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Latin Hymns in English Verse
WITS SHOUT BIOQBAPHICAL SKETCHES
OF THEIB AUTHOMS

BT THE
Rt. Rev. JAMES H. VAN BUREN, D,D.
MtsBlooary Bishop of Puerto Rico

INTKODVCTION BT
HENRY P. WRIGHT, Ph.D., LL.D.
ProfessoT and Dean In Yale College

OLD CORNER BOOK STORE (INC.)
BOSTON, Massachusetts 1901

COPYMQHT 1904
Br RT. REV. JAMES H. VAN BUREN, D.D.

V2,76

TO
THESE
STUDIES IN THE ANCIENT HYMNODY
OF THE CHUBCH
ABE
APFBOTIONATBLY DEDICATED

INTRODUCTION
One of the first fruits of the Spirit is joy, and joy is
naturally expressed in song. James (v. 13) says, "Is
any merry? let him sing psalms." Paul (Eph. v. 19)
urges Christians to sing and make melody in their
hearts to the Lord, and exhorts them (Eph. v. 19,
Col. iii. 16) to help one another when they come to
gether for worship, by " psalms and hymns and spir
itual songs." At midnight, in prison, Paul and Silas
" were praying and singing hymns unto God " (Acts
xvi. 25). The worship of the church from the begin
ning included the singing both of psalms used in the
Jewish ritual and also of hymns that were peculiar to
the Christian service.
Besides the four great anthems given by Luke, the
Magnificat (i. 46-55), the Benedictus (i. 68-79), the
Gloria in Excelsis Deo (ii. 14), and the Nunc Dimittis
(ii. 29-32), there are passages in the New Testament
that may be fragments of early hymns; e. g., Eph. v. 14,
1 Tim, iii. 16, vi. 15, 16, and several in the Apocalypse.
It is probable that there was a considerable body of
these early hymns, though but few of them have come
down to us in any form. In the early part of the
second century, the younger Pliny, who was governor
of Bithynia, wrote a letter to the Emperor Trajan, to
give him whatever information he had obtained about
the Christians in his province and to ask his advice
about their treatment. In describing their meetings
(Ep. X. 96) he says, on the evidence of those who ad
mitted that they belonged to the sect, that the Chris-

tians " were accustomed to come together on a certain
day [of the week] before daylight, and sing a hymn
to Christ as God." As this is the only part of the
service that is mentioned, it is evident that the singing
of hymns held a very important place in Christian
worship within a centur^f after the death of Christ.
But the Jewish psalms in Hebrew and the Christian
hymns in Greek did not wholly satisfy the needs of
the Western Church. When the Christians of Rome
began to express their emotions in Latin hymns, they
soon broke away from the restrictions that had been
imposed upon classical Latin poetry by Greek influ
ence. Quantity was more and more disregarded, and
accent took its place. This was a necessary change.
The lyric verse forms of Horace and Catullus were too
artificial and too difficult to be appreciated by the
classes in society to which the majority of the Christian
converts belonged. Simplicity of form, as well as
simplicity of thought, was necessary when the unedu
cated common people made up mainly the congrega
tion that joined in singing the hymns. The earliest
meter in common use was iambic dimeter, arranged
in stanzas of four verses each, as in our long-meter
tunes. This was the prevailing form in the third and
fourth centuries.
The introduction of accent into Latin poetry was
gradually followed by the use of rhyme, to mark the
end of the verse. In the Ambrosian hymns it is found
rarely. Evidently it was not carefully avoided, as in
the classical poetry of Rome, nor carefully sought, as
in the hymns of the Middle Ages. When it appears, it
is for the most part imperfect, and employed irregu
larly, as in Aurora lucis rutilat (p. 44). In two hymns
that are assigned to this period, Hilary's hymn on the

Epiphany and the hymn of Pope Damasus on St.
Agatha (p. 18), it is used intentionally and with pleas
ing effect. In the centuries following it became com
mon, and in many of the hymns of the twelfth and
thirteenth centuries it was carried to great perfection,
as in Ad perermis vitoe fontem (p. 50), Icsu dulcis
memoria (p, 116), Hora novissima (p. 122), Dies irce
(p. 138), Stabat mater (p. 160). By the combination of
accent and rhyme were produced many stanza forms
that have k^pt their place in popular favor, and still
appear in some of the most pleasing varieties of Eng
lish verse.
The language and style of the early hymns are to a
great extent borrowed from Scripture. The phrase
ology of the Old Testament is often repeated in them,
but the central thought is Christ, — Christ, the true
light, the light of the world, the sun of righteousness.
They are characterized by great simplicity and straight
forwardness. They represent the longing of the human
soul for Christ, joined with devout adoration. They
are the glad utterances of hearts penitent and for
given, hearts full of unquestioning faith and a love to
Christ that turns sorrow into joy, fear into hope, and
makes all trials seem light.
Some hymns were designed to commemorate
events in Jewish history or in the life of our Lord, as
the Days of Creation, the Nativity (p. 64), Easter (p.
44), Pentecost (p. 12), the Passion (pp. 80, 154), the
Resurrection (p. 170); some recall the sufferings of
the Saints and Martyrs (pp. 18, 74, 86) ; some were
appropriate for different parts of the day, especially the
morning, — Aeteme rerum conditor (p. 24); the even
ing, — Deus, creator omnium (p. 28); midday, — lam
sexta sensim solvitur; midnight, — Mediae noctis tern-pus

est. It will be remembered that the Christians in
Bithynia met before dawn and sang hymns in their
morning worship, and that Paul and Silas in prison
sang songs at midnight. The singing of the sacred
songs at their appropriate seasons and many times
each day must have given great spiritual help to the
early Christians, the majority of whom had no Bibles,
and indeed could not have read them if they had
possessed them. By this means they were not only
taught regular habits of worship, but kept constantly
before their minds the life of the Saviour and the
example of the Saints, and became also somewhat
familiar with the greatest events in sacred history.
The hymns were sung not only in the assemblies of
worshipers, but at prayers and at meals in the home,
and by the workmen at their work. Jerome says,
" You could not go into the fields without hearing the
ploughman at his Hallelujahs, the mower at his Hymns,
and the vine-dresser singing the Psalms of David."
They continued to give comfort to the mourning,
strength to the weak, and courage to the faint-hearted
for many centuries. They have served as models for
hymn- writers in all Christian lands. Some of the later
hymns have been reproduced with great success in
English; e.g., Urbs Sion aurea in " Jerusalem the
Golden "; lesu dulcis memoria in " Jesus, the very
thought of Thee"; 0 esca viatorum in " O Bread to
pilgrims given "; Veni, Sancte Spiritus in " Come, Holy
Ghost, in love," and many others.
A good English translation of a Latin hymn should
keep as close as possible to the thought of the original,
should be written in choice English, and when finished
should be genuine poetry. It seems to me that all
these excellencies are combined in Bishop Van Buren 's

translations. The present collection contains hymns
that are universally ranked among the best. They
are worthy of study, not only on account of their place
in Christian literature and history, but also for their
influence on the literature and life of later generations,
and especially for what they tell us of the faith of those
early days, when men had a clearer vision of the
unseen than we seem to have to-day.
HENRY P. WRIGHT.
Oakham, Mass., August 8, 1904.

CHRISTL^N HYMNODY
Religion has always sought expression in song. To the
literature of hymnody every language has made contri
bution. In the vast treasury of sacred song thus accu
mulated through the ages, every element known to religion
has a place. Devotion, repentance, praise, doctrine, con
troversy, triumph, faith, hope, love, — all thoughts and
emotions, all virtues and graces, all prayers and aspirations
are represented.
Christian hymns have their ancestry, as is natural, in the
Hebrew. The fierce war songs of " Moses and the children
of Israel," the wild lyrics of " Deborah and Barak the son
of Abinoam " testify to the antiquity of the custom. The
orders of singers and players upon musical instruments,
established first for the tabernacle and afterward for the
temple, indicate the later formal recognition of hymns as
a suitable part of the public worship. The Psalms were the
hymnal of the Hebrew Church. Lord Selborne points out
that " the modern distinction between psalms and hymns is
arbitrary." In the Psalms the entire range of religious ex
perience is embraced. There is no religious emotion, thought,
or aspiration known to the soul of man that is not exquisitely
uttered there.
In the New Testament again, hymns appear. Our Lord
and the apostles end the devotions of the night before the
cross with a hymn. Paul and Silas wake the midnight echoes
in the prison at Philippi with hymns. The epistles contain
frequent references to Christian songs, and exhortations on
the subject of singing. The choicest hymns known to litur
gical worship are the " Magnificat," the " Benedictus,"
the " Nunc dimittis " of the early pages of St. Luke; while

the New Testament closes amid the hymns of heaven which
St. John heard in the Apocalypse.
Among the Greeks the hymn, in times post-apostolic,
was the instrument of controversy. Heresies having been
popularized by the hymns of the Gnostics, Ephraem Ssrrus
conceived the idea of counteracting their influence by the
use of orthodox words set to the same melodies. This was
in the second or third century. Athanasius adopted a simi
lar course in the fourth century as an offset to Arianism.
St. John Chrysostom organized nocturnal hymn singing
with processions, which afterward became a settled custom.
By the end of the fifth century the prominence of this ele
ment in the service of the Greek Church " may be under
stood,'' says Selborne, " from the fact that the late Dr.
Neale computed four fifths of the whole space (about five
thousand pages) contained in the different service books of
that church to be occupied by hymnody." The character of
the Greek hymns partook of the varying fortunes of the
Church itself and reflected the ideas which successively ob
tained prominence in its theology. Among the most familiar
translations from Greek sources are, " The day is past and
over," from Anatolius; " Christian, dost thou see them? "
from Andrew of Crete; and "Art thou weary?" from
Stephen the Sabaite.
Latin hymnody is of later birth than the Greek. It was
introduced in the fourth century by Hilary of Poictiers and
Ambrose of Milan. Some of the early writers of Latin hymns
will be mentioned in these pages, and it is unnecessary to
dwell upon them now. Their hymns are thousands in number,
and embrace the greatest variety in subjects, meters and
styles. A complete study of the Latin hymns would require
familiarity with the following works: " Thesaurus Hymno-
logicus," H. A. Daniel, 5 vols.; " Lateinische Hymnen des
Mittelalters," F. J. Mone, 3 vols.; " Das Deutsche Kirchen-
Ued," etc., Vol. I, P. Wackernagel; " Sacred Latin Poetry,
Chiefly Lyrical," R. C. Trench, and the later works of J. M.

Neale, Mrs. Charles, P. Schaff, S. W. Duffield. These have
been studied to some extent in the preparation of this book,
together with Lord Selborne's " History and Development
of Hymns," a monograph reproduced in the Encyclopaedia
Britannica, and the " Dictionary of Hymnology," by John
Julian, M.A. But, as an exhaustive study of all these
writers has been beyond the limits of time which could be
devoted to the subject, owing to the pressure of other duties,
the author has contented himself with a more modest
undertaking, and has confined his attention principally to
Professor March's " Latin Hymns," to which he records
here his sense of great obligation.
In the hope that attention may be called anew to the
Latin hymns and their writers, and that others, having
greater opportunity, may be led to the study of a subject so
interesting and so important, this little book is published.
A few simple rules have guided the author in making his
translations, which it may be well briefly to state. First,
to reproduce the exact thought ; secondly, to seek for musical
and poetic expression; thirdly, to disregard the meter of
the original, when likely to trammel the English verse;
fourthly, to seek the mood and spirit of the original writer,
and let him speak and sing his own message, while we stand
by and devoutly listen; fifthly, not to attempt to rival the
translations of many of the most famous hymns. With
these few principles in view, it has seemed best to reprint
the original hymns face to face with the translations
which have for a few years delightfully occupied the rare
moments of leisure in a busy life.
J. H. V. B.

sdli

CONTENTS PAGE
Introduction . .  v
Christian Hymnody  xi
Hilarius: a.d. 290-368.
Biographical Sketch  1
Hymnus Matutinus  . . 2
Hymnus Matutinus  . . . 6
De Luctu Poenitentiae . . . . 8
Hymnus Pentecostalis  12
Damasus: a.d. 304-384.
Biographical Sketch  17
Hymnus de S. Agatha .  18
Ambrosius: a.d. 340-397.
Biographical Sketch  23
Hymnus Matutinus  ... 24
Hymnus Vespertinus .... ... 28
Hymnus in Postulatione Pluviae . .... 32
Hymnus Tempore Paschali ...  36
In Theophania  . . . 40
Ambrosianus :
Hymnus Paschalis  44
Augustiniani : a.d. 354-430.
Biographical Sketch . .  49
De Gaudiis Paradisi . . . . 50
Antidotum contra Tyrannidem Peccati . ... 60
Prudentius: a.d. 348-420.
Biographical Sketch  63
De Nativitate Domini  64
In Exsequiis  . 70
De Sanctis Innocentibus  74
Fortunatus: a.d. 531-609.
Biographical Sketch  79
De Passione Christi  80
Beda Venerabilis: a.d. 677-736.
Biographical Sketch  85
De Natali Innocentium  86

Notkerus Vetustior: a.d. 850-912.

PARE

Biographical Sketch 

. 93

Antiphona in Morte .... 

. 94

Antiphona: Gloria in Excelsis 

. . 94

Robertus, Rex Galliae: a.d. 971-1031.

Biographical Sketch . . . . .

. 97

Ad Sanctum Spiritum ....

98

Marbod: a.d. 1035-1125.

Biogi-aphical Sketch . .

103

Oratio ad Dominum . .

104

Bernardus ClaravaUensis: a.d. 1091-1153.

Biographical Sketch . . ...

. 107

De Passione Domini: ad Faciem

108

Contemptio Vanitatis Mundi

114

De Nomine lesu . . . .

. 116

Bernardus Cluniacensis : a.d. 1100-1175 (?).

Biographical Sketch
. 121
Hora Novissima
122
Adam de St. Victore: a.d. 1110-1180 (?).
Biographical Sketch . ...
125
De Sanctis Evangelistis
126
Alanus Insulanus: a.d. 1114-1200.
Biographical Sketch ...
131
De Vita Nostra .
132
Thomas a Celano :
Biographical Sketch . .
. 137
Dies Irae
138
Bonaventura: a.d. 1221-1274.
Biographical Sketch .
. 147
De Sancta Cruce . .
148
Hymnus de Passione Domini . .
154
lacoponus: a.d. -1306.
Biographical Sketch 
159
Sequentia de Passione Beatae Virginis .
. . 160
Auctoris Incerti :
Suspirium Amoris 
. 166
De Resurrectione 
170
Maria, Scotiae Regina :
Invocatio 
... 174
FIRST LINES PAGE
Ad coeli clara non sum, dignus .... 8
Ad perennis vitoe fontem . . . ... 50
Aeteme rerum conditor ... ... 24
Aurora lucis rutilat . 44
Beata nobis gaudia . . . 12
Christum ducem, qui per crucem . . 154
Circa thronum maiestatis 126
Da, pusr, plectrum, choreis 64
Deus, creator omnium, . 28
Deus-homo, Rex coelorum . . . 104
Deus, Pater ingenite . . 6
Dies irae, dies ilia . 138
Grates nunc omnes reddamus . . . . . 94
Hie est dies verus Dei ... 36
Hora novissima . . . . 122
Hymnum canentes martyrum  86
lam moesta quiesce  70
lesu dulcis memoria . . ... 116
Inluminans altissimus . . .40
Lu£is largitor splendide 2
Martyris ecce dies  18
Media vita .  .... 94
O Deus, ego amo ie ... . 166
0 Domine Deus!  . . 174
0 miranda vanitas!  . 114
Plaudite coeli . . . . .  170
Quid, tyranne! quid minaris? . .  60
Recordare sanctae crucis  ... 148
Salve, caput cruentatum  .108
Salvete, flores martyrum  74
Squalent arva  . . 32
Stabat mater dolorosa  160
Veni, Sancte Spiritu,s  98
Vexilla regis prodeunt  80
Vita nostra plena bellis  132

HILARIUS PICTAVIENSIS
Hilary was born at Pictavium (Poictiers) about the end
of the third century a.d., of heathen parentage. He was
highly educated, early converted, and became bishop of
Poictiers in 353. By his success in controversy with the
Arians he was known as " Malleus Arianorum" and " the
Athanasius of the West." His Arian opponents persuaded
the Emperor Constantius to banish him to Phrygia in 356.
There he observed the influence of the Greek hymns, and,
on his return in 360, he introduced similar singing into the
services. He wrote and published many contributions to
dogmatic and polemical theology. In 364 he impeached
Auxentius, bishop of Milan, a man high in imperial favor,
as heterodox. Auxentius being summoned to defend him
self, gave satisfactory answers to all the questions which
were asked, and Hilary was expelled from MUan as a disturber
of the peace. His later years were spent in quiet, and he
died January 13, 368. He was designated by Augustine as
" the illustrious doctor of the churches," and by his energy
and courage he holds the highest rank among the Latin
writers of his century. Alcuin ascribes the " Gloria in Ex
celsis " to him, and he has been called the father of Western
hymnology. On the Roman calendar, Hilary's day is
January 14; " Hilary Term " in England begins January 11
and ends January 31. His great collection of spiritual songs,
called " Liber Mysteriorum," mentioned by Jerome, is now
lost.

HILARIUS

HILARIUS PICTAVIENSIS I
Hymnus Matutinus
Lucis largitor splendide,
Cuius sereno lumine
Post lapsa noctis tempera
Dies refusus panditur;
Tu verus mundi Lucifer,
Non is, qui parvi sideris
Venturae lucis nuntius
Angusto fulget lumine,
Sed toto sole clarior,
Lux ipse totus et dies,
Interna nostri pectoris
lUuminans praecordia:
Adesto, rerum conditor,
Paternae lucis gloria,
Cuius admota gratia
Nostra patescunt corpora.

HILARY

HILARY OF POICTIERS
I
Morning Hymn
0 glorious Giver of light,
By whose all-beneficent ray
Are ended the watches of night.
And opened the flood-gates of day;
Light-bearer art Thou to this earth,
Not he who foretells, as the seer,
By flickering starlight, the birth
Of dawn that is yet to appear.
But brighter Thyself than the sun,
Thou art the All-light and the Day,
Thy shining, all radiant One,
Drives all our hearts' darkness away:
Creator of all things, be near,
Thou glory of God's shining face,
Our bodies His temples appear
When touched by Thy marvelous grace.

HILARIUS
Tuoque plena spiritu,
Secum Deum gestantia,
Ne rapientis perfidi
Diris patescant fraudibus,
Ut inter actus seculi
Vitae quos usus exigit,
Omni carentes crimine
Tuis vivamus legibus.
Probrosas mentis castitas
Carnis vincat libidines,
Sanctumque puri corporis
Delubrum servet Spiritus.
Haec spes precantis animae,
Haec sunt votiva munera,
Ut matutina nobis sit
Lux in noctis custodiam.

HILARY
And filled with Thy Spirit the while,
Within them may God be enclosed,
Nor may they to treacherous guile
Of ravaging foes be exposed.
But e'en 'mid employments of time
Which customs of this life shall cause,
May we, without semblance of crime,
Obediently walk in Thy laws.
May purity chaste of the mind
Our bodies' foul passions dethrone,
Within, may Thy Spirit enshrined,
These temples preserve for His own.
And this be our hope and our prayer,
And this our heart's fondest delight.
That morning's glad sunbeams shall bear
Our souls till the safeguard of night.

HILARIUS II
Hymntjs Matutinus
Deus, Pater ingenite,
Et Fill unigenite,
Quos Trinitatis unitas
Sancto connectit Spiritu.
Te frustra nullus invocat,
Nee cassis unquam vocibus
Amator tui luminis
Ad caelum vultus erigit.
Et tu suspirantem Deus,
Vel vota supplicantium,
Vel corda confitentium
Semper benignus aspice.
Nos lucis ortus admonet
Grates deferre debitas,
Tibique laudes dicere,
Quod nox obscura praeterit.
Diem precamur bonum,
Ut nostras, Salvator, actus
Sinceritate perpeti
Pius benigne instruas.

HILARY II
Morning Hymn
O Father, uncreated God,
And Thou, of God the only Son,
Together with the Holy Ghost,
United ever, Three in One.
No man invoketh Thee in vain,
Nor e'er with unavailing sighs
Doth any lover of Thy light
Uplift to heaven his downcast eyes.
Do Thou regard each soul that breathes
The vows which eager suppliants make;
And hearts of them that sin confess,
To Thine eternal favour take.
To render thanks now justly due,
So warneth us the dawn of day;
And praises unto Thee to sing,
That gloomy night hath passed away.
We ask of Thee a goodly day,
That Thou, O Saviour, holy One,
Mayst kindly order all our deeds,
In faultless honour to be done.

HILARIUS

III
De Luctu Poenitentiae
[Fbom AN Abecedary]
Ad coeli clara non sum dignus sidera
Levare meos infelices oculos,
Gravi depressus peccatorum pondere:
Parce, Redemptor!
Bonum neglexi facere, quod debui,
Probrosa gessi sine fine crimina,
Scelus patravi nullo clausum termino:
Subveni, Christe!
Lugere mode me permitte, Domine,
Mala, quae gessi, reus ab infantia,
Lacrimas mihi tua donet gratia
Cordis ab imo.
Meis, ut puto, vitiis Tartarea
Tormenta multis non valent sufficere,
Nisi succurrat, Christe, tua pietas
Misero mihi.

HILARY

III
Of THE Sorrow of Repentance
[From an Alphabet Hymn]
Although I am not worthy e'en to rest
My hapless eyes on stars of heaven so fair,
Beneath the burden of my sins oppressed:
Redeemer of my soul, I pray Thee, spare!
By me how oft imdone the good I ought,
How endless are the evils I have done;
How numberless the secret wrongs I've wrought;
My help must come from Thee, O Christ, alone!
Let me, 0 Lord, but mourn my deeds of shame,
A sinner even from my earliest years,
One favour still my inmost heart shall claim.
That Thou wilt grant to me relief in tears.
Methinks that all of hell's tormenting pains
Amends for my transgressions cannot make,
Except, 0 Christ, my wretched spirit gains
Sufficient aid, for Thy dear mercy's sake.

10 HILARIUS
Redemptor mundi, unica spes omnium,
Aequalis Patri Sanctoque Spiritui,
Trinus et unus Deus invisibilis,
Mihi succurre!
Si me subtili pensas sub libramine,
Spes in me nulla remanet fiduciae,
Sed rogativa me salvet potentia
Filius Dei.
Xriste, te semper recta fide labiis
Confessus, corde credidi orthodoxo,
Haereticorum dogma nefas respui
Pectore pure.
Ymnum fideli modulando gutture
Arrium sperno, latrantem Sabellium,
Assensi nunquam grunnienti Simoni
Fauce susurra.
Zelum pro Christi sum. zelatus nomine,
Nam sancta mater lacte me catholico
Tempus per omne nutrivit Ecclesia
Ubere sacro.
Gloria Sanctae Trinitati unicae
Sit Deo Patri, Genito, Paraclito,
Laus meo sonet in ore perpetuum
Domini semper.

HILARY' II
Redeemer of the world, man's hope alone.
With Father and with Holy Ghost divine,
Thou unseen Godhead ever Three in One,
0 be Thy mighty succour henceforth mine!
Shouldst Thou but weigh me in Thine equal scale,
In me nor hope nor courage would remain;
But still Thy power to save me would not fail,
0 Son of God, whose aid none seeks in vain.
Xrist, ever have I Thee with faith correct.
With heart and lips most orthodox, confessed,
Disdaining sinful dogmas of each sect
That sought a resting place in my pure breast.
Yea, I despise the mocking Arian's whine,
The low Sabellian's barking, dog-like howl;
Nor have I joined with Simon's filthy swine
Whose jaws are ever parted with a growl.
Zeal for the name of Christ have I confessed;
For holy mother Church, with milk sincere,
Hath nourished me, and from her sacred breast
Hath fed me through each swiftly passing year.
To God the Father, Son and Paraclete,
Shall glory be ascribed, 0 Three in One,
And evermore the praise will I repeat
Of Thee, O Lord, while time its course shall run.

12 HILARIUS

IV
Hymnus Pentecostalis
Beata nobis gaudia
Anni reduxit orbita,
Cum Spiritus paraclitus
Illapsus est discipulis.
Ignis vibrante lumine
Linguae figuram detidit.
Verbis ut essent profiui.
El charitate fervidi.
Linguis loquuntur omnium;
Turbae pavent gentilium:
Musto madere deputant,
Quos Spiritus repleverat.
Patrata sunt haec mystice,
Paschae peracto tempore,
Sacro dierum circulo.
Quo lege fit remissio.

HILARY 13

IV
A Pentecostal Hymn
The year's brief round on flying feet
Hath our blest joys restored,
Since now is God, the Paraclete,
On His disciples poured.
With lambent flame, the fire to each
Brought tongues from heaven above,
That they might fluent be in speech
And glow with hearts of love.
Speaking with tongues of all, they come;
The throng with fear is stilled:
Then mocks them as though drunken, whom
The Holy Ghost hath filled.
In mystery these things are done;
The Paschal season o'er.
The days their sacred course have run,
Our freedom comes once more.

14 HILARIUS
Te nunc, piissime Deus,
Vultu precamur cernuo:
Illapsa nobis coelitus
Largire dona Spiritus!
Dudum sacrata pectora
Tua replesti gratia,
Dimitte riostra crimina,
Et da quieta tempera !

HILARY 15
0 God most merciful, to Thee
We pray with downcast face;
Bestow on us abundantly
Thy Spirit's heavenly grace!
Already Thou with gifts divine
Hast filled each hallowed breast,
O banish sin from that pure shrine
And grant us peaceful rest!

DAMASUS
Authorities differ as to the place of his birth, about 304
A.D., probably in Spain or Portugal. He was the thirty-ninth
Bishop of Rome, consecrated 366 a.d., and died in 384.
His character is of renowned or doubtful virtue, according
to the prejudices of the historians. During his occupancy
of the papal throne, a law was promulgated by the Emperor'
Valentinian prohibiting the clergy from permitting or in
fluencing penitents to enrich them. Damasus had a con
flict with the antipope, Ursinus, to maintain his position
as pope, and the struggle resulted in bloodshed. Gibbon
says that Damasus " had the good sense or the good for
tune to engage in his service the zeal and abilities of the
learned Jerome, and the grateful saint has celebrated the
merit and purity of a very ambiguous character." The-
odoret, however, places him " at the head of the famous
doctors of the Latin Church."

17

18 damasus

DAMASUS
Hymnus de S. Agatha
Martyris ecce dies Agathae
Virginis emicat eximiae,
Christus eam sibi qua social
Et diadema duplex decerat.
Stirpe decens, elegans specie,
Sed magis actibus atque fide,
Terrea prespera nil reputans,
lussa Dei .sibi corde ligans,
Fortior haec trucibusque viris
Exposuit sua, membra flo^gris;
Pectore quam fuerit valido
Torta mamilla docet patulo.
Deliciae cui career erat.
Pastor ovem Petrus hanc recreat;
Inde gavisa magisque flagrans
Cuncta flagella cucurrit ovans.

damasus 19

DAMASUS
A Hymn of St. Agatha
Now behold, the glad day of Saint Agatha comes,
Blessed martyr and virgin renowned,
In the which Christ hath taken her unto Himself,
And with diadem twofold hath crowned.
Though distinguished by birth, and of beauteous
form,
Yet in faith and in works she excelled;
Disregarding all earthly possessions and wealth.
In her heart God's commandments she held.
And this maiden far braver than barbarous men,
To their scourges her body laid bare;
With what mighty endurance her soul was endowed
Let her tortured breast plainly declare.
To this lamb for whose comfort a dungeon was given,
Comes the shepherd, Saint Peter, to bless;
Thence, rejoicing and evermore ardent, she ran,
Through all tortures exultant to press.

20 DAMASUS
Ethnica turba rogum jugiens
Huius et ipsa meretur opem;
Quos fidei titulus decorat,
His Venerem magis ipsa premat.
lam renitens quasi sponsa polo
Pro miseris supplica Domino,
Sic sua festa coli facial
Se celehrantibus ut faveat.
Gloria cum Patre sit Genito,
Spirituique proinde sacro,
Qui Deus unus et omnipotens
Hanc nostri facial memorem.

DAMASUS 21
Lo, the throng of barbarians fleeing from death.
Her assistance deservedly claim;
But in those whom the name of the faithful adorns.
May she quench passion's deadlier flame.
As a bride, with thy Lord interceding in heaven.
For the wretched, 0 kneel at His throne;
So thy festival day may He cause to be loved.
As He favors those keeping His own.
To the Son, with the Father and Spirit, henceforth
Be all glory and honour and laud:
We beseech Thee to keep her still mindful of us,
O Thou one and omnipotent God.

AMBROSIUS
A native of Treves in Gaul, the great bishop of MUan,
champion of orthodoxy against the Arians, teacher of Au
gustine, master of the art of eloquence, Ambrose is one of
the most conspicuous figures in ecclesiastical history. He
was born about 340 a.d., consecrated bishop in 374, and
died in 397. His character has not escaped the breath of
calumny, but all efforts at detraction have failed to remove
him from the high estimation historv has accorded to him.
His reluctance to accept the office of bishop seems to have
been sincere, and his integrity in the administration of the
office as marked as the simplicity of his life. He was of
noble birth and high education. The undoubted author of
many hymns, there are many more ascribed to him which
he probably did not compose. Duffield says: " The bishop
met three great enemies during his career. First appeared
Idolatry, championed by Symmachus; then followed Heresy,
championed by Justina; and now came Despotism, behind
which stood the beloved Theodosius." His bones Tvere
deposited in the church of San Ambrogio, the cathedral
which stands on the old site in the city of Milan, where a
church was built in 387.

23

24 ambrosius

AMBROSIUS I
Hymnus Matutinus
Aeterne rerum conditor,
Noctem diemque qui regis,
Et temporum das tempera,
Ut alleves fastidium;
Praeco diei iam sonat,
Noctis profundae pervigil,
Nocturna lux viantibus,
A node noctem segregans.
Hoc excitatus lucijer
Solvit polum caligine,
Hoc omnis errorum chorus
Viam nocendi deserit.
Hoc nauta vires colligit
Pontique mitescunt freta,
Hoc ipsa petra ecclesiae
Canente culpam diluit.

AMBROSE 25

AMBROSE

I
Morning Hymn
Creator everlasting, Thou
Who rulest night and day,
And giv'st the boundaries of time.
Our weariness to stay;
Now sounds the herald of the morn
Who through deep night abides,
A sleepless guide for wandering feet,
And night from night divides.
Awaked by him, the morning star
From gloom clears all the sky.
While error's every host, at this,
Their evil courses fly.
The sailor now regains his strength,
The sea's wild waves grow tame.
As, at this sound, the Church's rock
Himself deplored his shame.

26 ambrosius
Surgamus ergo strenue!
Callus iacentes excitat,
Et somnolentos increpat,
Callus negantes arguit.
Gallo canente spes redit,
Aegris salus refunditur,
Mucro latrenis conditur,
Lapsis fides revertitur.
lesu, labentes respice,
Et nos videndo corrige,
Si respicis, lapsus cadunt,
Fletuque ctdpa solvitur.
Tu lux refulge sensihus,
Mentisque somnum discute,
Te nostra vox primum sonet
Et ore psallamus tibi.

AMBROSE 27
Then let us rise up valiantly!
The cock rings forth his cry.
He doth upbraid the slumberers.
Refutes those who deny.
When crows the cock our hope returns,
Health o'er the sick is poured,
The robber's sword is safely sheathed.
The faint find faith restored.
0 Jesus, mark us when we fall.
And by Thy look restrain.
Our errors cease, if Thou behold.
And tears wash out their stain.
Thou Ijight upon our senses shine,
Our minds' dull sleep dispel.
Our voices first shall sing to Thee,
Our mouth Thy praises tell.

28 AMBROSIUS

II
Hymnus Vespertinus
Deus, creator omnium
Polique rector, vestiens
Diem decoro lumine,
Noctem soporis gratia,
Artus solutes ut quies
Reddat laboris usui,
Mentesque fessas allet)et
Luctusque solval anxios.
Grates peracto iam die
Et noctis exortu preces,
Votis, reos id adiuves,
Hymnum canentes solvimus.
Te cordis ima concinant,
Te vox canora concrepet,
Te diligat castus amor,
Te mens adoret sobria.

AMBROSE 29

II
Evening Hymn
God who hast created all.
Sovereign Ruler throned on high.
Day's bright vestures from Thee fall,
Grace of sleep when night draws nigh.
May sweet rest these weary frames
To their wonted toil restore.
Lift our souls from sordid claims,
Banish grief to come no more.
Now the day its course hath run.
As Thou bidd'st, our prayers we raise;
Now the darkness stealeth on,
Hymns we sing of joy and praise.
Thee our inmost hearts would sing,
Thee would sing each tuneful voice;
Yielding love's pure offering,
Our adoring souls rejoice.

30 AMBROSIUS
Ut cum profunda clauserit
Diem cnligo noctium,
Fides tenebras nesciat
Et nox fide reluceat.
Dormire mentem ne sinas,
Dormire culpa noverit;
Castes fides refrigerans
Somni vaporem temperet.
Exuta sensu lubrico
Te cordis alta somnient,
Ne hostis invidi dole
Pavor quietos suscitet.
Christum rogemus et Palrem
Christi Patrisque Spiritum,
Unum potens per omnia
Fove precantes Trinitas.

AMBROSE 31
So when deepening shades of night
Round the day their folds entwine.
Faith shall put all gloom to flight,
And by faith the night shall shine.
Suffer not our souls to sleep
Slumbers which the sinful knows:
Faith with cooling powers keep
Fevered dreams from our repose.
Emptied of each stealthy sense,
Dreams of Thee our souls shall fill;
Nor shall foeman's violence
Rouse from rest with fear of ill.
Unto thee, 0 Christ, we pray,
Father, Spirit, One in Three,
Keep us by Thy might alway.
Ever blessed Trinity.

32 AMBROSIUS III
Hymnus in Postulatione Pluviae
Squalent arva soli pulvere multo.
Pallet siccus ager, terra fatiscit,
Nidlus ruris hones, nulla venustas,
Qunndo nulla viret gratia florum.
Tellus dura sitit, nescia roris,
Fens iam nescit aquas, flumina cursus,
Herham nescit humus, nescit aratrum.
Magna rupta patet turpis hiatu.
Fervens sole dies, igneus ardor
Ipsas urit aves, frondea rami
Fessis tecta negant, pulvis arenae
Sicco dispuitur ore viantis.
Ventis ora ferae, bestia ventis,
Captantesque viri fiamina ventis,
Ventis et volucres ora recludunt,
Hac mulcere sitim fraude volentes.
Foetus cerva sues, pignora cerva,
Foetus cerva siti fessa recusal,
Foetus cerva pios moesta relinquit,
Quaesitam quoniam non vehit herham.
Venerunl iuvenes pocula noti
Quaerentes putei, lymphaque fugit,

AMBROSE 33
III
Hymn in Supplication for Rain
Squalid, the glebe, with thick-strewn dust, is lying;
Parched is the plain; the land is cracked and dried;
Glory and grace from flowery meads are dying;
Beauty and bloom in earth no more abide.
Thirsts the dry land, in vain, for dews of morning;
Rivers and springs forsake their wonted course;
Withered the grass, the plowshare earth is scorning,
Gaping and cloven by some baleful force.
Daily the sun with ardent, fiery glowing.
Scorches the very birds whose leafy nest
Gives them no shelter; dust the pilgrim blowing
From his dry mouth, is vainly seeking rest.
Wild beasts and cattle, men and birds of heaven
Open their mouths to drink the winds that seethe ;
Longing their thirst t' assuage, if it be given.
By fond deception: naught but flames they breathe.
Hinds e'en refuse the offspring that they cherish;
Hinds fagged with thirst their tender young
forsake.
Hinds in their grief their young must leave to
perish,
Since in their search no juicy herb they take.
Youths come with bowls, to well-known cisterns
wending,
Come but to find the limpid waters flown;

34 AMBROSIUS
Et vasis vacuis tecta revisunt,
Fletus, heu ! proprios ore bibentes.
Bos praesepe suum linquit inane,
Pratorumque volens carpere gramcn
Nudam versat humum: sic pecus omne
Fraudatum moriens labitur herbis.
Radices nemorum rustica plebes
Explorat misero curva labor e,
Solarique famem cortice quaerit,
Nee succos teneros arida praestat.
Hanc peccata famem nostra merentur,
Sed merce propria, Christe, faveto.
Quo culpa gravior gratia maior
lusti supplicii vincla resolvat.
Iam coeles reseres, arvaque taxes
Fecundo placidus imbre rogamus;
Heliae meritis impia saecla
Donasti pluvia: nos quoque dones!
Aeterne Genitor, gloria Christo
Semper cum Genito sit tibi Sancto
Compar Spiritui, qui Deus unus
Pollens perpetuis inclyte saeclis!

AMBROSE 35
Then with their empty vessels homeward tending,
Weep the.y, alas! and drink but tears alone.
Kine that from empty stalls their way have taken.
Hoping to graze the meadows' scant supplies,
Mumble the soil denuded and forsaken;
Thus all the herd, of herbs defrauded, dies.
Seeking for roots, to depths of woodland flying,
Wretched, the rustics all their toil apply;
Fain would with bark their want be satisfying:
Dried up, no scantiest sap it doth supply.
Justly our guilt this retribution needeth;
Yet for Thine own sake, Christ, our prayer approve :
And by as much as guilt in us exceedeth.
May Thine abounding grace our bonds remove.
Open the heavens, by Thy benignant powers.
Bless, we beseech, with fruitful rain the field;
Once to a sinful race Thou gavest showers
Hearing Elijah: — to us likewise yield!
Father eternal, glory shall be given
Ever to Thee, with Christ Thine only Son,
And to the Holy Spirit, One in heaven,
Might and dominion while the ages run!

36 AMBROSIUS

IV
Hymnus Tempore Paschali
Hie est dies verus Dei,
Sancto serenus lumine,
Quo diluit sanguis sacer
Probrosa mundi crimina,
Fidem refundens perditis,
Caecosque visu illuminans:
Quern non gravi solvit metu
Latrenis absolutio?
Qui praemio mutans crucem
lesum brevi acquirit fide,
lustusque praevio gradu
Pervenit in regnum Dei.
Opus stupent et angeli,
Poenam videntes corporis,
Christoque adhaerentem reum
Vitam heatam carpere.

AMBROSE 37

IV
A Hymn for Eastertide
This is in truth the day of God,
With holy light serene,
On which the world's disgraceful sins
His sacred blood made clean.
Restoring faith to sinners lost.
For blind, with sight it glows:
To whom doth not the pardoned thief
Release from fear disclose?
Who with quick faith exchanged the cross
For Jesus, his reward,
And entered, even ere the just,
The kingdom of his Lord.
The angels marvel at the deed,
They see the body's pain,
And yet the guilty, joined to Christ,
Life's fullest blessings gain.

38 AMBROSIUS
Mysterium mirabile,
Ut ahluat mundi luem,
Peccata tollit omnium,
Carnis vitia mundans care.
Quid hoc potest sublimius,
Ut culpa quaerat gratiam
Metumque solvat caritas
Reddatque mors vitam novamf
Hamum sibi mors devoret
Suisque se nodis liget:
Moriatur vita omnium
Resurgat ut vita omnium.
Gum mors per omnes transeat,
Omnes resurgant mortui:
Consumpta mors ictu sue
Perisse se solam gemit.

AMBROSE 39
0 mystery most wonderful!
Of curse the world to cure
The flesh that cleanseth sins of flesh
Doth all men's sins endure.
Than this what can be more sublime.
That guilt for grace should sue.
That perfect love should cast out fear.
And death should life renew?
Death gulps the hook, and then himself
With his own knots he ties:
The Life of all men dies^ that so
The life of all may rise.
Since death on all hath passed, may all
The dead arise once more:
And Death, destroyed by his own blow,
His death alone deplore.

40 AMBROSIUS

V
In Theophania
Inluminans altissimus
Micantium astrorum globes,
Pax, vita, lumen, Veritas,
lesu, fave precantihus;
Seu mystico baptismate
Fluenta lordanis retro
Conversa quodam tempore
Praesente sacraris die;
Seu Stella partum virginis
Coelo micans signaverit,
Et hac adoratum die
Praesepe mages duxerit;
Vel hydriis plenis aqua
Vini saporem fuderis,
Hausit minister conscius,
Quod ipse non impleverat.

AMBROSE 41

V
For the Epiphany
0 Thou who shinest from on high
Upon each gleaming planet's sphere,
Thou Peace, and Life, and Light, and Truth,
0 Jesus, now Thy suppliants hear.
Or whether Thou by mystic rite
Didst hallow, on this very day.
The Jordan's stream that once of old
Was reverently turned away;
Or whether, gleaming in the heaven,
The star disclosed the Virgin's Son,
And on this day the magi led
To worship at Thy manger throne;
Or Thou didst then the taste infuse
Of wine, in jars with water stored.
The servant drew, though knowing well
That naught therein himself had poured.

42 AMBROSIUS
Aquas colorari videns,
Inebriare flumina,
Elementa mutata stupet
Transire in usus alteros.
Sic quinque millibus virum
Dum quinque panes dividis,
Edentium sub dentibus
In ore crescehat cihus;
Multiplicabatur magis
Dispendio panis suo,
Quis haec videns mirabitur
luges meatus fauciumf
Inter manus frangentium
Panis rigatur profluus,
Intacta, quae non fregerant,
Fragmenta subrepunt viris.

AMBROSE 43
Beholding then the waters blush
In an intoxicating flood,
Too greatly wondering at the change
To turn to other things, he stood.
And so, when to five thousand men
Five loaves of bread Thou didst divide,
And even whilst they ate, the food
Within their mouths was multiplied;
The bread was multiplied far more
Than even that which had been spent;
And seeing this, who still will feel.
At feasting men, astonishment?
And whilst they break, within their hands
The bread a flowing stream becomes.
And lo! that which they did not break
Creeps to the men, untouched, in crumbs.

44 AMBROSIANUS
AMBROSIANUS I
Hymnus Paschalis
Aurora lucis rutilat.
Caelum laudihus intonat,
Mundus exultans iubilat,
Gemens infernus ululat.
Cum rex ille fertissimus.
Mortis confractis viribus,
Pede conculcans Tartara
Solvit a poena miseres!
Ille, qui clausus lapide
Custoditur sub milite,
Triumphans pompa nohili
Victor surgit de funere.
Solutis iam gemitibus
Et inferni doloribus,
" Quia surrexit Dominus!"
Resplendens clamat angelus.
Tristes erant apostoli
De nece sui Domini,
Quern poena mortis crudeli
Servi damnarant impii.

LAUS DEO Fra Angttico

ambrosian 45
AMBROSIAN I
Easter Hymn
Crimson glows the ruddy morning,
Alleluias fill the skies,
Earth rejoices, hell is mourning,
Mingled groans and shouts arise;
For the King, renowned, all glorious,
Comes His captive saints to free,
Over death and hell victorious.
Pain and woe before Him flee!
Vain the rock with sealed portal.
Him no Roman guard can keep,
Lo! in triumph clad, immortal,
He, the Victor, wakes from sleep.
Groans forevermore are ended,
Ended now the woes of hell,
"Jesus hath from death ascended!"
Angels bright the message tell.
Chosen ones, with visage mournful,
Wept their Lord, betrayed and slain
By the cruel, base and scornful,
Tortured, agonized with pain.

46 AMBROSIANUS
Sermone blande angelus
Praedixit mulierihus;
"In Galilaea Dominus
Videndus est quantocius!"
Illae dum pergunt concite
Apostolis hoc dicere,
Videntes eum vivere
Osculantur pedes Domini.
Que agnito discipuli
In Galilaeam prepere
Pergunt videre faciem
Desideratam Domini.
Claro paschali gaudio
Sol mundo nitet radio,
Cum Christum iam apostoli
Visu cernunt corporeo.
Ostensa sibi vulnera
In Christi came fulgida
Resurrexisse Dominum
Voce fatentur publica.
Rex Christe clementissime,
Tu corda nostra posside,
Ut tibi laudes debitas
Reddamus omni tempore!

AMBROSIAN 47
Now with voices wondrous tender.
Angels to the women speak,
" Homage to your Master render,
Him in Galilee go seek."
While they now with joy and fearing
Speed, the message to repeat.
They behold the Lord appearing.
Worship Him, and kiss His feet.
When His brethren learn the story,
Hasten they to Galilee;
There, in resurrection glory.
Longing sore His face to see.
Now the world with light rejoices.
Cloudless beams the Easter sun.
Saints lift up exultant voices,
They have seen th' Anointed One.
Seen by them, His body, wounded,
Shines as with celestial light,
Christ, with witnesses surrounded.
Stands confessed, the Lord of might.
Christ, Thou King, most gracious ever,
Claim these restless hearts of ours,
That with rapture ending never.
We may justly praise Thy powers!

AUGUSTINE
It is probable that Augustine wrote no hymns. The hsrmns
which are called Augustinian are associated with his name
because they are based upon some of his sayings and were
formerly supposed to have been of his composition. He was
born at Tagasta, in Numidia, November 13, 3,54 a.d. In
his youth he was profligate, but was the object of most
devoted prayer on the part of his mother, Monica. In 386
he came under the spell of the eloquent Ambrose at Milan,
was converted, and became bishop of Hippo in Africa, in
396. He is the most famous of all the Latin fathers and
the most influential. He was called " the Numidian Lion."
Tradition connects the " Te Deum " with him and Ajiibrose,
as having been spontaneously uttered in responsive verses
by them at the baptism of Augustine.
Of the works of Augustine, says Professor March, " ' The
Confessions' — his autobiography, — is most read; 'The
Gty of God ' most praised." His power is felt to this day
in theology, his hand is seen in the shaping of creeds and
systems in every century since his own. He died August
28, 430.

49

50 AUGUSTINIANI

AUGUSTINIANI I
De Gaudiis Paradisi
Ad perennis vitae fontem mens sitivit arida;
Claustra carnis praesto frangi clausa quaerit anima:
Gliscit, ambit, eluctatur exul frui patria.
Dum pressuris ac aerumnis se gemit obnoxiam,
Quam amisit, dum deliquit, contemplatur gloriam,
Praesens malum auget boni perditi memoriam.
Nam quis premat summae pads quanta sit laetitia,
Ubi vivis margaritis surgunt aedificia,
Auro celsa micant tecta, radiant triclinia?

AUGUSTINIAN 61

AUGUSTINIAN

I
Of the Joys of Paradise
For the fount of life immortal
Oft hath longed my thirsty soul;
Now this body's sealed portal
Open wide my heart would roll;
For it strives and yearns, an exile,
To enjoy its destined goal.
While it grieves, itself regarding,
Unto cares and woes a prey,
And beholds what priceless glory
It through sin hath cast away,
Present evil aids remembrance
Of the good now lost for aye.
Who can tell how great the gladness
Of the perfect peace must be,
Where of living pearls the temples
Rise in wondrous symmetry.
Where on high the roof gleams golden
And the feast is fair to see?

52 AUGUSTINIANI
Solis genimis pretiosis haec structura nectitur;
Auro mundo, tanquam vitro, urbis via sternitur;
Abest limus, deest fimus, lues nulla cernitur.
Hiems horrens, aestas torrens illic nunquam .saeviunt;
Flos perpetuus rosarum ver agit perpetuum;
Candent lilia, rubescit crocus, sudat balsamum.
Virent prata, vernant sata, rivi mellis influunt;
Pigmentorum spiral odor, liquor et arematum;
Pendent poma floridorum non lapsura nemorum.
Non alternat luna vices, sol vel cursus siderum;
Agnus est felicis urbis lumen inecciduum;
Nex et tempus desunt ei, diem fert continuum.

AUGUSTINIAN 53
And this temple hath been builded
Out of precious gems alone;
With fine gold as though with crystal
Is the city's highway strown;
Mire and dirt and every substance
That defileth is unknown.
Horrid winter, torrid summer,
Never rage in that blest place;
Bloom perpetual of roses
Makes a ceaseless springtime grace;
Lilies gleam, distills the balsam,
Glows the blushing crocus' face.
Fields are green with harvests teeming,
There the gentle streamlets flow;
Waters are with fragrance laden,
All the airs bright colors show;
Fruits of flowery groves are hanging,
Fruits that no decay shall know.
There the moon no change observeth.
Sun by day, nor stars by night;
For the Lamb, of that blest city,
Is the never-failing light;
Night and time to it are wanting.
There the endless day beams bright.

54 AUGUSTINIANI
Afam et sancti quique velut sol praeclarus rutilant;
Post triumphum coronati mutuo coniuhilant,
Et prostrati pugnas hostis iam securi numerant.
Omni lobe defaecati carnis bella nesciunt.
Care facta spiritalis et mens unum sentiunt;
Pace multa perfruentes scandalum non perferunt.
Mutabilibus exuti repetunt originem,
Et praesentem veritatis contemplantur speciem,
Hinc vitalem vivi fontis hauriunt dulcedinem.
Inde statum semper idem existendi capiunt;
Clari, vividi, iucundi nullis patent casibus:
Ahsunt morbi semper sanis, senectus iuvenibus.

AUGUSTINIAN 55
For the saints are robed in glory,
Each one radiant as the sun;
After triumph, crowned victorious
All together joy as one;
Now secure, they count the battles
Over vanquished foemen won.
There they know no wars nor fighting,
From all carnal stains made free;
Flesh and mind of spirit rendered,
In one thought they all agree;
Peace abundant still enjoying.
There they no temptation see.
Stripped of everything that changes.
Their Original they trace,
And of Truth, the everlasting,
See the ever-present face;
Thence as from a living fountain
Drink they sweetness, life and grace.
Thence they gain that blest existence
Which unchangingly remains;
They all pure and bright and joyous.
Never meet with griefs nor pains;
To their health disease is wanting.
Age o'er youth no victory gains.

56 AUGUSTINIANI
Hinc perenne tenent esse, nam transire transiit;
Inde virent, vigent, florent: corruptela corruit,
Immortalitatis vigor mortis ius ahsorbuit.
Qui Scientem cuncta sciunt, quid nescire nequeuntf
Nam et pectoris arcana penetrant alterutrum;
Unum volunt, unum nolunt, unitas est mentium.
Licet cuiquam sit diversum pro labore meritum,
Caritas hoc facit suum, quod, dum amat alterum,
Proprium sic singulerum fit commune omnium.
Ubi corpus illic iure congregantur aquilae;
Quo cum angelis et sanctae recreantur animae,
Uno pane vivunt cives utriusque patriae.

AUGUSTINIAN 57
Hence they hold a life perennial,
For to pass hath passed away;
Hence they grow and bloom and flourish;
Death is dead and turned to clay:
Strength immortal hath been able
Death's dread law itself to slay.
They who know the One all-knowing.
What can such as they not know?
To the heart's profoundest secrets
Of each other shall they go;
One their will, one their refusal.
Unity of minds they show.
Though to each one for his labor
Diverse merit we may see,
Love, when it hath found its object,
For its own makes this sweet plea:
That, whate'er to each belongeth
Common right of all must be.
Where the carcass may be lying
There will flock the birds of prey;
And where saintly souls, with angels.
Find refreshment, e'en as they.
On one bread live they of this land
And of that land far away.

58 AUGUSTINIANI
Novas semper melodias vox meloda concrepat,
Et in iubilum prolata mulcent aures ergana,
Digna per quern sunt victor es regi dant praeconia.
Christe, palma bellatorum, hoc in municipium
Introduc me post solutum militare cingulum;
Fac consortem donativi beatorum civium!
Probes vires inexhausto laboranti proelio,
Nee quietem post procinctum deneges emerito,
Teque merear potiri sine fine praemio!

AUGUSTINIAN 59
There new songs melodious voices
Evermore in chorus raise.
Organs there in jubilation
Soothe the ear with tuneful lays.
To the King by whom they triumph
Give they worthy meed of praise.
Christ who art Thyself the palm-branch
Of Thy soldiers brave and tried.
Bring me into that strong city
When my sword is laid aside.
To a share in all Thy glory,
'Mid the blest, my footsteps guide!
Prove the strength of each one struggling
In the battle not yet won.
Nor refuse to all Thy warriors
Well-earned rest when strife is done,
Thee to win may I be worthy,
My Reward while ages run.

60 AUGUSTINIANI II
Antidotum contra Tyrannidem Peccati
Quid, tyranne! quid minaris f
Quid usquam poenarum est,
Quidquid tandem machinaris:
Hoc amanti parum est.
Dulce mihi cruciari,
Parva vis doloris est:
"Male mori quam feedari!"
Maior vis amoris est.
Para rogos, quamvis truces,
Et quiquid flagrorum est;
Adde ferrum, adde cruces;
Nil adhuc amanti est.
Dulce mihi cruciari,
Parva vis doloris est:
"Male mori quam foedari!"
Maior vis amoris est.
Nimis blandus dolor ille!
Una mors, quam brevis est!
Cruciatus amo mille,
Omnis poena levis est.
Dulce mihi sauciari,
Parva vis deloris est:
"Male mori quam foedari!"
Maior vis amoris est.

AUGUSTINIAN 61
II
A Cure for the Tyranny of Sin
What, 0 tyrant! What dost threaten?
What thou hast Qf pain.
Whatsoever thou contrivest;
Love counts this but vain.
Sweet it is for me to suffer,
Short is pain's brief hour:
" Than disgrace, to die is nobler! "
Love hath greatest power.
Bring thy funeral piles so cruel,
Scourges, if it please;
Bring the sword and bitter crosses;
Love recks naught of these.
Sweet it is for me to suffer,
Short is pain's brief hour:
"Than disgrace, to die is nobler! "
Love hath greatest power.
Nay, too gentle is that suffering!
Once to die, how slight!
Still I love, through countless tortures.
Every pain is light.
Sweet it is to be afflicted
Short is pain's brief hour:
"Than disgrace, to die is nobler! "
Love hath greatest power.

PRUDENTIUS
Aurelius Prudentius Clemens was born in the year 348,
probably at Calahorra, near Saragossa, in Spain. He seems
to have been of good family and to have received a liberal
education. Few names have been the subject of more
numerous conjectures than his, and few present fewer
details that can be assuredly received as authentic. In his
youth rhetoric was one of his pursuits, and his life at the
age of twenty seems to have been a profligate one.
He was called to the bar and became a judge in two cities,
possibly Toledo and Cordova. It was not until late in life
that he embraced the pursuit of literature. At fifty-seven
he gave himself to the serious and sacred calling of a Chris
tian, and from that time lived in retirement and devoted
himself to the service of God. He has been called " the
Horace and Virgil of the Christians"; " Poeta eximius —
eruditissimus et sanctissimus scriptor"; "The first Christian
poet." These praises are doubtless too high for his deserv
ing. He died some time between 410 and 424 a.d., but at
what place in Spain is uncertain.

63

64 PRUDENTIUS

I
De Nativitate Domini
Da, puer, plectrum, choreis
Ut canam fidelibus
Dulce carmen et melodum,
Gesta Christi insignia.
Hunc camena nostra solum
Pangat, hunc laudet lyra.
Corde natus ex parentis
Ante mundi exordium,
A et il cogneminatus.
Ipse fens et clausula
Omnium, quae sunt, fuerunt,
Quaeque post futura sunt.
Corporis formam caduci.
Membra morti obnoxia
Induit, ne gens periret
Protoplasti ex germine,
Merserat quern lex profundo
Noxialis Tartaro.

MADONNA DELLA SED[A

Raphael

PRUDENTIUS 65

I
The Nativity of Our Lord
Come, give me, child, the tuneful lute,
That I, in faithful verse, may sound, —
A song both sweet and musical, —
The mighty deeds of Christ renowned.
Of Him alone our muse shall sing.
Our lyre His praise alone resound.
Begotten of the Father's breast,
Before the world began to be,
The Alpha and Omega named.
Beginning and the ending He,
Of all the things that are and were,
And all that future time shall see,
He took the form of fallen flesh.
Its members subject to decay.
Lest that fair race which once had sprung
From primal seed, should pass away.
Which race, into the depths of hell
The law had plunged with baleful sway.

66 PRUDENTIUS
0 beatus ortus ille,
Virgo cum puerpera
Edidit nostrum salutem
Foeta Sancto Spiritu,
Et puer, redemptor orbis,
Os sacratum pretulit.
Psallat altitude coeli;
Psallat omnis angelus;
Quidquid est virtutis usquam
Psallat in laudem Dei:
Nulla linguarum silescat,
Vox et omnis consonet.
Ecce! quem vates vetustis
Concinehant seculis;
Quem prophetarum fideles
Paginae spoponderant,
Emicat pr omissus olim:
Cuncta cellaudent eum!
Te senes et te iuventus,
Parvulorum te chorus,
Turba matrum virginumque,
Simplices puellulae
Voce Concordes pudicis
Perstrepant concentihus.

PRUDENTIUS 67
0 blest was that nativity.
When bringing forth her first-born Child
The Virgin our Salvation bore
Conceived by Spirit undefiled.
And He, Child-Saviour of the world,
Lift up His holy face and smiled.
Then sing the utmost height of heaven;
Let all the holy angels sing;
And every power where'er it be
God's praises let it gladly bring;
Nor mute let any tongue remain.
Together let all voices ring.
Behold! the One whom holy seers
Were wont to sing in days of old;
And whom the faithful page, inscribed
By prophets' hand, had long foretold.
He shineth forth the promised One;
Let Him by all things be extolled!
Thee let old age and Thee let youth.
And Thee let praise the children's choir.
Let matrons' and the virgins' throng.
Let simple maids in voice conspire
With one accord in modest lays
To make resoimd Thy praises higher.

68 PRUDENTIUS
Fluminum lapsus et unda,
Littorum crepidines,
Imber, aestus, nix, pruina.
Aura, silva, nox, dies
Omnibus te concelebrani
Saeculorum saeculis!

PRUDENTIUS 69
Let rushing floods and swelling waves.
And frowning cliffs that skirt the shore,
Let storm and sunshine, frost and snow.
And winds that through the forests roar.
And night and day Thy praises tell
Throughout all ages evermore.

70 PRUDENTIUS

II
In Exsequiis
Iam moesta quiesce querela,
Lacrymas suspendite, matres!
Nullus sua pignora plangat:
Mors haec reparatio vitae est.
Quidnam sibi saxa cavata,
Quid pulchra volunt monumentaf
Res quod nisi creditur illis
Non mortua, sed data somno.
Nam quod requiescere corpus
Vacuum sine mente videmus,
Spatium breve restat, ut alti
Repetat cMlegia sensus.
Venient cite saecula, cjuum iam
Socius color ossa revisat,
Animataque sanguine vivo
Habitacula pristina gestet.

PRUDENTIUS 71

II
At Funerals
Now, 0 bitter grief be silent,
Tears, ye mothers, banish hence!
Let no man lament his children:
This is death, — life's recompense.
For what mean these rocky caverns,
What these monuments so fair?
Save that this unto them trusted
Is not dead but sleeping there.
For that body we see resting.
Vacant and devoid of mind.
Only for a brief space waiteth.
Better powers restored to find.
Swift will pass the coming ages,
Friendly warmth these bones shall know
And these former habitations,
Animate with life-blood, glow.

72 PRUDENTIUS
Quae pigra cadavera pridem
Tumulis putrefacta iacebant,
Volucres rapientur in auras,
Animas comitata priores.
Sic semina sicca virescunt
Iam mortua iamque sepulta.
Quae reddita cespite ah imo
Veteres meditantur aristas.
Nunc suscipe, terra, fovendum,
Gremioque hunc concipe molli!
Hominis tihi membra sequestra,
Generosa et fragmina credo.
Animae fuit haec domus olim
Factoris ab ore creatae;
Fervens habitavit in istis
Sapientia principe Christo.
Tu depositum lege corpus!
Non immemor ille requiret
Sua munera fictor et auctor
Propriique aenigmata vultus.
Veniant mode tempera iusta,
Quum spem Deus impleat omnem;
Reddas patefacta necesse est,
Qualem tibi trade figuram.

PRUDENTIUS 73
Then these bodies dull and moldering,
Sleeping in the graves before.
Shall be borne on airy pinions.
Joined unto their souls of yore.
Thus the seeds though dried and shriveled.
Dead and buried, wake again.
And from 'neath the sod returning
Think of former waving grain.
Now, 0 earth, receive, to cherish,
In thy tender heart this dust!
Man's frail form to thee I render.
And his goodly ashes trust.
This was once a spirit's dwelling.
Fashioned by the breath of God;
Here from Christ, the mighty Leader,
Ardent wisdom once abode.
Shelter Thou this body laid here!
Not unmindful, He shall trace
His own works who formed and framed them,
Likenesses of His own face.
Soon shall come the times of justice.
When shall God each hope transcend;
And laid open thou must render
Back this form I to thee lend.

74 PRUDENTIUS

III
De Sanctis Innocentibus
Salvete, flores martyrum!
In lucis ipse limine
Quos saevus ensis messuit,
Ceu turbo nascentes rosas.
Ves, prima Christi victima,
Grex immolatorum tener,
Aram sub ipsam simplices
Palma et corenis luditis.
Quid proficit tantum nefas;
Quid crimen Herodem iuvat?
Unus tot inter funera
Impune Christus tollitur.
Cunae redundant sanguine;
Sed in Deum frustra furit:
Unum petit tot mortibus,
Mortes tot unus effugit.

MADONNA DELLA TENDA

Raphael

PRUDENTIUS 75

III
Of the Holy Innocents
Hail, ye blossoms of the martyrs!
At the threshold of the light.
Whom the cruel sword hath gathered,
As the rosebuds whirlwinds blight.
Ye, of Christ the earliest victims,
Tender flock so soon cut down.
Simple, 'neath the very altar
Sport ye now with palm and crown.
What avails so great a horror;
What doth profit Herod's act?
'Mid so many trains funereal
Christ is borne away intact.
Reek with gore full many cradles;
Vain his rage against the Lord;
One he seeks by many slaughters.
One escapes from every sword.

76 PRUDENTIUS
Inter coaevi sanguinis
Fluenta solus integer,
Ferrum, quod orhabat nurus.
Partus fefellit Virginis.
Sic dira Pharaenis mali
Edicta quondam fugerat,
Christi figuram praeferens,
Moses, receptor civium.
Matres, quaerelis parcite!
Quid rapta fletis pignora?
Agnum, salutis obsidem,
Denso sequuntur agmine.

PRUDENTIUS 77
'Mid the streams of infant bloodshed
He alone the sword deceived.
Offspring scathless, of the Virgin,
Sword which mothers' hearts bereaved.
Thus the people's liberator,
He who Christ's own image bore.
Evil Pharaoh's cruel edicts
Moses had escaped before.
Spare, 0 mothers, your complaining!
Why bewail your offspring lost?
They the Lamb, salvation's surety.
Follow in a thronging host.

FORTUNATUS
Vrllanti^l,s Honorius ClcmciUianus Foiiiiiiatiis wms of Ital-
i.in birth, from Treviso, not far from Venice. Born aboiil
trhe yoiir 531, he cimio into France at the aj^e of lliirty-fi\'o
or thirty-six. His life spanned Ihc period at whicli the
papacy was talcing shape in the West and A[ohammedanisui
was emerging in the Ea.st. He was a friend of (h-e^ory of
Tours, to wliom be wi'oto many letters. He seems to ha\'e
combined fho clmraetcrs of troubadour ;uid courtier; and
he has left many panegyrics and other fulsome writini^s
composed in a style that has little to commend it. The
greater part of his life was passed at Poictiers, whore he se
cured ecclesiastical preferment. He was consecrated bishop
of Poictiers about tlie year 595, He was Iho intimate friend
of tho Abbess Agnes and of Qno(-n Radegunda; and his
friendship for these women has not escaped criticism. " He
was," s.ays Duffield," tho fii'st of the Clwistian poets to begin
that worship of the Virgin Mai-y which rose to a passion and
sank to an idolatry." He died about the year 609, leaving
many hymns of rai-e beauty and excellence.

79

80 fortunatus

FORTUNATUS
De Passione Christi
Vexilla regis prodeunt,
Fulget crucis mysterium.
Quo came carnis conditor
Suspensus est patihulo.
Qui vulneratus insuper
Mucrone dire lanceae,
Ut nos lavaret crimine
Manavit unda et sanguine.
Impleta sunt, quae concinit
David fideli carmine,
Dicens: In nationihus
Regnabit a ligno Deus!
Arbor decora et fulgida,
Ornata regis purpura,
Electa digno stipite
Tam sancta membra tangere!

fortunatus 81

FORTUNATUS
Op the Passion of Christ
Lo, the banners of the King are moving on.
And the cross, that mystic emblem, is aglow.
Where in flesh, the mighty Maker of our flesh.
Hath been hanged upon the tree of bitter woe.
Who, beside the pangs of that dread agony,
By the cruel thrust of spear-point wounded sore,
That He might from sin make us forever clean,
Mingled streams of blood and water forth did pour.
Now fulfilled are all the prophecies of old
Which in faithful song by David were rehearsed.
Saying: Over all the heathen God is King,
And His throne shall be the awful tree accursed!
0 illustrious and ever-glorious tree.
All adorned with crimson life-blood of the King;
Thou art chosen from a stock of precious worth.
Thus to yonder sacred limbs thy touch to bring!

82 fortunatus
Beata, cuius brachiis
Pretium pependit seculi;
Statera facta corporis
Praedamque tulit Tartari.
Salve ara, salve victima,
De passienis gloria:
Qua vita mortem pertulit,
Et morte vitam reddidit!

FORTUNATUS 83
Blessed tree, upon whose branches spreading wide
He the ransom of this ruined world hath weighed;
And the spoils of hell forever borne away.
When the payment of His body hath been made,
Then all hail, thou altar! Hail, thou Sacrifice!
For the glory of the passion in Thee wrought:
W^here our Life hath been victorious over death.
Aye, and back to us our life from death hath
brought !

BEDA VENERABILIS
The Venerable Bede was born near Wearmouth, England,
about the year 677. He lived the life of a student, and
seems to have loved learning for its own sake. At seven
years of age he came under the instruction of the Abbot
Benedict, and from that time on he lived and studied at the
monastery of what is now Durham Cathedral. His life
was devoid of stirring incidents, his talents were various,
his attainments of the highest order. He excelled in litera
ture, history, philosophy and poetry. At nineteen years
of age he was ordained a deacon, at thirty a priest, and died
at fifty-nine. He was learned in Greek, and it is said that
many in England spoke in that tongue through his encour
agement. At Jarrow, near Wearmouth, he taught a school
of six hundred monks, beside many strangers who came
to him for instruction. His name presents, in the words
of Green, the historian, " The quiet grandeur of a life
consecrated to knowledge."

85

86 BEDA

BEDA VENERABILIS
De Natali Innocentium
Hymnum canentes martyrum
Dicamus innocentium,
Quos terra flentes perdidit,
Gaudens sed aethra suscipit.
Vultum patris per saecula
Quorum tuentur angeli,
Eiusque laudant gratiam,
Hymnum canentes martyrum.
Quos rex peremit impius,
Pius sed auctor colligit,
Secum beatos collocans.
In luce regni perpetis.
Qui mansiones singulis
Largitus in domo patris,
Donat supernis sedibus
Quos rex peremit impius.

MADONNA

Gabriel Ma.i

BEDE 87

THE VENERABLE BEDE
The Birthday of the Innocents
A hymn of martyred innocents
Sing we with heart and voice.
Whom earth hath lost and heaven gained.
Who wept but now rejoice.
Whose guardian angels evermore
Behold the Father's face.
They sing the blessed martyrs' hymn
And praise God's wondrous grace.
The king with impious hand destroyed.
But Chi'ist with tender love
Hath placed them at His own right hand.
On His bright throne above.
And He who in the Father's house
Gives mansions for the blest.
To these the impious king destroyed
Gives everlasting rest.

88 BEDA
Vox in Rama percrebuit,
Lamenta luctus maximi,
Rachel sues cum lacrymis
Perfusa flevit filios.
Gaudent triumpho perpeti
Tormenta quique vicerant.
Quorum gemens oh verbera
Vox in Rama percrebuit.
Ne, grex pusille, formides
Denies leonis perfidos.
Pastor bonus nam pascua
Vobis dabit coelestia.
Agnum Dei qui candidum
Mundo sequeris tramite,
Alanus latrenis impias
Ne, grex pusille, formides.
Absterget omnem lacrymam,
Vestris pater de vultihus,
Mors vobis ultra non nocet,
Vitae receptis moenibus.
Qui seminent in lacrymis
Longe metent in gaudio,
Genis lugentum conditor
Absterget omnem lacrymam.

BEDE 89
A voice in Rama there was heard
Of all-surpassing woe.
When Rachel for her children wept
With sorrow's overflow.
They joy with ceaseless triumph now
Who bitter woes have known
Whose voice in Rama once was heard
With deep, lamenting groan.
Fear not the treacherous lion's teeth.
Thou little flock and few,
For your good Shepherd soon will give
The fields of heaven to you.
0 ye, the snow-white Lamb of God
Who faithfully pursue.
Fear not the robbers on your way,
O little flock and few.
From every face the Father's hand
Shall wipe all tears away.
Nor death within the gates of life
Shall work you harm for aye.
For they who sow in bitter tears.
In lasting joy shall reap.
And God Himself shall dry all tears
From face of them that weep.

90 BEDA

0! quam beata civitas
In qua redemptor venitur,
Natoque primae martyrum
In qua dicantur hostiae.
Nunquam vocaris parvula
In civitatum millibus,
Ex qua nevus dux ortus est,
0! quam beata civitas!
Adstant nitentes fulgidis
Eius throno nunc vestihus,
Stolas suas qui laverant
Agni rubentes sanguine.
Qui perpetis pro patriae
Regno gementes fleverant,
Laeti Deo cum laudibus
Adstant nitentes fulgidis.

BEDE 91
O city, thou art blest indeed!
In which the Saviour came.
And in which, from the Son of Man,
First martyrs have their name,
'Mid thousands of the cities thou
As least art ne'er addressed,
From whom a Leader new is sprimg;
O city, thou art blest!
Around His throne in robes of white
A shining band is seen.
Who in the Lamb's most precious blood
Have washed their vesture clean.
And they who wept with ceaseless groans
For God's dear Fatherland,
Rejoicing now with praises bright
Before Him shining stand.

NOTKERUS VETUSTIOR
Notker the Elder, called also Balbulus the Stammerer,
was born about the year 850. He entered the monastery
of St. Gall in Switzerland at an early age. There he culti
vated the study of music, in which he exceUed. He died
in the year 912. He introduced the Sequence, after the
Epistle in the service, to take the place of the prolonged
final syllable of the Alleluia. The words of the Burial
Office, " In the midst of life we are in death," are a trans
lation of one of his sequences. The tradition is that he was
watching some workmen one day as they were engaged in
the construction of a bridge over a chasm near the monastery.
One of the workmen fell and was killed. The meditation of
Notker upon the event took the form expressed in the words
which seem to have been intended to convey the idea of the
peril in which all mankind are constantly living: Media
vita in morte sumus. It is, properly speaking, a prose com
position, although it readily lends itself to verse in the
translation.

93

94 NOTKERUS
NOTKERUS VETUSTIOR
I
Antiphona in Morte
Media vita
In morte sumus;
Quem querimus adiutorem.
Nisi te, Domine,
Qui pre peccatis nostris
luste irasceris!
Sancte Deus, sancte fortis,
Sancte et misericors Salvator,
Amarae morti
Ne tradas nos! II
Antiphona: Gloria in Excelsis
Grates nunc omnes reddamus Domine Deo,
Qui sua nativitate nos liberavit
De diabolica potestate.
Huic opportet, ut canamus cum angelis semper:
Gloria in excelsis.

NOTKER 95
NOTKER THE ELDER
I
Antiphon of Death
In midst of life
In death are we;
Whom shall we seek for aid.
Except, 0 Lord,
We call on Thee,
Of whose just wrath
Our guilty souls
Are horribly afraid?
0 holy God, almighty One,
Saviour, true and tender.
To bitter sting of endless death
Do not Thou us surrender!
II
Antiphon: Glory in the Highest
Now let us all give thanks to God,
Who by His birth hath set us free
From Satan's scepter and his rod.
'Tis meet that angels sing and we:
Glory in the highest.

ROBERTUS, REX GALLIAE
Robert II, son of Hugh Capet, was born at Orleans in the
year 971 and died in 1031. He succeeded to the throne of
France in 997. Archbishop Trench says, " The loveliest of all
the hymns in the whole circle of Latin sacred poetry has a
king for its author.'' " Sismondi," he continues, " brings him
very vividly before us in all the beauty of his character,
and also in all his evident unfitness, a man of gentleness and
peace, for grappling with the men of iron by whom he was
surrounded." This praise must be taken with large allow
ance, Robert was weak, to put it mildly. He repudiated
his first wife, on the plea that she was too old for him, and
incurred the displeasure of Pope Gregory V by marrying a
distant cousin. Bertha, whom he put away and married for
his third wife Constance, reputed to have been a shrew.
His natural son, Amauri, was the ancestor of the notorious
Simon de Montfort. His long reign of thirty-four years was
troubled above measure. He is said to have " supported
three hundred paupers entirely and one thousand in part,"
and to have " founded four monasteries and built seven
churches." He composed both music and h}rmns.

97

98 robertus

ROBERTUS, REX GALLIAE
Ad Sanctum Spiritum
Veni, Sancte Spiritus,
Et emitte coelitus
Lucis tuae radium.
Veni, pater pauperum,
Veni, dator munerum,
Veni, lumen cordium.
Consolator optime,
Dulcis hospes animae,
Dulce refrigerium:
In labore requies,
In aestu temperies.
In fletu solatium.
0 lux beatissima,
Reple cordis intima
Tuorum fidelium!
Sine tuo numine
Nihil est in homine.
Nihil est innoxium.

ROBERT 99

ROBERT, KING OF FRANCE
To THE Holy Spirit
0 Thou Holy Spirit, come.
The radiance of Thy heavenly light impart.
Father of the poorest, come,
Giver of all increase, come,
Come, Thou the light of every human heart.
0 Thou consolation best.
Sweet Visitor and Solace of the soul;
In all labor Thou art rest.
In the heat Thou shelterest,
Our stay when waves of sorrow o'er us roll.
O most beatific light.
The inmost deeps of faithful hearts fulfill!
Wanting Thine own presence bright
Naught in man dispels the night.
Nor is there aught that doth not work him ill.

100 robertus
Lava quod est sordidum,
Riga quod est aridum,
Sana quod est saucium;
Flecte quod est rigidum,
Fove quod est frigidum,
Rege quod est devium!
Da tuis fidelibus
In te confitentibus
Sacrum septenarium;
Da virtutis meritum,
Da salutis exitum.
Da perenne gaudium!

ROBERT 101
Do Thou cleansing waters send.
And let Thy moisture on our drought distill;
What is wounded do Thou mend.
Wills grown rigid do Thou bend,
Let cold and wayward hearts obey Thy will.
On Thy faithful ones bestow
Thy sevenfold gifts, for lo, they trust in Thee;
Praise of virtue do Thou show.
Safe departure may we know,
And grant to us true joy eternally.

MARBOD'
Marbod, bishop of Rennes, was the son of a fur dealer at
Angers. He was born in 1035, became bishop in 1095,
and died 1125, at St. Aubin. He left many versified legends
of saints, and among his poems is one, " De Gemmis," a,\ong
account of the mystical meanings attached by the mediaeval
mind to precious stones. This was a favorite poem in the
Middle Ages. In all Latin hymnody, there is no finer
instance of rhyme than that which is given in the selection
which follows. It has seemed best, in translating, also to
keep the metrical form.

103

104 MARBOD
MARBOD
Oratio ad Dominum
Deus-homo, Rex coelorum,
Miserere miserorum;
Ad peccandum proni sumus,
Et ad humum redit humus;
Tu ruinam nostram fulci
PietatS tua dulci.
Quid est homo, proles Adae f
Germen necis dignum clade.
Quid est homo nisi vermis,
Res infirma, res inermis.
Ne digneris huic irasci,
Qui non potest mundus nasci:
Noli, Deus, hunc damnare,
Qui non potest nan peccare;
ludicare non est aequum
Creaturam, non est tecum:
Non est miser homo tanti,
Ut respondeat Tonanti.
Sicut umbra, sicut fumus,
Sicut foenum facti sumus:
Miserere, Rex coelorum,
Miserere miserorum.

MARBOD 106
MARBOD
A Prayer to the Lord
Man divine, thou King of heaven,
Pity to the weak be given;
Prone are we to constant sinning.
Earth returns to earth's beginning;
Be our stay in time of danger.
Thy sweet grace to us no stranger.
What is man, from Adam springing?
Worthy death, and death's seed bringing.
What is man? an earthworm senseless.
Thing of weakness, thing defenseless.
Be not angry with him ever
Who can be born stainless never:
Spare, O God, Thy wrath appalling.
Since he cannot keep from falling;
'Tis not just that Thou upbraid him,
'Tis not worthy Thee who made him:
Wretched man, of all things weakest.
May not answer when Thou speakest.
We like smoke are made, or shadow.
Like the grass upon the meadow;
Pity, 0 Thou King of heaven.
Pity to the weak be given.

BERNARDUS CLARAVALLENSIS
Bernard of Clairvaux was bom at Fontaine, in Burgundy,
in the year 1091. At an early age he manifested a fondness
for study, and in time won the reputation of the best in
structed person of the period in the Bible and in patristic
lore. As a mere youth he entered the monastery of Citeaux
in 1113, and in 1115 became the first abbot of Clairvaux.
He founded the monastery of that name, in a valley called
the Valley of Wormwood, a wretched region, grown up with
underbrush and the haunt of robbers. To this place he gave
the name of " Clara Vallis," the Clear Vale, and in time made
the place worthy of its new name. He is described as " taller
than the middle height and exceedingly thin. His com
plexion, clear, transparent, red and white. His beard was
reddish and his hair light or perhaps tawny." " Struggling
Christendom," says Vaughan, " sent incessant monks and
priests, couriers and men-at-arms to knock and blow horns
at the gate of Clairvaux Abbey." " Yet with aU his inter
ruptions and occupations," says Duffield, " he is a profound
scholar. His was that strange contradiction of nature which
found its calm in tumult and its ecstasy in conflict." He
died January 12, 1153.

107

108 BERNARDUS CLARAVALLENSIS

BERNARDUS CLARAVALLENSIS I
De Passione Domini: ad Faciem
Salve, caput cruentatum,
Totum spinis coronatum,
Conquassatum, vulneratum,
Arundine sic verberatum.
Facie sputis illita.
Salve, cuius dulcis vultus,
Immutatus et incultus,
Immutavit suum florem,
Tetus versus in pallorem,
Quem coeli tremit curia.
Omnis vigor atque viror
Hinc recessit, non admirer.
Mors apparet in aspectu,
Totus pendens in defectu,
Attritus aegra made.
Sic affectus, sic despectus.
Propter me sic interfectus,
Peccatori tam indigno
Cum amoris intersigno
Appare clara facie.

BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX 109

BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX
I
Of Our Lord's Passion: to His Face
Bleeding brow, with thorns surrounded.
Pallid, anguished, sorely wounded,
Face so marred to mortal vision.
King so mocked in mad derision.
Thee I hail with ceaseless loye!
Countenance all changed, yet dearest.
Sweet Thou art and to me nearest;
Though death's hue is o'er Thee stealing.
Round Thee trembling hosts are kneeling.
From the courts of heaven above.
All Thy beauty is departed,
Gone the vigor life imparted.
Worn Thy frame, by death o'ertaken,
Comeliness hfith Thee forsaken.
Still, on Thee with love I gaze.
Since Thy death is mine exemption.
Since Thy woe is my redemption,
Sinner though I be, I pray Thee
Come, nor let my guilt delay Thee,
Shine with love's returning rays.

110 BERNARDUS CLARAVALLENSIS
In hac tua passione
Me agnosce, pastor bone.
Cuius sumpsi met ex ore,
Haustum lactis ex dulcere
Prae omnibus deliciis.
Non me reum aspemeris,
Nee indignum dedigneris,
Morte tibi iam vidua
Tuum caput hie acclina,
In meis pausa brachiis.
Tuae sanctae passioni
Me gauderem, interponi.
In hac cruce tecum mori
Praesta crucis amatori.
Sub cruce tua meriar.
Morti tuae iam amarae
Grates ago, lesu care.
Qui es clemens, pie Deus,
Fac quod petit tuus reus,
Ut absque te non fmiar.

BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX 111
Hear me, though Thou still dost languish.
Gentle Shepherd, in Thine anguish;
From whose lips in fullest measure
I have gathered sweetest treasure.
Far surpassing this world's best.
Cast me not away rejected.
Sinful, sorrowful, dejected;
Now Thy head to death declining.
In my willing arms reclining,
On my heart find peaceful rest.
In Thine hour of holy sadness
Could I share with Thee, what gladness
Should Thy cross to me be showing.
Gladness past all thought or knowing,
Bowed beneath Thy cross to die!
Blessed Jesus, thanks I render
That in bitter death, so tender.
Thou dost hear Thy suppliant calling;
Save me, Lord, and keep from falling
From Thee, when mine hour is nigh.

112 BERNARDUS CLARAVALLENSIS
Dum me mori est necesse.
Noli mihi tunc deesse;
In tremenda mortis hora
Veni, lesu, absque mora,
Tuere me et libera.
Quum me iubes emigrare,
lesu care, tunc appare;
0 amator amplectende,
Temet ipsum tunc ostende
In cruce salutifera.

BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX 113
When to death my life is tending,
Fail not then. Thy presence lending,
In that fearful hour, to hear me.
Blessed Jesus, haste Thee near me;
On me look, and set me free.
When, at Thy command, departing.
On my journey I am starting,
Jesus, show Thyself above me.
Loved One, then, embrace and love me,
And Thy cross my life shall be.

114 bernardus CLARAVALLENSIS II
Contemptio V.anitatis Mundi
0 miranda vanitas!
0 divitiarum
Amor lamentabilis!
0 virus amarum
Cur tot vires inficis,
Fadendo carum,
Quod pertransit citius
Quam flamma stupparum.
Homo miser, cogita:
Mors omnes compescit,
Quis est ah initio.
Qui morti non cessitf
Quando moriturus est,
Om.nis homo nescit,
Hie, qui vivit hodie,
Cras forte putresdt.
Dum de morte cogito,
Contristor et ploro,
Verum est, quod moriar
Et tempus ignore.
Ultimum, quod nescio,
Qui iungar chore;
Et cum Sanctis merear
lungi, Deum oro!

BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX 115
II
Contempt for the Vanity of the World
0 vanity most wonderful!
0 shameful love of treasure!
O poison most deplorable!
Embittering all pleasure!
Why dost infect so many men
By causing to be cherished
That which more swiftly flees away
Than tow whose flame hath perished!
O wretched man, consider well:
All men by death are driven;
Who is there from the earliest day
Who not to death is given?
Nor knoweth any man the horn-
When death shall come with sorrow.
Who breathes the breath of life to-day
Decays perchance to-morrow.
The while I dwell on thoughts of death
I mourn with tears and sighing.
'Tis true that I know not the time
Appointed for my dying.
Nor yet, one final thing imknown,
What chorus I'll be swelling;
Pray God among His saints I may
Deserve to find my dwelling.

116 BERNARDUS CLARAVALLENSIS

III
De Nomine Iesu
lesu dulcis memoria
Dans vera cordis gaudia,
Sed super met et omnia
Eius dulds presentia.
Nil canitur suavius
Auditur nil iuaindius.
Nil cogitatur duldus,
Quam lesus, Dei filius.
Iesu, spes poenitentibus,
Quam pius es petentibus,
Quam bonus te quaerentibus,
Sed quid invenientibus?
Iesu, dulcedo cordium,
Fans vivus, lumen mentium,
Excedens omne gaudium,
Et omne desiderium.

MADONNA OF THE PALM /'/. Barihn,

BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX 117

III
Of the Name of Jesus
O Jesus, sweet remembrance Thou,
True joy Thou givest every heart.
But sweeter far than honeycomb
And all beside, Thou present art.
No tenderer song is ever sung,
Nor e'en is heard a gentler tone.
Ne'er dwells a sweeter thought in mind
Than Jesus, Son of God alone.
O Jesus, hope to sorrowful.
To those who pray, surpassing kind;
How good to those who seek Thy face,
But what to those blest souls who find?
O Jesus, sweetness of our hearts,
The living Fount, the soul's bright Fire,
Exceeding every transient joy
And every heart's most fond deshe.

118 BERNARDUS CLARAVALLENSIS
Nec lingua valet dicere.
Nee litera exprimere,
Expertus potest credere,
Quid sit lesum diligere.
Cum Maria diluculo,
lesum quaeram in tumulo,
Cordis clamore querulo
Mente quaeram, non oculo.

BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX 119
No tongue is able to declare.
Nor any words can fitly tell.
He only who has tried can know
How sweet it is to love Thee well.
With Mary, at the early dawn,
I'll seek for Jesus at the tomb;
With plaintive calling of my heart
In spirit, not by sight, I'll come.

BERNARDUS CLUNIACENSIS
Bernard of Cluny was a contemporary of Bernard of
Clairvaux. He was born at Morlaix in Brittany, but the
exact date of his birth is not known. He was a monk of
Cluny between 1122 and 1156. Little is known of his life;
but it is enough to claim for him the high place he holds,
that he is the author of the hymns " Hora Novissima" and
" Hie breve vivitur," if indeed these are not parts of one
single hymn. No translator has succeeded in rendering these
into their metrical equivalent in English verse. Dr. Neale
has perhaps more nearly than any other caught their spirit,
and given it to us in his " Jerusalem, the Golden," which it
would be idle to attempt to surpass or equal. The render
ing of " Hora Novissima '' which is here given is felt to be
far below the original.

121

122 BERNARDUS CLUNIACENSIS

BERNARDUS CLUNIACENSIS
Hora Novissima
Hora novissima, tempera pessima sunt, vigilemus.
Ecce minaciter imminet arbiter ille supremus.
Imminet, imminet ut mala terminet, aequa coronet,
Recta remuneret, anxia liberet, aethera donet,
Auferat aspera duraque pondera mentis onustae
Sobria muniat, improha puniat, utraque iuste.

BERNARD OF CLUNY 123

BERNARD OF CLUNY
The Latest Hour
The latest hour hath spent its little round.
The days are now to evil fully given.
Let us awake! Behold! with dreadful sound
The Judge approacheth threatening from heaven.
He is at hand, He comes the ill to end.
To crown with due reward the just and right;
From every pain deliverance to send.
And give to faithful hearts eternal light.
The rough and harsh that fill our souls with grief
He will remove, and burdens take away;
Unto the righteous He will bring relief.
And justly punish wrong without delay.

ADAM DE ST. VICTORE
Adam, of the School of St. Victor, in Paris, was another
contemporary of Bernard of Clairvaux. He was born in
Brittania, but the date of his birth is unknown, nor is it
certain whether Brittania means Great Britain or Bretagne.
He died between 1172 and 1192. He is said to have been
the author of one hundred and six hymns. Trench puts
him " foremost among the Latin poets of the Middle Ages,"
Other writers, like Mrs. Charles, Professor March, and Mr.
Duffield dissent from thio high praise. Neale, however,
thinks it insufficient. The selection given here is chosen
because of its theme, the symbolism of the four living
creatures in Ezekiel and Revelation.

126

126 ADAM DE ST, VICTORE

ADAM DE ST. VICTORE
De Sanctis Evangelistis
Circa thronum maiestatis,
Cum spiritibus beatis,
Quatuor diversitatis
Astant animalia.
Formam primum aquihnam,
Et secundum leoninam,
Sed humanam et bovinam
Duo gerunt alia.
Formae formant figurarum
Formas Evangelistarum,
Quorum imber doctrinarum
Stillat in Ecclesia;
Hi sunt Marcus et Matthaeus,
Lucas, et quem Zebedaeus
Pater tibi misit, Deus,
Dum laxaret retia.

ADAM OF ST. VICTOR 127

ADAM OF ST, VICTOR
Of the Holy Evangelists
Round about the throne of glory.
Where the spirits blest adore.
Shaped in forms of diverse seeming.
Stand these living creatures four.
Like an eagle is the first one.
Lion-like the next appears,
Like unto a man the third is.
Shape of ox the fourth one bears.
Of these shapes the forms betoken
Christ's Evangelists the four.
Showers of whose gracious doctrines
On the Church unceasing pour.
These are holy Mark and Matthew,
Luke, and he whom Zebedee
Sent to thee, 0 God, that father
Mending nets beside the sea.

128 ADAM DE ST. VICTORE
Formam viri dant Matthaeo,
Quia scripsit sic de Deo,
Sicut descendit ab ee,
Quem plasmavit, homine.
Lucas bos est in figura,
Ut praemonstrat in Scriptura,
Hostiarum tangens iura
Legis sub velamine.
Marcus, lee per desertum
Clamans, rugit in apertum.
Iter fiat Deo certum,
Mundum cor a crimine.
Sed lohannes, ala bina
Caritatis, aquilina
Forma fertur in divina
Puriori lumine.
Quatuor describunt isti
Quadriformes actus Christi,
Et figurant, ut audisti,
Quisque sua formula.
Natus homo declaratur,
Vilnius sacrificatur,
Leo mortem depraedatur,
Et ascendit aquila.

ADAM OF ST. VICTOR 129
Form of man they give to Matthew,
Since his Lord he thus portrayed,
Just as from the man descended
Whom in Eden God had made.
Luke the ox is, in appearance.
Since in Holy Writ he saw
Rites of sacrificial meaning,
'Neath the veiling of the law.
Mark, the lion, through the desert
Loudly roaring, clear is seen;
Straight be made for God a highway.
Every heart from sin be clean.
But on love's strong, double pinions
John is wafted from our sight
Into realms divine, as eagles
Soar into the purer light.
Fourfold in their forms, these creatures
All the acts of Christ portray,
And, as thou hast heard, describe Him
Each in his peculiar way.
Born as Man, He is depicted,
,As the Ox, we see Him slain,
As the Lion, death He spoileth.
Eagle-like, He soars again.

ALANUS INSULANUS
Alanus de Insulis, or Insulanus, is supposed to have
been born in L'Isle, or LUle, in Flanders, in the year 1114.
He died, says Trench, about the beginning of the next cen
tury. He was Icnown as Doctor Universalis, from his wide
learning and his great ability.
It is difficult to determine whether he is the same person
who is known as the friend of Bernard, and bishop of
Auxerre. He was the author of a book of parables, and of
many poems and hymns of great merit. His poem " Est
locus ex nostro," is exceedingly beautiful, and reminds one
of Bernard of Cluny.

131

132 ALANUS INSULANUS

ALANUS INSULANUS
De Vita Nostra
Vita nostra plena bellis:
Inter hastes, inter arma
More belli vivitur;
Nulla lux it absque pugna.
Nulla nox it absque luctu,
Et salutis alea.
Sed timoris omnis expers,
Stabo firmus inter arma,
Nec timebo vulnera;
Non morabor hostis iras,
Non timebo publicasve,
Callidasve machinas.

ALAN OF L'iSLE 133

ALAN OF L'ISLE
Our Life
This life of ours is full of strife.
We live 'mid foes and arms.
As they who spend their restless hours
In sound of war's alarms;
No day without a conflict goes.
No night without its woe.
Our safety like the gamester's chance.
The hazard of a throw.
But, free from every craven fear,
'Mid arms I'll stand my ground,
Nor shall my steadfast spirit know
The fear of mortal wound.
I'll not delay the foeman's rage,
Nor will I dread, the while.
His open, undisguised assault
Nor fear his hidden guile.

134 ALANUS INSULANUS
Ecce ! coeli lapsus arcu
Atque spissa nuhe tectus
Rector ipse siderum:
Contra saevos mentis hostes
Proeliantem me tuetur,
Bella pro me suscipit.
Franget arcus et sagittas,
Ignibusque sempiternis
Arma tradet hostium:
Ergo stabo sine metu,
Generose superabo
Hostium saevitiam.

ALAN OF L'ISLB 135
Behold! majestic on the arch
Of heaven His footsteps fly.
Who robed in densely rolling cloud
Doth rule the stars on high:
Me, fighting 'gainst my cruel foes
He seeth from afar.
And hasting, on my soul's behalf,
Himself takes up the war.
He breaks in simder with His arm
The arrows and the bows.
And casts into eternal fire
The weapons of my foes.
And therefore shall I fearless stand
And valiant warfare wage.
And overcome by His great might
My fiercest foemen's rage.

THOMAS A CELANO
Little is known of the life of Thomas of Celano, his birth
and death. But it is enough to know that he is the author of
the " Dies Irae," the greatest Christian hymn, with the pos
sible exception of the " Te Deum Laudamus." A thirteenth
century monk of the order of St. Francis of Assisi, he wrote
a biography of that saint, and brought to the work the quali
fications both of intimate friendship and close sympathy.
There are a few other poetical works ascribed to him, but
with little internal evidence to sustain the claim. There
have been as many as one hundred and fifty English ver
sions or translations of the " Dies Irae " and more than one
hundred in German.
Two considerations alone permit one more translation to
be offered here; that arising from the desire for complete
ness, and that of nearer approach to literalness than many
other translators have attempted.

137

138 THOMAS A CELANO

THOMAS A CELANO
Dies Irae
Dies irae, dies ilia
Solvet saeclum in favilla.
Teste David cum Sybilla.
Quantus tremor est futurus,
Quando index est venturus,
Cuncta stride discussurus!
Tuba, mirum spargens sonum
Per sepulcra regionum,
Coget omnes ante thronum.
Mors stupebit, et natura,
Quum resurget creatura,
ludicanti responsura.
Liber scriptus proferetur,
In quo totum continetur,
Unde mundus iudicetur.

THOMAS OF CELANO 139

THOMAS OF CELANO
Day of Wrath
Day of wrath, that day predicted!
Earth to ashes melts aflSiicted,
As by saint and seer depicted!
O how great shall be the quaking,
W^hen the Judge, His advent making.
Strict account of all is taking!
Loud the trumpet's sound is swelling,
'Mid earth's graves its summons telling.
All before the throne compelling.
Death and nature shall be quaking.
When to life, the creature, waking.
To its Judge response is making.
Then the book shall be imseal6d.
Wherein now is all concealed,
W^hence shall be earth's doom revealed.

140 THOMAS A CELANO
ludex ergo quum sedebit,
' Quidquid latet, apparebit,
Nil inultum remanebit.
Quid sum miser tunc dicturus,
Quem patronum rogaturus.
Cum vix iustus sit securus?
Rex tremendae maiestatis.
Qui salvandos salvas gratis,
Salva me, fens pietatis!
Recordare, Iesu pie.
Quod sum causa tuae viae;
Ne me perdas ilia die!
Quaerens me sedisti lassus,
Redemisti crucem passus:
Tantus labor iwn sit cassus!
Iuste iudex uUionis,
Donum fac remissionis
Ante diem rationis!

THOMAS OF CELANO 141
Therefore when the Judge is reigning.
Hidden things the light attaining,
Naught unjudged shall be remaining.
What shall wretched I be crying,
On what Advocate relying.
When the just are near to dying?
King of majesty supremest.
Saving whom Thou worthy deemest.
Save me. Thou who mercy streamest!
Holy Jesus, then recalling
How I caused Thy way appalling.
Let me not that day be falling!
Sitting weary, me Thou soughtest.
Cross enduring, me Thou boughtest,
Not in vain such labor wroughtest!
O Thou Judge of retribution.
Grant to me Thine absolution,
Ere that day of restitution.

142 THOMAS A CELANO
Ingemisco tanquam reus.
Culpa rubet vultus meus:
Supplicanti parce, Deus!
Qui Mariam absolvisti,
Et latronem exaudisti,
Mihi quoque spem dedisti.
Preces meae non sunt dignae
Sed tu bonus fac benigne
Ne perenni cremer igne.
Inter eves locum praesta,
Et ab haedis me sequestra,
Statuens in parte dextra.
Confutatis maledictis,
Flammis acribus addictis, ,¦
Veca me cum henedictis!
Ore supplex et acclinis,
Cor contritum quasi cinis,
Gere curam mei finis!

THOMAS OF CELANO 143
As a culprit I am groaning.
Guilt my face with blushes owning.
Spare me, God, my guilt condoning!
Thou who Mary gav'st remission,
And didst hear the thief's contrition.
Me hast given new ambition.
Vain is all my supplication.
Bring me to Thy new creation.
Save from endless condemnation.
'Mid Thy sheep a place provide me,
From the goats afar divide me.
At Thy right hand safely hide me.

When the doomed, in consternation.
Find in flames their condemnation.
Call me unto Thy salvation!

Suppliant to Thee I'm bending.
Heart of dust with sorrow rending.
Have Thou care of my last ending!

144 THOMAS A CELANO
Lacrymosa dies ilia.
Qua resurget ex favilla
ludicandus home reus:
Huic ergo parce, Deus!
Iesu, pie domine,
Dona eos requie! Amen.

THOMAS OF CELANO 145
Sorrowful that day is breaking,
When from ashes man is waking, ^
And to judgment he is hastening;
Therefore, spare, 0 God, thy chastening.
Gentle Jesus, Saviour blest.
Grant to them Thy peaceful rest! Amen.

BONAVENTURA
Bonaventura, whose family name was John of Fidanza,
was born in Tuscany in the year 1221. He is said to have
been greeted by St. Francis upon his entrance into the order
of Franciscans with the exclamation, "Buona Ventura!" —
" Welcome! " — hence the name by which he is most widely
known. In 1245 he became professor of theology at Paris;
in 1256, general of his order; in 1273, cardinal-bishop of
Alba. He was a rival of Thomas Aquinas, the great Domini
can, and was styled Doctor Seraphicus.
WhUe certain writings ascribed to him would indicate
that he shared the ecclesiastical errors of his age, yet he
" must have possessed a richest personal familiarity with
all the deeper mysteries of the spiritual life " (Trench).
Luther calls him " praestantissimus vir," and Dante men
tions him in his "Paradise."
He died at Lyons In 1274, during the council, at which he
was in attendance upon Pope Gregory X.

147

148 BONAVENTURA

BONAVENTURA I
De Sancta Cruce
Recordare sanctae crucis.
Qui perfectam viam duds
Delectare iugiter.
Sanctae crucis recordare,
Et in ipsa meditare
Insatiabiliter.
Quum quiescas aut laboras,
Quando rides, quando ploras,
Doles sive gaudeas;
Quando vadis, quando venis.
In solatiis, in poenis
Crucem corde teneas.
Crux in omnibus pressuris,
Et in gravihus et duris
Est totum remedium.
Crux in poenis et tormentis
Est dulcedo piae mentis,
Et verum refugium.

GETHSEMANE

Hofmann

bona venture 149

BONAVENTURE I
Of the Holy Cross
Thou who art so prone to measure
Perfect life by ceaseless pleasure.
Think upon the holy cross.
Be the cross thy contemplation
Through unwearied meditation.
Counting all things else as loss.
W^hether resting or achieving.
Whilst thou laughest, or art grieving.
Weeping or in joy thou art;
Faring forth, or homeward hastening
In thy comfort, in thy chastening,
Keep the cross within thy heart.
Lo, the cross, when ills oppress thee.
Burdens crush and woes possess thee.
Is thy one and only cure.
In thy pain and deep affliction
'Tis thy soul's sweet benediction
And thy refuge safe and sure.

150 BONAVENTURA
Orux est porta paradisi,
In qua sancti sunt cenfisi.
Qui vicerunt omnia.
Crux est mundi medicina,
Per quam bonitas divina
Facit mirahilia.
Crux est salus animarum,
Verum lumen et praeclarum,
Et dulcedo cordium.
Crux est vita beatorum,
Et thesaurus perfecterum,
Et decor et gaudium.
Crux est speculum virtutis,
Gloriosae dux sahdis,
Cuncta spes fidelium.
Crux est decus salvandorum,
Et solatium eorum
Atque desiderium.

BONAVENTURE 151
Lo, the cross is heaven's portal.
In which trust the saints immortal,
W^ho have conquered in the fight.
This world finds the cross its healing,
God's own goodness still revealing
By its wonder-working might.
Of our souls it is salvation.
Bright and true illmnination.
Hearts' delight without alloy.
Of the blest, life without measure.
Of the perfect, countless treasure.
Their renown and fadeless joy.
Here is virtue's reproduction.
Great salvation's sweet instruction,
Faithful spirits' hope entire.
Of the workers of salvation
Ornament and consolation,
And their ardent souls' desire.

152 BONAVENTURA
Crux est arbor decorata,
Christi sanguine sacrata,
Cunctis plena fructibus,
Quibus animae eruuntur.
Cum supernis nutriuntur
Cihis in coelestihus.
Crudfixe! fac me fortem,
Ut libenter tuam mortem
Plangam, donee vixero.
Tecum vole vulnerari,
Te libenter amplexari
In cruce desidero.

BONAVENTURE 153
'Tis the tree of Christ, made glorious
By His bloodshed meritorious,
Filled with fruits on every hand,
Whereby souls are brought to heaven
Fed by dainties freely given
To the hosts of that blest land.
Crucified! Thy servant strengthen.
That I may, while life's days lengthen.
Evermore Thy death deplore.
With Thee would I fain be wounded.
By Thine arms to be surrounded
On Thy cross, I ask no more.

154 BONAVENTURA

II
Hymnus de Passione Domini
Christum ducem,
Qui per crucem
Redemit nos ab hostihus,
Laudet coetus
Nester laetus,
Exultet coelum laudibus.
Poena fortis
Tuae mortis
Et sanguinis effusie,
Corda terant,
Ut te quaerant,
Iesu, nostra redemptio.
Per felices
Cicatrices,
Sputa, flagella, verbera,
Nobis grata
Sunt collata
Aeterna Christi munera.

VIA DOLOROSA

Hofmann

BONAVENTURE 155

II
A Hymn of the Lord's Passion
Now let our joyful chorus sing.
Let heaven with alleluias ring.
To Christ, our Captain, who by woe
Hath saved us from our every foe.
The anguish of Thy dying pains.
The lifeblood pouring from Thy veins,
0 may they drive these hearts of ours
To seek, O Christ, Thy saving powers.
By those blest scars which still disclose
Thine insults, scourgings, cruel blows.
Are gained for us, of worth unpriced.
The everlasting gifts of Christ.

156 BONAVENTURA
Nostrum tangat
Cor, ut plangat
Tuorum sanguis vulnerum.
In que toti
Simus loti,
Conditor alme siderum.
Passienis Tuae denis
Salvator, nes inebria,
Qua fldelis
Dare velis
Aeterna nobis gaudia!

BONAVENTURE 157
The blood that from Thy wounds did flow,
O may it touch our hearts with woe,
Till we thereby be all made clean.
Creator blest of stars serene.
O Saviour, fill us from above.
With treasures of Thy dying love.
Of love whereby Thou still wilt pour
On us rich joys forevermore!

lACOPONUS
Iacoponv,s, a nickname, said to have been adopted through
humility by Jacobus de Benedictis, who was born at Todi in
Umbria, early in the thirteenth century. In his youth he
was dissipated and lost his property, but afterward regained
it by his industry and talents. The death of his wife wrought
a complete change in his religious life, and he entered the
Franciscan Order. Many anecdotes are told as illustrating
the peculiarities of his character. He seems to have blended
buffoonery with saintliness in a marked degree. Possibly he
used folly for a cloak of wisdom, that he might with more
freedom, as a privileged person, speak homely and unpalata
ble truths. He incurred the displeasure of Pope Boniface
VIII, and was by him imprisoned. He died in the year
1306. The hymn " Stabat Mater Dolorosa " is agreed to
have been his. Other hymns ascribed to him are disputed,
but this, which ranks second only to the " Dies Irae " shows
in him a poet of the highest order. Some of his verses are
open to criticism on the ground of their Mariolatry, but
the translation here offered need not be taken to imply
the endorsement of those theological opinions which were
peculiar to his century.

159

160 lACOPONUS
lACOPONUS
Sequentia de Passione Beatae Virginis
Stabat mater dolorosa
luxta crucem lacrymosa,
Dum pendebat filius.
Cuius animam gementem,
Contristantem et dolentem
Pertransivit gladius.
0 quam tristis et afflicta
Fuit ilia benedicta
Mater unigeniti.
Quae moerebat et dolebat
Et tremebat, dum videbat
Nati poenas inclyti.
Quis est homo, qui nan fleret,
Matrem Christi si videret.
In tarda supplido?
Quis non posset contristari,
Piam matrem contemplari
Dolentem cum filie!

MATER DOLOROSA

Gnido Ren

jacoponus 161

JACOPONUS
A Sequence Regarding the Passion of the
Blessed Virgin
Near the cross in anguish fearful
Stood the virgin mother, tearful,
While her Son was hung to die;
Through her soul, with sorrow groaning.
Deeply grieving, sadly moaning.
Pierced the sword remorselessly.
O how stricken and oppressed.
Was that mother, ever-bless6d,
Of the sole-begotten One.
Sadly wailing, comfort failing.
Spirit quailing, sight unveiling
Torments of her glorious Son.
Who his tears would be withholding,
Christ's own mother thus beholding.
In the depths of so great woe?
Who, that mother blest perceiving,
For her Son so sorely grieving,
Could forbid his tears to flow!

162 lACOPONUS
Pro peccatis suae gentis
Vidit lesum in tormentis
Et flagellis suhditum;
Vidit suum dulcem natum
Morientem, desolatum,
Dum emisit spiritum.
Eia mater, fens amoris!
Me sentire vim doloris
Fac, ut tecum lugeam;
Fac, ut ardeat cor meum
In amando Christum Deum,
Ut sibi complaceam.
Sancta mater, istud agas,
Crucifixi fige plagas
Cerdi meo valide;
Tui nati vulnerati,
Tam dignati pre me pati,
Peenas mecum divide.
Fac me vere tecum flere,
Crudfixe condelere.
Donee ego vixero;
luxta crucem tecum stare,
Te libenter sociare
In planctu desidere.

JACOPONUS 163
For His people's own transgression,
Saw she Jesus in oppression,
And with scourges put to death;
Saw her First-born, sweetly cherished,
While, forsaken there. He perished.
Yielding up His latest breath.
Mother, fount of love's pure treasure!
Make me know of grief the measure.
That with thee I sorrow now;
Let my heart with love be burning.
And to Christ, my God, be turning.
That I please Him, e'en as thou.
Holy Mother, grant this blessing:
On my heart the stripes impressing
Of thy Son, the Crucified;
And His pangs, O let me share them.
Since He deigned for me to bear them,
Since it was for me He died.
Let me, with thee truly weeping,
Sorrow's lifelong watch be keeping
By the Crucified with thee;
Near the cross with thee remaining,
With thee still in grief complaining,
May this all my portion be.

164 lACOPONUS

Virgo virginum praeclara,
Mihi iam non sis amara,
Fac me tecum plangere;
Fac, ut partem Christi mortem,
Passienis fac consortem
Et plagas recolere.
Fac me plagis vulnerari,
Cruce hac inebriari,
Et cruore filii;
Inflammatus et accensus,
Per te, virgo, sim defensus
In die iudicii.
Fac me cruce custodiri,
Morte Christi praemuniri,
Cenfeveri gratia.
Quando corpus morietur,
Fac, ut animae donetur
Paradisi gloria.

JACOPONUS 165
Virgin, virgins all excelling.
Be not now to me repelling —
Grant that I with thee may weep;
Make me of Christ's death the bearer.
Of His passion make me sharer.
And His stripes 0 let me keep.
Let me of His stripes partaking,
By this cross my thirst be slaking
And with life-blood of thy Son;
Thus inflamed, aroused, defended,
By thee. Virgin, till, life ended.
Day of judgment is begun.
Let me by the cross directed.
By the death of Christ protected.
Find thy cherishing grace suffice.
When this body shall be sleeping.
Grant my soul thy holy keeping
In the rest of Paradise,

166 AUCTOR INCBRTUS

AUCTOR INCERTUS
Suspirium Amoris
0 Deus, ego amo te,
Nec amo te, ut salves me,
Aut quia non amantes te
Aeterne punis igne.
Tu, tu, mi Iesu, totum me
Amplexus es in cruce,
Tulisti clavos, lanceam,
Multamque ignominiam,
Innumeros dolores.
Sudor es et anger es,
Ac mortem, et haec propter me.
Ah, pro me peccaiore!
Cur igitur non amem te,
0 Iesu amantissime,
Non, ut in coelo salves me,
Aut ne aeternum damnes me;

MAGDALENA

Murillo

author unknown 167

AUTHOR UNKNOWN
The Sigh of Love
O God, my love I offer Thee,
Nor love Thee, that Thou savest me.
Nor yet because in endless fire.
Unloving souls shall feel Thine ire.
Thou, Thou, my Jesus, on the tree.
Hast totally embraced me.
The cruel nails, the piercing spear.
And shame unmeasured Thou didst bear,
And griefs whose number none can tell.
Sweat-drops and torturings as well.
And death itself; and these for me
Whose sins, alas! have fallen on Thee!
Why, therefore, should I not love Thee,
O Jesus, who dost most love me.
Not that in heaven my soul may dwell,.
Nor lest my portion be in hell;

168 AUCTOR INCERTUS
Nec praemii ullius spe,
Sed sicut tu amasti me?
Sic ame et amabo te
Solum quia rex meus es.

AUTHOR UNKNOWN 169
Nor for the hope of joys to be.
But just as Thou hast first loved me?
So love I, and my love will own.
Because Thou art my King alone.

170 AUCTOR INCERTUS

AUCTOR INCERTUS
De Resurrectione
Plaudite coeli,
Rideat aether,
Summus et imus
Gaudeat orbis!
Transivit atrae
Turba precellae:
Subiit almae
Gloria palmae!
Surgite verni,
Surgite flores,
Germina pictis
Surgite campis,
Teneris mixtae
Violis rosae,
Candida sparsis
Lilia calthis!

AUTHOR unknown 171

AUTHOR UNKNOWN
Of the Resurrection
Ye heavens your joy proclaim.
Let laughter fill the air.
From topmost peak to depths below
Let earth the gladness share!
Dark tempest's furious throng
O'erwhelmed has passed away;
The cherished palm of victory
New glory wears to-day!
Awake, ye springtime flowers!
Awake, and bloom once more!
Awake, and live, ye scattered seed.
The broidered meadows o'er.
With tender violets blent,
Ye roses now unfold.
And gleam of snow-white lilies rare,
With wealth of marigold!

172 auctor INCERTUS
Currite plenis
Carmina venis!
Fundite laetum,
Barbytha, metrum:
Namque revixit,
Sicuti dixit,
Pius illaesus
Funere lesus!
Plaudite mantes,
Litdite fontes;
Resonent valles,
Repetunt colles:
"lo revixit,
Sicuti dixit,
Pius illaesus
Funere lesus."

author unknown 173
Flow on, ye choral strains,
Your generous powers employ
And you, ye warbling lutes,
Pour forth your notes of joy:
For lo! He lives again.
Just as Himself hath said.
Our holy Jesus, all unharmed,
Is risen from the dead!
Ye mountains, clap your hands.
Ye sparkling fountains play;
Let echoing vales give back the sound.
Let hills replying say :
" Behold, He lives again,
Just as Himself hath said.
Our holy Jesus, all unharmed.
Is risen from the dead."

174 MARIA, SCOTIAE REGINA

MARIA, SCOTIAE REGINA
Invocatio
0 Domine Deus!
Speravi in te;
0 care mi Iesu!
Nunc libera me:
In dura catena.
In misera poena
Desidero te;
Languendo, gemendo,
Et genuflectendo.
Adore, imploro,
Ut liberes me!

MARY, queen of SCOTS 175

MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS
Invocation
0 Almighty Lord, my God!
My trust is all in Thee.
0 blest Jesus, Saviour dear,
Come and set me free;
In these harsh chains,
In cruel pains,
I long for Thee;
With groans of anguish.
Behold, I languish.
Bending low the knee.
Still adoring,
Still imploring.
Come and set me free!

YALE UNIVERSITY

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