Religion

Christ, the light that shines eternal

by Anonymous Latin Hymns c. 5th–15th century

Translated by John Brownlie (1896) · From Hymns of the Early Church (1896)

Religion

Christ, the light that shines eternal,—
Light that gilds the rolling spheres,
Dawn upon our night, and keep us
Pure as light when day appears.

Let no gin of Satan snare us,
Let no enemy oppress;
Wakeful aye with garments spotless,
May we walk life's wilderness.

Keep our hearts in Thy safe keeping,
Be Thy flock Thy special care;
In Thy fold in mercy tend them,
Guard their footsteps everywhere.

And our souls shall sing triumphant
When Thy light our eyes shall see,
And the vows we owe are rendered,
God, the great Triune, to Thee.

✦ ✦ ✦

Latin: Christe, lumen perpetuum. Brownlie's headnote names Magnus Felix Ennodius (c. 473-521), Bishop of Pavia, as the author; he is not among the poets filed separately here.

MLA

Anonymous Latin Hymns. “Christ, the light that shines eternal.” Translated by John Brownlie. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-latin-hymns/8/.

Chicago

Anonymous Latin Hymns. “Christ, the light that shines eternal.” Translated by John Brownlie. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-latin-hymns/8/.

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