Adam of Saint-Victor
Sequence VIII: on Thomas of Canterbury
Gaude, Sion, et laetare, Voce, voto iucundare Sollemni laetitia! Tuus Thomas trucidatur, Pro te, Christe, immolatur Salutaris hostia. |
Rejoice and be happy, Zion, with voice and prayer celebrate with solemn joy! Your Thomas is slain, t he healing victim is sacrificed for you, Christ. |
Archipraesul et legatus Fuit Thomas consecratus, Nullo tamen est elatus Honoris fastigio; Dispensator summi regis Et divinae doctor legis Pro tutela sui gregis Trusus est exsilio. |
Thomas was consecrated archbishop and legate, but lofty honor did not overcome him with pride; the highest king’s treasurer and the doctor of divine law suffered exile to teach his flock. |
Telo certans pastorali, Ense cinctus spiritali Triumphare meruit. Hic pro Dei sui lege Et pro suo more grege Decertare studuit. |
Battling with the shepherd’s spear, girdled with a spiritual sword he deserved to triumph. He was eager to fight for the law of his God and to die for his flock. |
Tunc rectore desolatam Et pastore viduatam Se plangebat Cantia; Versa vice plausu miro Exsultavit tanto viro Senonensis Gallia. |
England wept to have lost its leader and to have been deprived of its shepherd; but, in return, France rejoiced, marvelously appreciating such a man.
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Quo absente infirmatur, Infirmata perturbatur, Pertubata conculcatur Libertas ecclesiae. Sic nos, pastor, reliquisiti Te configens cruci Christi Nec a vero recessisti Tramite iustitiae. |
With him absent, the freedom of the church was weakened, shaken, and trodden underfoot. Thus you have left us, shepherd, binding yourself to Christ’s cross, without having turned from the path of justice. |
Quondam coetu curiali Primus eras et regali Militans palatio; Plebis aura favorali Et, ut mos est, temporali Plaudebas praeconio. |
Once, in royal meetings, you were the leader, battling for royal power; approved of by the people, you approved, as is the custom, with worldly praise. |
Consequenter es mutatus, Praesulatu sublimatus, Novus homo reparatus Felici commercio; Ex adverso ascendisti Et te murum obiecisti, Christi sacrificio. |
Then you were transformed, raised to the office of bishop, becoming a new man in a joyful enterprise; you rose out of adversity, interposing yourself as a wall, you offered your head as a sacrifice for Christ. |
Carnis tuae morte spreta Triumphalis es athleta; Palma tibi datur laeta, Quod testantur insueta Miranda miracula: Per te visus caecis datur, Claudis gressus instauratur, Paralysis effugatur, Vetus hostis propulsatur Et peccati macula. |
Scorning the death of your flesh you are a triumphant athlete; the joyful palm is granted to you, as unusual, wondrous miracles testify; through you the blind can see, the halt walk, paralysis takes flight, the ancient enemy is driven off, as is the spot of sin. |
Cleri gemma, clare Thoma, Motus carnis nostrae doma Precum efficacia, Ut in Christo, vera vitae Capiamus praemia. |
Gem of a cleric, noble Thomas, conquer the motion of our flesh with your prayers, so that, rooted in Christ, we may receive the rewards of the true life. |