VIII. _Ut queant laxis resonare fibris_
(St. John the Baptist)
1. Ut queant laxis resonare fibris
Mira gestorum famuli tuorum,
Solve polluti labii reatum,
Sancte Ioannes.
1. In flowing measures worthily to sing
The wonders which of old by thee were done,
To lips unclean let Heaven remission bring,
O Holy John!
2. Nuntius celso veniens Olympo,
Te patri magnum fore nasciturum,
Nomen et vitae seriem gerendae
Ordine promit.
2. From highest Heaven a herald sent to earth
Thy future greatness to thy father told;
Thy name and life in order from thy birth
Entire unrolled.
3. Ille promissi dubius superni,
Perdidit promptae modulos loquelae,
Sed reformasti genitus peremptae
Organa vocis.
3. Yet doubting of the promise of his Lord
His palsied tongue of language lost the power;
By thee was all his faltering speech restored
Thy natal hour.
4. Ventris obtruso recubans cubili,
Senseras regem thalamo manentem,
Hinc parens nati meritis uterque
Abdita pandit.
4. Thou didst within the narrow womb discern
The King in that his chamber lie concealed;
Each parent her Son’s dignity in turn
To each revealed.
5. Sit decus Patri, genitaeque Proli,
Et tibi, compar utriusque virtus,
Spiritus semper, Deus unus, omni
Temporis aevo.
5. Now whilst Heaven’s citizens proclaim thy praise
God ever One and yet coequal Three
For pardon we our suppliant voices raise
Redeemed by Thee!
Tr. J. D. Chambers. Stanzas 6-13 omitted.