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.
Lauda Sion: Sequence for the Feast of Corpus Christi
Composed by St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Translated by Jeffrey C. Kalb, Jr.Lauda Sion: Sequence for the Feast of Corpus Christi
Composed by St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Lauda, Sion, Salvatórem Worship, Zion, your Salvation,
Lauda ducem et pastórem Guide and Shepherd with elation.
In hymnis et cánticis. Hymns and canticles upraise.
Quantum potes, tantum aude: Laud Him with the utmost daring,
Quia major omni laude, For He’s great beyond comparing,
Nec laudáre súfficis. Nor do you suffice to praise.
Laudis thema speciális Now a theme of laud deserving,
Panis vivus et vitális Living Bread and life-preserving,
Hódie propónitur. Calls us to a special feast.
Quem in sacrae mensa coenae Bread at sacred supper broken
Turbae fratrum duodénae For the twelve as Love’s own token
Datum non ambígitur Is not doubted in the least.
Sit laus plena, sit sonóra, Let the praise be full, resounding.
Sit jucúnda, sit decóra Let your joy of mind, abounding,
Mentis jubilátio. Pleasant and well ordered peal.
Dies enim solémnis ágitur Greet the solemn day awaited,
In qua mensae prima recólitur In which feast is meditated
Hujus institútio. The first founding of this Meal.
In hac mensa novi Regis At this board of the new Regent,
Novum Pascha novae legis Novel Pasch of Law more recent
Phase vetus términat. Brings to end the ancient rite.
Vetustátem nóvitas, Newness routs the obsolescent;
Umbram fugat véritas, Truth dispels the shadows present;
Noctem lux elíminat. Morning banishes the night.
Quod in coena Christus gessit, What at supper Christ effected,
Faciéndum hoc expréssit His apostles He directed
In sui memóriam. Likewise to commemorate.
Docti sacris institútis, Taught by sacred regulation,
Panem, vinum in salútis Into Victim of Salvation
Consecrámus hóstiam. Bread and wine we consecrate.
Dogma datur christiánis, Bread into His Body changes,
Quod in carnem transit panis, Wine to Blood, as He arranges:
Et vinum, in sánguinem. Christian dogma verifies.
Quod non capis, quod non vides, Neither touch nor sight revering,
Animósa firmat fides Lively Faith affirms in hearing
Praeter rerum órdinem. What past nature’s order lies.
Sub divérsis speciébus, Under species yet persisting,
Signis tantum, et non rebus, Merely signs, and not subsisting,
Latent res exímiae. Unexampled Substance hides.
Caro cibus, sanguis potus: Meal of Flesh and Blood sustaining,
Manet tamen Christus totus, Still the whole of Christ, remaining,
Sub utráque spécie. Under both the signs resides.
A suménte non concísus, By the taker neither severed,
Non confráctus, non divísus: Nor divided, nor dismembered,Ínteger accípitur. Christ entire is brought in store.
Sumit unus, sumunt mille: One receives, thus thousands making,
Quantum isti, tantum ille: Just as much as these partaking:
Nec sumptus consúmitur. Taken, He but offers more.
Sumunt boni, sumunt mali: Good and bad, receiving, merit
Sorte tamen inaequáli, Lots diverse, and thus inherit
Vitae, vel intéritus. Life divine, or endless waste.
Mors est malis, vita bonis: Life for good men, death for evil:
Vide paris sumptiónis See the outcome so unequal
Quam sit dispar éxitus. Brought about by equal taste.
Fracto demum sacraménto, Once the Sacrament's divided,
Ne vacílles, sed meménto, Do not waver, be decided:
Tantum esse sub fragménto, There's as much to each confided
Quantum toto tégitur. As in whole it comprehends.
Nulla rei fit scissúra: Of the Substance there’s no rupture,
Signi tantum fit fractúra, In the sign alone a fracture,
Qua nec status nec statúra By which neither state nor stature
Signáti minúitur. Of the Signified descends.
Ecce Panis Angelórum Bread of the angelic chorus
Factus cibus viatórum! Made the Food of pilgrims for us!
Vere Panis filiórum, Children’s Leaven so decorous
Non mitténdus cánibus. To the dogs must not be thrown.
In figúris praesignátur, In the types fore-indicated,
Cum Isáac immolátur, He is Isaac immolated,
Agnus Paschae deputatur, He the Paschal Lamb awaited,
Datur manna patribus. Manna to the fathers sown.
Bone pastor, panis vere, Jesus, Bread, but veiled austerely,
Jesu, nostri miserére: We Thy mercy beg sincerely.
Tu nos pasce, nos tuére, Feed us, Shepherd, guard us dearly,
Tu nos bona fac vidére Make us see the good things clearly
In terra vivéntium. In Thy living people’s land.
Tu qui cuncta scis et vales, All things knowing, all things able,
Qui nos pascis hic mortáles: Feeding mortals at Thy table:
Tuos ibi commensáles, Us to dine with Thee enable,
Coherédes et sodáles Deign us friends and heirs to label,
Fac sanctórum cívium. Make us with Thy saints to stand.
