E05216: A hymn, almost certainly by Ambrose of Milan, is written in Latin in Milan (northern Italy) sometime after 386 (Apostolorum supparem). It is dedicated to *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), and mentions *Xystus/Sixtus II (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00201).
online resource
posted on 2018-03-19, 00:00 authored by dlambertAmbrose of Milan, Apostolorum supparem
Apostolorum supparem
Laurentium archidiaconum
pari corona martyrum
Romana sacrauit fides.
Xystum sequens hic martyrem [5]
responsa uatis rettulit:
“Maerere, fili, desine,
sequere me post triduum.”
Nec territus poenae metu,
heres futurus sanguinis, [10]
spectauit obtutu pio
quod ipse mox persolueret.
lam tunc in illo martyre
egit triumphum martyris:
successor aequus syngrapham [15]
uocis tenens et sanguinis.
Post triduum iussus tamen
census sacratos prodere
spondet pie nec abnuit,
addens dolum uictoriae. [20]
Spectaculum pulcherrimum!
egena cogit agmina
inopesque monstrans praedicat:
“Hi sunt opes ecclesiae.”
Verae piorum perpetes [25]
inopes profecto sunt opes.
Auarus inlusus dolet
flammas et ultrices parat.
Fugit perustus carnifex
suisque cedit ignibus; [30]
“Versate me, martyr uocat,
uorate, si coetum est, iubet.”
‘The Roman faith has consecrated
the near-equal of the Apostles
the archdeacon Laurence
with the equal crown of martyrdom.
When this man followed the martyr Sixtus [5]
he reported what that prophet said:
“Do not grieve, my son,
you’ll follow me in three days’ time.”
He was not shaken by fear of pain,
this future heir of his blood, [10]
with pious gaze he looked upon
what soon he would accomplish.
Now then, in that martyr,
He pursued the triumph of a martyr:
He was an equal successor [15]
Holding a contract of the voice and of blood.
Then after three days he was ordered
To give up sacred wealth
He dutifully responds and does not refuse,
But adds a trick to this victory. [20]
A most glorious spectacle!
He gathered up the ranks of poor,
showed forth the penniless, and proclaimed:
“These are the riches of the church.”
True and enduring holy treasure [25]
Is accomplished in the poor.
Thus mocked, the greedy man was riled
And prepared the vengeful flames.
The torturer, when burned, fled off
and departed from his fires; [30]
“Turn me over,” called the martyr,
“and eat me, if I’m cooked,” he bids.
Text: Fontaine 1992. Translation: Dunkle 2016, lightly adapted.
Apostolorum supparem
Laurentium archidiaconum
pari corona martyrum
Romana sacrauit fides.
Xystum sequens hic martyrem [5]
responsa uatis rettulit:
“Maerere, fili, desine,
sequere me post triduum.”
Nec territus poenae metu,
heres futurus sanguinis, [10]
spectauit obtutu pio
quod ipse mox persolueret.
lam tunc in illo martyre
egit triumphum martyris:
successor aequus syngrapham [15]
uocis tenens et sanguinis.
Post triduum iussus tamen
census sacratos prodere
spondet pie nec abnuit,
addens dolum uictoriae. [20]
Spectaculum pulcherrimum!
egena cogit agmina
inopesque monstrans praedicat:
“Hi sunt opes ecclesiae.”
Verae piorum perpetes [25]
inopes profecto sunt opes.
Auarus inlusus dolet
flammas et ultrices parat.
Fugit perustus carnifex
suisque cedit ignibus; [30]
“Versate me, martyr uocat,
uorate, si coetum est, iubet.”
‘The Roman faith has consecrated
the near-equal of the Apostles
the archdeacon Laurence
with the equal crown of martyrdom.
When this man followed the martyr Sixtus [5]
he reported what that prophet said:
“Do not grieve, my son,
you’ll follow me in three days’ time.”
He was not shaken by fear of pain,
this future heir of his blood, [10]
with pious gaze he looked upon
what soon he would accomplish.
Now then, in that martyr,
He pursued the triumph of a martyr:
He was an equal successor [15]
Holding a contract of the voice and of blood.
Then after three days he was ordered
To give up sacred wealth
He dutifully responds and does not refuse,
But adds a trick to this victory. [20]
A most glorious spectacle!
He gathered up the ranks of poor,
showed forth the penniless, and proclaimed:
“These are the riches of the church.”
True and enduring holy treasure [25]
Is accomplished in the poor.
Thus mocked, the greedy man was riled
And prepared the vengeful flames.
The torturer, when burned, fled off
and departed from his fires; [30]
“Turn me over,” called the martyr,
“and eat me, if I’m cooked,” he bids.
Text: Fontaine 1992. Translation: Dunkle 2016, lightly adapted.
History
Evidence ID
E05216Saint Name
Laurence/Laurentius, deacon and martyr of Rome : S00037 Xystus/Sixtus II, bishop and martyr of Rome : S00201Saint Name in Source
Laurentius XystusRelated 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
Cult activities - Festivals
- Saint’s feast
