Carmina

Splendidior lux luce micat, maiorque diebus fulget clara dies, toto festiuior anno, natalis quae lecta deo. qua nascitur ille, cum patre qui semper caeli in consortia regnans, uirtus magna patris, carnis primordia nostrae, mox hominem in caelum reuehens, sic morte peracta sumere qui carnem uoluit ? nec carne senescit. II. DE EPITHETIS SALUATORIS NOSTRI. Ianua Uirgo Leo Uirtus? Sapientia Uerbum Rex Baculum Princeps Dux Petra Pastor Homo, Retia Sol Sponsus Semen Mons Stella Magister Margarita Dies Agnus Ouis Uitulus, Thesaurus Fons Uita Manus Caput Ignis Aratrum Flos Lapis anglaris Dextra *Columna Puer, Mitis Adam Digitus Speculum Uia Botruo Panis Hostia Lex Ratio Uirga Piscis Aquila, Iustus, Progenies regis regisque Sacerdos, nomina magna deo, maior at ipse deus. III. ITEM EIUSDEM DE TRINITATE.

What was from the ages, and what is in the age of ages, will always be, because it always was, remaining without end. And above all that is, without which nothing, for whom all things, the all-begetting Word, the Word, almighty God, with the Father who alone, with whom the Father and God alone, this was, and nature had not yet received its beginning. For Christ is the seed, Christ the origin of things, Christ the honor of the earth, the terror of the world, the glory of heaven. From the ruling God, king and ruler in the heights, the only-begotten before all, begotten of that Father whom none begot, through whom all begetting things exist: we beseech, we desire, we tremble, we venerate, we love. Whole and from the whole, wholly diffused throughout the world. Not the same, but altogether the same, and alike at once, equal and alike, thus the Son and the Father are one, a name divided by name, substance is mingled, completing the holy mysteries of the profound. A powerful fullness, given to itself, bound in turn.

A threefold conclusion of powers is made equal, and the whole perfection flutters above as spirit. Therefore, honor is in Christ, praise is of the Father, and in the Father is of Christ. He himself is the mind and the word and the witness and the heir of the Father; he himself recognizes how much the Father dares in him; he himself is our head, wisdom, grace, life; he himself is the guardian, watcher, and arbiter of men; he himself is the path of salvation, and the immutable light; true splendor from the true, light from light; good from goodness, full and rich from the full and rich; provident, indulgent, clement, merciful, abundant; perfect, patient, just, pious, immaculate; the eternal gift of the eternal, the protection of the first; the firmament of the soul, the flight of the demon, the armor of faith; perpetually reigning, the censor and judge of the future; not enclosed by time, but about to enclose times by his command; the beginning and the end, the enlivener both within and without; holding the will and powerful in power, and mild yet severe; the peace and joy of the world, and the separator of the wicked and the good.

A man bearing a double nature, a carrier and mediator, while what is mortal, God proved immortal. O blessed lordship of the Lord, noble death! O hard heart and faithless error of a wretched people! Impious condemner, your death hangs from this stake: believing confessor, your life will live by this blood. You are bent by the judging God, who, having seemed to punish, saved peoples, the people whom the unjust one hated. This is he, previously rejected and accursed, the spittle of men, the reproach of a perishing crowd. This is he upon whom a cruel hand poured gall mixed with vinegar, whom blind blows of palm branches violated with unseen force. Behold, mad striker, the venerable wood, see the victorious signs of profaned blood. Is he a living God, a God unconquerable by the enemy, vengeance, refuge, rest, light, life, faith, hope? He is to be known from the Father, that he is the sower and animator: from the cross, that he is the avenger and repeller of Gehenna, the washer-away of errors, faithful peace, generous remission. Born from the love of man, having suffered by reason of salvation, having fulfilled the law of death, living again in the high heavens, sitting on the father's throne, salutary over every age, whence he deigned for the lowly earth, returnable to that place.

the price of sin, himself unknowing of sin, sharing with servants, conforming the glorified. Behold how beautiful a trophy gleams through our thresholds, O Christ; how bright the standards you carry back to the Father, still bloodstained, as before, and always powerful in virtue, everlasting in majesty. Yet why the raised form of the cross holds this appearance the character, wholly to be adored, shows by full reasoning. That the divided mark stands out, extending into four parts, makes known the ruler of the world and all the archangels. He himself rules as many regions as the cross sees quarters of the sky. The cross, imitating the pious image of praying hands, the cross, witnessing God’s peace, depicts it, and is peace, which was given through the wood: peace is held written on the wood. Do you wish, admirer, likewise to gaze at Greek figures? Behold the perfect enigma of the rich sign. You may see the Greek P, it is the head, or the arms of the fixed one. The Iota which is upright is here the suspension of the body. The letter proclaims the punishment; the punishment brings salvation: Alpha is next to it, and close by is the other letter O.

First, because here he is first; last, because here he is last. These elements of the letters, God here above every element: all things come together in the heavenly sign. When he enters the wood, the wood shows that God is the material of the fruit; when he stretches the branch high, the Lord, higher than the highest, towers above all. He is in the middle of those fixed: the number gives a threefold honor. He is struck, blood comes out; water also comes from the wound made, and soon blood itself from the wound. Surely the blood is martyrdom, the water claims the washing for itself. Thus by divine work death comes from the tree and life comes. Through the apple, first-formed one, you fall; through the cross, Christ, you heal: there the deadly serpent brought the poisoned food. Nor is it surprising if praise, scarcely worthy of God, draws a thousand names, praise unequal to so many virtues, as many titles as the pious miracles of Christ have produced. EXPLANATION OF THE NAMES OF THE LORD. Door, because it sits in heaven and opens secrets. Virgin, to whom the birth of an uncorrupted mother is the origin. And lion, king here of kings: that king of beasts.

It is called virtue: nothing is stronger than this one. But why is it called wisdom? It is the rule of life. How is it the Word? Because it flowed from the Father's mouth. Why is it now king, now the king's son? Because it shares the common throne of heaven with the Father. Why a staff? Because it supports the fallen and raises the sick. Why prince? Because it governs all things subject to the throne. Why leader of the heavenly army? Because of the holy host. Why rock? Because it establishes a firm foundation with strong support. Why good shepherd? Because it blocks the stain from the sheepfolds. Now man: for he was born and took flesh from a virgin. Why nets? Because it gathers scattered peoples from everywhere. Why sun of justice? Because it illuminates every just person. Why bridegroom? Because the Church, betrothed to God, is a virgin. Why holy? Because it sows happy kingdoms with the word. Mountain: because the heights do not yield to all who ascend. Star: because it guides uncertain journeys with its guiding light. Why teacher? Because it loves to teach willing hearts. Pearl: what more precious can be found? Why day? Because it shines more with light. Then why is the innocent lamb considered holy?

He alone was able to remove the sin of the world. And now he is called a sheep, because he offers himself to those who slaughter him. He is also called a calf: the passion shows this content. A fountain, because he cleanses sin with abundant baptism. Life, because he gives eternal life to those who are made alive. He is a hand: the rich operation of virtues is at hand. He is a head: it is evident that we are created by our author. Fire: in that our testing still remains. Why a plow? Because it subdues hearts and makes them fruitful. A flower, because he himself crowns the confessors and martyrs. Why a cornerstone? Because he binds both peoples together. The right hand, by which he sits at his father's side, adorns and honors. Often a dove: because it knows no deceit and is without gall. Why a child? Because he goes pure to the father's citadel. A vine: because he propagates himself through an adopted heir. Why a second Adam? Because he himself is the head of the reborn. He is a finger, that stylus: the law of God is written through him. Now a mirror: because the image of the father shines through in him. Now a way: because he goes before the saints into paradise. A cluster of grapes: because he irrigates the world with celestial juices.

bread: in this, that they are the nourishment of our faith. A living sacrifice to God, why is he himself the highest priest? Because he sanctifies himself and offers himself on his father's altars. Now the reason: this is the reason by which the structure of the world stands. A rod: because he corrects erring actions as if with a blow. A fish born from the waters: he himself is the author of baptism. Often an eagle: because he flew back from the earth like a bird. PRAISE. Finally, lest we dwell too long on so many and such great things, he is an eye: I recognize God; God sees every heart. Whence a prophet? Because he reveals future things in brief. Whence an angel? Because he himself acted as his own messenger. Called an arm, from the embrace by which he holds everything together. Whatever it is, I recognize that it is yours, by which, holy one, you are called. The greatness of works conceals the names of so many things: but such honors are deemed according to their own merits. The cause creates the titles; virtue makes the names known. You, sitting on high, are holy; you are our blessing. You are God Emmanuel: a deity dwelling with us. You are Lord Sabaoth; with your fist you cover everything that exists anywhere. You are the house of Israel, and the blessed confessors,

All the patriarchs adore you, and every angel adores you. You shine above the unknown cherubim, above the stars; you, who were promised to Abraham, from the seed of David, you hear the glorious "Hosanna" in heaven, worthy of praise. Look upon us only, crucified Christ, Paraclete, Christ, Nazarene; God whom we believe, both Galilean and God of the holy father Abraham, and God of Isaac, and God of nurturing Jacob, from whom our faith and hope come. Look, Christ, upon your own, and long protect the redeemed. I, unworthy, beseech you, but deign to consider me as I pray, almighty one, have mercy on me, have mercy on my own: grant that grief may cease, that care and fear may depart, and that I, your servant, may be joined to the saints, and fear you, and please you while I live, nor be guilty at that time when, mindful of my merit, I stand before the tribunal, Christ, your tribunal, and truly worship the divinity I proclaim. May your cross settle on my forehead, hand, lips, may the cross settle deep within me. May the cross be a shield for my home, may the cross be the armor of salvation. This tower of light will shine more brightly with this sign than when it was drenched with sacrilegious blood.