Poems, Volume 1

1. HYMN IN HONOR OF THE HOLY MARTYRS EMETERIUS AND CHELIDONIUS OF CALAHORRA

1. HYMN IN HONOR OF THE HOLY MARTYRS EMETERIUS AND CHELIDONIUS OF CALAHORRAI Written fair on Heaven's pages are the names of martyrs twain;2 Christ Himself in golden letters has engraved them there on high, And on earth they are recorded in bright characters of blood. 1. Little is known of the Spanish martyrs celebrated in this hymn. The poem is, as far as is known, the earliest extant record of their martyrdom. Later martyrologies and the Mass in their honor in the Mozarabic Missal (PL 85.728-733) show indebtedness to the hymn, which is used in its entirety for the Vespers and Matins of the feast in the Mozarabic Breviary (PL 86.11061111 ). According to tradition the martyrs were the sons of St. Marcellus and were serving in the Roman army at Leon when a persecution broke out. They went to Calahorra, where they suffered martyrdom on March 3, a date attested by the martyrology of St. Jerome and other sources. The year is unknown. Allard thinks that they probably suffered under Diocletian in 303 (Revue des questiones historiques 39.24). Lesleus (PL 85.729-733) finds reason to think that they were martyred under Nero and not later than Trajan. 2. Cf. Luke 10.20; Apoc. 3.5; 21.27. 95 96 AURELIUS PRUDENTIUS CLEMENS Happy Spain this noble garland wears for all the world to see;3 In God's eyes that spot seemed worthy to enshrine the martyrs' bones 5 Which had to their blessed bodies given kindly sepulture. This land drank the tide warm flowing from the twofold martyrdom; Now the people flock to worship where the sands with blood were stained,· And to offer fervent prayers with their gifts and holy vows. Hither comes the foreign pilgrim to invoke these blessed saints, 10 For to every land the tidings have been borne on wings of fame5 That this tomb by throngs surrounded holds the patrons of the world. Not in vain has been the pleading of the souls that here have prayed; Hence the suppliant turns with joy, as he dries his anxious tears,6 Knowing that his just petitions by the martyrs have been heard. 15 S. Cf. Seneca. De beneficiis 3.28.2. 4. Cf. Vergil. Aeneid 12.340. 5. Cf. Ibid. 4.173. 6. Cf. Damasus, Epigram 61.3-4 (Ihm. Damasi Epigrammata p. 627). HYMNS Such concern for all our perils do these intercessors show, That no prayer is ever fruitless that to them is murmured here,7 But straightway is surely wafted to the ear of Heaven's King.s Whence from that eternal fountain gifts divine flow down to earth,9 Bringing to the humble suppliant healing for his 97 every ill. 20 To His Martyrs, true and faithful, Christ can never ought refuse, Martyrs who through chains and torture and the threat of cruel death10 Of the one true God were witness to the shedding of their blood, Yea their blood, but life eternal was the guerdon fair they won. Thus to die is truly splendid, worthy of heroic men:11 25 To the sword to give the body, but a web of fragile veins Soon devoured by gnawing illness, and to conquer thus the foe. 7. Cf. Vergil, Aeneid 4.210. 8. Cf. Ibid. 7.166. 9. Cf. James 1.17. 10. Cf. Vergil, Aeneid 10.791. 11. Cf. Horace, Odes S.2.U. 98 AURELIUS PRUDENTIUS CLEMENS What a glorious boon to suffer at the cruel torturer's blow Mighty wounds that open Heaven to the martyr saints of God.12 Hither from the hearts' deep dwelling leaps the soul baptized in blood. 30 Called to Christ's eternal service, these brave soldiers hitherto13 Had endured the shock of battle and the rigors of the camp; Valor tried in mortal combat now makes war for holy Faith. They renounce the flag of Caesar for the ensign of the Cross; For the banner they once carried, dragon swelled out ~~~~" M They now choose the Wood as standard, which subdued the Dragon's might. Now they think it vile to brandish javelins with skillful hands, Or to breach the wall with engines and to ring the camp with moats, Or to stain with bloody carnage hands that wield unholy swords. 12. cr. Vergil, Aeneid 9.401. 13. Lines 31·39 are similar in thought to Damasus, Epigram 8 (see Ferrua, Epigrammata Damasiana...