me feel 
 Thy love with ever growing zeal, 
 And by thy presence bring to me 
 The power thy glorious truths to see. 
 
 Upon my lonely couch at night 
 Thy love shall fill my heart with light; 
 In crowded throngs, or all alone 
 I'll seek the glory of thy throne. 
 
 As Mary sought thee at the tomb, 
 So in the morn to thee I'll come; 
 And worship with that warm desire 
 Which lights the soul with living fire. 
 
 Upon the ground my tears shall flow, 
 Thy wounds shall bow my head in woe; 
 While prostrate at thy sacred feet, 
 I'll cling to thee in love complete. 
 
 I 'II follow where thy steps have trod, 
 And kiss with tears the sacred sod; 
 That in thy love my soul shall live, 
 That grace and favour thou may'st give. 
 
THOMAS OF CELANO 
 
 Very little is known of the author of the Dies Irae, 
 in many respects, the greatest of all hymns. Even his 
 family is wholly unknown. He takes his name from 
 Celano, a small town in the Abruzzo Ulteriore. He 
 was born probably near the end of the twelfth century 
 and died about 1255. 
 
 He was one of the early disciples of St. Francis of 
 Assisi, and held the office of Custos in various Fran- 
 ciscan houses from 1221 to the time of his death. 
 
 He wrote a biography of St. Francis, which is incor- 
 porated in the Acta Sanctorum. 
 
 His famous hymn has been translated into nearly all 
 civilized languages, and received no less than 150 Eng- 
 lish renderings, and at least 100 German translations. 
 Scott has made an imitation of a part of it in the Lay of 
 the Last Minstrel, and Goethe in Faust has made use 
 of several lines. 
 
 It has been very popular with the musicians. It is 
 one of the few poems, which, like music, conveys to 
 the hearer who is ignorant of the language, a general 
 idea of its meaning. 
 
 It has a prominent place among the seven great 
 hymns of the mediaeval church. 
 
 171 
 
THE LAST JUDGMENT 
 Dies Irae 
 
 DAY of ire, that direful day! 
 Earth in fire shall pass away, 
 As both saint and Sibyl say. 
 
 How the guilty world shall quake, 
 When the Judge his seat shall take, 
 Sentence swift and sure to make. 
 
 Then the trump with wondrous tone, 
 Sounding through the graveyards lone, 
 All shall force before the throne. 
 
 Death and nature, wondering, see 
 How the dead, arising, flee 
 Swift to hear the dread decree. 
 
 Forth the written book is brought, 
 Bearing every deed and thought, 
 Whence reward and doom are sought. 
 
 So before the Judge full plain 
 Shall appear each hidden stain; 
 Unavenged shall nought remain. 
 
 m 
 
174 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 What shall be my woful plaint ? 
 Whither seek a saving saint, 
 When the just with fear are faint ? 
 
 King of mighty majesty, 
 Saving free who saved would be, 
 Fount of pity, save thou me. 
 
 Jesus, think of me, I pray, 
 
 Me, who caused thy crucial way, 
 
 Lest thou lose me on that day. 
 
 Seeking me in wearing pain, 
 Sorrows sharing, thou wert slain, — 
 Be such labours not in vain. 
 
 Righteous and avenging King, 
 Of my sins remission bring, 
 Ere the day of reckoning. 
 
 Bowed in grief upon the sod, 
 Flushed with guilt, I feel the rod, — 
 Spare thy supplicant, O God. 
 
 Who from sin didst Mary free, 
 And the thief upon the tree, 
 Thou hast given hope to me. 
 
 Without worth are prayers of mine; 
 Turn to me thy face divine, 
 Lest in endless fire I pine. 
 
THOMAS OF CELANO 1 75 
 
 Give me grace, O God, to stand 
 With the sheep on thy right hand, 
 Guarded from the cursed band. 
 
 When the wicked in defeat, 
 
 Fast in flames thy judgment meet, 
 
 Call me home with blessings sweet. 
 
 Humbled down to earth in prayer, 
 With a contrite heart, I dare 
 Beg, O Father, for thy care. 
 
 Day of weeping, day of sighs, 
 When from ruin shall arise 
 Guilty man, with soul laid bare, 
 Spare him, Lord, in mercy spare! 
 Gentle Jesus, with the blest 
 Grant the faithful endless rest. 
 
ST. BONAVENTURE 
 
 The great light and ornament of the Order of St. 
 Francis, and known to the Church as the Seraphic 
 Doctor, St. Bonaventure was born at Bagnarea in Tus- 
 cany in the year 1221. He was given the name of John 
 in baptism, but received the name Bonaventure by rea- 
 son of his recovery from a severe and dangerous illness, 
 which recovery his mother believed to be due to the 
 intercession of St. Francis of Assisi. The great saint, 
 seeing the child raised from his sickness, and seeming 
 to have a prophetic vision of his future greatness, cried 
 out in rapture, "O buona ventura," O happy chance. 
 
 The devout mother in gratitude consecrated the child 
 to God, and always afterward he bore the name of 
 Bonaventure. 
 
 When twenty-two years of age he entered the order 
 of St. Francis at Rome. He studied at Paris under 
 famous teachers, and soon became a masterful proficient 
 in scholastic philosophy and in the most sublime parts 
 of theology. St. Thomas Aquinas is said to have visited 
 him one day and asked him in what books he had 
 learned his sacred science. St. Bonaventure pointed to 
 his crucifix and said: "This is the source of all my 
 knowledge. I study only Jesus Christ and him 
 crucified. " 
 
 He became general of the order of St. Francis in 1256, 
 although he accepted the office with great fear and reluct- 
 
 177 
 
I78 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 ance. At the time of his election there was consider- 
 able division of sentiment among the friars of the order 
 on the question of discipline. As soon as the young 
 general appeared among them all trouble at once van- 
 ished and a wonderful condition of peace and charity 
 grew up in the order. 
 
 He was taken ill at the Council of Lyons, and died 
 in that city July 14, 1274, in the fifty-third year of his 
 age. 
 
THE PASSION OF OUR LORD 
 
 In Passione Domini 
 
 LORD, thy death upon the tree 
 Brings uplifting thoughts to me, 
 Calm of mind and holy fire, 
 Love of God and pure desire. 
 
 O to bear in memory 
 All thy grief and obloquy, 
 Holy Christ, thy thorny wreath, 
 Spear and nails and crucial death! 
 
 All these blessed wounds of thine, 
 Witness of thy love divine, 
 Cruel scourging and distress, 
 O the mortal bitterness! 
 
 Lord, the thought is of such dole, 
 So intoxicates the soul, 
 That we bow in tearful prayers; 
 But what glorious fruit it bears! 
 
 Low, before thee, Crucified, 
 Sink all selfishness and pride; 
 Loud to thee, dear Christ, we cry; 
 Join us with thy saints on high. 
 179 
 
l8o EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Honour, praise and glory bring 
 Unto Jesus, heavenly King, 
 Who, all pure and faultless, gave 
 His sweet life our lives to save. 
 
 ON THE HOLY CROSS 
 
 Recordare Sanctae Crucis 
 
 WOULD'ST thou dwell in joy abounding, 
 All thy life with light surrounding, 
 Make the cross thy constant care; 
 On the rood of thy Redeemer 
 Be thy soul an ardent dreamer, 
 Bear it with thee everywhere. 
 
 Be thou toiling, be thou sleeping, 
 Be thou smiling, be thou weeping, 
 
 Deep in grief or ecstasy; 
 Be thou coming, be thou going, 
 Pale with pain, with pleasure glowing, 
 
 Let the cross thy comrade be. 
 
 Every sin and every sorrow, 
 Every ill that life can borrow, 
 
 In the cross will gain surcease; 
 In the cross, though sore and grieving, 
 He that humbly seeks relieving, 
 
 Findeth refuge, findeth peace. 
 
ST. BONAVENTURE l8l 
 
 'Tis the open door of heaven, 
 Whence the streaming light was given 
 
 To the Saints to conquer shame; 
 'Tis the world's eternal healing, 
 Whence the Lord, his mercies dealing, 
 
 Worketh wonders to his name. 
 
 Health of souls, salvation's portal, 
 Guiding light to bliss immortal, 
 
 Charm to soothe the hardened heart; 
 Life of saints in benediction, 
 Treasure house of all perfection, 
 
 Fraught with living joy thou art. 
 
 Virtue's glass and manhood's mirror, 
 Leader guiding souls from error, 
 
 Hope of all who hold the faith; 
 To the bold in Christ a glory, 
 As the symbol and the story. 
 
 Of their war on sin and death. 
 
 'Tis the tree of holy seeming 
 
 Through the blood of Christ, and teeming 
 
 With that fruit, the food of might, 
 Which to struggling souls has given 
 Strength to climb the hills of Heaven, 
 
 Out of darkness into light. 
 
 Saviour, on the cross extended, 
 Be my soul with grace amended, 
 
1 82 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Evermore to mourn thy pain; 
 Feel the tortures that efface thee, 
 And with prostrate soul embrace thee, 
 
 On the cross where thou art slain. 
 
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 
 
 St. Thomas Aquinas, the great Dominican, known 
 in the Church as the Angelic Doctor, was born of a royal 
 family, at Belcastro, the seat of his father, Landulf, 
 Count of Aquino, in the kingdom of Naples, near the 
 end of 1226. 
 
 He received his elementary education at the Mon- 
 astery of Casino, after which he spent six years at the 
 University of Naples, leaving that institution in his 
 sixteenth year. Thomas was the admiration of his 
 whole family. It is said that the serenity of his counte- 
 nance, the constant evenness of his temper, his modesty 
 and sweetness made him remarkable among the youths 
 of his time. 
 
 He learned rhetoric under Peter Martin, and philos- 
 ophy under Peter of Hibernia, one of the most learned 
 men of his age. His progress in these studies was so 
 remarkable that he repeated the lessons, which were 
 then given in the form of lectures, more clearly than the 
 masters had explained them. 
 
 The order founded by St. Dominic, who had then 
 but recently died, abounded with men of great spiritual 
 force. Thomas became seized with an ardent desire 
 to join the order. But his family bitterly opposed his 
 choice of a profession, and even persecuted the young 
 man for about two years. He was finally allowed, hov* 
 
 183 
 
184 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 ever, through the influence of Pope Innocent IV., to as- 
 sume the habit. The general of the order, John the 
 Teutonic, took the saint to Paris and then to Cologne 
 where Albertus Magnus, the most famous teacher of 
 his age, lectured on philosophy and theology. 
 
 Thomas soon became the most illustrious teacher of 
 his order. Pope Urban IV. in 1261 called him to Rome, 
 and he was appointed to teach in that city. The Pope 
 pressed him to accept an archbishopric, but Thomas 
 declined the appointment. 
 
 While in Rome he compiled, at the request of Urban, 
 the office of the Blessed Sacrament, which the church 
 uses to the present day on the feast and during the Octave 
 of Corpus Christi. The following hymns were written 
 for that purpose. The hymn "Adoro Te Devote,'' 
 and "O Esca Viatorum," are used chiefly for private 
 devotions. The two final stanzas of each of the first 
 two hymns are now used as separate hymns at the 
 Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. 
 
 He died while on his way to attend the Council of 
 Lyons, March 7, 1274, and was canonized by Pope 
 John XXII. in 1323. 
 
HYMN FOR THE BLESSED SACRAMENT 
 
 Verbum Super num. Prod tens 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 THE word at God's right hand came forth, 
 And shining still as God on high, 
 Descended to the gloom of earth, 
 
 For man's redemption doomed to die. 
 
 Betrayed by one he loved, and led 
 
 To cruel death at treason's hand, 
 Upon that latest eve, he fed 
 
 With his own flesh the chosen band. 
 
 He giveth in its twofold kind 
 
 The saving flesh, the cleansing blood, 
 
 That every man his love may find, 
 And fill his soul with heavenly food. 
 
 Born man, he makes himself our kin, 
 
 He gives his body at the board, 
 He dies and is the price of sin, 
 
 He reigns, and is our sweet reward. 
 
 O Fount of Life! O Saving Host, 
 
 That heaven's high door hast open laid, 
 
 War presses hard, our hope is lost 
 
 Without thy strength and powerful aid. 
 
 '8.5 
 
1 86 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Omnipotent Triunity, 
 
 To thee be endless glory given; 
 Grant us eternal life with thee 
 
 In our sweet fatherland of heaven. 
 
 THE NEW PASCH 
 
 Pange Lingua 
 
 (From the Roman Breriary) 
 
 SING, my tongue, the saving story, 
 Earth's redeeming mystery sing; 
 Sing the blood, that fount of glory, 
 
 Shed by man's all gracious King, — 
 Blessed be the womb that bore thee, 
 Thou, that earnest, our hope to bring. 
 
 Given while yet the young creation 
 Sang with all the stars of morn, 
 
 Jesus came for our salvation, 
 From a stainless virgin born; 
 
 And his closing ordination 
 
 Doth the world with love adorn. 
 
 At the paschal table leaning 
 He, beside his chosen band, — 
 
 Words of wonder intervening, 
 
 While he closed the law's command — 
 
 Kept the pasch with newer meaning, 
 Gave himself with his own hand. 
 
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 1 87 
 
 By his word the bread he breaketh 
 
 To his very flesh he turns; 
 In the chalice which he taketh, 
 
 Man the cleansing blood discerns, — 
 Faith to loving bosoms maketh 
 
 Clear the mystic truth she learns. 
 
 Let us then this rite of wonder 
 
 With our prostrate souls adore; 
 Let each ancient law surrender 
 
 To the Christ forevermore, 
 To the Saviour sweet and tender, 
 
 Fount of grace, of love the store. 
 
 To the Father's glory leading, 
 
 Sound the holy jubilee; 
 To the Son, our sorrows heeding, 
 
 Sing the love that made us free, 
 To the Lord from both proceeding 
 
 Let the selfsame praises be. 
 
 MORNING HYMN FOR CORPUS CHRISTI 
 
 Sacris Solemniis 
 (From the Roman Breviary) 
 
 LET joy abound with us on every side, 
 The sacred feast proclaiming far and wide; 
 Come, let our souls, renewed in love, arise, 
 In thought, word, action, purged and purified. 
 
1 88 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 We celebrate the supper of that night, 
 
 When Christ himself, the Lord of love and light, 
 
 Lamb and unleavened bread, gave to the twelve 
 His body, and fulfilled the ancient rite. 
 
 Our souls in joy receive his solemn word, — 
 The Lamb of God, the Bread of Life, the Lord, 
 
 His body brake and gave to each and all, — 
 God's flesh by God's hand given at the Board. 
 
 Thus breaking to the sorrowing ones the bread, 
 He took and blessed the chalice, and he said: 
 
 "Take ye the cup and drink; this is my blood, 
 That unto man's redemption shall be shed." 
 
 So did the Christ the sacrifice ordain, 
 And gave his priests the duty to maintain 
 
 The rite; 'tis theirs alone to take and give 
 That love that ever shall with man remain. 
 
 The bread of angels is to man restored; 
 All figures end in heaven's sublime reward; 
 
 O wondrous thought! the poor, the weak, the low 
 Feast on the body of the living Lord. 
 
 Thou triune Deity, to thee we pray, 
 Honoured upon the altar day by day, 
 
 Visit our souls, and by thy holy light 
 Lead us to heaven, and be thy paths our way. 
 
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 1 89 
 
 HYMN FOR PRIVATE MEDITATION 
 
 Adoro Te Devote 
 
 DEVOUTLY I adore thee, O my Lord, 
 Who art concealed in figures at the board; 
 To thee my heart bows down in voiceless faith; 
 I see thee not, but I believe thy word. 
 
 Sight, touch and taste are easily deceived; 
 Thy word alone can safely be believed; 
 
 I grant, O Son of God, whate'er to me 
 Thou sayest; in thee have I all faith achieved. 
 
 Upon the cross was thy divinity 
 Concealed, nor here thy human form we see, 
 Yet I, in faith confessing, seek thee, Lord, 
 Like the repentant thief upon the tree. 
 
 I do not ask, as Thomas did, dear Lord, 
 To see thy wounds; sufficient is thy word; 
 
 O, fill my soul with firmer faith, that still 
 In hope and love with thee it may accord. 
 
 O sweet memorial of the Saviour's death, 
 
 True bread that bring 'st to man the living breath, 
 
 Grant that my soul thy holy law may know, 
 And live with thee in everlasting faith. 
 
 A pitying pelican, dear Jesus, be; 
 
 Save by the blood thou sheddest on the tree, 
 
I Q0 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 My starving soul, — thy precious blood, whereof 
 One drop from every crime the world can free. 
 
 Jesus, whom here in figures I behold, 
 I hunger for the time to see unrolled 
 
 The veil from thy sweet features; let me be 
 Blest with the vision in thy halls of gold. 
 
 HYMN FOR HOLY COMMUNION 
 
 Esc a Viatorum 
 
 OFOOD of life eternal! 
 O bread of choirs supernal! 
 O manna from on high! 
 Fill all that hunger for thee; 
 To seekers, who adore thee, 
 Thy sweetness ne'er deny. 
 
 We seek thy holy dwelling, 
 O fount of love, outwelling 
 
 From Jesus' tender heart; 
 Lord, bring thy cup of healing 
 To all before thee kneeling; 
 
 Our hope, our life thou art. 
 
 O Jesus, Saviour tender, 
 To thee, the Bread, we render 
 All reverence and all love; 
 
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS I9I 
 
 Lord, lead our lives before thee, 
 To see thee and adore thee 
 In vision clear above. 
 
 SEQUENCE FOR CORPUS CHRISTI 
 
 Lauda Sion 
 
 SING aloud, O Sion, praising 
 Christ, thy Royal Shepherd, raising 
 Hymns of love and songs of joy; 
 Let the music sound forever, 
 Never ceasing, tiring never, 
 
 All thy powers of praise employ. 
 
 Lo, the theme of all thanksgiving, 
 Vivifying bread and living, 
 
 On the holy altar shown! 
 Yea, the selfsame bread of heaven, 
 At the sacred supper given 
 
 To the twelve by Christ the Son. 
 
 Sing aloud in song sonorous, 
 Sing his praise in swelling chorus, 
 
 Sing in love and sweet accord; 
 Men of every race and nation 
 Hold the feast of Christ's creation, 
 
 Founded by his holy word. 
 
 Lo, the King upon his table 
 Lays a pasch more new and stable, 
 Ending every ancient rite; 
 
I92 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Older laws give place to newer, 
 Shadows fly, and worship truer 
 Cometh with the wondrous light. 
 
 And to-day, as Christ ordaineth, 
 To his memory still remaineth 
 
 Joy, descending from above, 
 Still remain for our salvation 
 Bread and wine in consecration, 
 
 Making earth a home of love. 
 
 To the faithful Jesus giveth, 
 
 In his love, this truth that liveth, — 
 
 To his blood is changed the wine; 
 Bread unto his body turneth; 
 Man by living faith discerneth 
 
 All the mystery divine. 
 
 Here, two different species under, 
 Hides in signs awaking wonder, 
 
 Christ's best gift, most excellent, — 
 From his flesh and blood he giveth 
 Food and drink; in each he liveth 
 
 Whole within the sacrament. 
 
 Never by partaking groweth 
 Less the gift which he bestoweth, 
 
 Comes to all the sweet reward; 
 Whether single or in union, 
 Few or thousands at Communion, 
 
 Every soul receives the Lord. 
 
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 193 
 
 And the good and bad receive him, 
 They who doubt and who believe him; 
 
 But with what a different end! 
 To the worthy soul, salvation; 
 To the impenitent, damnation, — 
 
 Death to foe and life to friend. 
 
 Though the sacrament ye sever 
 Into fragments, fear ye never, 
 In each part remaineth ever 
 
 What the whole contained before; 
 In the sign alone obtaineth 
 Change; but as the Lord ordaineth, 
 He, the Signified, remaineth 
 
 Whole and perfect evermore. 
 
 Lo, the bread of angels, bearing 
 Strength to souls in sorrow wearing, 
 With the sons of mercy sharing, 
 
 Not the unregenerate; 
 Food prefigured and foretold in 
 Sacred signs and symbols olden, 
 Bringing unto man the golden 
 
 Hour of glory consecrate. 
 
 Gentle Jesus, Shepherd tender, 
 Bread of life, in mercy render 
 Peace, and blessed hope engender; 
 Saviour be our sure defender, 
 Make us worthy of thy love; 
 
194 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Thou all-knowing and all-heeding 
 Save thy flock with care and feeding: 
 Let us follow in thy leading, 
 Hear us in our earnest pleading, 
 Guide us to the fold above. 
 
JACOPONE DA TODI 
 
 Jacopone da Todi, or as he is often called Jacopo 
 dei Benedetti, was born of a noble family, at Todi in 
 Umbria, in the early part of the thirteenth century, and 
 died, it is said, at about the age of ninety years, in 1306. 
 
 In his early life he was a humourist and satirist, and 
 was not particularly attached to the moral virtues. He 
 married a woman said to be noted for her virtue and 
 beauty, whose death was caused by the falling of a 
 stage at a public show. On removing her garments 
 she was found to wear sackcloth next her skin for pen- 
 ance. 
 
 Jacopone forsook the world immediately upon the 
 death of his wife, and spent the remainder of his long 
 life as a Franciscan friar, writing during his spare time 
 many spiritual songs and hymns. He is said to have 
 been a friend of Dante. Little besides the following 
 hymn remains of his work. This hymn has been ascribed 
 to others, even Mone and Wackernagle believing that a 
 portion of it was written by Pope Innocent III., who 
 died in 1216, and that Jacopone only supplemented and 
 brought to its present form the more crude production 
 of Innocent. 
 
 This hymn is counted among the seven great hymns, 
 and deservedly so. But another hymn called the Mater 
 Speciosa, which is a mere parody, has also been ranked 
 
 i95 
 
I96 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 in the same class, and attributed to Jacopone. The 
 Mater Speciosa is far from great, and there is no satis- 
 factory proof that it is by Jacopone. It is certainly 
 entirely unworthy of the author of the Mater Dolorosa, 
 which has well been called "the most pathetic of all 
 hymns." 
 
THE SORROWFUL MOTHER 
 
 Stabat Mater Dolorosa 
 
 WAITING by the cross atoning 
 Stood the woful mother moaning, 
 Tearful near her dying Son; 
 Through her gentle soul, unfailing 
 In her sympathy and wailing, 
 Passed the sword of Simeon. 
 
 Never 'neath such woes another 
 Bowed, as did that blessed mother 
 
 Of the sole-born Son and Lord; 
 Who while keeping watch unsleeping, 
 Tender mother, 'mid her weeping, 
 
 Bore the pangs of her adored. 
 
 Lives there one can see untearful 
 Christ's fond mother, in such fearful 
 
 Torments, grieving all alone ? 
 Lives there one whose heart with anguish 
 Fills not, thus to see her languish, 
 
 Agonizing with her Son. 
 
 For the guilt that doomed his nation 
 Saw she Jesus in prostration 
 
 'Neath the scourges meekly bent; 
 197 
 
EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Saw her precious Son forsaken, 
 Spurned, defied, in torture shaken, 
 While his spirit forth he sent. 
 
 Mother, fount of love and sorrow, 
 Grant to me the power to borrow 
 
 Grief, that I may weep with thee; 
 Grant that in my burning bosom 
 Love for Christ the Lord shall blossom 
 
 As to him shall pleasing be. 
 
 Mother, every wound and tremor 
 Of the crucified Redeemer, 
 
 Firmly fasten in my soul; 
 Every shame which thou art sharing, 
 O, divide with me unsparing, — 
 
 Every pang and pain and dole. 
 
 Grant that I my tears may mingle 
 With thine own in sorrow single, 
 
 Weeping with the Crucified; 
 Near the Cross beside thee kneeling, 
 Fill my soul with love and feeling, 
 
 Worthy in thy love to bide. 
 
 Virgin of all virgins fairest, 
 
 Share with me the pains thou bearest, 
 
 Be thy crushing sorrows mine; 
 Be the Saviour's cross my burden, 
 Be his bitter grief my guerdon; 
 
 Be my feelings blent with thine. 
 
JACOPONE DA TODI 1 99 
 
 By his wounds, let me be riven, 
 By his cross to rapture driven; 
 
 Be his blood a cleansing fire; 
 Be that fire to me extended, 
 Virgin, by thy love defended, 
 
 In the dreadful day of ire. 
 
 When my soul shall be upyielded, 
 By thy Virgin Mother shielded, 
 
 Saviour, grant the victory; 
 When by death my frame is broken, 
 Then unto my soul be spoken 
 
 Words of endless peace with thee. 
 
THOMAS a KEMPIS 
 
 Thomas Hammerchen, the son of a poor peasant, 
 was the real name of the author of " The Imitation of 
 Christ." He was born in 1380 in the town of Kempen, 
 between the Rhine and the Meuse, in the archdiocese of 
 Cologne. Hence the name a Kempis. 
 
 He became a monk of the Augustinian Order, and 
 devoted his long life, outside of the time spent in his 
 religious exercises, to copying manuscripts, writing 
 chronicles, biographies, hymns and tracts on monastic 
 life. 
 
 "The Imitation of Christ" is his most important work, 
 and has made his name familiar to all Christians. It 
 has been translated into more languages than any other 
 book except the Bible. 
 
 Although Thomas lived in one of the stormiest periods 
 in European history, yet nothing of the stir or trouble 
 of the outside world appears in his writings. 
 
 We obtain from those writings, however, a life-like 
 portrait of the writer, and a vivid picture of convent 
 life in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. 
 
 Thomas was received in the Convent of Mount St. 
 Agnes, where his brother John was prior, in 1399; he 
 professed the vows in 1407, and was ordained priest in 
 1413; became sub-prior in 1425, and died at the age 
 of ninety-one years, August 8, 1471. 
 
 201 
 
MEEKNESS 
 
 Adversa Mundi Tolera 
 
 BE meek, and bear adversity 
 In Jesus' sacred name; 
 There's danger in prosperity; 
 It brings a scorching flame. 
 
 SUFFER WITH HUMILITY 
 
 Quum a Malts Mole starts 
 
 WHEN thou art oppressed with pain, 
 Think that 'tis no loss, but gain; 
 Suffering with humility 
 Yields a shower of good to thee. 
 
 Thou shalt honour thus the Lord, 
 Duplicate thine own reward, 
 Please the Angel hosts on high, 
 And thy neighbours edify. 
 
 LIFE 
 
 Labor Parva est 
 
 SMALL is life's labour; 
 Soon comes the close; 
 Great the reward is, — 
 
 Endless repose. 
 Oft as thou bearest 
 
 With patience the rod 
 Thy spirit becometh 
 A martyr to God. 
 203 
 
204 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 THE FRUITS OF PATIENCE 
 
 Patiendo Fit Homo 
 
 PATIENCE under suffering 
 Will to man these graces bring, — 
 
 A beauty more than of gold, 
 A clearness more than of glass, 
 
 A worth that can ne'er be told, 
 A rank that no ranks out-class; 
 
 A spirit that riseth light 
 
 O'er every taint of sin; 
 A mind to hold with the right 
 
 And Christ's approval win. 
 
 More saintly that man shall grow, 
 Better each day to the end; 
 
 Fiercer to Satan, his foe, 
 
 And dearer to Jesus, his friend. 
 
 TRUST IN GOD 
 
 In Domino Semper Spera 
 
 ALWAYS place in God thy trust, 
 Will and do 
 What's right and true; 
 Let thy soul be brave and just; 
 Show thy Lord a humble mind; 
 Thou shalt thus his favour find; 
 Love but few and simple things; 
 Simple life much comfort brings. 
 
CARDINAL SILVIO ANTONIANO 
 
 Born at Rome in 1540, Cardinal Antoniano became 
 noted as a theologian and a scholar. 
 
 He died in 1603. The following hymn was inserted 
 in the Roman Breviary by order of Pope Urban VIII. 
 
 205 
 
FOR FEASTS OF HOLY WOMEN 
 
 Fortem Virili Pectore 
 
 WITH manly voice exalt in song 
 The saintly woman brave and strong 
 Whose noble virtue shineth forth 
 In glory through the bounds of earth. 
 
 With soul inflamed by holy fire 
 She cast aside all low desire; 
 Unsoiled by evil, night and day 
 She toiled along her heavenward way. 
 
 By stringent fasts and guarding care 
 She tamed the flesh; in constant prayer 
 Her spirit soared unto the skies 
 And gained the joys of Paradise. 
 
 Dear Jesus, King of wondrous might, 
 Our hope art thou, our love and light; 
 We ask thy Saint to intercede; 
 In mercy hear the prayer and heed. 
 
 To God the Father glory be, 
 The same, Lord Jesus, unto thee, 
 And to the Spirit equal store 
 Of praise and honour evermore. 
 
 207 
 
CARDINAL ROBERT BELLARMIN 
 
 The author of the following hymns, known usually 
 by his Italian name, Roberto Bellarmino, was born at 
 Monte Pulciano, near Florence, October 4, 1542, and 
 died in Rome, September 17, 1621. He was nephew of 
 Pope Marcellus II., and at the age of eighteen years 
 entered the Society of Jesus. He was a powerful writer 
 and controversialist, and was famous as one of the most 
 holy and most learned men of his age. In 1598 he 
 was raised to the Cardinalate by Pope Clement VIII. 
 
 In 1601 he became Archbishop of Capua, where he 
 administered the affairs of that See, until 1605 when 
 he became Librarian of the Vatican. 
 
 The following hymns are taken from the Roman 
 Breviary where they were placed by Pope Urban VIII. 
 
 209 
 
HYMN FOR THE FEAST OF ST. MARY 
 MAGDALENE 
 
 Pater Superni Luminis 
 
 O FATHER of the light serene, 
 Thou lookest on the Magdalene, 
 And lo, she burns with holy fire 
 While melts her soul with pure desire. 
 
 She runs, her store of ointment sweet 
 To pour upon thy blessed feet, 
 Bathes them in tears of penance rare, 
 And wipes them with her loosened hair. 
 
 Beside the cross of pain she stands, 
 She clasps thy tomb with trembling hands, 
 Unfrighted by the guard severe; 
 For holy love has banished fear. 
 
 So look, O Lord, on us we pray; 
 In pity purge our crimes away; 
 Into our hearts thy graces pour, 
 To be thine own forevermore. 
 
 To God the Father and the Son, 
 And Holy Spirit, three in one, 
 All praise and love and glory be 
 Through time and through eternity. 
 
212 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 HYMN FOR THE FEAST OF THE ANGEL 
 GUARDIAN 
 
 Aeterne Rector Siderum 
 
 MAKER and Lord of wondrous might 
 And dweller in the dread Immense, 
 Thy power and rule are infinite, 
 And infinite thy Providence! 
 
 We come before thee, bowed in tears, 
 We seek thy love, our sweet reward; 
 
 Now as the morning light appears, 
 Light thou our souls anew, O Lord. 
 
 And be thy angels with us still 
 
 To guide and guard us all the day, 
 
 To hold us subject to thy will, 
 And keep the stain of crime away. 
 
 Dear Lord, from out our bosoms tear 
 Each thought or dream that leads to sin; 
 
 So may we shun the tempter's snare, 
 So learn thy law and dwell therein. 
 
 Keep war and famine from our shore, 
 Build up our homes in sunny peace, 
 
 Be ours thy love forevermore, 
 Thy tender mercies never cease. 
 
CARDINAL ROBERT BELLARMIN 213 
 
 To God all praise and glory be, 
 Who sends his angel host to guide 
 
 Whom Christ redeemed on Calvary, 
 And whom the Spirit sanctified. 
 
 HYMN TO THE ANGEL GUARDIANS 
 
 Custodes Hominum Psallimus 
 
 PRAISE in song those angels holy 
 Whom our heavenly Father gave 
 As our guides to watch and guard us 
 From the cradle to the grave. 
 
 Sore we need their tender service, 
 
 For with fraud the cruel foe 
 Strives to lead our souls to ruin 
 
 And to work eternal woe. 
 
 Hover near us, watchful spirits, 
 
 Shield us 'neath the sheltering wing, 
 
 So that neither woe nor danger 
 
 From the tempter's power shall spring. 
 
 Everlasting praise and honour 
 
 To the glorious One in Three 
 Whose eternal presence reigneth 
 
 Over heaven and earth and sea. 
 
URBAN VIII. 
 
 Maffeo Barberini, author of the following hymns, 
 was born in Florence of a wealthy family in 1568, and 
 died in Rome July 29, 1644. 
 
 He was elected Pope August 6, 1623, after having 
 spent many years under Gregory XIV., and Clement 
 VIII. , in most important ecclesiastical offices. 
 
 He was a patron of sciences and arts, and left a vol- 
 ume of Italian poetry, including seventy sonnets. From 
 his knowledge of Greek he was called the "Attic Bee." 
 
 Under his pontificate the Roman Breviary received 
 many changes; the ancient hymns were in many cases 
 subjected to metrical emendations and new ones in- 
 serted. 
 
 The following were first introduced in the revision 
 made at that time. 
 
 "5 
 
s 
 
HYMNS TO ST. THERESA 
 I 
 
 Regis Superni Nuntia 
 
 GOD'S messenger, Theresa, 
 Thou leav'st Thy father's home 
 To bring mankind to Jesus, 
 Or gain sweet Martyrdom. 
 
 But milder death awaits thee, 
 And fonder pains are thine, 
 
 God's blessed angel wounds thee 
 With fire of love divine. 
 
 Sweet virgin, love's pure victim, 
 So fire our souls with love, 
 
 And lead thy trusting people 
 Safe to the realms above 
 
 Give glory to the Father, 
 
 The Spirit and the Son, 
 One Trinity, one Godhead, 
 
 While endless ages run. 
 
 II 
 Haec est Dies 
 
 BEHOLD the blessed morning, 
 When, like a snow-white dove, 
 Thy soul arose, Theresa, 
 To join the choirs above. 
 217 
 
21 8 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 The Bridegroom calls: "From Carmel 
 
 Come, sister, unto me, 
 Partake the Lamb's high nuptials; — 
 
 Thy crown awaiteth thee." 
 
 O Jesus, tender Bridegroom 
 
 By holy virgin throngs 
 Be evermore surrounded, 
 
 Be praised in endless songs. 
 
 HYMN TO ST. ELIZABETH OF PORTUGAL 
 
 Domare Cordis Impetus 
 
 ^O rule thy heart, Elizabeth, 
 To curb all motions vain, 
 Seemed better to thy godly soul 
 Than as a queen to reign. 
 
 And lo, enthroned among the saints, 
 
 Above the gleaming skies, 
 Thou hast received thy rich reward, 
 
 The joys of Paradise. 
 
 Thy reign is with the angel choirs, 
 
 The stars beneath thy feet, 
 The Blessed Vision is thy prize 
 
 And heaven thy queenly seat. 
 
 All power unto the Father be, 
 
 All glory to the Son, 
 And honour to the Holy Ghost 
 
 While endless ages run. 
 
 T 
 
URBAN VIII. 219 
 
 HYMNS FOR THE FEAST OF ST. MARTINA 
 
 I 
 
 Martin ae Celebri Plaudite 
 
 YE citizens of Rome, aloud proclaim 
 The saintly glory of Martina's name; 
 Sing her white love, her pure virginity, 
 Her martyrdom for Jesus, — sound her fame. 
 
 The splendours of the world adorned her birth, 
 Her life was graced with all the joys of earth, 
 
 Yet all that wealth with lavish hand could give 
 Her pure soul spurned as things of little worth. 
 
 The joys and profits of the world she trod 
 Beneath her feet, and gave her soul to God; 
 
 Distributing among the poor of Christ 
 Her earthly heritage, she walked his road. 
 
 No deed of torture and no cunning word 
 
 Could move her heart from Christ, her loving Lord, 
 
 Till angels came from heaven and led her forth 
 To feast with God at his celestial board. 
 
 They cast thee to the beasts, O virgin sweet; 
 The savage lion fawned and licked thy feet; 
 
 But man, more savage, slew thee with the sword, 
 And thy pure spirit found her heavenly seat. 
 
220 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 So evermore, thine altar redolent 
 
 With incense, unto thee our prayers are sent, 
 
 For intercession, where thy name shines out 
 Among God's chosen ones, an ornament. 
 
 Drive evil from our souls, O triune Lord, 
 
 Who bring 'st thy martyrs to their sweet reward; 
 
 Grant to thy servants peace and that true light 
 That leads thy people into sweet accord. 
 
 II 
 
 Tu Natale Solum Protege 
 
 PROTECT thy native soil; to Christian lands 
 Gain by thy prayers true peace; hold up our 
 hands; 
 The sound of arms and raging war suppress; 
 Teach us to honour Christ and his commands. 
 
 And virgin martyr, 'neath his banner bring 
 Mankind to march, as warriors of the King; 
 
 Thy sacred blood shall be our strength; the foe 
 Shall fall beneath that blessed offering. 
 
 O glorious saint, be unto us a tower; 
 Honours and votive prayers to thee we pour; 
 
 Accept our love, and through thy gentle aid 
 Upon our souls let heavenly blessings shower. 
 
URBAN VIII. 221 
 
 THE TRANSFIGURATION 
 
 Lux Alma Jesu Menttum 
 
 O JESUS, when thy tender light 
 Is in the soul, the world grows bright; 
 Then flies the mist of earthly ills, 
 And heavenly love the bosom fills. 
 
 What joy thy visits bring to me, 
 O Son of God! thy light I see; 
 Forevermore with me abide, 
 Sweet hope, to carnal sense denied. 
 
 Thou glory of the heavenly home, 
 Thou power unfathomable, come, 
 And with thy presence from above 
 Pour on our souls a flood of love. 
 
 To Jesus who to babes revealed 
 His glory, from the proud concealed, 
 And to the Sire and Paraclete, 
 Forevermore be praises meet. 
 
 HYMN TO ST. JOSEPH 
 
 Te Joseph Celehrent Agmina Coelitum 
 
 r I ^HE hosts of heaven, Joseph, honour thee, 
 
 J- And in thy prayers all Christian choirs resound; 
 All chaste among the chaste, thy name shall be 
 In holiness renowned. 
 
222 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 When thou in doubt didst look upon thy bride 
 
 Great with the Holy One of God, behold! 
 A blessed angel standing at thy side, 
 The heavenly wonder told. 
 
 Thou, as a tender sire didst rule thy Lord, 
 Saving by flight his life in early years; 
 
 Found 'st in the temple him whom all adored, 
 Mingling thy joy with tears. 
 
 Others are raised by happy death, but thou 
 Wert born to wear on earth a crown of grace; 
 
 Comrade of God in life, thou dwellest now 
 In marvellous blessedness. 
 
 Most holy Trinity, to us who kneel 
 
 Before thy throne, through Joseph's merits raise 
 Our souls unto thy stars, that we may feel 
 
 And fitly sing thy praise. 
 
 TO ST. JOSEPH 
 
 Coelitum Joseph Decus 
 
 O JOSEPH, joy among the saints, and light 
 To guide our lives to heaven, thou pillar bright 
 Upholding earth, we lift our songs to thee, 
 Let them ascend unto thy sacred height. 
 
 The shaper of the skies selected thee 
 His stainless virgin's holy spouse to be, 
 
URBAN VIII. 223 
 
 The Foster Sire of Christ, and minister 
 Of that salvation that hath made us free. 
 
 Thou sawest in the manger born thy Lord, 
 Of whom the prophets sang, the sacred Word; 
 Rejoicing thou beheld 'st with prostrate soul, 
 The tender Babe as living God adored. 
 
 The Lord of heaven and earth, the King of Kings, 
 Whose will is law that prone obedience brings, 
 
 Whose light the demons fear, whose word they fly, 
 Made himself subject to thy questionings. 
 
 All praise unto the heavenly Trinity 
 
 Bringing, bright saint, thine honours unto thee; 
 
 Grant, through thy merits and thy pitying prayers 
 That we the joys of blessed life may see. 
 
 MORNING HYMN TO ST. JOSEPH 
 
 Iste Quern Laeti Colimus 
 
 GLAD honours unto thee to-day we bring, 
 In holy faith, O Joseph, of thy glory 
 And triumph gained, in holy joy we sing, 
 And sound thy story. 
 
 O happy saint! O marvellously blest! 
 
 At whose last hour, as watchers, self-appointed, 
 The virgin saw thee sinking to thy rest, 
 
 And God's Anointed. 
 
224 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 And thou didst rise, from clinging flesh unbound, 
 In placid sleep, unto the throne eternal, 
 
 Didst take thy flight, and by God's hand wert crowned 
 With palms supernal. 
 
 So unto thee, O reigning saint, we pray: 
 Assist us in our needs; be thy voice given 
 
 For our salvation; that at last we may 
 See thee in heaven. 
 
 We lift our voice in love, we honour thee, 
 O heavenly Ruler, crowning with thy glory 
 
 Thy faithful servant; in his praises we 
 But sing thy story. 
 
 HYMN FOR THE FEAST OF A CONFESSOR 
 
 Jesu Corona Celsior 
 
 JESUS, crown of heavenly glory, 
 Holiest truth on high adored; 
 Souls that fearless preach thy story 
 Gain from thee a sure reward. 
 
 Hear, O Lord, our meek petition, 
 
 Let our hearts thy mercy find; 
 Grant from staining crimes remission, 
 
 Break the galling chains that bind. 
 
 Now the holy morn returning 
 Breaks with light the ebon bars, 
 
URBAN VIII. 225 
 
 When thy saint with bosom burning 
 Found his home among the stars. 
 
 He on earth all wealth and pleasure 
 
 Cast in scorn beneath his feet, 
 Love of thee his only treasure, 
 
 So he sought the heavenly seat. 
 
 Thee, O Christ, as King confessing, 
 Thee he preached, he loved thee well, 
 
 All unworthy hopes suppressing, 
 Spurning all the wiles of hell. 
 
 Powerful in thy holy praising, 
 
 All his faith in thee alone, 
 All his powers from pride abasing, 
 
 Now he dwells beside thy throne. 
 
 Loving Jesus, mild and tender, 
 
 Be his holy virtue ours, 
 And be thou our firm defender 
 
 From all vain and evil powers. 
 
 Glory to the Sire supernal, 
 
 Glory to the sole-born Son, 
 And the Paraclete eternal, 
 
 God of ages, three in one. 
 
HYMNS BY UNKNOWN AUTHORS 
 
 All but the first three of the following selections 
 are found in the Roman Breviary, some of them being 
 quite modern. Those on the Feast of Our Lady Help 
 of Christians, for instance, are as recent as the reign 
 of Pope Pius VII. , when they were written and inserted 
 in the Breviary on the institution of that feast in honour of 
 the Pope's release from imprisonment at Savona under 
 Napoleon. 
 
 Two are taken from the poem, "Flos Pudicitiae," a 
 thirteenth century manuscript found in the British 
 Museum, and written in a variety of metres, two of 
 which are here preserved. 
 
 Most of the other hymns are centos, or adaptations of 
 older poems. The translations are added to the pres- 
 ent volume so as to make it fairly complete. 
 
 The two hymns on the dedication of a church are the 
 polished Breviary adaptations of the beautiful and 
 famous, but rugged seventh century poem, "Urbs 
 Beata Hierusalem," which has become the parent of 
 many of the "New Jesusalem," songs of later ages. 
 
 227 
 
HYMNS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN 
 
 Flos Pudicitiae. A Cento 
 
 FLOWER of white Virginity, 
 Chamber bright of clemency, 
 We before thy throne rejoice, 
 And implore thy favouring voice. 
 
 Tender Virgin, most serene, 
 Thee we hail as Heaven's Queen; 
 Unto thee, on bended knee, 
 Trusting, call for charity. 
 
 Bride of beauty, lily white, 
 Chosen by the God of Light, 
 Like the sun, the sevenfold grace 
 Shineth from thy heavenly face. 
 
 Holy spouse, Eternal Love 
 
 Crowns thee Queen of saints above; 
 
 Mirror of all purity, 
 
 Christ the Son is born of thee. 
 
 Be our hope and refuge sweet, 
 Humbly bending at thy feet; 
 By thy prayers our bosoms cleanse, 
 Bring us tears of penitence. 
 229 
 
230 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Solace grant to all our grief, 
 To our pains a sweet relief; 
 Purge our souls of guilt and guile, 
 Make us worthy of thy smile. 
 
 Flos Pudicitiae. A Cento 
 
 MARY mild, undefiled, 
 Help of all the lowly, 
 O, despise not our cries, 
 Spring of hope most holy. 
 
 Glorified as the Bride, 
 Gabriel's Ave warns thee, 
 
 And the Word, Christ the Lord, 
 For his birth adorns thee, 
 
 Shine afar, Morning Star, 
 Christ, the sunlight, leading; 
 
 Lend thine ear, Mother dear, 
 To our prayer and pleading. 
 
 Lift our eyes to the skies, 
 
 Raise our hearts and bring them, 
 
 Through thy might to the light 
 Of the heavenly Kingdom. 
 
 T 
 
 Aurora Quae Solem Paris 
 
 HOU mother of the Sun, sweet morn, 
 And daughter of his radiance bright, 
 
HYMNS OF UNKNOWN AUTHORS 23 1 
 
 Upon this day, when thou wert born 
 Thou bring 'st to man serene delight. 
 
 Thee, robed in glory by the Sun, 
 
 The moon and stars revere; for thee, 
 
 High-seated on thy heavenly throne 
 They form a crown eternally. 
 
 The choirs of angels sing to thee, 
 
 The throngs of saints before thee fall; 
 
 Christ shrines in his divinity 
 The Mother of the Lord of All. 
 
 Thy power is heavenly, Virgin mild; 
 
 The hosts of darkness fly thy face; 
 Those arms, where God reposed, a child, 
 
 Can shield our souls and bring us grace. 
 
 Thy heel has crushed the serpent's head, 
 His poisonous fang we fear no more; 
 
 The sorrow of the past is dead, 
 Thy love we seek, thy aid implore. 
 
 Sweet Virgin, teach our spirits still 
 To follow Christ, the Lord of Light, 
 
 Who dwelt with thee, and worked thy will, 
 Thy loving Son, the King of Might. 
 
 To God the Sire, all praise and love, 
 
 Like praise and love unto the Son, 
 And to the Spirit, Heavenly Dove, 
 
 Through whom the Virgin's crown was won. 
 
232 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 HYMNS ON THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH 
 
 Coelestis Urbs Jerusalem 
 
 JERUSALEM, Celestial Home, 
 Sweet port of peace divine, 
 The stones of which thy walls are laid 
 
 Are souls of saints benign; 
 A thousand thousand angels sing 
 The glories that are thine. 
 
 Thou art a Queen most beautiful, 
 
 In wedlock sweetly won, 
 Dowered with the glory of the Sire, 
 
 The mercies of the Son, — 
 Like Christ, thy spouse, thy rule shall be 
 
 Eternal as his throne. 
 
 A crown of pearls is on thy brow, 
 
 Thy gates are opened wide; 
 The ages bow before thy throne, 
 
 And hail thee as the Bride, 
 That moves mankind to deathless love 
 
 Of Christ the Crucified. 
 
 With many a stroke of shining steel, 
 
 With many a sounding blow, 
 The stones were laid and fitted well 
 
 Within thy walls below, 
 Till, lo, thy glory evermore 
 
 Above the stars shall glow. 
 
HYMNS OF UNKNOWN AUTHORS 233 
 
 All praise throughout the bounds of earth, 
 
 To God the Father bring; 
 Like praise be sung to Christ the Son, 
 
 Our Lord and Heavenly King, 
 And unto God the Paraclete 
 
 The selfsame praise shall ring. 
 
 Alto Ex Olympi Vertice 
 
 FROM Heaven's high dome, the Lord of Love, 
 The sole-begotten Son, 
 Came down to build his temple fair, 
 
 And be its corner stone; 
 He joined it to the stars above, 
 Till earth and heaven are one. 
 
 So evermore the holy walls 
 
 Resound with heavenly lays; 
 And men unite with angel choirs, 
 
 The Three in One to praise; 
 The songs of Sion, loud and sweet, 
 
 With gladsome voice we raise. 
 
 Dread King of Heaven, before thy throne 
 
 We bow and beg thy light; 
 Receive thy people's prayers, O Lord, 
 
 Be with us day and night; 
 And guide us onward in thy love, 
 
 To thy Celestial height. 
 
234 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Here shall our voices evermore 
 Ascend before thy throne, 
 
 Beseeching thee for gifts we need 
 Till earthly days are done; 
 
 Till we shall reach the blessed seats 
 Where holy joy is won. 
 
 Then let all earth resound with praise 
 To God our heavenly King; 
 
 And to the Christ, his only Son 
 The selfsame praises bring; 
 
 So to the Spirit, three in one, 
 All earth and heaven shall ring. 
 
 THE PRAYER ON MOUNT OLIVET 
 
 Aspice ut Verbum Patris 
 
 LO, from the Father's flaming throne, 
 The ever-living Word, the Son, 
 Urged by sweet love and saving grace, 
 Comes down to raise our fallen race. 
 
 He looks upon our miseries 
 
 In mercy; all our need he sees; 
 
 He wills our ruin to repair, 
 
 And sues the Sire in prostrate prayer. 
 
 Bowed 'neath the load of sin, he saith, 
 "My soul is sorrowful to death; 
 
HYMNS OF UNKNOWN AUTHORS 235 
 
 Though fain the cup would I decline, 
 Father, thy will be done, not mine." 
 
 The woe of all the world he feels, 
 While faint upon the ground he kneels; 
 His great heart trembles with the pain, 
 Till blood-drops ooze from every vein. 
 
 Swift passes from his soul the storm, 
 An angel lifts the prostrate form; 
 With strength renewed he goeth forth 
 The King and Saviour of the earth. 
 
 Venit e Coelo 
 
 THE Christ, our Saviour comes, behold, 
 By prophet and by bard foretold; 
 Daughter of Sion weep no more, 
 Salvation shines upon thy shore. 
 
 From out the ancient garden came, 
 By disobedience, death and shame; 
 But from the new come life and light 
 Where Jesus prayeth in the night. 
 
 Appeasing God's avenging ire, 
 
 He holdeth back the threatening fire; 
 
 His sacred life delivereth 
 
 To lift our souls from sin and death. 
 
236 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 The snares of hell his hand destroys; 
 He calls our souls to heavenly joys, 
 The golden gates reopening; 
 There reigns our Victim, God and King. 
 
 Praise to the Father, and the same 
 To thee, O Christ, whose holy name 
 Shall conquer earth; like praise to thee 
 Blest Paraclete eternally. 
 
 HYMNS ON THE PASSION OF OUR LORD 
 
 Moerentes Oculi 
 
 OUR eyes should fall in grief, our tears should flow, 
 And from our deepest hearts the groan of woe 
 Should rise, when we remember all the pangs 
 The Saviour suffered, and the mortal blow. 
 
 Came Judas from the priests, and, armed with staves 
 And swords, a cringing multitude of slaves; 
 
 They struck the tender Christ, and mocking cried, 
 "Others he saved; see if himself he saves!" 
 
 The savage throng the gentle Saviour brings 
 Before the scornful priest's false questionings; 
 
 Delivered to the soldiers, lo, they dare 
 Raise impious hands against the King of Kings. 
 
 Ye people, see! the God of earth and skies; 
 The cross upon his bleeding shoulder lies, 
 
HYMNS OF UNKNOWN AUTHORS 237 
 
 Silent he bears the lictor's cruel blow, 
 And never to the jeering crowd replies. 
 
 And walking, lamb-like, to his cruel death, 
 Upon his head he wears a thorny wreath; 
 
 The rage of Israel stinging insult brings; 
 He bows a sacrifice and suffereth. 
 
 And so he cometh unto Calvary 
 And dieth nailed upon the shameful tree, 
 He dieth burdened by all human woe, 
 And yieldeth his pure life, to make men free. 
 
 Yea, for our miseries the cruel pain 
 
 He bore; to bring new life his life was slain; 
 
 So let his glory ring through earth and heaven, 
 Our living God and King of endless reign. 
 
 A spice Injami Deus 
 
 BEHOLD where hangs in cruel infamy 
 The God of Ages on the bloody tree, 
 Behold his tender hands nailed to the cross, 
 He dies in shame, from shame to make us free. 
 
 Lo, like a worker of most wicked deeds, 
 Between two thieves he hangs; his body bleeds 
 
 To gratify the rage of Israel; 
 His life is spent to cure our cruel needs. 
 
 Ah, pallid grows his face; his head is bowed, 
 His eyes are closed upon the scornful crowd, 
 
238 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 With a loud voice he sends his spirit forth, 
 And o'er his body settles death's dark cloud. 
 
 O heart that hears and weeps not, hard as brass 
 Thou art; for lo, 'twas all thy sins, alas! 
 
 That brought thy Saviour here, all innocent, 
 To cleanse thy guilt, and ope the heavenly pass. 
 
 To thee, Eternal God, all glory be, 
 Who gave thyself to die upon the tree, 
 
 By thy all precious blood to wash away 
 Our crimes, and lift us evermore with thee. 
 
 Saevo Dolorum Turbine 
 
 WHAT cruel storms of grief and pain 
 The gentle Jesus must sustain! 
 He bears his cross to Calvary, 
 And there they place him on the tree. 
 
 With nails they nail him to the wood, 
 Our thorn-crowned King; his holy blood 
 O'erflows from every wound; forlorn 
 He hangs the sport of spite and scorn. 
 
 He weeps, he prays, aloud he cries, 
 And yielding up the ghost, he dies; 
 The mother feels the cruel blow, 
 Her stainless heart is pierced with woe. 
 
 The rocks are rent, and quakes the earth, 
 From out the tombs the dead walk forth; 
 
HYMNS OF UNKNOWN AUTHORS 
 
 Dread darkness covers land and main; 
 The temple's veil is torn in twain. 
 
 Sun, moon and stars in gloom are hurled, 
 The heavens moan, and groans the world; 
 O sinful man, in shame arise; 
 Behold, for thee the Saviour dies. 
 
 Here with his mother, stand and weep, 
 In tears his wounded members steep, 
 See, hand and foot and bleeding side, 
 And think, for love of man he died! 
 
 Victim of love! lo, thou art slain, 
 From sin and shame our souls to gain; 
 To wash us in the sacred flood 
 Of thy regenerating blood. 
 
 Our peace, our joy, be thou, O Lord, 
 Our life, our hope, our sweet reward, 
 Our guide, our light upon the way, 
 To lead us unto endless day. 
 
 ON THE CROWN OF THORNS 
 
 Exite, Sion Filiae 
 
 O DAUGHTERS of Jerusalem, 
 Chaste virgins of the royal throne, 
 Go forth and see the diadem 
 
 That Sion weaves for Christ, her Son. 
 
 239 
 
240 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Behold the blood upon his hair, 
 His tender forehead rent and torn, 
 
 The thorny crown that he must wear, 
 While death is on his face forlorn. 
 
 O hard and harsh the soil that gave 
 So foul a crop of thorns severe; 
 
 More hard and harsh the cruel slave 
 That forced them on a head so dear. 
 
 The thorns empurpled by the blood 
 More fair than roses grow to be; 
 
 The crown, touched by the sacred flood, 
 Becomes a wreath of victory. 
 
 The barbs that rend thee, Christ, to-day 
 Are the sharp thorns of human sin; 
 
 O pluck them from our breasts, we pray, 
 And plant thy living love therein. 
 
 Legis Figuris Pingitur 
 
 THE crown, O Saviour, that adorns 
 Thy head is shadowed in the law; 
 Here shines our God among the thorns, 
 As in the bush that Moses saw. 
 
 The ark that did the law enclose, 
 
 The sacred table of the bread, 
 The altar where the incense rose, 
 
 Were bound with crowns, like Christ's dear head. 
 
HYMNS OF UNKNOWN AUTHORS 24 1 
 
 But partner of his pains, behold! 
 
 His blood this wreath doth glorify; 
 More beautiful than gems and gold, 
 
 More fair than starry crowns on high. 
 
 Praise, honour, power and glory be 
 
 To God the Father and the Son, 
 And Holy Paraclete, to thee 
 
 Forever reigning, three in one. 
 
 w 
 
 ON THE SPEAR AND NAILS 
 
 Quaenam Lingua Tibi 
 HAT tongue can e'er return to thee, O spear, 
 
 The gratitude we owe thy service dear, 
 For thou didst ope the vivifying side 
 Of Jesus, whence his church doth first appear. 
 
 Like Eve arising from the side of man, 
 While bound in sleep, the Church's life began; 
 Hers was the better Adam; pure she sprang 
 Out of the side whence blood and water ran. 
 
 And equal thanks, O Nails, to you we owe, 
 For in the death of Christ, whose mortal woe 
 Ye wrought upon the cross, was blotted out 
 In his sweet blood the curse on man below. 
 
 Kind Jesus, whom the powers proclaim on high 
 The Prince of Peace and Ruler of the Sky, 
 
242 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Thy wounds in hand, foot, side, all glorified, 
 Reign with the Sire and Spirit eternally. 
 
 Salvete Clavi et Lancea 
 
 HAIL piercing nails, hail cruel spear, 
 But late in mean esteem ye stood; 
 The flesh of Christ has made you dear, 
 The purple of his healing blood. 
 
 Selected by the faithless Jew, 
 As instruments of horrid crime, 
 
 The God of love has made of you 
 The ministers of grace sublime. 
 
 The tender flesh ye rent, but lo, 
 
 The wounds in side, in hands, in feet, 
 
 Are fountains of his love, whence flow 
 Celestial streams of blessings sweet. 
 
 O wounded Saviour, unto thee, 
 We bow in love, thy name adore; 
 
 Unto the Sire and Spirit be 
 
 Like praise and glory evermore. 
 
 Tinctam Ergo Christi 
 
 O BLOODSTAINED barbs that Christ endures, 
 Turn, turn your torture unto me; 
 Heart, hand and foot, the crime is yours, 
 
 Turn, turn your torture unto me; 
 hand and foot, the crii 
 Be yours the bitter penalty. 
 
HYMNS OF UNKNOWN AUTHORS 243 
 
 Yea, Jesus, all the fault was mine, 
 That caused thy bitter woe and pain; 
 
 Pour on my soul thy blood divine 
 And make it whole and pure again. 
 
 So shall my feet ne'er move to sin, 
 My hand from every wrong be free, 
 
 So clean my bosom that therein 
 No shade of evil thought shall be. 
 
 O, wounded Saviour, unto thee 
 
 We bow in love, thy name adore; 
 Unto the Sire and Spirit be 
 
 Like praise and glory evermore. 
 
 ON THE WINDING SHEET 
 
 Gloriam Sacrae Celebremus 
 
 THE glory of the sacred winding-sheet, 
 In song and hymn to-day we celebrate, 
 That monument of love and mercy sweet, 
 In pious memory we cultivate. 
 
 For lo, imprinted plain upon each fold 
 
 The marks of bleeding hands and feet we see; 
 
 Ah, Christ, the Sindon, surely, we behold 
 That wrapped thy body taken from the tree. 
 
 And on the stains while gazing we recall 
 The cruel griefs the tender Saviour bore, 
 
244 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 To raise us out of Adam's woful fall — 
 His holy death that we in tears adore. 
 
 The cloven side we see, the hands and feet 
 By nails of cruel iron pierced and torn, 
 
 And clearly printed on the snowy sheet, 
 
 Pressed on the drooping head, the crown of thorn. 
 
 What eye unstained of tears can these behold ? 
 
 What ear can hear without a rending groan ? 
 Let every soul to whom these truths are told 
 
 Fall to the ground in adoration prone. 
 
 Dear Christ, our crimes alone thy torments brought 
 Our evil lives took thy sweet life away, 
 
 Our mortal stains thy mortal sorrow wrought 
 Our lives are thine, O Lord, — receive thy pay. 
 
 To thee, O Son of God, be power and praise, 
 
 Who didst the world redeem from sin and shame, 
 
 Unto the Father equal glory raise, 
 And to the spirit's ever-living flame. 
 
 Mysterium Mirabile 
 
 WONDER of wonders, we behold 
 The Christ, the son of God most high! 
 We see the winding-sheet enfold 
 His prone and awful majesty. 
 
HYMNS OF UNKNOWN AUTHORS 245 
 
 Robing his form in all our woe, 
 
 From all our woe to set us free, 
 The pangs of death to undergo, 
 
 He hangs upon the shameful tree. 
 
 And printed on that winding-sheet 
 Which wrapped his body on the bier, 
 
 The marks of bleeding hands and feet, 
 The traces of his death appear. 
 
 These are the signs of triumph won, 
 Over the world, the grave and hell, 
 
 The trophies of God's warrior Son, 
 Our leader, Christ, invincible. 
 
 Under this sign of grace we fight, 
 
 This banner of the holy stains, 
 Against the powers of death and night, 
 
 All Satan's wiles and galling chains. 
 
 And casting our old life away, 
 
 We robe our souls in raiment new, 
 
 And following Jesus night and day, 
 The glorious hopes of heaven pursue. 
 
 To God the Father glory be, 
 
 The same to Christ his only son, 
 And Holy Paraclete, to thee, 
 
 Forever regining three in one. 
 
246 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Jesu Dulcis Amor Meus 
 OVING Jesus, sweet and tender, 
 
 L 
 
 Be my bosom's fond defender, 
 Love for love my soul shall render, 
 Prostrate at thy holy feet. 
 
 Lo, I see thee naked, wounded, 
 By thy trembling friends surrounded, 
 Staring on thee, sore astounded, 
 Folded in thy winding-sheet. 
 
 Hail, dear head so torn and gory; 
 Face, whose roses blanched and hoary, 
 So have lost their wondrous glory 
 That the angels quake to see. 
 
 Hail, O heart of man's salvation, 
 Prone I bow in adoration; 
 Hail, meek wound, thou dark carnation 
 Bringing healing unto me. 
 
 Holy hands, all perforated 
 By the slaves yourselves created; 
 Let me ne'er with love be sated, 
 Kneeling near the sacred feet. 
 
 To the Father's power supernal 
 Love and praise and reign eternal, 
 So to Christ, the Coeternal, 
 And the living Paraclete. 
 
HYMNS OF UNKNOWN AUTHORS 247 
 
 OUR LADY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS 
 
 Saepe Dum Christi Populus Cruentis 
 
 OFT when the flock of Christ were driven 
 By bloody sword and cruel foe, 
 The tender Virgin came from heaven, 
 With loving aid to heal their woe. 
 
 So was it in the days of old, 
 
 As many a temple lifted high 
 Proclaims; and gifts of richest gold, 
 
 With grateful blessings testify. 
 
 New thanks for help to-day we bring 
 To Mary Queen, with gladsome voice; 
 
 In strains of holy joy we sing, 
 
 And all the bounds of earth rejoice. 
 
 O happy hour! O glorious day! 
 
 Behold the Master on the throne! 
 The years of fear are passed away, 
 
 The Chair of Faith receives its own. 
 
 Let gentle youths and virgins chaste 
 
 Uplift to heaven rejoicing lays; 
 While priests and people proudly haste 
 
 To join in songs of thanks and praise. 
 
 Sweet Virgin, hear us in our need; 
 Mother of Christ, thy gifts increase, 
 
250 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 The newer Adam's blamelessness and love 
 Restored unto our souls the heavenly glow. 
 
 The Father sitting on the lofty throne 
 Heard the loud cry sent by his bleeding Son; 
 
 And by that cry appeased, and by that blood, 
 He opens heaven to every seeking one. 
 
 Washed in this blood, as is a garment white, 
 A rosy glory like angelic light, 
 
 The soul assumes, from every foulness free, 
 As angel pleasing to the God of might. 
 
 So like an angel take thy holy place, 
 Nor swerve nor falter in thy godly race, 
 
 Press onward to the utmost bound; the prize 
 Each noble soul attains by God's sweet grace. 
 
 Father of might to thee our orison 
 
 We lift, bought by the blood of thy sole Son; 
 
 Renew us in the spirit's living flame 
 That to our souls thy treasures may be won. 
 
 Ira Just a Co rid it or is 
 
 O'ER the world the world's Creator 
 Poured in wrath the drowning flood, 
 In his justice Noah saving 
 
 From the justice so bestowed; 
 Then the earth the loving Saviour 
 Bathed in his redeeming blood. 
 
HYMNS OF UNKNOWN AUTHORS 25 1 
 
 How it rises up in glory, 
 
 Watered by the saving rain; 
 Where but thorns before abounded, 
 
 Only roses now remain, 
 All the flowers of bitter seeming 
 
 Soothing taste and odour gain. 
 
 And the serpent's power and danger 
 
 Over all the world decline, 
 He must lose his fangs of poison 
 
 And his rule on earth resign; 
 This our gain, O wounded Saviour, 
 
 This our victory, was thine. 
 
 O the height of heavenly wisdom, 
 
 How beyond our power to see! 
 O the sweetness of the Saviour, 
 
 And his tender love for me! 
 Lo, he yields his life to save me, 
 
 Pays my bond upon the tree. 
 
 Though our wrongs and our offenses 
 
 For avenging justice cry, 
 Christ's all precious blood is present, 
 
 Bringing mercy from on high; 
 And those evils that assail us 
 
 Powerless fall and pass us by. 
 
 Tender Saviour, Lord of glory, 
 
 Thee our grateful songs we bring, 
 Thee the God of our salvation, 
 
252 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Thee our author and our King; 
 Reigning with the Sire and Spirit, 
 
 Heaven and earth one praise shall sing. 
 
 Salvete Chr'iste Vulnera 
 
 ALL hail ye wounds of Jesus, 
 The balm of human woes, 
 From you in ruby streamlets 
 His blood forever flows. 
 
 There shines no star so radiant, 
 
 No rose is half so rare, 
 No orient gem in glory 
 
 With you can e'er compare. 
 
 Through you our heavenly Father 
 Brings peace to every mind, 
 
 Sweet refuge where no sorrow 
 Can port or entrance find. 
 
 What blows the tender Jesus 
 
 Receives in Pilate's hall! 
 How from the scourging lashes 
 
 The precious blood-drops fall! 
 
 They press upon his forehead 
 The piercing crown of thorn; 
 
 With nails of cruel iron 
 
 His hands and feet are torn. 
 
HYMNS OF UNKNOWN AUTHORS 253 
 
 And after life is yielded, 
 
 And forth his spirit goes, 
 They wound his tender bosom 
 
 Whence cleansing blood outflows. 
 
 Dear Lord, to full redemption 
 
 Our souls hast thou restored; 
 As underneath the wine-press 
 
 Thy healing blood is poured! 
 
 Come, bow before the Saviour, 
 Whate'er our crimes have been; 
 
 His blood is our salvation, 
 Who bathes therein is clean. 
 
 Praise him, who, with the Father 
 
 Sits throned above the skies; 
 The Christ whose blood redeems us, 
 
 Whose spirit sanctifies. 
 
 ON THE SACRED HEART 
 
 Auctor Beate Saeculi 
 
 THOU blessed fount of life and time, 
 The world's Redeemer, Judge, and Lord, 
 The Father's light and love sublime, 
 Thy name, O Christ, be e'er adored. 
 
 Unbounded love did thee constrain 
 To robe in clay the living God, 
 
254 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 As second Adam to regain 
 
 The prize the first had lost by fraud. 
 
 All mercy thou, O Maker mild 
 
 Of earth and sea and starry sky; 
 In pity for thy fallen child 
 
 Thou gavest thyself, a lamb, to die. 
 
 The fountain of all-healing love 
 
 From thy deep heart is flowing still, 
 
 A stream of blessings from above, 
 And all may drink thereof who will. 
 
 O Sacred Heart, O saving flood! 
 
 What wounds, dear Christ, didst thou endure, 
 That man in thy all precious blood 
 
 Might bathe his soul and so be pure! 
 
 Unto the Father and the son, 
 
 And Holy Spirit, one in three, 
 Be praise and power and glory won, 
 
 And rule through all eternity. 
 
 Quicumque Cerium Quaeritis 
 
 OYE who seek a sure relief 
 From cruel pain or wearing grief, 
 Whether the weight of guilt oppress 
 Or worldly cares the soul distress, 
 
HYMNS OF UNKNOWN AUTHORS 255 
 
 Unto the dear Lord Jesus fly; 
 He gave his life lest man should die; 
 With loving heart he waits; and lo, 
 His heart is never closed to woe. 
 
 To every soul that wills to seek, 
 In words of music doth he speak; 
 "All ye in labour bowed, and ye 
 By sin afflicted, come to me." 
 What heart so mild as his, who sought 
 Forgiveness for the Jews that bought 
 And nailed his body to the tree ? 
 O Sacred Heart, remember me! 
 
 O Heart, thou joy of saints in heaven, 
 Thou saving hope to mortals given! 
 Drawn by those loving words, we claim 
 Thy mercy, Lord, and call thy name. 
 O cleanse our souls of sin and stain 
 In thy redeeming blood, and gain 
 For all whose prayers ascend to thee, 
 The heavenly gift of purity. 
 
 En, Ut Superb a Criminum 
 
 BEHOLD us, Lord, a savage band, 
 How proud of vice, we walk the sod, 
 And strike with strong and cruel hand 
 The pure and tender heart of God. 
 
 Our countless sins, so base and blind, 
 Are glittering spears to thee, dear Lord; 
 
256 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Our viler passions whet and grind 
 The biting edges of the sword. 
 
 From thy torn heart, O Christ, is born 
 The church that to thy teaching clings, 
 
 The orient door that doth adorn 
 
 The temple, whence salvation springs. 
 
 And hence eternal graces flow, 
 
 A sevenfold stream, a wondrous flood; 
 
 The fountain is the Lamb, and lo, 
 
 The cleansing wave, his flowing blood. 
 
 Lord, let us ne'er to foul desire 
 Return to wound thy sacred heart, 
 
 Kindle our souls with holy fire, 
 
 And keep our wills where'er thou art. 
 
 O Son, O Sire, O Spirit hear, 
 
 And grant the gifts we seek of thee: 
 
 Thy power and glory we revere, 
 Thy reign shall live eternally. 
 
 Sum mi Parentis Filio 
 
 OTHOU, the Son of God most High, 
 Thou Father of the life to be, 
 O Prince of Peace, to thee we cry, 
 We bring our song of praise to thee. 
 
HYMNS OF UNKNOWN AUTHORS 
 
 Thy heart was wounded by the blow 
 Ordained of everlasting love; 
 
 Such love among thy flocks below 
 Thou kindlest at the fires above. 
 
 Dear Christ in pity for our woe 
 Thou didst thyself as victim give, 
 
 The cruel pangs to undergo, * 
 
 To ope thy breast that man might live. 
 
 O sacred fount of love sublime, 
 O living spring of waters free, 
 
 O fire to cleanse away all crime, 
 O heart aflame with charity. 
 
 Lord, keep us ever in thy heart, 
 Thy tender love to feel and know, 
 
 The joys of heaven to us impart, 
 
 When we shall leave these walks below. 
 
 Cor, Area Legem Continens 
 
 O HEART of Jesus, holy Ark 
 That holds the later law divine, 
 Not as of old, a service dark, 
 
 But mercy, grace, and love benign; 
 
 Thou art indeed the dwelling place 
 Of God's mild law and tender might, 
 
 The temple of out-pouring grace 
 
 That radiates all the world with light. 
 
 257 
 
258 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Eternal mercy willed the blow 
 
 That gave the wounds, O Heart, to thee, 
 That man shall ever feel and know 
 
 The love that suffered on the tree. 
 
 For Christ, eternal Priest and Lord, 
 
 Offers his love by holy sign 
 Upon the cross and at the board, 
 
 The twofold sacrifice dvine. 
 
 We love thee, Jesus, Lord most high, 
 We lift our hearts to thine above, 
 
 And to thy sacred bosom fly, 
 That everlasting home of love. 
 
 All praise and power and glory be 
 To God the Father and the Son, 
 
 And Holy Spirit unto thee, 
 Forever reigning three in one. 
 
 ON THE SEVEN DOLORS 
 
 Quot Undis Lacrimarum 
 
 OTHE woe, the tears, the sighing! 
 Greater grief can never be, 
 Than assailed the love undying 
 
 Of the Virgin, thus to see, 
 In her arms the Saviour lying, 
 Torn all bleeding from the tree. 
 
HYMNS OF UNKNOWN AUTHORS 259 
 
 Bowed in grief his form she presses, 
 
 Bathes his tender breast in tears, 
 Moaning, his mild face caresses, 
 
 And where each red wound appears, 
 'Mid the storm of anguish, kisses, 
 
 Shaken sore with shuddering fears. 
 
 O'er and o'er the Mother weeping, 
 
 Tender touches doth bestow, 
 All the wounded members steeping 
 
 In the tears that fondly flow, 
 And her lonesome vigil keeping, 
 
 Bows her head in silent woe. 
 
 Mournful Mother, by thy sorrow. 
 
 Grieving o'er the Crucified, 
 Teach our hearts true grief to borrow, 
 
 Let us linger by thy side, 
 Feel thy anguish, keen and thorough, 
 
 And in thy sweet love abide. 
 
 Earth and heaven to rapture speeding, 
 
 Join in songs while ages run, 
 To the Father's glory leading, 
 
 To the Co-eternal Son, 
 To the Lord from both proceeding, 
 
 Everlasting, three in one. 
 
260 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 Jam Toto Subitus Vesper 
 
 SWIFT from the heavens the stricken daylight flies, 
 The gloom of midnight overpowers the skies, 
 The God of life, 'mid infamy and shame, 
 A culprit on the cross forsaken dies. 
 
 And thou art present, bending on thy knee, 
 Mother of Christ; thou seest the agony, 
 
 Thou hear'st the groan that sends the spirit forth, 
 Where hangs thy Son, upon the bloody tree. 
 
 Ah, bowed in grief thou gazest on thy God, 
 Bleeding from piercing thorns and scourging rod; 
 The thorns that pierce his body pierce thy soul 
 And bring the streaming tears that steep the sod. 
 
 Dear heart of Christ, thy tortures were her woe, 
 The jeer, the lash, the insult and the blow, 
 
 The thirst, the gall, the thorns, the nails, the blood, 
 The fiercest torment tyrant could bestow. 
 
 O Martyr mother, waiting at his side 
 And weeping o'er that Son, the Crucified; 
 
 Martyr indeed, to see him die, yet live 
 And suffer all the pangs wherewith he died! 
 
 Honour and power and everlasting praise 
 To thee, O glorious Trinity we raise; 
 
 And sorrowing Mother, powerful in thy pain, 
 Be man's protectress to the end of days. 
 
HYMNS OF UNKNOWN AUTHORS 26 1 
 
 Summae Deus Clementiae 
 
 GOD of majestic clemency, 
 Let it be ours to feel and know 
 The wounds of Christ upon the tree, 
 And Mary's sevenfold woe. 
 
 Lord, by thy mother's holy tears 
 
 Uplift our souls to thy sweet day; 
 Let them suffice to calm our fears, 
 
 And wash our sins away. 
 
 The Saviour's wounds and Mary's woe, 
 Shall fill our hearts with holy love; 
 
 O let them be our grief below, 
 Our endless joy above. 
 
 Jesus to thee be glory meet, 
 
 Who wert for our salvation slain, 
 So to the Sire and Paraclete 
 
 Be praise and endless reign. 
 
 ON THE MATERNITY OF THE BLESSED 
 VIRGIN 
 
 Te Mater Alma Nu minis 
 
 SWEET mother of the Lord most high, 
 To thee we bow in humble prayer, 
 To thee from evil powers we fly; 
 O shield and keep us in thy care. 
 
262 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 It was to lift our fallen race 
 
 Above the curse of Adam's crime, 
 
 The King bestowed on thee all grace 
 And shaped thy motherhood sublime. 
 
 So, Mother unto thee we pray; 
 
 Thou seest our need; thy Son entreat 
 That he, his anger turned away, 
 
 May raise our souls in mercy sweet. 
 
 All glory, Jesus, unto thee, 
 
 Born of the Virgin void of stain; 
 
 The same to Sire and Spirit be 
 
 Proclaimed through one eternal reign. 
 
 Coelo Redemptor Praetulit 
 
 THE world's Redeemer from the earth 
 Up-bore the Virgin to the sky, 
 The stainless womb that gave him birth, 
 And throned her as the Queen on high. 
 
 In that white breast that knew no stain 
 Salvation's hope was robed in clay, 
 
 The Christ that on the cross was slain, 
 Whose blood has washed our sins away. 
 
 Let joy and hope to man be won, 
 And drive away all anxious fears 
 
 For Mary to her pitying Son 
 
 Will sweetly bear our prayers and tears. 
 
HYMNS OF UNKNOWN AUTHORS 263 
 
 The mother's words her tender Child 
 
 Will heed and each entreaty bless; 
 Revere and love that mother mild, 
 
 And seek her aid in all distress. 
 
 Thou triune God, all praise to thee, 
 
 That to the stainless bosom bore 
 The virginal maternity; 
 
 We sing thy glory evermore. 
 
 ON THE PURITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN 
 
 Praeclara Custos Virginum 
 
 OF virgin souls the holy guide, 
 Chaste mother of the Love benign, 
 Thou gate of Heaven that openest wide, 
 Be still our hope, our joy divine. 
 
 Among the thorns the lily clings, 
 
 More white and fair than whitest dove, 
 
 The rod from Jesse's root that springs, 
 For every wound a balm of love. 
 
 Thou art a tower too high for stain, 
 A star to guide the ship-wrecked soul; 
 
 O shield us from the vile and vain, 
 And lead us to our heavenly goal. 
 
 By thy sweet prayers all shades dispel, 
 Remove the sands of guile and wrath; 
 
264 EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMNS 
 
 All fears allay and doubtings quell, 
 And for our footsteps find a path. 
 
 To Jesus be all power and praise, 
 Born of the Virgin void of stain; 
 
 And to the Sire and Spirit raise 
 
 Like glory through an endless reign. 
 
 O Stella Jacob 
 
 OSTAR of Jacob, golden light, 
 Even like the sun thy ray divine; 
 Among the heavens where all is bright 
 There is no purer ray than thine. 
 
 To thee the white-robed angels sing, 
 Who stands beside the royal seat, 
 
 To thee the choirs of virgins bring, 
 
 Their songs and psalms and praises sweet. 
 
 The privet and the lily white 
 
 Are placed upon thine altars blest, 
 
 But whiter than these flowers of light 
 The virgin whiteness of thy breast. 
 
 All earth shall lift its voice and sing 
 The songs the angels sing to thee; 
 
 Our voices to the stars shall ring 
 And laud thy virgin purity. 
 
HYMNS OF UNKNOWN AUTHORS 265 
 
 Jesus to thee be glory meet, 
 
 Born of the Virgin void of stain, 
 So to the Sire and Paraclete 
 
 All praise and power and endless reign. 
 
INDEX TO LATIN TITLES 
 
INDEX TO LATIN TITLES 
 
 
 PAGE 
 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Ad Coeli Clara 
 
 5 
 
 Coelo Redemptor Praetulit 
 
 262 
 
 Ad Regias Agni Dapes 
 
 3 2 
 
 Consors Paterni Luminis 
 
 43 
 
 Adoro Te Devote 
 
 189 
 
 Cor Area Legem 
 
 *57 
 
 Adversa Mundi Tolera 
 
 203 
 
 Creator Alme Siderum 
 
 26 
 
 Aeterna Christi Munera 
 
 Si 
 
 Crudelis Herodes Deum 
 
 68 
 
 Aeterne Coeli Gloria 
 
 39 
 
 Crux Bene dicta Nitet 
 
 77 
 
 Aeterne Rector Siderum 
 
 212 
 
 Custodes Hominum Psallimus 
 
 2I 3 
 
 Aeterne Rerum Conditor 
 
 5 2 
 
 
 
 Aeterne Rex Altissime 
 
 33 
 
 Decora Lux Aeternitatis 
 
 73 
 
 Ales Diei Nuntius 
 
 60 
 
 Deus Creator Omnium 
 
 45 
 
 Alma Redemptoris Mater 
 
 ?53 
 
 Deus Pater Ingenite 
 
 8 
 
 Alto Ex Olympi Vertice 
 
 233 
 
 Deus Tuorum Militum 
 
 2 3 
 
 Antra Deserti 
 
 116 
 
 Dies Irae Dies Ilia 
 
 173 
 
 A Solis Ortus Cardine 
 
 67 
 
 Domare Cordis Impetus 
 
 218 
 
 Aspice Infami Deus 
 
 237 
 
 
 
 Aspice Ut Verbum 
 
 234 
 
 
 
 Auctor Beate Saeculi 
 
 2 53 
 
 Ecce Jam Noctis 
 
 105 
 
 Audi, Benigne Conditor 
 
 97 
 
 Ecce Jam Noctis 
 
 106 
 
 Audit Tyrannus Anxius 
 
 58 
 
 En Clara Vox 
 
 28 
 
 Aurora Coelum Purpurat 
 
 19 
 
 En Ut Superb a Criminum 
 
 2 55 
 
 Aurora Jam Spargit 
 
 40 
 
 Exite Sion Filiae 
 
 239 
 
 Aurora Quae Solem 
 
 230 
 
 Ex More Docti Mystico 
 
 100 
 
 Ave Maris Stella 
 
 78 
 
 Exultet Orbis Gaudiis 
 
 134 
 
 Ave Regina Coelorum 
 
 *SS 
 
 
 
 
 
 Felix Per Omnes Festum 
 
 121 
 
 Beata Nobis Gaudia 
 
 6 
 
 Festivis Resonent Compita 
 
 249 
 
 
 
 Flos Pudicitiae 
 
 229 
 
 Cantemus Cuncti 
 
 141 
 
 Flos Pudicitiae 
 
 230 
 
 Christe, Sanctorum Decus 
 
 133 
 
 Fortem Virili Pectore 
 
 207 
 
 Coelestis Urbs Jerusalem 
 
 232 
 
 
 
 Coeli Deus Sanctissime 
 
 93 
 
 Gloria Laus et Honor 
 
 i*5 
 
 Coelitum Joseph Decus 
 
 222 
 
 Gloriam Sacrae Celebremus 
 
 H3 
 
 269 
 
270 
 
 INDEX TO LATIN TITLES 
 
 Haec Est Dies 
 
 Hominis Superne Conditor 
 
 Immense Coeli Conditor 
 In Domino Semper Spera 
 In Passione Domini 
 Invicte Martyr Unicum 
 Ira Justa Conditoris 
 ste Confessor Domini 
 ste Quern Laeti Colimus 
 
 am Christus Astra Ascenderat 
 am Lucis Orto Sidere 
 am Meta Noctis Transiit 
 am Meta Noctis Transiit 
 am Sol Recedit Igneus 
 am Toto Subitus Vesper 
 esu Corona Celsior 
 esu Corona Virginum 
 esu Decus Angelicum 
 esu Dulcis Amor Meus 
 esu Dulcis Memoria 
 esu Mi Bone Sentiam 
 esu Nostra Redemptio 
 esu Redemptor Omnium 
 esu Redemptor Omnium 
 esu Rex Admirabilis 
 
 Labor Parva Est 
 Lauda Sion 
 Legis Figuris Pingitur 
 Lucis Creator Optime 
 Lucis Largitor Splendide 
 Lux Alma Jesu Mentium 
 Lux Ecce Surgit Aurea 
 
 Magnae Deus Potentiae 
 Martinae Celebri Plaudite 
 
 "AGE 
 
 
 PAGE 
 
 217 
 
 Martyris Ecce Dies Agathae 
 
 «5 
 
 95 
 
 Moerentes Oculi 
 
 236 
 
 
 Mysterium Mirabile 
 
 244 
 
 92 
 
 
 
 204 
 
 Nocte Surgentes 
 
 104 
 
 179 
 
 Nocte Surgentes 
 
 i°5 
 
 24 
 
 Nox Atra Rerum 
 
 3 1 
 
 250 
 
 Nox et Tenebrae et Nubilae 
 
 62 
 
 136 
 
 Nunc Sancte Nobis Spiritus 
 
 47 
 
 223 
 
 
 
 
 O Esca Viatorum 
 
 190 
 
 36 
 
 O Gloriosa Virginum 
 
 81 
 
 2 5 
 
 O Nimis Felix 
 
 117 
 
 10 
 
 O Quanta Qualia 
 
 J 59 
 
 11 
 
 O Quanta Qualia 
 
 161 
 
 48 
 
 O Quot Undis Lacrimarum 
 
 258 
 
 260 
 
 O Sola Magnarum Urbium 
 
 57 
 
 224 
 
 O Sol Salutis Intimis 
 
 96 
 
 42 
 
 O Stella Jacob 
 
 264 
 
 169 
 
 
 
 246 
 
 Pange Lingua 
 
 83 
 
 167 
 
 Pange Lingua 
 
 186 
 
 170 
 
 Paschale Mundo Gaudium 
 
 21 
 
 35 
 
 Pater Superni Luminis 
 
 211 
 
 29 
 
 Patiendo Fit Homo 
 
 204 
 
 *35 
 
 Placare Christe Servulis 
 
 129 
 
 168 
 
 Praeclara Custos Virginum 
 
 263 
 
 
 Primo Die Quo Trinitas 
 
 103 
 
 203 
 
 
 
 191 
 
 Quaenam Lingua Tibi 
 
 241 
 
 240 
 
 Quern Terra Pontus Sidera 
 
 80 
 
 9 1 
 
 Quicumque Certum Quaeritis 
 
 254 
 
 9 
 
 Quicumque Christum Quaeritis 
 
 61 
 
 221 
 
 Quum a Malis Molestaris 
 
 203 
 
 63 
 
 
 
 
 Record are Sancte Crucis 
 
 180 
 
 94 
 
 Rector Potens Verax Deus 
 
 47 
 
 219 
 
 Regis Superni Nuntia 
 
 217 
 
INDEX TO LATIN TITLES 
 
 271 
 
 
 PAGE 
 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Rerum Creator Optime 
 
 99 
 
 Summi Parentis Unice 
 
 H5 
 
 Rerum Deus Tenax Vigor 
 
 43 
 
 
 
 Rex Deus Immensi 
 
 m 
 
 Te Joseph Celebrent 
 
 221 
 
 Rex Gloriose Martyrum 
 
 5° 
 
 Telluris Alme Conditor 
 
 92 
 
 Rex Sempiterne Coelitum 
 
 22 
 
 Te Lucis Ante Terminum 
 
 41 
 
 
 
 Te Mater Alma Numinis 
 
 261 
 
 Sacris Solemniis 
 
 187 
 
 Te Redemptoris 
 
 248 
 
 Saepe Dum Christe 
 
 247 
 
 Te Splendor et Virtus Patris 
 
 132 
 
 Saevo Dolorum Turbine 
 
 238 
 
 Tibi Christe Splendor Patris 
 
 ^ 
 
 Salutis Aeterne Dator 
 
 130 
 
 Tinctam Ergo Christi 
 
 242 
 
 Salutis Humanae Sator 
 
 35 
 
 Tristes Erant Apostoli 
 
 20 
 
 Salvator Mundi Domine 
 
 98 
 
 Tu Natale Solum Protege 
 
 220 
 
 Salve Regina 
 
 J 53 
 
 Tu Trinitatis Unitas 
 
 IOI 
 
 Salvete Christe Vulnera 
 
 252 
 
 
 
 Salvete Clavi et Lancea 
 
 242 
 
 Ut Queant Laxis 
 
 "5 
 
 Salvete Flores Martyrum 
 
 59 
 
 
 
 Somno Refectis Artubus 
 
 27 
 
 Veni Creator Spiritus 
 
 107 
 
 Splendor Paternae Gloriae 
 
 37 
 
 Veni Sancte Spiritus 
 
 149 
 
 Stab at Mater Dolorosa 
 
 197 
 
 Venit e Coelo 
 
 235 
 
 Summae Deus Clementiae 
 
 261 
 
 Verbum Supernum Prodiens 
 
 49 
 
 Summae Parens Clementiae 
 
 44 
 
 Verbum Supernum Prodiens 
 
 185 
 
 Summi Parentis Filio 
 
 256 
 
 Vexilla Regis 
 
 82 
 
SEP 18 
 
 Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 
 Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
 Treatment Date: August 2005 
 
 PreservationTechnologies 
 
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