Carmina Vol 1

POEMS. POEM ONE. In Praise of David. Now give kindly ears to the warnings of Damasus; with filth cast off, they cleanse the inner chambers of the heart, when they renew the court, prepared to serve Christ. You must know the prophet is holy from Christ: a shepherd boy, one among many brothers, an angel snatched from the sheep and consecrated him king, the only one who knew how to compose instruments with his hands, to sing of the heavenly kingdoms to the people with the cithara. A huge man, heavy with shield, and threatening in vain, impious, slanderous, bearing trappings and weapons, whom the mad crowd would worship in the deaf temples of the gods, he killed with a smooth stone, and left him a trunk, and with a great slaughter soon accomplished by the judgment of God, he showed to the peoples the trophies he had taken from the enemy: For Damasus knows, O Saint, your triumphs, God himself. POEM TWO. Concerning Christ. Christ, powerful ruler of things, founder of the returning age, voice and mind of highest God, whom the Father pours forth from his high mind, and gave such great shares of the kingdom, you subdued the impious crimes of our life, having suffered to clothe the world in a bodily form, and to speak openly to the peoples, and to confess himself a man. Whom, enclosed in the Word, soon at the sight of the divine power, the virgin womb of Mary swelled, and the unwed mother was amazed that her innards were filled with a secret birth, about to bear her own author, mortal hearts, the maker of the sky and world, under the deep breast, where he wholly embraces the entire orb. And he who is not contained by the spaces of the earth, nor by the waters of the sea, nor is captured by the sky, flowed together into small limbs.

And you also underwent the name and bonds of punishment: that you might snatch us from destruction, and put death to flight by your own death, soon borne up into ethereal breezes, restoring with joyful light your purified self, may you cherish the August Father, so that often on festal days the annual fasts of the sacred rite may be celebrated with sincerity. POEM III. On the Ascension of Christ. God, an exile, rises from death to his own abode, to teach believers that future life awaits; an angel sang these words, that each one bearing back the news will come thus, and thus it is right to believe in Christ. POEM IV. On the Name of Jesus. In such great matters, the threefold union of the world raises human understanding to praise fittingly: the sole salvation for us, and the highest power of the world came to undo the knot of sin with fruit; the highest salvation shone for all throughout the ages on earth. POEM V. On the Same. With equal right the common founder of time reigns, and with the Father piously reigns on the sublime citadel, dwelling with divine power in the starry realms. Whence he sees the sea and lands by his nod alone, supplies human needs, and bestows gifts upon things.

CARMEN VI. On the Titles of the Savior. Hope, Life, Salvation, Reason, Wisdom, Light, Judge, Door, Giant, King, Gem, Prophet, Sacred—Messiah, Sabaoth, Rabbi, Bridegroom, Mediator, Rod, Column, Hand, Rock, Son, and Emmanuel, Vine, Shepherd, Sheep, Peace, Root, Lowly One, Olive, Fountain, Wall, Lamb, Calf, Lion, Propitiator, Word, Man, Net, Stone, House, All Things, Christ, Jesus. CARMEN VII. On the Apostle Saint Paul. Long since Saul, following the precepts of the nobles, when he wished to set his ancestral laws above the Lord, when he refused to let the holy prophets praise Christ, when he sought to tear apart the people with constant slaughter, while, blind, he tore the pious covenants of the holy Mother, after the darkness he deserved to know the true Light. Tempted, he felt what the glory of Christ could do, as soon as he received the voice and light of the Lord with his ears, he composed his ways, following the precepts of Christ. After he pleased, once his name was changed to Paul,

A marvelous faith of things, suddenly from across the ether of heaven, He merited to know what the rewards of life could be. The martyr, snatched up, ascended into the inner sanctum of Christ; The third light of heaven held him as he went to paradise. He enjoys the conversations of the Lord, he keeps secrets. Ordered to foretell the truth to nations and peoples, To penetrate the depth of the sea, and to visit night and day— He for whom it is enough to have lived hidden, He did not fear to bear whips, chains, hunger, stones, and wild rage, The filth of prison, rods, tortures, fetters, Shipwreck, tears, the dire poisons of the serpent, The stigmata of Christ on his body. He taught the faithful how they could conquer death. Worthy of the love of God, the teacher lives through the ages. In these verses I briefly confess, most holy teacher Paul, I, Damasus, wished to show your triumphs. CARMEN VIII. On Saint Andrew the Apostle. The glory of the sacred name, And expressing life by the name, This glory of the blessed Cross proclaims you fitting. Andrew, apostle of Christ, By this very name you are already marked; You are signified by that name, mystically fitting. Whom the Cross raises to the heights,

The cross, which the blessed one loves, for whom the bitter cross prepares the joys of future light. In you the mystery grew, you shine with a twin stigma, while you conquer reproaches through the cross, and you spread the blood of the cross. Now warm us, who are languid, and take up our care, so that through the victory of the cross we may seek the homeland of heaven. CARMEN IX In the Catacombs of the Holy Apostles 5. You ought to know that saints once dwelt here, if you seek the names of both Peter and Paul. The East sent the disciples, which we freely confess, on account of the merit of blood and they followed Christ through the stars, they sought the ethereal bosoms and the realms of the pious. Rome rather merited to defend her own citizens. Damasus here recounts your praises, new stars. CARMEN X Concerning Saint Stephen, Pope and Martyr. At the time when the sword cut the pious viscera of the Mother... Here, placed as Rector, I was teaching the heavenly commands; but they come suddenly, they seize the one who happens to be teaching: with soldiers sent, the people then gave their necks. Soon when the Elder learned, who wished to remove...

The palm, and himself and his own head, he first offered, so that savage cruelty could not harm anyone. He shows the Cross, the Chi-Rho, which gives the rewards of life; the merit of the Shepherd, he himself guards the number of the flock. CARMEN XI. On Saint Marcellus the Martyr. The truthful ruler, because he foretold that the wretched would weep for their crimes, was a bitter enemy to all. Hence fury, hence hatred follow, discord, strife, sedition, slaughter, the bonds of peace are dissolved. Because of another’s crime, he who denied Christ in peace was driven from the borders of his fatherland by the savagery of the tyrant. These things Damasus wished briefly to relate, having learned them, so that the people might be able to know the merit of Marcellus. CARMEN XII. On Saint Eusebius the Pope. Heraclius forbade the lapsed to grieve for their sins; Eusebius taught the wretched to weep for their crimes. The people are split into factions with raging fury. Sedition, slaughter, war, discord, strife: Driven out equally by the example of the tyrant’s savagery, while the Ruler kept the bonds of peace intact, he endured exile entirely, joyful under the judge; on the Trinacrian shore he left the world and life.

CARMEN XIII. Concerning Saint Mark, Pope. The life was Mark's, which we all know. With the mouth of God he could despise the world. The people prayed that all might learn, great is the honor of life, the contempt of possessions; virtue held the innermost chambers of the heart, you, the guardian of Christ, a perfect friend. And Damasus, when he returns honor to the tomb, this Mark, consort of Mark in life, faith, name, and merits. CARMEN XIV. Concerning Saint Laurence. Stripes, executioners, flames, torments, chains—Laurence's faith alone could conquer them. Damasus, a suppliant, heaps these altars with gifts, looking up to the outstanding merit of the martyr. CARMEN XV. Concerning Saint Felix. In body, mind, and spirit, equally from the name Felix, among the number of saints, consecrated by Christ's triumphs, you who grant everything to those coming to you solicitously, and you suffer no one to return sad as a traveler. With you as guide, I broke the bonds of death; with these verses, Damasus, a suppliant, repays vows to you.

CARMEN XVI. Vow of Saint Damasus. Whoever reads of the saints, venerate the tomb; antiquity could not retain the names nor the number. Damasus adorned the tomb; know, O Rector, that for the return of the clergy, with Christ granting it, triumphant, the priest renders his vows to the holy martyrs. CARMEN XVII. Concerning Saint Eutychius. Eutychius the martyr showed that he could overcome the cruel commands of the tyrant and the thousand ways of harming then employed by the executioner, through the glory of Christ. Imprisonment in filth is followed by a new punishment: fragments of potsherds are prepared against his limbs, so that sleep might not come. Twice six days passed; food is denied; he is thrown into a pit. The saint’s blood washes away all the wounds which the fearsome power of death had inflicted. In the sleep-bringing night, anxieties disturb the mind. The hiding place reveals which limbs it holds of the innocent one; he is sought, tended, cherished, and everything is provided. Damasus expressed the merit of venerating the tomb.

CARMEN XVIII. Concerning Saint Tarsicius. Whoever reads of the twofold merit, know the two, Whosoever Damasus the Rector renders the titles and the rewards thereafter. The Jewish people, when Stephen was urging better things, Struck him with stones, he who had borne a trophy from the enemy. The faithful Levite first seized martyrdom. Holy Tarsicius, bearing the sacraments of Christ, When an insane mob sought to cast them profanely to the common, He chose rather to give up his life, slain, Than to betray the celestial members to rabid dogs. CARMEN XIX. Concerning Saint Gorgonius. This tomb of the martyr beneath the great summit of the mountain Holds Gorgonius, who guards the altars of Christ. Whoever comes here, let him seek the thresholds of the saints, He will find the blessed dwelling in a nearby abode, Whom piety carried to heaven as they went together. CARMEN XX. Concerning Saint Saturninus, martyr. At the time when the sword cut the pious vitals of the Mother, He changed his fatherland, his life, and his race by blood; A Roman citizen, his origin made him one of the Saints. The wondrous faith of things taught after a great death. When Gratian, as an enemy, rages, tearing the pious limbs, After he vomited the conceived poisons of gall, He could not force you, holy one, to deny Christ, He himself, by your prayers, deserved to depart confessed. This is the voice of suppliant Damasus: venerate the tomb, It is permitted to fulfill vows and to pour forth pure prayers, Because this is the tomb of the holy martyr Saturninus.

CARMEN XXI. Concerning Saint Maurus. This tomb of the martyr Maurus holds the holy limbs, Which Damasus, the Rector of the people, after a long time Adorned as a suppliant, beautifying with better care, The innocent boy whom no punishment cast down. CARMEN XXII. Concerning an Uncertain Greek Martyr. What report has long since told, Greece sent you. You changed your fatherland by blood, and love made you a citizen and a brother, having suffered for the holy name of the law. Now an inhabitant of the Lord, you who guard the altars of Christ, So that you may favor the prayers of Domatus, I pray, renowned martyr. CARMEN XXIII. (??) Concerning Saints Marcellinus and Peter. Marcellinus, and you, Peter, know your triumphs together. The executioner reported to me, Damasus, when I was a boy, "That he had given these commands to you from the rabid executioner, That in the midst of thorns he would then cut your necks, And that no one could know your tomb; You, eager, with your own hands cleansed the sepulchers, After you lay hidden in a small white cave, Afterwards, Lucilla, moved by your piety, It pleased her more to place the most holy limbs here.

CARMEN XXIV. Concerning the Holy Martyrs Felix and Adauctus. O Felix, twice and truly true to your name, you who, with unsullied faith, despising the prince of the world, confessed Christ and sought the heavenly realms. O truly precious faith! Know, brothers, that Adauctus, a true presbyter, hastened as a victor equally to heaven. Damasus, at the Rector’s command and bidding, composed the tomb, adoring the threshold of the Saints. CARMEN XXV. Concerning the Holy Martyrs Nereus and Achilleus. They had given their names to military service and were bearing the kindly office alike, watching the tyrant’s commands, ready to serve, driven by fear of his orders. O wondrous faith of things! Suddenly they put aside their frenzy; converted, they flee, they abandon the impious camp of their leader; they cast away their shields, their trappings, and their bloody weapons; rejoicing, they confess that they bear the triumphs of Christ. Believe, through Damasus, what the glory of Christ can do. CARMEN XXVI. Concerning the Holy Martyrs Protus and Hyacinthus. The tomb lay hidden at the far end under a heap of the mountain; Damasus reveals it, preserving what holds the limbs of the pious. The better palace of heaven keeps you, Protus, for itself. You follow, Hyacinthus, proven by purple blood. Both are brothers, of great spirit: this one, the victor, merited the palm; that one, the first, the crown.

CARMEN XXVII. On the same. Look down at the descent, you will see a wondrous deed, you behold the monuments of the Saints laid open from their tombs: Here lies the tomb of the Martyr Protus and of Hyacinthus, which, when for a long time a mountain, earth, and darkness had covered it, Theodorus, a presbyter, built this work, pressing on, so that the Lord’s people might be held by greater works. CARMEN XXVIII. On the Holy Martyrs Chrysanthus and Daria. Here, with equal vows, the tomb preserves two names, of Chrysanthus and Daria, now a venerable honor. Whom savage madness, with the law of the tomb neglected, made the tombs of the Saints the prey of a raging plunderer. Now these things rise again better from the wealth of a poor man, but with a rich vow more pleasing to God. Mourn your impiety, savage race; the furies have perished, in these temples glory has grown through your losses. CARMEN XXIX. On the Holy Martyr Agnes. Report tells that the holy parents long ago brought back Agnes, when the mournful trumpet of the war-trumpet had suddenly sounded, the girl suddenly left the nurse’s lap; she spontaneously trampled the threats and the rage of the savage tyrant: when he wished to burn her noble body with flames, she overcame immense fear with small strength, and gave her hair and limbs, drenched and bare, lest the face of the perishable temple see the Lord’s temple. O venerable to me, holy glory, nourisher of modesty, may you favor the prayers of Damasus, I pray, renowned Virgin.

CARMEN XXX. On Saint Agatha, Virgin Martyr. Behold, the day of the illustrious Virgin Martyr Agatha shines forth, on which Christ joins her to Himself, and a double crown adorns her. Noble in lineage, elegant in appearance, but more so in deeds and in faith. She held earthly prosperity as nothing, binding the commands of God to her heart. Stronger than savage men, she exposed her limbs to the scourges; how steadfast in her breast she was, the severed breast laid open teaches. Prison was a delight to her; the Shepherd Peter reclaimed this sheep. More joyful and more aflame from that, she ran, rejoicing, through all the torments. The pagan crowd, fleeing the pyre, itself merits her aid; Those whom the title of Faith adorns, let her venerate them all the more. Now, radiant as a bride for heaven, intercede with Damasus for the wretched one. Thus may she cause your feast to be celebrated, so that she may favor those who celebrate her. CARMEN XXXI. Epitaph of Sister Irene. In this tomb, the limbs, now consecrated to God, rest. Here is the sister of Damasus; if you seek her name, it is Irene. She had vowed herself to Christ while life remained, so that her holy modesty itself would prove the merit of a virgin.

She had not yet completed twice ten winters of age, when her life's conduct had already surpassed her years. The venerable piety of the girl's resolve had yielded magnificent fruits in her better years. 'You, my sister, now witness of our love,' when she fled the world, she gave me an honorable pledge, whom when a better kingdom, that of heaven, snatched her to itself, I did not fear death, because she would freely approach the heavens, but I grieved, I confess, at losing the companionship of life. Now, as God comes, remember us, virgin, so that through the Lord your lamp may grant me light. CARMEN XXXII. Epitaph of Projecta. What should I say or be silent? Grief itself forbids confession. This tomb holds tears: recognize the parent of Projecta, who was first joined to a husband, beautiful in her own grace, content with modesty alone; alas, beloved enough by the love of her wretched mother. Accept what, after the first bonds of marriage, snatched from the eyes of her father Florus, she departed, desiring to ascend to the ethereal light of heaven. This Damasus offers to all the consolations of weeping.

CARMEN XXXIII. On His Own Tomb. She lived sixteen years, ten months, twenty-five days. She was buried on the third day before the Kalends of January, in the consulship of Flavius Merobaudes and Flavius Saturninus. Here lies a gathered throng, you ask, of the Pious; the venerable tombs hold the bodies of the saints. The sublime souls the palace of heaven has snatched for itself. Here are the companions of Xystus, who bear trophies from the enemy. Here the number of princes who guard the altars of Christ is preserved. Here is placed the priest who lived long in peace. Here are the holy confessors, whom Greece sent. Here are youths, and boys, old men, and chaste descendants, for whom it was more pleasing to preserve virginal modesty. Here, I confess, Damasus wished to lay my own limbs, but I feared to disturb the holy ashes of the pious. CARMEN XXXIV. Epitaph of Pope Damasus, which he composed for himself. He who, walking, suppressed the bitter waves of the sea; who provides life for the dying seeds of the earth; who was able to loose for Lazarus his bonds of death; after the darkness, the brother, after the third light of the sun, to give him back to his sister Mary among the living; I believe that he will make Damasus rise after his ashes.

CARMEN XXXV. On the Temple of Saint Laurence Restored by the Holy Damasus. Here the Father, receiver, lector, levite, priest Had grown by merits, and by better deeds: Hence for me, advanced, Christ, to whom is supreme power, Willed to grant the honor of the apostolic see. I confess, I wished to build new roofs for the martyr, To add besides columns on the right and left, Which would hold the name of Damasus himself through the ages. CARMEN XXXVI. On the Vatican Fountains. Waters surrounded the hill, and with a gentle flow They moistened the ashes and bones of many bodies. Damasus did not bear that those buried by common law Should, after rest, again pay sad penalties. Immediately he set out to overcome a great labor; He cast down the summits of a vast mound. Diligently searching the inner bowels of the earth, He dried up all that the moisture had made wet; He found a spring, which gives gifts of salvation. Mercurius, a faithful levite, took care of this.

CARMEN XXXVII. At the Springs. Not by human wealth, not by masterful art, but by the preeminence of Peter, to whom the gate of heaven is entrusted, did Damasus, the bishop of Christ, compose this. One is the see of Peter, one the true baptism; no bonds hold him; Acbathius fulfills his vow.