Verbum Supernum

The following is a new modern translation of traditional Latin poetry.

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.



Verbum Supernum:  Lauds Hymn for the Feast of Corpus Christi

Composed by St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

Translated by Jeffrey C. Kalb, Jr.

Verbum supernum prodiens,                 The Word supernal going forth,

nec Patris linquens dexteram,                yet seated at His Father’s right,

ad opus suum exiens,                            now going out for deeds of worth,

venit ad vitae vesperam.                       had come to life’s own vesper light.

In mortem a discipulo,                           By Judas to His rivals sold,

suis tradendus aemulis,                          by rivals given to the grave,

prius in vitae ferculo                             He first in dish of Life untold           

se tradidit discipulis.                             Himself to His disciples gave.

Quibus sub bina specie                         His Flesh and Blood He did prepare

carnem dedit et sanguinem,                    concealed beneath a twofold sign,

ut duplicis substantiae                           that man entire might take for fare

totum cibaret hominem.                         His Substance human and divine.

Se nascens dedit socium,                       When born, Himself as Friend He gave,

convescens in edulium                           when supping, as both Food and Lord,

se, moriens in pretium,                           when dying, as the Price to save,

se regnans dat in praemium.                   but reigning, He is our Reward.

O salutaris Hostia,                                 O saving Victim here confessed,

quae caeli pandis ostium,                       Who gate of Heaven open laid,
bella premunt hostilia:                            on us, by hostile wars oppressed,
da robur, fer auxilium.                            bestow Thy strength, confer Thine aid.

Uni trinoque Domino,                             To Lord Almighty, One and Three,
sit sempiterna gloria,                              let praise and glory ever tend!
qui vitam sine termino                            May God so grant that we may see
nobis donet in patria.                              a life in Heaven without end.