The Medieval Latin Hymn

4. They through the fields of Paradise that roam,

The blessed ones, repeat that bright home

Alleluia.

5. Quin et astrorum

micantia luminaria

iubilant altum

Alleluia.

5. The planets glitt’ring on their heavenly way,

The shining constellations, join, and say

Alleluia.

6. Nubium cursus,

ventorum volatus,

fulgurum coruscatio

et tonitruum sonitus

dulce consonent simul

Alleluia.

6. Ye clouds that onward sweep!

Ye winds on pinions light!

Ye thunders, echoing loud and deep!

Ye lightnings, wildly bright!

In sweet consent unite your

Alleluia.

7. Fluctus et undae,

imber et procellae,

tempestas et serenitas,

cauma, gelu, nix, pruinae,

saltus, nemora pangant

Alleluia.

7. Ye floods and ocean billows!

Ye storms and winter snow!

Ye days of cloudless beauty!

Hoar frost and summer glow!

Ye groves that wave in spring,

And glorious forests, sing

Alleluia.

8. Hinc, variae volucres,

creatorem

laudibus concinite cum

Alleluia.

8. First let the birds, with painted plummage gay,

Exalt their great Creator’s praise, and say

Alleluia.

9. Ast illinc respondeant

voces altae

diversarum bestiarum

Alleluia.

9. Then let the beasts of earth, with varying strain,

Join in Creation’s Hymn, and cry again

Alleluia.

10. Istinc montium

celsi vertices sonent

Alleluia.

10. Here let the mountains thunder forth, sonorous,

Alleluia

There let the valleys sing in gentler chorus,

Alleluia.

11. Illinc vallium

profunditates saltent

Alleluia.

11. Thou jubilant abyss of ocean, cry

Alleluia.

Ye tracts of earth and continents, reply

Alleluia.

12. Tu quoque, maris

iubilans abysse, dic

Alleluia.

12. To God, Who all Creation made,

The frequent hymn be duly paid:

Alleluia.

13. Necnon terrarum

molis immensitates:

Alleluia.

13. This is the strain, the eternal strain, the Lord of all things loves:

Alleluia.

This is the song, the heav’nly song, that Christ Himself approves:

Alleluia.

14. Nunc omne genus

humanum laudans exsultet

Alleluia.

14. Wherefore we sing, both heart and voice awaking,

Alleluia.

And children’s voices echo, answer making,

Alleluia.

15. Et creatori

grates frequentans consonet

Alleluia.

15. Now from all men be outpour’d

Alleluia to the Lord;

With Alleluia evermore

The Son and Spirit we adore.

16. Hoc denique nomen audire

iugiter delectatur

Alleluia.

16. Praise be done to Three in One.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

17. Hoc etiam carmen caeleste

comprobat ipse Christus

Alleluia.

18. Nunc vos, O socii,

cantate laetantes

Alleluia.

19. Et vos, pueruli,

respondete semper

Alleluia.

20. Nunc omnes canite simul

Alleluia Domino,

Alleluia Christo

Pneumatique Alleluia.

21. Laus trinitati aeternae:

Alleluia, Alleluia,

Alleluia, Alleluia,

Alleluia, Alleluia.

1. Heri mundus exultavit,

Et exultans celebravit

Christi natalitia:

Heri chorus angelorum

Prosecutus est caelorum

Regem cum laetitia.

1. Yesterday, with exultation

Joined the world in celebration

Of her promis’d Saviour’s birth;

Yesterday the Angel nation

Pour’d the strains of jubilation

O’er the Monarch born on earth.

2. Protomartyr et Levita,

Clarus fide, clarus vita,

Clarus et miraculis,

Sub hac luce triumphavit,

Et triumphans insultavit

Stephanus incredulis.

2. But to-day, o’er death victorious,

By His faith and actions glorious,

By His miracles renown’d,

Dared the Deacon Protomartyr

Earthly life for Heav’n to barter,

Faithful midst the faithless found.

3. Fremunt ergo tanquam ferae,

Quia victi defecere

Lucis victi adversarii:

Falsos testes statuunt,

Et linguas exacuunt

Viperarum filii.

3. In a hopeless strife engaging,

They like savage beasts are raging,

Adversaries of the light;

False the witnesses they set;

Tongues like swords the rabble whet,

Viper brood of darkest night.

4. Agonista, nulli cede;

Certa certus de mercede,

Perservera, Stephane:

Insta falsis testibus,

Confuta sermonibus

Synagogam Satanae.

4. Forward, champion, in thy quarrel!

Certain of a certain laurel,

Holy Stephen, persevere!

Perjur’d witnesses confounding

Satan’s Synagogue astounding

By thy doctrine true and clear.

5. Testis tuus est in caelis,

Testis verax et fidelis,

Testis innocentiae.

Nomen habes coronati,

Te tormenta decet pati

Pro corona gloriae.

5. Lo! in Heaven thy Witness liveth:

Bright and faithful proof He giveth

Of His Martyr’s blamelessness:

Thou by name a Crown impliest;

Meetly then in pangs thou diest

For the Crown of Righteousness!

6. Pro corona non marcenti

Perfer brevis vim tormenti,

Te manet victoria.

Tibi fiet mors, natalis,

Tibi poena terminalis

Dat vitae primordia.

6. For a crown that fadeth never,

Bear the torturer’s brief endeavour;

Victory waits to end the strife:

Death shall be thy birth’s beginning,

And life’s losing be the winning

Of the true and better Life.

7. Plenus Sancto Spiritu

Penetrat intuitu

Stephanus caelestia.

Videns Dei gloriam

Crescit ad victoriam,

Suspirat ad praemia.

7. Whom the Holy Ghost endueth,

Whom celestial sight embueth,

Stephen penetrates the skies;

There God’s fullest glory viewing

There his victor strength renewing

For his near reward he sighs.

8. En a dextris Dei stantem

Iesum, pro te dimicantem,

Stephane, considera.

Tibi caelos reserari,

Tibi Christum revelari

Clama voce libera.

8. See, as Jewish foes invade thee,

See how Jesus stands to aid thee!

Stands to guard His champion’s death:

Cry that opened Heaven is shown thee:

Cry that Jesus waits to own thee:

Cry it with thy latest breath!

9. Se commendat Salvatori,

Pro quo dulce ducit mori

Sub ipsis lapidibus.

Saulus servat omnium

Vestes lapidantium,

Lapidans in omnibus.

9. On his Saviour’s aid relying,

Sweet to him the pain of dying,

’Neath the fearful rain of stone:

Paul amidst the stoning throng,

Guarding garments, makes the wrong

Of the angry Jews his own.

10. Ne peccatum statuatur

His, a quibus lapidatur,

Genu ponit et precatur,

Condolens insaniae:

In Christo sic obdormivit,

Qui Christo sic obedivit,

Et cum Christo semper vivit,

Martyrum primitiae.

10. As the dying Martyr kneeleth,

For his murderers he appealeth,

And his prayer their pardon sealeth,

For their madness grieving sore;

Then in Christ he sleepeth sweetly,

Who His pattern kept completely,

Martyr first-fruits, evermore!

Tr. John Mason Neale, Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences, London. Masters, 1867, p. 134.

St. 3, tr. Stephen A. Hurlbut. Quoted by permission of author. Stanzas 11, 12 omitted.

1. Ad perennis vitae fontem mens sitivit arida;

Claustra carnis praesto frangi clausa quaerit anima:

Gliscit, ambit, eluctatur exul frui patria.

1. To the fount of life eternal cries the soul with longing thirst,

And the spirit, flesh-imprisoned, seeks the bars of flesh to burst;

Strives to gain that heavenly country, exiled now and sin-accurst.

2. Dum pressuris ac aerumnis se gemit obnoxiam,

Quam amisit, dum deliquit, contemplatur gloriam,

Praesens malum auget boni perditi memoriam.

2. Sore beset with care and danger, groans the spirit for release,

Still beholds, though lost in Eden, glory forfeited and peace;

Former good, in memory dwelling, doth the present ill increase.

3. Nam quis promat summae pacis quanta sit laetitia,

Ubi vivis margaritis surgunt aedificia,

Auro celsa micant tecta, radiant triclinia?

3. Who can tell how great the joy of that Peace surpassing all,

Where of living pearls constructed rise the stately buildings tall,

Where with gold the rooftree glitters, shines with gold the banquet-hall.

4. Solis gemmis pretiosis haec structura nectitur;

Auro mundo, tamquam vitro, urbis via sternitur;

Abest limus, deest fimus, lues nulla cernitur.

4. All of precious stones compacted rise those structures of delight;

Purest gold as crystal shining paves the heavenly city bright;

Never mire nor filth defiling stains the streets of radiant light.

5. Hiems horrens, aestas torrens illic numquam saeviunt;

Flos perpetuus rosarum ver agit perpetuum;

Candent lilia, rubescit crocus, sudat balsamum.

5. Chilling winter, burning summer, neither rages in that land,

But the crimson bloom of roses doth an endless spring demand;

White the lilies, red the crocus, fragrant doth the balsam stand.

6. Virent prata, vernant sata, rivi mellis influunt;

Pigmentorum spirat odor, liquor et aromatum;

Pendent poma floridorum non lapsura nemorum.

6. Green the pastures, flower-besprinkled, fed by streams with honey filled;

All the air is sweet with incense from the odorous herbs distilled;

Never fails the ripened fruitage, nor is bloom by winter chilled.

7. Non alternat luna vices, sol, vel cursus siderum;

Agnus est felicis urbis lumen inocciduum;

Nox et tempus desunt ei, diem fert continuum.

7. Waxeth not the moon nor waneth, need not sun or stars to be,

But the Lamb in that blest city shines a Sun eternally;

There the daylight is unbroken, night and time have ceased to be.

8. Nam et sancti quique velut sol praeclarus rutilant;

Post triumphum coronati mutuo coniubilant,

Et prostrati pugnas hostis iam securi numerant.

8. Shine the blessed with a splendor like the splendor of the sun;

Crowned in triumph stand they singing that the race of life is run;

Now secure, they count the glories of the contest they have won.

9. Omni labe defaecati carnis bella nesciunt,

Caro facta spiritalis et mens unum sentiunt;

Pace multa perfruentes scandalum non perferunt.

9. Cleansed from every stain of evil, they from carnal strife are free;

Flesh made spirit, with the spirit doth for evermore agree,

There, released from all temptation, they shall Peace unbroken see.

20. Probes vires inexhausto laboranti proelio,

Nec quietem post procinctum deneges emerito,

Te que merear potiri sine fine praemio!

20. Strength supply, in heat or conflict, ceaseless struggle to maintain;

Grant thy servant, warfare ended, well-deserved rest to gain;

Grant that I, Thyself deserving, may Thyself as prize attain!

1. Lauda, Sion, Salvatorem,

Lauda ducem et pastorem

In hymnis et canticis:

Quantum potes, tantum aude,

Quia maior omni laude,

Nec laudare sufficis.

1. Praise, O Sion, praise thy Saviour,

Shepherd, Prince, with glad behavior,

Praise in hymn and canticle:

Sing His glory without measure,

For the merit of your treasure

Never shall your praises fill.

2. Laudis thema specialis,

Panis vivus et vitalis

Hodie proponitur;

Quem in sacrae mensa cenae

Turbae fratrum duodenae

Datum non ambigitur.

2. Wondrous theme of mortal singing,

Living bread and bread life-bringing,

Sing we on this joyful day:

At the Lord’s own table given

To the twelve as bread from heaven,

Doubting not we firmly say.

3. Sit laus plena, sit sonora

Sit iucunda, sit decora

Mentis iubilatio:

Namque dies est sollemnis

Qua recolitur perennis

Mensae institutio.

3. Sing His praise with voice sonorous;

Every heart shall hear the chorus

Swell in melody sublime:

For this day the Shepherd gave us

Flesh and blood to feed and save us,

Lasting to the end of time.

4. In hac mensa novi Regis

Novum pascha novae legis

Phase vetus terminat:

Iam vetustas novitati,

Umbra cedit veritati,

Noctem lux eliminat.

4. At the new King’s sacred table,

The new law’s new pasch is able

To succeed the ancient rite:

Old to new its place hath given,

Truth has far the shadows driven,

Darkness flees before the Light.

5. Quod in cena Christus gessit,

Faciendum hoc expressit

In sui memoriam:

Docti sacris institutis,

Panem, vinum in salutis

Consecramus hostiam.

5. And as He hath done and planned it—

“Do this”—hear His love command it,

“For a memory of me.”

Learnèd, Lord, in thy own science,

Bread and wine, in sweet compliance,

As a Host we offer Thee.

6. Dogma datur Christianis,

Quod in carnem transit panis,

Et vinum in sanguinem:

Quod non capis, quod non vides,

Animosa firmat fides,

Praeter rerum ordinem.

6. Thus in faith the Christian heareth:

That Christ’s flesh as bread appeareth,

And as wine His precious blood:

Though we feel it not nor see it,

Living faith that doth decree it

All defects of sense makes good.

7. Sub diversis speciebus,

Signis tamen et non rebus,

Latent res eximiae:

Caro cibus, sanguis potus,

Manet tamen Christus totus

Sub utraque specie.

7. Lo! beneath the species dual

(Signs not things), is hid a jewel

Far beyond creation’s reach!

Though His flesh as food abideth,

And His blood as drink—He hideth

Undivided under each.

8. A sumente non concisus,

Non confractus, non divisus,

Integer accipitur:

Sumit unus, sumunt mille,

Quantum isti, tantum ille,

Nec sumptus consumitur.

8. Whoso eateth it can never

Break the Body, rend or sever;

Christ entire our hearts doth fill:

Thousands eat the bread of heaven,

Yet as much to one is given:

Christ, though eaten, bideth still.

9. Sumunt boni, sumunt mali,

Sorte tamen inaequali

Vitae, vel interitus:

Mors est malis, vita bonis:

Vide, paris sumptionis

Quam sit dispar exitus!

9. Good and bad, they come to greet Him:

Unto life the former eat Him,

And the latter unto death;

These find death and those find heaven;

See, from the same life-seed given,

How the harvest differeth!

10. Fracto demum sacramento

Ne vacilles, sed memento

Tantum esse sub fragmento,

Quantum toto tegitur;

Nulla rei fit scissura,

Signi tantum fit fractura,

Qua nec status, nec statura

Signati minuitur.

10. When at last the bread is broken,

Doubt not what the Lord hath spoken:

In each part the same love-token,

The same Christ, our hearts adore:

For no power the thing divideth—

’Tis the symbols He provideth,

While the Saviour still abideth

Undiminished as before.

11. Ecce, panis angelorum

Factus cibus viatorum,

Vere panis filiorum,

Non mittendus canibus;

In figuris praesignatur,

Cum Isaac immolatur,

Agnus paschae deputatur,

Datur manna patribus.

11. Hail, angelic bread of heaven,

Now the pilgrim’s hoping-leaven,

Yea, the bread to children given

That to dogs must not be thrown:

In the figures contemplated,

’Twas with Isaac immolated,

By the Lamb ’twas antedated,

In the manna it was known.

12. Bone pastor, panis vere,

Iesu, nostri miserere,

Tu nos pasce, nos tuere,

Tu nos bona fac videre

In terra viventium.

Tu qui cuncta scis et vales,

Qui nos pascis hic mortales,

Tuos ibi commensales,

Cohaeredes et sodales

Fac sanctorum civium.

12, O Good Shepherd, still confessing

Love, in spite of our transgressing,—

Here Thy blessed food possessing,

Make us share Thine every blessing

In the land of life and love:

Thou, whose power hath all completed

And Thy flesh as food hath meted,

Make us, at Thy table seated,

By Thy saints, as friends be greeted,

In Thy paradise above.

1. Stabat mater dolorosa

Iuxta crucem lacrimosa,

Dum pendebat filius,

Cuius animam gementem,

Contristantem et dolentem

Pertransivit gladius.

1. By the Cross her vigil keeping

Stands the Queen of sorrows weeping,

While her son in torment hangs;

Now she feels—O heart afflicted

By the sword of old predicted!—

More than all a mother’s pangs.

2. O quam tristis et afflicta

Fuit illa benedicta

Mater unigeniti,

Quae maerebat et dolebat

Et tremebat, dum videbat

Nati poenas inclyti.

2. Sad and heavy stands beside him

She who once had magnified him

One—begotten, only—born;

While she sees that rich atoning,

Long the moaning, deep the groaning

Of her mother—heart forlorn.

3. Quis est homo, qui non fleret,

Matrem Christi si videret,

In tanto supplicio?

Quis non posset contristari,

Piam matrem contemplari

Dolentem cum filio?

3. Who Christ’s Mother contemplating

In such bitter anguish waiting,

Has no human tears to shed?

Who would leave Christ’s Mother, sharing

All the pain her Son is bearing,

By those tears uncomforted?

4. Pro peccatis suae gentis

Vidit Iesum in tormentis

Et flagellis subditum;

Vidit suum dulcem natum

Morientem, desolatum,

Dum emisit spiritum.

4. Victim-priest of Jewry’s nation,

There he hangs in expiation;

Scourge and nail have had their will;

Earth and heaven his cause forsaking,

Now his noble heart is breaking,

Now the labouring breath is still.

5. Eia mater, fons amoris,

Me sentire vim doloris

Fac, ut tecum lugeam;

Fac, ut ardeat cor meum

In amando Christum Deum,

Ut sibi complaceam.

5. Mother, fount whence love flows truest,

Let me know the pain thou knewest,

Let me weep as thou hast wept;

Love divine within me burning,

That diviner love returning,

May thy Son this heart accept.

6. Sancta mater, istud agas,

Crucifixi fige plagas

Cordi meo valide;

Tui nati vulnerati,

Tam dignati pro me pati,

Poenas mecum divide.

6. Mother, if my prayer be granted,

Those five wounds of his implanted

In my breast I fain would see;

Love exceeding hangs there bleeding,

My cause pleading, my love needing—

Bid him share his cross with me.

7. Fac me vere tecum flere,

Crucifixo condolere,

Donec ego vixero;

Iuxta crucem tecum stare,

Te libenter sociare

In planctu desidero.

7. Till life fails, I would not fail him,

Still remember, still bewail him,

Born thy Son, and crucified;

By the cross my vigil keeping

I would spend those hours of weeping,

Queen of sorrows, at thy side.

8. Virgo virginum praeclara,

Mihi iam non sis amara,

Fac me tecum plangere;

Fac, ut portem Christi mortem,

Passionis fac consortem

Et plagas recolere.

8. Virgin, boast of all creation,

Heed my tears, nor consolation

In thy bitterness repel;

At thy side his livery wearing,

His cross bearing, his death sharing,

Of these wounds the beads I’ll tell.

9. Fac me plagis vulnerari,

Cruce hac inebriari,

Et cruore filii;

Inflammatus et accensus,

Per te, virgo, sim defensus

In die iudicii.

9. Wounds of Christ, in spirit bruise me,

Chalice of his blood, bemuse me,

Cross of Christ, be thou my stay!

Lest I burn in fires unending,

Sinless Maid, my cause befriending,

Shield me at the judgement day!

10. Fac me cruce custodiri,

Morte Christi praemuniri,

Confoveri gratia.

Quando corpus morietur,

Fac, ut animae donetur

Paradisi gloria.

10. Jesus, when earth’s shadows leave me,

Through thy Mother’s prayers receive me

With the palm of victory;

When my body lies forsaken

Let my ransomed soul awaken

Safe, in Paradise, with thee.

1. Salve, festa dies, toto venerabilis aevo,

Qua Deus infernum vicit et astra tenet.

1. Hail thee, Festival Day! blest day that art hallowed forever;

Day wherein Christ arose, breaking the kingdom of death.

2. Ecce, renascentis testatur gratia mundi

omnia cum Domino dona redisse suo.

2. Lo, the fair beauty of earth, from the death of winter arising,

Every good gift of the year now with its Master returns.

3. Qui crucifixus erat, Deus ecce per omnia regnat,

Dantque creatori cuncta creata precem.

3. He who was nailed to the cross is God and the ruler of all things;

All things created on earth worship the maker of all.

4. Pollicitam sed redde diem, precor, alma potestas,

Tertia lux rediit; surge, sepulte Deus.

4. God of all pity and power, let thy word be assured to the doubting;

Light on the third day returns: rise, Son of God, from the tomb!

5. Non decet ut humili tumulo tua membra tegantur,

Neu pretium mundi vilia saxa premant.

5. Ill doth it seem that thy limbs should linger in lowly dishonor,

Ransom and price of the world, veiled from the vision of men.

6. Indignum est cuius clauduntur cuncta pugillo,

Ut tegat inclusum rupe vetante lapis.

6. Ill it beseemeth that thou by whose hand all things are encompassed,

Captive and bound shouldst remain, deep in the gloom of the rock.

7. Lintea tolle, precor, sudaria linque sepulchro,

Tu satis es nobis, et sine te nihil est.

7. Rise now, O Lord, from the grave and cast off the shroud that enwrapped thee;

Thou art sufficient for us: nothing without thee exists.

8. Funeris exsequias pateris vitae auctor et orbis,

Intras mortis iter dando salutis opem.

8. Mourning they laid thee to rest, who art author of life and creation;

Treading the pathway of death, life thou bestowedst on man.

9. Redde tuam faciem, videant ut saecula lumen,

Redde diem, qui nos te moriente fugit.

9. Show us thy face once more, that the ages may joy in thy brightness;

Give us the light of day, darkened on earth at thy death.

10. Eripis innumerum populum de carcere mortis,

Et sequitur liber, quo suus auctor adit.

10. Out of the prison of death thou art rescuing numberless captives;

Freely they tread in the way whither their maker has gone.

11. Tristia cesserunt infernae vincula legis,

Expavitque chaos luminis ore premi.

11. Jesus has harrowed hell; he has led captivity captive:

Darkness and chaos and death flee from the face of the light.