Tuesday: Weeks II & IV: Ira ne rixas próvocet

Lauds: 6^th -7^th Centuries

Walsh & Husch: Originally composed for Prime. But Walpole says that it was used at Matins on Tuesdays and in the Mozarabic breviary on Saturdays at Lauds.

Ætérne lucis cónditor, (1)

lux ipse totus et dies,

noctem nec ullam séntiens (2)

natúra lucis pérpeti,

Iam cedit pallens próximo (3)

diéi nox advéntui,

obtúndens lumen síderum

adest et clarus lúcifer.

Iam stratis læti súrgimus

grates canéntes et tuas,

quod cæcam noctem vícerit

revéctans rursus sol diem.

Te nunc, ne carnis gáudia

blandis subrépant ǽstibus, (4)

dolis ne cedat sǽculi

mens nostra, sancte, quǽsumus.

Ira ne rixas próvocet,

gulam ne venter íncitet,

opum pervértat ne famis,

turpis ne luxus óccupet,

Sed firma mente sóbrii,

casto manéntes córpore

totum fidéli spíritu

Christo ducámus hunc diem.(5)

1.       W&H: clearly exploits Ambrose, Aeterne rerum conditor; 2. Walpole: 1 John 15: there is no darkness in God’s everlasting nature of light; 3. Walpole: pallens = colorless; 4. blandis = alluring; subrepant = evil sneaking up upon us; ǽstibus = heat of passion; 5. Walpole prefers

Christe to Christo.

Eternal Creator of light, light itself and wholly day, you know nothing of night, by virtue of being perpetual light. Now pale night surrenders to coming day, the bright morning star is here and dulls the light of the stars. Now we rise joyfully from our beds and sing our thanks to you, for the sun returns again the day, which conquers blind night. Now we pray you, O holy One, that joys of the flesh not subvert us with worldly flattery and our minds not fall to secular deceits. That anger not provoke strife, that the stomach not incite the throat lest hunger pervert our work and base wealth consume us. But sober and with firm intent, our bodies chaste, let us pass this whole day faithful to the spirit of Christ.

When the Office of Readings is said in the daytime: 10^th Century

More verses of this popular medieval hymn are appointed for Wednesday at the Office of Readings during the day, weeks II & IV.  Omitted entirely verse 4: Te sine tetro mergimur profundo.

Ad preces nostras deitátis aures,

Deus, inclína pietáte sola;

súpplicum vota súscipe, precámur

fámuli tui.

Réspice clemens sólio de sancto

vultu seréno, lámpadas illústra

ólei nostri, ténebras depélle

péctore cunctas.

Crímina laxa pietáte multa,

áblue sordes, víncula disrúmpe,

parce peccátis, réleva iacéntes

déxtera tua.

By your singular love. O God, incline your ears to our prayers; we ask you to receive the humble petitions of thy Servants. Mercifully look down from your heavenly throne with a peaceful countenance: light our lamps with oil and drive away darkness from all hearts. Of your love loosen us from our many sins, wash our uncleanness, break our chains, spare sinners, and lift up with your right hand the fallen.

Vespers: 7^th – 8^th Centuries

W&H: Traditional Vespers Hymn but stanzas 3 and 5 dropped.

Sator princépsque témporum, (1)

clarum diem labóribus

noctémque qui sopóribus

fixo distínguis órdine,

Mentem tu castam dírige,

obscúra ne siléntia (2)

ad dira cordis vúlnera

telis patéscant ínvidi.

Vacent ardóre péctora,

faces nec ullas pérferant,

quæ nostro hæréntes sénsui

mentis vigórem sáucient.

1.       Sator = creator or father; 2. Walpole: ‘lest the dark silence be exposed to the darts of the enemy’.

O Sower and Ruler of time, in set order, you designate the bright day for work and the night for sleep. Direct the chaste mind that the silent darkness not open harsh wounds of the heart to the attacks of the Invidious One. May hearts be free from the passions that they may not have to endure any dangerous heat, which clinging to our sense wounds strength of mind.