It is intended to be as literal as possible within the constraint of
of the metrical form and rhyming sequence. By this publishing, I
explicitly place it in the public domain.
Christum Ducem
Christum Ducem
Composed by St. Bonaventure (1221-1274)
Translated by Jeffrey C. Kalb Jr.
Christum
ducem Christ
our Leader,
qui
per crucem and
Redeemer
redémit nos ab hóstibus by Cross and
Passion from the foe
laudet
coetus worship
gladly,
noster
laetus, dear
assembly.
exúltet caelum láudibus. Let heaven's
joyful praises grow.
Poena fortis Let Thy slaying,
Poena fortis Let Thy slaying,
tuae
mortis debt
repaying,
et sánguinis effúsio let merit
of Thy Blood outpoured,
corda
terant, quicken
surely
ut te
quaerant, hearts
to seek Thee,
Jesu, nostra redémptio. sweet Jesus,
our redeeming Lord.
Per felíces Through the scarring,
Per felíces Through the scarring,
cicatríces, fruitful
lashing,
sputa, flagélla, vérbera, and spittle
of His enemies,
nobis
grata let
us gather,
sint
colláta harvest
rather,
aetérna Christi múnera. the gifts of
Christ that ever please.
Nostrum tangat Let Thy grievous
Nostrum tangat Let Thy grievous
cor,
ut plangat, Wounds
impress us,
tuórum sanguis vúlnerum, Thy Blood impel our
hearts to mourn.
in
quo toti In
this Laver,
simus
loti cosmic
Father,
cónditor alme síderum. may we Thy
children be reborn.
Passiónis Dearest Savior,
Passiónis Dearest Savior,
tuae
donis let
us savor
salvátor, nos inébria, the
relish of Thy Passion's boon.
qua
fidélis Do
Thou, Faithful,
dare
velis make
us grateful
beáta nobis gáudia. and, drunk with blessed joys,
to swoon.
