Hymn for Prime in Easter: London, British Library, Cotton Vespasian D. xii

 

Hymn for Prime in Easter: London, British Library, Cotton Vespasian D. xii

 

Milfull: appointed for Easter Sunday at Prime.

 

YMNUS IN PASCHA AD PRIMAM

 

TE, LUCIS AUCTOR, personent

huius caterve carmina,

quam tu replesti gratia

anastasi potentia.

 

Nobis dies hec innuit

diem supremum sistere

quo mortuos resurgere

viteque fas sit reddere.

 

Octava prima redditur,

dum mors abunda tollitur,

dum mente circumcidimur

novique demum nascimur,

 

cum mane nostrum cernimus

redisse victis hostibus

mundique luxum tempnimus,

panem salutis sumimus.

 

Hec alma sit sollempnitas,

sit clara hec festivitas,

sit feriata gaudiis;

dies reducta ab inferis.

 

Gloria tibi domine

 

The hymns of this band acclaim you, Creator of light, whom you fill with grace by the power of the resurrection. This day signals to us that a final day will come, when divine law dictates that the dead shall rise and be returned to life. The eighth day will be made the first, when endless death is taken away, when we are circumcised in soul and born anew. When we discern that our morning has returned after the victory over our enemies, we will hold in contempt the luxury of the world, and receive the bread of salvation. May this solemnity be nourishing, this feast be bright, may it be observed with joys, as day is returned from hell.