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.
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, of the transitory 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.