1. Sancti venite, Christi corpus sumite,
Sanctum bibentes, quo redempti sanguinem.
1. Draw nigh, and take the Body of the Lord,
And drink the Holy Blood for you outpoured.
2. Salvati Christi corpore et sanguine,
A quo refecti laudes dicamus Deo.
2. Saved by that Body, hallowed by that Blood,
Whereby refreshed, we render thanks to God.
3. Hoc sacramento corporis et sanguinis
Omnes exuti ab inferni faucibus.
3. Salvation’s Giver, Christ the Only Son;
By that His Cross and Blood the victory won.
4. Dator salutis, Christus filius Dei,
Mundum salvavit per crucem et sanguinem.
4. Offered was He for greatest and for least:
Himself the Victim, and Himself the Priest.
5. Pro universis immolatus Dominus
Ipse sacerdos exstitit et hostia.
5. Victims were offered by the Law of old,
That, in a type, celestial mysteries told.
6. Lege praeceptum immolari hostias,
Qua adumbrantur divina mysteria.
6. He, Ransomer from death and Light from shade,
Giveth His holy grace His Saints to aid.
7. Lucis indultor et salvator omnium
Praeclaram sanctis largitus est gratiam.
7. Approach ye then with faithful hearts sincere,
And take the safeguard of salvation here.
8. Accedant omnes pura mente creduli,
Sumant aeternam salutis custodiam.
8. He That in this world rules His Saints, and shields,
To all believers Life Eternal yields:
9. Sanctorum custos, rector quoque, Dominus,
Vitae perennis largitor credentibus.
9. With Heavenly Bread makes them that hunger whole;
Gives Living Waters to the thirsty soul.
10. Caelestem panem dat esurientibus,
De fonte vivo praebet sitientibus.
11. Alpha et omega ipse Christus Dominus
Venit, venturus iudicare homines.
10. Alpha and Omega, to Whom shall bow
All nations at the Doom, is with us now.
Tr. John Mason Neale, _Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences_, London.
Masters, 1867, p. 13.
Neale omits Latin stanza 3.