Religion
Praeclara custos virginum
Translated by Edward Caswall (1849) · From Lyra Catholica (1849)
Blest Guardian of all virgin souls!
Portal of bliss to man forgiven!
Pure Mother of Almighty God!
Thou hope of earth, and joy of Heaven
Fair Lily, found amid the thorns!
Most beauteous Dove with wings of gold!
Bod from whose tender root there sprang
That healing Flow’r long since foretold!
Thou Tow’r, against the dragon proof!
Thou Star, to storm-toss’d voyagers dear!
Out course lies o’er a treacherous deep;
Thine be the light by which we steer.
Scatter the mists that round us hang;
Keep far the fatal shoals away;
And while through darkling waves we sweep,
Open a path to life and day.
O Jesu, born of Virgin bright!
Immortal glory be to Thee;
Praise to the Father infinite,
And Holy Ghost eternally.
Codex Note
Latin: Praeclara custos virginum. Printed in Caswall's Lyra Catholica (1849) among the Proper of Saints (Roman Breviary).
Cite this poem
MLA
Anonymous Latin Hymns. “Praeclara custos virginum.” Translated by Edward Caswall. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-latin-hymns/169/.
Chicago
Anonymous Latin Hymns. “Praeclara custos virginum.” Translated by Edward Caswall. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-latin-hymns/169/.
Read this poem with the Codex →