Hymn on the Ascension of the Lord
(to be sung) at Lauds
The is one of a few poems that Peter Damian offers not to a saint, but to a solemn calendar day.
1.
Clara polorum culmina
Laeta mirentur lumina,
Quae penetrat rex gloriae
Cum triumpho Victoriae.
May the bright peaks of the heavens
Admire the happy lights,
With which the king of glory enters
With the triumph of victory.
2.
Qui moriturus venerat,
Perempta morte remeat
Victor ad astra nobilis
Raptis gehennae spoliis.
He who will be dying had come,
With death having been killed, returns
The noble victor to the stars
Having dragged off the booty of hell.
3.
Acclinis ut erigeret,
Venitus ut redimeret,
Spretis errantem pascuis
Ovem reportat scapulis.
Bent down so that he might rise,
Sold in order to redeem [us],
He carries back on his shoulders
The wandering sheep who left his pasture.
4.
Iam, caro, lutum despice,
Caelum, tellus, ingredere,
Nam membris via sternitur,
Quo caput ire cernitur.
Now, flesh, despise the mud,
Proceed, earth, to heaven,
The path is smoothed out for your limbs
Where your head is determined to go.
5.
Iesu, decus angelicum,
Dulcendo, desiderium,
Et nos totis visceribus
Te fac ambire, quaesumus.
Jesus, angelic splendor,
Sweetness, longing,
Please make us embrace you
With all our being.
6.
Da nobis in te vivere,
Ad te cor nostrum dirige;
Accedat nostra pectora
Tuus amor in saecula.
Amen.
Grant us to live in you,
Direct our heart to you;
Let your love enter
Our hearts forever.
Amen.
