25.
ASCENSION-TIDE, AT VESPERS.
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SALUTIS humanæ Sator,
Jesu voluptas cordium,
Orbis redempti Conditor,
Et casta lux amantium.
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O THOU pure Light of souls that love!
True joy of every human breast!
Sower of life's immortal seed!
Our Maker, and Redeemer blest!
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Qua victus es clementia,
Ut nostra ferres crimina?
Mortem subires innoceus,
A morte nos ut tolleres?
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What wondrous pity Thee o'ercame
To make our guilty load Thine own,
And, sinless, suffer death and shame,
For our transgressions to atone!
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Perrumpis infernum chaos
Vinctis catenas detrahis;
Victor triumpho nobili
Ad dexteram Patris sedes.
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Thou, bursting Hades open wide,
Didst all the captive souls unchain;
And thence to Thy dread Father's side
With glorious pomp ascend again.
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Te cogat indulgentia,
Ut damna nostra sarcias,
Tuique vultus compotes
Dites beato lumine.
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O still may pity Thee compel
To heal the wounds of which we die;
And take us in Thy light to dwell,
Who for Thy blissful Presence sigh.
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Tu dux ad astra, et semita,
Sis meta nostris cordibus,
Sis lacrymarum gaudium,
Sis dulce vitæ præmium.
Amen.
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Be Thou our Guide; be Thou our Goal;
Be Thou our Pathway to the skies;
Our Joy when sorrow fills the soul;
In death our everlasting prize.
Amen.
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