The LITURGICAL SEQUENCES of ADAM of ST. VICTOR

ADAM of ST. VICTOR ~ LITURGICAL SEQUENCES

The LITURGICAL SEQUENCES of ADAM of ST. VICTOR

From the TEXT of M. GAUTIER

With TRANSLATIONS into ENGLISH in the ORIGINAL METRES by DIGBY S. WRANGHAM

Originally PUBLISHED by KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH & COMPANY of LONDON ~ MDCCCLXXXI

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VOLUME I : VOLUME II : VOLUME III

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INDEX

I. NATIVITAS DOMINI
~I. CHRISTMAS
II. NATIVITAS DOMINI
~II. CHRISTMAS
III. NATIVITAS DOMINI
~III. CHRISTMAS
IV. NATIVITAS DOMINI
~IV. CHRISTMAS
V. NATIVITAS DOMINI
~V. CHRISTMAS
VI. NATIVITAS DOMINI
~VI. CHRISTMAS
VII. NATIVITAS DOMINI
~VII. CHRISTMAS
VIII. DIES CIRCUMCISIONIS
~VIII. CIRCUMCISION
IX. PASCHA
~IX. EASTER
X. PASCHA
~X. EASTER
XI. PASCHA
~XI. EASTER
XII. PASCHA
~XII. EASTER
XIII. PASCHA
~XIII. EASTER
XIV. PASCHA
~XIV. EASTER
XV. ASCENSIO
~XV. ASCENSION
XVI. PENTECOSTE
~XVI. WHITSUNTIDE
XVII. PENTECOSTE
~XVII. WHITSUNTIDE
XVIII. PENTECOSTE
~XVIII. WHITSUNTIDE
XIX. PENTECOSTE
~XIX. WHITSUNTIDE
XX. PENTECOSTE
~XX. WHITSUNTIDE
XXI. TRINITAS
~XXI. TRINITY
XXII. TRINITAS
~XXII. TRINITY

XXIII. DEDICATIO ECCLESIAE
~XXIII. On the DEDICATION of a CHURCH
XXIV. DEDICATIO ECCLESIAE
~XXIV. On the DEDICATION of a CHURCH 
XXV. DEDICATIO ECCLESIAE
~XXV. On the DEDICATION of a CHURCH 
XXVI. DEDICATIO ECCLESIAE
~XXVI. On the DEDICATION of a CHURCH 

XXVII. S. ANDREAS
~XXVII. ST. ANDREW
XXVIII. S. NICOLAUS
~XXVIII. ST. NICHOLAS
XXIX. S. STEPHANUS
~XXIX. ST. STEPHEN
XXX. S. STEPHANUS
~XXX. ST. STEPHEN
XXXI. S. JOANNES EVANGELISTA
~XXXI. ST. JOHN the EVANGELIST
XXXII. S. JOANNES EVANGELISTA
~XXXII. ST. JOHN the EVANGELIST
XXXIII. S. JOANNES EVANGELISTA
~XXXIII. ST. JOHN the EVANGELIST
XXXIV. S. JOANNES EVANGELISTA
~XXXIV. ST. JOHN the EVANGELIST
XXXV. S. THOMAS CANTUARIUS
~XXXV. ST. THOMAS of CANTERBURY
XXXVI. S. THOMAS CANTUARIUS
~XXXVI. ST. THOMAS of CANTERBURY
XXXVII. S. THOMAS CANTUARIUS
~XXXVII. ST. THOMAS of CANTERBURY
XXXVIII. S. GENOVEFA
~XXXVIII. ST. GENEVIEVE
XXXIX. S. AGNES
~XXXIX. ST. AGNES

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I. NATIVITAS DOMINI
[English]

Potestate, non natura,
Fit Creator creatura,
Reportetur ut factura
Factoris in gloria.
Praedicatus per prophetas,
Quem non capit locus, aetas,
Nostrae sortis intrat metas,
Non relinquens propria.

Castitatis in tenorem,
Plasma gignit plasmatorem,
Virgo parit amatorem,
Lactat patrem filia.
Argumentum geniturae
Hujus nescit jus naturae;
Suae legis fracto jure,
Stupet de potentia.

Coelum terris inclinatur,
Homo-Deus adunatur;
Adunato famulatur
Coelestis familia.
Rex sacerdos consecratur
Generalis, quod monstratur
Cum pax terris nuntiatur
Et in altis gloria.

Causa quaeris, modum rei:
Causa prius omnes rei,
Modus justum velle Dei,
Sed conditum gratia.
O quam dulce condimentum
Nobis mutans in pigmentum
Cum aceto fel cruentum
Degustante Messya!
O salubre sacramentum,
Quod nos ponit in jumentum
Plagis nostris dans unguentum
Ille se Samaria!

Ille alter Elyseus,
Reputatus homo reus,
Suscitavit homo-Deus
Sunamitis puerum.
Hic est gigas currens fortis
Qui, destructo lege mortis,
Ad amoena primae sortis
Ovem fert in humerum.
Vivat, regnat Deus-homo,
Trahens orco lapsum pomo;
Coelo tractus gaudet homo
Denum complens numerum.

Patris mater, meta vatum,
Ora Patrem, jube natum,
Nos ut ducat ad hunc statum
Plenum pace, gloria,
Quo refecti
Visu Dei
Cantemus Alleluia.
- Amen dicant omnia!
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I. CHRISTMAS
[Latin]

The Creator, not by nature
But by might, becomes a creature,
That with glory the Creator
May His creature once more crown.
Presaged in the prophets' pages,
He, Who of no place or age is,
Enters on our life's brief stages,
Not relinquishing His own.

Virgin still, the creature giveth
Birth to Him through Whom she liveth;
Maiden's womb her spouse conceiveth;
Daughter's breasts her father feed.
Nature's law no instance knoweth
Of such birth as this one showeth;
And, since it all law o'erthroweth,
Nature trembles at the deed.

Heaven to earth hath condescended;
Man is with the Godhead blended,
And the Man-God is attended
By celestial ministry.
That, as priest, is consecrated
Heaven's king, is demonstrated;
Peace on earth is promulgated;
Glory unto God on high!

Ask'st thou why? how? this beginneth.
Why? because mankind first sinneth;
How? God's just will then combineth
With His grace to break sin's thrall.
O how sweet their blended savour,
Changing into spiced wine's flavour,
When Christ tasted, man to favour,
Bitter vinegar and gall!
O dread mystery, soul-reviving!
When Samaria's son arriving
Sets, for wounds a balm contriving,
On His own beast those that fall!

He, Elisha's true successor,
God-man, counted a transgressor,
To the Shunamite, to bless her,
Hath restored her son again.
As a giant runs He joying,
Who, His shoulder's strength employing,
Bears His sheep, Death's law destroying,
Back to primal joys of men.
Ad God-man He lives and reigneth,
And lost man from hell restraineth;
Man with joy heaven's realms obtaineth,
Filling up its orders ten.

Heaven's Sire's mother, goal of sages!
Pray that Father through all ages,
Tell thy Son to point our stages
To where peace and glory reign;
Till there, being
Braced, God seeing,
Lift we Alleluia's strain,
Let creation say “Amen!”
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INDEX

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II. NATIVITAS DOMINI
[English]

In excelsis canitur
Nato regi gloria,
Per quem terrae redditur
Et coelo concordia.

Jure dies colitur
Christi natalitia
Quo nascente nascitur
Novae legis gratia.

Mediator nobis datus
In salutis pretium
Non naturae, sed reatus
Refugit consortium.

Non amittit claritatem
Stella fundens radium
Nec Maria castitatem
Pariendo filium.

Quid de monte lapis caesus
Sine manu, nisi Jesus
Qui de regnum linea,
Sine carnis opere,
De carne puerperae
Processit virginea?

Solitudo floreat
Et desertum gaudeat!
Virga Jesse floruit.
Radix virgam, virga florem,
Virgo profert Salvatorem,
Sicut lex praecinuit.

Radix David typum gessit,
Virga matris quae processit
Ex regali semine;
Flos est Puer nobis natus,
Jure flori comparatus
Prae mira dulcedine.

In praesepe reclinatur,
Cujus ortus celebratur
Coelesti praeconio.
Coeli cives jubilant,
Dum pastores vigilant
Sub noctis silentio.

Cuncta laudes intonant
Super partum Virginis;
Lex et psalmi consonant
Prophetarum paginis.

Angelorum et pastorum,
Stellae simul et magorum
Concordant indicia;
Reges currunt Orientis
Ad praesepe vagientis,
Gentium primordia.

Jesu, puer immortalis,
Ex aeterno temporalis,
Nos ab hujus vitae malis
Tu potenter erue.
Tu, post vitam hanc mortalem,
Sive mortem hanc vitalem,
Vitam nobis immortalem
Clementer restitue. Amen.
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II. CHRISTMAS
[Latin]

In the highest, hark! the strain,
“Glory to the new-born King!
Who doth with Him peace, again
Joining earth with heaven, bring!”

Honour thus is paid aright
Unto this, Christ's natal morn;
At Whose birth the grace so bright
Of a new-made law is born.

The appointed Mediator,
Our salvation's price to pay,
Not His share in human nature,
But in misdeeds, puts away.

Not a whit less bright appearing,
The life-giving star we see;
Nor doth Mary by child-bearing
Lose her spotless chastity.

What is this rock-stone so precious,
Quarried not by hand, but Jesus,
Scion of a line of kings,
Who, begot, without man's aid,
Of a pure yet pregnant maid,
From her fleshly nature springs?

Let the desert blossom forth;
Joy, waste places of the earth!
Jesse's rod doth flowers unfold.
Root it brancheth, branch it bloometh,
Virgin-born, a saviour cometh,
As the law of old foretold.

David's self that root portended;
Mary is that branch, descended
From that seed of royal line:
He, the son unto us given,
Is its flower, a flower from heaven,
Since its fragrance is divine.

He, whose birth's due celebration
Forms the angels' proclamation,
In a manger-cradle lies;
Heavenly hosts therein delight,
Whilst the shepherds watch by night
'Neath the silence of the skies.

All things shouts of joy upraise
For the Virgin's Son most high;
Him the law and psalms too praise
With the page of prophecy.

Angels', shepherds', salutations,
Stars' and wise men's indications,
In their object all agree:
Haste those Eastern kings where, crying,
In a crib a Babe is lying,
Who the Gentile first-fruits be.

Infant Jesu, death-bound never!
For a time and yet for ever!
By Thy might mankind deliver
From this life's adversity:
When this mortal life is ended,
From this living death ascended,
By Thy clemency befriended,
Grant us deathless life with Thee! Amen.
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INDEX

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III. NATIVITAS DOMINI
[English]

In natale Salvatoris
Angelorum nostra chorus
Succinat conditio:
Harmonia diversorum,
Sed in unum redactorum
Dulcis est connexio.

Felix dies hodiernus,
In quo patri coaeternus
Nascitur ex Virgine!
Felix dies et jocundus!
Illustrari gaudet mundus
Veri solis lumine.

Ne periret homo reus,
Redemptorum misit Deus,
Pater unigenitum;
Visitavit quos amavit
Nosque vitae revocavit
Gratia, non meritum.

Infinitus et immensus
Quem non capit ullus sensus
Nec locorum spatia,
Ex aeterno temporalis,
Ex immenso fit localis,
Ut restauret omnia!

Non peccatum, sed peccati
Formam sumens, vetustati
Nostrae se contemperat:
Immortalis se mortali,
Spiritalis corporali,
Ut natura conferat.

Sic concurrunt in personae
Singularis unione
Verbum, caro, spiritus,
Ut natura non mutetur,
Nec persona geminetur,
Sed sit una penitus.

Tantae rei sacramentum
Latet hostem fraudulentum;
Fallitur malitia.
Caecus hostis non praesagit
Quod sub nube carnis agit
Dei sapientia.

Hujus nodum sacramenti
Non subtilis argumenti
Solvit inquisitio.
Modum nosse non est meum;
Scio tamen posse Deum
Quod non capit ratio.

Quam subtile Dei consilium!
Quam sublime rei mysterium!
Virga florem,
Vellus rorem,
Virgo profert filium.

Nec pudorum laesit conceptio,
Nec virorem floris emissio;
Concipiens
Et pariens
Comparatur lilio.

O Maria, stella maris,
Post Deum spes singularis
Naufragantis saeculi,
Vide quam nos fraudulenter,
Quam nos vexant violenter
Tot et tales aemuli.

Per te virtus nobis detur
Per te, mater, exturbetur
Daemonum superbia;
Tuae proli nos commenda,
Ne nos brevis, sed tremenda
Feriat sententia.

Jesu, noster salutaris,
Qui prudenter operaris
Salutis mysterium,
His qui colunt hunc natalem
De salutem temporalem,
Da perhenne gaudium!
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III. CHRISTMAS
[Latin]

Since a Saviour is born for us,
With the angels in glad chorus
Let our race unite to-day:
Sweetly sound such hymns uprising,
Different voices harmonizing
All their praises in one lay.

Happy day, when the Supernal,
With the Father co-eternal,
Of a Virgin comes to birth!
Day of joy and jubilation,
When the bright illumination
Of the true Sun lights glad earth!

God hath a Redeemer given,
His, the Father's, Son from Heaven,
That a sinner should not die:
It is grace alone, not merit,
Gives us new life through the Spirit,
Visiting God's family.

Infinite and in all places,
He, whom sense and earth's wide spaces
Comprehend not nor contain,
Though eternal, time obeyeth,
And, though everywhere, here stayeth,
All things to restore again!

He sin's form, without sin, weareth,
And, to be made like us, shareth
Our worn-out existence here;
That the temporal and eternal,
That the spiritual and carnal,
Natures might thus linked appear.

So the Word and Flesh and Spirit
Doth one Person thus inherit
In mysterious union,
That no change its nature showeth,
Nor two-fold that Person groweth,
But is altogether one.

This great mystery lies ever
Hidden from man's base deceiver,
And at fault his malice is:
That the wisdom of the Godhead
'Neath the veil of flesh is shrouded
Our blind enemy ne'er sees.

This deep mystery's complication
No abstruse investigation
By induction can explain.
'Tis not mine to know its measure,
But I wot that God's good pleasure
Rules where reason cannot strain.

O how deep the counsel of God appears!
How sublime the mystery it declares!
Rod a flower,
Fleece a shower,
And a Son a Virgin bears.

Her conception hurt not her chastity,
Nor its blooming that ever verdant tree;
In conceiving
And birth-giving,
Lily-like, still pure is she!

Mar, star of ocean! giving
To this shipwrecked age we live in
After God its hope alone!
See what rival machinations,
And what fierce and dire temptations
Vex us sorely every one.

Virtue unto us be given,
And demonic pride be driven
Far away from us by Thee;
To thine offspring O commend us,
Lest His brief but most tremendous
Sentence crush us utterly.

Jesu, Who art out salvation,
Who its wondrous operation
With such wisdom watchest o'er!
Those, who keep this day, defending,
Here Thy help to them extending,
Grant them joy for evermore!
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INDEX

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IV. NATIVITAS DOMINI
[English]

Lux est orta gentibus,
In umbra sedentibus
Et mortis caligine.
Gaudet miser populus
Quia mundo parvulus
Nascitur de virgine.

Ut ascendat homo reus
Condescendit homo-Deus
Hominis miseriae.
Quis non laudet et laetetur?
Quis non gaudens admiretur
Opus novae gratiae?

Quidnam jocundius,
Quidnam secretius
Tali mysterio?
O quam laudabilis!
O quam mirabilis
Dei dignatio!

Hujus nodum sacramenti
Non subtilis argumenti
Solvit inquisitio.
Modum nosse non est meum;
Scio tamen posse Deum
Quod non capit ratio.

Quam subtile Dei consilium!
Quam sublime rei mysterium!
Virga florem,
Vellus rorem,
Virgo profert filium.

Nec pudorem laesit conceptio,
Nec virorem floris emissio;
Concipiens
Et pariens
Comparatur lilio.

O Maria, stella maris,
Post Deum spes singularis
Naufragantis saeculi,
Vide quam nos fraudulenter,
Quam nos vexant violenter
Tot et tales aemuli.

Per te virtus nobis detur
Per te, mater, exturbetur
Daemonum superbia;
Tuae proli nos commenda,
Ne nos brevis, sed tremenda
Feriat sententia.
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IV. CHRISTMAS
[Latin]

For the Gentiles up hath sprung
Light, for those that sate among
Darkness and in death's deep gloom.
Joys a people all forlorn,
That on earth a Child is born
From a spotless maiden's womb.

Guilty man to raise to heaven,
Condescends the God-man even
To our nature's misery.
Who would not with joy be praising,
Songs of wondering gladness raising,
Grace-work of such novelty?

What is more full of bliss,
What is more fathomless,
Than such a mystery?
How worthy all our praise,
How unlike human ways,
Is God's humility!

This deep mystery's complication
No abstruse investigation
By induction can explain.
'Tis not mine to know its measure,
But I wot that God's good pleasure
Rules where reason cannot strain.

O how deep the counsel of God appears!
How sublime the mystery it declares!
Rod a flower,
Fleece a shower,
And a Son a Virgin bears.

Her conception hurt not her chastity,
Nor its blooming that ever verdant tree;
In conceiving
And birth-giving,
Lily-like, still pure is she!

Mar, star of ocean! giving
To this shipwrecked age we live in
After God its hope alone!
See what rival machinations,
And what fierce and dire temptations
Vex us sorely every one.

Virtue unto us be given,
And demonic pride be driven
Far away from us by thee;
To thine offspring O commend us,
Lest His brief but most tremendous
Sentence crush us utterly.
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INDEX

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V. NATIVITAS DOMINI
[English]

Jubilemus Salvatori
Quen coelestes laudant chori
Concordi laetitia;
Pax de coelo nuntiatur,
Terra coelo foederatur,
Angelis Ecclesia.

Verbum carni counitum,
Sicut erat praefinitum,
Sine carnis copula
Virgo parit, Dei templum,
Nec exemplar, nec exemplum
Per tot habens saecula.

Res est nova, res insignis,
Quod in rubo rubet ignis
Nec rubum attaminat:
Coeli rorant, nubes pluunt,
Monts stillant, colles fluunt,
Radix Jesse germinat.

De radice flos ascendit
Quem prophetae praeostendit
Evidens oraculum:
Radix Jesse regem David,
Virga matrem designavit
Virginem, flos parvulum.

Ut ascendat homo reus,
Condescendit homo-Deus
Hominis miseriae.
Quis non laudet et laetetur?
Quis non gaudens admiretur
Opus novae gratiae?

Quidnam jocundius,
Quidnam secretius
Tali mysterio?
O quam mirabilis!
O quam laudabilis
Dei dignatio!

Mira floris pulchritudo
Quem commendat plenitudo
Septiformis gratiae.
Recreemur in hoc flore
Qui nos gustu, nos odore,
Nos invitat specie.

Jesu, puer immortalis,
Tuus nobis hic natalis
Pacem det et gaudia;
Flos et fructus virginalis,
Cujus odor est vitalis,
Tibi laus et gloria!
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V. CHRISTMAS
[Latin]

Songs of joy let us be raising
To that Savior now, in praising
Whom with us heaven's choirs delight;
News of peace from heaven is brought us,
Heaven is leagued with earth about us,
And the Church with angels bright.

God the Word, with our flesh blended,
As beforehand was intended,
She, who never knew a man,
Virgin, bears, God's temple hallowed,
Following none, by no one followed,
Ever since the world began.

That a bush with red fire gloweth,
Yet the fire no harm there doeth,
Is a new and wondrous thing:
Heaven drops dew, the clouds rain fountains,
Melt the hills and drip the mountains,
Jesse's root doth upward spring.

From that root a flower upgroweth,
As the prophet plainly showeth
In his prophecy of yore:
David as that root appeareth,
As the rod the maid that beareth,
As its flower the Child she bore.

Guilty man to raise to heaven,
Condescends the God-man even
To our nature's misery.
Who would not with joy be praising,
Songs of wondering gladness raising,
Grace-work of such novelty?

What is more full of bliss,
What is more fathomless,
Than such a mystery?
How worthy all our praise,
How unlike human ways,
Our God's Humility!

Wondrous beauty hath the flower,
That rich grace's sevenfold dower
Hath commended to our care.
Let us in this flower delight us,
Which doth both by taste invite us,
And by scent and semblance rare.

Jesu, infant death-defying!
May Thy birthday be supplying
Peace to us and Joys divine:
Flower and fruit of spotless maiden,
With immortal fragrance laden!
Glory and great praise be Thine!
-----

INDEX

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VI. NATIVITAS DOMINI
[English]

Nato nobis Salvatore
Celebremus cum honore
Diem natalitium,
Nobis datus, nobis natus,
Et nobiscum conversatus
Lux et salus gentium.

Eva prius interemit,
Sed Salvator nos redemit
Carnis suae merito.
Prima parens nobis luctum,
Sed Maria vitae fructum
Protulit cum gaudio.

Negligentes non neglexit,
Sed ex alto nos prospexit
Pater mittens Filium;
Praesens mundo, sed abscondus,
De secreto tanquam sponsus
Prodiit in publicum.

Gigas velox, gigas fortis,
Gigas nostrae victor mortis,
Accinctus potentia,
Ad currendam venit viam,
Complens in se prophetiam
Et legis mysteria.

Jesu, nostra salutaris
Medicina, singularis
Nostra pax et gloria,
Quia servis redimendis
Tam decenter condescendis,
Te collaudant omnia!
-----

VI. CHRISTMAS
[Latin]

Since a Saviour is born for us,
Let us, honouring Him, in chorus
Celebrate His natal day,
To us given, for us even
Born, a man 'mongst men, from heaven,
As all nations' light and stay.

Death we first from Eve inherit,
But redemption through the merit
Of the Saviour's fleshly birth.
Sorrow our first parent bore us,
But the fruit, which shall restore us,
Mary with great joy brought forth.

Caring for the careless even,
God the Father looked from heaven,
Sending down His Son on earth:
In the world, yet from it hidden,
As a bridegroom, when thus bidden,
From His chamber Christ came forth.

Giant swift and giant glorious,
Giant o'er our death victorious,
Girt with power and majesty,
Came to run His course, fulfilling
All that seers had been foretelling,
And the Law's whole mystery.

Jesu, our salvation-giving
Balm, Who only on all living
Peace and glory canst bestow!
Since, Thy servants to deliver,
Thou dost stoop in love, for ever
All things join Thy praise to show!
-----

INDEX

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VII. NATIVITAS DOMINI
[English]

Splendor Patris et figura
Se conformans homini.
Potestate, non natura,
Partum dedit Virgini.

Adam vetus,
Tandem laetus,
Novum promat canticum;
Fugitivus
Et captivus
Prodeat in publicum!

Eva luctum,
Vitae fructum
Virgo gaudens edidit;
Nec sigillum
Propter illum
Castitatis perdidit.

Si crystallus sit humecta
Atque soli sit objecta,
Scintillat igniculum:
Nec crystallus rumpitur,
Nec in partu solvitur
Pudoris signaculum.

Super tali genitura
Stupet usus et natura,
Deficitque ratio;
Res est ineffabilis
Tam pia, tam humilis
Christi generatio.

Frondem, florem, nucem sicca
Virga profert, et pudica
Virgo Dei Filium.
Fert coelestem vellus rorem
Creatura Creatorem,
Creaturae pretium.

Frondis, floris, nucis, roris
Pietati Salvatoris
Congruunt mysteria.
Frons est Christus protegendo,
Flos dulcore, nux pascendo,
Ros coelesti gratia.

Cur, quod virgo peperit,
Est Judaeis scandalum,
Cum virga produxerit
Sicca sic amygdalum?

Contemplemur adhuc nucem;
Nam prolata nux in lucem
Lucis est mysterium.
Trinam gerens unionem,
Tria confert: unctionem,
Lumen et edulium.

Nux est Christus, cortex nucis
Circa carnem poena crucis,
Testa corpus osseum.
Carne tecta Deitas
Et Christi suavitas
Signatur per nucleum.

Lux est caecis, et unguentum
Christus aegris, et fomentum
Piis animalibus.
O quam dulce sacramentum!
Foenum carnis in frumentum
Convertit fidelibus.

Quos sub umbra sacramenti,
Jesu, pascis in praesenti,
Tuo vultu satia.
Splendor Patri coaeterne,
Nos hinc transfer ad paternae
Claritatis gaudia. Amen.
-----

VII. CHRISTMAS
[Latin]

Fashioned as a human creature,
Christ, His Father's image clear,
By His power, and not by nature,
Caused a Virgin's womb to bear.

No more grieving,
New songs weaving,
Let old Adam sing for mirth!
Exiles flying!
Captives lying
Prison-bound! come boldly forth!

Eve bore sadness
But with gladness
Fruit of life a Virgin bears;
While unbroken
Still the token
Of her chastity appears.

If a crystal that is wetted
To the sun's rays be submitted,
It emits a little spark;
Neither doth the crystal break,
Neither doth this child-birth take
From the maid her maiden-mark.

Such begetting of a creature
Strikes experience dumb, and nature;
Reason too fails utterly;
Words could ne'er be found to show
Birth so loving, birth so low,
As at Christ's nativity.

Leaf, flower, nut, a dry rod beareth,
And a maiden pure prepareth
To produce God's Son Most High.
From a fleece heaven's dew-shower springeth;
She, He made, her Maker bringeth
Forth, what He had made to buy.

In the flower, leaf, nut, and shower
Mystic emblems of the power
Of the Saviour's love are met.
Leaf Christ is - by shelter spreading;
Flower - by sweetness; nut - by feeding;
Dew - by grace with heaven's dew wet.

Why should it offend the Jews,
That a virgin bore a son,
When a rod could thus produce
Almonds, though a sapless one?

On the nut still let us ponder;
For, if a full light brought under,
'Tis the mystic type of light.
As it three in one appeareth,
So three gifts too it conferreth;
Unction, food, effulgence bright.

Christ the nut, - its hull His passion,
Closing round his human fashion, -
And His bony frame its shell, -
The incarnate Deity
And Christ's tender sympathy
In the kernel mark ye well.

Christ is light to those not seeing,
Balm, the sick from sickness freeing,
And His loving creatures' food.
O how sweet a rite! He taketh
Grass - our flesh - and thereof maketh
Grain for those who trust in God.

Those, whose food Thou now providest,
Jesu! as 'neath rites Thou hidest,
With Thy presence satiate!
Thou, the Father's Co-eternal
Brightness! us to joys supernal
In His glory hence translate! Amen.
-----

INDEX

---

VIII. DIES CIRCUMCISIONIS
[English]

Hac die festa concinat multimoda camoena,
Collaudans coeli Dominum cum dulci cantilena.

Per haec enim solempnia sunt cuncta renovata,
Humano quoque generi est venia donata.

Invenit drachma mulier; accenditur lucerna,
In carne dum comparuit mens Deo coaeterna.

Dum cadit secus Jericho vir Hierosolomita,
Samaritanus affuit quo lapso datur vita.

Perduxit hunc in stabulum clementia divina,
Vinum permiscens oleo suavi medicina.

Curantis aegri vulnera sunt dulcia fomenta,
Dum cunctis poenitentia fuit reis inventa.

Bini dati denarii sunt duo Testamenta
Dum Christus, finis utriusque, complet sacramenta.

En tellus rore germinat nec patet madefacta,
Dum virgo Deum partuit, et mater est intacta.

In tenebris exortus est Puer, lux sempiterna:
Octava circumcisus est hac die hodierna.

Haec ab antiquis patribus dies fuit praevisa
Dum se prolemque Domino dant carne circumcisa.

Hac die circumcisio fiebat sub figura
Octavo, qua salvabitur humana creatura.

Ergo nos circumcidamus, non carnis preputia,
Sed a nobis abscidamus sordes et vitia.

Ut mundati mente, carne, capiamus praemia,
Quae octava confert aetas merenti coelestia.

Eya, die ista,
Omnis organista
Cantor et psalmista
Intonet,
Consonet
Cum cytharista. Amen.
-----

VIII. The CIRCUMCISION of CHRIST
[Latin]

This festal day our Muse should be a varied song upraising,
In strains of sweetest melody the Lord of heaven praising.

For all things by this festival have been renewed from heaven,
And pardon to the human race for all their misdeeds given.

The woman finds her silver piece; her candle she hath lighted,
What time to flesh the mind, with God co-equal, is united.

When from Jerusalem the man nigh Jericho is lying,
The good Samaritan comes by and rescues him from dying.

By clemency divine he is into the inn attended,
Whilst wine and oil, as remedy to soothe his pain, are blended.

Sweet are the balms of Him, who gives to sick men's wounds their healing,
The way of penitence for all their sinfulness revealing.

Of the two Testaments the gift of the two pennies telleth,
Since Jesus Christ, the end of both, their mysteries fulfilleth.

Lo! now the earth buds forth with dew and yet abideth rainless,
Whilst bears a maid our God Himself, and is a mother stainless.

In darkness was the Infant born, Who light eternal giveth;
And circumcision on this day, the eight day, He receiveth.

This day the Patriarchs of old foresaw in clear pre-vision,
Who gave themselves and progeny to God by circumcision.

That circumcision was performed this eighth day in a figure,
Which shall a human creature save from God's most righteous rigour.

Ourselves, and not our foreskins, then let us be circumcising,
And cut away the lust and sin for aye within us rising.

That, cleansed in heart and flesh, to us those prizes may be given,
Which the eighth age confers on him deserving joy in heaven.

Come ye then to-day here,
Every organ player,
Singer and psalm-sayer!
Lift your praise,
And upraise,
Minstrel! your lay here! Amen.
-----

INDEX

---

IX. PASCHA
[English]

Ecce dies celebris!
Lux succedit tenebris,
Morti resurrectio.
Laetis cedant tristia,
Cum sit major gloria
Quam prima confusio;
Umbram fugat veritas,
Vetustatem novitas,
Luctum consolatio.

Pascha novum colite;
Quod praeit in capite,
Membra sperent singula.
Pascha novum Christus est,
Quid pro nobis passus est,
Agnus sine macula.

Hosti qui nos circuit
Praedam Christus eruit:
Quod Samson praecinuit,
Dum leonem lacerat.
David, fortis viribus,
A leonis unguibus
Et ab ursi faucibus
Gregem patris liberat.

Qui in morte plures stravit,
Samson, Christum figuravit,
Cujus mors victoria.
Samson dictus Sol eorum:
Christus lux est electorum,
Quos illustrat gratia.

Jam de Crucis sacro vecte
Botrus fluit in dilectae
Penetral ecclesiae.
Jam, calcato torculari,
Musto gaudent ebriari
Gentium primitiae.

Saccus scissus et pertusus
In regales transit usus:
Saccus fit soccus gratiae,
Caro victrix miseriae.

Quia regem peremerunt,
Dei regnum perdiderunt:
Sed non deletur penitus
Cain, in signum positus.

Reprobatus et abjectus
Lapis iste, nunc electus,
In tropaeum stat erectus,
Et in caput anguli.
Culpam delens, non naturam,
Novam creat creaturam,
Tenens in se ligaturam
Utriusque populi.

Capiti sit gloria,
Membrisque concordia! Amen.
-----

IX. EASTER
[Latin]

Hail, great day of wondrous deeds!
Light to deepest gloom succeeds,
And to death new risen life.
Joy all sorrows triumphs o'er,
For the glory now is more
Than the former mingled strife;
Truth the shadow puts to flight,
What is new the old and trite,
Consolation tears and grief.

Hail to our new Passover;
What the Head did first secure
May each member hope to gain.
Our new Passover is Christ,
Who for us is sacrificed,
As a Lamb devoid of stain.

From the foe about our way
Christ delivers now the prey,
E'en as Samson once did say,
When the lion he slew of yore.
David, strong in his good cause,
Rescues from the lion's claws
And the bear's devouring jaws,
All his father's flock once more.

Samson slew the most when dying,
Jesus Christ thus typifying,
Death to Whom was victory.
Samson's name "The Sun" declareth;
As His saints' light Christ appeareth,
Whom He shines on graciously.

From the Cross's holy transom
Flow the grapes' divinest ransom
To the well-loved Church's shrine:
Round the trodden wine-press thronging,
Gentile first-fruits drink, with longing,
Draughts of new and gladdening wine.

Sackcloth, worn to rags and riven,
Is to royal uses given:
With sackcloth shod, see! peace doth go;
The flesh hath triumphed over woe.

They are from God's kingdom driven,
Who to death its king have given:
Cain hath not wholly perished yet,
But for a warning sign is set.

Though condemned once and rejected
Was this stone, it stands erected
For a trophy now, selected
As the chiefest corner-stone.
Sin, not nature, He rebateth,
A new creature He createth,
And Himself incorporateth
Jews and Gentiles into one.

To the Head all glory be,
'Mongst the members unity! Amen.
-----

INDEX

---

X. PASCHA
[English]

Lux illuxit Dominica,
Lux insignis, lux unica,
Lux lucis et laetitiae,
Lux immortalis gloriae.

Diem mundi conditio
Commendat ab initio,
Quam Christi resurrectio
Ditavit privilegio.

In spe perennis gaudii,
Lucis exultent filii;
Vindicent membra meritis
Conformitatem capitis!

Solemnis est celebritas
Et vota sunt solemnia;
Primae diei dignitas
Prima requirit gaudia.

Solemnitatum gloria,
Paschalis est victoria,
Sub multis aenigmatibus
Prius promissa patribus.

Jam scisso velo patuit
Quod vetus lex praecinuit;
Figuram res exterminat,
Et umbram lux illuminat.

Quid agnus sine macula,
Quid haedus typi gesserit,
Nostra purgans piacula,
Messias nobis aperit.

Per mortem nos indebitam
Solvit a morte debita;
Praedam captans illicitam
Praeda privatur licita.

Carnis delet opprobria
Caro peccati nescia;
Die reflorens tertia
Corda confirmat dubia.

O mors Christi mirifica,
Tu Christo nos vivifica!
Mors morti non obnoxia,
Da nobis vitae praemia!
-----

X. EASTER
[Latin]

The Lord's own day hath poured its rays,
That glorious light, the day of days;
The light of light and joy, the day
Whose glory passeth not away.

This day the world's foundations laid
Distinguish, since the world was made;
On which Christ's rising from the dead
Hath new peculiar glory shed.

Ye sons of light! with lifted voice
In hope of endless joys rejoice;
And by good deeds, ye members! see
That like unto your Head ye be!

A holy feast this day displays,
And prayers as holy it desires;
The glory of the first of days
The first-fruits of our joy requires.

The feast of Easter's victory
The glory of all feasts must be,
'Neath many a mystic type foretold
In promise to our sires of old.

Now, rent the veil, is that well known
In the old law obscurely shown;
Fulfilment types obliterates,
And shadows light illuminates.

From what the lamb without a spot,
From what the scapegoat, typified,
Purging from us guilt's sinful blot,
Messias draws the veil aside.

By death deserved not doth He pay
From death deserved to set us free;
Death, seizing the unlawful prey,
Loses what was his lawfully.

That flesh, which knows not guilt nor stain,
Destroys our guilt, the flesh's bane;
And, springing the third day again,
Doth doubting hearts' full faith maintain.

O death of Christ, most wondrous death!
Be thou in Christ our life and breath!
O death, that bows no death beneath!
Grant thou to us life's glory-wreath!
-----

INDEX

---

XI. PASCHA
[English]

Salve, dies dierum gloria,
Dies felix, Christi victoria,
Dies digna jugi laetitia,
Dies prima!
Lux divina caecis irradiat,
In qua Christus infernum spoliat,
Mortem vincit et reconciliat
Summis ima.

Sempiterni Regis sententia
Sub peccato conclusit omnia,
Ut infirmis superna gratia
Subveniret.
Dei virtus est sapientia
Temperavit iram clementia
Cum jam mundus in praecipitia
Totus iret.

Insultabat nostrae miseriae,
Vetus hostis, auctor malitiae,
Quia nulla spes erat veniae
De peccatis;
Desperante mundo remedium,
Dum tenerent cuncta silentium,
Deus Pater emisit Filium
Desperatis.

Praedo vorax, monstrum tartareum,
Carnem videns, nec cavens laqueum,
In latentem ruens aculeum
Aduncatur;
Dignitatis primae conditio
Reformatur nobis in Filio.
Cujus nova nos resurrectio
Consolatur.

Resurrexit liber ab inferis
Restaurator humani generis,
Ovem suam reportans humeris
Ad superna.
Angelorum pax fit et hominum;
Plenitudo succrescit ordinum:
Triumphantem laus decet Dominum,
Laus aeterna!

Harmoniae coelestis patriae
Vox concordet matris ecclesiae;
Alleluia frequentet hodie
Plebs fidelis.
Triumphato mortis imperio,
Triumphali fruamur gaudio:
In terra pax et jubilatio
Sit in coelis! Amen.
-----

XI. EASTER
[Latin]

Hail, day, the glory of all days, to thee!
Thrice happy day, Christ's day of victory!
The first day! day most fit continually
Our joy to show!
This day divine illumines blind eyes,
Upon which Christ of hell's dark realms makes prize,
O'ercometh death and joins in one the skies
And earth below.

The judgment of the everlasting King
Hath under sin concluded everything,
That heavenly grace the weak and wavering
Might come to aid.
God's goodness and His wisdom from on high
His wrath hath tempered with His clemency,
Now when all earth was being rapidly
In ruin laid.

The father of all lies, man's ancient foe,
Was trampling on us in our bitter woe,
Because no hope of pardon here below
For sin was left;
When thus the earth despaired of cure for sin,
And silence reigned o'er it and all therein,
Forth God the Father sent His Son to men
Of hope bereft.

The insatiate robber, monster hell did bear,
Seeing the bait, but heedless of the snare,
Rushing upon the hooks' point hidden there,
On it is caught;
The dignity of man, as first begun,
Is now refashioned for us in the Son,
By Whose new resurrection to each one
Comfort is brought.

Free hath He risen from depths of hell below,
Who hath the human race re-fashioned so,
And, on His shoulder borne, His sheep He now
To heaven doth raise.
'Twixt men and angels is there perfect peace;
The ranks of heaven now swell to full increase;
Praise to the Lord Who maketh wars to cease,
Eternal praise!

O let the voice of Mother-Church agree
With heaven, our fatherland's, bright harmony,
And alleluias from the faithful be
Countless to-day!
The power of death o'ercome effectually,
Let us enjoy the joys of victory:
On earth be peace and jubilee on high
In heaven for aye! Amen.
-----

INDEX

---

XII. PASCHA
[English]

Sexta passus feria
Die Christus tertia
Resurrexit;
Surgens cum victoria,
Collocat in gloria
Quos dilexit.

Pro fideli populo
Crucis in patibulo
Immolatur;
Clauditur in tumulo,
Tandem in diluculo
Susciatur.

Christi crux et passio
Nobis est praesidio,
Si credamus;
Christ resurrectio
Facit ut a vitio
Resurgamus.

Hostia sufficiens
Christus fuit moriens
Pro peccato;
Sanguinis effusio
Abluit nos, impio
Triumphato.

Morte sua simplici
Nostrae morti duplici
Fert medelam;
Vitae pandit aditum,
Nostrum sanat genitum
Et querelam.

Leo fortis hodie
Dat signum potentiae
Resurgendo,
Principem nequitiae
Per arma justitiae
Devincendo.

Diem istam Dominus
Fecit, in qua facinus
Mundi lavit,
In qua mors occiditur,
In qua vita redditur,
Hostis ruit.

Geminatum igitur
Alleluya canitur
Corde puro,
Quia culpa tollitur
Et vita promittitur
In futuro.

In hoc mundi vespere
Fac tuos resurgere,
Jesu Christe;
Salutaris omnibus
Sit tuis fidelibus
Dies iste! Amen.
-----

XII. EASTER
[Latin]

Christ, upon the Friday slain,
On the Sunday once again
Rose victorious,
And those, whom He sought in love,
Gathers round Himself above,
Ever glorious.

For His faithful people He,
Offered on the Cross's tree,
Death sustaineth:
To the tomb's enclosure borne,
Life once more at early morn
He regaineth.

Christ's protection we receive
Through His Cross, if we believe,
And His Passion;
While His rising for our sakes
Possible our rising makes
From transgression.

A sufficient sacrifice
Jesus by his death supplies
For all evil:
Through His blood, shed, cleansed are we,
And thus gain the victory
O'er the devil.

He, by dying once for all,
Freedom from death's double thrall
For us gaining,
Opens wide the gate of life,
Thereby healing all our grief
And complaining.

He, the lion strong, to-day
Rising, of his powerful sway
Token showeth;
For iniquity's fell lord,
He with righteousness's sword
Overthroweth.

'Tis the Lord's own day, wherein
All the world, made clean from sin,
He recalleth,
Whereon, death's self being slain,
And our life restored again,
Satan falleth.

Therefore from pure hearts once more
Double alleluias soar
Up to heaven;
Since away man's guilt is ta'en,
And that he shall live again
Promise given.

Jesu Christ! make Thou Thine own
Rise before the sun goes down
O'er creation;
May this day to all who bear
True allegiance to Thee here
Bring salvation! Amen.
-----

INDEX

---

XIII. PASCHA
[English]

Mundi renovatio
Nova parit gaudia;
Resurgenti Domino
Conresurgunt omnia.
Elementa serviunt,
Et auctoris sentiunt
Quanta sit sollemnia.

Ignis volat mobilis,
Et aer volubilis,
Fluit aqua labilis,
Terra manet stabilis:
Alta petunt levia,
Centrum tenent gravia,
Renovantur omnia.

Coelum fir serenius,
Et mare tranquilius;
Spirat aura levius,
Vallis nostra floruit.
Revirescunt arida,
Recalsecunt frigida
Postquam ver intepuit.

Gelu mortis solvitur
Princeps mundi tollitur,
Et ejus destruitur
In nobis imperium;
Dum tenere voluit
In quo nihil habuit,
Jus amisit proprium.

Vita mortem superat;
Homo jam recuperat
Quod prius amiserat
Paradisi gaudium:
Viam praebat facilem,
Cherubim versatilem
Amovendo gladium.

Christus coelos reserat
Et captivos liberat
Quos culpa ligaverat
Sub mortis interitu.
Pro tanta victoria
Patri, Proli gloria
Sit cum Sancto Spiritu! Amen.
-----

XIII. EASTER
[Latin]

Spring's renewal of earth's plain
New-born joys to man supplies;
When the Lord doth rise again,
With Him also all things rise:
Elements upon him wait,
Feeling, as their source, how great
Should be his solemnities.

Fires their swift flames upward throw,
Lightly the air-eddies blow,
running waters onward flow,
Earth remains unmoved below:
Light things soar above the plain,
Heavy things their place retain,
All things are renewed again.

Heights of heaven serener be,
And more tranquil grows the sea;
Breathes the air more buoyantly,
And our vale fresh verdure shows;
What is dry once more revives,
What is cold new heat receives,
When with warmth the springtide glows.

Icy death dissolves to-day;
This world's prince is borne away,
And o'er us his hateful sway
Is destroyed for evermore:
Since he in possession sought
Him in whom he had not aught,
He hath lost his ancient power.

Death by life is triumphed o'er;
Man recovers now once more
All the bliss, which, lost of yore,
Paradise's joys afford:
Easy hath the way there proved,
Since the cherubim removed
Thence his ever-turning sword.

Christ re-opens heaven again,
Loosing every captive's chain,
Bound to undergo death's pain
For his foul iniquity.
Glory for such victory won
To the Father and the Son
With the Holy Spirit be! Amen.
-----

INDEX

---

XIV. PASCHA
[English]

Zyma vetus expurgetur
Ut sincere celebretur
Nova resurrectio:
Haec est dies nostrae spei,
Hujus mira vis diei
Legis testimonio.

Haec Aegyptum spoliavit
Et Hebraeos liberavit
De fornace ferrea:
His in arcto constitutis
Opus erat servitutis
Lutum, later, palea.

Jam Divina laus virtutis,
Jam triumphi, jam salutis
Vox erumpet libera!
Haec est dies quam fecit Dominus,
Dies nostri doloris terminus,
Dies salutifera!

Lex est umbra futurorum,
Christus, finis promissorum,
Qui consummat omnia:
Christi sanguis igneam
Hebetavit romphaeam,
Amota custodia.

Puer nostri forma risus,
Pro quo vervex est occisus,
Vitae signat gaudium.
Joseph exit de cisterna:
Christus redit ad superna,
Post mortis supplicium.

Hic dracones Pharaonis
Draco vorat, a draconis
Immunis malitia:
Quos ignitus vulnerat,
Hos serpentis liberat
Aenei praesentia.

Anguem forat in maxilla
Christi hamus et armilla:
In cavernam reguli
Manum mittit ablactatus,
Et sic fugit exturbatus
Vetus hospes saeculi.

Irrisores Elisaei,
Dum conscendit domum Dei,
Zelum calvi sentiunt:
David arreptitius,
Hircus emissarius
Et passer effugiunt.

In maxilla mille sternit,
Et de tribu sua spernit
Samson matrimonium:
Samson Gazae seras pandit,
Et asportans portas scandit
Montis supercilium.

Sic de Juda leo fortis,
Fractis portis dirae mortis,
Die surgit tertia;
Rugiente voce patris
Ad supernae sinum matris
Tot revexit spolia.

Cetus Jonam fugitivum,
Veri Jonae signativum,
Post tres dies reddit vivum
De ventris angustia.
Botrus Cypri reflorescit,
Dilatatur et excrescit;
Synagogae flos marescit,
Et floret ecclesia.

Mors et vita conflixere,
Resurrexit Christus vere,
Et cum Christo surrexere
Multi testes gloriae.
Mane novum, mane laetum
Vespertinum tergat fletum:
Quia vita vicit letum,
Tempus est laetitiae.

Jesu victor, Jesu vita,
Jesu vitae via trita,
Cujus morte mors sopita,
Ad Paschalem nos invita
Mensam cum fiducia.
Vive panis, vivax unda,
Vera vitis et fecunda,
Tu nos pasce, tu nos munda,
Ut a morte nos secunda
Tua salvet gratia. Amen.
-----

XIV. EASTER
[Latin]

Purge away the former leaven,
That true thanks may now be given
On the day which saw Christ rise!
Hope to us this great day yieldeth;
Mighty is the power it wieldeth,
As the Law's word testifies.

Egypt's sons this day were plundered;
Israel's tribes, their fetters sundered,
From the kilns were freed to-day;
Servile was the occupation
Of this bound and captive nation,
Making bricks of straw and clay.

Of God's goodness let laudation,
Songs of triumph and salvation,
Burst forth now in accents clear:
This is the day the Lord Himself hath made,
The day our sorrows all to rest are laid,
And which brings salvation near.

Things to come the Law's type veileth;
Christ the promises fulfilleth,
Who doth all things consummate;
Christ's own blood, for us outpoured,
Making blunt the flaming sword,
Drives the warders from the gate.

Life's joy he, that lad, implieth,
Who our laughter typifieth,
In whose stead the ram was slain:
Joseph from the pit ascendeth,
Back to heaven His way Christ wendeth,
Having died his death of pain.

'Tis the serpent that devoureth
Pharoah's serpents, and o'erpowereth,
Scatheless, the old serpent's spite.
He provideth an escape,
In a brazen serpent's shape,
From the fiery serpents's bite.

Christ the hook and thorn appeareth,
Which the serpent's jaw-bone teareth:
On the cockatrice's den
When His hand this weaned child layeth,
Driven off, no longer stayeth
That old dweller amongst men.

Mocking children, insults throwing
At the seer to Beth-el going,
Feel the bald-head's righteous wrath:
David, by feigned madness stirred,
The scapegoat, the "living bird,"
From the haunts of men flee forth.

Samson with a jaw-bone slayeth
Thousands, and contempt displayeth
For a wife from 'mongst his own:
Samson Gaza's bolts unfastens,
And, its gates uplifting, hastens
With them to the mountain's crown.

Judah's lion by this token
Boldly, death's dread portals broken,
Rises the third day once more:
Back to heaven rich fruits of daring
To our mother's bosom bearing,
When He hears the Father's roar.

Jonah, from his duty flying,
Three days in her belly lying,
Our true Jonah typifying,
Doth the whale restore alive.
Clustered camphire fresh life showeth,
Spreads abroad and larger groweth:
Blight alone the Law's bud knoweth,
And the Church doth bloom and thrive.

Death and life's long strife is ended!
Christ hath risen indeed, attended
By a witness crowd, ascended
With Him, who His glory show.
Morning new, morn gladness reaping!
Wipe away our eve of weeping;
Life o'er death is triumph keeping,
'Tis the time for joyance now!

Jesu victor, life bestowing!
Jesu, way to true life going!
Through Thy death death's self o'erthrowing!
At Thy Paschal feast o'erflowing
Grant us in full trust a place!
Bread of life and Water living!
Vine, the true Vine, much fruit giving!
Feed us, cleanse us from sin's striving,
That, at second death arriving,
We escape it through Thy grace! Amen.
-----

INDEX

---

XV. ASCENSIO
[English]

Postquam hostem et inferna
Spoliavit, ad superna
Christus redit gaudia;
Angelorum ascendenti
Sicut olim descendenti
Parantur obsequia.

Super astra sublimatur;
Non apparet, absentatur
Corporis praesentia;
Cuncta tamen moderatur,
Cujus Patri coaequatur
Honor et potentia.

Modo victor, modo tutus,
Est in coelo constitutus
Rector super omnia.
Non est rursum moriturus,
Nec per mortem mandaturus
Hominum contagia.

Semel enim incarnatus,
Semel passus, semel datus
Pro peccatis hostia,
Nullam feret ultra poenam,
Nam quietem habet plenam
Cum summa laetitia.

Cum recessit, ita dixit,
Intimavit et infixit
Talia discipulis:
"Ite, mundum circuite,
Universos erudite
Verbis et miraculis.

"Nam as Patrem meum ibo;
Sed sciatis quod redibo:
Veniet Paraclitus
Qui desertos et loquaces,
Et securos, et audaces
Faciet vos penitus.

"Super aegros et languentes
Manus vestras imponentes,
Sanitatem dabitis;
Universas res nocentes,
Inimicos et serpentes
Et morbos fugabitis.

"Qui fidelis est futurus
Et cum fide suscepturus
Baptismi remedium,
In peccatis erit purus
Et cum justis habiturus
Sempiternum gaudium." Amen.
-----

XV. ASCENSION
[Latin]

Satan and the realms infernal
Having spoiled, to joys supernal
Christ returneth back once more:
As His upward way he wendeth,
As before, when he descendeth,
Angels set them to adore.

As above the stars He goeth,
Here no more Himself He showeth,
Bodily, to mortal sight;
But all rule to him is given,
Who is with His Sire in Heaven
One in majesty and might.

Victor now, from perils warded,
He in heaven hath been accorded
Empire over all therein:
Nevermore shall He be dying,
Nevermore through death supplying
Means to purify man's sin.

Once for all He took our nature,
Once He suffered, once, a creature,
Was for sin content to die:
Further pain shall He know never,
But, in perfect peace for ever,
Compass endless joys on high.

Thus he spake, as He ascended;
These things straitly He commanded,
And impressed upon His own:
"Go through all the world and preach ye,
Every nation therein teach ye
Both by word and wonder done.

"For I go unto my Father,
To return, as ye may gather,
Since shall come a Comforter,
Who shall make you bold and fearless,
Of all consequences careless,
Eloquent in speech and clear.

"Those laid low by sickness on them,
When ye lay your hands upon them,
Shall their former health regain:
All things hurtful and annoying,
With all deadly snakes, destroying,
Ye shall drive out plagues and pain.

"Whosoever but believeth,
And with simple faith receiveth
Baptism's sure remedy,
Shall be cleansed from all transgression,
And have with the saints possession
Of eternal joys on high!" Amen.
-----

INDEX

---

XVI. PENTECOSTE
[English]

Lux jucunda, lux insignis,
Qua de throno missus ignis
In Christi discipulos
Corda replet, linguas ditat,
Ad concordes nos invitat
Linguae cordis modulos.

Christus misit quod promisit
Pignus sponsae, quam revisit
Die quinquagesima;
Post dulcorem melleum
Petra fudit oleum,
Petra jam firmissima.

In tabellis saxeis,
Non in linguis igneis
Lex de monte populo;
Paucis cordis novitas
Et linguarum unitas
Datur in coenaculo.

O quam felix, quam festiva
Dies, in qua primitiva
Fundatur ecclesia!
Vivae sunt primitiae
Nascentis ecclesiae,
Tria primum millia.

Panes legis primitivi
Sub una sunt adoptivi
Fide duo populi:
Se duobus interjecit
Sicque duos unum fecit
Lapis, caput anguli.

Utres novi, non vetusti,
Sunt capaces novi musti;
Vasa parat vidua;
Liquorem dat Eliseus;
Nobis sacrum rorem Deus,
Si corda sunt congrua.

Non hoc musto vel liquore,
Non hoc sumus digni rore,
Si discordes moribus.
In obscuris vel divisis
No potest haec Paraclisis
Habitare cordibus.

Consolator alme, veni;
Linguas rege, corda leni;
Nihil fellis aut veneni
Sub tua praesentia.
Nil jocundum, nil amoenum,
Nil salubre, nil serenum,
Nihil dulce, nihil plenum,
Nisi tua gratia.

Tu lumen es et unguentum,
To coeleste condimentum
Aquae ditans elementum
Virtute mysterii.
Nova facti creatura,
Te laudamus mente pura,
Gratiae nunc, sed natura
Prius irae filii.

Tu qui dator es et donum,
Tu qui condis omne bonum,
Cor ad laudem redde pronum,
Nostrae linguae formans sonum
In tua praeconia.
Tu nos purga a peccatis,
Auctor ipse puritatis,
Et in Christo renovatis
Da perfectae novitatis
Plena nobis gaudia. Amen.
-----

XVI. WHITSUNTIDE
[Latin]

Day delightful! day most noted!
When o'er Christ's disciples floated
Fire sent from the throne on high,
Filling hearts and tongues endowing,
And on hearts and tongues bestowing
Words and thoughts in harmony!

Christ, as once His word had spoken,
Sent his spouse a pledge and token,
Coming back the fiftieth day.
After streams of honey sweet
Oil that rock poured forth from it,
Which is now man's firmest stay.

From the mount to Jewry came
God's law, not in tongues of flame,
But on tables wrought from stone:
In a furnished upper room,
Given but to few, there come
Hearts renewed, and tongues as one.

O the joy and jubilation
Of that day, when first foundation
Of the early Church was laid:
When the Church, then first begun,
Should three hundred to it won,
Lively first-fruits of it made.

Thus one faith binds earth's two nations,
Like the early dispensation's
Twofold offering of bread:
The Head Corner-stone two races
By his presence interlaces,
And thus one the two are made.

In new bottles, not in olden,
Must the new-made wine be holden:
Brings the widow but the cruse;
Oil is by Elijah given:
So doth God for dew from heaven
Hearts, if fitting vessels, use.

Of this wine or oil before Thee,
Of this dew, are we unworthy,
If we have not peace within:
Not in hearts 'gainst God rebelling,
Can this Comforter be dwelling,
Nor in those made dark through sin.

Come, Thou Comforter benignest!
Rule our hearts and tongues, Divinest!
Gall or poison, where Thou shinest,
May not any more be found:
There is not a joy or pleasure,
Health and rest are not a treasure,
Nought is sweet, all scant in measure,
Where Thy grace doth not abound.

Thou, for light and unction given,
A sweet savour sent from heaven,
Fillest simple water even
With a new mysterious power:
We, re-made by Thy creation,
Give Thee, with pure hearts, laudation;
Sons of grace, by generation
Sons of wrath who were before.

Thou, Who art both gift and giver,
Helping every good endeavour,
Cause our hearts to praise Thee ever,
And our lips, O let us never
But in blessing Thee employ:
Wash out every evil passion,
Who alone canst purge transgression!
And in Christ our souls refashion,
That we may, in full possession,
Our new nature's bliss enjoy! Amen.
-----

INDEX

---

XVII. PENTECOSTE
[English]

Qui procedis ab utroque,
Genitore Genitoque
Pariter, Paraclite,
Redde linguas eloquentes,
Fac ferventes
In te mentes
Flamma tua divite.

Amor Patris Filiique,
Par amborum et utrique
Compar et consimilis.
Cuncta reples, cuncta foves,
Astra regis, coelum moves,
Permanens immobilis.

Lumen carum,
Lumen clarum,
Internarum
Tenebrarum
Effugas caliginem;
Per te mundi sunt mundati;
Tu peccatum et peccati
Destruis rubiginem.

Veritatem notam facis
Et ostendis viam pacis
Et iter justitiae.
Perversorum
Corda vitas,
Et bonorum
Corda ditas
Munere scientiae.

Te docente
Nil obscurum,
Te prsesente
Nil impurum;
Sub tua praesentia
Gloriatur mens jocunda;
Per te laeta, per te munda
Gaudet conscientia.

Tu commutas elementa;
Per te suam sacramenta
Habent efficaciam:
Tu nocivam vim repellis,
Tu confutas et refellis
Hostium nequitiam.

Quando venis,
Corda lenis;
Quando subis
Atrae nubis
Effugit obscuritas;
Sacer ignis,
Pectus ignis;
Non comburis,
Sed a curis
Purgas, quando visitas.

Mentes prius imperitas
Et sopitas
Et oblitas
Erudis et excitas.
Foves linguas, formas sonum;
Cor ad bonum
Facit pronum
A te data charitas.

O juvamen
Oppressorum,
O solamen
Miserorum,
Pauperum refugium,
Da contemptum terrenorum,
Ad amorem supernorum
Trahe desiderium!

Consolator
Et fundator,
Habitator
Et amator
Cordium humilium,
Pelle mala, terge sordes,
Et discordes
Fac concordes,
Et affer praesidium.

Tu qui quondam visitasti,
Docuisti, confortasti
Timentes discipulos,
Visitare nos digneris;
Nos, si placet, consoleris
Et credentes populos.

Par majestas
Personarum,
Par potestas
Est earum,
Et communis Deitas:
Tu, procedens a duobus,
Coaequalis es ambobus;
In nullo disparitas.

Quia tantus es et talis
Quantus Pater est et qualis;
Servorum humilitas
Deo Patri, Filioque
Redemptori, Tibi quoque
Laudes reddat debitas. Amen.
-----

XVII. WHITSUNTIDE
[Latin]

Comforter, from both together,
From the Son and from the Father,
Who proceedest equally!
Eloquent our utterance render;
With Thy splendour
Bright engender
In our hearts true warmth for Thee.

Love of Father, Son, together;
Equal of them both; with either
One: the same in every part!
All Thou fillest, all Thou lovest,
Stars Thou rulest, heaven Thou movest,
Though immovable Thou art.

Light the dearest!
Light the clearest!
Off Thou scarest,
As Thou nearest,
From the heart its gloomy night:
All the pure Thou purifiest,
Thou it is that sin destroyest,
And its mildew's baleful blight.

Knowledge of the truth Thou spreadest;
On the way of peace Thou leadest,
And the path of righteousness.
From Thee thrusting
Hearts unruly,
Thou all trusting
Hearts and holy
Dost with gifts of wisdom bless.

When Thou teachest,
Nought obscure is!
Where Thou reachest,
Nought impure is;
And, if present Thou wilt be,
Hearts in Thee then blithely glory,
And the conscience joys before Thee,
Gladdened, purified by Thee.

Elements their mystic dower,
Sacraments their saving power,
But through Thee alone possess:
What can harm us Thou repellest,
Thou exposest and Thou quellest,
Adversaries' wickedness.

Where Thou lightest,
Hearts are brightest;
Gloom-enshrouded
Clouds that brooded
There, before Thee disappear;
Fire all-holy!
Hearts Thou truly
Never burnest,
But thence yearnest,
When Thou comest, cares to clear.

Thou the heart, experience needing,
Languor pleading,
Little heeding,
Dost instruct and rouse to right;
Speeches framing, tongues endowing,
And bestowing
Love all-glowing,
Hearts Thou mak'st in good delight.

Sustentation
In dejection!
Consolation
In affliction!
Only refuge of the poor!
Give us scorn for things terrestrial,
And to care for things celestial
Lead our longings more and more!

Comfort wholly,
Founder solely,
Inmate truly,
Lover throughly,
Of those hearts that bow to Thee!
Concord, where is discord, raising,
Ills thence chasing,
Guilt effacing,
Bring us true security!

Thou, Who once by visitation
Didst inform, and consolation
To Thy scared disciples give!
Deign Thou now to come unto us:
If it please Thee, comfort show us,
And all nations that believe!

One excelling
Greatness sharing,
One as well in
Power appearing,
But one God three Persons are.
Coming forth from two together,
Thou co-equal art with either,
No disparity is there.

Such as is the Father Thou art;
Since so great and such Thou now art,
By Thy servants unto Thee,
With the Sire, and Son, in heaven
Our Redeemer, praise be given,
As is due, most reverently! Amen.
-----

INDEX

---

XVIII. PENTECOSTE
[English]

Simplex in essentia,
Septiformis gratia,
Nos illustret Spiritus;
Cordis lustret tenebras
Et carnis illecebras
Lux emissa coelitus!

Lex praecessit in figura,
Lex poenalis, lex obscura,
Lumen evangelicum.
Spiritalis intellectus,
Litterali fronde tectus,
Prodeat in publicum!

Lex de monte populo,
Paucis in coenaculo
Nova datur gratia.
Situs docet nos locorum,
Praeceptorum vel donorum
Quae sit eminentia.

Ignis, clangor buccinae,
Frago cum caligine,
Lampadum discursio,
Terrorem incutiunt
Nec amorem nutriunt,
Quem effudit unctio.

Sic in Sina
Lex divina
Reis est imposita;
Lex timoris,
Non amoris,
Puniens illicita.

Ecce patres praeelecti
Dii recentes sunt effecti:
Culpae solvunt vincula.
Pluunt verbo, tonant minis;
Novis linguis et doctrinis
Consonant miracula.

Exhibentes aegris curam,
Morbum damnant, non naturam.
Persequentes scelera,
Reos premunt et castigant:
Modo solvunt, modo ligant,
Potestate libera.

Typum gerit Jubilei
Dies iste, si diei
Requiris mysteria,
In quo, tribus millibus
Ad fidem currentibus,
Pullulat Ecclesia.

Jubilaeus est vocatus
Vel dimittens vel mulatus,
Ad priores vocans status
Res distractas libere.
Nos distractos sub peccatis,
Liberet lex charitatis
Et perfectae libertatis
Dignos reddat munere. Amen.
-----

XVIII. WHITSUNTIDE
[Latin]

May the Spirit on us shine,
One in essence all-divine,
Septiform in gifts of grace!
May His beams from Heaven's height
Flood the darkened heart with light
And our lusts' ensnaring ways!

First the penal Law came, clouded
O'er with types, in mystery shrouded,
Ere the Gospel light shone forth.
'Neath the foliage of the letter
May the spirit, free from fetter,
Of that Gospel spread o'er earth!

From the Mount the Law was given
Unto all; new grace from Heaven
In a chamber to a few;
The position of which places
Brings out the respective graces
Of their laws and gifts to view.

Flames of fire, the trump's loud sound,
Din and darkness all around,
Bickering lightnings sent abroad,
Strike wild terror to the heart,
Nor the fostering love impart,
Which that unction hath outpoured.

Thus were given
Out of heaven
Laws to sinners from the Mount;
Laws of terror,
Chastening error,
Making love of small account.

By the fathers, pre-elected,
God-like works are now effected;
They unloose sin's galling bond:
Rain their words, their threatenings thunder,
With their words their works of wonder,
New and startling, correspond.

Caring for each sickly creature,
They condemn disease, not nature;
Punishing iniquity,
Sinners they strike down and chasten;
Chains they loosen, chains they fasten,
With a power from limit free.

Like a jubilee appeareth
The appearance this day weareth, -
If its mystery thou would'st know; -
When three thousand souls make haste
'Mongst believers to be classed,
And the Church doth thrive and grow.

"Jubilee" is a provision
Made for change or for remission,
Freely to their first condition
Calling those in misery.
May the law, by love enacted,
Freeing us, by sin distracted,
Make us, to its gifts attracted,
Fit for perfect liberty! Amen.
-----

INDEX

---

XIX. PENTECOSTE
[English]

Spiritus
Paraclitus,
Procedens divinitus,
Manet ante saecula;
Populis,
Discipulis
Ad salutem sedulis
Pacis dedit oscula.

Hodie
Cum tertiae
Surgit hora, veniae
Fit ampla donatio;
Criminum
Est hominum
Per actorem luminum
Facta relaxatio.

Micuit,
Aperuit,
Viros fortes imbuit
Suavis refectio;
Irruit
Et mituit
Et eosdem docuit
Suo magisterio.

Fragiles,
Indociles
Et adhuc inutiles,
Sermonum inopia,
Utiles
Amabiles
Et amici probabiles
Facti sunt ex gratia.

Tenere,
Non temere,
Dilectis occurrere
Vult ita benignitas;
Propere
Consumere
Culpas vult et tergere
Non exstincta caritas.

Audio
Cum gaudio
Quod ejus auxilio
Sit tanta felicitas
Cum tanto tripudio...

Cesset avaritia,
Fugetur iniquitas,
Cesset insolentia,
Cesset infidelitas!

Sit in ipsa veritas;
Mentem cum modestia
Scrutetur humilitas,
Gratiam pro gratia.

Reddat universitas
Ut Christi familia
Quam commendat sanctitas
Sit semper innoxia!

Sit in ipsa veritas,
Sit peccati nescia,
Sit perennis claritas
In coelesti patria! Amen.
-----

XIX. WHITSUNTIDE
[Latin]

The Spirit dear,
That Comforter,
Who, before all ages were,
By procession came from God,
On a race,
That sought His face,
Striving for His saving grace,
Hath the kiss of peace bestowed.

On this day,
When its first ray
The third hour doth display,
Comes full pardon's gift so bright,
Which is then
For all their sin
Freely offered to all men
By the Father of all light.

Its bright sheen
Was fully seen,
And inspired bold dauntless men
With a sweet refreshment there;
Ye, did tame
With rushing flame,
And instruct and teach the same
In its learning rich and rare.

Men, before
Devoid of lore,
Weak and frail, and lacking power
Through the lack of eloquence
Useful prove,
Friends worthy love,
An beloved where'er they move,
Through the grace it doth dispense.

Feelingly,
Not fearfully,
Thus would true benignity
To its well-belovéd come:
Instantly
Sin's infamy
Never-failing charity
Would wipe off us and consume.

O mine ear
With joy doth hear,
That, whene'er His help is near,
Such untold felicity
We shall meet with bounding feet...

Let all avarice vanish hence,
Far away, wrong-doing! flee:
No more pride and insolence,
No more infidelity!

Let the truth still hold its place,
And let but humility
Search the conscience, - grace for grace, -
With all meekness modestly.

May the All in All so bless
Christ the Lord's own family,
That it, marked by holiness,
Be from ills for ever free!

Let the truth there hold its place,
Let it sin ne'er understand:
Let its brightness never cease
In the heavenly fatherland! Amen.
-----

INDEX

---

XX. PENTECOSTE
[English]

Veni, summe consolator,
Spes salutis, vitae dator,
Adsit tua gratia!
Dulcis ardor, ros divine,
Bonitatis germine
Eadem substantia.

Ab utroque derivatus
Et a neutro separatus,
Ad utrumque colligatus
Sempiterno foedere;
Ros et vapor utriusque,
Donet Pater Filiusque
Quod effluas ad nos usque
Largifluo munere.

Rorem audis et vaporem,
Crede simul et odorem
Quo Deus discernitur.
Rorem istum quem emittit
Qui plus gustat, magis eitit,
Nec ardor reprimitur.

Plebs ut sacra renascatur,
Per hunc unda consecratur,
Cui super ferebatur
In rerum exordium,
Fons, origo pietatis,
Fons emundans a peccatis,
Fons de fonte Deitatis,
Fons sacrator fontium!

De salice sine lignis
Haedum vorat manans ignis
Azymaque pariter;
Ignis dispar elementis,
In altari nostrae mentis
Accendaris jugiter!

Umbrâ septem mulierum
Figuratis ipsum verum,
Idem ipse forma rerum,
Septiformis Spiritus!
Speciebus designaris,
Nec specie variaris:
Absit unquam ut dicaris
Speciei deditus!

Ignis vive, vivax unda,
Munda sinus et fecunda,
Subministra gratiam;
Caritatis tactos igne,
Nosmet tibi fac benigne
Sanctitatis hostiam.

Patris, Nati pium flamen,
Vitiorum medicamen,
Fessis esto sublevamen,
Moestis consolatio.
Castus amor et honestus,
Aestus ardens, sed modestus,
Quos urit ardor incestus
Tua sanet unctio.

Vox non sono designata,
Vox subtilis, vox privata,
Vox beatis inspirata,
O vox dulcis, O vox grata,
Sona nostris mentibus!
Lux depellens falsitatem,
Lux inducens veritatem,
Vitam atque sanitatem
Et aeternam claritatem
Nobis confer omnibus. Amen.
-----

XX. WHITSUNTIDE
[Latin]

Come, our comfort's chief reviver!
Hope of saving-health, Life-giver!
May Thy grace here present be!
Pleasant heat, dew from above!
Outgrowth from the God of love!
One with it substantially!

Who from both proceedest, neither
Canst be separate from either,
Linked with both of them together
By an everlasting tie;
Dew and breath of both in heaven!
By both Sire and Son be given
Of Thy Spirit to us even
In rich plenty from on high.

Of this dew and breath thou hearest;
Deem him scent too, whereby clearest
Is His Godhead to us shown.
As this dew, that from it bursteth,
Tastes man more, the more he thirsteth
With a thirst that nought tones down.

For the world's regeneration
Is to water consecration
Gave, on which at the creation,
O'er its surface borne, it sate.
Fountain, source of love's devotion!
Fountain, cleansing sinful motion!
Fountain from the Godhead's ocean,
That all founts doth consecrate!

Fire, unfed by fuel, flowing
From the rod with ardent glowing
That devours both kid and bread!
Fire, unlike all fire, O may the
Altar of our soul, we pray Thee,
Ever with Thy flame be fed!

Darkly by the women seven
Art Thou figured, Truth of Heaven!
Inner life to all things given!
Spirit, Sevenfold in grace!
Thee all various types betoken,
Though Thy oneness be unbroken;
Nor of Thee may it be spoken,
That a type can Thee embrace.

Fire of life and life's bright river!
Cleanse and fertilize hearts ever,
Giving grace in everything;
Touched with fire of true love, take us
To Thee, and in mercy make us
Holiness's offering!

Sire and Son's blest emanation!
Be from sin our restoration,
When worn out, our sustenation,
And our comfort, when we mourn!
Love both pure and noble truly!
Heat that warms, but ne'er unduly!
May Thine unction heal those throughly,
Who with unchaste ardour burn!

Voice, that doth no sound deliver!
Still small voice, that whisperest ever,
Saints inspiring to endeavour!
Voice of joy and sweetness! never
Cease to sound within our heart!
Light, away all falsehood driving!
Light, to truth incentive giving!
Grant that - life, health, thence deriving, -
Of Thy brightness ever-living
All of us may have a part! Amen.
-----

INDEX

---

XXI. TRINITAS
[English]

Trinitatem simplicem,
Trinum Deum, non triplicem,
Supplex colat ecclestia!
Trinitatis
In creatis
Interlucent rebus vestigia.

Mens in Deum consurgat sobria!
Genitoris et Geniti
Spiritusque Paracliti
Gratia
Nobis sacra revelet mysteria.

Tres personae sunt, et plura
Quae personas distingunt mysteria.
Tres idem sunt in natura,
Quod una nec tribus minor singula.

Trium posse, scire, velle paria,
In personis tribus et distantia.
- Sit par reverentia
Tribus, et uni gloria! Amen.
-----

XXI. TRINITY
[Latin]

To the Triune God, not Gods three,
The Trinity in Unity,
Let the Church now bow the knee!
All creation
Indication,
Clear and lucid, gives of a Trinity.

Let the sober mind up to God then rise!
Of the Father and of the Son,
With the Paraclete Spirit one,
To our eyes
May God's grace reveal all the mysteries!

There are Persons three, and many
Mysteries marking these Persons distinctively:
One by nature, all and any,
Neither is separately less than all the three.

Equal in all Three is knowledge, power and will,
Yet in their three Persons is there difference still:
- Equal reverence to the Three,
To the One all glory, be! Amen.
-----

INDEX

---

XXII. TRINITAS
[English]

Profitentes Unitatem
Veneremur Trinitatem
Pari reverentia,
Tres Personas asserentes
Personali differentes
A se differentia.

Haec dicuntur relative,
Quum sint unum substantive,
Non tria principia.
Sive dicas tres vel tria,
Simplex tamen est usia,
Non triplex essentia.

Simplex esse, simplex posse,
Simplex velle, simplex nosse,
Cuncta simplicia.
Non unius quam duarum
Sive trium Personarum
Minor efficacia.

Pater, Proles, Sacreum Flamen,
Deus unus: sed hi tamen
Habent quaedam propria.
Una virtus, unum numen,
Unus splendor, unum lumen,
Hoc una quod alia.

Patri Proles est aequalis,
Nec hoc tollit personalis
Amborum distinctio.
Patri compar Filioque,
Spiritalis ab utroque
Procedit connexio.

Non humana ratione
Capi possunt hae Personae,
Nec harum discretio.
Non hic ordo temporalis,
Non hic situs, aut localis
Rerum circumscriptio.

Nil in Deo praeter Deum,
Nulla causa praeter eum
Qui causat causalia.
Effectiva vel formalis
Causa Deus, et finalis,
Sed nunquam materia.

Digne loque de Personis
Vim transcendit rationis,
Excedit ingenia.
Quid sit gigni, quid processus,
Me nescire sum professus:
Sed fide non dubia.

Qui sic credit, ne festinet,
Et a via non declinet
Insolerter regia.
Servet fidem, formet mores,
Non declinet ad errores
Quos damnat Ecclesia.

Nos in fide gloriemur,
Nos in una modulemur
Fidei constantia:
Trinae sit laus Unitati,
Sit et simplae Trinitati
Coaeterna gloria! Amen.
-----

XXII. TRINITY
[Latin]

We, the Unity confessing,
Must the Trinity be blessing
In our worship equally;
In three Persons thus believing;
Difference 'twixt them each perceiving
In their Personality.

Relatively of these speak we,
Substantively but one make we,
Nor three Persons in them see;
Call them three or threefold, never
But one substance are they ever,
Neither in their essence three.

One in being, One in power,
One in will and wisdom's dower,
One in all respects they be:
Of all these three Persons, either
One, or two, or all together,
Are Almighty equally.

Father, Son, and Spirit Holy,
Are one God, but each hath truly
Some peculiar property:
One their goodness, one their might, is;
One their glory, one their light, is;
One are they entirely.

Equal are the Son and Father,
But from this we may not gather
That their Persons are the same:
One with Son and Father either,
Not from one, but both together,
The connecting Spirit came.

These three Persons that we mention
Are beyond man's comprehension,
As the difference each one shows:
Time and place alike unbounded
Are for them, and unsurrounded
By the limits nature knows.

Naught but God God's self compriseth,
Nor from other cause ariseth,
Cause of all causality;
Though the cause, all things respecting,
Formal, final, and effecting,
Immaterial is He.

To describe these Persons duly
Far transcends man's reason truly,
And exceeds his wit as well:
What that birth is, that procession,
Though faith doubts not, my confession
Must be that I cannot tell.

Who believes this, nought dismayeth;
He ne'er ignorantly strayeth
From this creed's right royal road;
Keeps the faith, his life makes purer,
Not declining into error
Censured by the Church of God.

In this faith then let us glory,
And in one consistent story
Hold it in its verity:
Praise be to the Triune Godhead;
To the Three in One included
Co-eternal glory be! Amen.
-----

INDEX

---

XXIII. DEDICATIO ECCLESIAE
[English]

QUAM DILECTA TABERNACULA DOMINI VIRTUTUM, et ATRIA!

Quam electi
Architecti
Tuta aedificia,
Quae non movent,
Imo fovent
Ventus, flumen, pluvia!

Quam decora fundamenta
Per concinna sacramenta
Umbrae praecurrentia!
Latus Adae dormientis
Evam fundit, in manentis
Copulae primordia.

Arca ligno fabricata
Noe servat, gubernata
Mundi per diluvium.
Prole sera tandem foeta,
Anus Sara ridet laeta,
Nostrum lactans gaudium.

Servus bibit qui legatur
Ex camelus adaquatur
Ex Rebeccae hydria.
Haec inaures et armillas
Aptat sibi, ut per illas
Virgo fiat congrua.

Synagoga supplantatur
A Jacob, dum devagatur
Nimis freta litterae.
Liam lippam latent multa:
Quibus Rachel videns fulta,
Pari nubit foedere.

In bivio tegens nuda,
Germinos parit ex Juda
Thamar diu vidua.
Hic Moyses a puella,
Dum se lavat, in fiscella
Reperitur scirpea.

Hic mas agnus immolatur,
Quo Israel satiatur,
Tinctus ejus sanguine.
Hic transitur rubens unda,
Aegyptios sub profunda
Obruens voragine.

Hic est urna manna plena,
Hic mandata legis dena,
Sed in arca foederis.
Hic sunt aedis ornamenta,
Hic Aaron indumenta
Quae praecedit poderis.

Hic Urias viduatur,
Bethsabee sublimatur,
Sedis consors regiae.
Haec regi varietate
Vestis astat deauratae,
Sicut regum filiae.

Huc venit Austri regina,
Salomonis quam divina
Condit sapientia.
Haec est nigra sed formosa,
Myrrhae est thuris fumosa,
Virga pigmentaria.

Haec futura
Quae figura
Obumbravit,
Reseravit
Nobis dies gratiae:
Jam in lecto
Cum dilecto
Quiescamus
Et psallamus:
Adsunt enim nuptiae.

Quarum tonat initium
In tubis epulantium
Et finis per psalterium.

Sponsum millena millia
Una canunt melodia,
Sine fine dicentia:
Alleluia!
-----

XXIII. ON the DEDICATION of a CHURCH
[Latin]

O HOW LOVELY ARE the COURTS DIVINE of the LORD of HOSTS, HIS HALLOWED SHRINE!

O how skilled the
Hands that build thee;
How secure thy walls remain;
Ne'er subverted,
But supported
Rather by wind, flood, and rain!

O how comely thy foundations,
By deep mysteries' celebrations
Shadowing forth the coming day!
Adam, when in sleep reclining,
From his side pours Eve, beginning
Thus a bond to last fro aye.

Noah, in ark of wood constructed,
O'er that flood is safe conducted,
Which did all the world destroy.
Great with offspring long awaited,
Aged Sarah laughs, elated,
Giving milk to feed our joy.

Thirst the servant-legate shaketh,
And its fill his camel taketh,
From Rebecca's water-pail.
She, as rings and chains she weareth,
Fitly thus herself prepareth
To assume the bridal veil.

Since it so the letter vaunteth,
Jacob now the Law supplanteth,
Whilst it roams forth far and wide.
Rachel, since she sees much hidden
From Leah's tender sight, is bidden
To an equal rank as bride.

Tamar, long a widow biding,
By the way her features hiding,
Doth twin-sons to Judah bear.
Here in basket made of rushes
Moses see, who, while she washes,
Was perceived by maiden fair.

Here the male lamb, immolated,
Wherewith Israel's tribes are sated,
And besprinkled with its blood.
Here the Red Sea, safe passed over,
Which the Egyptian host did cover
With its deep devouring flood.

Here the pot that manna filleth;
Here the Decalogue God willeth,
In the ark of covenant bound.
Here the Temple's decorations;
Aaron's robes for ministrations,
Chief the one that sweeps the ground.

Here his wife Uriah loseth;
Here the king for consort chooseth
Bathsheba, his throne to share.
As she by him takes her station,
Dons she gold's rich decoration,
Such as monarch's daughters wear.

Hither Sheba's queen progresseth,
She, whom Solomon impresseth
With his wisdom all-divine:
Black she is, but comely; blending
Charms, as when in smoke ascending
Myrrh and frankincense combine.

Things forth-coming,
Darkly looming,
'Neath types shaded,
Are paraded
Plainly by this day of grace:
With the dear one
Lying near one,
Rest we, raising
Psalms of praising;
For the marriage now takes place.

On first assembling for the feast
Is heard the trumpets' thrilling blast;
Sweet psalteries' notes ring forth at last.

The Bridegroom in ten thousand ways
These myriad minstrels hymn, whose lays
Are still the same, as still they raise
Their Alleluia's endless praise!
-----

INDEX

---

XXIV. DEDICATIO ECCLESIAE
[English]

Rex Salomon fecit templum,
Quorum instar et exemplum
Christus et Ecclesia.
Hujus hic est imperator,
Fundamentum et fundator,
Mediante gratia.

Quadri templi fundamenta
Marmora sunt, instrumenta
Parietum paria;
Candens flosest castitatis,
Lapis quadrus in praelatis
Virtus et constantia.

Longitudo,
Latitudo,
Templique sublimitas,
Intellecta
Fide recta,
Sunt fides, spes, caritas.

Sed tres partes sunt in Templo
Trinitatis sub exemplo
Ima, summa, media:
Ima signat vivos cunctos,
Et secunda jam defunctos,
Redivivos tertia.

Sexagenos quaeque per se,
Sed et partes universae
Habent lati cubitos:
Harum trium tres conventus
Trinitati dant concentus
Unitati debitos.

Templi cultus
Extat multus,
Cinnamomus
Odor domus,
Myrrha, stacte, casia;
Quae bonorum
Decus morum
Atque bonos
Precum sonos
Sunt significantia.

In has casa
Cuncta vasa
Sunt ex auro,
De thesauro
Praeelecto penitus:
Nam magistros
Et ministros
Decet doctos
Et excoctos
Igne Sancti Spiritus.

Sic ex bonis
Salomonis
Quae Rex David
Praeparavit
Fiunt aedificia;
Nam in lignis
Res insignis
Vivit Tyri,
Cujus viri
Tractant artificia.

Nam ex gente Judaeisque
Sicut Templum ab utrisque
Conditur Ecclesia:
Christe, qui hanc et hos unis,
Lapishuic et his communis,
Tibi laus et gloria! Amen.
-----

XXIV. ON the DEDICATION of a CHURCH
[Latin]

Solomon, the King, a Temple
Built, whose pattern and example
Christ, with Holy Church, appears:
He, its founder and foundation,
Sway, through grace's mediation,
As the Church's ruler bears.

Squarely built, this Temple's bases
Are of marble; each wall's space is
Formed of stones cut evenly:
Chastity's fair flower there twineth;
Each squared stone therein combineth,
Prelates' nerve and constancy.

Its far-reaching
Length, and stretching
Width, and height that tempts the sky,
Faith explaining
The true meaning,
Are Faith, Hope, and Charity.

Tripartite is this fair Temple,
After the Triune's example,
With first, third, and middle floor:
First, the living signifying;
Second, those in death now lying,
Third, those raised to life once more.

All the parts together rated,
Or alone, are calculated
Threescore cubits wide to be:
Triply do these three, thus blending,
Harmonize with the transcending
Trinity in Unity.

Gorgeous ritual
And perpetual
Scents, sweet smelling,
Fill God's dwelling,
Cassia, myrrh, and cinnamon;
Signifying
Never-dying
Christian graces,
Prayers, and praises,
Grateful offerings at His throne.

In this palace
Is each chalice
A gold measure
From the treasure
Pre-elected secretly:
For all teachers'
Minds, and preachers',
Thoroughly furnished,
Purged, and burnished,
By the Spirit's fire should be.

Thus with treasure,
David's pleasure
Had collected,
Is erected
Solomon's great sanctuary;
But the dwelling,
All excelling, -
Timber sending,
Craftsmen lending, -
Tyre's art fashioned cunningly.

Formed of Jew and Gentile races,
Builds the Church her holy places,
As did both the Temple raise.
Christ, Who both in one unitest!
Corner-stone of each! the brightest
Glory be to Thee and praise. Amen.
-----

INDEX

---

XXV. DEDICATIO ECCLESIAE
[English]

Clara chorus dulce pangat voce nunc alleluia,
Ad aeterni Regis laudem qui gubernat omnia!

Cui nos universalis sociat Ecclesia,
Scala nitens et pertingens ad poli fastigia;

Ad honorem cujus laeta psallamus melodia,
Persolventes hodiernas laudes illi debitas.

O felix aula, quam vicissim
Confrequentant agmina coelica,
Divinis verbis alternatim
Jungentia mellea cantica!

Domus haec, de qua vetusta sonuit historia
Et moderna protestatur Christum fari pagina:
"Quoniam elegi eam thronum sine macula,
Requies haec erit mea per eterna saecula."

Turris supra montem sita,
Indissolubili bitumine fundata
Vallo perenni munita,
Atque aurea columna
Miris ac variis lapidibus distincta,
Stylo subtili polita!

Ave, mater praeelecta,
Ad quam Christus fatur ita
Prophetae facundia:
"Sponsa mea speciosa,
Inter filias formosa,
Supra solem splendida!

"Caput tuum ut Carmelus,
Et ipsius comae tinctae regis uti purpura;
Oculi ut columbarum,
Genae tuae punicorum ceu malorum fragmina!

"Collum tuum ut columna, turris et eburnea;
Mel et lac sub lingua tua, favus stillans labia!"

Ergo nobis Sponsae tuae
Famulantibus, O Christe, pietate solita,
Clemens adesse digneris,
Et in tuo salutari nos ubique visita.

Ipsaque mediatrice, summe Rex, perpetue,
Voce pura
Flagitamus, de gaudere Paradisi gloria.
Alleluia!
-----

XXV. ON the DEDICATION of a CHURCH
[Latin]

Let our choir now loudly join their Alleluia's brightest strains,
The eternal Monarch praising, who o'er all creation reigns!

Unto Him the universal Church uniteth us in love,
Like a shining ladder reaching to the heights of heaven above.

To His honour psalms of gladness we in tuneful strains upraise,
Paying thus the proper tribute to Him of our daily praise.

O hall of bliss! where, in due order,
Troops of angels gather continually;
And with divine words, alternating,
Join sweet strains of ravishing melody!

'Tis the home of which the former Testament did sound the praise,
And of which the New declareth that 'tis Christ Himself that says:
"Seeing I have chosen this to be my throne of purity,
Henceforth through undying ages here my resting-place shall be!"

Tower! on a Mount erected,
And with cement that melteth not upon it founded,
By perennial walls protected,
And with pillared gold surrounded,
Of divers jewels, polished with fine skill, compounded,
For their rarity selected!

Elect Mother! whom, blessing,
Christ is in these words addressing
Of impassioned prophecy:
"Rise, my lovely spouse! the fairest
'Mongst earth's daughters thou appearest,
Brighter than the sun on high!

"Lo! thy head is like Mount Carmel,
And the flowing locks upon it, with regal purple, red:
Doves' eyes do thine eyes resemble;
Like a piece of a pomegranate are the temples of thine head.

"Like a column is thy neck and like an ivory tower's walls;
Milk and honey 'neath thy tongue, thy lips a comb whence honey falls."

Therefore still with us, the servants
Of Thy spouse, O Christ! we pray Thee, in Thy never-failing love
Kindly deign Thou to be present:
Everywhere with Thy salvation visit us from heaven above!

Through her mediation also, King Mist High! perpetually
We implore Thee
Loudly, that with alleluias we 'midst joys of Paradise
May adore Thee!
-----

INDEX

---

XXVI. DEDICATIO ECCLESIAE
[English]

Jerusalem et Sion filiae,
Coetus omnis fidelis curiae,
Melos pangas jugis laetitiae,
Alleluia!
Christus enim desponsat hodie
Matrem nostram, norma justitiae,
Quam de lacu traxit miseriae,
Ecclesiam.

In Spiritus Sancti clementia,
Sponsa sponsi laetatur gratia:
A reginis, laudum cum gloria,
Felix dicta.
Dos ut datur, crescit laetitia:
Quae dos! quanta! triplex potentia,
Tangens coelum, terram et stygia
Judicia.

Mira loquar, sed sanum credere:
Foederatam tam largo munere,
De proprio produxit latere
Deus-Homo
Formaretur ut sic Ecclesia
Figuravit in pari gloria
Adae costis formata femina,
Hostis Eva.

Eva fuit noverca posteris:
Haec est mater electi generis,
Vitae portus, asylum miseris
Et tutela.
Pulchra, potens, partu mirabilis,
Ut luna, sol, fulget spectabilis,
Plus acie multo terribilis
Ordinata.

Multiplex est, singularis, una,
Generalis et individua;
Omnis aevi, sexus, simul una
Paris turmas.
Haec signata Jordanis fluctibus;
Haec quae venit a terrae finibus,
Scientiam audire cominus
Salomonis.

Haec typicis descripta sensibus,
Nuptiarum induta vestibus,
Coeli praeest hodie civibus
Christo juncta.
O solemnis festum laetitiae;
Quo unitur Christus Ecclesiae,
In quo nostrae salutis nuptiae
Celebrantur!

Coetus felix, dulce convivium,
Lapsis ubi datur solatium,
Desperatis offertur spatium
Respirandi!
Justis inde solvuntur praemia,
Angelorum novantur gaudia,
Laeta nimis quod facit gratia
Charitatis.

Ab aeterno fons sapientiae,
Intuitu solius gratiae,
Sic praevidit in rerum serie
Haec futura.
Christus ergo nos suis nuptiis,
Recreatos veris deliciis,
Interesse faciat gaudiis
Electorum! Amen.
-----

XXVI. ON the DEDICATION of a CHURCH
[Latin]

Jerusalem and Sion's daughters fair!
And all the faithful crowd that worship there!
That ceaseless strain of tuneful joy prepare,
"Alleluia!"
For Christ, Who doth all righteousness display,
Is to our Mother-Church espoused to-day,
That Church, whom He in love hath drawn away
From depths of woe.

Through the blest Spirit's mercy from above
The Bride rejoices in the Bridegroom's love:
Earth's queens with glorious praises doth she move
To call her blest.
'Mid greater joy still is her dowry given:
What! and how great! that threefold power, which heaven,
And earth below, and the dread judgments even
Of hell affects.

Belief is wise, though strange my tale: - that bride,
By gifts of such vast magnitude allied
To Him, was taken out of His own side
By the God-Man:
That thus the Church should form and shape receive
In equal glory, we a type believe
Was woman, formed - source of our sorrow, Eve! -
From Adam's rib.

Eve a stepmother hath been to her seed;
The Church to her elect a mother indeed,
Life's haven, an asylum in their need,
And sure defence.
She, beautiful and great, in birth divine,
Fair as the moon, clear as the sun doth shine;
More terrible than armies' serried line,
With banners dight.

Multifold is she, yet but one alone;
As all together, and each singly, known;
Of every age and sex, yet only one;
Troops she brings forth.
Jordan! thy waves a type of her appear,
And she, that from the ends of earth drew near,
That, face to face, she might the wisdom hear
Of Solomon.

She, whom these types, when understood, portray,
Robed for her marriage-feast in bright array,
Presides o'er all the heavenly host to-day,
The bride of Christ.
O holy joy's bright feast-day in the skies,
Which joins the Church with Christ in marriage-ties!
That marriage-day, whose rite mankind allies
With saving-health!

O happy gathering! O sweet feast of heaven!
When consolation to the lapsed is given,
And to the sinner, to despair now driven,
A breathing-space!
Here their rewards are to the righteous paid,
And angels' joys, renewed again, displayed;
Feast, by the grace of charity thus made
Too full of joy!

The fount of wisdom from the first hath known,
Through the clear insight given by grace alone,
As the due course of things hath onward gone,
What is to be:
Therefore may Christ, by these His marriage-rites,
Make us, refreshed thereby with true delights,
Partake those joys to which His love invites
All His elect! Amen.
-----

INDEX

---

XXVII. S. ANDREAS
English

XXX NOVEMBRIS

Exultemus et laetemur
Et Andreae delectemur
Laudibus apostoli;
Hujus fidem, dogma, mores,
Et pro Christo tot labores,
Digne decet recoli.

Hic ad fidem Petrum duxit,
Cui primum lux illuxit,
Joannis indicio.
Secus mare Galilaeae,
Petri simul et Andreae
Sequitur electio.

Ambo prius piscatores
Verbi fiunt assertores
Et formae justitiae.
Rete laxant in capturam
Vigilemque gerunt curam
Nascentis Ecclesiae.

A fratre dividitur
Et in partes mittitur
Andreas Achäiae.
In Andreae retia
Currit, Dei gratia,
Magna pars provinciae.

Fide, vita, verbo, signis,
Doctor pius et insignis,
Cor informat populi.
Ut Aegeas comperit
Quid Andreas egerit,
Irae surgunt stimuli.

Mens secura, mens virilis,
Cüi praesens vita vilis,
Viget patientia.
Blandimentis aut tormentis,
Non enervat robur mentis
Judicis insania.

Crucem videns praeparari,
Suo gestit conformari
Magistro discipulus.
Mors pro morte solvitur
Et crucis appetitur
Triumphalis titulus.

In cruce vixit biduum,
Victuris in perpetuum:
Nec vult, volente populo,
Deponi de patibulo.

Hora fere dimidia
Luce perfusus nimia,
Cum luce, cum laetitia,
Pergit ad lucis atria.

O Andrea gloriose,
Cujus preces pretiosae,
Cujus mortis luminosae
Dulcis est memoria;
Ab hac valle lacrymarum
Nos ad illud lumen clarum,
Pie pastor animarum,
Tua transfer gratia. Amen.
-----

XXVII. ST. ANDREW
Latin

NOVEMBER 30th

Let us, shouts of gladness raising,
Now delighted to be praising
The Apostle Andrew be:
Whose faith, life, and doctrine precious,
With his mighty works for Jesus,
Should be honoured worthily.

He, who first the true light's glowing
Saw, at John the Baptist's showing,
Peter led the faith to see!
Then are Peter and his brother
Called along with one another
At the Sea of Galilee.

Fishermen till then, both preachers
Of the word become and teachers
Of the rules of righteousness:
Now a net to catch men loose they,
And a wary forethought use they
The young Church to guard and bless.

Andrew soon his brother leaves,
When commission he receives,
And is in Achaia placed:
Of which province a great part
By God's grace convinced in heart,
To the nets of Andrew haste.

By his faith, life, signs, and speeches
This great, good, man's doctrine reaches
And reforms the people's heart.
When Aegeas findeth out
All that Andrew thus had wrought,
Forth his bitter wrath-stings start.

His staid heart and manly spirit,
Who in this life saw no merit,
Stronger from endurance grow.
Flattering or tormenting either,
His insensate judge by neither
Can his strength of mind o'erthrow.

When he sees the cross preparing,
Like his Master, suffering sharing,
The disciple longs to be;
For Christ's death he pays his own,
And for its triumphal crown
On the cross seeks eagerly.

Upon the cross he lived two days,
Thenceforth to live in heaven always;
Nor, when the people wished, would he
Be lifted from the fatal tree.

Nigh half an hour upon that height
Bathed in a light exceeding bright,
In light, exulting at the sight,
He passes to the halls of light.

Andrew, crowned with endless glory!
Rich in prayer propitiatory!
Of whose brilliant death the story
'Tis so sweet in thought to trace!
From this vale of woe exceeding
To that light such radiance shedding,
Loving shepherd, spirits feeding!
O transport us by thy grace! Amen.
-----

INDEX

---

XXVIII. S. NICOLAUS
English

VI DECEMBRIS

Con gaudentes exultemus vocali concordia
Ad beati Nicolai festiva solemnia;

Qui in cunis adhuc jacens servando jejunia
A papillis coepit summa promereri gaudia.

Adolescens amplexatur literarum studia,
Alienus et immubis ab omni lascivia.

Felix confessor,
Cujus fuit dignitatis vox de coelo nuntia!
Per quam provectus,
Praesulatûs sublimatur ad summa fastigia.

Erat in ejus animo pietas eximia,
Et oppressis impendebat multa beneficia.

Auro per eum virginum tollitur infamia,
Atque patris earundem levatur inopia.

Quidam nautae navigantes,
Et contra fluctuum saevitiam luctantes,
Navi pene dissoluta,
Jam de vita desperantes,
In tanto positi periculo, clamantes
Voces dicunt omnes una:

"O beate Nicolae,
Nos ad maris portum trahe
De mortis angustia.
Trahe nos ad portum maris,
Tu qui tot auxiliaris
Pietatis gratia."

Dum clamarent, nec incassum,
"Ecce!" quidam dicit, "assum
Ad vestra praesidia."
Statim aura datur grata
Et tempestas fit sedata:
Quieverunt maria.

Nos, qui sumus in hoc mundo,
Vitiorum in profundo
Jam passi naufragia,
Gloriose Nicolae,
Ad salus portum trahe,
Ubi pax et gloria.

Ex ipsius tumba manat
Unctionis copia,
Quae infirmos omnes sanat
Per ejus suffragia.

Ipsam nobis unctionem
Impetres ad Dominum,
Prece pia,
Quae sanavit laesionem
Multorum peccaminum
In Maria.

Hujus festum celebrantes gaudeant per saecula,
Et coronet eos Christus post vitae curricula!
Amen dicant omnia!
-----

XXVIII. ST. NICHOLAS
Latin

DECEMBER 6th

Let us all exult together, as with one united voice
We upon his solemn feast-day in St. Nicholas rejoice;

Who, whilst in his cradle lying, by observing duly fast,
Heavenly joys began to merit even at his mother's breast.

In his youth he chooses letters, that his study they may be,
To all evil lust a stranger, from all sinful passions free.

This blest confessor,
Whom, as worthy of the office, 'twas a voice from heaven praised,
Thereby exalted,
Amongst bishops to the very highest rank is forthwith raised.

There was too in his character benevolence exceeding,
And many a bounty he bestowed, the tale of sorrow heeding.

With gold he saved some maidens, who had else vile lives been leading,
Relieving all their father's want, when help most sorely needing.

Certain sailors once, when sailing,
And fighting 'gainst fierce waves with struggles unavailing,
Shipwrecked nigh through stress of weather;
Hope of life already failing,
Amid such dangers set, aloud their fate bewailing,
Lift their voices altogether:

"Blessed Nicholas! O steer us
From the straits of death so near us
To the haven of safe sea!
To that harbour in the distance
Draw us, who dost grant assistance
Through the grace of charity!"

"lo!" - while thus they cried, nor vainly, -
"I am here!" a voice said plainly,
"To watch o'er you and to aid!"
Instantly blow favouring breezes,
Instantly the tempest ceases,
And to rest the sea is laid.

We, now in this world abiding,
Have been wrecked, as we were riding
O'er the deep abyss of vice:
Draw us, Nicholas most glorious!
To the home of peace victorious,
To the port of Paradise!

From his tomb, to heal diseases,
Oil abundant floweth forth,
Which the sick from pain releases
Through his prayers' availing worth.

May we of the self-same ointment
Through thy pious prayer to God
Gain possession,
Which did by the Lord's appointment
Heal the wounds of Mary's load
Of transgression!

Let them joy throughout all ages, who observe this holy day,
And, when this life's course is ended, crowned in heaven by Christ be they!
Amen! let all creatures say!
-----

INDEX

---

XXIX. S. STEPHANUS
English

XXVI DECEMBRIS

Heri mundus exultavit
Et exultans celebravit
Christi natalitia;
Heri chorus angelorum
Prsecutus est coelorum
Regem cum laetitia.

Protomartyr et Levita,
Clarus fide, clarus vita,
Clarus et miraculis,
Sub hac luce triumphavit,
Et triumphans insultavit
Stephanus incredulis.

Frement ergo tanquam ferae,
Quia victi defecere
Lucis adversarii:
Falsos testes statuunt,
Et linguas exacuunt
Viperarum filii.

Agonista, nulli cede,
Certâ certus de mercede,
Persevera, Stephane:
Insta falsis testibus,
Confuta sermonibus
Synagogam Satanae.

Testis tuus est in coelis,
Testis verax et fidelis,
Testis innocentiae.
Nomen habes Coronati:
Te tormenta decet pati
Pro corona gloriae.

Pro corona non marcenti
Prefer brevis vim tormenti!
Te manet victoria.
Tibi fiet mors natalis,
Tibi poena terminalis
Dat vitae primordia.

Plenus Sancto Spiritu,
Penetrat intuitu
Stephanus coelestia.
Videns Dei gloriam,
Crescit ad victoriam,
Suspirat ad praemia.

En a dextris Dei stantem,
Jesum pro te dimicantem,
Stephane, considera:
Tibi coelos reserari,
Tibi Christum revelari,
Clama voce liberâ

Se commendat Salvatori,
Pro quo dulce ducit mori
Sub ipsis lapidibus.
Saulus servat omnium
Vestes lapidantium,
Lapidans in omnibus.

Ne peccatum statuatur
His, a quibus lapidatur,
Genu ponit, et precatur,
Condolens insaniae:
In Christo sic obdormivit,
Qui Christo sic obedivit,
Et cum Christo semper vivit,
Martyrum primitiae.

Quod sex suscitaverit
Mortuos in Africa,
Augustinus asserit,
Fama refert publica.

Hujus, Dei gratia,
Revelato corpore,
Mundo datur pluvia
Siccitatis tempore.

Solo fugat hic odore
Morbos et daemonia,
Laude dignus et honore
Jugique memoria.

Martyr, cujus est jocundum
Nomen in Ecclesia,
Languescentem fove mundum
Coelesti fragantia. Amen.
-----

XXIX. ST. STEPHEN
Latin

DECEMBER 26th

Yesterday the world, elated,
Joyed, and, joying, celebrated
Chris the Saviour's natal day:
Yesterday, heaven's King surrounding,
Angel-choirs, his welcome sounding,
Sang to him with joyful lay.

Protomartyr and a deacon,
Faith's clear light and life's bright beacon,
For his wonder-works well known,
Stephen on this day all-glorious
Won the victory, and, victorious,
Trod the unbelievers down.

Thus, since those 'gainst light engaging,
Conquered, fail, behold them raging
Like wild beasts in their despair:
Lying witnesses they bring,
And with bitter words they sting,
Seed of vipers that they are!

Champion! yield to non, but ever
Persevere in thine endeavour,
Stephen! sure of sure reward:
Their false witnesses withstand,
And confute all Satan's band
By thine eloquence outpoured.

In the heavens thy Witness dwelleth;
Truly, faithfully, He telleth
How thou hast no evil done:
Since "a crown" for name thou bearest,
Suffering first thou fitly sharest,
Till thy glory-crown be won.

For that crown's unfading dower
Choose to bear brief torture's power;
There awaits thee victory!
Death new birth for thee portendeth,
And its pain, which quickly endeth,
Is the dawn of life to thee.

Full of the blest Spirit's grace,
Stephen into heaven's space
Penetrates with lightened eyes;
Gazing on God's glory, he
Waxes strong for victory,
Longing for its deathless prize.

Lo! at God's own right hand standing,
Jesus, in thy cause contending,
Stephen! lift thine eyes and see!
Cry that heaven now open lieth;
And that Christ thine eye descrieth
Cry aloud in accents free!

To his Lord his soul commending,
Sweet he deems it at life's ending
'Neath these stones for him to fall.
Saul stands by and keeps the clothes
Of each stoner as he throws,
Stoning Stephen through them all.

That the Lord would not be laying
To his murderers' charge this slaying,
Stephen kneeleth down, and, praying,
Mourns their mad and reckless deed:
So asleep in Christ fell Stephen,
Who had Christ to serve so striven,
And now lives with Christ in heaven,
First-fruits of the martyrs' seed!

That in Africa from death
He six men to life revived,
Is a fact Augustine saith,
And one commonly believed.

When, by God's grace, his remains
From their grave to light were brought,
Then were given heavy rains
On the earth in time of drought.

He by perfume rare alone
Makes disease and demons flee,
And due praise and fame hath won
With a deathless memory.

Martyr! whose sweet name doth live
In the Church so pleasantly,
An enfeebled world revive
With thy heavenly fragrancy! Amen.
-----

INDEX

---

XXX. S. STEPHANUS
English

XXVI DECEMBRIS

Rosa novum dans odorem,
Adornatum ampliorem
Regiae coelestis,
Ab Aegypto revocatur;
Illum sequi gratulatur
Cujus erat testis.

Genus nequam et infaustum
Qui se fecit holocaustum
Afficit indigne,
Et quod in Christum credit,
A quo tamen non recedit
Passionis igne.

Gaudet carne purpurata,
Flexo genu, voce grata,
Pro Judaeis orans,
Ut non illis imputetur
Quia gratis pateretur,
Facinus ignorans.

Constitutum in spe certa
Certiorat res aperta,
Quando Jesum vidit
Stantem Patris in virtute;
Tunc ad petram pugnans tute
Pavidos allidit.

Uva, data torculari,
Vult pressuras inculcari
Ne sit infecunda;
Martyr optat petra teri,
Sciens munus adaugeri
Sanguinis in unda.

Nos qui mundi per desertum
Agitamur in incertum,
Stephanum sequamur,
Ut securi tanto duce
Trinitatis vera luce
Jugiter fruamur. Amen.
-----

XXX. ST. STEPHEN
Latin

DECEMBER 26th

Lo! a rose, new odour shedding,
Bright with beauty, al exceeding,
From the halls of heaven,
Out of Egypt is invited,
And to follow Christ delighted,
After witness given.

An unhappy, evil nation
Treats its victim's self-oblation
In unworthy fashion,
And Christ's truths, for which he pleadeth;
Though therefrom he ne'er recedeth
Through his fiery passion.

In his bruised flesh he rejoices;
Bent his knee and soft his voice is,
For the Jew's race pleading,
That 'gainst them his causeless passion
Be not charged, of their transgression
Being thus unheeding.

His hope's certain expectation
Is confirmed to demonstration,
When he Christ perceiveth
In His Father's glory standing;
On the rock then, safe contending,
Awe-struck foes he driveth.

As a grape, the wine-press feeding,
Would have wine pressed thence by treading,
Lest it useless seemeth;
So the martyr stoning pleaseth,
Knowing his reward increaseth,
As his life-blood streameth.

Let us, through earth's desert driven
Here and there, to follow Stephen
In his course endeavour;
That, safe such a leader under,
We the Triune's true light yonder
May enjoy forever! Amen.
-----

INDEX

---

XXXI. S. JOANNES EVANGELISTA
English

XXVII DECEMBRIS

Gratulemur ad festivum,
Jocundemur ad votivum
Johannis praeconium!
Sic versetur laus in ore,
Ne fraudetur cor sapore
Quo degustet gaudium.

Hic est Christi praedilectus,
Qui reclinans supra pectus
Hausit sapientiam;
Huic in cruce commendavit
Matrem Christus; hic servavit
Virgo viri nesciam.

Intus ardens caritate,
Foris lucens honestate,
Signis et eloquio,
Ut ab aestu criminali,
Sic immunis a poenali,
Prodiit ex dolio.

Vim veneni superavit,
Morti, morbis imperavit,
Necnon et daemonibus:
Sed vir tantae potestatis,
Non minoris pietatis
Erat tribulantibus.

Cum gemmarum partes fractas
Solidasset, has distractas
Tribuit pauperibus.
Inexhaustum fert thesaurum,
Qui de virgis fecit aurum,
Gemmas de lapidibus.

Invitatur ab amico
Convivari; Christum dico
Visum cum discipulis.
De sepulcro quo descendit,
Redivivus sic ascendit
Frui summis epulis.

Testem habes populum,
Immo, si vis, oculum,
Quod ad ejus tumulum
Manna scatet, epulum
De Christi convivio.

Scribens evangelium,
Aquilae fert proprium,
Cemens solis radium,
Scilicet principium,
Verbum in principio.

Hujus signis est conversa
Gens gentilis, gens perversa,
Gens totius Asiae.
Hujus scriptis illustratur,
Illustrata solidatur
Unitas ecclesise.

Salve, salvi vas pudoris,
Vas coelestis plenum roris,
Mundum intus, clarum foris,
Nobile per omnia.
Fac nos sequi sanctitatem;
Fac, per mentis puritatem,
Contemplari Trinitatem
In una substantia. Amen.
-----

XXXI. ST. JOHN the EVANGELIST
Latin

DECEMBER 27th

On his feast with gratulation
Joy we at John's exaltation,
As we pay our public vows!
Let the mouth so sing his praises,
That the relish which it raises
The glad heart may never lose.

This is he most loved by Jesus,
Who drank draughts of wisdom precious,
As he on His breast did lean:
To whom Mary was commended
From Christ's cross; who, virgin, tended
Her who had not known a man.

Inwardly with warm love glowing,
Outwardly bright virtue showing,
Eloquence and wonders wrought;
As by lust's consuming fever.
So by tortures' heat, touched never,
From the oil-vat came he out.

Poison's strength he overpowered,
Death, disease, beneath him cowered,
And the very devils too:
But the man, such power possessing,
Could no less bring health and blessing
Unto those in want and woe.

Broken gems by him were mended,
And their value was expended
On the poor, his pious loan.
He produces boundless treasure,
Who from tree-twigs at his pleasure
Fashioned gold, and gems from stone.

By a friend to banquet bidden, -
Christ, I mean, no longer hidden,
Seen with His disciples there, -
From the grave, where he was lying,
He arose in form undying,
In the heavenly feast to share.

There are crowds to testify.
Nay, yourself may trust your eye,
How that, where he once did lie,
Flows forth manna, a supply
From the table of the Lord.

As he doth his Gospel write,
Eagle-like in upward flight,
He beholds the Light of Light,
Its primaeval source, to wit,
"In the beginning was the Word!"

A perverse and heathen nation,
All of Asia's population,
To the faith his wonders won.
Illustrated by his writing,
Unity, the Church uniting,
Firmer ground now stands upon.

Vessel, hail! that no sin staineth!
Vessel, that heaven's dew containeth!
Which within quite pure remaineth,
Bright without, all dignity!
Cause us, like thee, to be holy,
And, with spirits chastened throughly,
Let us see the Godhead fully,
In one substance Persons three. Amen.
-----

INDEX

---

XXXII. S. JOANNES EVANGELISTA
English

XXVII DECEMBRIS

Verbi vere substantivi,
Caro cum sit in declivi
Temporis angustiâ,
In aetemis verbum annis
Permanere, nos Johannis
Docet theologia.

Dum Magistri super pectus
Fontem haurit intellect^ucirc;s
Et doctrinae flumina,
Fiunt, ipso situ loci,
Verbo fides, auris voci,
Mens Deo contermina.

Unde mentis per excessus,
Carnis, sensûs super gressus
Errorumque nubila,
Contra veri solis lumen
Visum cordis et acumen
Figit velut aquila.

Hebet sensus exsors styli,
Stylo scribit tam subtili,
Fide tam catholica,
Ne de Verbo salutari
Posset quicquam refragari,
Pravitas haeretica.

Verbum quod non potest dici,
Quod virtute creatrici
Cuncta fecit valde bona,
Iste dicit ab aeterni
Patris nexu non secerni,
Nisi tantum in persona.

Quem Matthaeus de intactae
Matris alit casto lacte
Cum labore et aerumna;
Quem exaltat super cruce,
Cornu bovis, penna Lucae,
Ut serpentem in columna;

Quem de mortis mausoleo
Vitae reddit Marci leo,
Scissis petris, terra mota,
Hunc de Deo deum verum
ALPHA et Ω, Patrem rerum,
Solers scribit idiota.

Cujus lumen visuale,
Vultus anceps, leves alae,
Rotae stantes in quadrigâ,
Sunt in coelo visa, prius
Quam hic esset, vel illius
Forma capax, vel auriga.

Illi scribunt Christum pati
Dolum, inde vim Pilati,
Cum coronâ spineâ:
Hic sublimis tractu pennae
Tractat Christi jus perenne
Cum ultrici frameâ.

Pennis hujus idiotae
Elevantur Regis rotae,
Secus animalia.
Et coelestes citharoedi
Se prosternunt Patris sedi
Canentes: Alleluia!
-----

XXXII. ST. JOHN the EVANGELIST
Latin

DECEMBER 27th

John's theology declareth,
Though on earth all flesh appeareth
To decline in swift decay,
That the Word's word self-existent,
Through all ages still consistent,
Will remain nor pass away.

As the loved disciple sinketh
On his Master's breast, and drinketh
Wisdom's fount and learning's stream,
From a posture so endearing
Word and faith, and speech and hearing,
Mind and God, converging seem.

By the flights of thought thence taken, -
Flesh and carnal sense forsaken, -
Far o'er error's cloudy night,
Eagle-like, by observation,
The true Sun's illumination,
Keeps his keen-eyed heart in sight.

Want of style the sense confuses,
But such subtlety John uses,
And so Catholic his faith,
That all heretics, depraving
Doctrines of that Word soul-saving.
Fail to gainsay aught he saith.

Lo! that Word, beyond expression,
Who all very good did fashion
By His power of creation,
From the eternal Sire appeareth
Undivided, John declareth,
Save in Personal relation.

Whom with chaste milk Matthew feedeth,
Which from virgin breasts proceedeth,
With much toil and trouble blended;
Whom that ox-horn, Luke's pen, placeth
On the cross and high upraiseth,
As the serpent was suspended;

Whom from death's sepulchral portal
Lion Mark restores immortal.
Whilst earth quakes and rocks are riven;
Him John paints with skill unstudied,
FIRST AND LAST, God in true Godhead,
Father of all earth and heaven.

He the eyes all round these creatures,
Their swift wings, their fourfold features,
And the wheels that stand beside them,
In their might had seen in heaven,
Ere form here to them was given,
Or the charioteer to guide them.

They describe what craft Christ suffered;
Violence by Pilate offered,
With the thorn-crown, then endured:
He, borne up on soaring pinion,
Treats of Christ's supreme dominion,
And of His avenging sword.

On his wings, though uninstructed,
Rise the King's own wheels, conducted
As though on the living four;
While the heavenly harpers, kneeling
At the Father's throne, their thrilling
Alleluia's song outpour! Amen.
-----

INDEX

---

XXXIII. S. JOANNES EVANGELISTA
English

XXVII DECEMBRIS

Christo laudes persolvat - hic chorus psallens - die ista,
Qua Johannes supernae - mensae fratrumque - est conviva!

Qui multis ex maximis - claruit miraculis - hac in vita;
Patrem, navim, nuptias, - seque liquit, Domini - sequens vias.

Clarior hic ceteris, - supra pectus Domini - Cubans coenat;
Huic de cruce virgini - Virgo voce Filii - est commissa.

Fervens vicit oleum, - tonsus ad ridiculum, - risit flagra.
Propter Evangelium, - subiit exilium, - ferrum, vincla.

Virus fidens sorbuit, - et extinctos eruit: - vir vita refloruit - et matrona;
Aurum hic de frondibus, - gemmas de silicibus, - fractis de fragminibus- fecit firmas.

Hunc vocans visitat Christus- et hic intrat vivus foveam: - petit aethra.
Nunc te, Christe, nostra rogant - vox et vota, ipsi socia - nos per saecla! Amen.
-----

XXXIII. ST. JOHN the EVANGELIST
Latin

DECEMBER 27th

Let our choir upon this day, - as they lift their anthem, pay, - Christ due praises;
Day, when John became a guest - at high heaven's supernal feast - with his brethren;

Who for marvels by him done, - many and most great, was known, - whilst here living;
Father, vessel, marriage-bed - and himself he left, instead - Christ to follow.

More illustrious than the rest - lying upon Jesus' breast - at the supper;
From the Cross to this chaste one - was the Virgin by the Son - given over.

Boiling oil he overcame, - and, when shorn for scoff and shame, - mocked their scourgings;
For the Gospel's honour spent, - banishment he underwent, - torture, fetters.

He through faith did poison drain, - and the dead revived again, - first restoring a young man, - then a mother.
Gold from foliage fashioned he, - out of pebbles jewelry, - and their fragments perfectly - put together.

Christ visits him to call him home, - and he, alive still, entereth the tomb, - thence seeks heaven.
Now, Christ! to Thee plead voice and prayer, - bring us to be his partners there, - through the ages! Amen.
-----

INDEX

---

XXXIV. S. JOANNES EVANGELISTA
English

XXVII DECEMBRIS

PRAEFATIO. Trinitatem reserat aquila, summus Evangelista!

Felix sedes gratiae,
Summum Regem gloriae
Videns mentis acie
Non repulsa!
Johannem deificat,
Angelis parificat,
Spiritus qui indicat
Coeli summa.

Aquae vivae salientis
Hie est potus recumbentis
Supra pectus Domini.
Hie exfulget miris signis,
Hie expugnat vires ignis
Et ferventis olei.

Mirantur nimia
Tormenti saevitia,
Quod martyr quis fiat,
Et poenas non sentiat.

O martyr! O virgo! - O custos Virginis - per quam mundo gloria,
Ex quo sunt, in quo sunt, - per quem sunt omnia, - per te det suffragia!

O dilecte prae caeteris,
Christum, a quo diligeris,
Interpellans
Et exorans,
Nos ei concilia.
Tu qui rivus, duc ad fontem,
Tu qui collis, duc ad montem;
Praesta Sponsum
Ad videndum,
Virgo totus gratia.

FINIS. Sponso laus per saecula!
-----

XXXIV. ST. JOHN the EVANGELIST
Latin

DECEMBER 27th

PREFACE. John, the eagle, first of Evangelists, the Triune God revealeth!

Blessed resting-place of grace!
Who on heaven's great King dost gaze
With the mind's eye, face to face,
All unblinded!
For the Spirit shows God's throne
To him, deifying John,
Making him with angels one,
Heavenly-minded!

Now the water, life supplying,
As it springs up, drinks he, lying
On the bosom of the Lord:
Now he shines with many a wonder,
Now the force of fire keeps under,
And of hot oil round him poured.

Wondrous it seems to be,
That, 'mid torture's agony.
Martyrdom one should gain,
And yet never feel the pain.

O martyr! O virgin! - that Virgin's guardian, - who did earth's chief Glory bear!
From Whom is, in Whom is, - through Whom is everything, - may He through thee hear our prayer!

O thou, beloved above the rest!
Ask Christ, Who loved thee far the best,
To Him pressing
Prayers addressing,
For His reconciling grace.
River! lead us to the fountain;
Hill! conduct us to the mountain;
Who endurest
Virgin purest!
Let us see the Bridegroom's face.

CONCLUSION. To the Bridegroom endless praise!
-----

INDEX

---

XXXV. S. THOMAS CANTUARIUS
English

XXIX DECEMBRIS

Gaude, Sion, et laetare,
Voce, voto jocundare
Solemni laetitia:
Tuus Thomas trucidatur;
Pro te, Christe, immolatur,
Salutaris hostia.

Archipraesul et legatus,
Nullo tamen est elatus
Honoris fastigio;
Dispensator summi Regis,
Pro tutela sui gregis
Trusus est exilio.

Tele certans pastorali,
Ense cinctus Spiritali,
Triumphare meruit;
Hic pro Dei sui lege,
Et pro suo mori grege
Decertare studuit.

Tunc rectore desolatam
Et pastore viduatam
Se plangebat Canthia;
Versa vice, plausu miro,
Exultavit tanto viro
Senonensis Gallia.

Quo absente, infirmatur,
Infirmata conculcatur
Libertas Ecclesiae;
Sic nos, pater, reliquisti,
Nec a vero recessisti
Tramite justitiae.

Quondam coetu curiali
Primus eras et regali
Militans palatio;
Plebis aura favorali
Et, ut mos est, temporali
Plaudebas praeconio.

Consequenter es mutatus:
Praesulatu sublimatus,
Novus homo reparatus
Felici commercio,
Ex adverso ascendisti,
Et te murum objecisti:
Caput tuum obtulisti,
Christi sacrificio.

Carnis tuae morte spreta,
Triumphalis es athleta;
Palma tibi datur laeta,
Quod testantur insueta
Plurima miracula.
Per te visus caecis datur,
Claudis gressus instauratur,
Paralysis effugatur,
Vetus hostis propulsatur
Et peccati macula.

Cleri gemma, dare Thoma,
Motus carnis nostrae doma
Precum efficaciâ,
Ut, in Christo vera vite
Radicati, vera vitae
Capiamus gaudia. Amen.
-----

XXXV. ST. THOMAS of CANTERBURY
Latin

DECEMBER 29th

Joy, O Sion! and rejoice thou;
With both vow and lifted voice now,
With a holy joy be glad!
For Christ's sake, assassinated,
Is thy Thomas immolated,
A most precious victim made.

Primate, legate, though created.
He was ne'er with pride elated
By his honours' lofty height;
Steward of the King of heaven,
He was into exile driven,
Since he for his flock would fight.

With the Spirit's sword girt round him,
Victory with full triumph crowned him.
As with pastoral spear he fought;
For his God's law to be fighting,
For his flock's sake death inviting,
Ever was his chiefest thought.

Losing then its guide and master,
And deprived thus of its pastor,
Canterbury deeply grieved;
But then one, so justly noted,
Sens in France, with joy devoted.
And with glad acclaim received.

In his absence sore prostrated,
And, when prostrate, violated.
Was the Church no longer free;
So from 'mongst us thou departedst,
Father! but aside ne'er startedst
From the path of probity.

Once, amid the courtier bevy,
Thou wast foremost of the levy
In the palace of the king;
All the people approbation,
And the world loud acclamation,
As its wont is, offering.

Well-timed was thy transformation;
For of thee thy consecration
By a blest reciprocation
Made a new man happily:
Thou thine opposition endedst.
As a wall, the Church defendedst,
And thyself to death commendedst,
Willing thus for Christ to die.

Champion! who this life disdainest!
Victory in the fight thou gainest,
And the joyful palm obtainest;
Evidence of which the plainest
All thy wonders rare afford.
To the blind their sight thou givest,
And the lame man's powers revivest;
Thou paralysis relievest,
And the old foe backward drivest,
And transgressions' filthy horde.

Gem of priesthood, princely Thomas!
By thy prayer effectual from us
Take our lusts, our flesh subdue;
That, in Christ, the true Vine, rooted,
We may gain, thus constituted,
Life-joys both divine and true! Amen.
-----

INDEX

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XXXVI. S. THOMAS CANTUARIUS
English

XXIX DECEMBRIS

Pia mater plangat Ecclesia
Quod patravit major Britannia
Factum detestabile;
Pietate movetur Francia;
Fugit coelum, tellus et maria
Scelus exsecrabile!

Scelus, inquam, non dicendum:
Grande scelus et horrendum
Perpetravit Anglia.
Patrem suum praedamnavit,
Et in sede trucidavit
Restitutum propria.

Thomas totius Angliae
Flos vernans, et Ecclesiae
Specialis gloria,
In templo Cantuariae
Pro legibus justitiae
Fit sacerdos et hostia.

Inter templum et altare,
Templi super liminare
Concutitur, non frangitur;
Sed gladiis conscinditur
Veluna templi medium.
Eliseus decalvatur,
Zacharias trucidatur;
Pax tradita dissolvitur
Et organum convertitur
In lamentum flentium.

Prope festum Innocentum
Innocentur ad tormentum
Pertrahitur, concutitur,
Et cerebrum effunditur
Cuspide mucronis.
Ad decoris ornamentum
Templi rubet pavimentum,
Quod sanguine respergitur,
Dum sacerdos induitur
Veste passionis.

Furor ingens debacchatur,
Sanguis Justus condemnatur,
Ense caput dissecatur
In conspectu Domini:
Cum sacrabat, hic sacratur,
Immolator immolatur,
Ut virtutis relinquatur
Hoc exemplum homini.

Holocaustum medullatum,
Jam per orbem propalatum,
In odorem Deo gratum
Est pontifex oblatus;
Pro corona quae secatur
Duplex stola praeparatur,
Ubi sedes restauratur
Archiepiscopatus.

Synagoga derogat, ridet Paganismus,
Insultant idolatrae, quod Christianismus
Foedus violaverit
Nee patri pepercerit
Christianitatis.
Rachel plorat filium, non vult consolari,
Quam in matris utero vidit trucidari;
Super cujus obitum
Dant in fletu gemitum
Mantes pietatis.

Hic est ille pontifex
Quem supernus Artifex
In coelorum culmine
Magnum stabilivit,
Postquam pertransivit
Gladios Anglorum.

Cum mori non timuit,
Sed cervicem praebuit
In suo sanguine;
Ut abhinc exivit,
Semel introivit
In sancta sanctorum.

Cujus mortem pretiosam testantur miracula,
Christe, nobis suffragetur per aeterna saecula!
-----

XXXVI. ST. THOMAS of CANTERBURY
Latin

DECEMBER 29th

Now let our holy Mother-Church bemoan
What was aforetime by great Britain done;
'Twas a deed detestable:
By pious feelings France is deeply stirred,
And in all horror from the guilt abhorred
Flee heaven and earth and seas as well!

Ah! a crime beyond all telling,
One most hateful and repelling,
Was at England's hands then done:
She prejudged her father, newly
To his home restored, and foully
Murdered him upon his throne.

Thomas, all England's brightest flower,
The glory of the church, before
All others in exalted fame,
At Canterbury's temple door.
The laws of justice to secure,
Both sacrifice and priest became.

'Twixt the temple and the altar,
On the threshold, each assaulter
Doth rudely shake, but breaks him not;
Though with their swords in twain they cut
In its midst the temple veil.
Low Elisha's bald head lieth,
Zacharias, slaughtered, dieth;
Peace, thus betrayed, dissolves away,
And the sweet organ now can play
But the tearful mourners' wail.

Upon Childermas's morrow
Is this Innocent to sorrow
Dragged forth, and blows, and tortures' pain;
Whilst, on the earth outpoured, his brain,
Lo! the sword's point bareth.
As that temple's chiefest glory,
Blushes still its pavement gory,
Which is o'ersprinkled with his blood,
As there this holy priest of God
Robes of passion weareth.

Rages wrath, with fury fevered,
Just blood is to death delivered;
With a sword his head is shivered
In the presence of the Lord:
Consecrating, consecrated,
Immolating, immolated,
He to man a celebrated
Type of virtue doth afford.

Holocaust, with marrow welling,
Known to earth's remotest dwelling,
Sacrifice to God sweet-smelling,
This pontiff was selected;
For a crown that may be riven
Two-fold robes to him are given
On his primate's throne, in heaven
Restored and re-erected.

Jews depreciate our fame, Pagans show derision,
Such as worship idols scoff, that our own religion
Should to break its pledge have dared,
Neither have that father spared,
Over Christians reigning,
Rachel weepeth for that son, nor finds consolation.
Who thus in his mother's womb meets assassination;
Over whose untimely end
Holy hearts their tears expend,
Bitterly complaining.

This man is that pontiff bright,
Whom on heaven's supremest height
Its supernal maker, God,
Stablished in great glory,
When with swords all-gory
England's swordsmen smite him.

Since of death he felt no dread,
But surrendered up his head
To welter in his blood,
When he hence was driven
God to highest heaven
Did at once admit him.

Of his death indeed most precious mighty wonders testify;
Jesu! may he recommend us unto Thee eternally!
-----

INDEX

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XXXVII. S. THOMAS CANTUARIUS
English

XXIX DECEMBRIS

Aquas plenas amaritudine
Novi salis nova dulcedine,
Ollam plenam lethali gramine
Novi farris sanat pinguedine
Eliseus;
Novus vervex pro grege moritur,
Et pro matre proles occiditur;
In obscuris sol novus oritur,
In quo serus annus promittitur
Jubilaeus.

Abel novum Cayn malitia,
Novum Jacob Seïr saevitia,
Novum Joseph fratrum invidia
Intercepit fraude nefariâ
His diebus.
Surrexerunt in patrem pueri,
Non materno parcentes uberi;
Thomas praesul dum datur funeri,
Novum chaos videtur ingeri
Mundi rebus.

Sed occumbit Abel in gloria,
Jacob servat Mesopotamia,
Joseph regnat in aulâ regia,
Thomas noster in coeli curiâ
Coronatur.
Renovantur Anglorum gaudia.
Bethel novus fit Dorovernia,
Fit piscina propitiaria,
In qua jugis et multifaria
Salus datur.

Dilatatur Jordanis fluvius,
Fit Naäman alter et tertius,
Derivatur Siloe longius,
Ccelum pluit manna profusius
Quam solebat.
Duplicatur Solaris radius;
Magnus Annae donatur filius,
Novum vatem Herodis gladius
Trucidavit inverecundius
Quam decebat.

Trucidato non desunt praemia;
Sancto namque pro sanctimonia,
Pro sincerae mentis constantia.
Vita, salus et lux aetherea
Condonatur.
Abhinc multa facit prodigia:
Lepram curat, fugat daemonia;
Caecis visum, claudis vestigia,
Verba mutis, aegris remedia
Imprecatur.

Vir Belial luit blasphemias,
Quas in sanctum arsit injurias;
Visu dempto, tristes exsequias
Maturando nefandas furias
Terminavit.
Vir devotus in sanctum Domini,
Zelo pravo sustractus lumini,
Sed mox datus visus acumini,
Laudes laetus divino nomini
Decantavit.

Cruces, factae manu angelica,
Pii patris prece benefica,
Crebro pollent virtute coelica;
Far fit humi quod paralytica
Membra sanat.
Immolentur lucernae geminae,
Accenduntur coelesti lumine;
Declaratur in vasis fragmine
Locum sanctum fraudis molimine
Qui profanat.

Calce puer qui matrem laeserat
Poenitendo calcem absciderat;
Mox, ut opem sancti petierat,
Bipedalem gressum meruerat,
Res stupenda!
Nauta potens in navi mystica,
Nostra, Thoma, laudes et cantica
Summo Regi prece gratifica
Et eidem prece magnifica
Nos commenda. Amen.
-----

XXXVII. ST. THOMAS of CANTERBURY
Latin

DECEMBER 29th

A new Elisha bitter waters heals
With such new sweetness as new salt reveals;
The pot too, which a herb most deadly fills,
He renders harmless by the fat of meal's
New remedy.
Lo! for the flock another wether dies,
And, for the mother slain, the offspring lies:
To light our darkness a new sun doth rise,
Which the long promised year to all supplies
Of Jubilee.

'Gainst a new Abel doth Cain's malice fight;
Seir's fierceness 'gainst another Jacob's right;
Another Joseph hath his brethren's spite,
Seizing with wicked fraud, put out of sight
In these last days.
Sons 'gainst their fathers to rebel have dared,
Not having e'en their mother's bosom spared:
As Bishop Thomas to his death is snared,
Lo! a new chaos, for all earth prepared,
The eye surveys.

But Abel covered with great glory falls;
Haran saves Jacob, when for help he calls;
Joseph bears rule within a monarch's walls;
Our Thomas too is crowned in the bright halls
Of highest heaven.
All Englishmen, their joys renewed, are glad,
And Canterbury, new Bethesda made,
Becomes a pool, the sinful soul to aid,
Whence at all times to all around it laid
Salvation's given.

The river Jordan wider tracts streams o'er;
Another and third Naaman seeks its shore;
Siloam's pool spreads further than before.
Whilst heaven far more profusely than of yore
Doth manna rain.
The sun's rays are with double power outpoured;
A mighty son to Hannah is secured;
Another prophet Herod's ruthless sword
With shamelessness yet more to be abhorred
Hath foully slain.

But, slaughtered thus, a full reward hath he;
For to the saint for his great sanctity,
And his pure heart's untiring constancy,
Salvation, life, and light most heavenly,
Is freely given.
Henceforth he works unnumbered prodigies;
Lepers are cleansed, the devil's legion flies;
Strength for the lame, and sight for blinded eyes,
Speech for the dumb, for sick folk remedies,
He asks of heaven.

A son of Belial blasphemies he swore,
Burning the saint to harm, atoneth for;
The loss of sight and death did he incur,
An early death, which stopped for evermore
His wrath's fierce stream.
A man, who in the Lord's saint took delight.
And had his eyes put out by bigot spite.
But soon again recovered perfect sight,
Sang constant praises with rejoicing bright
To God's great name.

Crosses, which were by angel fingers made,
When kindly prayers this pious father prayed,
Through heavenly virtue oft great power displayed;
And grain, that heals the limbs with palsy dead,
On earth is grown.
An offering of two lamps was made, which same
Are lighted up by a celestial flame:
The broken fragments of a vase proclaim
Who hath to some blest shrine by fraudful scheme
Dishonour done.

A lad, who with his foot his mother lamed,
Cut off that foot to show himself ashamed;
Soon, when he had this saint's assistance claimed,
He walked upon two feet, as if ne'er maimed,
A wonder rare!
O seaman, who in mystic ship bear'st sway!
Our joyful praises and this grateful lay
To the great King in kindly prayer to-day,
Thomas! commend, and us to Him, we pray,
In potent prayer! Amen.
-----

INDEX

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XXXVIII. S. GENOVEFA
English

III JANUARII

Genovefae solemnitas
Solemne parit gaudium;
Cordis erumpat puritas
In laudis sacrificium!

Felix ortus infantulae,
Teste Germano praesule:
Quod praevidit in spiritu,
Rerum probatur exitu.

Hie ad pectus virgineum,
Pro pudoris signaculo,
Nummum suspendit aeneum,
Crucis insignem titulo.

Genovefam divinitus
Oblato dotat munere,
In templum Sancti Spiritus
Sub Christi dicans foedere.

Insontem manu feriens,
Mater privatur lumine;
Matri virgo compatiens
Lucis dat usum pristinae.

Genovefa magnanimis
Carnem frangit jejunio,
Terramque rigans lacrymis,
Jugi gaudet martyrio.

Coelesti duce praevio,
Coelos lustrat et tartara,
Civesque precum studio
Servat a gente barbara.

Divino diu munere
Sitim levat artificum;
Confractum casu miserae
Matri resignat unicum.

Ad primam precem virginis
Contremiscunt daemonia;
Pax datur energuminis,
Spes aegris, reis venia.

In ejus manus cerei
Reaccenduntur coelitus;
Per hanc in sinus alvei
Redit amnis coercitus.

Ignem sacrum refrigerat,
Post mortem vivens meritis,
Quae prius in se vicerat
Aestus interni fomitis.

Morti, morbis, daemonibus,
Et dementis imperat:
Sic Genovefa precibus
Naturae leges superat.

Operatur in parvulis
Christi virtus magnalia:
Christo, pro tot miraculis,
Laus frequens, jugis gloria! Amen.
-----

XXXVIII. ST. GENEVIEVE
Latin

JANUARY 3rd

Genevieve a holy mirth
Brings forth upon her holy day;
Then let the chastened heart break forth,
The sacrifice of praise to pay!

Blest was that infant's birth of yore,
As Bishop Germain witness bore.
And what in spirit he foreknew
The issue of events proves true.

Upon the virgin's bosom laid,
To mark her spotless chastity,
A medal, that of bronze was made.
Stamped with a cross suspendeth he.

Genevieve he then endows
With gifts that heaven-sent power can boast,
And consecrates through Christian vows
A temple for the Holy Ghost.

For striking at the guileless maid
Her mother's eyes lose all their light
The virgin, for her mother sad,
Restores to them their former sight.

Genevieve, the great-souled, wears
Her fleshly frame by fasts away,
And joys, bedewing earth with tears,
In martyrdom from day to day.

'Neath angel guidance she surveys
The heavens above and hell below;
And saves, so fervently she prays.
The people from a barbarous foe.

Long doth she with unearthly power
Some workmen's thirst alleviate;
And at a mother's tears restore
Her only son, struck down by fate.

At the pure maiden's earliest prayer
Trembles and quakes all Satan's race;
While rest and peace demoniacs share,
The sickly hope, the guilty grace.

Some waxen tapers in her hand
With heaven-sent flame are made to burn;
Its waters too at her command
Back to a river's bed return.

She by her merits, - living still
When dead, - cools down "the Ardents'" fire,
Who in herself before could quell
The flames within of hot desire.

Disease, death, powers of the air,
And elements, all own her sway;
So Genevieve by force of prayer
Makes Nature's laws her will obey.

In very babes Christ's power alone
Works mighty deeds effectually:
To Christ for such great wonders done
All praise and endless glory be! Amen.
-----

INDEX

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XXXIX. S. AGNES
English

XXI JANUARII

Animemur ad agonem,
Recolentes passionem
Gloriosae virginis:
Contrectantes sacrum florem,
Respiremus ad odorem
Respersae dulcedinis.

Pulchra, prudens et illustris,
Jam duobus Agnes lustris
Addebat triennium:
Proles amat hanc praefecti,
Sed ad ejus virgo flecti
Respuit arbitrium,

Mira vis fidei,
Mira virginitas,
Mira virginei
Cordis integritas!
Sic Dei Filius,
Nutu mirabili,
Se mirabilius
Prodit in fragili.

Languet amans, cubat lecto,
Languor notus fit praefecto;
Maturat remedia.
Offert multa, spondet plura,
Periturus peritura,
Sed vilescunt omnia.

Nudam prostituit
Praeses flagitiis,
Quam Christus induit
Comarum fimbriis
Stolaque coelesti.
Coelestis nuntius
Assistit propius;
Cella libidinis
Fit locus luminis:
Turbantur incesti.

Caecus amans indignatur,
Et irrumpens praefocatur
A maligno spiritu.
Luget pater, lugent cuncti,
Roma flevit pro defuncti
Juvenis interitu.

Suscitatur ab Agnete;
Turba fremit indiscrete;
Rogum parant virgini:
Rogus ardens reos urit,
In furentes flamma furit,
Dans honorem numini.

Grates agens Salvatori,
Guttur offert haec lictori;
Nec ad horam timet mori,
Puritatis conscia.
Agnes, Agni salutaris
Stans ad dextram gloriaris,
Et parentes consolaris,
Invitans ad gaudia.

Ne te flerent ut defunctam,
Jam coelesti Sponso junctam,
His, sub agni forma, suam
Revelavit atque tuam
Virginalem gloriam;
Nos ab Agno salutari
Non permitte separari,
Cui te totam consecrasti,
Cujus ope tu curasti
Nobilem Constantiam.

Vas electum, vas honoris,
Incorrupti flos odoris,
Angelorum grata choris,
Honestatis et pudoris
Forman praebes saeculo.
Palma fruens triumphali,
Flore vernans virginali,
Nos indignos speciali,
Fac sanctorum generali
Vel subscribi titulo. Amen.
-----

XXXIX. ST. AGNES
Latin

JANUARY 21st

As we tell once more the fashion
Of this glorious virgin's passion,
Be we kindled to the fight:
As we touch the sacred flower,
Let us breathe the scents that shower
From its sweetness' full delight!

Beautiful and wise and noble,
Agnes now had to the double
Of five years an added three:
Much the prefect's first-born loves her,
But to maiden scorn he moves her.
Not submission to his plea.

Wonderful power of faith,
Wondrous virginity,
Wonderful virtue hath
Virgin hearts' constancy!
So did the Son of God
Come of His wondrous will,
And in frail flesh abode;
Which is more wondrous still!

Sick, to bed the lover goeth:
When the cause the prefect knoweth,
Quickly seeks he for a cure:
Much now, vowing more, he proffers, -
Short-lived offerer, short-lived offers! -
But his gifts are all too poor.

Her doth the prefect, bare,
To outrage vile expose,
But a thick fringe of hair
Christ round her body throws,
And a robe heaven-whitened.
One of the angel-race
Beside her takes his place;
The den of lust that night
Becomes the abode of light,
And the lewd are frightened.

Her blind lover, most indignant,
Rushes in, and a malignant
Spirit robs him of life-breath.
Weeps his father, all are crying,
Rome bewailed a young man dying
By so terrible a death.

He is raised by Agnes' pleading;
But the crowd, - blind rage misleading! -
For the maid prepare the stake:
Its bright blaze the guilty burneth;
'Gainst the fierce the fierce flame turneth
For the Most High's honour's sake.

To the Saviour thanks she proffers,
To the lictor her throat offers;
Neither fears she when she suffers,
Conscious of her purity.
Agnes! thou, thy crown receiving,
At the saving Lamb's side living,
Comfort to thy parents giving,
Bidd'st them mount to joys on high!

Lest they mourn, as dead and buried.
One, to Spouse divine now married,
In a lamb's shape, Christ the story
Of His own and of thy glory
Set before them, spotless maid!
Suffer not our separation
From that Lamb, our One salvation;
Unto Whom devoted wholly,
Thou didst noble Constance throughly
Heal of sickness by His aid.

Vessel, glorious and elected!
Flower, with scent by naught affected!
By the angelic choirs respected!
Thou art as the type erected
Of a maiden's spotless fame.
Off the palm of victory bearing,
Still thy virgin blossom wearing,
Grant we may, unfit appearing
For a special title, share in,
With the saints, their general name! Amen.
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INDEX