Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences/Tibi, Christe, Splendor Patris
Tibi, Christe, Splendor Patris
A Hymn of S. Hrabanus Maurus, Archbishop of Mayence; born in 777, and deceased in 850. It was so completely altered in the Te Splendor et Virtus Patris of the modern Roman Breviary, that scarcely a trace of the original remains. The Christe qui sedes Olympo of Santolius Victorinus in the Parisian Breviary imitates, without equalling, the present hymn. This is one of the few that have no rhyme.
Thee, O Christ, the Father's Splendour,
Life and virtue of the heart,
In the presence of the Angels
Sing we now with tuneful art:
Meetly in alternate chorus
Bearing our responsive part.
Thus we praise with veneration
All the armies of the sky:
Chiefly him, the warrior Primate
Of celestial chivalry:
Michael, who in princely virtue
Cast Abaddon from on high.
By whose watchful care, repelling,
King of everlasting grace!
Every ghostly adversary,
All things evil, all things base;
Grant us of Thine only goodness
In Thy Paradise a place.
Laud and honour to the Father;
Laud and honour to the Son;
Laud and honour to the Spirit;
Ever Three, and ever One:
Consubstantial, Co-eternal,
While unending ages run. Amen.
[Adopted in the Hymnal Noted.]