Poems, Volume 1

12. A HYMN FOR EPIPHANY

HYMNS 83 When at the awful trumpet's sound21 105 The earth will be consumed by fire, And with a mighty rush the world Unhinged, will crash in dreadful ruin.22 Enthroned on high this powerful Judge Will grant to each his due reward, 110 Perpetual light unto the good, And to the lost, Gehenna's fire.23 Then trembling at the flaming Cross,24 Judea, you will know your GOd,211 Whom at your hands Death once devoured 115 But afterwards gave back again. 21. Cf. Matt. 24.1H; 1 Cor. 15.52; 1 Thess. 4.16. 22. Cf. 2 Peter 8.10. 28. Cf. Rom. 2.6; Matt. 25.46 and 5.22. 24. Cf. Matt. 24.110. Prudentius, with other Fathers, regards the 'sign of the Son of Man' as the Cross. 25. Qui sit senties. Cf. Exod. 1l.14; John 19.87; Apoc. 1.7. 12. A HYMN FOR EPIPHANY All you who look for Christ to come, Lift up your eyes to heaven above; There you will see the glorious sign Of His eternal majesty. 84 AURELIUS PRUDENTIUS CLEMENS A star that, in its brilliant light, Outshines the dazzling orb of dayt Proclaims that God in human flesh Has come to dwell with men on earth. No thrall is this of night's domain, Nor satellite of monthly moon, But sole possessor of the sky, It rules the shining course of day. Although the frigid polar stars That in their circuit backward wheel Refuse to set, yet veiled by clouds, They oft are hidden from our gaze. This is an everlasting star That never sinks beneath the waves; No cloud that drifts across its face Has power to hide its beaming light. Let baleful comets now withdraw, And meteors lit from Sirius' flame, Confounded by the star of God, Fall blazing from the heavens above. 5 10 15 20 1. Numerous attempts have been made to explain the star of the Magi as a natural stellar phenomenon. Among the Fathers, Origen expressed the opinion that it was a comet (Contra Celsum 1.58). Prudentius follows the generally accepted theory that the star was miraculous, a theory which accords with the literal interpretation of the Gospel and the opinions of most of the Fathers. Cf. Ignatius of Antioch, Epist. ad Ephesios 19; John Chrysostom, In Matthaeum 6.2,3; Leo, Sermo 33.2. HYMNS Lo, from the heart of Persian lands,2 The gateway of the rising sun, The Magi skilled in astral lore Behold this star of kingly rank.3 As soon as it began to shine, The other stars put out their lights, And Lucifer then dared not show The beauty of his radiant face. 'Who is this King,' the Magi cry, 'Enthroned above the starry hosts, Whom Heaven holds in reverent awe And whom ethereal light obeys? 'We now behold the glorious sign Of one who never shall have end, Most high, sublime, and limitless, More ancient than the earth or sky. 'He is the Gentiles' King and Lord, And Ruler of the Jewish race,4 To Father Abraham decreed And to his seed forevermore. 'Forerunner of all men of faith, Who willed to give his only son In sacrifice, that sire foresaw Descendants numerous as the stars.1I 85 25 30 35 40 45 2. Prudentius here follows the most generally accepted tradition regarding the country of the Magi. Cf. Clement of Alexandria, Stromatum 1.15; John Chrysostom, op. cit. 6.2; Juvencus, Evangelical! Historiae 1.276. 11. Cf. Matt. 2.2. 4. Cf.lbid. 5. Cf. Gen. 22.16-18. 86 AURELIUS PRUDENTIUS CLEMENS 'Now blooms the flower of David's race From root of Jesse springing up,s 50 And blossoming on the scepter's rod, It rules on high the universe.'7 With eager gaze fixed on the sky, The sages followed where the star Had furrowed out a shining path 55 To guide their hastening steps aright.s But soon above the holy Child The heavenly ensign took its stand,9 And bending down, it cast its light Upon the Infant's sacred Head.10 60 On seeing Him, these Seers bring forth Their Eastern stores, and as they bend The knee in worship, offer Him Incense and myrrh and kingly gold.ll o Child, to whom Thy Father gave A threefold dignity sublime, See in these gifts the mystic signs Of kingship and unending might...