1. Ad perennis vitae fontem mens sitivit arida;
Claustra carnis praesto frangi clausa quaerit anima:
Gliscit, ambit, eluctatur exul frui patria.
1. To the fount of life eternal cries the soul with longing thirst,
And the spirit, flesh-imprisoned, seeks the bars of flesh to burst;
Strives to gain that heavenly country, exiled now and sin-accurst.
2. Dum pressuris ac aerumnis se gemit obnoxiam,
Quam amisit, dum deliquit, contemplatur gloriam,
Praesens malum auget boni perditi memoriam.
2. Sore beset with care and danger, groans the spirit for release,
Still beholds, though lost in Eden, glory forfeited and peace;
Former good, in memory dwelling, doth the present ill increase.
3. Nam quis promat summae pacis quanta sit laetitia,
Ubi vivis margaritis surgunt aedificia,
Auro celsa micant tecta, radiant triclinia?
3. Who can tell how great the joy of that Peace surpassing all,
Where of living pearls constructed rise the stately buildings tall,
Where with gold the rooftree glitters, shines with gold the
banquet-hall.
4. Solis gemmis pretiosis haec structura nectitur;
Auro mundo, tamquam vitro, urbis via sternitur;
Abest limus, deest fimus, lues nulla cernitur.
4. All of precious stones compacted rise those structures of delight;
Purest gold as crystal shining paves the heavenly city bright;
Never mire nor filth defiling stains the streets of radiant light.
5. Hiems horrens, aestas torrens illic numquam saeviunt;
Flos perpetuus rosarum ver agit perpetuum;
Candent lilia, rubescit crocus, sudat balsamum.
5. Chilling winter, burning summer, neither rages in that land,
But the crimson bloom of roses doth an endless spring demand;
White the lilies, red the crocus, fragrant doth the balsam stand.
6. Virent prata, vernant sata, rivi mellis influunt;
Pigmentorum spirat odor, liquor et aromatum;
Pendent poma floridorum non lapsura nemorum.
6. Green the pastures, flower-besprinkled, fed by streams with honey
filled;
All the air is sweet with incense from the odorous herbs distilled;
Never fails the ripened fruitage, nor is bloom by winter chilled.
7. Non alternat luna vices, sol, vel cursus siderum;
Agnus est felicis urbis lumen inocciduum;
Nox et tempus desunt ei, diem fert continuum.
7. Waxeth not the moon nor waneth, need not sun or stars to be,
But the Lamb in that blest city shines a Sun eternally;
There the daylight is unbroken, night and time have ceased to be.
8. Nam et sancti quique velut sol praeclarus rutilant;
Post triumphum coronati mutuo coniubilant,
Et prostrati pugnas hostis iam securi numerant.
8. Shine the blessed with a splendor like the splendor of the sun;
Crowned in triumph stand they singing that the race of life is run;
Now secure, they count the glories of the contest they have won.
9. Omni labe defaecati carnis bella nesciunt,
Caro facta spiritalis et mens unum sentiunt;
Pace multa perfruentes scandalum non perferunt.
9. Cleansed from every stain of evil, they from carnal strife are
free;
Flesh made spirit, with the spirit doth for evermore agree,
There, released from all temptation, they shall Peace unbroken see.
20. Probes vires inexhausto laboranti proelio,
Nec quietem post procinctum deneges emerito,
Te que merear potiri sine fine praemio!
20. Strength supply, in heat or conflict, ceaseless struggle to
maintain;
Grant thy servant, warfare ended, well-deserved rest to gain;
Grant that I, Thyself deserving, may Thyself as prize attain!
Tr. Stephen A. Hurlbut. Quoted by permission of author.