Lauds: 5th-6th
Century
Appointed by Caesarius for Prime but later at Matins on Wednesday, e.g. Mozarabic breviary.
Fulgéntis auctor ǽtheris,
qui
lunam lumen nóctibus, (1)
solem
diérum cúrsibus
certo
fundásti trámite, (2)
Nox
atra iam depéllitur,
mundi
nitor renáscitur, (3)
novúsque
iam mentis vigor (4)
dulces
in actus érigit. (5)
Laudes
sonáre iam tuas
dies
relátus ádmonet,
vultúsque
cæli blándior (6)
nostra
serénat péctora. (7)
Vitémus
omne lúbricum, (8)
declínet prava spíritus, (9)
vitam
facta non ínquinent,
linguam
culpa non ímplicet; (10)
Sed,
sol diem dum cónficit, (11)
fides
profúnda férveat,
spes
ad promíssa próvocet,
Christo
coniúngat caritas
1. Genesis 1.16: ‘who hast
set the moon to lighten the night, the sun with fixed orbit to lighten the
day’s course.’ 2. tramite = an orbit; 3. nitor = brightness of
dawn; 4. novus: revived by sleep;
5. dulces actus: sweet acts because done
with more ease in the day than in the night; blandior
= more pleasant than the dark; 7. serénat =
brightens, illuminates; 8. Lúbricum; slippery, so sin or danger, connotes
danger; 9. declínet: turn away, go aside; 10. implicet: entangle;
11. cónficit: completes.
Author of the glittering sky, you established in a secure orbit the moon as light for night, the sun for the course of day. Dark night now is driven away, the brightness of the world is reborn, now new strength of mind directs us in pleasing deeds. Day returned admonishes us to sing your praises and the countenance of the more pleasant sky brightens our hearts. Let us shun all deceit, the spirit decline crooked things, our actions not indict our life, faults not entangle the tongue. But, while the sun makes the day, may deep faith burn, hope call us to the divine promises, love join us to Christ.
When the Office of Readings is said in the daytime: 10th Century
Christe, lux vera, bónitas et vita,
gáudium mundi, píetas imménsa,
qui nos a morte vívido salvásti
sánguine tuo,
Insere tuum, pétimus, amórem
méntibus nostris, fídei refúnde
lumen ætérnum, caritátis auge
dilectiónem.
Procul a nobis pérfidus absístat
Satan, a tuis víribus confráctus;
Sanctus assístat Spíritus, a tua
sede demíssus. Amen
O Christ, the true light, goodness and life, the joy of the world, immense love, who saves us from living death by your blood. Put love in our souls, pour out the eternal light of faith, increase our love of charity. May envious Satan, broken by your strength, be far from us; May the Holy Spirit, sent down from your throne, come to our aid. Amen.
Vespers: novus
Sol, ecce, lentus óccidens
montes et arva et ǽquora
mæstus relínquit, ínnovat
sed lucis omen crástinæ,
Mirántibus mortálibus
sic te, Creátor próvide,
leges vicésque témporum
umbris dedísse et lúmini.
Ac dum, ténebris ǽthera
siléntio preméntibus,
vigor labórum déficit,
quies cupíta quǽritur,
Spe nos fidéque dívites
tui beámur lúmine
Verbi, quod est a sǽculis
splendor patérnæ glóriæ.
Est ille sol qui nésciat
ortum vel umquam vésperum;
quo terra gestit cóntegi,
quo cæli in ævum iúbilant.
Hac nos seréna pérpetim
da luce tandem pérfrui,
cum Nato et almo Spíritu
tibi novántes cántica. Amen.
Behold the sun
slowly setting, now sadly abandons mountains, fields and streams but makes anew
a sign of tomorrow’s light. To astonished mortals, you, the Creator
providentially give the rules and changes of time, shadows and light. And
while, the darkness remains in the silent sky, strength for work declines,
quiet is desired and sought. May we be blessed by the light of your Word, made
rich with hope and faith, the eternal brightness of the Father’s glory. This is
the Sun, which knows no rising, no evening, by which the earth hastens to be
covered, by which the heavens rejoice forever. By this peaceful light grant
that we may at last enjoy, with the Son and Holy Spirit, singing to you a new
hymn.. Amen.
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