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E05215: A hymn, almost certainly by Ambrose of Milan, is written in Latin in Milan (northern Italy) after 386 (Grates tibi, Iesu, nouas). It is dedicated to *Gervasius and Protasius (martyrs of Milan, S00313).
online resource
posted on 2018-03-19, 00:00 authored by francesAmbrose of Milan, Grates tibi, Iesu, nouas
Grates tibi, Iesu, nouas
noui repertor muneris
Protasio Geruasio
martyribus inuentis cano.
Piae latebant hostiae, [5]
sed non latebat fons sacer;
latere sanguis non potest,
qui clamat ad Deum Patrem.
Caelo refulgens gratia
artus reuelauit sacros; [10]
nequimus esse martyres,
sed repperimus martyres.
Hic quis requirat testium
uoces, ubi factum est fides?
Sanatus impos mentium [15]
opus fatetur martyrum.
Caecus recepto lumine
mortis sacrae meritum probat.
Seuerus est nomen uiro,
usus minister publici. [20]
Vt martyrum uestem attigit
et ora tersit nubila,
lumen refulsit ilico
fugitque pulsa caecitas.
Soluta turba uinculis, [25]
spiris draconum libera,
emissa totis urbibus
domum redit cum gratia.
Vetusta saecla uidimus,
iactata semicinctia [30]
tactuque et umbra corporum
aegris salutem redditam.
‘To you, O Jesus, I sing new thanks,
I who unearthed a new gift
when the martyrs Protasius
and Gervasius were discovered.
The pious victims were lying hidden, [5]
but the holy source was not concealed;
for the blood that cries
to God the Father cannot be hidden.
Grace shining in the sky
revealed their holy limbs; [10]
we cannot be martyrs,
but we discover martyrs.
What sort of person would demand
witnesses’ reports, when what has happened is proof?
The healing of those who lost their sense [15]
acknowledges the work of the martyrs.
The blind man who received his sight
proves the value of their holy death.
The man’s name is Severus,
He is employed as a servant of the state. [20]
As he touched the martyrs’ garb
and he rubbed his cloudy eyes,
immediately his eyes shone
and blindness, beaten, fled.
The crowd was released from chains, [25]
And freed from the serpents’ coils,
they emerged from all the cities
and returned home with thanks.
We saw again the days of old
Semi-girdles were thrown off, [30]
and by the touch and shadow of the bodies
health was restored to the weak.’
Text: Fontaine 1992. Translation: Dunkle 2016, adapted.
Grates tibi, Iesu, nouas
noui repertor muneris
Protasio Geruasio
martyribus inuentis cano.
Piae latebant hostiae, [5]
sed non latebat fons sacer;
latere sanguis non potest,
qui clamat ad Deum Patrem.
Caelo refulgens gratia
artus reuelauit sacros; [10]
nequimus esse martyres,
sed repperimus martyres.
Hic quis requirat testium
uoces, ubi factum est fides?
Sanatus impos mentium [15]
opus fatetur martyrum.
Caecus recepto lumine
mortis sacrae meritum probat.
Seuerus est nomen uiro,
usus minister publici. [20]
Vt martyrum uestem attigit
et ora tersit nubila,
lumen refulsit ilico
fugitque pulsa caecitas.
Soluta turba uinculis, [25]
spiris draconum libera,
emissa totis urbibus
domum redit cum gratia.
Vetusta saecla uidimus,
iactata semicinctia [30]
tactuque et umbra corporum
aegris salutem redditam.
‘To you, O Jesus, I sing new thanks,
I who unearthed a new gift
when the martyrs Protasius
and Gervasius were discovered.
The pious victims were lying hidden, [5]
but the holy source was not concealed;
for the blood that cries
to God the Father cannot be hidden.
Grace shining in the sky
revealed their holy limbs; [10]
we cannot be martyrs,
but we discover martyrs.
What sort of person would demand
witnesses’ reports, when what has happened is proof?
The healing of those who lost their sense [15]
acknowledges the work of the martyrs.
The blind man who received his sight
proves the value of their holy death.
The man’s name is Severus,
He is employed as a servant of the state. [20]
As he touched the martyrs’ garb
and he rubbed his cloudy eyes,
immediately his eyes shone
and blindness, beaten, fled.
The crowd was released from chains, [25]
And freed from the serpents’ coils,
they emerged from all the cities
and returned home with thanks.
We saw again the days of old
Semi-girdles were thrown off, [30]
and by the touch and shadow of the bodies
health was restored to the weak.’
Text: Fontaine 1992. Translation: Dunkle 2016, adapted.
History
Evidence ID
E05215Saint Name
Gervasius and Protasius, martyrs of Milan : S00313Saint Name in Source
Gervasius, ProtasiusRelated Saint Records
Type of Evidence
Liturgical texts - HymnsLanguage
- Latin
Evidence not before
380Evidence not after
397Activity not before
386Activity 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
Cult activities - Festivals
- Saint’s feast
