E05212: A hymn (Agnes beatae virginis), almost certainly by Ambrose of Milan, is written in Latin in Milan (northern Italy) sometime after 386 for the feast day of *Agnes (virgin and martyr of Rome, S00097).
online resource
posted on 2018-03-18, 00:00 authored by BryanAmbrose of Milan, Agnes beatae uirgines
Agnes beatae uirginis
natalis est, quo spiritum
caelo refudit debitum
pio sacrata sanguine;
matura martyrio fuit, [5]
matura nondum nuptiis.
Nutabat in uiris fides
cedebat et fessus senex.
Metu parentes territi
claustrum pudoris auxerant; [10]
soluit fores custodiae
fides teneri nescia.
Prodire quis nuptum putet,
sic laeta uultu ducitur,
nouas uiro ferens opes, [15]
dotata censu sanguinis.
Aras nefandi numinis
adolere taedis cogitur;
respondet: “Haud tales faces
sumpsere Christi uirgines; [20]
hic ignis exstinguit fidem,
haec flamma lumen eripit.
Hic, hic ferite! ut profluo
cruore restinguam focos.”
Percussa quam pompa tulit! [25]
Nam ueste se totam tegens
curam pudoris praestitit,
ne quis retectam cerneret.
In morte uiuebat pudor,
uultumque texerat manu, [30]
terram genu flexo petit
lapsu uerecundo cadens.
‘It is the birthday
Of the blessed virgin Agnes
On this holy day, by means of her sacred blood,
Her spirit flows back to heaven
She was old enough for martyrdom [5]
but still not old enough to wed.
Then faith was wavering in men
and the weary elder gave up.
Her parents shaken with fear
Increased the protection of her modesty; [10]
But faith, which knows no restraint,
Opened the doors of confinement.
Anyone might think a bride came forth,
She was escorted with such a joyful face,
Carrying for her groom a new wealth, [15]
enriched by the dowry of her blood
She is summoned to make a sacrifice by the torch
On the altar of the wicked deity;
She responds that Christ’s virgins
Do not take up such torches. [20]
“This fire snuffs out faith,
This fire tears away light
Strike me here, here! So that I might
Quench the fireplace with flowing blood.”
Beaten down she appeared majestic! [25]
For she covered herself completely with her clothes
Excelling in care for her modesty,
Lest anyone see her nakedness.
In her death, modesty lived,
And she covered her face with her hand, [30]
She seeks the earth with bended knees
As she modestly and gently fell.
Text: Fontaine 1992. Translation: Dunkle 2016, adapted.
Agnes beatae uirginis
natalis est, quo spiritum
caelo refudit debitum
pio sacrata sanguine;
matura martyrio fuit, [5]
matura nondum nuptiis.
Nutabat in uiris fides
cedebat et fessus senex.
Metu parentes territi
claustrum pudoris auxerant; [10]
soluit fores custodiae
fides teneri nescia.
Prodire quis nuptum putet,
sic laeta uultu ducitur,
nouas uiro ferens opes, [15]
dotata censu sanguinis.
Aras nefandi numinis
adolere taedis cogitur;
respondet: “Haud tales faces
sumpsere Christi uirgines; [20]
hic ignis exstinguit fidem,
haec flamma lumen eripit.
Hic, hic ferite! ut profluo
cruore restinguam focos.”
Percussa quam pompa tulit! [25]
Nam ueste se totam tegens
curam pudoris praestitit,
ne quis retectam cerneret.
In morte uiuebat pudor,
uultumque texerat manu, [30]
terram genu flexo petit
lapsu uerecundo cadens.
‘It is the birthday
Of the blessed virgin Agnes
On this holy day, by means of her sacred blood,
Her spirit flows back to heaven
She was old enough for martyrdom [5]
but still not old enough to wed.
Then faith was wavering in men
and the weary elder gave up.
Her parents shaken with fear
Increased the protection of her modesty; [10]
But faith, which knows no restraint,
Opened the doors of confinement.
Anyone might think a bride came forth,
She was escorted with such a joyful face,
Carrying for her groom a new wealth, [15]
enriched by the dowry of her blood
She is summoned to make a sacrifice by the torch
On the altar of the wicked deity;
She responds that Christ’s virgins
Do not take up such torches. [20]
“This fire snuffs out faith,
This fire tears away light
Strike me here, here! So that I might
Quench the fireplace with flowing blood.”
Beaten down she appeared majestic! [25]
For she covered herself completely with her clothes
Excelling in care for her modesty,
Lest anyone see her nakedness.
In her death, modesty lived,
And she covered her face with her hand, [30]
She seeks the earth with bended knees
As she modestly and gently fell.
Text: Fontaine 1992. Translation: Dunkle 2016, adapted.
History
Evidence ID
E05212Saint Name
Agnes, virgin and martyr of Rome : S00097Saint Name in Source
AgnesRelated Saint Records
Type of Evidence
Liturgical texts - HymnsLanguage
- Latin
Evidence not before
380Evidence not after
397Activity not before
380Activity not after
397Place of Evidence - Region
Italy north of Rome with Corsica and SardiniaPlace of Evidence - City, village, etc
MilanPlace of evidence - City name in other Language(s)
Milan Sardinia Sardinia Sardegna SardiniaMajor author/Major anonymous work
Ambrose of MilanCult activities - Liturgical Activity
- Chant and religious singing
