. Chase from our minds the infernal foe, Make us eternal truths receive, Immortal honor, endless fame, Eternal Paraclete, to thee. From the Latin of ST. GREGORY. Translation of JOHN DRYDEN. VENI SANCTE SPIRITUS. [Written in the tenth century by Robert II., the gentle son of Hugh Capet. It is often mentioned as second in rank to the Dies Ira.] COME, Holy Ghost! thou fire divine! From highest heaven on us down shine! Come, Father of the poor, to earth; Thou rich in comfort! Ever blest The heart where thou art constant guest, Come, thou in whom our toil is sweet, Bright Sun of Grace! thy sunshine dart Whate'er without thy aid is wrought, O cleanse us that we sin no more, Thy will be ours in all our ways; And grant us, Lord, who cry to thee, That we may live in holiness, And dwell with thee in lasting bliss! From the Latin of KING ROBERT II. OF FRANCE. Translation of CATHARINE WINKWORTH. O FIRE OF GOD, THE COMFORTER. 66 O IGNIS SPIRITUS PARACLITI." O FIRE of God, the Comforter, O life of all that live, Holy art thou to quicken us, and holy, strength to give: To heal the broken-hearted ones, their sorest wounds to bind, O Spirit of all holiness, O Lover of mankind! O sweetest taste within the breast, O grace upon us poured, That saintly hearts may give again their perfume to the Lord. O purest fountain! we can see, clear mirrored in thy streams, That God brings home the wanderers, that God the lost redeems. O breastplate strong to guard our life, O bond of unity, O dwelling-place of righteousness, save all who trust in thee: Defend those who in dungeon dark are prisoned by the foe, And, for thy will is aye to save, let thou the cap tives go. O surest way, that through the height and through the lowest deep And through the earth dost pass, and all in firmest union keep; From thee the clouds and ether move, from thee the moisture flows, From thee the waters draw their rills, and earth with verdure glows, And thou dost ever teach the wise, and freely on them pour The inspiration of thy gifts, the gladness of thy lore. All praise to thee, O joy of life, O hope and strength, we raise, Who givest us the prize of light, who art thyself all praise. From the Latin of ST. HILDEGARDE. Translation of R. F. LITTLEDALE. THE HOLY SPIRIT. IN the hour of my distress, Sweet Spirit, comfort me! When I lie within my bed, When the house doth sigh and weep, When the artless doctor sees When his potion and his pill When the passing-bell doth toll, When the tapers now burn blue, And that number more than true, When the priest his last hath prayed, And I nod to what is said 'Cause my speech is now decayed, Sweet Spirit, comfort me! When, God knows, I'm tost about Sweet Spirit, comfort me! When the tempter me pursu’th |