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Hymnus Ad Galli Cantum

Author: Prudentius Hymnal: HPTMP #1L (1905) First Line: Ales diei nuntius Lyrics: Ales diei nuntius lucem propinquam nos excitator mentium iam Christus ad vitam vocat. Auferte, clamat, lectulos aegros, soporos, desides: castique recti ac sobrii vigilate, iam sum proximus. Post solis ortum fulgidi serum est cubile spernere, ni parte noctis addita tempus labori adieceris. Vox ista, qua strepunt aves stantes sub ipso culmine paulo ante quam lux emicet, nostri figura est iudicis. Tectos tenebris horridis stratisque opertos segnibus suadet quietem linquere iam iamque venturo die. Ut, cum coruscis flatibus aurora caelum sparserit, omnes labore exercitos confirmet ad spem luminis. Hic somnus ad tempus datus est forma mortis perpetis, peccata ceu nox horrida cogunt iacere ac stertere. Sed vox ab alto culmine Languages: Latin

Hymn at Cock-Crow

Author: R. Martin Pope; Prudentius Hymnal: HPTMP #1E (1905) First Line: Awake! the shining day is born! Lyrics: 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. Languages: English

Hymnus Matutinus

Author: Prudentius Hymnal: HPTMP #2L (1905) First Line: Nox et tenebrae et nubila Lyrics: Nox et tenebrae et nubila, confusa mundi et turbida, lux intrat, albescit polus, Christus venit, discedite. Caligo terrae scinditur percussa solis spiculo, rebusque iam color redit vultu nitentis sideris. Sic nostra mox obscuritas fraudisque pectus conscium ruptis retectum nubibus regnante pallescit Deo. Tunc non licebit claudere quod quisque fuscum cogitat, sed mane clarescent novo secreta mentis prodita. Fur ante lucem squalido inpune peccat tempore, sed lux dolis contraria latere furtum non sinit. Versuta fraus et callida amat tenebris obtegi, aptamque noctem turpibus adulter occultus fovet. Sol ecce surgit igneus, piget, pudescit, paenitet, nec teste quisquam lumine peccare constanter potest. Quis mane sumptis nequiter non erubescit poculis, cum fit libido temperans castumque nugator sapit? Nunc, nunc severum vivitur, nunc nemo tentat ludicrum, inepta nunc omnes sua vultu colorant serio. Haec hora cunctis utilis, qua quisque, quod studet, gerat, miles, togatus, navita, opifex, arator, institor. Illum forensis gloria, hunc triste raptat classicum, mercator hinc ac rusticus avara suspirant lucra. At nos lucelli ac faenoris fandique prorsus nescii, nec arte fortes bellica, te, Christe, solum novimus. Te mente pura et simplici, te voce, te cantu pio rogare curvato genu flendo et canendo discimus. His nos lucramur quaestibus, hac arte tantum vivimus, haec inchoamus munera, cum sol resurgens emicat. Intende nostris sensibus, vitamque totam dispice, sunt multa fucis inlita, quae luce purgentur tua. Durare nos tales iube, quales, remotis sordibus nitere pridem iusseras, Iordane tinctos flumine. Quodcumque nox mundi dehinc infecit atris nubibus, tu, rex Eoi sideris, vultu sereno inlumina. Tu sancte, qui taetram picem candore tingis lacteo ebenoque crystallum facis, delicta terge livida. Sub nocte Iacob caerula luctator audax angeli, eo usque dum lux surgeret, sudavit inpar praelium. Sed cum iubar claresceret, lapsante claudus poplite femurque victus debile culpae vigorem perdidit. Nutabat inguen saucium, quae corporis pars vilior longeque sub cordis loco diram fovet libidinem. Hae nos docent imagines, hominem tenebris obsitum, si forte non cedat Deo, vires rebellis perdere. Erit tamen beatior, intemperans membrum cui luctando claudum et tabidum dies oborta invenerit. Tandem facessat caecitas, quae nosmet in praeceps diu lapsos sinistris gressibus errore traxit devio. Haec lux serenum conferat purosque nos praestet sibi: nihil loquamur subdolum, volvamus obscurum nihil. Sic tota decurrat dies, ne lingua mendax, ne manus, oculive peccent lubrici, ne noxa corpus inquinet. Speculator adstat desuper, qui nos diebus omnibus actusque nostros prospicit a luce prima in vesperum. Hic testis, hic est arbiter, his intuetur quidquid est, humana quod mens concipit; hunc nemo fallit iudicem. Languages: Latin

Morning Hymn

Author: R. Martin Pope; Prudentius Hymnal: HPTMP #2E (1905) First Line: Ye clouds and darkness, hosts of night Lyrics: 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 soilëd 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. Languages: English

O crucifer bone, lucisator

Author: Prudentius Hymnal: HPTMP #3L (1905) Lyrics: O crucifer bone, lucisator, omniparens, pie, verbigena, edite corpore virgineo, sed prius in genitore potens, astra, solum, mare quam fierent: Huc nitido precor intuitu flecte salutiferam faciem, fronte serenus et inradia, nominis ut sub honore tui has epulas liceat capere. Te sine dulce nihil, Domine, nec iuvat ore quid adpetere, pocula ni prius atque cibos, Christe, tuus favor inbuerit omnia sanctificante fide. Fercula nostra Deum sapiant, Christus et influat in pateras: seria, ludicra, verba, iocos, denique quod sumus aut agimus, trina superne regat pietas. Hic mihi nulla rosae spolia, nullus aromate fragrat odor, sed liquor influit ambrosius nectareamque fidem redolet fusus ab usque Patris gremio. Sperne camena leves hederas, cingere tempora quis solita es, sertaque mystica dactylico texere docta liga strophio, laude Dei redimita comas. Quod generosa potest anima, lucis et aetheris indigena, solvere dignius obsequium, quam data munera si recinat artificem modulata suum? 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. Callidus inlaqueat volucres aut pedicis dolus aut maculis, inlita glutine corticeo vimina plumigeram seriem inpediunt et abire vetant. Ecce per aequora fluctivagos texta greges sinuosa trahunt: piscis item sequitur calamum raptus acumine vulnifico credula saucius ora cibo. Fundit opes ager ingenuas dives aristiferae segetis: his ubi vitea pampineo brachia palmite luxuriant, pacis alumna ubi baca viret. Haec opulentia Christicolis servit et omnia suppeditat: absit enim procul ilia fames, caedibus ut pecudum libeat sanguineas lacerare dapes. Sint fera gentibus indomitis prandia de nece quadrupedum: nos oleris coma, nos siliqua feta legumine multimodo paverit innocuis epulis. Spumea mulctra gerunt niveos ubere de gemino latices, perque coagula densa liquor in solidum coit et fragili lac tenerum premitur calatho. Mella recens mihi Cecropia nectare sudat olente favus: haec opifex apis aerio rore liquat tenuique thymo, nexilis inscia connubii. Hinc quoque pomiferi nemoris munera mitia proveniunt, arbor onus tremefacta suum deciduo gravis imbre pluit puniceosque iacit cumulos. Quae veterum tuba, quaeve lyra flatibus inclita vel fidibus divitis omnipotentis opus, quaeque fruenda patent homini laudibus aequiparare queat? 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. Quod calet halitus interior, corde quod abdita vena tremit, pulsat et incita quod resonam lingua sub ore latens caveam, laus superi Patris esto mihi. Nos igitur tua sancte manus caespite conposuit madido effigiem meditata suam, utque foret rata materies flavit et indidit ore animam. Tunc per amoena vireta iubet frondicomis habitare locis, ver ubi perpetuum redolet prataque multicolora latex quadrifluo celer amne rigat. Haec tibi nunc famulentur, ait, usibus omnia dedo tuis: sed tamen aspera mortifero stipite carpere poma veto, qui medio viret in nemore. Hic draco perfidus indocile virginis inlicit ingenium, ut socium malesuada virum mandere cogeret ex vetitis ipsa pari peritura modo. Corpora mutua--nosse nefas-- post epulas inoperta vident, lubricus error et erubuit: tegmina suta parant foliis, dedecus ut pudor occuleret. Conscia culpa Deum pavitans sede pia procul exigitur. innuba fernina quae fuerat, coniugis excipit inperium, foedera tristia iussa pati. Auctor et ipse doli coluber plectitur inprobus, ut mulier colla trilinguia calce terat: sic coluber muliebre solum suspicit atque virum mulier. His ducibus vitiosa dehinc posteritas ruit in facinus, dumque rudes imitatur avos, fasque nefasque simul glomerans inpia crimina morte luit. Ecce venit nova progenies, aethere proditus alter homo, non luteus, velut ille prior: sed Deus ipse gerens hominem, corporeisque carens vitiis. Fit caro vivida sermo Patris, numine quam rutilante gravis non thalamo, neque iure tori, nec genialibus inlecebris intemerata puella parit. Hoc odium vetus illud erat, hoc erat aspidis atque hominis digladiabile discidium, quod modo cernua femineis vipera proteritur pedibus. Edere namque Deum merita omnia virgo venena domat: tractibus anguis inexplicitis virus inerme piger revomit, gramine concolor in viridi. Quae feritas modo non trepidat, territa de grege candidulo? inpavidas lupus inter oves tristis obambulat et rabidum sanguinis inmemor os cohibet. Agnus enim vice mirifica ecce leonibus inperitat: exagitansque truces aquilas per vaga nubila, perque notos sidere lapsa columba fugat. Tu mihi Christe columba potens, sanguine pasta cui cedit avis, tu niveus per ovile tuum agnus hiare lupum prohibes, sub iuga tigridis ora premens. Da locuples Deus hoc famulis rite precantibus, ut tenui membra cibo recreata levent, neu piger inmodicis dapibus viscera tenta gravet stomachus. Haustus amarus abesto procul, ne libeat tetigisse manu exitiale quid aut vetitum: gustus et ipse modum teneat, sospitet ut iecur incolume. Sit satis anguibus horrificis, liba quod inpia corporibus ah miseram peperere necem, sufficiat semel ob facinus plasma Dei potuisse mori. Oris opus, vigor igneolus non moritur, quia flante Deo conpositus superoque fluens de solio Patris artificis vim liquidae rationis habet. Viscera mortua quin etiam post obitum reparare datur, eque suis iterum tumulis prisca renascitur effigies pulvereo coeunte situ. Credo equidem, neque vana fides, corpora vivere more animae: nam modo corporeum memini de Phlegethonte gradu facili ad superos remeasse Deum. Spes eadem mea membra manet, quae redolentia funereo iussa quiescere sarcophago dux parili redivivus humo ignea Christus ad astra vocat. Languages: Latin

Hymn Before Meat

Author: R. Martin Pope; Prudentius Hymnal: HPTMP #3E (1905) First Line: Blest Cross-bearer, Source of good Lyrics: 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. Languages: English

Hymnus Post Cibum

Author: Prudentius, b. 348 Hymnal: HPTMP #4L (1905) First Line: Pastis visceribus ciboque sumpto Lyrics: 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 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, 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. Intrat pectora candidus pudica, quae templi vice consecrata rident, postquam conbiberint Deum medullis. Sed si quid vitii dolive nasci inter viscera iam dicata sensit, ceu spurcum refugit celer sacellum. Taetrum flagrat enim vapore crasso horror conscius aestuante culpa offensumque bonum niger repellit. Nec solus pudor innocensve votum 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. 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 confirmas Pater ac vigore conples. Sic olim tua praecluens potestas inter raucisonos situm leones, inlapsis dapibus virum refovit. Illum fusile numen execrantem et curvare caput sub expolita aeris materia nefas putantem Plebs dirae Babylonis ac tyrannus morti subdiderant, feris dicarant saevis protinus haustibus vorandum. O semper pietas fidesque tuta! lambunt indomiti virum leones intactumque Dei tremunt alumnum. Adstant cominus et iubas reponunt, mansuescit rabies fameque blanda praedam rictibus ambit incruentis. Sed cum tenderet ad superna palmas expertumque sibi Deum rogaret, clausus iugiter indigensque victu: Iussus nuntius advolare terris, qui pastum famulo daret probato, raptim desilit obsequente mundo. Cernit forte procul dapes inemptas, quas messoribus Abbacuc propheta agresti bonus exhibebat arte. 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, 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 in caelum faciem ciboque fortis Amen reddidit, Halleluia dixit. Sic nos muneribus tuis refecti, largitor Deus omnium bonorum, grates reddimus et sacramus hymnos. Tu nos tristifico velut tyranno mundi scilicet inpotentis actu conclusos regis et feram repellis, Quae circumfremit ac vorare temptat insanos acuens furore dentes, cur te, summe Deus, precemur unum. Vexamur, premimur, malis rotamur; oderunt, lacerant, trahunt, lacessunt, iuncta est suppliciis fides iniquis. Nec defit tamen anxiis medela; nam languente trucis leonis ira inlapsae superingeruntur escae. Quas si quis sitienter hauriendo non gustu tenui, sed ore pleno internis velit inplicare venis, 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, quam vatis pia praecinentis orsa. His sumptis licet insolens potestas pravum iudicet, inrogetque mortem, inpasti licet inruant leones, nos semper Dominum patrem fatentes in te, Christe Deus, loquemur unum constanterque tuam crucem feremus. Languages: Latin

Hymn After Meat

Author: R. Martin Pope; Prudentius Hymnal: HPTMP #4E (1905) First Line: Refreshed we rise, and for this bread that feeds Lyrics: 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-defilèd 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 wingèd 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 starvèd 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. Languages: English

Hymnus Ad Incensum Lucernae

Author: Prudentius Hymnal: HPTMP #5L (1905) First Line: Inventor rutili, dux bone, luminis Lyrics: Inventor rutili, dux bone, luminis, qui certis vicibus tempora dividis, merso sole chaos ingruit horridum, lucem redde tuis Christe fidelibus. Quamvis innumero sidere regiam lunarique polum lampade pinxeris, incussu silicis lumina nos tamen monstras saxigeno semine quaerere: Ne nesciret homo spem sibi luminis in Christi solido corpore conditam, 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 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. Nectar de liquido vertice fervidum guttatim lacrimis stillat olentibus, ambustum quoniam vis facit ignea imbrem de madido flere cacumine. Splendent ergo tuis muneribus, Pater, 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? 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, 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: qua gressum tulerant castraque caerulae noctis per medium concita moverant, plebem pervigilem fulgure praevio ducebat radius sole micantior. Sed rex Niliaci littoris invido fervens felle iubet praevalidam manum in bellum rapidis ire cohortibus ferratasque acies clangere classicum. Sumunt arma viri seque minacibus accingunt gladiis, triste canit tuba: hic fidit iaculis, ille volantia praefigit calamis spicula Gnosiis. Densetur cuneis turba pedestribus, currus pars et equos et volucres rotas conscendunt celeres signaque bellica praetendunt tumidis clara draconibus. Hic iam servitii nescia pristini gens Pelusiacis usta vaporibus tandem purpurei gurgitis hospita rubris littoribus fessa resederat. 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 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 Hebraeum sitiens fundere sanguinem audet se pelago credere concavo: ibant praecipiti turbine percita fluctus per medios agmina regia, sed confusa dehinc unda revolvitur 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. Quae tandem poterit lingua retexere laudes Christe tuas? qui domitam Pharon plagis multimodis cedere praesuli cogis iustitiae vindice dextera. Qui pontum rapidis aestibus invium 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 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; 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. 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 insignis pietas numinis unici, cuius subsidio nos quoque vescimur pascentes dapibus pectora mysticis. Fessos ille vocat per freta seculi discissis populum turbinibus regens iactatasque animas mille laboribus iustorum in patriam scandere praecipit. Illic purpureis tecta rosariis omnis fragrat humus calthaque pinguia et molles violas et tenues crocos fundit fonticulis uda fugacibus. Illic et gracili balsama surculo desudata fluunt, raraque cinnama spirant et folium, fonte quod abdito praelambens fluvius portat in exitum. Felices animae prata per herbida concentu parili suave sonantibus hymnorum modulis dulce canunt melos, calcant et pedibus lilia candidis. Sunt et spiritibus saepe nocentibus 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, sed terris Domini de cruce tristibus maior sole novum restituens diem. Marcent suppliciis tartara mitibus, exultatque sui carceris otio functorum populus liber ab ignibus, nec fervent solito flumina sulphure. Nos festis trahimus per pia gaudia noctem conciliis votaque prospera certatim vigili congerimus prece extructoque agimus liba sacrario. Pendent mobilibus lumina funibus, quae suffixa micant per laquearia, et de languidulis fota natatibus lucem perspicuo flamma iacit vitro. Credas stelligeram desuper aream 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, 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, 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. Per quem splendor, honos, laus, sapientia, maiestas, bonitas, et pietas tua regnum continuat numine triplici texens perpetuis secula seculis. Languages: Latin

Hymn for the Lighting of the Lamps

Author: R. Martin Pope; Prudentius Hymnal: HPTMP #5E (1905) First Line: Blest Lord, Creator of the glowing light Lyrics: 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 unnumberèd, 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 drownèd 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 piercèd 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. Languages: English