Vexilla Regis (pencil & watercolour)
by David Jones
VEXILLA Regis prodeunt; fulget Crucis mysterium, quo carne carnis conditor suspensus est patibulo.1 | ABROAD the regal banners fly, now shines the Cross's mystery: upon it Life did death endure, and yet by death did life procure. |
| Confixa clavis viscera tendens manus, vestigia, redemptionis gratia hic immolata est hostia. | - |
| Quo vulneratus insuper mucrone diro lanceae, ut nos lavaret crimine,2 manavit unda et sanguine. | Who, wounded with a direful spear, did purposely to wash us clear from stain of sin, pour out a flood of precious water mixed with blood. |
| Impleta sunt quae concinit David fideli carmine, dicendo nationibus: regnavit a ligno Deus. | That which the prophet-king of old hath in mysterious verse foretold, is now accomplished, whilst we see God ruling the nations from a Tree. |
| Arbor decora et fulgida, ornata Regis purpura, electa digno stipite tam sancta membra tangere. | O lovely and refulgent Tree, adorned with purpled majesty; culled from a worthy stock, to bear those limbs which sanctified were. |
| Beata, cuius brachiis pretium pependit saeculi: statera facta corporis, praedam tulitque tartari. 3 | Blest Tree, whose happy branches bore the wealth that did the world restore; the beam that did that Body weigh which raised up Hell's expected prey. |
| Fundis aroma cortice, vincis sapore nectare, iucunda fructu fertili plaudis triumpho nobili. | - |
| Salve, ara, salve, victima, de passionis gloria, qua vita mortem pertulit et morte vitam reddidit. | - |
| O Crux ave, spes unica, hoc Passionis tempore! * piis adauge gratiam, reisque dele crimina. | Hail Cross, of hopes the most sublime! Now, in the mournful Passion time; * grant to the just increase of grace, and every sinner's crimes efface. |
| Te, fons salutis Trinitas, collaudet omnis spiritus: quos per Crucis mysterium salvas, fove per saecula. Amen. 4 | Blest Trinity, salvation's spring may every soul Thy praises sing; to those Thou grantest conquest by the Holy Cross, rewards supply. Amen. |
| *In Festo Exaltationis Sanctae Crucis: in hac triumphi gloria! | *Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross: On this triumphant day. |
http://www.preces-latinae.org/thesaurus/Hymni/Vexilla.html