Ad Laudes matutinas: Paulinus
II aquileiensis
Another
Lombard grammarian, and one who earned the special affection of Alcuin, was
Paulinus, who was born about 730, and after the destruction of the Lombard
kingdom entered the service of the conqueror. Charles showed him great favour and
made him a teacher of grammar in the royal school. He was, with Alcuin, the
tutor of Angilbert, and continued at the school until, in 787, Charles promoted
him to the Patriarchate of Aquileia. Deprived of the presence of his much loved
companion, Alcuin sent him frequent letters and verses, and in one touching
poem he begs that he will remember him before the altar of God:
sis memor Albini sacris
altaribus adstans,
et dukes inter lacrimas
super ora fiuentes
die: miserere, deus,
nostro clementer amico,
criminibusque suis
veniam largire benignus,
ut te cum sanctis Iiceat
laudare per aevurn.!
The verses
on the festival of Peter and Paul are in a higher strain, and rise at times to
a note of lyrical beauty, as in the last stanzas which celebrate the Rome of
the martyrs:
o Roma
felix, quae tantorum principum
es
purpurata precioso sanguine,
excellis
omnem mundi pulchritudinem,
non laude
tua, sed sanctorum rneritis,
quos
cruentatis iugulasti gladiis.
vos ergo
modo, gloriosi martyres,
Petre
beate, Paule, mundi lilium,
caelestis
aulae triumphales milites
precibus
almis vestris nos ab omnibus
munite
malis, ferte super aethera."
Raby
ibid. pp.168-169.
Petrus
beátus catenárum láqueos
Christo
iubénte rupit mirabíliter;
custos
ovílis et doctor Ecclésiæ,
pastórque
gregis, conservátor óvium
arcet
lupórum truculéntam rábiem.
Quodcúmque
vinclis super terram strínxerit,
erit
in astris religátum fórtiter,
et
quod resólvit in terris arbítrio,
erit
solútum super cæli rádium;
in
fine mundi iudex erit sæculi.
Glória
Patri per imménsa sæcula,
sit
tibi, Nate, decus et impérium,
honor,
potéstas Sanctóque Spirítui;
sit
Trinitáti salus indivídua
per
infiníta sæculórum sæcula. Amen.
Blessed Peter, at Christ’s command, wondrously
broke the trap of chains; Guardian of the fold and Teacher of the Church,
Shepherd of the flock and Protector of the sheep he drives away the violent
rage of the wolves. Whatever he bounds
with chains on earth will be firmly bound in heaven and what by his judgement
is unloosed on earth will be unloosed in the height of heaven: in the end he
will judge the world. Glory to the Father through infinite ages, praise
and authority to you, O Son, honor and power to the Holy Spirit, undivided
strength to the Trinity though the infinity of the ages. Amen.
Ad Vesperas: novus
Divína
vox te déligit,
piscátor,
ac pro rétibus
remísque
qua tu glória
cæli
refúlges clávibus!
Tenax
amóris próferens
ac
dulce testimónium,
omnes
amor quos láverat
oves
regéndas áccipis.
Lapsus,
supérno róbore
tu
petra stas Ecclésiæ,
qua
splendet illa sæculis,
nullis
subácta víribus.
Tu,
Petre, Christi oráculo
luces
magíster ómnium,
fratrésque
firmas, próvidus
tu
verba vitæ núntias.
Gregem
fac unum, próspera
lætis
in ævum frúctibus,
salvúmque
ab hostis ímpetu
ad
lucis adduc pábula.
Sit
summa Christo glória,
qui
nos det aulæ cælicæ
intráre
per te iánuam
in
sempitérna gáudia. Amen.
The divine voice chose you, O Fisherman, that
instead of nets and oars your shining glory should be the keys of heaven. Firm
confessor sweet witness of love, you receive all those whom love has cleansed as sheep of the kingdom. Although fallen, by
heavenly strength you are the Rock of the Church, by which she shines through
the ages and no power has overcome her. You, O Peter, by Christ’s command are the
Teacher of all and you strengthen your brothers, as you watchfully proclaim the
words of life. Prosper and unite the flock that she might be joyously fruitful
through the ages and safe from the enemy’s attack until she reach the pastures
of light. To Christ be highest glory, who through you, O Peter, grants us to
enter in endless praise the gate of the heavenly court. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment