Play Fr. Allen's Class (38 min.)St. Francis Adult Christian Education
Play Fr. Allen's Class (38 min.)Aurelius Prudentius Clemens was a Roman Christian poet, born in the Roman province of Tarraconensis (now Northern Spain) in 348. He probably died in Spain, as well, some time after 405, possibly around 413. The place of his birth is uncertain, but it may have been Ceasaraugusta Saragossa, Tarraco Tarragona, or Calagurris Calahorra.
While little information exists about the life of Prudentius, he received the ususal literary and rhetorical education in his youth. It is recognized that he lamented an ill-spent youth, but he did not accuse himself of paganism or of having been converted to a Christian. In addition, it is inferred from his writings that his parents were Christians.
When Prudentius was thirteen years old, Julian was the last pagan emperor who attempted to suppress Christianity and restore paganism. However, the death of Julian in 363 permitted Valentinian and his brother Valens to reign as Christian co-emperors. As a result, these political events may have influenced the development of his later works.
Prudentius practised law with some success and was twice provincial governor, perhaps in his native country, before the emperor Theodosius I summoned him to court. Towards the end of his life (possibly around 392) Prudentius retired from public life to become an ascetic, fasting until evening and abstaining entirely from animal food. Prudentius later collected the Christian poems written during this period and added a preface, which he himself dated 405.
The poetry of Prudentius is influenced by early Christian authors, such as Tertullian and St. Ambrose, as well as the Bible and the acts of the martyrs. His Christmas plainsong hymn Divinum Mysterium ("Of the Father's Love Begotten") and the hymn for Epiphany O sola magnarum urbium ("Earth Has Many a Noble City"), both from the Cathemerinon, are still in use today. The allegorical Psychomachia, however, is his most influential work and became the inspiration and wellspring of medieval allegorical literature.
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Corde natus ex parentis Ante mundi exordium A et O cognominatus, ipse fons et clausula Omnium quae sunt, fuerunt, quaeque post futura sunt. Saeculorum saeculis |
Of the Father's love begotten, Ere the worlds began to be, He the source, the ending He, Of the things that are, that have been, And that future years shall see, Evermore and evermore! |
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Ipse iussit et creata, dixit ipse et facta sunt, Terra, caelum, fossa ponti, trina rerum machina, Quaeque in his vigent sub alto solis et lunae globo. Saeculorum saeculis |
At His Word the worlds were framed; he commanded; it was done; heaven and earth and depths of ocean In their threefold order one; All that grows beneath the shining Of the moon and burning sun, Evermore and evermore! |
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Corporis formam caduci, membra morti obnoxia Induit, ne gens periret primoplasti ex germine, Merserat quem lex profundo noxialis tartaro. Saeculorum saeculis |
He is found in human fashion, Death and sorrow here to know, That the race of Adam's children Doomed by law to endless woe, May not henceforth die and perish In the dreadful gulf below, Evermore and evermore! |
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O beatus ortus ille, virgo cum puerpera Edidit nostram salutem, feta Sancto Spiritu, Et puer redemptor orbis os sacratum protulit. Saeculorum saeculis |
O that birth forever blessed, When the virgin, full of grace, By the Holy Ghost conceiving, Bare the Savior of our race; And the Babe, the world's Redeemer, First revealed His sacred face, Evermore and evermore! |
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Psallat altitudo caeli, psallite omnes angeli, Quidquid est virtutis usquam psallat in laudem Dei, Nulla linguarum silescat, vox et omnis consonet. Saeculorum saeculis |
This is He Whom seers in old time Chanted of with one accord; Whom the voices of the prophets Promised in their faithful word; Now He shines, the long expected, Let creation praise its Lord, Evermore and evermore! |
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Ecce, quem vates vetustis concinebant saeculis, Quem prophetarum fideles paginae spoponderant, Emicat promissus olim; cuncta conlaudent eum. Saeculorum saeculis |
O ye heights of heaven adore Him; Angel hosts, His praises sing; Powers, dominions, bow before Him, and extol our God and King! Let no tongue on earth be silent, Every voice in concert sing. Evermore and evermore! |
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Macte iudex mortuorum, macte rex viventium, Dexter in Perentis arce qui cluis virtutibus, Omnium venturus inde iustus ultor criminum. Saeculorum saeculis |
Righteous judge of souls departed, Righteous King of them that live, On the Father's throne exalted none in might with Thee may strive; Who at last in vengeance coming Sinners from Thy face shalt drive, Evermore and evermore! |
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Te senes et te iuventus, parvulorum te chorus, Turba matrum, virginumque, simplices puellulae, Voce concordes pudicis perstrepant concentibus. Saeculorum saeculis |
Thee let old men, thee let young men, Thee let boys in chorus sing; Matrons, virgins, little maidens, With glad voices answering; Let their guileless songs re-echo, And the heart its music bring, Evermore and evermore! |
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Tibi, Christe, sit cum Patre hagioque Pneumate Hymnus, decus, laus perennis, gratiarum actio, Honor, virtus, victoria, regnum aeternaliter. Saeculorum saeculis |
Christ, to Thee with God the Father, And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee, Hymn and chant with high thanksgiving, And unwearied praises be; Honor, glory, and dominion, And eternal victory, Evermore and evermore! |
-- Translation by John Mason Neale
