Religion
Audit tyrannus anxius
Translated by Edward Caswall (1849) · From Lyra Catholica (1849)
When it reach’d the tyrant’s ear,
Brooding anxious all alone.
That the King of kings was near,
Who should sit on David’s throne;
Stung with madness, straight he cries,
“Treason threatens—draw the sword!
Rebels all around us rise!
Drown the cradles deep in blood!”
What is guilty Herod’s gain,
Though a thousand babes he slay?—
Christ, amid a thousand slain,
Is in safety borne away.
Honour, glory, virtue, merit,
Be to Thee, O Virgin’s Son!
With the Father, and the Spirit,
While eternal ages run.
Codex Note
Latin: Audit tyrannus anxius. Printed in Caswall's Lyra Catholica (1849) among the Proper of the Season (Roman Breviary).
Cite this poem
MLA
Prudentius. “Audit tyrannus anxius.” Translated by Edward Caswall. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/prudentius/18/.
Chicago
Prudentius. “Audit tyrannus anxius.” Translated by Edward Caswall. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/prudentius/18/.
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