VEXILLA REGIS PRODEUNT

VESPERS HYMN OF PASSIONTIDE
Venantius Fortunatus, d.609 / Mode 1

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1	Vexílla Regis pródeunt: Fúlget Crucis mystérium, Qua vita mortem pértulit, Et morte vitam prótulit.	Forth comes the Standard of the King: All hail, thou Mystery ador'd! Hail, Cross! on which the Life Himself Died, and by death our life restor'd!
2	Quæ vulneráta lánceæ Mucróne diro críminum Ut nos laváret sórdibus, Manávit unda et sánguine.	On which our Saviour's holy side Rent open with a cruel spear Of blood and water poured a stream, To wash us from defilement clear.
3	Impléta sunt quæ cóncinit, David fidéli cármine; Dicéndo natiónibus: Regnávit a ligno Deus.	O sacred wood! in Thee fulfill'd Was holy David's truthful lay! Which told the world, that from a tree The Lord should all the nations sway.
4	Arbor decóra et fúlgida, Ornáta Regis púrpura, Elécta digno stípite, Tam sancta membra tángere.	Most royally empurpled o'er, How beauteously thy stem doth shine! How glorious was its lot to touch Those limbs so holy and divine!
5	Beáta, cujus bráchiis, Prétium pepéndit sæculi: Statéra facta córporis, Tulítque prædam tártari.	Thrice blest, upon whose arms outstretched The Saviour of the world reclined; Balance sublime! upon whose beam Was weighed the ransom of mankind.
6	O CRUX, ÁVE, SPES ÚNICA; Hoc Passiónis témpore, Piis adáuge grátiam, Reísque dele crÍmina.	Hail, Cross! thou only hope of man, Hail, on this holy Passionday! To saints increase the grace they have; From sinners purge their guilt away.
7	Te, fons salútis, Trínitas, Colláudet omnis spíritus: Quibus Crucis victóriam Largíris, adde præmium.	Salvation's spring, blest Trinity, Be praise to Thee through earth and skies: Thou through the Cross the victory Dost give; oh, also give the prize!
**	Amen.	Amen.

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