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+Project Gutenberg's The Hymns of Prudentius, by Aurelius Clemens Prudentius
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Hymns of Prudentius
+
+Author: Aurelius Clemens Prudentius
+
+Release Date: February 7, 2005 [EBook #14959]
+
+Language: Latin and English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HYMNS OF PRUDENTIUS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Ted Garvin, Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team.
+
+
+
+
+
+                         THE HYMNS of PRUDENTIUS
+
+                       TRANSLATED by R. MARTIN POPE.
+
+                      MDCCCCV PUBLISHED BY J.M. DENT
+                     AND CO: ALDINE HOUSE LONDON W C
+
+
+
+                            CATHEMERINON LIBER
+                                    OF
+                                PRUDENTIUS
+
+                       HYMNS FOR THE CHRISTIAN'S DAY
+
+                           NEWLY TRANSLATED INTO
+                               ENGLISH VERSE
+
+
+
+
+                                 PRAEFATIO
+
+
+    Per quinquennia iam decem,
+  ni fallor, fuimus: septimus insuper
+  annum cardo rotat, dum fruimur sole volubili.
+    Instat terminus et diem
+  vicinum senio iam Deus adplicat.                            5
+  Quid nos utile tanti spatio temporis egimus?
+    Aetas prima crepantibus
+  flevit sub ferulis: mox docuit toga
+  infectum vitiis falsa loqui, non sine crimine.
+    Tum lasciva protervitas,                                 10
+  et luxus petulans (heu pudet ac piget)
+  foedavit iuvenem nequitiae sordibus ac luto.
+    Exin iurgia turbidos
+  armarunt animos et male pertinax
+  vincendi studium subiacuit casibus asperis.                15
+    Bis legum moderamine
+  frenos nobilium reximus urbium,
+  ius civile bonis reddidimus, terruimus reos.
+    Tandem militiae gradu
+  evectum pietas principis extulit                           20
+  adsumptum propius stare iubens ordine proximo.
+    Haec dum vita volans agit,
+  inrepsit subito canities seni
+  oblitum veteris me Saliae consulis arguens:
+    ex quo prima dies mihi                                   25
+  quam multas hiemes volverit et rosas
+  pratis post glaciem reddiderit, nix capitis probat.
+    Numquid talia proderunt
+  carnis post obitum vel bona vel mala,
+  cum iam, quidquid id est, quod fueram, mors aboleverit?    30
+    Dicendum mihi; Quisquis es,
+  mundum, quem coluit, mens tua perdidit:
+  non sunt illa Dei, quae studuit, cuius habeberis.
+    Atqui fine sub ultimo
+  peccatrix anima stultitiam exuat:                          35
+  saltem voce Deum concelebret, si meritis nequit:
+    hymnis continuet dies,
+  nec nox ulla vacet, quin Dominum canat:
+  pugnet contra hereses, catholicam discutiat fidem,
+    conculcet sacra gentium,                                 40
+  labem, Roma, tuis inferat idolis,
+  carmen martyribus devoveat, laudet apostolos.
+    Haec dum scribo vel eloquor,
+  vinclis o utinam corporis emicem
+  liber, quo tulerit lingua sono mobilis ultimo.             45
+
+
+
+
+                                 PREFACE
+
+
+  Full fifty years my span of life hath run,
+  Unless I err, and seven revolving years
+  Have further sped while I the sun enjoy.
+  Yet now the end draws nigh, and by God's will
+  Old age's bound is reached: how have I spent
+  And with what fruit so wide a tract of days?
+  I wept in boyhood 'neath the sounding rod:
+  Youth's toga donned, the rhetorician's arts
+  I plied and with deceitful pleadings sinned:
+  Anon a wanton life and dalliance gross
+  (Alas! the recollection stings to shame!)
+  Fouled and polluted manhood's opening bloom:
+  And then the forum's strife my restless wits
+  Enthralled, and the keen lust of victory
+  Drove me to many a bitterness and fall.
+  Twice held I in fair cities of renown
+  The reins of office, and administered
+  To good men justice and to guilty doom.
+  At length the Emperor's will beneficent
+  Exalted me to military power
+  And to the rank that borders on the throne.
+  The years are speeding onward, and gray hairs
+  Of old have mantled o'er my brows
+  And Salia's consulship from memory dies.
+  What frost-bound winters since that natal year
+  Have fled, what vernal suns reclothed
+  The meads with roses,--this white crown declares.
+  Yet what avail the prizes or the blows
+  Of fortune, when the body's spark is quenched
+  And death annuls whatever state I held?
+  This sentence I must hear: "Whate'er thou art,
+  Thy mind hath lost the world it loved: not God's
+  The things thou soughtest, Whose thou now shalt be."
+  Yet now, ere hence I pass, my sinning soul
+  Shall doff its folly and shall praise my Lord
+  If not by deeds, at least with humble lips.
+  Let each day link itself with grateful hymns
+  And every night re-echo songs of God:
+  Yea, be it mine to fight all heresies,
+  Unfold the meanings of the Catholic faith,
+  Trample on Gentile rites, thy gods, O Rome,
+  Dethrone, the Martyrs laud, th' Apostles sing.
+  O while such themes my pen and tongue employ,
+  May death strike off these fetters of the flesh
+  And bear me whither my last breath shall rise!
+
+
+
+
+                       I. HYMNUS AD GALLI CANTUM
+
+
+    Ales diei nuntius
+  lucem propinquam praecinit;
+  nos excitator mentium
+  iam Christus ad vitam vocat.
+
+    Auferte, clamat, lectulos          5
+  aegros, soporos, desides:
+  castique recti ac sobrii
+  vigilate, iam sum proximus.
+
+    Post solis ortum fulgidi
+  serum est cubile spernere,          10
+  ni parte noctis addita
+  tempus labori adieceris.
+
+    Vox ista, qua strepunt aves
+  stantes sub ipso culmine
+  paulo ante quam lux emicet,         15
+  nostri figura est iudicis.
+
+    Tectos tenebris horridis
+  stratisque opertos segnibus
+  suadet quietem linquere
+  iam iamque venturo die.             20
+
+    Ut, cum coruscis flatibus
+  aurora caelum sparserit,
+  omnes labore exercitos
+  confirmet ad spem luminis.
+
+    Hic somnus ad tempus datus        25
+  est forma mortis perpetis,
+  peccata ceu nox horrida
+  cogunt iacere ac stertere.
+
+    Sed vox ab alto culmine
+  Christi docentis praemonet,         30
+  adesse iam lucem prope,
+  ne mens sopori serviat:
+
+    Ne somnus usque ad terminos
+  vitae socordis opprimat
+  pectus sepultum crimine             35
+  et lucis oblitum suae.
+
+    Ferunt vagantes daemonas
+  laetos tenebris noctium,
+  gallo canente exterritos
+  sparsim timere et cedere.           40
+
+    Invisa nam vicinitas
+  lucis, salutis, numinis
+  rupto tenebrarum situ
+  noctis fugat satellites.
+
+    Hoc esse signum praescii          45
+  norunt repromissae spei,
+  qua nos soporis liberi
+  speramus adventum Dei.
+
+    Quae vis sit huius alitis,
+  salvator ostendit Petro,            50
+  ter antequam gallus canat
+  sese negandum praedicans.
+
+    Fit namque peccatum prius,
+  quam praeco lucis proximae
+  inlustret humanum genus             55
+  finemque peccandi ferat.
+
+    Flevit negator denique
+  ex ore prolapsum nefas,
+  cum mens maneret innocens,
+  animusque servaret fidem.           60
+
+    Nec tale quidquam postea
+  linguae locutus lubrico est,
+  cantuque galli cognito
+  peccare iustus destitit.
+
+    Inde est quod omnes credimus,     65
+  illo quietis tempore
+  quo gallus exsultans canit
+  Christum redisse ex inferis.
+
+    Tunc mortis oppressus vigor,
+  tunc lex subacta est tartari,       70
+  tunc vis diei fortior
+  noctem coegit cedere.
+
+    Iam iam quiescant inproba,
+  iam culpa furva obdormiat,
+  iam noxa letalis suum               75
+  perpessa somnum marceat.
+
+    Vigil vicissim spiritus
+  quodcumque restat temporis,
+  dum meta noctis clauditur,
+  stans ac laborans excubet.          80
+
+    Iesum ciamus vocibus
+  flentes, precantes, sobrii:
+  intenta supplicatio
+  dormire cor mundum vetat.
+
+    Sat convolutis artubus            85
+  sensum profunda oblivio
+  pressit, gravavit, obruit
+  vanis vagantem somniis.
+
+    Sunt nempe falsa et frivola,
+  quae mundiali gloria                90
+  ceu dormientes egimus:
+  vigilemus, hic est veritas.
+
+    Aurum, voluptas, gaudium,
+  opes, honores, prospera,
+  quaecumque nos inflant mala,        95
+  fit mane, nil sunt omnia.
+
+    Tu, Christe, somnum dissice,
+  tu rumpe noctis vincula,
+  tu solve peccatum vetus
+  novumque lumen ingere.             100
+
+
+
+
+                         I. HYMN AT COCK-CROW
+
+
+  Awake! the shining day is born!
+  The herald cock proclaims the morn:
+  And Christ, the soul's Awakener, cries,
+  Bidding us back to life arise.
+
+  Away the sluggard's bed! away
+  The slumber of the soul's decay!
+  Ye chaste and just and temperate,
+  Watch! I am standing at the gate.
+
+  After the sun hath risen red
+  'Tis late for men to scorn their bed,
+  Unless a portion of the night
+  They seize for labours of the light.
+
+  Mark ye, what time the dawn draws nigh,
+  How 'neath the eaves the swallows cry?
+  Know that by true similitude
+  Their notes our Judge's voice prelude.
+
+  When hid by shades of dark malign
+  On beds of softness we recline,
+  They call us forth with music clear
+  Warning us that the day is near.
+
+  When breezes bright of orient morn
+  With rosy hues the heavens adorn,
+  They cheer with hope of gladdening light
+  The hearts that spend in toil their might.
+
+  Though sleep be but a passing guest
+  'Tis type of death's perpetual rest:
+  Our sins are as a ghastly night,
+  And seal with slumbers deep our sight.
+
+  But from the wide roof of the sky
+  Christ's voice peals forth with urgent cry,
+  Calling our sleep-bound hearts to rise
+  And greet the dawn with wakeful eyes.
+
+  He bids us fear lest sensual ease
+  Unto life's end the spirit seize
+  And in the tomb of shame us bind,
+  Till we are to the true light blind.
+
+  'Tis said that baleful spirits roam
+  Abroad beneath the dark's vast dome;
+  But, when the cock crows, take their flight
+  Sudden dispersed in sore affright.
+
+  For the foul votaries of the night
+  Abhor the coming of the light,
+  And shamed before salvation's grace
+  The hosts of darkness hide their face.
+
+  They know the cock doth prophesy
+  Of Hope's long-promised morning sky,
+  When comes the Majesty Divine
+  Upon awakened worlds to shine.
+
+  The Lord to Peter once foretold
+  What meaning that shrill strain should hold,
+  How he before cock-crow would lie
+  And thrice his Master dear deny.
+
+  For 'tis a law that sin is done
+  Before the herald of the sun
+  To humankind the dawn proclaims
+  And with his cry the sinner shames.
+
+  Then wept he bitter tears aghast
+  That from his lips the words had passed,
+  Though guileless he his soul possessed
+  And faith still reigned within his breast.
+
+  Nor ever reckless word he said
+  Thereafter, by his tongue betrayed,
+  But at the cock's familiar cry
+  Humbled he turned from vanity.
+
+  Therefore it is we hold to-day
+  That, as the world in stillness lay,
+  What hour the cock doth greet the skies,
+  Christ from deep Hades did arise.
+
+  Lo! then the bands of death were burst,
+  Shattered the sway of hell accurst:
+  Then did the Day's superior might
+  Swiftly dispel the hosts of Night.
+
+  Now let base deeds to silence fall,
+  Black thoughts be stilled beyond recall:
+  Now let sin's opiate spell retire
+  To that deep sleep it doth inspire.
+
+  For all the hours that still remain
+  Until the dark his goal attain,
+  Alert for duty's stern command
+  Let every soul a sentry stand.
+
+  With sober prayer on Jesus call;
+  Let tears with our strong crying fall;
+  Sleep cannot on the pure soul steal
+  That supplicates with fervent zeal.
+
+  Too long did dull oblivion cloud
+  Our motions and our senses shroud:
+  Lulled by her numbing touch, we stray
+  In dreamland's ineffectual way.
+
+  Bound by the dazzling world's soft chain
+  'Tis false and fleeting gauds we gain,
+  Like those who in deep slumbers lie:--
+  Let us awake! the truth is nigh.
+
+  Gold, honours, pleasure, wealth and ease,
+  And all the joys that mortals please,
+  Joys with a fatal glamour fraught--
+  When morning comes, lo! all are nought.
+
+  But thou, O Christ, put sleep to flight
+  And break the iron bands of night,
+  Free us from burden of past sin
+  And shed Thy morning rays within.
+
+
+
+
+                          II. HYMNUS MATUTINUS
+
+
+    Nox et tenebrae et nubila,
+  confusa mundi et turbida,
+  lux intrat, albescit polus,
+  Christus venit, discedite.
+
+    Caligo terrae scinditur          5
+  percussa solis spiculo,
+  rebusque iam color redit
+  vultu nitentis sideris.
+
+    Sic nostra mox obscuritas
+  fraudisque pectus conscium        10
+  ruptis retectum nubibus
+  regnante pallescit Deo.
+
+    Tunc non licebit claudere
+  quod quisque fuscum cogitat,
+  sed mane clarescent novo          15
+  secreta mentis prodita.
+
+    Fur ante lucem squalido
+  inpune peccat tempore,
+  sed lux dolis contraria
+  latere furtum non sinit.          20
+
+    Versuta fraus et callida
+  amat tenebris obtegi,
+  aptamque noctem turpibus
+  adulter occultus fovet.
+
+    Sol ecce surgit igneus,         25
+  piget, pudescit, paenitet,
+  nec teste quisquam lumine
+  peccare constanter potest.
+
+    Quis mane sumptis nequiter
+  non erubescit poculis,            30
+  cum fit libido temperans
+  castumque nugator sapit?
+
+    Nunc, nunc severum vivitur,
+  nunc nemo tentat ludicrum,
+  inepta nunc omnes sua             35
+  vultu colorant serio.
+
+    Haec hora cunctis utilis,
+  qua quisque, quod studet, gerat,
+  miles, togatus, navita,
+  opifex, arator, institor.         40
+
+    Illum forensis gloria,
+  hunc triste raptat classicum,
+  mercator hinc ac rusticus
+  avara suspirant lucra.
+
+    At nos lucelli ac faenoris      45
+  fandique prorsus nescii,
+  nec arte fortes bellica,
+  te, Christe, solum novimus.
+
+    Te mente pura et simplici,
+  te voce, te cantu pio             50
+  rogare curvato genu
+  flendo et canendo discimus.
+
+    His nos lucramur quaestibus,
+  hac arte tantum vivimus,
+  haec inchoamus munera,            55
+  cum sol resurgens emicat.
+
+    Intende nostris sensibus,
+  vitamque totam dispice,
+  sunt multa fucis inlita,
+  quae luce purgentur tua.          60
+
+    Durare nos tales iube,
+  quales, remotis sordibus
+  nitere pridem iusseras,
+  Iordane tinctos flumine.
+
+    Quodcumque nox mundi dehinc     65
+  infecit atris nubibus,
+  tu, rex Eoi sideris,
+  vultu sereno inlumina.
+
+    Tu sancte, qui taetram picem
+  candore tingis lacteo             70
+  ebenoque crystallum facis,
+  delicta terge livida.
+
+    Sub nocte Iacob caerula
+  luctator audax angeli,
+  eo usque dum lux surgeret,        75
+  sudavit inpar praelium.
+
+    Sed cum iubar claresceret,
+  lapsante claudus poplite
+  femurque victus debile
+  culpae vigorem perdidit.          80
+
+    Nutabat inguen saucium,
+  quae corporis pars vilior
+  longeque sub cordis loco
+  diram fovet libidinem.
+
+    Hae nos docent imagines,        85
+  hominem tenebris obsitum,
+  si forte non cedat Deo,
+  vires rebellis perdere.
+
+    Erit tamen beatior,
+  intemperans membrum cui           90
+  luctando claudum et tabidum
+  dies oborta invenerit.
+
+    Tandem facessat caecitas,
+  quae nosmet in praeceps diu
+  lapsos sinistris gressibus        95
+  errore traxit devio.
+
+    Haec lux serenum conferat
+  purosque nos praestet sibi:
+  nihil loquamur subdolum,
+  volvamus obscurum nihil.         100
+
+    Sic tota decurrat dies,
+  ne lingua mendax, ne manus,
+  oculive peccent lubrici,
+  ne noxa corpus inquinet.
+
+    Speculator adstat desuper,     105
+  qui nos diebus omnibus
+  actusque nostros prospicit
+  a luce prima in vesperum.
+
+    Hic testis, hic est arbiter,
+  his intuetur quidquid est,       110
+  humana quod mens concipit;
+  hunc nemo fallit iudicem.
+
+
+
+
+                           II. MORNING HYMN
+
+
+  Ye clouds and darkness, hosts of night
+  That breed confusion and affright,
+  Begone! o'erhead the dawn shines clear,
+  The light breaks in and Christ is here.
+
+  Earth's gloom flees broken and dispersed,
+  By the sun's piercing shafts coerced:
+  The daystar's eyes rain influence bright
+  And colours glimmer back to sight.
+
+  So shall our guilty midnight fade,
+  The sin-stained heart's gross dusky shade:
+  So shall the King's All-radiant Face
+  Sudden unveil our deep disgrace.
+
+  No longer then may we disguise
+  Our dark intents from those clear eyes:
+  Yea, at the dayspring's advent blest
+  Our inmost thoughts will stand confest.
+
+  The thief his hidden traffic plies
+  Unmarked before the dawn doth rise:
+  But light, the foe of guile concealed,
+  Lets no ill craft lie unrevealed.
+
+  Fraud and Deceit love only night,
+  Their wiles they practise out of sight;
+  Curtained by dark, Adultery too
+  Doth his foul treachery pursue,
+
+  But slinks abashed and shamed away
+  Soon as the sun rekindles day,
+  For none can damning light resist
+  And 'neath its rays in sin persist.
+
+  Who doth not blush o'ertook by morn
+  And his long night's carousal scorn?
+  For day subdues the lustful soul,
+  And doth all foul desires control.
+
+  Now each to earnest life awakes,
+  Now each his wanton sport forsakes;
+  Now foolish things are put away
+  And gravity resumes her sway.
+
+  It is the hour for duty's deeds,
+  The path to which our labour leads,
+  Be it the forum, army, sea,
+  The mart or field or factory.
+
+  One seeks the plaudits of the bar,
+  One the stern trumpet calls to war:
+  Those bent on trade and husbandry
+  At greed's behest for lucre sigh.
+
+  Mine is no rhetorician's fame,
+  No petty usury I claim;
+  Nor am I skilled to face the foe:
+  'Tis Thou, O Christ, alone I know.
+
+  Yea, I have learnt to wait on Thee
+  With heart and lips of purity,
+  Humbly my knees in prayer to bend,
+  And tears with songs of praise to blend.
+
+  These are the gains I hold in view
+  And these the arts that I pursue:
+  These are the offices I ply
+  When the bright sun mounts up the sky.
+
+  Prove Thou my heart, my every thought,
+  Search into all that I have wrought:
+  Though I be stained with blots within,
+  Thy quickening rays shall purge my sin.
+
+  O may I ever spotless be
+  As when my stains were cleansed by Thee,
+  Who bad'st me 'neath the Jordan's wave
+  Of yore my soiled spirit lave.
+
+  If e'er since then the world's gross night
+  Hath cast its curtain o'er my sight,
+  Dispel the cloud, O King of grace,
+  Star of the East! with thy pure face.
+
+  Since Thou canst change, O holy Light,
+  The blackest hue to milky white,
+  Ebon to clearness crystalline,
+  Wash my foul stains and make me clean.
+
+  'Twas 'neath the lonely star-blue night
+  That Jacob waged the unequal fight,
+  Stoutly he wrestled with the Man
+  In darkness, till the day began.
+
+  And when the sun rose in the sky
+  He halted on his shrivelled thigh:
+  His natural might had ebbed away,
+  Vanquished in that tremendous fray.
+
+  Not wounded he in nobler part
+  Nor smitten in life's fount, the heart:
+  But lust was shaken from his throne
+  And his foul empire overthrown.
+
+  Whereby we clearly learn aright
+  That man is whelmed by deadly night,
+  Unless he own God conqueror
+  And strive against His will no more.
+
+  Yet happier he whom rising morn
+  Shall find of nature's strength forlorn,
+  Whose warring flesh hath shrunk away,
+  Palsied by virtue's puissant sway.
+
+  And then at length let darkness flee,
+  Which all too long held us in fee,
+  'Mid wildering shadows made us stray
+  And led in devious tracks our way.
+
+  We pray Thee, Rising Light serene,
+  E'en as Thyself our hearts make clean:
+  Let no deceit our lips defile
+  Nor let our souls be vexed by guile.
+
+  O keep us, as the hours proceed,
+  From lying word and evil deed,
+  Our roving eyes from sin set free,
+  Our body from impurity.
+
+  For thou dost from above survey
+  The converse of each fleeting day:
+  Thou dost foresee from morning light
+  Our every deed, until the night.
+
+  Justice and judgment dwell with Thee,
+  Whatever is, Thine eye doth see:
+  Thou know'st what human hearts conceive
+  And none Thy wisdom may deceive.
+
+
+
+
+                        III. HYMNUS ANTE CIBUM
+
+
+    O crucifer bone, lucisator,
+  omniparens, pie, verbigena,
+  edite corpore virgineo,
+  sed prius in genitore potens,
+  astra, solum, mare quam fierent:      5
+
+    Huc nitido precor intuitu
+  flecte salutiferam faciem,
+  fronte serenus et inradia,
+  nominis ut sub honore tui
+  has epulas liceat capere.            10
+
+    Te sine dulce nihil, Domine,
+  nec iuvat ore quid adpetere,
+  pocula ni prius atque cibos,
+  Christe, tuus favor inbuerit
+  omnia sanctificante fide.            15
+
+    Fercula nostra Deum sapiant,
+  Christus et influat in pateras:
+  seria, ludicra, verba, iocos,
+  denique quod sumus aut agimus,
+  trina superne regat pietas.          20
+
+    Hic mihi nulla rosae spolia,
+  nullus aromate fragrat odor,
+  sed liquor influit ambrosius
+  nectareamque fidem redolet
+  fusus ab usque Patris gremio.        25
+
+    Sperne camena leves hederas,
+  cingere tempora quis solita es,
+  sertaque mystica dactylico
+  texere docta liga strophio,
+  laude Dei redimita comas.            30
+
+    Quod generosa potest anima,
+  lucis et aetheris indigena,
+  solvere dignius obsequium,
+  quam data munera si recinat
+  artificem modulata suum?             35
+
+    Ipse homini quia cuncta dedit,
+  quae capimus dominante manu,
+  quae polus aut humus aut pelagus
+  aere, gurgite, rure creant,
+  haec mihi subdidit et sibi me.       40
+
+    Callidus inlaqueat volucres
+  aut pedicis dolus aut maculis,
+  inlita glutine corticeo
+  vimina plumigeram seriem
+  inpediunt et abire vetant.           45
+
+    Ecce per aequora fluctivagos
+  texta greges sinuosa trahunt:
+  piscis item sequitur calamum
+  raptus acumine vulnifico
+  credula saucius ora cibo.            50
+
+    Fundit opes ager ingenuas
+  dives aristiferae segetis:
+  his ubi vitea pampineo
+  brachia palmite luxuriant,
+  pacis alumna ubi baca viret.         55
+
+    Haec opulentia Christicolis
+  servit et omnia suppeditat:
+  absit enim procul ilia fames,
+  caedibus ut pecudum libeat
+  sanguineas lacerare dapes.           60
+
+    Sint fera gentibus indomitis
+  prandia de nece quadrupedum:
+  nos oleris coma, nos siliqua
+  feta legumine multimodo
+  paverit innocuis epulis.             65
+
+    Spumea mulctra gerunt niveos
+  ubere de gemino latices,
+  perque coagula densa liquor
+  in solidum coit et fragili
+  lac tenerum premitur calatho.        70
+
+    Mella recens mihi Cecropia
+  nectare sudat olente favus:
+  haec opifex apis aerio
+  rore liquat tenuique thymo,
+  nexilis inscia connubii.             75
+
+    Hinc quoque pomiferi nemoris
+  munera mitia proveniunt,
+  arbor onus tremefacta suum
+  deciduo gravis imbre pluit
+  puniceosque iacit cumulos.           80
+
+    Quae veterum tuba, quaeve lyra
+  flatibus inclita vel fidibus
+  divitis omnipotentis opus,
+  quaeque fruenda patent homini
+  laudibus aequiparare queat?          85
+
+    Te Pater optime mane novo,
+  solis et orbita cum media est,
+  te quoque luce sub occidua
+  sumere cum monet hora cibum,
+  nostra Deus canet harmonia.          90
+
+    Quod calet halitus interior,
+  corde quod abdita vena tremit,
+  pulsat et incita quod resonam
+  lingua sub ore latens caveam,
+  laus superi Patris esto mihi.        95
+
+    Nos igitur tua sancte manus
+  caespite conposuit madido
+  effigiem meditata suam,
+  utque foret rata materies
+  flavit et indidit ore animam.       100
+
+    Tunc per amoena vireta iubet
+  frondicomis habitare locis,
+  ver ubi perpetuum redolet
+  prataque multicolora latex
+  quadrifluo celer amne rigat.        105
+
+    Haec tibi nunc famulentur, ait,
+  usibus omnia dedo tuis:
+  sed tamen aspera mortifero
+  stipite carpere poma veto,
+  qui medio viret in nemore.          110
+
+    Hic draco perfidus indocile
+  virginis inlicit ingenium,
+  ut socium malesuada virum
+  mandere cogeret ex vetitis
+  ipsa pari peritura modo.            115
+
+    Corpora mutua--nosse nefas--
+  post epulas inoperta vident,
+  lubricus error et erubuit:
+  tegmina suta parant foliis,
+  dedecus ut pudor occuleret.         120
+
+    Conscia culpa Deum pavitans
+  sede pia procul exigitur.
+  innuba fernina quae fuerat,
+  coniugis excipit inperium,
+  foedera tristia iussa pati.         125
+
+    Auctor et ipse doli coluber
+  plectitur inprobus, ut mulier
+  colla trilinguia calce terat:
+  sic coluber muliebre solum
+  suspicit atque virum mulier.        130
+
+    His ducibus vitiosa dehinc
+  posteritas ruit in facinus,
+  dumque rudes imitatur avos,
+  fasque nefasque simul glomerans
+  inpia crimina morte luit.           135
+
+    Ecce venit nova progenies,
+  aethere proditus alter homo,
+  non luteus, velut ille prior:
+  sed Deus ipse gerens hominem,
+  corporeisque carens vitiis.         140
+
+    Fit caro vivida sermo Patris,
+  numine quam rutilante gravis
+  non thalamo, neque iure tori,
+  nec genialibus inlecebris
+  intemerata puella parit.            145
+
+    Hoc odium vetus illud erat,
+  hoc erat aspidis atque hominis
+  digladiabile discidium,
+  quod modo cernua femineis
+  vipera proteritur pedibus.          150
+
+    Edere namque Deum merita
+  omnia virgo venena domat:
+  tractibus anguis inexplicitis
+  virus inerme piger revomit,
+  gramine concolor in viridi.         155
+
+    Quae feritas modo non trepidat,
+  territa de grege candidulo?
+  inpavidas lupus inter oves
+  tristis obambulat et rabidum
+  sanguinis inmemor os cohibet.       160
+
+    Agnus enim vice mirifica
+  ecce leonibus inperitat:
+  exagitansque truces aquilas
+  per vaga nubila, perque notos
+  sidere lapsa columba fugat.         165
+
+    Tu mihi Christe columba potens,
+  sanguine pasta cui cedit avis,
+  tu niveus per ovile tuum
+  agnus hiare lupum prohibes,
+  sub iuga tigridis ora premens.      170
+
+    Da locuples Deus hoc famulis
+  rite precantibus, ut tenui
+  membra cibo recreata levent,
+  neu piger inmodicis dapibus
+  viscera tenta gravet stomachus.     175
+
+    Haustus amarus abesto procul,
+  ne libeat tetigisse manu
+  exitiale quid aut vetitum:
+  gustus et ipse modum teneat,
+  sospitet ut iecur incolume.         180
+
+    Sit satis anguibus horrificis,
+  liba quod inpia corporibus
+  ah miseram peperere necem,
+  sufficiat semel ob facinus
+  plasma Dei potuisse mori.           185
+
+    Oris opus, vigor igneolus
+  non moritur, quia flante Deo
+  conpositus superoque fluens
+  de solio Patris artificis
+  vim liquidae rationis habet.        190
+
+    Viscera mortua quin etiam
+  post obitum reparare datur,
+  eque suis iterum tumulis
+  prisca renascitur effigies
+  pulvereo coeunte situ.              195
+
+    Credo equidem, neque vana fides,
+  corpora vivere more animae:
+  nam modo corporeum memini
+  de Phlegethonte gradu facili
+  ad superos remeasse Deum.           200
+
+    Spes eadem mea membra manet,
+  quae redolentia funereo
+  iussa quiescere sarcophago
+  dux parili redivivus humo
+  ignea Christus ad astra vocat.      205
+
+
+
+
+                       III. HYMN BEFORE MEAT
+
+
+  Blest Cross-bearer, Source of good,
+    Light-creating, Word-begot,
+  Gracious child of maidenhood,
+    Bosomed in the Fatherhood,
+  When earth, sea and stars were not.
+
+  With Thy cloudless, healing gaze
+    Shine upon me from above:
+  Let Thine all-enlightening rays
+    Bless this meal and quicken praise,
+  Praise unto Thy name of Love.
+
+  Lord, without Thee nought is sweet,
+    Nought my life can satisfy,
+  If Thy favour make not meet
+    What I drink and what I eat;
+  Let faith all things sanctify!
+
+  O'er this bread God's grace be poured,
+    Christ's sweet fragrance fill the bowl!
+  Rule my converse, Triune Lord,
+    Sober thought and sportive word,
+  All my acts and all my soul.
+
+  Spoils of rose-trees are not spent,
+    Nor rich unguents on my board:
+  But ambrosial sweets are sent,
+    Of faith's nectar redolent,
+  From the bosom of my Lord.
+
+  Scorn, my Muse, light ivy-leaves
+    Wherewith custom wreathed thy brow:
+  Love a mystic crown conceives
+    And a rhythmic garland weaves:
+  Bind on thee God's praises now.
+
+  What more worthy gift can I,
+    Child of light and aether, bring
+  Than for boons the Maker high
+    From His bounty doth supply
+  Lovingly my thanks to sing?
+
+  He hath set 'neath our command
+    All that ever rose to be,
+  All that sky and sea and land
+    Breed in air, in glebe and sand,
+  Made my slaves, His own made me.
+
+  Fowler's craft with gin and net
+    Feathered tribes of heaven ensnares:
+  Osier twigs with lime o'erset
+    That their airy flight may let
+  His relentless guile prepares.
+
+  Lo! with woven mesh the seine
+    Swimming shoals draws from the wave:
+  Nor do fish the bait disdain
+    Till they feel the barb's swift pain,
+  Captives of the food they crave.
+
+  Native wealth that knows no fail,
+    Golden wheat springs from the field:
+  Tendrils lush o'er vineyards trail,
+    Nursed of Peace the olives pale
+  Berries green unbidden yield.
+
+  Christ's grace fills His people's need
+    With these mercies ever fresh:
+  Far from us be that foul greed,
+    Gluttony that loves to feed
+  On slain oxen's bloodstained flesh.
+
+  Leave to the barbarian brood
+    Banquet of the slaughtered beast:
+  Ours the homely, garden food,
+    Greenstuff manifold and good
+  And the lentils' harmless feast.
+
+  Foaming milkpails bubble o'er
+    With the udders' snowy stream,
+  Which in thickening churns we pour
+    Or in wicker baskets store,
+  As the cheese is pressed from cream.
+
+  Honey's nectar for our use
+    From the new-made comb is shed:
+  Which the skilful bee imbues
+    With thyme's scent and airy dews,
+  Plying lonely toils unwed.
+
+  Orchard-groves now mellowed o'er
+    Bounteously their fruitage shed:
+  See! like rain on forest floor
+    Shaken trees their riches pour,
+  High-heaped apples, ripe and red.
+
+  What great trumpet voice or lyre
+    Famed of yore could fitly praise
+  Gifts of the Almighty Sire,
+    Blessings that His own require,
+  Richly lavished through their days?
+
+  When morn breaks upon our sight,
+    Hymns, O Lord, to Thee shall ring:
+  Thee, when streams the midday light,
+    Thee, when shadows of the night
+  Bid us sup, our voices sing.
+
+  For my body's vital heat,
+    For my heart-blood's pulsing vein,
+  For my tongue and speech complete
+    Unto Thee, Most High, 'tis meet
+  That I raise my grateful strain.
+
+  'Twas, O Holy One, Thy care
+    Wrought us from the plastic clay,
+  Made us Thine own image bear,
+    And for our perfection fair
+  Did Thy Breath to man convey.
+
+  On the twain Thou didst bestow
+    Leafy bowers in pleasaunce fair:
+  Where spring's scents for aye did blow,
+    And four stately streams did flow
+  O'er meads pied with blossoms rare.
+
+  "All this realm ye now shall sway:"
+    (Saidst Thou) "use it at your will,
+  Yet 'tis death your hands to lay
+    On the Tree, whose verdant sway
+  Doth the midmost garden fill."
+
+  Then the Serpent's guileful hate
+    Would not innocency spare:
+  Bade the maiden urge her mate
+    With the fruit his lips to sate,
+  Nor 'scaped she the self-same snare.
+
+  Each their nakedness perceives
+    When the feast they once partook:
+  Smit with shame their conscience grieves:
+    Wove they coverings of leaves
+  Shielding from lascivious look.
+
+  Far they both in terror fled
+    Thrust from dwelling of the pure:
+  She who erst had dwelt unwed
+    Subject to her spouse was led,
+  Bidden Hymen's bonds endure.
+
+  On the Serpent, too, His seal
+    God hath set, Who guile abhorred,
+  Doomed in triple neck to feel
+    Impress of the woman's heel,
+  Fearing her, who feared her lord.
+
+  Thus sin in our parents sown
+    Brought forth ruin for the race;
+  Good and evil having grown
+    From that primal root alone,
+  Nought but death could guilt efface.
+
+  But the Second Man behold
+    Come to re-create our kin:
+  Not formed after common mould
+    But our God (O Love untold!)
+  Made in flesh that knows not sin.
+
+  Word of God incarnated,
+    By His awful power conceived,
+  Whom a maiden yet unwed,
+    Innocent of marriage-bed,
+  In her virgin womb received.
+
+  Now we see the Serpent lewd
+    'Neath the woman's heel downtrod:
+  Whence there sprang the deadly feud,
+    Strife for ages unsubdued,
+  'Twixt mankind and foe of God.
+
+  Yet God's mother, Maid adored,
+    Robbed sin's poison of its bane,
+  And the Snake, his green coils lowered,
+    Writhing on the sod, outpoured
+  Harmless now his venom's stain.
+
+  What fierce brute that doth not flee
+    Lambs of Christ, white-robed and clean?
+  'Midst the flock from fear set free,
+    Slinks the drear wolf sullenly,
+  Checked his maw and tamed his mien.
+
+  Wondrous change! restrained by love
+    Lions the mild lamb obey:
+  Eagles wild, before the dove
+    Fluttering from the stars above,
+  Speed o'er cloudy winds away.
+
+  Thou, O Christ, my Dove dost reign
+    Where the vulture gnaws no more:
+  Thou dost, snow-white Lamb, enchain
+    Tigers fierce, and wolves restrain
+  Gaping at the sheepfold's door.
+
+  God of Love, Thy servants we
+    Pray Thee now to grant our prayer
+  That our feast may frugal be,
+    Nor that we dishonour Thee
+  By coarse surfeit of rich fare.
+
+  May we taste no bitter gall
+    In our cup, nor handle we
+  Aught of death or harm at all,
+    Nor intemperately fall
+  Into gross debauchery.
+
+  Be the powers of Hell content
+    With their primal fraud, whereby
+  Death into this world was sent,
+    And that, for sin's chastisement,
+  God's own creatures once should die.
+
+  But in us God's Breath of fire
+    Cannot lose its vital force:
+  Never can its might expire,
+    Flowing from the Eternal Sire,
+  Who of Reason's strength is source.
+
+  Nay, from out death's chilling tomb
+    Mortal atoms shall arise:
+  Man from earth's vast, hidden womb
+    Other, yet the same, shall bloom,
+  Dust re-made in glorious guise.
+
+  'Tis my faith--and faith not vain--
+    Bodies live e'en as the soul:
+  Since I hold in memory plain
+    God as man uprose again,
+  Loosed from Hell, to His true goal.
+
+  Whence from Him the hope I reap
+    That these limbs the same shall rise,
+  Which enwrapped in balmy sleep
+    Christ the Risen safe shall keep
+  Till He call me to the skies.
+
+
+
+
+                         IV. HYMNUS POST CIBUM
+
+
+    Pastis visceribus ciboque sumpto,
+  quem lex corporis inbecilla poscit,
+  laudem lingua Deo patri rependat;
+    Patri, qui Cherubin sedile sacrum,
+  nec non et Seraphin suum supremo           5
+  subnixus solio tenet regitque.
+
+    Hic est, quem Sabaoth Deum vocamus,
+  expers principii carensque fine,
+  rerum conditor et repertor orbis:
+    fons vitae liquida fluens ab arce,      10
+  infusor fidei, sator pudoris,
+  mortis perdomitor, salutis auctor.
+
+    Omnes quod sumus aut vigemus, inde est:
+  regnat Spiritus ille sempiternus
+  a Christo simul et Parente missus.        15
+    Intrat pectora candidus pudica,
+  quae templi vice consecrata rident,
+  postquam conbiberint Deum medullis.
+
+    Sed si quid vitii dolive nasci
+  inter viscera iam dicata sensit,          20
+  ceu spurcum refugit celer sacellum.
+    Taetrum flagrat enim vapore crasso
+  horror conscius aestuante culpa
+  offensumque bonum niger repellit.
+
+    Nec solus pudor innocensve votum        25
+  templum constituunt perenne Christo
+  in cordis medii sum ac recessu:
+    sed ne crapula ferveat cavendum est,
+  quae sedem fidei cibis refertam
+  usque ad congeriem coartet intus.         30
+
+    Parcis victibus expedita corda
+  infusum melius Deum receptant.
+  Hic pastus animae est, saporque verus:
+    sed nos tu gemino fovens paratu
+  artus atque animas utroque pastu          35
+  confirmas Pater ac vigore conples.
+
+    Sic olim tua praecluens potestas
+  inter raucisonos situm leones,
+  inlapsis dapibus virum refovit.
+    Illum fusile numen execrantem           40
+  et curvare caput sub expolita
+  aeris materia nefas putantem
+
+    Plebs dirae Babylonis ac tyrannus
+  morti subdiderant, feris dicarant
+  saevis protinus haustibus vorandum.       45
+    O semper pietas fidesque tuta!
+  lambunt indomiti virum leones
+  intactumque Dei tremunt alumnum.
+
+    Adstant cominus et iubas reponunt,
+  mansuescit rabies fameque blanda          50
+  praedam rictibus ambit incruentis.
+    Sed cum tenderet ad superna palmas
+  expertumque sibi Deum rogaret,
+  clausus iugiter indigensque victu:
+
+    Iussus nuntius advolare terris,         55
+  qui pastum famulo daret probato,
+  raptim desilit obsequente mundo.
+    Cernit forte procul dapes inemptas,
+  quas messoribus Abbacuc propheta
+  agresti bonus exhibebat arte.             60
+
+    Huius caesarie manu prehensa
+  plenis, sicut erat, gravem canistris
+  suspensum rapit et vehit per auras.
+    Tum raptus simul ipse prandiumque
+  sensim labitur in lacum leonum,           65
+  et, quas tunc epulas gerebat, offert:
+
+    Sumas laetus, ait, libensque carpas,
+  quae summus Pater, angelusque Christi
+  mittunt liba tibi sub hoc periclo.
+    His sumptis Danielus excitavit          70
+  in caelum faciem ciboque fortis
+  Amen reddidit, Halleluia dixit.
+
+    Sic nos muneribus tuis refecti,
+  largitor Deus omnium bonorum,
+  grates reddimus et sacramus hymnos.       75
+    Tu nos tristifico velut tyranno
+  mundi scilicet inpotentis actu
+  conclusos regis et feram repellis,
+
+    Quae circumfremit ac vorare temptat
+  insanos acuens furore dentes,             80
+  cur te, summe Deus, precemur unum.
+    Vexamur, premimur, malis rotamur;
+  oderunt, lacerant, trahunt, lacessunt,
+  iuncta est suppliciis fides iniquis.
+
+    Nec defit tamen anxiis medela;          85
+  nam languente trucis leonis ira
+  inlapsae superingeruntur escae.
+    Quas si quis sitienter hauriendo
+  non gustu tenui, sed ore pleno
+  internis velit inplicare venis,           90
+
+    Hic sancto satiatus ex propheta,
+  iustorum capiet cibos virorum,
+  qui fructum domino metunt perenni.
+    Nil est dulcius ac magis saporum,
+  nil quod plus hominem iuvare possit,      95
+  quam vatis pia praecinentis orsa.
+
+    His sumptis licet insolens potestas
+  pravum iudicet, inrogetque mortem,
+  inpasti licet inruant leones,
+    nos semper Dominum patrem fatentes     100
+  in te, Christe Deus, loquemur unum
+  constanterque tuam crucem feremus.
+
+
+
+
+                         IV. HYMN AFTER MEAT
+
+  Refreshed we rise, and for this bread that feeds,
+  By law of man's weak flesh, our daily needs,
+    Let every tongue, the Father's praises sing;
+  The Father Who on His exalted throne,
+  O'er Cherubim and Seraphim, alone
+    Reigns in His majesty, Eternal King.
+
+  God of Sabaoth is His name: 'tis He
+  Who ne'er began and ne'er shall cease to be,
+    Builder of worlds created at His word;
+  Fountain of Life that flows from out the sky,
+  He breathes within us Faith and Purity,
+    Great Conqueror of Death, Salvation's Lord.
+
+  From Him each creature life and vigour gains,
+  And over all the Eternal Spirit reigns
+    Who cometh from the Father and the Son:
+  When, dovelike, on pure hearts the heavenly Guest
+  Descends, they are by God's own presence blest,
+    As temples where His holy work is done.
+
+  But if the taint of vice or guile arise
+  Within the consecrated shrine, He flies
+    With speed from out the sin-defiled cell;
+  For, driven forth by guilt's black, surging tide,
+  The offended Godhead may not there abide
+    Where conscious sin and noisome foulness dwell.
+
+  Not chastity nor childlike faith alone
+  Build up for Christ an everlasting throne
+    Deep in the inmost heart, devoid of shame:
+  But watchful ever must His servants be,
+  Lest the dark power of sated gluttony
+    Should bind about the abode of faith its chain.
+
+  Yet simple saints, content with frugal fare,
+  More surely find the Spirit present there,
+    Who is our soul's true strength and heavenly food:
+  Thy love for us a twofold feast supplies,
+  O Father, whence the soul may strengthened rise
+    And eke the body gain new hardihood.
+
+  Thus, fed and sheltered by Thy matchless might,
+  The lions' hideous roar could not affright
+    Thy loyal servant in the days of old:
+  He boldly cursed the molten deity
+  And stood with stubborn head uplifted high
+    That scorned to bow before a god of gold.
+
+  Then Babylon's vile mob with fury glows;
+  Death is his doom; and straight the tyrant throws
+    The youth to be his savage lions' prey:
+  But faith and piety Thou still dost save,
+  For lo! the untamed brutes no longer rave,
+    But round God's unscathed child they gently play.
+
+  Close by his side they stand with drooping mane,
+  The grisly, gaping jaws from blood refrain
+    And with rough tongues their whilom prey caress:
+  But when in prayer he raised his hands to heaven
+  And called the God, from Whom such help was given,
+    Close-prisoned, hungry, and in sore distress,
+
+  A winged messenger to earth He sends,
+  Who swiftly through the parting clouds descends
+    To feed His servant, proven by the test:
+  By chance he sees from far the unbought fare
+  Which the good seer Habakkuk's kindly care
+    With rustic art had for the reapers dressed:
+
+  Then, grasping in strong hand the prophet's hair,
+  He bears him gently through the rushing air,
+    Still burdened with the platter's savoury load,
+  Till o'er the lions' den at last they stayed
+  And straightway to the starving youth displayed
+    The food thus brought, by God's good grace bestowed.
+
+  "Take this with joy," he said, "and thankful feed,
+  The bread that in thy hour of direst need,
+    By the great Father sent, Christ's angel brings."
+  Then Daniel lifts his eyes to heaven above
+  And, strengthened by the wondrous gift of love,
+    "Amen!" he cries, and Alleluia sings.
+
+  Thus, therefore, by Thy bounties now restored,
+  Giver of all things good, Almighty Lord,
+    We render thanks and sing glad hymns to Thee:
+  Though prisoned in an evil world we dwell
+  Where sin's grim tyrant rules, Thou dost repel
+    With sovran power our mortal enemy.
+
+  He roars around us, and would fain devour,
+  Grinding his angry teeth when 'gainst his power
+    In Thee alone, O God, we still confide:
+  By evil things we are beset and vexed,
+  Tormented, hated, harassed and perplexed,
+    Our faith by cruel suffering sorely tried,
+
+  Yet help ne'er fails us in our time of need,
+  For Thou canst quell the lions' rage, and feed
+    Our hungry spirits with celestial fare:
+  And if some soul no meagre taste would gain
+  Of that repast, but thirstily is fain
+    Full measure of the heavenly sweets to share,
+
+  He by the holy seers of old is fed,
+  And shall partake the loyal reapers' bread
+    Who labour in the eternal Master's field:
+  For nothing sweeter than the Word can be
+  That fell from righteous lips, once touched by Thee,
+    And nought can richer grace to mortals yield.
+
+  With this sustained, though vaunting tyranny
+  By unjust judgment doom us straight to die,
+    And starved lions rush these limbs to tear;
+  Confessing ever Thine Eternal Son,
+  With Thee, Almighty Father, ever one,
+    His cross with faith unshaken will we bear.
+
+
+
+
+                     V. HYMNUS AD INCENSUM LUCERNAE
+
+
+    Inventor rutili, dux bone, luminis,
+  qui certis vicibus tempora dividis,
+  merso sole chaos ingruit horridum,
+  lucem redde tuis Christe fidelibus.
+
+    Quamvis innumero sidere regiam              5
+  lunarique polum lampade pinxeris,
+  incussu silicis lumina nos tamen
+  monstras saxigeno semine quaerere:
+
+    Ne nesciret homo spem sibi luminis
+  in Christi solido corpore conditam,          10
+  qui dici stabilem se voluit petram,
+  nostris igniculis unde genus venit.
+
+    Pinguis quos olei rore madentibus
+  lychnis aut facibus pascimus aridis:
+  quin et fila favis scirpea floreis           15
+  presso melle prius conlita fingimus.
+
+    Vivax flamma viget, seu cava testula
+  sucum linteolo suggerit ebrio,
+  seu pinus piceam fert alimoniam,
+  seu ceram teretem stuppa calens bibit.       20
+
+    Nectar de liquido vertice fervidum
+  guttatim lacrimis stillat olentibus,
+  ambustum quoniam vis facit ignea
+  imbrem de madido flere cacumine.
+
+    Splendent ergo tuis muneribus, Pater,      25
+  flammis mobilibus scilicet atria,
+  absentemque diem lux agit aemula,
+  quam nox cum lacero victa fugit peplo.
+
+    Sed quis non rapidi luminis arduam
+  manantemque Deo cernat originem?             30
+  Moyses nempe Deum spinifera in rubo
+  vidit conspicuo lumine flammeum.
+
+    Felix, qui meruit sentibus in sacris
+  caelestis solii visere principem,
+  iussus nexa pedum vincula solvere,           35
+  ne sanctum involucris pollueret locum.
+
+    Hunc ignem populus sanguinis incliti
+  maiorum meritis tutus et inpotens,
+  suetus sub dominis vivere barbaris,
+  iam liber sequitur longa per avia:           40
+
+    qua gressum tulerant castraque caerulae
+  noctis per medium concita moverant,
+  plebem pervigilem fulgure praevio
+  ducebat radius sole micantior.
+
+    Sed rex Niliaci littoris invido            45
+  fervens felle iubet praevalidam manum
+  in bellum rapidis ire cohortibus
+  ferratasque acies clangere classicum.
+
+    Sumunt arma viri seque minacibus
+  accingunt gladiis, triste canit tuba:        50
+  hic fidit iaculis, ille volantia
+  praefigit calamis spicula Gnosiis.
+
+    Densetur cuneis turba pedestribus,
+  currus pars et equos et volucres rotas
+  conscendunt celeres signaque bellica         55
+  praetendunt tumidis clara draconibus.
+
+    Hic iam servitii nescia pristini
+  gens Pelusiacis usta vaporibus
+  tandem purpurei gurgitis hospita
+  rubris littoribus fessa resederat.           60
+
+    Hostis dirus adest cum duce perfido,
+  infert et validis praelia viribus:
+  Moyses porro suos in mare praecipit
+  constans intrepidis tendere gressibus:
+
+    praebent rupta locum stagna viantibus      65
+  riparum in faciem pervia, sistitur
+  circumstans vitreis unda liquoribus,
+  dum plebs sub bifido permeat aequore.
+
+    Pubes quin etiam decolor asperis
+  inritata odiis rege sub inpio                70
+  Hebraeum sitiens fundere sanguinem
+  audet se pelago credere concavo:
+
+    ibant praecipiti turbine percita
+  fluctus per medios agmina regia,
+  sed confusa dehinc unda revolvitur           75
+  in semet revolans gurgite confluo.
+
+    Currus tunc et equos telaque naufraga
+  ipsos et proceres et vaga corpora
+  nigrorum videas nare satellitum,
+  arcis iustitium triste tyrannicae.           80
+
+    Quae tandem poterit lingua retexere
+  laudes Christe tuas? qui domitam Pharon
+  plagis multimodis cedere praesuli
+  cogis iustitiae vindice dextera.
+
+    Qui pontum rapidis aestibus invium         85
+  persultare vetas, ut refluo in salo
+  securus pateat te duce transitus,
+  et mox unda rapax devoret inpios.
+
+    Cui ieiuna eremi saxa loquacibus
+  exundant scatebris, et latices novos         90
+  fundit scissa silex, quae sitientibus
+  dat potum populis axe sub igneo.
+
+    Instar fellis aqua tristifico in lacu
+  fit ligni venia mel velut Atticum:
+  lignum est, quo sapiunt aspera dulcius;      95
+  uam praefixa cruci spes hominum viget.
+
+    Inplet castra cibus tunc quoque ninguidus,
+  inlabens gelida grandine densius:
+  his mensas epulis, hac dape construunt,
+  quam dat sidereo Christus ab aethere.       100
+
+    Nec non imbrifero ventus anhelitu
+  crassa nube leves invehit alites,
+  quae conflata in humum, cum semel agmina
+  fluxerunt, reduci non revolant fuga.
+
+    Haec olim patribus praemia contulit       105
+  insignis pietas numinis unici,
+  cuius subsidio nos quoque vescimur
+  pascentes dapibus pectora mysticis.
+
+    Fessos ille vocat per freta seculi
+  discissis populum turbinibus regens         110
+  iactatasque animas mille laboribus
+  iustorum in patriam scandere praecipit.
+
+    Illic purpureis tecta rosariis
+  omnis fragrat humus calthaque pinguia
+  et molles violas et tenues crocos           115
+  fundit fonticulis uda fugacibus.
+
+    Illic et gracili balsama surculo
+  desudata fluunt, raraque cinnama
+  spirant et folium, fonte quod abdito
+  praelambens fluvius portat in exitum.       120
+
+    Felices animae prata per herbida
+  concentu parili suave sonantibus
+  hymnorum modulis dulce canunt melos,
+  calcant et pedibus lilia candidis.
+
+    Sunt et spiritibus saepe nocentibus       125
+  paenarum celebres sub Styge feriae
+  illa nocte, sacer qua rediit Deus
+  stagnis ad superos ex Acheronticis.
+
+    Non sicut tenebras de face fulgida
+  surgens oceano Lucifer inbuit,              130
+  sed terris Domini de cruce tristibus
+  maior sole novum restituens diem.
+
+    Marcent suppliciis tartara mitibus,
+  exultatque sui carceris otio
+  functorum populus liber ab ignibus,         135
+  nec fervent solito flumina sulphure.
+
+    Nos festis trahimus per pia gaudia
+  noctem conciliis votaque prospera
+  certatim vigili congerimus prece
+  extructoque agimus liba sacrario.           140
+
+    Pendent mobilibus lumina funibus,
+  quae suffixa micant per laquearia,
+  et de languidulis fota natatibus
+  lucem perspicuo flamma iacit vitro.
+
+    Credas stelligeram desuper aream          145
+  ornatam geminis stare trionibus,
+  et qua bosporeum temo regit iugum,
+  passim purpureos spargier hesperos.
+
+    O res digna, Pater, quam tibi roscidae
+  noctis principio grex tuus offerat,         150
+  lucem, qua tribuis nil pretiosius,
+  lucem, qua reliqua praemia cernimus.
+
+    Tu lux vera oculis, lux quoque sensibus,
+  intus tu speculum, tu speculum foris,
+  lumen, quod famulans offero, suscipe,       155
+  tinctum pacifici chrismatis unguine.
+
+    Per Christum genitum, summe Pater, tuum,
+  in quo visibilis stat tibi gloria,
+  qui noster Dominus, qui tuus unicus
+  spirat de patrio corde paraclitum.          160
+
+    Per quem splendor, honos, laus, sapientia,
+  maiestas, bonitas, et pietas tua
+  regnum continuat numine triplici
+  texens perpetuis secula seculis.
+
+
+
+
+                 V. HYMN FOR THE LIGHTING OF THE LAMPS
+
+
+  Blest Lord, Creator of the glowing light,
+    At Whose behest the hours successive move,
+    The sun has set: black darkness broods above:
+  Christ! light Thy faithful through the coming night.
+
+  Thy courts are lit with stars unnumbered,
+    And in the cloudless vault the pale moon rides;
+    Yet Thou dost bid us seek the fire that hides
+  Till swift we strike it from its flinty bed.
+
+  So man may learn that in Christ's body came
+    The hidden hope of light to mortals given:
+    He is the Rock--'tis His own word--that riven
+  Sends forth to all our race the eternal flame.
+
+  From lamps that brim with rich and fragrant oil,
+    Or torches dry this heaven-sent fire we feed;
+    Or make us rushlights from the flowering reed
+  And wax, whereon the bees have spent their toil.
+
+  Bright glows the light, whether the resin thick
+    Of pine-brand flares, or waxen tapers burn
+    With melting radiance, or the hollow urn
+  Yields its stored sweetness to the thirsty wick.
+
+  Beneath the might of fire, in slow decay
+    The scented tears of glowing nectar fall;
+    Lower and lower droops the candle tall
+  And ever dwindling weeps itself away.
+
+  So by Thy gifts, great Father, hearth and hall
+    Are all ablaze with points of twinkling light
+    That vie with daylight spent; and vanquished Night
+  Rends, as she flies away, her sable pall.
+
+  Who knoweth not that from high Heaven first came
+    Our light, from God Himself the rushing fire?
+    For Moses erst, amid the prickly brier,
+  Saw God made manifest in lambent flame.
+
+  Ah, happy he! deemed worthy face to face
+    To see heaven's Lord within that sacred brake;
+    Bidden the sandals from his feet to take,
+  Nor with his shoon defile that holy place.
+
+  The mighty children of the chosen name,
+    Saved by the merits of their sires, and free
+    After long years of savage tyranny,
+  Through the drear desert followed still that flame.
+
+  Striking their camp beneath the silent night
+    Where'er they went, to lead their darkling way,
+    The cloud of glory lent its guiding ray
+  And shone more splendid than the noonday light.
+
+  But, mad with jealous fury, Egypt's king
+    Calls his great host to battle for their lord:
+    Swiftly the cohorts gather at his word,
+  And down the mail-clad lines the clarions ring.
+
+  Girding their trusty swords the warriors go
+    To fill the ranks; hoarse bugles rend the air;
+    These seize their massy javelins, these prepare
+  The death-winged arrow and the Cretan bow.
+
+  The footmen throng in close battalions pressed;
+    The chariots thunder; to the saddle spring
+    The riders of the Nile, as forth they fling
+  Egypt's proud banner with the serpent crest.
+
+  And now, forgetful of the bondage past,
+    Thy children, tortured by the desert heat,
+    Drag to the Red Sea's brink their weary feet,
+  And on its sandy margin rest at last.
+
+  See! with their forsworn king the savage foe
+    Draws nigh: the threatening squadrons nearer ride;
+    But ever onward urged the intrepid guide
+  And through the waves bade Israel fearless go.
+
+  Before that steadfast march the billows fall,
+    Then raise on either hand their crystal mass,
+    While through the sundered deep Thy people pass
+  And ocean guards them with a liquid wall.
+
+  But, mad with baffled rage, the dusky horde
+    Of Egypt, by their impious despot led,
+    Athirst the hated Hebrews' blood to shed
+  Pursued, all reckless of the o'er-arching flood.
+
+  Swift as the wind the royal squadrons ride,
+    But swifter yet the crystal barriers break,
+    The waves exultantly their bounds forsake
+  And roll together in a roaring tide.
+
+  'Mid steeds and chariots and drifting mail
+    The drowned lords of Egypt found a grave
+    With all their swart retainers 'neath the wave;
+  And in their haughty courts the mourners wail.
+
+  What tongue, O Christ, Thy glories can unfold?
+    Thine was the arm, outstretched in wrath, that made
+    The stricken land of Pharaoh, sore afraid,
+  Bow down before Thy minister of old.
+
+  Thy pathless deep did at the voice restrain
+    Its surging billows, till with Thee for guide
+    Thy host passed scathless, and the refluent tide
+  Swept down the wicked to the engulfing main.
+
+  At Thy command the desert, parched and dry,
+    Breaks into laughing rills, and water clear
+    Wells from the smitten rock Thy flock to cheer
+  And quench their thirst beneath that brazen sky.
+
+  Then Marah's bitterness grew passing sweet,
+    Touched by the mystic tree; so by the grace
+    Of Thine own Tree, O Christ, our sinful race
+  Regains its lost hopes at Thy pierced feet.
+
+  Faster than icy hail the manna falls,
+    Like snow down drifting from a wintry sky;
+    The feast is set: they heap the tables high
+  With that rich food from Thy celestial halls.
+
+  Fresh blow the breezes from the distant shore
+    And bear a fluttering cloud that hides the light,
+    Till the frail pinions, faltering in their flight,
+  Sink in the wilderness to rise no more.
+
+  How great the love of God's own Son, that shed
+    Such wondrous bounty on His chosen race!
+    And still to us He proffers in His grace
+  The mystic Feast, wherewith our souls are fed.
+
+  Through the world's raging sea He bids us come,
+    And 'twixt the sundered billows guides our path,
+    Till, spent and wearied with the ocean's wrath,
+  He calls His storm-tossed saints to Heaven and home.
+
+  There in His paradise red roses blow,
+    With golden daffodils and lilies pale
+    And gentle violets, and down the vale
+  The murmuring rivulets for ever flow.
+
+  Sweet balsams, welling from the slender tree,
+    And precious spices fill the fragrant air,
+    And, hiding by the stream, that blossom rare
+  Whose leaves the river hurries to the sea.
+
+  There the blest souls with one accord unite
+    To hymn in dulcet song their Saviour's praise,
+    And as the chanting quire their voices raise
+  They tread with shining feet the lilies bright.
+
+  Yea, e'en the spirits of the lost, that dwell
+    Where the black stream of sullen Acheron flows,
+    Rest on that holy night when Christ arose,
+  And for a while 'tis holiday in Hell.
+
+  No sun from ocean rising drives away
+    Their darkness, with his flaming shafts far-hurled,
+    But from the cross of Christ o'er that wan world
+  There streams the radiance of a new-born day.
+
+  The sulphurous floods with lessened fury glow,
+    The aching limbs find respite from their pain,
+    While, in glad freedom from the galling chain,
+  The tortured ghosts a short-lived solace know.
+
+  In holy gladness let this night be sped,
+    As here we gather, Lord, to watch and pray;
+    To Thee with one consent our vows we pay
+  And on Thy altar set the sacred Bread.
+
+  From pendent chains the lamps of crystal blaze;
+    By fragrant oil sustained the clear flame glows
+    With strength undimmed, and through the darkness throws
+  High o'er the fretted roof a golden haze,
+
+  As 'twere Heaven's starry floor our wondering eye
+    Beheld, wherein the Bears their light display,
+    Where Phosphor heralds the approach of day
+  And Hesper's radiance floods the evening sky.
+
+  Meet is the gift we offer here to Thee,
+    Father of all, as falls the dewy night;
+    Thine own most precious gift we bring--the light
+  Whereby mankind Thy other bounties see.
+
+  Thou art the Light indeed; on our dull eyes
+    And on our inmost souls Thy rays are poured;
+    To Thee we light our lamps: receive them, Lord,
+  Filled with the oil of peace and sacrifice.
+
+  O hear us, Father, through Thine only Son,
+    Our Lord and Saviour, by Whose love bequeathed
+    The Paraclete upon our hearts has breathed,
+  With Him and Thee through endless ages one.
+
+  Through Christ Thy Kingdom shall for ever be,
+    Thy grace, might, wisdom, glory ever shine,
+    As in the Triune majesty benign
+  He reigns for all eternity with Thee.
+
+
+
+
+                        VI. HYMNUS ANTE SOMNUM
+
+
+    Ades Pater supreme,
+  quem nemo vidit unquam,
+  Patrisque sermo Christe,
+  et Spiritus benigne.
+
+    O Trinitatis huius             5
+  vis una, lumen unum,
+  Deus ex Deo perennis,
+  Deus ex utroque missus.
+
+    Fluxit labor diei,
+  redit et quietis hora,          10
+  blandus sopor vicissim
+  fessos relaxat artus.
+
+    Mens aestuans procellis
+  curisque sauciata
+  totis bibit medullis            15
+  obliviale poclum.
+
+    Serpit per omne corpus
+  Lethaea vis, nec ullum
+  miseris doloris aegri
+  patitur manere sensum.          20
+
+    Lex haec data est caducis
+  Deo iubente membris,
+  ut temperet laborem
+  medicabilis voluptas.
+
+    Sed dum pererrat omnes        25
+  quies amica venas,
+  pectusque feriatum
+  placat rigante somno:
+
+    Liber vagat per auras
+  rapido vigore sensus,           30
+  variasque per figuras,
+  quae sunt operta, cernit.
+
+    Quia mens soluta curis,
+  cui est origo caelum,
+  purusque fons ab aethra         35
+  iners iacere nescit.
+
+    Imitata multiformes
+  facies sibi ipsa fingit,
+  per quas repente currens
+  tenui fruatur actu.             40
+
+    Sed sensa somniantum
+  dispar fatigat horror,
+  nunc splendor intererrat
+  qui dat futura nosse.
+
+    Plerumque dissipatis          45
+  mendax imago veris
+  animos pavore maestos
+  ambage fallit atra.
+
+    Quem rara culpa morum
+  non polluit frequenter,         50
+  nunc lux serena vibrans
+  res edocet latentes.
+
+    At qui coinquinatum
+  vitiis cor inpiavit,
+  lusus pavore multo              55
+  species videt tremendas.
+
+    Hoc patriarcha noster
+  sub carceris catena
+  geminis simul ministris
+  interpres adprobavit.           60
+
+    Quorum reversus unus
+  dat poculum tyranno,
+  ast alterum rapaces
+  fixum vorant volucres.
+
+    Ipsum deinde regem            65
+  perplexa somniantem
+  monuit famem futuram
+  clausis cavere acervis.
+
+    Mox praesul ac tetrarches
+  regnum per omne iussus          70
+  sociam tenere virgam
+  dominae resedit aulae.
+
+    O quam profunda iustis
+  arcana per soporem
+  aperit tuenda Christus,         75
+  quam clara! quam tacenda!
+
+    Evangelista summi
+  fidissimus magistri
+  signata quae latebant
+  nebulis videt remotis:          80
+
+    ipsum tonantis agnum
+  de caede purpurantem,
+  qui conscium futuri
+  librum resignat unus.
+
+    Huius manum potentem          85
+  gladius perarmat anceps
+  et fulgurans utrimque
+  duplicem minatur ictum.
+
+    Quaesitor ille solus
+  animaeque corporisque           90
+  ensisque bis timendus
+  prima ac secunda mors est.
+
+    idem tamen benignus
+  ultor retundit iram
+  paucosque non piorum            95
+  patitur perire in aevum.
+
+    Huic inclitus perenne
+  tribuit Pater tribunal,
+  hunc obtinere iussit
+  nomen supra omne nomen.        100
+
+    Hic praepotens cruenti
+  extinctor antichristi,
+  qui de furente monstro
+  pulchrum refert tropaeum.
+
+    Quam bestiam capacem         105
+  populosque devorantem,
+  quam sanguinis charybdem
+  Ioannis execratur.
+
+    Haec nempe, quae sacratum
+  praeferre nomen ausa est,      110
+  imam petit gehennam
+  Christo perempta vero.
+
+    Tali sopore iustus
+  mentem relaxat heros,
+  ut spiritu sagaci              115
+  caelum peragret omne.
+
+    Nos nil meremur horum,
+  quos creber inplet error,
+  concreta quos malarum
+  vitiat cupido rerum.           120
+
+    Sat est quiete dulci
+  fessum fovere corpus:
+  sat, si nihil sinistrum
+  vanae minentur umbrae.
+
+    Cultor Dei memento           125
+  te fontis et lavacri
+  rorem subisse sanctum,
+  te chrismate innotatum.
+
+    Fac, cum vocante somno
+  castum petis cubile,           130
+  frontem locumque cordis
+  crucis figura signet.
+
+    Crux pellit omne crimen,
+  fugiunt crucem tenebrae:
+  tali dicata signo              135
+  mens fluctuare nescit.
+
+    Procul, o procul vagantum
+  portenta somniorum,
+  procul esto pervicaci
+  praestigiator astu!            140
+
+    O tortuose serpens,
+  qui mille per Maeandros
+  fraudesque flexuosas
+  agitas quieta corda,
+
+    Discede, Christus hic est,   145
+  hic Christus est, liquesce:
+  signum quod ipse nosti
+  damnat tuam catervam.
+
+    Corpus licet fatiscens
+  iaceat recline paullum,        150
+  Christum tamen sub ipso
+  meditabimur sopore.
+
+
+
+
+                        VI. HYMN BEFORE SLEEP
+
+
+  Draw near, Almighty Father,
+    Ne'er seen by mortal eye;
+  Come, O Thou Word eternal,
+    O Spirit blest, be nigh.
+
+  One light of threefold Godhead,
+    One power that all transcends;
+  God is of God begotten,
+    And God from both descends.
+
+  The hour of rest approaches,
+    The toils of day are past,
+  And o'er our tired bodies
+    Sleep's gentle charm is cast.
+
+  The mind, by cares tormented
+    Amid life's storm and stress,
+  Drinks deep the wondrous potion
+    That brings forgetfulness.
+
+  O'er weary, toil-worn mortals
+    The spells of Lethe steal;
+  Sad hearts lose all their sorrow,
+    Nor pain nor anguish feel.
+
+  For to His frail creation
+    God gave this law to keep,
+  That labour should be lightened
+    By soft and healing sleep.
+
+  But while sweet languor wanders
+    Through all the pulsing veins,
+  And, wrapt in dewy slumber,
+    The heart at rest remains,
+
+  The soul, in wakeful vigour,
+    Aloft in freedom flies,
+  And sees in many a semblance
+    The hidden mysteries.
+
+  For, freed from care, the spirit
+    That came from out the sky,
+  Born of the stainless aether,
+    Can never idle lie.
+
+  A thousand changing phantoms
+    She fashions through the night,
+  And 'midst a world of fancy
+    Pursues her rapid flight.
+
+  But divers are the visions
+    That night to dreamers shows;
+  Rare gleams of straying splendour
+    The future may disclose;
+
+  More oft the truth is darkened,
+    And lying fantasy
+  Deceives the affrighted sleeper
+    With cunning treachery.
+
+  To him whose life is holy
+    The things that are concealed
+  Lie open to his spirit
+    In radiant light revealed;
+
+  But he whose heart is blackened,
+    With many a sin imbued,
+  Sees phantoms grim and ghastly
+    That beckon and delude.
+
+  So in the Egyptian dungeon
+    The patriarch of old
+  Unto the king's two servants
+    Their fateful visions told:
+
+  And one is brought from prison
+    The monarch's wine to pour,
+  One, on the gibbet hanging,
+    Foul birds of prey devour,
+
+  He warned the king, distracted
+    By riddles of the night,
+  To hoard the plenteous harvests
+    Against the years of blight.
+
+  Soon, lord of half a kingdom,
+    A mighty potentate,
+  He shares the royal sceptre
+    And dwells in princely state.
+
+  But ah! how deep the secrets
+    The holy sleeper sees
+  To whom Christ shows His highest,
+    Most sacred mysteries.
+
+  For God's most faithful servant
+    The clouds were rolled away,
+  And John beheld the wonders
+    That sealed from mortals lay.
+
+  The Lamb of God, encrimsoned
+    With sacrificial stains,
+  Alone the Book can open
+    That destiny contains.
+
+  By His strong hand is wielded
+    A keen, two-edged brand
+  That, flashing like the lightning,
+    Smites swift on either hand.
+
+  Before His bar of judgment
+    Both soul and body lie;
+  He whom that dread sword smiteth
+    The second death shall die.
+
+  Yet mercy tempers justice,
+    And few the Avenger sends
+  (Whose guilt is past all pardon)
+    To death that never ends.
+
+  To Him the Father yieldeth
+    The judgment-seat of Heaven;
+  To Him a Name excelling
+    All other names is given.
+
+  For by His strength transcendent
+    Shall Antichrist be slain,
+  And from that raging monster
+    Fair trophies shall He gain:
+
+  That all-devouring Dragon,
+    With blood of martyrs red,
+  On whose abhorred power
+    John's solemn curse is laid.
+
+  And thus the proud usurper
+    Of His high name is cast
+  By Him, the true Christ, vanquished
+    To deepest hell at last.
+
+  Upon the saint heroic
+    Such wondrous slumber falls
+  That, in the spirit roaming,
+    He treads heaven's highest halls.
+
+  We may not, in our weakness,
+    To dreams like these aspire,
+  Whose souls are steeped in error
+    And evil things desire.
+
+  Enough, if weary bodies
+    In peaceful sleep may rest;
+  Enough, if no dark powers
+    Our slumbering souls molest.
+
+  Christian! the font remember,
+    The sacramental vow,
+  The holy water sprinkled,
+    The oil that marked thy brow!
+
+  When at sleep's call thou seekest
+    To rest in slumber chaste,
+  Let first the sacred emblem
+    On breast and brow be traced.
+
+  The Cross dispels all darkness,
+    All sin before it flies,
+  And by that sign protected
+    The mind all fear defies.
+
+  Avaunt! ye fleeting phantoms
+    That mock our midnight hours;
+  Avaunt! thou great Deceiver
+    With all thy guileful powers.
+
+  Thou Serpent, old and crafty,
+    Who by a thousand arts
+  And manifold temptations
+    Dost vex our sleeping hearts,
+
+  Vanish! for Christ is with us;
+    Away! 'tis Christ the Lord:
+  The sign thou must acknowledge
+    Condemns thy hellish horde.
+
+  And, though the weary body
+    Relaxed in sleep may be,
+  Our hearts, Lord, e'en in slumber,
+    Shall meditate on Thee.
+
+
+
+
+                      VII. HYMNUS IEIUNANTIUM
+
+
+
+    O Nazarene, lux Bethlem, verbum Patris,
+  quem partus alvi virginalis protulit,
+  adesto castis Christe parsimoniis,
+  festumque nostrum rex serenus adspice,
+  ieiuniorum dum litamus victimam.              5
+
+    Nil hoc profecto purius mysterio,
+  quo fibra cordis expiatur uvidi,
+  intemperata quo domantur viscera,
+  arvina putrem ne resudans crapulam
+  obstrangulatae mentis ingenium premat.       10
+
+    Hinc subiugatur luxus et turpis gula,
+  vini atque somni degener socordia,
+  libido sordens, inverecundus lepos,
+  variaeque pestes languidorum sensuum
+  parcam subactae disciplinam sentiunt.        15
+
+    Nam si licenter diffluens potu et cibo
+  ieiuna rite membra non coerceas,
+  sequitur frequenti marcida oblectamine
+  scintilla mentis ut tepescat nobilis,
+  animusque pigris stertat in praecordiis.     20
+
+    Frenentur ergo corporum cupidines,
+  detersa et intus emicet prudentia:
+  sic excitato perspicax acumine
+  liberque flatu laxiore spiritus
+  rerum parentem rectius precabitur.           25
+
+    Elia tali crevit observantia,
+  vetus sacerdos, ruris hospes aridi:
+  fragore ab omni quem remotum et segregem
+  sprevisse tradunt criminum frequentiam,
+  casto fruentem syrtium silentio.             30
+
+    Sed mox in auras igneis iugalibus
+  curruque raptus evolavit praepete,
+  ne de propinquo sordium contagio
+  dirus quietum mundus adflaret virum,
+  olim probatis inclitum ieiuniis.             35
+
+    Non ante caeli principem septemplicis
+  Moyses tremendi fidus interpres throni
+  potuit videre, quam decem recursibus
+  quater volutis sol peragrans sidera
+  omni carentem cerneret substantia.           40
+
+    Victus precanti solus in lacrimis fuit:
+  nam flendo pernox inrigatum pulverem
+  humi madentis ore pressit cernuo,
+  donec loquentis voce praestrictus Dei
+  expavit ignem non ferendum visibus.          45
+
+    Ioannis huius artis hand minus potens,
+  Dei perennis praecucurrit filium,
+  curvos viarum qui retorsit tramites
+  et flexuosa conrigens dispendia
+  dedit sequendam calle recto lineam.          50
+
+    Hanc obsequelam praeparabat nuntius
+  mox adfuturo construens iter Deo,
+  clivosa planis, confragosa ut lenibus
+  converterentur, neve quidquam devium
+  inlapsa terris inveniret veritas.            55
+
+    Non usitatis ortus his natalibus
+  oblita lactis iam vieto in pectore
+  matris tetendit serus infans ubera:
+  nec ante partu de senili effusus est,
+  quam praedicaret virginem plenam Deo.        60
+
+    Post in patentes ille solitudines
+  amictus hirtis bestiarum pellibus
+  setisve tectus hispida et lanugine
+  secessit, horrens inquinari et pollui
+  contaminatis oppidorum moribus.              65
+
+    Illic dicata parcus abstinentia
+  potum cibumque vir severae industriae
+  in usque serum respuebat vesperum,
+  parvum locustis et favorum agrestium
+  liquore pastum corpori suetus dare.          70
+
+    Hortator ille primus et doctor novae
+  fuit salutis, nam sacrato in flumine
+  veterum piatas lavit errorum notas:
+  sed tincta postquam membra defaecaverat,
+  caelo refulgens influebat spiritus.          75
+
+    Hoc ex lavacro labe dempta criminum
+  ibant renati non secus, quam si rudis
+  auri recocta vena pulchrum splendeat,
+  micet metalli sive lux argentei,
+  sudum polito praenitens purgamine.           80
+
+    Referre prisci stemma mine ieiunii
+  libet fideli proditum volumine,
+  ut diruendae civitatis incolis
+  fulmen benigni mansuefactum Patris
+  pie repressis ignibus pepercerit.            85
+
+    Gens insolenti praepotens iactantia
+  pollebat olim, quam fluentem nequiter
+  conrupta vulgo solverat lascivia,
+  et inde bruto contumax fastidio
+  cultum superni negligebat numinis.           90
+
+    Offensa tandem iugis indulgentiae
+  censura iustis excitatur motibus,
+  dextram perarmat rhompheali incendio
+  nimbos crepantes et fragosos turbines
+  vibrans tonantum nube flammarum quatit.      95
+
+    Sed paenitendi dum datur diecula,
+  si forte vellent inprobam libidinem
+  veteresque nugas condomare ac frangere,
+  suspendit ictum terror exorabilis
+  paullumque dicta substitit sententia.       100
+
+    Ionam prophetam mitis ultor excitat,
+  paenae inminentis iret ut praenuntius,
+  sed nosset ille qui minacem iudicem
+  servare malle, quam ferire ac plectere,
+  tectam latenter vertit in Tharsos fugam.    105
+
+    Celsam paratis pontibus scandit ratem,
+  udo revincta fune puppis solvitur,
+  itur per altum, fit procellosum mare:
+  tum causa tanti quaeritur periculi,
+  sors in fugacem missa vatem decidit.        110
+
+    Iussus perire solus e cunctis reus,
+  cuius voluta crimen urna expresserat,
+  praeceps rotatur et profundo inmergitur:
+  exceptus inde beluinis faucibus
+  alvi capacis vivus hauritur specu.          115
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+    Intactus exin tertiae noctis vice
+  monstri vomentis pellitur singultibus,
+  qua murmuranti fine fluctus frangitur,
+  salsosque candens spuma tundit pumices,
+  ructatus exit seque servatum stupet.        130
+
+    In Ninivitas se coactus percito
+  gressu reflectit, quos ut increpaverat
+  pudenda censor inputans opprobria;
+  Inpendet, inquit, ira summi vindicis,
+  urbemque flamma mox cremabit, credite.      135
+
+    Apicem deinceps ardui montis petit
+  visurus inde conglobatum turbidae
+  fumum ruinae cladis et dirae struem,
+  tectus flagellis multinodis germinis,
+  nato et repente perfruens umbraculo.        140
+
+    Sed maesta postquam civitas vulnus novi
+  hausit doloris, heu supremum palpitat:
+  cursant per ampla congregatim moenia
+  plebs et senatus, omnis aetas civium,
+  pallens iuventus, eiulantes feminae.        145
+
+    Placet frementem publicis ieiuniis
+  placare Christum, mos edendi spernitur,
+  glaucos amictus induit monilibus
+  matrona demptis, proque gemma et serico
+  crinem fluentem sordidus spargit cinis.     150
+
+    Squalent recincta veste bullati patres,
+  setasque plangens turba sumit textiles,
+  inpexa villis virgo bestialibus
+  nigrante vultum contegit velamine,
+  iacens arenis et puer provolvitur.          155
+
+    Rex ipse Coos aestuantem murices
+  laenam revulsa dissipabat fibula,
+  gemmas virentes et lapillos sutiles,
+  insigne frontis exuebat vinculum
+  turpi capillos inpeditus pulvere.           160
+
+    Nullus bibendi, nemo vescendi memor,
+  ieiuna mensas pubis omnis liquerat,
+  quin et negato lacte vagientium
+  fletu madescunt parvulorum cunulae,
+  sucum papillae parca nutrix derogat.        165
+
+    Greges et ipsos claudit armentalium
+  sollers virorum cura, ne vagum pecus
+  contingat ore rorulenta gramina,
+  potum strepentis neve fontis hauriant,
+  vacuis querelae personant praesepibus.      170
+
+    Mollitus his et talibus brevem Deus
+  iram refrenat temperans oraculum
+  prosper sinistrum, prona nam clementia
+  haud difficulter supplicem mortalium
+  solvit reatum fitque fautrix flentium.      175
+
+    Sed cur vetustae gentis exemplum oquor?
+  pridem caducis cum gravatus artubus
+  Iesus dicato corde ieiunaverit,
+  praenuncupatus ore qui prophetico
+  Emanuel est, sive NOBISCUM DEUS.            180
+
+    Qui corpus istud molle naturaliter
+  captumque laxo sub voluptatum iugo
+  virtutis arta lege fecit liberum:
+  emancipator servientis plasmatis
+  regnantis ante victor et cupidinis.         185
+
+    Inhospitali namque secretus loco
+  quinis diebus octies labentibus
+  nullam ciborum vindicavit gratiam,
+  firmans salubri scilicet ieiunio
+  vas adpetendis inbecillum gaudiis.          190
+
+    Miratus hostis posse limum tabidum
+  tantum laboris sustinere ac perpeti,
+  explorat arte sciscitator callida,
+  Deusne membris sit receptus terreis,
+  sed increpata fraude post tergum ruit.      195
+
+    Hoc nos sequamur quisque nunc pro viribus,
+  quod consecrati tu magister dogmatis
+  tuis dedisti Christe sectatoribus,
+  ut, cum vorandi vicerit libidinem,
+  late triumphet inperator spiritus.          200
+
+    Hoc est, quod atri livor hostis invidet,
+  mundi polique quod gubernator probat,
+  altaris aram quod facit placabilem,
+  quod dormientis excitat cordis fidem,
+  quod limat aegram pectoris rubiginem.       205
+
+    Perfusa non sic amne flamma extinguitur,
+  nec sic calente sole tabescunt nives,
+  ut turbidarum scabra culparum seges
+  vanescit almo trita sub ieiunio,
+  si blanda semper misceatur largitas.        210
+
+    Est quippe et illud grande virtutis genus
+  operire nudos, indigentes pascere,
+  opem benignam ferre supplicantibus,
+  unam paremque sortis humanae vicem
+  inter potentes atque egenos ducere.         215
+
+    Satis beatus quisque dextram porrigit,
+  laudis rapacem, prodigam pecuniae,
+  cuius sinistra dulce factum nesciat:
+  illum perennes protinus conplent opes,
+  ditatque fructus faenerantem centuplex.     220
+
+
+
+
+                     VII. HYMN FOR THOSE WHO FAST
+
+
+  O Jesus, Light of Bethlehem,
+    True Son of God, Incarnate Word;
+  Thou offspring of a Virgin's womb,
+    Be present at our frugal board;
+  Accept our fast, our sacrifice,
+    And smile upon us, gracious Lord.
+
+  For by this holiest mystery
+    The inward parts are cleansed from stain,
+  And, taming all the unbridled lusts,
+    Our sinful flesh we thus restrain,
+  Lest gluttony and drunkenness
+    Should choke the soul and cloud the brain.
+
+  Hence appetite and luxury
+    Are forced their empire to resign;
+  The wanton sport, the jest obscene,
+    The ignoble sway of sleep and wine,
+  And all the plagues of languid sense
+    Feel the strict bonds of discipline.
+
+  For if, full fed with meat and drink,
+    The flesh thou ne'er dost mortify,
+  The mind, that spark of sacred flame,
+    By pleasure dulled, must fail and die,
+  And pent in its gross prison-house
+    The soul in shameful torpor lie.
+
+  So be thy carnal lusts controlled,
+    So be thy judgment clear and bright;
+  Then shall thy spirit, swift and free,
+    Be gifted with a keener sight,
+  And breathing in an ampler air
+    To the All-Father pray aright.
+
+  Elias by such abstinence,
+    Seer of the desert, grew in grace,
+  Who left the madding haunts of men
+    And found a peaceful resting-place,
+  Where, far from sinful crowds, he trod
+    The pure and silent wilderness.
+
+  Till by those fiery coursers drawn
+    The swift car bore him through the air,
+  Lest earth's defiling touch should mar
+    The holiness it might not share,
+  Or some polluting breath disturb
+    The peace attained by fast and prayer.
+
+  Moses, through whom from His dread throne
+    The will of God to man was told,
+  No food might touch till through the sky
+    The sun full forty times had rolled,
+  Ere God before him stood revealed,
+    Lord of the heavens sevenfold.
+
+  Tears were his meat, while bent in prayer
+    Through the long night he bowed his head
+  E'en to the thirsty dust, that drank
+    The drops in bitter weeping shed;
+  Till, at God's call, he saw the flame
+    No eye may bear, and was afraid.
+
+  The Baptist, too, was strong in fast--
+    Forerunner in a later day
+  Of God's Eternal Son--who made
+    The byepaths plain, the crooked way
+  A road direct, wherein His feet
+    Might travel on without delay.
+
+  This was the messenger's great task
+    Who for God's advent zealously
+  Prepared the way, the rough made smooth,
+    The mountain levelled to the sea;
+  That, when Truth came from heaven to earth,
+    All fair and straight His path should be.
+
+  He was not born in common wise,
+    For dry and wrinkled was the breast
+  Of her that bare him late in years,
+    Nor found she from her labour rest,
+  Till she had hailed with lips inspired
+    The Maid with unborn Godhead blest.
+
+  For him the hairy skins of beasts
+    Furnished a raiment rude and wild,
+  As forth into the lonely waste
+    He fared, an unbefriended child,
+  Who dwelt apart, lest he should be
+    By evil city-life defiled.
+
+  There, vowed to abstinence, he grew
+    To manhood, and with stern disdain
+  He turned from meat and drink, until
+    He saw night's shadow fall again;
+  And locusts and the wild bees' store
+    Sufficed his vigour to sustain.
+
+  The first was he to testify
+    Of that new life which man might win;
+  In Jordan's consecrating stream
+    He purged the stains of ancient sin,
+  And, as he made the body clean,
+    The radiant Spirit entered in.
+
+  Forth from the holy tide they came
+    Reborn, from guilt's pollution free,
+  As bright from out the cleansing fire
+    Flows the rough gold, or as we see
+  The glittering silver, purged of dross,
+    Flash into polished purity.
+
+  Now let us tell, from Holy Writ,
+    Of olden fasts the fairest crown;
+  How God in pity stayed His hand,
+    And spared a doomed and guilty town,
+  In clemency the flames withheld
+    And laid His vengeful lightnings down.
+
+  A mighty race of ancient time
+    Waxed arrogant in boastful pride;
+  Debauched were they, and borne along
+    On foul corruption's loathsome tide,
+  Till in their stiff-necked self-conceit
+    They e'en the God of Heaven denied.
+
+  At last Eternal Mercy turns
+    To righteous judgment, swift and dire;
+  He shakes the clouds; the mighty sword
+    Flames in His hand, and in His ire
+  He wields the roaring hurricane
+    'Mid murky gloom and flashing fire.
+
+  Yet in His clemency He grants
+    To penitence a brief delay,
+  That they might burst the bonds of lust
+    And put their vanities away;
+  His sentence given, He waits awhile
+    And stays the hand upraised to slay.
+
+  To warn them of the wrath to come
+    The Avenger in His mercy sent
+  Jonah the seer; but,--though he knew
+    The threatening Judge would fain relent
+  Nor wished to strike,--towards Tarshish town
+    The prophet's furtive course was bent.
+
+  As up the galley's side he climbed,
+    They loosed the dripping rope, and passed
+  The harbour bar: then on them burst
+    The sudden fury of the blast;
+  And when their peril's cause they sought,
+    The lot was on the recreant cast.
+
+  The man whose guilt the urn declares
+    Alone must die, the rest to save;
+  Hurled headlong from the deck, he falls
+    And sinks beneath the engulfing wave,
+  Then, seized by monstrous jaws, is plunged
+    Into a vast and living grave.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+  At last the monster hurls him forth,
+    As the third night had rolled away;
+  Before its roar the billows break
+    And lash the cliffs with briny spray;
+  Unhurt the wondering prophet stands
+    And hails the unexpected day.
+
+  Thus turned again to duty's path
+    To Nineveh he swiftly came,
+  Their lusts rebuked and boldly preached
+    God's judgment on their sin and shame;
+  "Believe!" he cried, "the Judge draws nigh
+    Whose wrath shall wrap your streets in flame."
+
+  Thence to the lofty mount withdrew,
+    Where he might watch the smoke-cloud lower
+  O'er blasted homes and ruined halls,
+    And rest beneath the shady bower
+  Upspringing in swift luxury
+    Of twining tendril, leaf and flower.
+
+  But when the guilty burghers heard
+    The impending doom, a dull despair
+  Possessed their souls; proud senators,
+    Poor craftsmen, throng the highways fair;
+  Pale youth with tottering age unites,
+    And women's wailing rends the air.
+
+  A public fast they now decree,
+    If they may thus Christ's anger stay:
+  No food they touch: each haughty dame
+    Puts silken robes and gems away,
+  In sable garbed, and ashes casts
+    Upon her tresses' disarray.
+
+  In dark and squalid vesture clad
+    The Fathers go: the mourning crowd
+  Dons rough attire: in shaggy skins
+    Enwrapped, fair maids their faces shroud
+  With dusky veils, and boyish heads
+    E'en to the very dust are bowed.
+
+  The King tears off his jewelled brooch
+    And rends the robe of Coan hue;
+  Bright emeralds and lustrous pearls
+    Are flung aside, and ashes strew
+  The royal head, discrowned and bent,
+    As low he kneels God's grace to sue.
+
+  None thought to drink, none thought to eat;
+    All from the table turned aside,
+  And in their cradles wet with tears
+    Starved babes in bitter anguish cried,
+  For e'en the foster-mother stern
+    To little lips the breast denied.
+
+  The very flocks are closely penned
+    By careful hands, lest they should gain
+  Sweet water from the babbling stream
+    Or wandering crop the dewy plain;
+  And bleating sheep and lowing kine
+    Within their barren stalls complain.
+
+  Moved by such penitence, full soon
+    God's grace repealed the stern decree
+  And curbed His righteous wrath; for aye,
+    When man repents, His clemency
+  Is swift to pardon and to hear
+    His children weeping bitterly.
+
+  Yet wherefore of that bygone race
+    Should we anew the story tell?
+  For Christ's pure soul by fasting long
+    The clogging bonds of flesh did quell;
+  He Whom the prophet's voice foretold
+    As GOD WITH US, Emmanuel.
+
+  Man's body--frail by nature's law
+    And bound by pleasure's easy chain--
+  He freed by virtue's strong restraint,
+    And gave it liberty again:
+  He broke the bonds of flesh, and Lust
+    Was driven from his old domain.
+
+  Deep in the inhospitable wild
+    For forty days He dwelt alone
+  Nor tasted food, till, thus prepared,
+    All human weakness overthrown
+  By fasting's power, His mortal frame
+    Rejoiced the spirit's sway to own.
+
+  The Adversary, marvelling
+    To see this creature of a day
+  Endure such toil, spent all his guile
+    To learn if God in human clay
+  Had come indeed; but soon rebuked
+    Behind His back fled shamed away.
+
+  Therefore let each with all his might
+    Follow the way the Master taught,
+  The law of consecrated life
+    Which Christ unto His servants brought;
+  Till, with the lusts of flesh subdued,
+    The spirit reigns o'er act and thought.
+
+  'Tis this our jealous foe abhors,
+    'Tis this the Lord of earth and sky
+  Approves; by this the soul is made
+    Thy holy altar, God Most High:
+  Faith stirs within the slumbering heart
+    And sin's corroding power must fly.
+
+  Swifter than water quenches fire,
+    Swifter than sunshine melts the snow,
+  Crushed out by soul-restoring fast
+    Vanish the sins that rankly grow,
+  If hand in hand with Abstinence
+    Sweet Charity doth ever go.
+
+  This too is Virtue's noble task,
+    To clothe the naked, and to feed
+  The destitute, with kindly care
+    To visit sufferers in their need;
+  For king and beggar each must bear
+    The lot by changeless Fate decreed.
+
+  Happy the man whose good right hand
+    Seeks but God's praise, and flings his gold
+  Broadcast, nor lets his left hand know
+    The gracious deed; for wealth untold
+  Shall crown him through eternal years
+    With usury an hundredfold.
+
+
+
+
+                       VIII. HYMNUS POST IEIUNIUM
+
+
+  Christe servorum regimen tuorum,
+  mollibus qui nos moderans habenis
+  leniter frenas facilique septos
+            lege coerces:
+
+  ipse cum portans onus inpeditum           5
+  corporis duros tuleris labores,
+  maior exemplis famulos remisso
+            dogmate palpas.
+
+  Nona submissum rotat hora solem
+  partibus vixdum tribus evolutis,         10
+  quarta devexo superest in axe
+            portio lucis.
+
+  Nos brevis voti dape vindicata
+  solvimus festum fruimurque mensis
+  adfatim plenis, quibus inbuatur          15
+            prona voluptas.
+
+  Tantus aeterni favor est magistri,
+  doctor indulgens ita nos amico
+  lactat hortatu, levis obsequela ut
+            mulceat artus.                 20
+
+  Addit et, ne quis velit invenusto
+  sordidus cultu lacerare frontem,
+  sed decus vultus capitisque pexum
+            comat honorem.
+
+  Terge ieiunans, ait, omne corpus,        25
+  neve subducto faciem rubore
+  luteus tinguat color aut notetur
+            pallor in ore.
+
+  Rectius laeto tegimus pudore,
+  quidquid ad cultum Patris exhibemus:     30
+  cernit occultum Deus et latentem
+            munere donat.
+
+  Ille ovem morbo residem gregique
+  perditam sano male dissipantem
+  vellus adfixis vepribus per hirtae       35
+            devia silvae.
+
+  Inpiger pastor revocat lupisque
+  gestat exclusis humeros gravatus,
+  inde purgatam revehens aprico
+            reddit ovili:                  40
+
+  Reddit et pratis viridique campo,
+  vibrat inpexis ubi nulla lappis
+  spina, nec germen sudibus perarmat
+            carduus horrens:
+
+  Sed frequens palmis nemus et reflexa     45
+  vernat herbarum coma, tum perennis
+  gurgitem vivis vitreum fluentis
+            laurus obumbrat.
+
+  Hisce pro donis tibi, fide pastor,
+  servitus quaenam poterit rependi?        50
+  nulla conpensant pretium salutis
+            vota precantum.
+
+  Quamlibet spreto sine more pastu
+  sponte confectos tenuemus artus,
+  teque contemptis epulis rogemus          55
+            nocte dieque;
+
+  Vincitur semper minor obsequentum
+  cura, nec munus genitoris aequat,
+  frangit et cratem luteam laboris
+            grandior usus.                 60
+
+  Ergo ne limum fragilem solutae
+  deserant vires et aquosus albis
+  humor in venis dominetur aegrum
+            corpus inervans,
+
+  Laxus ac liber modus abstinendi          65
+  ponitur cunctis, neque nos severus
+  terror inpellit, sua quemque cogit
+            velle potestas.
+
+  Sufficit, quidquid facias, vocato
+  numinis nutu prius, inchoare,            70
+  sive tu mensam renuas cibumve
+            sumere temptes.
+
+  Adnuit dexter Deus et secundo
+  prosperat vultu, velut hoc salubre
+  fidimus nobis fore, quod dicatas         75
+            carpimus escas.
+
+  Sit bonum, supplex precor et medelam
+  conferat membris, animumque pascat
+  sparsus in venas cibus obsecrantum
+            christicolarum.                80
+
+
+
+
+                       VIII. HYMN AFTER FASTING
+
+
+  O Christ, of all Thy servants Guide,
+    Mild is the yoke Thou mak'st us bear,
+  Leading us gently by Thy side
+        With gracious care.
+
+  Thy love took up our life's hard load
+    And spent in grievous toils its might:
+  Thy bond-slaves tread the easier road
+        Led by Thy light.
+
+  Nine hours have run their course away,
+    The sun sped three parts of its race:
+  And what remains of the short day
+        Fadeth apace.
+
+  The holy fast hath reached its end;
+    Our table now Thou loadest, Lord:
+  With all Thy gifts true gladness send
+        To grace our board.
+
+  Such is our Master's gentle sway,
+    So kind the teaching in His school,
+  That all find rest who will obey
+        His easy rule.
+
+  Thou would'st not have us scorn the grace
+    Of cleanliness and vesture fair:
+  Thou lovest not a soiled face
+        And unkempt hair.
+
+  Let him that fasts, Thou saidst, be clean,
+    Nor lose health's fair and ruddy glow:
+  Let no wan sallowness be seen
+        Upon his brow.
+
+  'Tis better in glad modesty
+    Of our good works to shun display:
+  God sees what 'scapes our neighbour's eye
+        And will repay.
+
+  That Shepherd keen seeks one lost sheep
+    Sickly and weak, strayed from the fold,
+  Fleece torn with briers of thickets deep,
+        Foolishly bold.
+
+  He drives the wolves far from the track:
+    And found He brings on shoulders borne
+  To sunlit pen the wanderer back,
+        No more forlorn:
+
+  Yea, to the meads and grassy fields
+    The lamb restores, where no thorn balks,
+  No rough burrs tear, no thistle yields
+        Its bristling stalks:
+
+  But leaves of green herbs brightly glance
+    And in the grove the palm-trees dream,
+  And laurels shade the eddying dance
+        Of crystal stream.
+
+  For all these gifts, O Shepherd dear,
+    What service can I render Thee?
+  No grateful vows my debt shall clear
+        For love so free.
+
+  Though by self-chosen fasts severe
+    Our strength of limb we waste away:
+  Though, spurning food, we Thee revere
+    By night and day:
+
+  Yet our works never can o'ertake
+    Thy love or with Thy gifts compare:
+  Our toils this earthen vessel break,
+        The more we dare.
+
+  Therefore lest failing powers consume
+    Our fragile life and shrivelled veins
+  Pale 'neath the tyranny of rheum
+        And weakening pains:
+
+  Thou dost not rule perpetual Lent
+    For man, nor modest fare deny:
+  Fearless may each unto his bent
+        His wants supply.
+
+  Enough that all our acts by prayer
+    Be sanctified unto Thy will,
+  Whether we fast, or with due care
+        Our needs fulfil.
+
+  Then shall God bless us for our good
+    And lead us to our soul's true wealth;
+  For, if but consecrated, food
+        Shall bring us health.
+
+  O Lord, grant that our feast may spread
+    Marrow and strength throughout our flesh:
+  And may all Christly souls be fed
+        With vigour fresh.
+
+
+
+
+                       IX. HYMNUS OMNIS HORAE
+
+
+    Da puer plectrum, choreis ut canam fidelibus
+  dulce carmen et melodum, gesta Christi insignia:
+  hunc camena nostra solum pangat, hunc laudet lyra.
+
+    Christus est, quem rex sacerdos adfuturum protinus
+  infulatus concinebat voce, chorda et tympano,            5
+  spiritum caelo influentem per medullas hauriens.
+
+    Facta nos et iam probata pangimus miracula,
+  testis orbis est, nec ipsa terra, quod vidit, negat,
+  cominus Deum docendis proditum mortalibus.
+
+    Corde natus ex parentis, ante mundi exordium          10
+  alpha et _O_ cognominatus, ipse fons et clausula
+  omnium, quae sunt, fuerunt quaeque post futura sunt.
+
+    Ipse iussit et creata, dixit ipse, et facta sunt
+  terra, caelum, fossa ponti, trina rerum machina,
+  quaeque in his vigent sub alto solis et lunae globo.    15
+
+    Corporis formam caduci, membra morti obnoxia
+  induit, ne gens periret primoplasti ex germine,
+  merserat quam lex profundo noxialis tartaro.
+
+    O beatus ortus ille, virgo cum puerpera
+  edidit nostram salutem feta sancto spiritu,             20
+  et puer redemptor orbis os sacratum protulit.
+
+    Psallat altitudo  caeli, psallite omnes angeli,
+  quidquid est virtutis usquam psallat in laudem Dei:
+  nulla linguarum silescat, vox et omnis consonet.
+
+    Ecce quem vates vetustis concinebant seculis,         25
+  quem prophetarum fideles paginae spoponderant,
+  emicat promissus olim: cuncta conlaudent eum.
+
+    Cantharis infusa lympha fit Falernum nobile,
+  nuntiat vinum minister esse promptum ex hydria,
+  ipse rex sapore tinctis obstupescit poculis.            30
+
+    Membra morbis ulcerosa, viscerum putredines
+  mando, ut abluantur, inquit; fit ratum, quod iusserat,
+  turgidam cutem repurgant vulnerum piamina.
+
+    Tu perennibus tenebris iam sepulta lumina
+  inlinis limo salubri, sacri et oris nectare,            35
+  mox apertis hac medela lux reducta est orbibus.
+
+    Increpas ventum furentem, quod procellis tristibus
+  vertat aequor fundo ab imo, vexet et vagam ratem:
+  ille iussis obsecundat, mitis unda sternitur.
+
+    Extimum vestis sacratae furtim mulier attigit,        40
+  protinus salus secuta est, ora pallor deserit,
+  sistitur rivus, cruore qui fluebat perpeti.
+
+    Exitu dulcis iuventae raptum ephebum viderat,
+  orba quem mater supremis funerabat fletibus:
+  surge, dixit: ille surgit, matri et adstans redditur.   45
+
+    Sole iam quarto carentem, iam sepulcro absconditum
+  Lazarum iubet vigere reddito spiramine:
+  fetidum iecur reductus rursus intrat halitus.
+
+    Ambulat per stagna ponti, summa calcat fluctuum,
+  mobilis liquor profundi pendulam praestat viam,         50
+  nec fatiscit unda sanctis pressa sub vestigiis.
+
+    Suetus antro bustuali sub catenis frendere,
+  mentis inpos efferatis percitus furoribus
+  prosilit ruitque supplex, Christum adesse ut senserat.
+
+    Pulsa pestis lubricorum milleformis daemonum          55
+  conripit gregis suilli sordida spurcamina,
+  seque nigris mergit undis et pecus lymphaticum.
+
+    Quinque panibus peresis et gemellis piscibus
+  adfatim refecta iam sunt adcubantum milia,
+  fertque qualus ter quaternus ferculorum fragmina.       60
+
+    Tu cibus panisque noster, tu perennis suavitas;
+  nescit esurire in aevum, qui tuam sumit dapem,
+  nec lacunam ventris inplet, sed fovet vitalia.
+
+    Clausus aurium meatus et sonorum nescius
+  purgat ad praecepta Christi crassa quaeque obstacula,   65
+  vocibus capax fruendis ac susurris pervius.
+
+    Omnis aegritudo cedit, languor omnis pellitur,
+  lingua fatur, quam veterna vinxerant silentia,
+  gestat et suum per urbem laetus aeger lectulum.
+
+    Quin et ipsum, ne salutis inferi expertes forent,     70
+  tartarum benignus intrat, fracta cedit ianua,
+  vectibus cadit revulsis cardo indissolubilis.
+
+    Illa prompta ad inruentes, ad revertentes tenax,
+  obice extrorsum repulso porta reddit mortuos:
+  lege versa et limen atrum iam recalcandum patet.        75
+
+    Sed Deus dum luce fulva mortis antra inluminat,
+  dum stupentibus tenebris candidum praestat diem,
+  tristia squalentis aethrae palluerunt sidera.
+
+    Sol refugit et lugubri sordidus ferrugine
+  igneum reliquit axem seque maerens abdidit:             80
+  fertur horruisse mundus noctis aeternae chaos.
+
+    Solve vocem mens sonoram, solve linguam mobilem,
+  dic tropaeum passionis, dic triumphalem crucem,
+  pange vexillum, notatis quod refulget frontibus.
+
+    O novum caede stupenda vulneris miraculum!            85
+  hinc cruoris fluxit unda, lympha parte ex altera:
+  lympha nempe dat lavacrum, tum corona ex sanguine est.
+
+    Vidit anguis inmolatam corporis sacri hostiam,
+  vidit et fellis perusti mox venenum perdidit,
+  saucius dolore multo colla fractus sibilat.             90
+
+    Quid tibi, profane serpens, profuit, rebus novis
+  plasma primum perculisse versipelli hortamine?
+  diluit culpam recepto forma mortalis Deo.
+
+    Ad brevem se mortis usum dux salutis dedidit,
+  mortuos olim sepultos ut redire insuesceret,            95
+  dissolutis pristinorum vinculis peccaminum.
+
+    Tunc patres sanctique multi conditorem praevium
+  iam revertentem secuti tertio demum die
+  carnis indumenta sumunt, eque bustis prodeunt.
+
+    Cerneres coire membra de favillis aridis,            100
+  frigidum venis resumptis pulverem tepescere,
+  ossa, nervos, ac medullas glutino cutis tegi.
+
+    Post, ut occasum resolvit vitae et hominem reddidit,
+  arduum tribunal victor adscendit Patris,
+  inclitam caelo reportans passionis gloriam.            105
+
+    Macte index mortuorum, macte rex viventium,
+  dexter in parentis arce qui cluis virtutibus
+  omnium venturus inde iustus ultor criminum.
+
+    Te senes et te iuventus, parvulorum te chorus,
+  turba matrum virginumque simplices puellulae,          110
+  voce concordes pudicis perstrepant concentibus.
+
+    Fluminum lapsus et undae, littorum crepidines,
+  imber, aestus, nix, pruina, silva, et aura, nox, dies,
+  omnibus te concelebrent seculorum seculis.
+
+
+
+
+                        IX. HYMN FOR ALL HOURS
+
+
+  Let me chant in sacred numbers, as I strike each sounding string,
+    Chant in sweet, melodious anthems, glorious deeds of Christ our King;
+  He, my Muse, shall be thy story; with His praise my lyre shall ring.
+
+  When the king in priestly raiment sang the Christ that was to be,
+    Voice and lute and clashing cymbal joined in joyous harmony,
+  While the Spirit, heaven-descended, touched his lips to prophecy.
+
+  Sing we now the works sure proven, wrought of God in mystic wise;
+    Heaven is witness; earth confesses how she saw with wondering eyes
+  God Himself with mortals mingling, man to teach in human guise.
+
+  Of the Father's heart begotten, ere the world from chaos rose,
+    He is Alpha; from that Fountain all that is and hath been flows;
+  He is Omega, of all things yet to come the mystic Close.
+
+  By His word was all created; He commands and lo! 'tis done;
+    Earth and sky and boundless ocean, universe of three in one,
+  All that sees the moon's soft radiance, all that breathes beneath the sun.
+
+  He assumed this mortal body, frail and feeble, doomed to die,
+    That the race from dust created might not perish utterly,
+  Which the dreadful Law had sentenced in the depths of Hell to lie.
+
+  O how blest that wondrous birthday, when the Maid the curse retrieved,
+    Brought to birth mankind's salvation, by the Holy Ghost conceived;
+  And the sacred Babe, Redeemer of the world, her arms received.
+
+  Sing, ye heights of heaven, His praises; angels and archangels, sing!
+    Wheresoe'er ye be, ye faithful, let your joyous anthems ring,
+  Every tongue His name confessing, countless voices answering.
+
+  This is He whom seer and sibyl sang in ages long gone by;
+    This is He of old revealed in the page of prophecy;
+  Lo! He comes, the promised Saviour; let the world His praises cry!
+
+  In the urns the clear, cold water turns to juice of noblest vine,
+    And the servant, drawing from them, starts to see the generous wine,
+  While the host, its savour tasting, wonders at the draught divine.
+
+  To the leper worn and wasted, white with many a loathsome sore,
+    "Be thou cleansed," He said; "I bid it!" swift 'tis done, His words restore;
+  To the priest the gift he offers, clean and healthful as of yore.
+
+  On the eyes long sealed in darkness, buried in unbroken night,
+    Thou didst spread Thy lips' sweet nectar, mixed with clay: then came the sight,
+  As Thy gracious touch all-healing brought to those dark orbs the light.
+
+  Thou didst chide the raging tempest, when the waves with foaming crest
+    Leaped about the fragile vessel, buffeted and sore distressed;
+  Wind and wave, their fury stilling, sank to calm at Thy behest.
+
+  Once a woman's timid fingers touched Thy garment's lowest braid,
+    And the pallor left her visage, healing power the touch conveyed,
+  For the years of pain were ended and the flow of blood was stayed.
+
+  Thou didst see men bear to burial one struck down in youth's glad tide,
+    While a widowed mother followed, wailing for her boy that died;
+  "Rise!" Thou saidst, and led him gently to his weeping mother's side.
+
+  Lazarus, who lay in darkness till three nights had passed away,
+    At Thy voice awoke to soundness, rising to the light of day,
+  As the breath his frame re-entered touched already with decay.
+
+  See, He walks upon the waters, treads the billow's rolling crest;
+    O'er the shifting depths of ocean firm and sure His footsteps rest,
+  And the wave parts not asunder where those holy feet are pressed.
+
+  And the madman, chained and tortured by dark powers, from whom all fly,
+    As the tombs, that were his dwelling, echo to his savage cry,
+  Rushes forth and falls adoring, when he sees that Christ is nigh.
+
+  Then the legion of foul spirits, driven from their human prey,
+    Seize the noisome swine, that feeding high upon the hillside stray,
+  And the herd, in sudden frenzy, plunges in the waters grey.
+
+  "Gather in twelve woven baskets all the fragments that remain:"
+    He hath fed the weary thousands, resting o'er the grassy plain,
+  And His power hath stayed their hunger with five loaves and fishes twain.
+
+  Thine, O Christ, is endless sweetness; Thou art our celestial Bread:
+    Nevermore he knoweth hunger, who upon Thy grace hath fed,
+  Grace whereby no mortal body but the soul is nourished.
+
+  They that knew not speech nor language, closed to every sound their ears,
+    To the Master's call responding break the barriers of years;
+  Now the deaf holds joyous converse and the lightest whisper hears.
+
+  Sickness at His word departed, pain and pallid languor fled,
+    Many a tongue, long chained in silence, words of praise and blessing said;
+  And the palsied man rejoicing through the city bore his bed.
+
+  Yea, that they might know salvation who in Hades' prison were pent,
+    In His mercy condescending through Hell's gloomy gates He went;
+  Bolt and massy hinge were shattered, adamantine portals rent.
+
+  For the door that all receiveth, but releaseth nevermore,
+    Opens now and, slowly turning, doth the ghosts to light restore,
+  Who, the eternal laws suspended, tread again its dusky floor.
+
+  But, while God with golden glory floods the murky realms of night,
+    And upon the startled shadows dawns a day serene and bright,
+  In the darkened vault of heaven stars forlorn refuse their light.
+
+  For the sun in garb of mourning veiled his radiant orb and passed
+    From his flaming path in sorrow, hiding till mankind aghast
+  Deemed that o'er a world of chaos Night's eternal pall was cast.
+
+  Now, my soul, in liquid measures let the sounding numbers flow;
+    Sing the trophy of His passion, sing the Cross triumphant now;
+  Sing the ensign of Christ's glory, marked on every faithful brow.
+
+  Ah! how wondrous was the fountain flowing from His pierced side,
+    Whence the blood and water mingled in a strange and sacred tide,--
+  Water, sign of mystic cleansing; blood, the martyr's crown of pride.
+
+  In that hour the ancient Serpent saw the holy Victim slain,
+    Saw, and shed his hate envenomed, all his malice spent in vain;
+  See! the hissing neck is broken as he writhes in sullen pain.
+
+  Aye, what boots it, cursed Serpent, that the man God made from clay,
+    Victim of thy baleful cunning, by thy lies was led astray?
+  God hath ta'en a mortal body and hath washed the guilt away.
+
+  Christ, our Captain, for a season deigned to dwell in Death's domain,
+    That the dead, long time imprisoned, might return to life again,
+  Breaking by His great example ancient sins' enthralling chain.
+
+  Thus, upon the third glad morning, patriarchs and saints of yore,
+    As the risen Lord ascended, followed Him who went before,
+  From forgotten graves proceeding, habited in flesh once more.
+
+  Limb to limb unites and rises from the ashes dry and cold,
+    And the life-blood courses warmly through the frames long turned to mould,
+  Skin and flesh, anew created, muscle, bone and nerve enfold.
+
+  Then, mankind to life restoring, Death downtrodden 'neath His feet,
+    Lo! the Victor mounts triumphant to the Father's judgment-seat,
+  Bringing back to heaven the glory by His passion made complete.
+
+  Hail! Thou Judge of souls departed: hail! of all the living King!
+    On the Father's right hand throned, through His courts Thy praises ring,
+  Till at last for all offences righteous judgment Thou shalt bring.
+
+  Now let old and young uniting chant to Thee harmonious lays,
+    Maid and matron hymn Thy glory, infant lips their anthem raise,
+  Boys and girls together singing with pure heart their song of praise.
+
+  Let the storm and summer sunshine, gliding stream and sounding shore,
+    Sea and forest, frost and zephyr, day and night their Lord adore;
+  Let creation join to laud Thee through the ages evermore.
+
+
+
+
+                    X. HYMNUS AD EXEQUIAS DEFUNCTI
+
+
+    Deus ignee fons animarum,
+  duo qui socians elementa
+  vivum simul ac moribundum
+  hominem Pater effigiasti:
+
+    Tua sunt, tua rector utraque,      5
+  tibi copula iungitur horum,
+  tibi, dum vegetata cohaerent,
+  et spiritus et caro servit.
+
+    Rescissa sed ista seorsum
+  solvunt hominera perimuntque,       10
+  humus excipit arida corpus,
+  animae rapit aura liquorem.
+
+    Quia cuncta creata necesse est
+  labefacta senescere tandem,
+  conpactaque dissociari,             15
+  et dissona texta retexi.
+
+    Hanc tu, Deus optime, mortem
+  famulis abolere paratus
+  iter inviolabile monstras,
+  quo perdita membra resurgant:       20
+
+    Ut, dum generosa caducis
+  ceu carcere clausa ligantur,
+  pars illa potentior extet,
+  quae germen ab aethere traxit.
+
+    Si terrea forte voluntas          25
+  luteum sapit et grave captat,
+  animus quoque pondere victus
+  sequitur sua membra deorsum.
+
+    At si generis memor ignis
+  contagia pigra recuset,             30
+  vehit hospita viscera secum,
+  pariterque reportat ad astra.
+
+    Nam quod requiescere corpus
+  vacuum sine mente videmus,
+  spatium breve restat, ut alti       35
+  repetat conlegia sensus.
+
+    Venient cito secula, cum iam
+  socius calor ossa revisat
+  animataque sanguine vivo
+  habitacula pristina gestet.         40
+
+    Quae pigra cadavera pridem
+  tumulis putrefacta iacebant,
+  volucres rapientur in auras
+  animas comitata priores.
+
+    Hinc maxima cura sepulcris        45
+  inpenditur: hinc resolutos
+  honor ultimus accipit artus
+  et funeris ambitus ornat.
+
+    Candore nitentia claro
+  praetendere lintea mos est,         50
+  adspersaque myrrha Sabaeo
+  corpus medicamine servat.
+
+    Quidnam sibi saxa cavata,
+  quid pulchra volunt monumenta,
+  nisi quod res creditur illis        55
+  non mortua, sed data somno?
+
+    Hoc provida Christicolarum
+  pietas studet, utpote credens
+  fore protinus omnia viva,
+  quae nunc gelidus sopor urget.      60
+
+    Qui iacta cadavera passim
+  miserans tegit aggere terrae,
+  opus exhibet ille benignum
+  Christo pius omnipotenti:
+
+    Quin lex eadem monet omnes        65
+  gemitum dare sorte sub una,
+  cognataque funera nobis
+  aliena in morte dolere.
+
+    Sancti sator ille Tobiae
+  sacer ac venerabilis heros,         70
+  dapibus iam rite paratis
+  ius praetulit exequiarum.
+
+    Iam stantibus ille ministris
+  cyathos et fercula liquit,
+  studioque accinctus humandi         75
+  fleto dedit ossa sepulcro.
+
+    Veniunt mox praemia caelo
+  pretiumque rependitur ingens:
+  nam lumina nescia solis
+  Deus inlita felle serenat.          80
+
+    Iam tunc docuit Pater orbis,
+  quam sit rationis egenis
+  mordax et amara medela,
+  cum lux animum nova vexat.
+
+    Docuit quoque non prius ullum     85
+  caelestia cernere regna,
+  quam nocte et vulnere tristi
+  toleraverit aspera mundi.
+
+    Mors ipsa beatior inde est,
+  quod per cruciamina leti            90
+  via panditur ardua iustis
+  et ad astra doloribus itur.
+
+    Sic corpora mortificata
+  redeunt melioribus annis,
+  nec post obitum recalescens         95
+  conpago fatiscere novit.
+
+    Haec, quae modo pallida tabo
+  color albidus inficit ora,
+  tunc flore venustior omni
+  sanguis cute tinget amoena.        100
+
+    Iam nulla deinde senectus
+  frontis decus invida carpet,
+  macies neque sicca lacertos
+  suco tenuabit adeso.
+
+    Morbus quoque pestifer, artus    105
+  qui nunc populatur anhelos,
+  sua tunc tormenta resudans
+  luet inter vincula mille.
+
+    Hunc eminus aere ab alto
+  victrix caro iamque perennis       110
+  cernet sine fine gementem
+  quos moverat ipse dolores.
+
+    Quid turba superstes inepta
+  clangens ululamina miscet,
+  cur tam bene condita iura          115
+  luctu dolor arguit amens?
+
+    Iam maesta quiesce querela,
+  lacrimas suspendite matres,
+  nullus sua pignora plangat,
+  mors haec reparatio vitae est.     120
+
+    Sic semina sicca virescunt
+  iam mortua iamque sepulta,
+  quae reddita caespite ab imo
+  veteres meditantur aristas.
+
+    Nunc suscipe terra fovendum,     125
+  gremioque hunc concipe molli:
+  hominis tibi membra sequestro
+  generosa et fragmina credo.
+
+    Animae fuit haec domus olim
+  factoris ab ore creatae,           130
+  fervens habitavit in istis
+  sapientia principe Christo.
+
+    Tu depositum tege corpus,
+  non inmemor illa requiret
+  sua munera fictor et auctor        135
+  propriique aenigmata vultus.
+
+    Veniant modo tempora iusta,
+  cum spem Deus inpleat omnem;
+  reddas patefacta necesse est,
+  qualem tibi trado figuram.         140
+
+    Non, si cariosa vetustas
+  dissolverit ossa favillis,
+  fueritque cinisculus arens
+  minimi mensura pugilli.
+
+    Nec, si vaga flamina et aurae    145
+  vacuum per inane volantes
+  tulerint cum pulvere nervos,
+  hominem periisse licebit.
+
+    Sed dum resolubile corpus
+  revocas, Deus, atque reformas,     150
+  quanam regione iubebis
+  animam requiescere puram?
+
+    Gremio senis addita sancti
+  recubabit, ut est Eleazar,
+  quem floribus undique septum       155
+  Dives procul adspicit ardens.
+
+    Sequimur tua dicta redemptor,
+  quibus atra morte triumphans
+  tua per vestigia mandas
+  socium crucis ire latronem.        160
+
+    Patet ecce fidelibus ampli
+  via lucida iam paradisi,
+  licet et nemus illud adire,
+  homini quod ademerat anguis.
+
+    Illic precor, optime ductor,     165
+  famulam tibi praecipe mentem
+  genitali in sede sacrari,
+  quam liquerat exul et errans.
+
+    Nos tecta fovebimus ossa
+  violis et fronde frequenti,        170
+  titulumque et frigida saxa
+  liquido spargemus odore.
+
+
+
+
+                  X. HYMN FOR THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD
+
+
+  Fountain of life, supernal Fire,
+    Who didst unite in wondrous wise
+    The soul that lives, the clay that dies,
+  And mad'st them Man: eternal Sire,
+
+  Both elements Thy will obey,
+    Thine is the bond that joins the twain,
+    And, while united they remain,
+  Spirit and body own Thy sway.
+
+  Yet they must one day disunite,
+    Sunder in death this mortal frame;
+    Dust to the dust from whence it came,
+  The spirit to its heavenward flight.
+
+  For all created things must wane,
+    And age must break the bond at last;
+    The diverse web that Life held fast
+  Death's fingers shall unweave again.
+
+  Yet, gracious God, Thou dost devise
+    The death of Death for all Thine own;
+    The path of safety Thou hast shown
+  Whereby the doomed limbs may rise:
+
+  So that, while fragile bonds of earth
+    Man's noblest essence still enfold,
+    That part may yet the sceptre hold
+  Which from pure aether hath its birth.
+
+  For if the earthy will hold sway,
+    By gross desires and aims possessed,
+    The soul, too, by the weight oppressed,
+  Follows the body's downward way.
+
+  But if she scorn the guilt that mars--
+    Still mindful of her fiery sphere--
+    She bears the flesh, her comrade here,
+  Back to her home beyond the stars.
+
+  The lifeless body we restore
+    To earth, must slumber free from pain
+    A little while, that it may gain
+  The spirit's fellowship once more.
+
+  The years will pass with rapid pace
+    Till through these limbs the life shall flow,
+    And the long-parted spirit go
+  To seek her olden dwelling-place.
+
+  Then shall the body, that hath lain
+    And turned to dust in slow decay,
+    On airy wings be borne away
+  And join its ancient soul again.
+
+  Therefore our tenderest care we spend
+    Upon the grave: and mourners go
+    With solemn dirge and footstep slow--
+  Love's last sad tribute to a friend.
+
+  With fair white linen we enfold
+    The dear dead limbs, and richest store
+    Of Eastern unguents duly pour
+  Upon the body still and cold.
+
+  Why hew the rocky tomb so deep,
+    Why raise the monument so fair,
+    Save that the form we cherish there
+  Is no dead thing, but laid to sleep?
+
+  This is the faithful ministry
+    Of Christian men, who hold it true
+    That all shall one day live anew
+  Who now in icy slumber lie.
+
+  And he whose pitying hand shall lay
+    Some friendless outcast 'neath the sod,
+    E'en to the almighty Son of God
+  Doth that benignant service pay.
+
+  For this same law doth bid us mourn
+    Man's common fate, when strangers die,
+    And pay the tribute of a sigh,
+  As when our kin to rest are borne.
+
+  Of holy Tobit ye have read,
+    (Grave father of a pious son),
+    Who, though the feast was set, would run
+  To do his duty by the dead.
+
+  Though waiting servants stood around,
+    From meat and drink he turned away
+    And girt himself in haste to lay
+  The bones with weeping in the ground.
+
+  Soon Heaven his righteous zeal repays
+    With rich reward; the eyes long blind
+    In bitter gall strange virtue find
+  And open to the sun's clear rays.
+
+  Thus hath our Heavenly Father shown
+    How sharp and bitter is the smart
+    When sudden on the purblind heart
+  The Daystar's healing light is thrown.
+
+  He taught us, too, that none may gaze
+    Upon the heavenly demesne
+    Ere that in darkness and in pain
+  His feet have trod the world's rough ways.
+
+  So unto death itself is given
+    Strange bliss, when mortal agony
+    Opens the way that leads on high
+  And pain is but the path to Heaven.
+
+  Thus to a far serener day
+    Our body from the grave returns;
+    Eternal life within it burns
+  That knows nor languor nor decay.
+
+  These faces now so pinched and pale,
+    That marks of lingering sickness show,
+    Then fairer than the rose shall glow
+  And bloom with youth that ne'er shall fail.
+
+  Ne'er shall crabbed age their beauty dim
+    With wrinkled brow and tresses grey,
+    Nor arid leanness eat away
+  The vigour of the rounded limb.
+
+  Racked with his own destroying pains
+    Shall fell Disease, who now attacks
+    Our aching frames, his force relax
+  Fast fettered in a thousand chains:
+
+  While from its far celestial throne
+    The immortal body, victor now,
+    Shall watch its old tormentor bow
+  And in eternal tortures groan.
+
+  Why do the clamorous mourners wail
+    In bootless sorrow murmuring?
+    And why doth grief unreasoning
+  God's righteous ordinance assail?
+
+  Hushed be your voices, ye that mourn;
+    Ye weeping mothers, dry the tear;
+    Let none lament for children dear,
+  For man through Death to Life is born.
+
+  So do dry seeds grow green again,
+    Now dead and buried in the earth,
+    And rising to a second birth
+  Clothe as of old the verdant plain.
+
+  Take now, O earth, the load we bear,
+    And cherish in thy gentle breast
+    This mortal frame we lay to rest,
+  The poor remains that were so fair.
+
+  For they were once the soul's abode,
+    That by God's breath created came;
+    And in them, like a living flame,
+  Christ's precious gift of wisdom glowed.
+
+  Guard thou the body we have laid
+    Within thy care, till He demand
+    The creature fashioned by His hand
+  And after His own image made.
+
+  The appointed time soon may we see
+    When God shall all our hopes fulfil,
+    And thou must render to His will
+  Unchanged the charge we give to thee.
+
+  For though consumed by mould and rust
+    Man's body slowly fades away,
+    And years of lingering decay
+  Leave but a handful of dry dust;
+
+  Though wandering winds, that idly fly,
+    Should his disparted ashes bear
+    Through all the wide expanse of air,
+  Man may not perish utterly.
+
+  Yet till Thou dost build up again
+    This mortal structure by Thy hand,
+    In what far world wilt Thou command
+  The soul to rest, now free from stain?
+
+  In Abraham's bosom it shall dwell
+    'Mid verdant bowers, as Lazarus lies
+    Whom Dives sees with longing eyes
+  From out the far-off fires of hell.
+
+  We trust the words our Saviour said
+    When, victor o'er grim Death, he cried
+    To him who suffered at His side
+  "In Mine own footsteps shalt thou tread."
+
+  See, open to the faithful soul,
+    The shining paths of Paradise;
+    Now may they to that garden rise
+  Which from mankind the Serpent stole.
+
+  Guide him, we pray, to that blest bourn,
+    Who served Thee truly here below;
+    May he the bliss of Eden know,
+  Who strayed in banishment forlorn.
+
+  But we will honour our dear dead
+    With violets and garlands strown,
+    And o'er the cold and graven stone
+  Shall fragrant odours still be shed.
+
+
+
+
+                   XI. HYMNUS VIII. KALENDAS IANUARIAS
+
+
+    Quid est, quod artum circulum
+  sol iam recurrens deserit?
+  Christusne terris nascitur,
+  qui lucis auget tramitem?
+
+    Heu quam fugacem gratiam       5
+  festina volvebat dies,
+  quam pene subductam facem
+  sensim recisa extinxerat!
+
+    Caelum nitescat laetius,
+  gratetur et gaudens humus,      10
+  scandit gradatim denuo
+  iubar priores lineas.
+
+    Emerge dulcis pusio,
+  quem mater edit castitas,
+  parens et expers coniugis,      15
+  mediator et duplex genus.
+
+    Ex ore quamlibet Patris
+  sis ortus et verbo editus,
+  tamen paterno in pectore
+  sophia callebas prius.          20
+
+    Quae prompta caelum condidit,
+  caelum diemque et cetera,
+  virtute verbi effecta sunt
+  haec cuncta: nam verbum Deus.
+
+    Sed ordinatis seculis,        25
+  rerumque digesto statu
+  fundator ipse et artifex
+  permansit in Patris sinu,
+
+    donec rotata annalium
+  transvolverentur milia,         30
+  atque ipse peccantem diu
+  dignatus orbera viseret.
+
+    Nam caeca vis mortalium
+  venerans inanes nenias
+  vel aera vel saxa algida,       35
+  vel ligna credebat Deum.
+
+    Haec dum sequuntur, perfidi
+  praedonis in ius venerant,
+  et mancipatam fumido
+  vitam barathro inmerserant:     40
+
+    Stragem sed istam non tulit
+  Christus cadentum gentium
+  inpune ne forsan sui
+  Patris periret fabrica.
+
+    Mortale corpus induit,        45
+  ut excitato corpore
+  mortis catenam frangeret
+  hominemque portaret Patri.
+
+    Hic ille natalis dies,
+  quo te creator arduus           50
+  spiravit et limo indidit
+  sermone carnem glutinans.
+
+    Sentisne, virgo nobilis,
+  matura per fastidia
+  pudoris intactum decus          55
+  honore partus crescere?
+
+    O quanta rerum gaudia
+  alvus pudica continet,
+  ex qua novellum seculum
+  procedit et lux aurea!          60
+
+    Vagitus ille exordium
+  vernantis orbis prodidit,
+  nam tunc renatus sordidum
+  mundus veternum depulit.
+
+    Sparsisse tellurem reor       65
+  rus omne densis floribus,
+  ipsasque arenas syrtium
+  fragrasse nardo et nectare.
+
+    Te cuncta nascentem puer
+  sensere dura et barbara,        70
+  victusque saxorum rigor
+  obduxit herbam cotibus.
+
+    Iam mella de scopulis fluunt,
+  iam stillat ilex arido
+  sudans amomum stipite,          75
+  iam sunt myricis balsama.
+
+    O sancta praesepis tui,
+  aeterne rex, cunabula,
+  populisque per seclum sacra
+  mutis et ipsis credita.         80
+
+    Adorat haec brutum pecus
+  indocta turba scilicet,
+  adorat excors natio,
+  vis cuius in pastu sita est.
+
+    Sed cum fideli spiritu        85
+  concurrat ad praesepia
+  pagana gens et quadrupes,
+  sapiatque quod brutum fuit:
+
+    Negat patrum prosapia
+  perosa praesentem Deum:         90
+  credas venenis ebriam
+  furiisve lymphatam rapi.
+
+    Quid prona per scelus ruis?
+  agnosce, si quidquam tibi
+  mentis resedit integrae,        95
+  ducem tuorum principum.
+
+    Hunc, quem latebra et obstetrix,
+  et virgo feta, et cunulae
+  et inbecilla infantia
+  regem dederunt gentibus,       100
+
+    peccator intueberis
+  celsum coruscis nubibus,
+  deiectus ipse et inritus
+  plangens reatum fletibus:
+
+    Cum vasta signum bucina      105
+  terris cremandis miserit,
+  et scissus axis cardinem
+  mundi ruentis solverit:
+
+    Insignis ipse et praeminens
+  meritis rependet congrua,      110
+  his lucis usum perpetis,
+  illis gehennam et tartarum.
+
+    Iudaea tunc fulmen crucis
+  experta, qui sit, senties,
+  quem te furoris praesule       115
+  mors hausit et mox reddidit.
+
+
+
+
+                      XI. HYMN FOR CHRISTMAS-DAY
+
+
+  Why doth the sun re-orient take
+  A wider range, his limits break?
+  Lo! Christ is born, and o'er earth's night
+  Shineth from more to more the light!
+
+  Too swiftly did the radiant day
+  Her brief course run and pass away:
+  She scarce her kindly torch had fired
+  Ere slowly fading it expired.
+
+  Now let the sky more brightly beam,
+  The earth take up the joyous theme:
+  The orb a broadening pathway gains
+  And with its erstwhile splendour reigns.
+
+  Sweet babe, of chastity the flower,
+  A virgin's blest mysterious dower!
+  Rise in Thy twofold nature's might:
+  Rise, God and man to reunite!
+
+  Though by the Father's will above
+  Thou wert begot, the Son of Love,
+  Yet in His bosom Thou didst dwell,
+  Of Wisdom the eternal Well;
+
+  Wisdom, whereby the heavens were made
+  And light's foundations first were laid:
+  Creative Word! all flows from Thee!
+  The Word is God eternally.
+
+  For though with process of the suns
+  The ordered whole harmonious runs,
+  Still the Artificer Divine
+  Leaves not the Father's inmost shrine.
+
+  The rolling wheels of Time had passed
+  O'er their millennial journey vast,
+  Before in judgment clad He came
+  Unto the world long steeped in shame.
+
+  The purblind souls of mortals crass
+  Had trusted gods of stone and brass,
+  To things of nought their worship paid
+  And senseless blocks of wood obeyed.
+
+  And thus employed, they fell below
+  The sway of man's perfidious foe:
+  Plunged in the smoky sheer abyss
+  They sank bereft of their true bliss.
+
+  But that sore plight of ruined man
+  Christ's pity could not lightly scan:
+  Nor let God's building nobly wrought
+  Ingloriously be brought to nought.
+
+  He wrapped Him in our fleshly guise,
+  That from the tomb He might arise,
+  And man released from death's grim snare
+  Home to His Father's bosom bear.
+
+  This is the day of Thy dear birth,
+  The bridal of the heaven and earth,
+  When the Creator breathed on Thee
+  The breath of pure humanity.
+
+  Ah! glorious Maid, dost thou not guess
+  What guerdon thy chaste soul shall bless,
+  How by thy ripening pangs is bought
+  An honour greater than all thought?
+
+  O what a load of joy untold
+  Thy womb inviolate doth hold!
+  Of thee a golden age is born,
+  The brightness of the earth's new morn!
+
+  Hearken! doth not the infant's wail
+  The universal springtide hail?
+  For now the world re-born lays by
+  Its gloomy, frost-bound apathy.
+
+  Methinks in all her rustic bowers
+  The earth is spread with clustering flowers:
+  Odours of nard and nectar sweet
+  E'en o'er the sands of Syrtes fleet.
+
+  All places rough and deserts wild
+  Have felt from far Thy coming, Child:
+  Rocks to Thy gentle empire bow
+  And verdure clothes the mountain brow.
+
+  Sweet honey from the boulder leaps:
+  The sere and leafless oak-bough weeps
+  A strange rich attar: tamarisks too
+  Of balsam pure distil the dew.
+
+  Blessed for ever, cradle dear,
+  The lowly stall, the cavern drear!
+  Men to this shrine, Eternal King,
+  With dumb brutes adoration bring.
+
+  The ox and ass in homage low
+  Obedient to their Maker bow:
+  Bows too the unlearn'd heartless crowd
+  Whose minds the sensual feast doth cloud.
+
+  Though, by the faithful Spirit impelled,
+  Shepherds and brutes, unreasoning held,
+  Yea, folk that did in darkness dwell
+  Discern their God in His poor cell:
+
+  Yet children of the sacred race
+  Blindly abhor the Incarnate grace:
+  By philtres you might deem them lulled
+  Or by some bacchic phrenzy dulled.
+
+  Why headlong thus to ruin stride?
+  If aught of soundness in you bide,
+  Behold in Him the Lord divine
+  Of all your patriarchal line.
+
+  Mark you the dim-lit cave, the Maid,
+  The humble nurse, the cradle laid,
+  The helpless infancy forlorn:
+  Yet thus the Gentiles' King was born!
+
+  Ah sinner, thou shalt one day see
+  This Child in dreadful majesty,
+  See Him in glorious clouds descend,
+  While thou thy guilty heart shalt rend.
+
+  Vain all thy tears, when loud shall sound
+  The trump, when flames shall scorch the ground,
+  When from its hinge the cloven world
+  Is loosed, in horrid tumult hurled.
+
+  Then throned on high, the Judge of all
+  Shall mortals to their reckoning call:
+  To these shall grant the prize of light,
+  To those Gehenna's gloomy night.
+
+  Then, Israel, shalt thou learn at length
+  The Cross hath, as the lightning, strength:
+  Doomed by thy wrath, He now is Lord,
+  Whom Death once grasped but soon restored.
+
+
+
+
+                       XII. HYMNUS EPIPHANIAE
+
+
+    Quicumque Christum quaeritis,
+  oculos in altum tollite,
+  illic licebit visere
+  signum perennis gloriae.
+
+    Haec stella, quae solis rotam    5
+  vincit decore ac lumine,
+  venisse terris nuntiat
+  cum carne terrestri Deum.
+
+    Non illa servit noctibus
+  secuta lunam menstruam,           10
+  sed sola caelum possidens
+  cursum dierum temperat.
+
+    Arctoa quamvis sidera
+  in se retortis motibus
+  obire nolint, attamen             15
+  plerumque sub nimbis latent.
+
+    Hoc sidus aeternum manet,
+  haec stella nunquam mergitur,
+  nec nubis occursu abdita
+  obumbrat obductam facem.          20
+
+    Tristis cometa intercidat,
+  et si quod astrum Sirio
+  fervet vapore, iam Dei
+  sub luce destructum cadat.
+
+    En Persici ex orbis sinu,       25
+  sol unde sumit ianuam,
+  cernunt periti interpretes
+  regale vexillum Magi.
+
+    Quod ut refulsit, ceteri
+  cessere signorum globi,           30
+  nec pulcher est ausus suam
+  conferre formam Lucifer.
+
+    Quis iste tantus, inquiunt,
+  regnator astris inperans,
+  quem sic tremunt caelestia,       35
+  cui lux et aethra inserviunt.
+
+    Inlustre quiddam cernimus,
+  quod nesciat finem pati,
+  sublime, celsum, interminum,
+  antiquius caelo et chao.          40
+
+    Hic ille rex est gentium
+  populique rex Iudaici,
+  promissus Abrahae patri
+  eiusque in aevum semini.
+
+    Aequanda nam stellis sua        45
+  cognovit olim germina
+  primus sator credentium,
+  nati inmolator unici.
+
+    Iam flos subit Davidicus
+  radice Iesse editus,              50
+  sceptrique per virgam virens
+  rerum cacumen occupat.
+
+    Exin sequuntur perciti
+  fixis in altum vultibus,
+  qua stella sulcum traxerat        55
+  claramque signabat viam.
+
+    Sed verticem pueri supra
+  signum pependit inminens,
+  pronaque submissum face
+  caput sacratum prodidit.          60
+
+    Videre quod postquam Magi,
+  eoa promunt munera,
+  stratique votis offerunt
+  tus, myrrham, et aurum regium.
+
+    Agnosce clara insignia          65
+  virtutis ac regni tui,
+  puer o, cui trinam Pater
+  praedestinavit indolem.
+
+    Regem Deumque adnuntiant
+  thesaurus et fragrans odor        70
+  turis Sabaei, ac myrrheus
+  pulvis sepulcrum praedocet.
+
+    Hoc est sepulcrum, quo Deus,
+  dum corpus extingui sinit
+  atque id sepultum suscitat,       75
+  mortis refregit carcerem.
+
+    O sola magnarum urbium
+  maior Bethlem, cui contigit
+  ducem salutis caelitus
+  incorporatum gignere.             80
+
+    Altrice te summo Patri
+  haeres creatur unicus,
+  homo ex tonantis spiritu
+  idemque sub membris Deus.
+
+    Hunc et prophetis testibus      85
+  isdemque signatoribus,
+  testator et sator iubet
+  adire regnum et cernere:
+
+    Regnum, quod ambit omnia
+  diva et marina et terrea          90
+  a solis ortu ad exitum
+  et tartara et caelum supra.
+
+    Audit tyrannus anxius
+  adesse regum principem,
+  qui nomen Israel regat            95
+  teneatque David regiam.
+
+    Exclamat amens nuntio,
+  successor instat, pellimur;
+  satelles i, ferrum rape,
+  perfunde cunas sanguine.         100
+
+    Mas omnis infans occidat,
+  scrutare nutricum sinus,
+  interque materna ubera
+  ensem cruentet pusio.
+
+    Suspecta per Bethlem mihi      105
+  puerperarum est omnium
+  fraus, ne qua furtim subtrahat
+  prolem virilis indolis.
+
+    Transfigit ergo carnifex
+  mucrone destricto furens         110
+  effusa nuper corpora,
+  animasque rimatur novas.
+
+    Locum minutis artubus
+  vix interemptor invenit,
+  quo plaga descendat patens       115
+  iuguloque maior pugio est.
+
+    O barbarum spectaculum!
+  inlisa cervix cautibus
+  spargit cerebrum lacteum
+  oculosque per vulnus vomit.      120
+
+    Aut in profundum palpitans
+  mersatur infans gurgitem,
+  cui subter artis faucibus
+  singultat unda et halitus.
+
+    Salvete flores martyrum,       125
+  quos lucis ipso in limine
+  Christi insecutor sustulit,
+  ceu turbo nascentes rosas.
+
+    Vos prima Christi victima,
+  grex inmolatorum tener,          130
+  aram ante ipsam simplices
+  palma et coronis luditis.
+
+    Quid proficit tantum nefas,
+  quid crimen Herodem iuvat?
+  unus tot inter funera            135
+  inpune Christus tollitur.
+
+    Inter coaevi sanguinis
+  fluenta solus integer
+  ferrum, quod orbabat nurus,
+  partus fefellit virginis.        140
+
+    Sic stulta Pharaonis mali
+  edicta quondam fugerat
+  Christi figuram praeferens
+  Moyses, receptor civium.
+
+    Cautum et statutum ius erat,   145
+  quo non liceret matribus,
+  cum pondus alvi absolverent,
+  puerile pignus tollere.
+
+    Mens obstetricis sedulae
+  pie in tyrannum contumax         150
+  ad spem potentis gloriae
+  furata servat parvulum:
+
+    Quem mox sacerdotem sibi
+  adsumpsit orbis conditor,
+  per quem notatam saxeis          155
+  legem tabellis traderet.
+
+    Licetne Christum noscere
+  tanti per exemplum viri?
+  dux ille caeso Aegyptio
+  absolvit Israel iugo.            160
+
+    At nos subactos iugiter
+  erroris inperio gravi
+  dux noster hoste saucio
+  mortis tenebris liberat.
+
+    Hic expiatam fluctibus         165
+  plebem marino in transitu
+  repurgat undis dulcibus,
+  lucis columnam praeferens:
+
+    Hic praeliante exercitu,
+  pansis in altum brachiis,        170
+  sublimis Amalech premit,
+  crucis quod instar tunc fuit.
+
+    Hic nempe Iesus verior,
+  qui longa post dispendia
+  victor suis tribulibus           175
+  promissa solvit iugera.
+
+    Qui ter quaternas denique
+  refluentis amnis alveo
+  fundavit et fixit petras,
+  apostolorum stemmata.            180
+
+    Iure ergo se Iudae ducem
+  vidisse testantur Magi,
+  cum facta priscorum ducum
+  Christi figuram finxerint.
+
+    Hic rex priorum iudicum,       185
+  rexere qui Iacob genus,
+  dominaeque rex ecclesiae,
+  templi et novelli et pristini.
+
+    Hunc posteri Efrem colunt,
+  hunc sancta Manasse domus        190
+  omnesque suspiciunt tribus
+  bis sena fratrum semina.
+
+    Quin et propago degener
+  ritum secuta inconditum,
+  quaecumque dirum fervidis        195
+  Baal caminis coxerat,
+
+    fumosa avorum numina
+  saxum, metallum, stipitem,
+  rasum, dolatum, sectile,
+  in Christi honorem deserit.      200
+
+    Gaudete quidquid gentium est,
+  Iudaea, Roma, et Graecia,
+  Aegypte, Thrax, Persa, Scytha,
+  rex unus omnes possidet.
+
+    Laudate vestrum principem      205
+  omnes beati, ac perditi,
+  vivi, inbecilli ac mortui:
+  iam nemo posthac mortuus.
+
+
+
+
+                      XII. HYMN FOR THE EPIPHANY
+
+
+  Lift up your eyes, whoe'er ye be
+  That fare the new-born Christ to see:
+  For yonder is the shining sign
+  Of grace perennial and divine.
+
+  What means this star, whose piercing rays
+  Outshine the sun's resplendent blaze?
+  'Tis token sure that God is come
+  In mortal flesh to make His home.
+
+  No courtier of the realms of night
+  Nor monthly moon's bright acolyte,
+  This star directs the course of day,
+  Sole sovereign of the heavenly way.
+
+  Although the Bears their track retrace,
+  Nor wholly their clear beams efface,
+  Yet ofttimes 'neath the dun cloud's haze
+  They hide themselves from mortal gaze.
+
+  But yon Star's glory hath no end,
+  Nor to the depths can it descend:
+  It ne'er is whelmed by envious cloud
+  That seeks its beauty to enshroud.
+
+  Now let the baleful comet die,
+  The brood of blazing Sirius fly:
+  God's orb shall quench their sultry heats
+  And drive them from their haughty seats.
+
+  Lo! from the regions of the morn
+  Wherein the radiant sun is born,
+  The Persian sages see on high
+  God's ensign shining in the sky.
+
+  Soon as its rising beams prevail
+  The starry hosts in order pale:
+  E'en Lucifer durst not upraise
+  The silvery splendours of his face.
+
+  Who is this sovereign (they enquire)
+  That lords it o'er the ethereal choir?
+  'Fore whom the heavens bow down afraid,
+  Of all the worlds of light obeyed?
+
+  Sure 'tis the sign most reverend
+  Of Being that doth know no end:
+  Of One in state sublime arrayed
+  Ere sky and chaos yet were made.
+
+  This is the King of Israel,
+  Of all in Gentile lands that dwell:
+  The King to Abram and his seed
+  Throughout all ages erst decreed.
+
+  To him 'twas given his progeny
+  As stars innumerous to see:
+  First of believers! moved to slay
+  His only son, so God to obey.
+
+  Behold the Flower of David shine,
+  Of Jesse's root the Branch benign:
+  The sceptre spread with blossoms rare
+  Wields o'er the world its lordship fair.
+
+  Roused by the portent of the sky
+  The sages fix their gaze on high,
+  And speed them 'neath the furrowed way
+  Marked by the star's effulgent ray.
+
+  At length its flaming steps it stayed
+  Poised over where the Child was laid:
+  Straightway with downcast mien it shed
+  Its splendours on the sacred Head.
+
+  Whereat the travellers outpour
+  Of Eastern gifts their treasure-store,
+  Myrrh and sweet-smelling frankincense,
+  Gold meet for regal opulence.
+
+  Behold herein the triple sign
+  Of Thy pure being, King divine:
+  Seeing the Father willed in Thee
+  To plant a threefold majesty.
+
+  The gift of gold thee King proclaims:
+  Thee God the fragrant incense names:
+  The myrrh declares that Death shall thrust
+  Within the tomb Thy body's dust.
+
+  Ah! that dark sepulchre, whose fold
+  God's body quenched in death doth hold:
+  Yet shall He from that durance wake
+  And Death's strong prison-fetters break.
+
+  O Bethlehem! no longer thou
+  The least of cities: all shall vow
+  That thou art greatest on the earth:
+  For thou man's King didst bring to birth.
+
+  Yea thou didst on thy bosom bear
+  The All-loving Father's only heir:
+  Man of the Thunderer's Spirit made
+  And God in human flesh arrayed.
+
+  The prophets witnessed to the bond
+  Which sealed to Him the realm profound:
+  The Father's Kingdom He received
+  And the vast legacy perceived.
+
+  All things are His in sea and sky,
+  In hell beneath, in heaven on high:
+  From East to setting sun, in fee
+  He holds the earth's immensity.
+
+  Distraught, the tyrant base doth hear
+  That now the King of Kings draws near
+  To reign in David's seat of state
+  And Israel's empire dominate.
+
+  "Betrayed are we," he maddened cries,
+  "Our throne's usurper doth arise:
+  Go, soldiers, go with sword in hand
+  And slay all babes within my land.
+
+  "Spare no male child: each nurse's robe
+  Your scrutinizing steel must probe:
+  Spare not the suckling infant, though
+  O'er mother's breast its life-blood flow.
+
+  "On Bethlehem our suspicion falls,
+  On every hearth within its walls:
+  Lest mothers with love's tender zeal
+  Some manly scion may conceal."
+
+  With daggers drawn the infuriate crew
+  Upon their murderous errand flew:
+  Each latest offspring of the womb
+  To bloody death they foully doom.
+
+  Ah tiny limbs! 'twas hard to know
+  How best to strike the fatal blow:
+  Too wide the sword-blades are to smite
+  Those throats so silken-fragile, slight.
+
+  O horrid sight! the tender bones
+  Are dashed against the jagged stones:
+  Sightless and mangled there they lie,
+  Poor babes! untimely doomed to die.
+
+  Perchance the still deep river laves
+  Their bodies thrust into the waves:
+  The current with their sighing sighs,
+  Sobs with their latest, broken cries.
+
+  Ye flowers of martyrdom, all hail!
+  Of rising morn pure blossoms frail!
+  By Jesu's foe were ye downcast,
+  Like budding roses by the blast.
+
+  Lambs of the flock too early slain,
+  Ye first fruits of Christ's bitter pain!
+  Close to His very altar, gay
+  With palms and crowns, ye now do play.
+
+  Of what avail is deed so vile?
+  Doth Herod gain by murderous guile?
+  Of all to death so foully done
+  Escapes triumphant Christ alone.
+
+  Amidst that tide of infant gore
+  Alone He wins the sheltering shore:
+  The virgin's Child survives the stroke,
+  When every mother's heart was broke.
+
+  Thus Moses 'scaped the mad decree
+  Of evil Pharaoh and set free
+  The flock of God, prefiguring so
+  Christ spared from fate's malignant blow.
+
+  Vain too the king's hostility
+  Who framed the pitiless decree
+  That Israel's mothers should not rear
+  To manhood's strength their offspring dear.
+
+  Quickened by love, a woman's mind
+  Found means to thwart that law unkind,
+  And, falsely true, the child concealed
+  Destined to be his people's Shield.
+
+  On him it was that God did place
+  The august priesthood's holy grace,
+  The law on stony tablets writ
+  Did to his trembling hands commit.
+
+  And may we not with prophet's eye
+  In such a hero Christ descry?
+  The proud Egyptian's might he broke
+  And freed his kinsmen from the yoke.
+
+  So we by Error's might hemmed round
+  Were by our Captain's strength unbound:
+  His foe He wounded in the fight
+  And saved us from Death's horrid night.
+
+  Cheering by sign of flame their feet,
+  Moses renewed with waters sweet
+  His folk, albeit purified
+  From stain, what time they crossed the tide.
+
+  And he, remote on peaceful height,
+  Amalek's banded hosts did smite:
+  He prayed with arms stretched out above,
+  Foreshadowing the Cross of Love.
+
+  Yet truer Jesus surely he,
+  Who after many a victory
+  And labours long the tribes' renown
+  With promised heritage did crown;
+
+  Who when the waters rose on high
+  And now the Jordan's bed was dry,
+  Set up twelve stones of memory,
+  Types of apostles yet to be.
+
+  Rightly the Wise Men said, I ween,
+  That they Judaea's King had seen,
+  Since noble deeds of other days
+  Prophetic chant the Saviour's praise.
+
+  Of those old rulers He is King
+  Who did to Jacob judgment bring,
+  King of the Mother Church divine,
+  God's ancient and God's present Shrine.
+
+  Of Ephraim's sons He is adored:
+  Manasseh's sacred house as Lord
+  Reveres Him: to His might the seed
+  Of brethren twelve their fealty plead.
+
+  Nay, each degenerate race hath fled
+  Its shameful rites and orgies dread:
+  Grim Baal in glowing furnace cast
+  Sinks to the earth, forsook at last.
+
+  Idols smoke-blackened, wooden-hewn,
+  Of brass and stone, in dust are strewn:
+  The chiselled deities downtrod:
+  For all confess in Christ their God.
+
+  Rejoice all peoples, Jewry, Rome,
+  Fair Hellas, Thrace, Aegyptus' home:
+  Persians and Scythian land forlorn,
+  Rejoice: the world's great King is born!
+
+  Behold your Chief! His praise forth tell:
+  Ye sick, ye hale, all heaven and hell:
+  Ay, you whose vital spark hath sped:
+  For lo! in Him e'en Death is dead.
+
+
+
+
+                              EPILOGUS
+
+
+  Inmolat Deo Patri
+    pius, fidelis, innocens, pudicus
+  dona conscientiae,
+    quibus beata mens abundat intus:
+  alter et pecuniam        5
+    recidit, unde victitent egeni.
+  Nos citos iambicos
+    sacramus et rotatiles trochaeos,
+  sanctitatis indigi
+    nec ad levamen pauperum potentes;        10
+  adprobat tamen Deus
+    pedestre carmen, et benignus audit.
+  Multa divitis domo
+    sita est per omnes angulos supellex.
+  Fulget aureus scyphus,        15
+    nec aere defit expolita pelvis:
+  est et olla fictilis,
+    gravisque et ampla argentea est parabsis.
+  Sunt eburna quaepiam,
+    nonnulla quercu sunt cavata et ulmo:        20
+  omne vas fit utile,
+    quod est ad usum congruens herilem,
+  Instruunt enim domum
+    ut empta magno, sic parata ligno.
+  Me paterno in atrio                 25
+    ut obsoletum vasculum caducis
+  Christus aptat usibus,
+    sinitque parte in anguli manere.
+  Munus ecce fictile
+    inimus intra regiam salutis;      30
+  attamen vel infimam
+    Deo obsequelam praestitisse prodest.
+  Quidquid illud accidit,
+    iuvabit ore personasse Christum.
+
+
+
+
+                              EPILOGUE
+
+
+  The pure and faithful saint, whose heart is whole,
+    To God the Father makes his sacrifice
+  From out the treasures of a stainless soul,
+    Glad gifts of innocence, beyond all price:
+  Another with free hand bestows his gold,
+    Whereby his needy neighbour may be fed.
+  No wealth of holiness my heart doth hold,
+    No store have I to buy my brothers bread:
+  So here I humbly dedicate to Thee
+    The rolling trochee and iambus swift;
+  Thou wilt approve my simple minstrelsy,
+    Thine ear will listen to Thy servant's gift.
+  The rich man's halls are nobly furnished;
+    Therein no nook or corner empty seems;
+  Here stands the brazen laver burnished,
+    And there the golden goblet brightly gleams;
+  Hard by some crock of clumsy earthen ware,
+    Massive and ample lies a silver plate;
+  And rough-hewn cups of oak or elm are there
+    With vases carved of ivory delicate.
+  Yet every vessel in its place is good,
+    So be it for the Master's service meet;
+  The priceless salver and the bowl of wood
+    Alike He needs to make His home complete.
+  Therefore within His Father's spacious hall
+    Christ fits me for the service of a day,
+  Mean though I be, a vessel poor and small,--
+    And in some lowly corner lets me stay.
+  Lo in the palace of the King of Kings
+    I play the earthen pitcher's humble part;
+  Yet to have done Him meanest service brings
+    A thrill of rapture to my thankful heart:
+  Whate'er the end, this thought will joy afford,
+    My lips have sung the praises of my Lord.
+
+
+
+
+_This edition of the_ Cathemerinon of Prudentius _has been prepared for
+the Temple Classics by_ Rev. R. MARTIN POPE, M.A. (_St John's College,
+Cambridge, translator of the_ "Letters of John Hus"), _who has done the
+translation of the_ Praefatio _and_ Hymns i., ii., iii., viii., xi.,
+xii., _with notes thereon and the note on_ Prudentius. _For the rendering
+of_ Hymns iv., v., vi., vii., ix., x., _and the_ Epilogus _with notes
+thereon,_ Mr R.F. DAVIS, M.A. (_St John's College, Cambridge_), _is
+responsible. The text, with some minor alterations in orthography and
+punctuation, is that of_ Dressel (Lipsiae, 1860). _The frontispiece is
+due to the kind suggestion of_ Dr SANDYS, _Public Orator of Cambridge
+University, to whom the thanks of the translators are hereby presented._
+
+
+
+
+                         TRANSLATOR'S NOTE
+
+
+AURELIUS PRUDENTIUS CLEMENS (to give his full title) was born, probably
+at Saragossa (Caesaraugusta), in Spain, in the year of our Lord 348. The
+fourth century exercised a profound influence alike on the destiny of
+the Roman Empire and of the Christian Church. After a long discipline,
+strangely alternating between fiery persecution and contemptuous
+toleration, the Church entered upon a new era, when in 323 Constantine,
+the first Christian emperor, became master of the Roman world. Two
+years later the Council of Nicaea met to utter its verdict on the
+Arian controversy and to establish the terms of the orthodox symbol. A
+generation later Julian took up the reins of empire and commenced his
+quixotic and fruitless attempt to revive the glories of Paganism.
+Athanasius died in 373: but fourteen years later Augustine, his successor
+in the championship of the faith, was baptized, and in 395, at the death
+of Theodosius, when the Empire was divided between Honorius and Arcadius,
+he became Bishop of Hippo, and was marked out by his saintliness and
+learning as the leader of the Western Church, which he shaped by his
+splendid ideal of the _Civitas Dei_ into unity and stability, when
+the secular empire was falling into decay.
+
+We know little more of the life of Prudentius than he himself has
+disclosed. The _Preface_, which stands as an introduction to his poems,
+is a miniature autobiography of great interest. M. Boissier in his _Fin du
+Paganisme_ calls it _melancolique_: though it is rather the retrospect
+of a serious and awakened, but not morbid, conscience. Prudentius views
+his past years in the light of that new spiritual truth to which he has
+opened his soul. We gather that he received a liberal education and was
+called to the bar. We need not misunderstand the allusion to the
+deceitfulness of the barrister life, seeing that the ordinary arts of
+rhetoric stand condemned by his recently adopted ethical standard. He held
+two important judicial posts and was promoted to a high position, probably
+in the civil service and not outside the limits of his native province, the
+_provincia Tarraconensis_.
+
+He speaks of himself as having reached the age of fifty-seven, which
+brings us down to 405, and as intending to consecrate his remaining years
+to the poetic treatment of religious subjects. When and how he became a
+Christian we do not know, and it were vain to guess, although the
+suggestion that he may have owed his conversion to the influence of some
+Christian family of his acquaintance is at least interesting. It is
+unlikely that he took up poetry for the first time in his old age. His
+mastery of all kinds of metre--heroic and lyric--prove the practised hand.
+The probability is that in the years of repose after a busy career his
+desire to redeem an unspiritual past suggested for the exercise of his
+natural gifts a field hitherto unoccupied by any of the writers of his
+age. Why not consecrate his powers to the task of interesting the literary
+circles of the Empire in the evangel of Christ? Why not present the truths
+of Christianity in a poetic guise, wrought into forms of beauty and set
+forth in the classical metres of Roman literature? This became the passion
+of his life, and however we may view the results of his toil, the spirit
+in which he went to work, as described in the touching _Epilogue_,
+cannot but evoke our profound admiration. He is but a vessel of earth, but
+whatever the issue may be, it will be a lasting joy to have sounded forth
+the praise of Christ in song.
+
+This then is how Prudentius becomes the first poet of the Christian Church,
+or, as Bentley called him, "the Virgil and Horace of the Christians."
+Doubtless there were other influences at work to determine the sphere to
+which he was naturally attract. Ambrose, who was Bishop of Milan when
+Prudentius was twenty-six years of age, had written the first Latin hymns
+to be sung in church. Augustine in a familiar passage of the _Confessions_
+(ix. 7.) describes how "the custom arose of singing hymns and psalms, after
+the use of the Eastern provinces, to save the people from being utterly
+worn out by their long and sorrowful vigils." "From that day to this," he
+adds, "it has been retained and, many might say, all Thy flocks throughout
+the rest of the world now follow our example." To Ambrose and Augustine the
+Church of Christ is for ever indebted: to the latter for a devotional
+treatise which is the most familiar of all the writings of the fourth
+century: to the former for the hymns of praise which he composed and the
+practice of singing which he thus inaugurated in the worship of the
+Western Church. But the Church owes something also to Prudentius, a much
+more gifted poet than Ambrose. The collection of hymns known as the
+_Cathemerinon_ or _Hymns for the day_ is as little adapted for
+ecclesiastical worship as Keble's _Christian Year_, although excerpts
+from these poems have passed into the hymnology of the Church, just as
+portions of Keble's work have passed into most hymn books. For example,
+seven of these excerpts in the form of hymns are to be found in the Roman
+Breviary, and thus for centuries the lyrics of Prudentius have been sung in
+the daily services of the Church.
+
+Seeing that Prudentius must address himself to most English readers through
+the imperfect medium of a translation, it may be well to remind those who
+make their first acquaintance with him that a historical imagination is an
+indispensable condition of interest and sympathy. If Prudentius has a habit
+of leaving the main issue and making lengthy and tedious _detours_ into
+the picturesque  parables and miraculous incidents of the Old Testament,
+there is method in his digressiveness. He knows that one of the charms of
+Paganism lies in its rich and variegated mythology. Yet Christianity
+also can point to an even nobler inheritance of the supernatural and the
+wonderful in the mysterious evolutions of its history. Hence the stories
+of the early patriarchs, of the Israelites and Moses, of Daniel and Jonah,
+are imported by the poet as pictorial illustrations  of his theme. If
+occasionally the details border on the grotesque, he certainly reveals a
+striking knowledge of the Old Testament.
+
+The New Testament is also adequately represented. In one poem (ix.) the
+miracles of Christ in His earthly ministry and His descent into Hades are
+narrated with considerable spirit and eloquence. Besides being a student
+of the Bible, Prudentius is a theologian.  His theology is that of the
+Nicene Creed. The Fall of man, the personality of the Tempter, the mystery
+of the Trinity and of the Incarnation, the Virgin-birth, the Death and
+Resurrection of Christ, the pains of the lost and the bliss of the saints,
+the resurrection of the Body and the life everlasting--these are the themes
+of his pen, the themes too of the theology of his age. If the poet's
+treatment of these truths occasionally appears antiquated and crude to
+modern ideas, it is at least dignified and intelligent. His mind has
+absorbed the Christian religion and the Christian theology, and he not
+unfrequently rises to noble heights in the interpretation of their
+mysteries. His didactic poems, the _Hamartigenia_ or the _Origin of Evil_
+and the _Apotheosis_, a treatise on the Person of Christ, prove him to be
+a theologian of no mean calibre. He is also an allegorist, as is proved by
+the _Psychomachia_ or the _Battle of the Soul_, a kind of _Holy War_
+which was very popular in the Middle Ages.  He is a martyrologist: as
+witness the _Peristephanon_, a series of poems on Christian, principally
+Spanish, martyrs. Moreover, he is an undoubted patriot, and in the _Contra
+Symmachum_, which he wrote on the famous affair of the Altar of Victory,
+he proves that, while a Christian, he is also _civis Romanus_, loyal to
+the Empire and the powers that be. He is a skilful versifier, and in this
+connection the quatrains of the _Dittochaeon_, verses on themes of the Old
+and New Testaments, may be mentioned in order to complete the list of his
+works. His mastery of his very varied metres--hexameter, iambic, trochaic
+and sapphic--is undoubted: everywhere we note the influence of Virgil and
+Horace, even when these poets are not recalled by echoes of their diction
+which are constantly greeting the reader of his poems.
+
+Reference has already been made to the influence of Ambrose of Milan upon
+the thought and style of Prudentius. But there is a second and even more
+powerful influence that deserves at least briefly to be noted--namely, the
+Christian art of the Catacombs. Apart from such definite statements as
+_e.g._ are found in _Peristephanon_ xi., it is obvious that Prudentius
+had a first-hand knowledge of Rome and particularly of the Catacombs.
+Everywhere in his poems we find evidences of the deep impression made upon
+his imagination by the paintings and sculptures of subterranean Rome. The
+now familiar representations which decorate the remains of the Catacombs
+suggested to him many of the allusions, the picturesque vignettes and
+glowing descriptions to be found in his poetry. Thus, the story of Jonah--a
+common theme typifying the Resurrection--the story of Daniel with its
+obvious consolations for an age of martyrs, the Good Shepherd and the
+denial of Peter may be mentioned among the numerous subjects which were
+reproduced in early Christian art and transferred by the poet to his verse.
+The symbolism of the Cock, the Dove, and the Lamb borne on the shoulders
+of the Good Shepherd is a perpetually recurring feature in the lyrics and
+martyr-hymns of Prudentius, who thus becomes one of our most valuable
+authorities on the Christian art of the fourth century.
+
+The poems, of which a new English rendering is presented in this volume,
+are acknowledged by most critics to illustrate some of his best qualities,
+his brightness and dignity, his touches of nature-painting and his capacity
+for sustained and well-wrought narrative. As we study these lyrics of the
+early Church, we feel anew the mighty change that Christianity wrought in
+Roman life by its doctrine of immortality, and we note the curious
+fascination which the circumstances of the Nativity and especially the
+Adoration of the Magi had for the Western world. Prudentius had a
+great vogue in the Middle Ages, and the modern renewal of interest in
+mediaevalism invests with fresh dignity a poet whose works at the Revival
+of learning provoked the admiration of Erasmus[1] and the researches of
+numerous scholars and editors. But it is undoubtedly to the student of
+ecclesiastical history and dogma and to the lovers of Christian art and
+antiquities that Prudentius most truly appeals. He claims our interest,
+not merely because he reflects the Christian environment of his days, but
+because his poetry represents an attempt to preach Christ to a world still
+fascinated by Paganism, while conscious that the old order was changing
+and yielding place to new.
+
+[1] _Prudentium, unum inter Christianos vere facundum poetam._
+
+
+
+
+
+                                 NOTES
+
+                                 HYMNS
+
+
+
+                               THE TITLE
+
+The word _Cathemerinon_ is taken from the Greek and is the genitive of
+_chathemerina_ "daily things": the whole title _Liber Cathemerinon_
+is equivalent to "Book of daily hymns," and may be rendered "Hymns for
+the Christian's day."
+
+
+
+                              THE PREFACE
+
+In one or two of the MSS. this introductory poem is stated to be a preface
+of the _Cathemerinon_ only: but the great majority of the codices support
+the view which is undoubtedly suggested by internal evidence, that the poem
+is a general introduction to the whole of Prudentius' works. It is inserted
+together with the _Epilogus_ in this volume, because of the intrinsic
+interest of both poems.
+
+Line
+
+8     The reference is to the _toga virilis_, the ordinary
+     white-coloured garb of a Roman citizen who at his sixteenth year
+     laid aside the purple-edged _toga praetexta_, which was worn
+     during the days of boyhood.
+
+16 ff.     The cities referred to are unknown: but it is probable that
+     they were two _municipia_ in Northern Spain, and that the office
+     held by Prudentius was that of duumvir or prefect. Provision was made
+     by the twenty-fourth clause of the law of Salpensa (a town in the
+     _provincia Baetica_ of Spain) by which the emperor could be elected
+     first magistrate of a _municipium_, and could thereupon appoint a
+     prefect to take his place. This would explain the language of the
+     text as to the semi-imperial nature of the post. The phrase
+     _militiae gradus_ need only be taken to indicate advancement in the
+     _civil_ service. But the words have been interpreted in accordance
+     with the more familiar and definite meaning of _militia_, and
+     understood to refer to a purely military post. Dressel thinks that
+     Prudentius was a _miles Palatinus_, that is, a member of the
+     best-paid and most highly-privileged imperial troops, who furnished
+     officers for some of the most lucrative posts in the provinces.
+     Though in the translation the usual meaning has been given to
+     _militia_, it must be regarded as uncertain in the absence of
+     more definite information regarding the office held by Prudentius.
+
+24     The consulship of Salia (or Salias) belongs to the year 348, the
+     date of the birth of Prudentius. An inscription (quoted by Migne from
+     Muratorius, _Nov. Thes. Inscrip._, i. 379) has been found in the
+     monastery of St. Paul's outside the city bearing the words
+
+          FILIPPO . ET . SALLIA . COSS
+
+
+
+                                  I
+
+1     Of this poem lines 1-8, 81-84, 97-100, were included in the Roman
+     Breviary as a hymn to be sung at Lauds, on Tuesday.
+
+2     The allusions to the cock in this and the following poem (ii. 37-55)
+     were doubtless inspired by the lines of Ambrose in his morning hymn
+     beginning _Aeterne rerum conditor_. Cf. ll. 5-8 and 16-24:
+
+          _"praeco diei iam sonat
+          noctis profundae pervigil,
+          nocturna lux viantibus
+          a nocte noctem segregans._
+
+            *       *       *       *       *
+
+          _surgamus ergo strenue:
+          gallus iacentes excitat,
+          et somnolentos increpat:
+          gallus negantes arguit._
+
+          _gallo canente spes redit,
+          aegris salus refunditur,
+          mucro latronis conditur,
+          lapsis fides revertitur."_
+
+                          _Translation._
+
+          "Dawn's herald now begins to cry,
+          Lone watcher of the nightly sky:
+          Light of the dark to pilgrims dear,
+          Speeding successive midnights drear.
+
+            *       *       *       *       *
+
+          Brisk from our couch let us arise!
+          Hark to the cock's arousing cries!
+          He chides the sluggard's slumbrous ease,
+          And shames his unconvincing pleas.
+
+          At cock-crow Hope revives again,
+          Health banishes the stress of pain,
+          Sheathed is the nightly robber's sword,
+          And Faith to fallen hearts restored."
+
+     See also Ambrose, _Hexaem._, v. 24, for an eloquent passage in
+     the same strain. The cock was the familiar Christian symbol of early
+     rising or vigilance, and numerous representations of it are found in
+     the Catacombs. Cf. the painting from the Catacomb of St. Priscilla
+     reproduced in Bottari's folio of 1754, where the Good Shepherd is
+     depicted as feeding the lambs, with a crowing cock on His right and
+     left hand. It is also a symbol of the Resurrection, our Lord being
+     supposed to have risen from the grave at the early cockcrowing: see
+     l. 65 _et seq._ In l. 16 the first bird-notes are interpreted
+     by the poet as a summons to the general judgment. Cf. Mark xiii. 35:
+     "Ye know not when the lord of the house cometh, whether at even, or
+     at midnight, or _at cockcrowing_, or in the morning." This
+     passage serves as a kind of text for Prudentius' first two hymns,
+     and perhaps explains why he has one for cockcrowing and another for
+     morning.
+
+26     A common idea in all literatures. Cf. Virg., _Aen._, vi. 278
+     (taken from Homer), _tum consanguineus Leti Sopor_, and Tennyson's
+     "Sleep, Death's twin-brother" (_In Memoriam_, 68).
+
+44     Cf. Augustine, _Serm._ 103: "These evil spirits seek to seduce
+     the soul: but when the sun has arisen, they take to flight."
+
+59     The denial of Peter forms a subject of Christian casuistry in
+     patristic literature, and this passage recalls the famous classical
+     parallel in Euripides (_Hipp._ 612), "the tongue hath sworn: yet
+     unsworn is the heart." Cf. Augustine, _cont. mendacium_: "In that
+     denial he held fast the truth in his heart, while with his lips he
+     uttered falsehood." For a striking representation of Peter and the
+     cock, on a sarcophagus discovered in the Catacombs and now deposited
+     in the Vatican library, see Maitland's _Church in the Catacombs_,
+     p. 347. The closing words of the passage in Ambrose's _Hexaemeron_,
+     already referred to under l. 2, may here be quoted: "As the cock
+     peals forth his notes, the robber leaves his plots: Lucifer himself
+     awakes and lights up the sky: the distressful sailor lays aside his
+     gloom, and all the storms and tempests that have risen in fury under
+     the winds of the evening begin to die down: the soul of the saint
+     leaps to prayer and renews the study of the written word: and
+     finally, the very Rock of the Church is cleansed of the stain he had
+     contracted by his denials before the cock crew."
+
+81 ff.     The best commentary on these words is to be found in the
+     following passage from the second epistle of Basil to Gregory
+     Nazianzen: "What can be more blessed than to imitate on earth the
+     angelic host by giving oneself at the peep of dawn to prayer and by
+     turning at sunrise to work with hymns and songs: yea, all the day
+     through to make prayer the accompaniment of our toils and to season
+     them with praise as with salt? For the solace of hymns changes the
+     soul's sadness into mirth."
+
+
+
+                                 II
+
+1    This poem furnishes two hymns to the Roman Breviary, one to be sung
+     on Wednesday at Lauds, and consisting of ll. 1-8, 48-53 (omitting l.
+     50), 57, 59, 60, 67 (_tu vera lux caelestium_) and 68: the other
+     for Thursday at Lauds, consisting of ll. 25 (_lux ecce surgit
+     aurea_), 93-108.
+
+17     Cf. Ambrose, ii. 8, _de Cain et Abel_: "The thief shuns the day
+     as the witness of his crime: the adulterer is abashed by the dawn
+     as the accomplice of his adultery."
+
+51     The practice of praying on bended knees is frequently referred to
+     in early Christian writers. Cf. Clem., 1 Ad. Cor. cc. xlviii.: "Let
+     us fall down before the Lord," and Shepherd of Hermas, vis. 1. i.:
+     "After I had crossed that river I came unto the banks and there
+     knelt down and began to pray." Dressel quotes from Juvencus (iv.
+     648), a Spanish poet and Christian contemporary of Prudentius,
+     _genibus nixi regem dominumque salutant_, "on bended knees they
+     make obeisance unto their King and Lord."
+
+63     The Jordan is a poetical figure for baptism, suggested doubtless
+by the baptism of our Lord in that river. Cf. vii. 73-75.
+
+67     Cf. Milton, _Paradise Regained_, i. 293: "So spake our Morning
+     Star, then in his rise." The figure is suggested by Rev. xxii. 16:
+     "I am ... the bright, the morning star."
+
+105     The conception of God as _speculator_ may be paralleled by a
+     passage in the epistle of Polycarp _ad Philipp._ iv., where God is
+     described as the Arch-critic (_panta momoschopeitai_) and subsequently
+     (vii.) as _ton pantepopten theon_, "the All-witnessing God." The
+     last verse contains a distinct echo of the closing words of the
+     fourth chapter of Polycarp: "None of the reasonings or thoughts,
+     nor any of the hidden things of the heart escape His notice."
+
+
+
+                                 III
+
+2     _Word-begot._ The original _verbigena_, on the analogy of such
+     words (cf. _terrigena_, _Martigena_, etc.), can only mean "begotten
+     of the Word." It is evident, therefore, the "Word" in this connection
+     is not the Johannine Logos or Second Person in the Trinity.
+     Prudentius cannot be guilty of the error which he expressly
+     condemns (_Apoth._ 249) as _perquam ridiculum_ and regard the
+     Logos as begetting Himself. Consequently, both in this passage and
+     in xi. 18 (_verbo editus_) the "Word" must be taken as approximating
+     rather to the Alexandrian conception of the Logos as the Divine
+     Reason. In this way Christ is expressly described as the offspring
+     of the _Intellectus Dei_, the immanent Intelligence of the Deity.
+     If this conception is considered to be beyond Prudentius, we can only
+     suppose that both here and in xi. 18, his language is theologically
+     loose. Some excuse may be offered for this on the ground that the
+     Latin language is ill-adapted for expressing metaphysical truths.
+     The late Bishop Westcott remarked on the inadequacy of the Latin
+     original of "the Word was made flesh" (_verbum caro factum est_),
+     both substantive and verb falling short of the richness of their
+     Greek equivalents. (_Vid._ also note on iv. 15.)
+
+11     Cf. Ambrose, _Hymn_ vii.:--
+
+          _"Christusque nobis sit cibus
+          Potusque noster sit fides;
+          Laeti bibamus sobriam
+          Ebrietatem Spiritus."_
+
+                         _Translation._
+
+          "May Christ be now the Bread we eat,
+          Be simple Faith our potion sweet:
+          Let our intoxication be
+          The Spirit's calm sobriety."
+
+     The idea is familiar to readers of Herbert and Herrick, though it
+     is elaborated by them with quaint conceits somewhat foreign to the
+     Latin poet. Cf. Herbert, _The Banquet_:--
+
+          "O what sweetnesse from the bowl
+                        Fills my soul!
+
+            *       *       *       *       *
+
+          Is some starre (fled from the sphere)
+                        Melted there,
+          As we sugar melt in wine?
+
+            *       *       *       *       *
+
+          Doubtless neither starre nor flower
+                        Hath the power
+          Such a sweetnesse to impart:
+          Only God, Who gives perfumes,
+                        Flesh assumes,
+          And with it perfumed my heart."
+
+     Also Herrick, _A Thanksgiving to God_:--
+
+          "Lord, I confess too, when I dine,
+                        The pulse is thine.
+
+            *       *       *       *       *
+
+          'Tis thou that crown'st my glittering hearth
+                        With guiltless mirth,
+          And giv'st me wassail bowls to drink,
+                        Spiced to the brink."
+
+28     The original _dactylico_ refers to the metre of the Latin of this
+     poem. For a rendering of ll. 1-65 in the metre of the original see
+     Glover, _Life and Letters in the Fourth Century_, pp. 267-269.
+
+58     This and the following lines should satisfy the most ardent
+     vegetarian who seeks to uphold his abstinence from animal food by
+     the customs of the early Church. In Christian circles, however, the
+     abstinence was practised on personal and spiritual grounds, _e.g._,
+     Jerome (_de Regul. Monach._, xi.) says, "The eating of flesh is the
+     seed-plot of lust" (_seminarium libidinis_): so also Augustine (_de
+     moribus Ecc. Cath._, i. 33), who supports what doubtless was the
+     view of Prudentius, namely that the avoidance of animal flesh was a
+     safe-guard but not a binding Christian duty.
+
+75     _Unwed._ Prudentius thus adopts the view of the ancient world on
+     the question of the generation of bees. Cf. Virgil, _Geo._ iv. 198,
+     and Pliny, _Nat. Hist._, xi. 16. Dryden's translation of Virgil
+     (_l.c._) is as follows:--
+
+          "But (what's more strange) their modest appetites,
+          Averse from Venus, fly the nuptial rights;
+          No lust enervates their heroic mind,
+          Nor wastes their strength on wanton womankind,
+          But in their mouths reside their genial powers,
+          They gather children from the leaves and flowers."
+
+86     Cf. Ps. liv. 18, 19 (Vulg.): _Vespere et mane et meridie narrabo
+     et annuntiabo et exaudiet vocem meam._ "In the evening and morning
+     and at noonday will I pray, and that instantly and he shall hear my
+     voice" (P. B. Version).
+
+127     This is, strictly speaking, an error: it is the woman's seed
+     which is to bruise the serpent's head. The error was perpetuated
+     in the Latin Church by the Vulgate of Gen. iii. 15, _ipsa conteret
+     caput tuum_, where _ipsa_ refers to the woman (= she herself).
+
+157     The epithet "white-robed" refers to the newly-baptized converts
+     who received the white robe as a symbol of their new nature. Cf.
+     _Perist._ i. 67: _Christus illic candidatis praesidet cohortibus_,
+     and Ambrose (_de Mysteriis_, vii.): "Thou didst receive (that is,
+     after baptism) white garments as a sign that thou hast doffed the
+     covering of thy sins and put on the chaste raiment (_velamina_) of
+     innocence, whereof the prophet spake (Ps. li. 7), 'Thou shalt purge
+     me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: thou shalt wash me, and I
+     shall be whiter than snow'" (Vulg.).
+
+199     Phlegethon (rendered "Hell"), one of the rivers of the Virgilian
+     Hades, is used to express the abode of the lost. Cf. Milton, _P. L._,
+     ii. 580:--
+
+                "... fierce Phlegethon,
+          Whose waves of torrent fire inflame with rage."
+
+     The subject of the _descensus ad inferos_ was evidently a favourite
+     one with Prudentius and his contemporaries. It has been suggested
+     that apart from the scriptural basis of this conception Prudentius
+     was influenced by the so-called _Gospel of Nicodemus_, which embodies
+     two books, the _Acts of Pilate_ and the _Descent into Hell_. The
+     latter is assigned by several critics to 400 or thereabouts, and
+     gives a graphic account of Christ's doings in Hades. Synesius deals
+     with the subject in one of his hymns (ix.), and Mrs Browning's
+     translation (see the essay on _The Greek Christian Poets_) of a
+     passage in that poem may be quoted:--
+
+          "Down Thou earnest, low as earth,
+          Bound to those of mortal birth;
+          Down Thou earnest, low as hell,
+          Where Shepherd-Death did tend and keep
+          A thousand nations like to sheep,
+          While weak with age old Hades fell
+          Shivering through his dark to view Thee.
+
+            *       *       *       *       *
+
+          So, redeeming from their pain
+          Chains of disembodied ones,
+          Thou didst lead whom thou didst gather
+          Upward in ascent again,
+          With a great hymn to the Father,
+          Upward to the pure white thrones!"
+
+     For a modern treatment of the theme see _Christ in Hades_, by
+     Stephen Phillips.
+
+202     The words suggest the Catacombs, and perhaps refer to the custom
+     of placing in the tomb a small cup or vase containing spices, of
+     which myrrh (a symbol of death, according to Gregory of Nyssa, cf.
+     xii. 71) was most usually employed. Or the allusion may be to the
+     practice of embalming. (See note on x. 51.) The body was placed
+     not only in an actual sarcophagus or stone coffin, as expressly
+     mentioned in the text, but in hollow places cut out of rock or
+     earth (_loculus_). The _sarcophagus_ method seems to have been the
+     earlier, but was superseded by that of the _loculus_, except in the
+     case of the very wealthy.
+
+205     The concluding line is beautifully illustrated by the epitaph
+     on the martyr Alexander, found over one of the graves in the cemetery
+     of Callixtus in the Catacombs:--
+
+          ALEXANDER MORTVVS NON EST SED VIVIT
+          SVPER ASTRA ET CORPVS IN HOC TVMVLO
+          QVIESCIT ...
+
+          "Alexander is not dead, but lives above the stars
+              and his body rests in this tomb."
+
+
+
+                                 IV
+
+15     Prudentius here, as again in v. 160, emphasises his belief in
+     the procession of the Holy Ghost from the Father and the Son. The
+     "filioque" clause was not actually added to the Nicene Creed till
+     the Council of Toledo (589 A.D.), but the doctrine was expressly
+     maintained by Augustine, and occurs in a Confession of Faith of an
+     earlier Synod of Toledo (447 A.D.?), and in the words of Leo I.
+     (_Ep. ad Turib._, c. 1), "_de utroque processit._" The addition
+     was not embodied into the Creed as used at Rome as late as the
+     beginning of the ninth century. (_Vid._ Harnack, _Hist. of Dogma_,
+     iv. 132.) Prudentius probably followed, as regards the Trinity,
+     the doctrine generally held by the Spanish Church of his day; in
+     many points it is difficult (cf. note on iii. 2), but appears to be
+     derived partly from Tertullian and partly from Marcellus.
+
+59     The identification of the Habakkuk of this legend (_vid._ the
+     Apocryphal "Bel and the Dragon") with the O. T. prophet is erroneous.
+     This version of the story of Daniel is sometimes represented in the
+     frescoes of the Catacombs, where the subject is a very favourite
+     one, as is natural in an age when the cry "_Christiani ad leones_"
+     so often rang through the streets of Rome.
+
+
+
+                                 V
+
+1     There has been much doubt as to the title and scope of this hymn.
+     Some early editors (_e.g._, Fabricius and Arevalus) adopt the title
+     "_ad incensum cerei Paschalis_," or "_de novo lumine Paschalis
+     Sabbati_," and confine its object to the ceremonial of Easter Eve,
+     which is specially alluded to in ll. 125 _et seq._ Others, following
+     the best MSS., give the simpler title used in this text, and regard
+     it as a hymn for daily use. This view is supported by the weight
+     of evidence: the position of the hymn among the first six (none of
+     which are for special days), and the fact that the Benediction of
+     the Paschal Candle was not in use, at any rate in Rome, in the
+     pontificate of Zacharias (_ob._ 752 A.D.) point in this direction.
+     In the Spanish Church particularly the very ancient custom of
+     praying at the hour when the evening lamps were lighted had developed
+     into the regular office of the _lucernarium_, as distinct from
+     Vespers. The Mozarabic Breviary (seventh century) contains the
+     prayers and responses for this service, and the Rule of St. Isidore
+     runs: "In the evening offices, first the lucernarium, then two
+     psalms, one responsory and lauds, a hymn and prayer are to be
+     said." St. Basil also writes: "It seemed good to our fathers not
+     to receive in silence the gift of the evening light, but to give
+     thanks as soon as it appeared." It is probable, therefore, that
+     Prudentius intended the hymn for daily use, and that after speaking
+     of God as the source of light, and His manifestations in the form
+     of fire to Moses and the Israelites, his thoughts pass naturally,
+     though somewhat abruptly, to the special festival--Easter Eve--on
+     which the sanctuaries were most brilliantly illuminated. The
+     question is fully discussed by Brockhaus (_A. Prudentius Clemens
+     in seiner Bedeutung fuer die Kirche seiner Zeit_), and Roesler (_Der
+     catholische Dichter A. Prudentius_). Part of this hymn is used in
+     the Mozarabic Breviary for the First Sunday after Epiphany, at
+     Vespers, being stanzas 1, 7, 35, 38-41.
+
+7     The words _incussu silicis_ are perhaps reminiscent of the Spanish
+     ceremonial of Easter Eve, when the bishop struck the flint, lighting
+     from it first a candle, then a lamp, from which the deacons lighted
+     their candles; these were blessed by the bishop, and the procession
+     from the _processus_ into the church followed.
+
+21     Cf. Vaughan, _The Lampe_:--
+
+                    "Then thou dost weepe
+          Still as thou burn'st, and the warm droppings creepe
+          To measure out thy length."
+
+119     The _folium_ here is probably the ancient _malobathrum_, generally
+     identified as the Indian cinnamon. The Arab traders who brought this
+     valuable product into the Western markets, surrounded its origin with
+     much mystery.
+
+125     The following stanzas, in which Prudentius elaborates the
+     beautiful fancy that the sufferings of lost spirits are alleviated
+     at Eastertide, have incurred the severe censure of some of the
+     earlier editors. Fabricius calls it "a Spanish fabrication," while
+     others, as Cardinal Bellarmine, declare that the author is speaking
+     "poetically and not dogmatically." That such a belief, however, was
+     actually held by some section of the ancient Church is evident from
+     the words of St. Augustine (_Encheiridion_, c. 112): _Paenas
+     damnatorum certis temporum intervallis existiment, si hoc eis placet,
+     aliquatenus mitigari, dummodo intelligatur in eis manere ira Dei, hoc
+     est ipsa damnatio._ "Let men believe, if it so please them, that at
+     certain intervals the pains of the damned are somewhat alleviated,
+     provided that it be understood that the wrath of God, that is
+     damnation itself, abides upon them."
+
+140     It is somewhat startling to find Prudentius speaking of the Holy
+     Eucharist in terms which would recall to his contemporary readers
+     Virgilian phraseology and the honeyed cake (_liba_) used in pagan
+     sacrifice. It must be remembered, however, that in the early days of
+     the Church paganism and Christianity flourished side by side for a
+     considerable period; and we find various pagan practices allowed
+     to continue, where they were innocent. Thus the bride-cake and the
+     bridal-veil are of heathen origin; the mirth of the Saturnalia
+     survives, in a modified form, in some of the rejoicings of Christmas;
+     and the flowers, which had filled the pagan temples during the
+     Floralia, were employed to adorn God's House at the Easter festival.
+
+141     The brilliant illumination of churches on Easter Eve is very
+     ancient. According to Eusebius, Constantine "turned the mystical
+     vigil into the light of day by means of lamps suspended in every
+     part, setting up also great waxen tapers, as large as columns,
+     throughout the city." Gregory of Nyssa also speaks of "the cloud
+     of fire mingling with the rays of the rising sun, and making the eve
+     and the festival one continuous day without interval of darkness."
+
+153     Cf. _Paradise Lost_, iii. 51:--
+
+          "So much the rather thou, Celestial Light,
+          Shine inward, and the mind through all her powers
+          Irradiate."
+
+
+                                 VI
+
+     The last seven stanzas of this hymn are used in the Moz. Brev. at
+     Compline on Passion Sunday, and daily until Maundy Thursday.
+
+56     Cf. Job. vii. 14: "Then Thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest
+     me through visions."
+
+95     In the translation of this stanza the explanation of Nebrissensis
+     is adopted, an early editor of Prudentius (1512) and one of the
+     leaders of the Renaissance in Spain. He considers that "the few of
+     the impious who are condemned to eternal death" are the incurable
+     sinners, _immedicabiles_. Others attempt to reconcile these words
+     with the general belief of the early Church by maintaining that
+     _non pii_ is not equivalent to _impii_, but rather refers to the
+     class that is neither decidedly good nor definitely bad, and that
+     the mercy of God is extended to the majority of these. A third view
+     is that the poet is speaking relatively, and means that few are
+     condemned in proportion to the number that deserve condemnation.
+     In whatever way the words are explained, it is interesting to find
+     an advocate of "the larger hope" in the fourth century.
+
+105     Cf. Rev. xvii. 8: "The beast that thou sawest was, and is not;
+     and is about to come up out of the abyss, and to go into perdition."
+
+109     Cf. 2 Thess. ii. 4: "The son of perdition, who opposeth and
+     exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped;
+     so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that
+     he is God."
+
+127     The phrase _rorem subisse sacrum_ would suggest baptism by
+     sprinkling, except that Prudentius uses the word loosely elsewhere.
+     Immersion was undoubtedly the general practice of the early Church,
+     "clinical" baptism being allowed only in cases of necessity.
+
+128     The anointing with oil showed that the catechumen was enrolled
+     among the spiritual priesthood, and with the unction was joined the
+     sign of the Cross on the forehead.
+
+
+
+                                VII
+
+1     This entire hymn is used in the Moz. Brev., divided into fifteen
+     portions for use during Lent.
+
+27     The word _sacerdos_ here, as in ix. 4, is used in the sense of
+     "prophet"; but in both passages there is some idea of the exercise
+     of priestly functions. Elijah may be called "priest" from his having
+     offered sacrifice on Mount Carmel, and David from his wearing the
+     priestly ephod as he danced before the Ark.
+
+69     The old editors discuss these lines with much gravity, and mostly
+     come to the conclusion that "locusts" were "a kind of bird, of
+     the length of a finger, with quick, short flight"; while the "wild
+     honey" was not actual honey at all, but "the tender leaves of
+     certain trees, which, when crushed by the fingers, had the pleasant
+     savour of honey."
+
+76     A gloss on one of the Vat. MSS. adds: "This is not authorised; for
+     John merely baptized with water, and not in the name of the Father,
+     Son and Holy Ghost; therefore his baptism was of no avail, save that
+     it prepared the way for Christ to baptize." Many of the Fathers,
+     however, while expressly affirming that John's baptism differed
+     from that of Christ, allowed that the stains of sin were washed
+     away by the former. St. Chrysostom draws this distinction: "There
+     was in John's baptism pardon, but not without repentance; remission
+     of sins, but only attained by grief."
+
+100     The story of Jonah, as a type of the Resurrection, is one of the
+     most frequent subjects of the frescoes of the Catacombs. In one very
+     ancient picture, a man in a small boat is depicted in the act of
+     placing the prophet in the very jaws of the whale.
+
+115     Two stanzas are omitted in the text, which depict the sufferings
+     of Jonah with a wealth of detail not in accordance with modern
+     taste. For the sake of giving a complete text, we append them here:--
+
+          "_Transmissa raptim praeda cassos dentium
+          eludit ictus incruentam transvolans
+          inpune linguam, ne retentam mordicus
+          offam molares dissecarent uvidi,
+          os omne transit et palatum praeterit._
+
+          _Ternis dierum ac noctium processibus
+          mansit ferino devoratus gutture,
+          errabat illic per latebras viscerum,
+          ventris recessus circumibat tortiles
+          anhelus extis intus aestuantibus._"
+
+194     Prudentius appears to have believed that the mystery of the
+     Incarnation was concealed from Satan, and that the Temptation
+     was an endeavour to ascertain whether Jesus was the Son of God
+     or no. Cf. Milton, _Par. Reg._ i.:--
+
+          "Who this is we must learn, for Man he seems
+          In all his lineaments, though in his face
+          The glimpses of his Father's glory shine."
+
+
+
+                                VIII
+
+9     The day of twelve hours appears to have been adopted by the
+     Romans about B.C. 291. Ambrose (_de virginibus_, iii. 4), commenting
+     on Ps. cxix. and the words "Seven times a day do I praise thee,"
+     declares that prayers are to be offered up with thanksgiving when
+     we rise from sleep, when we go forth, when we prepare to take food,
+     when we have taken it, at the hour of incense, and lastly, when we
+     retire to rest. He probably alludes to private prayer. The stanza
+     here indicates that the second hour after midday has arrived, when
+     the fasting ended and the midday meal was taken.
+
+14     The word _festum_, as in vii. 4, indicates a special fast day.
+     Until the sixth century, fasting was simply a penitential discipline
+     and was not used as a particular mode of penance. In the fourth
+     century it was a fairly common practice as a preparation for Holy
+     Communion. Fasting before Baptism was a much earlier practice.
+     The stated fasts of the Western Church were (1) _annual_, that
+     is, ante-paschal or Lent; (2) _monthly_, or the fasts of the four
+     seasons in the 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th months; (3) _weekly_, on
+     Wednesday and Friday. There was also the fast of the Rogations and
+     the Vigils or Eves of holy days. It is doubtful whether all these
+     were in vogue as early as Prudentius.
+
+33     This passage on the Shepherd reminds us of one of the most common
+     pictorial representations of the Catacombs. Christian art owed
+     something to paganism in this matter; ancient sculptures represent
+     the god Pan with a goat thrown across his shoulders and a Pan's
+     pipe in his hand; while the poets Calpurnius and Tibullus both
+     refer to the custom of carrying a stray or neglected lamb on the
+     shoulders of the shepherd. Going further back, the figure is common
+     in the O. T. to express God's care over His people. Our Lord
+     therefore used for His own purpose and transfigured with new
+     meaning a familiar figure. The gradual transition from paganism
+     to Christianity is curiously illustrated by the fact that in several
+     of the Catacomb bas-reliefs and paintings the Good Shepherd holds in
+     His outstretched hand a Pan's pipe. See Maitland's _Church in the
+     Catacombs_, p. 315, for a woodcut of the Good Shepherd with a lamb
+     over His shoulders, two sheep at His feet, a palm tree (or poplar)
+     on either side, and a Pan's pipe in His right hand; and also the
+     frontispiece for a reproduction from the Cemetery of St. Peter and
+     St. Marcellinus.
+
+
+                                 IX
+
+1     This hymn, which first introduced into sacred song the trochaic
+     metre familiar in Greek Tragedy and the Latin adaptations of it,
+     supplies the Moz. Brev. with some stanzas for use during Holy Week.
+     The lines selected are 22-24, 1-21.
+
+11     The use of the symbol _O_, (pronounced here as a single
+     syllable), appears to indicate that the names Omega and Omikron
+     came into use at a later date than Prudentius' time. In Rev. i. 8,
+     the best MSS. read _ego eimi to alpha kai to o_.
+
+33     The words _vulnerum piamina_ are generally supposed to refer to
+     the "gifts which Moses commanded" to be offered by those healed of
+     leprosy (Lev. xiv. 2). If so, Prudentius' language may imply that
+     the cure was not actually complete until the offering of these gifts,
+     and is at variance with St. Matthew, viii. 43, "and forthwith his
+     leprosy was cleansed." Probably, however, his idea is rather that
+     the gifts to the priest formally marked the leper as a clean man.
+
+71     Cf. note on iii. 199.
+
+
+                                 X
+
+1     Parts of this hymn are used in the Moz. Brev. in the Office of the
+     Dead, being ll. 1-16, 45-48, 57-68, 157-168.
+
+     The burial rites of the primitive Church were simple, and marked by
+     an absence of the ostentatious expression of grief which the pagan
+     peoples displayed. The general practice of cremation was rejected,
+     partly owing to the new belief in the resurrection of the body, and
+     partly from a desire to imitate the burial of the Lord. At Rome,
+     during the first three centuries, the dead were laid in the
+     Catacombs, in which Prudentius took conspicuous interest (see
+     Translator's Note), but after 338 A.D. this practice became less
+     frequent, and was completely abandoned after 410 A.D. Elsewhere,
+     from the earliest times, the Christians purchased special enclosures
+     (_areae_), which were often attacked and rifled by angry mobs in the
+     days of persecution. The body was frequently embalmed (_cf._ ll. 51,
+     52), swathed in white linen (l. 49), and placed in a coffin; vigils
+     and hymns continued for three or four days, but hired mourners were
+     forbidden (l. 113), and instead of the dirges of the heathens,
+     chants expressive of triumphant faith were sung as the body was
+     carried to the grave, where a simple service was held, and evergreens
+     and flowers were strewn about the tomb (ll. 169, 170). The earliest
+     inscriptions are often roughly scratched on plaster, and consist
+     merely of a name and age, or simple words like--
+
+          GEMELLA DORMIT IN PACE
+
+     but later (cf. l. 171), they were engraved on small marble slabs.
+
+25     In both thought and language this stanza, as vii. 16 _et seq._, is
+     evidently reminiscent of Horace (_Sat._ 2, ii. 77): _Quin corpus
+     onustum_, etc.
+
+          "The Body, too, with Yesterday's excess
+          Burthened and tired, shall the pure Soul depress,
+          Weigh down this Portion of celestial Birth,
+          This Breath of God, and fix it to the Earth."
+                        (Francis).
+
+51     Boldetti, in his work on the Catacombs (lib. i. cap. 59), says
+     that on many occasions, when he was present at the opening of a
+     grave, the assembled company were conscious of a spicy odour
+     diffusing itself from the tomb. Cf. Tertullian (_Apol._ 42): "The
+     Arabs and Sabaeans knew well that we consume more of their precious
+     merchandise for our dead than do the heathen for their gods."
+
+57     Prudentius' firm faith in the resurrection of the body is also
+     nobly expressed in the _Apotheosis_ (ll. 1063 _et seq._):--
+
+          "_Nosco meum in Christo corpus resurgere; quid me
+          Desperare iubes? veniam, quibus ille revenit
+          Calcata de morte viis: quod credimus hoc est._
+
+            *       *       *       *       *
+
+          _Pellite corde metum, mea membra, et credite vosmet
+          Cum Christo reditura Deo; nam vos gerit ille
+          Et secum revocat: morbos ridete minaces:
+          Inflictos casus contemnite; tetra sepulcra
+          Despuite; exsurgens quo Christus provocat, ite._"
+
+                         _Translation._
+
+          "I know in Christ my body shall arise;
+          Why bid me, then, despair? for I shall go
+          By that same path whereby my Lord returned,
+          Death trodden 'neath His feet: this is my creed.
+          Banish, my limbs, all terror; and believe
+          That ye with Christ our God shall yet return;
+          He beareth you and with Himself recalls.
+          Laugh at the threats of sickness; scorn the blows
+          Of fate; despise the horrors of the tomb;
+          And fare ye where the risen Christ doth call."
+
+61     The poet expresses as a duty owed to Christ Himself the heathen
+     obligation of casting three handfuls of earth upon a body discovered
+     dead.
+
+69     For the incident referred to in these lines, see the Apocryphal
+     book of Tobias, cc. ii. and xi. Tobit, a pious Israelite captive
+     in Nineveh, was reduced to beggary as the result of his zeal in
+     burying those of his countrymen who had been killed and exposed by
+     royal command. He also lost his sight, which was eventually restored
+     by the application of the gall of a fish which attacked his son
+     Tobias, and was killed by him. The "fish" of the legend is probably
+     the crocodile, whose gall was credited with medicinal properties by
+     various Greek and Latin writers. Cf. Pliny, _N. H._ xxviii. 8: "They
+     say that nothing avails more against cataract than to anoint the eyes
+     with its gall mixed with honey."
+
+113     Cf. Cyprian (_De Mortal._ 20): "We must not lament our brethren
+     whom the Lord's summons has freed from the world, for we know that
+     they are not lost, but gone before. We may not wear the black robes
+     of mourning while they have put on the white raiment of joy. Nor
+     may we grieve for those as lost whom we know to be living with God."
+
+171     Cf. _Perist._ vii.:--
+
+          "_Nos pio fletu, date, perluamus
+          Marmorum sulcos._"
+
+     The early Christian epitaphs, of which many thousands exist, are
+     instinct with a faith which is in striking contrast to the unrelieved
+     gloom or sullen resignation of paganism. We may compare with the
+     common
+
+          AVE ATQVE VALE
+
+          "Hail and farewell"
+
+     or inscriptions like
+
+          INFANTI DVLCISSIMO QVEM DI IRATI AETERNO SOMNO DEDERUNT
+
+          "To a very sweet babe, whom the angry gods gave to unending
+          sleep."
+
+     the Christian
+
+         DVLCIS ET INNOCENS HIC DORMIT SEVERIANVS SOMNO PACIS CVIVS
+         SPIRITVS IN LVCE DOMINI SVSCEPTVS EST   (A.D. 393)
+
+         "Here slumbers in the sleep of peace the sweet and innocent
+         Severianus, whose spirit is received in the light of the Lord"
+
+     or
+
+         NATVS EST LAVRENTIVS IN ETERNVM ANN. XX. DORMIT IN PACE (A.D. 329)
+
+         "Laurentius was born into eternity in his twentieth year. He
+         sleeps in peace."
+
+     See also note on iii. 205.
+
+
+                                 XI
+
+1     Virgil's Fourth Eclogue known as the "Pollio" has undoubtedly
+     influenced the thought and style of this poem: the more noticeable
+     parallels will be pointed out as they occur. In Milton's ode _On
+     the Morning of Christ's Nativity_ there are several passages which
+     recall Prudentius' treatment of the theme in this and the succeeding
+     hymn; but curiously enough, the Puritan poet in alluding to the
+     season of the Nativity takes an opposite line of thought, and
+     regards the diminished sunshine of winter as a veiling of an inferior
+     flame before the light of "a greater Sun." Prudentius proclaims the
+     increase of the sun's light, which begins after the winter solstice,
+     as symbolic of the ever-widening influence of the True Light. The
+     idea is given in a terse form by St. Peter Chrysologus, _Serm._ 159:
+     _Crescere dies coepit, quia verus dies illuxit_. "The day begins to
+     lengthen out, inasmuch as the true Day hath shone forth."
+
+18     For the somewhat obscure phrase _verbo editus_, see note on iii. 2.
+
+20     For "Sophia" or the Divine Creative Wisdom, see Prov. iii. 19, 20,
+     and especially viii. 27-31, where the language "has been of signal
+     importance in the history of thought, helping, as it does, to make
+     a bridge between Eastern and Greek ideas, and to prepare the way
+     for the Incarnation" (Davison, _Wisdom-Literature of the O. T._, pp.
+     5, 6). In Alexandrian theology the conception of God's transcendence
+     gave rise to the doctrine of an intermediate power or _logos_, by
+     which creation was effected. In the Prologue of the fourth Gospel
+     the idea was set forth in its purely Christian form. See 1, 3, where
+     the Logos or the pre-incarnate Christ is described as the maker of
+     all things--an idea which is also illustrated by the language of St.
+     Paul in such passages as Col. i. 6.
+
+59     Cf. for the conception of a golden age, Virg., _Ecl._, iv. 5
+     _et seq._: _Magnus ab integro saeclorum nascitur ordo_, etc.
+
+65     Reminiscences of ancient prophecy appear to be embodied in this
+     and following lines. Cf. Joel iii. 18: "And it shall come to pass
+     in that day that the mountains shall drop down sweet wine and the
+     hills shall flow with milk." Amos ix. 13: "The mountains shall drop
+     sweet wine and all the hills shall melt." But cf. especially Virg.,
+     _Ecl._, iv. 18-30: _At tibi prima, puer, nullo munuscula cultu_, etc.
+
+          "Unbidden earth shall wreathing ivy bring,
+          And fragrant herbs (the promises of spring)
+          As her first off'rings to her infant king.
+
+            *       *       *       *       *
+
+          Unlaboured harvest shall the fields adorn,
+          And clustered grapes shall blush on every thorn;
+          The knotted oaks shall showers of honey weep,
+          And through the matted grass the liquid gold shall creep."
+                        (Dryden's Trans.)
+
+81     The legend of the ox and ass adoring our Lord arose from an
+     allegorical interpretation of Isa. i. 3: "The ox knoweth his owner,
+     the ass his master's crib." Origen (_Homilies on St. Luke_ xiii.)
+     is the first to allegorise on the passage in Isaiah, where the word
+     for "crib" in the Greek translation of the O. T. is identical with
+     St. Luke's word for "manger" (_phatne_). After referring to the
+     circumstances of the Nativity, Origen proceeds to say: "That was
+     what the prophet foretold, saying, 'The ox knoweth,' etc. The Ox is
+     a clean animal: the Ass an unclean one. The Ass knew his master's
+     crib (_praesepe domini sui_): not the people of Israel, but the
+     unclean animal out of pagan nations knew its master's crib. 'But
+     Israel hath not known me: and my people hath not understood.' Let us
+     understand this and press forward to the crib, recognise the Master
+     and be made worthy of his knowledge." The thought that the Ox = the
+     Jews and the Ass = Pagans, reappears in Gregory Nazianzen, Ambrose
+     and Jerome. See an interesting article by Mr. Austin West (_Ox and
+     Ass Legend of the Nativity_. _Cont. Review_, Dec. 1903), who notes
+     the further impetus given to the legend by the Latin rendering of
+     Habb. iii. 2 (LXX.) which in the _Vetus Itala_ version appears as
+     "in medio duorum animalium in notesceris," "in the midst of two
+     animals shalt thou be known" (R.V., _in the midst of the years make
+     it known_). The legend does not appear in apocryphal Christian
+     literature earlier than in the _Pseudo-Matthew Gospel_, which
+     belongs to the later fifth century. It is interesting to note that
+     with St. Francis and the Franciscans the ox and the ass are merely
+     animals: the allegorical interpretation of Origen had vanished from
+     Christendom: and in its place we find St. Francis (see _Life of St.
+     Francis_ by St. Bonaventura, "Temple Classics" edition, p. 111)
+     making a _presepio_ at Greccio, to which a living ox and ass are
+     brought, in order that a visible representation of the manger-scene
+     might kindle the devotion of the Brethren and the assembled
+     townsfolk. This act of St. Francis inaugurated the custom, still
+     observed in the Roman Church, of representing by means of waxen
+     images the whole of the Nativity manger-scene, Mother and Child
+     together with the adoring animals.
+
+97     For the _obstetrix_, cf. _Proto-Evangelium of the Pseudo-James_ (a
+     Greek romance of the fourth century), Sec. 18 _et seq._, where Joseph
+     is represented as seeking and finding a Hebrew midwife.
+
+100    Cf. Milton's _Ode on the Nativity_, ll. 157-164:--
+
+          "With such a horrid clang
+          As on Mount Sinai rang
+            While the red fire and smould'ring clouds outbrake:
+          The aged earth aghast
+          With terror of that blast,
+            Shall from the surface to the centre shake;
+          When at the world's last session
+          The dreadful Judge in middle air shall spread his throne."
+
+
+                                XII
+
+1     This poem has given four hymns to the Roman Breviary:--
+     (1) For the Feast of the Transfiguration, Vespers and Matins
+     consisting of ll. 1-4, 37-40, 41-44, 85-88.
+     (2) For the Epiphany at Lauds, beginning _O sola magnarum urbium_,
+     ll. 77-80, 5-8, 61-72.
+     (3) For the Feast of Holy Innocents at Matins, beginning _Audit
+     tyrannus anxius_, ll. 93-100, 133-136.
+     (4) Also the Feast of Holy Innocents at Lauds, beginning _Salvete
+     flores martyrum_, ll. 125-132.
+
+5     For a curious parallel to these opening lines see Henry Vaughan's
+     _Pious Thoughts and Ejaculations_ (the Nativity):--
+
+          "But stay! what light is that doth stream
+          And drop here in a gilded beam?
+          It is Thy star runs Page and brings
+          Thy tributary Eastern kings.
+          Lord! grant some light to us that we
+          May find with them the way to Thee!"
+
+12     Cf. Ignatius, _Ep. ad Ephes. xix._: "All the other stars, together
+     with the Sun and Moon, became a chorus to the Star, which in its
+     light excelled them all."
+
+15     Prudentius mentions the constellations of Ursa Major and Ursa
+     Minor (to which latter the Pole Star belongs) as examples of stars
+     in constant apparition. All the Little Bear stars are within about
+     24 deg. from the Pole; hence, if viewed from Saragossa, the birthplace
+     of Prudentius, the lowest altitude of any of them would be 18 deg.
+     above the north horizon. The same applies to the majority of the
+     stars in the Great Bear. Some few would sink below the horizon
+     for a brief time in each twenty-four hours; but the greater number,
+     especially the seven principal stars known as the "Plough," would
+     be sufficiently high up at their lowest northern altitudes to be in
+     perpetual apparition. [My friend, Rev. R. Killip, F.R.A.S., has
+     kindly furnished me with these particulars.] Allusions to the Bears
+     are constantly recurring in the classical poets (cf. _e.g._ Ovid.,
+     _Met._ xiii. 293, _immunemque aequoris Arcton_, "the Bear that never
+     touches the sea"). The idea that these stars are mostly hidden by
+     clouds, though perpetually in view, is a poetic hyperbole intended
+     to enhance the uniqueness of the Star of Bethlehem.
+
+49     Jerome (_ad Eustoch._ Ep. 22) commenting on the passage in Isa.
+     xi. 1, "And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse,
+     and a flower shall rise up out of his root" (Vulg.), remarks: "The
+     rod (_virga_) is the mother of the Lord, simple, pure, sincere ...
+     the flower of the rod is Christ, who saith, 'I am the flower of the
+     field and the lily of the valleys.'"
+
+69     This symbolism of the gifts of the Magi is also found in Juvencus
+     (I. 250): "Frankincense, gold and myrrh they bring as gifts to a
+     King, a Man and a God," and is again alluded to by Prudentius in
+     _Apoth._ 631 _et seq._ The idea is expressed in the hymn of Jacopone
+     da Todi, beginning _Verbum caro factum est_ (Mone, _Hymni Latini_,
+     Vol. 2):
+
+          "Gold to the kingly,
+          Incense to the priestly,
+          Myrrh to the mortal:"
+
+     and it has passed into the Office for Epiphany in the Roman Breviary:
+     "There are three precious gifts which the Magi offered to their Lord
+     that day, and they contain in themselves sacred mysteries: in the
+     gold, that the power of a king may be displayed: in the frankincense,
+     consider the great high priest: in the myrrh, the burial of the Lord"
+     _et passim_.
+
+172     The idea that Moses defeated the Amalekites because his arms were
+     outstretched in the form of a cross is found also in one of the hymns
+     (lxi.) of Gregory Nazianzen. The symbol of the Christian religion,
+     the cross, "was fancifully traced by the Fathers throughout the
+     universe: the four points of the compass, the 'height, breadth,
+     length and depth' of the Apostle expressed, or were expressed by,
+     the cross.... The cross explained everything" (Maitland, _Church in
+     the Catacombs_, p. 202).
+
+193     The discomfiture of the heathen gods wrought by the Incarnation
+     is elaborated by Milton, whose lines recall this and similar passages
+     in Prudentius:--
+
+          "Peor, and Baaelim
+          Forsake their temples dim
+
+            *       *       *       *       *
+
+          And sullen Moloch fled,
+          Hath left in shadows dread,
+            His burning idol all of blackest hue.
+
+          Our Babe, to show his Godhead true,
+          Can in his swaddling bands control the damned crew."
+
+
+
+                               FINIS
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Hymns of Prudentius
+by Aurelius Clemens Prudentius
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