At
Vespers: Common of many martyrs: unknown: perhaps 8th Century
Sanctórum méritis ínclita gáudia
pangámus, sócii, géstaque fórtia;
nam gliscit ánimus prómere cántibus
victórum
genus óptimum.
Hi sunt quos rétinens mundus inhórruit,
ipsum nam stérili
flore peráridum
sprevére pénitus teque
secúti sunt,
rex, Christe, bone cælitum.
Hi pro te fúrias
sævaque sústinent;
non murmur résonat,
non querimónia,
sed corde tácito mens bene cónscia
consérvat
patiéntiam.
Quæ vox, quæ póterit lingua retéxere
quæ tu martýribus
múnera præparas?
Rubri nam flúido sánguine láureis
ditántur bene fúlgidis.
Te, trina Déitas
únaque, póscimus,
ut culpas ábluas,
nóxia súbtrahas,
des pacem fámulis, nos
quoque glóriam
per cuncta tibi sæcula. Amen.
Friends, let us sing the glorious joys of the
merits of the saints and their brave deeds; our soul is eager to relate in song
this line of great victors. These are those whom the world rejected and hated
because they spurned completely the dry flowerless world and followed you, O
Christ, the good King of heavenly dwellers. These for you withstood anger and
cruelty without protest or complaint, but with a silent heart and good
conscience they persevered in patience. What voice or tongue can tell the gifts
you have prepared for your martyrs. Red with the flow of blood they are given
bright laurels. To you, triune and one
God, we pray that you will wash us from our sins, drive far way all that is
harmful, grant peace to your servants and also grant that we give you glory
forever. Amen.
