Hostis Herodes impie

Representative Text

1 Hostis Horedes impie!
Christum venire quid times?
Non arripit mortalia,
qui regna dat coelestia.

2 Ibant Magi, quam viderant
stellam sequentes praeviam,
lumen requirunt lumine
Deum fatentur munere.

3 Lavacra puri gurgitis
coelestis Agnus attigit,
peccata, quae non detulit,
nos abluendo sustulit.

4 Novum genus potentiae,
aquae rubescunt hydriae,
vinumque jussa fundere
mutavit unda origmen.

5 Gloria tibi Domine,
qui apparuisti hodie,
cum Patrae et sancto spiritu
in sempiterna secula.

Amen.

Source: Evangelisch-Lutherisches Gesang-Buch: worin die gebräuchlichsten alten Kirchen-Lieder Dr. M. Lutheri und anderer reinen lehrer und zeugen Gottes, zur Befoerderung der wahren ... (2. verm. Aus.) #72

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Author: Sedulius

Sedulius, Coelius. The known facts concerning this poet, as contained in his two letters to Macedonius, are, that in early life, he devoted himself to heathen literature; that comparatively late in life he was converted to Christianity; and that amongst his friends were Gallieanus and Perpetua. The place of his birth is generally believed to have been Rome; and the date when he flourished 450. For this date the evidence is, that he referred to the Commentaries of Jerome, who died 420; is praised by Cassiodorus, who d. 575, and by Gelasius, who was pope from 492 to 496. His works were collected, after his death, by Asterius, who was consul in 494. They are (1) Carmen Paschale, a poem which treats of the whole Gospel story; (2) Opus Paschale,… Go to person page >

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First Line:	Hostis Herodes impie
Author:	Sedulius
Language:	Latin
Notes:	English translation: "O Herod, wicked foe, why fear" by The Irish Dominican Fathers
Copyright:	Public Domain