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
Præsta, Pater piíssime,
Patríque compar Unice,
cum Spíritu Paráclito
regnans per omne sǽculum. Amen.
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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