These hymns of Fortunatus ( Pange linqua, Vexilla regis, Crux benedicta) celebrate the arrival of the relic of the True Cross at Poitiers about 567.
Crux benedicta nitet, Dominus qua carne pependit.
Atque cruore suo vulnera nostra lavat.
Mitis amore pio pro nobis victima factus,
Traxit ab ore lupi qua sacer Agnus oves. (1)
Transfixis palmis ubi mundum a clade redemit,
Atque suo clausit funere mortis iter.
Hic manus illa fuit clavis confixa cruentis.
Quae eripuit Paulum crimine, morte Petrum.
Fertilitate potens, o dulce et nobile lignum,
Quando tuis ramis tam nova poma geris.
Cujus odore novo defuncta cadavera surgunt,
Et redeunt vitae qui caruere die.
Nullum uret aestus sub frondibus arboris hujus:
Luna nec in noctem, sol neque meridie.
Tu plantata micas secus est ubi cursus aquarum:
Spargis et ornatas flore recente comas.
Appensa est vitis inter tua brachia, de qua
Dulcia sanguineo vina rubore fluunt.
(1) The lamb (Christ) rescues the sheep from the wolf (Satan), a nice roll reversal.
Brightly shineth the blessed cross, whereon hung the Body of our Lord, when, with his Blood, he washed our wounds.Become, out of tender love for us, a meek Victim, this divine Lamb did by the cross rescue us his sheep from the jaws of the wolf.
'Twas there, with his hands nailed to the wood, that he redeemed the world from ruin, and by his own death, closed the way of death.
Here was fastened with cruel nails that hand which delivered Paul from sin, and Peter from death.
O sweet and noble tree! how vigorous in thy growth, when, on thy branches, hang fruits so rare as these!
Thy fresh fragrance gives resurrection to many that lay in the tomb, and restores the dead to life.
He that shelters beneath thy shade, shall not be scorched either by the moon at night or by the midday sun.
Planted near the running waters, thou art lovely in thy verdure, and blossoms ever fresh blow on each fair branch.
Between thine arms hangs the pendant Vine, whence wine most sweet flows in a ruddy stream.
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