Ah! how humble is thy birth
In the lowly manger,
Thou the Lord of heaven and earth,
Weeping as a stranger;
If a King indeed art thou,
Where is all thy glory now?
Where thy halls of splendour?
Here is nought but poverty,
Barren need and penury,
Little child so tender.
"Hither hath a love sublime
Drawn me down so lowly,
Love of man whose greed and crime
Make the earth unholy.
I must suffer this disgrace
To uplift the human race,
Out of woes distressing;
I must suffer want and pain,
To enrich your race, and gain
Everlasting blessing."
Thee I praise, my King divine
With a thousand praises;
Loving thoughts this love of thine
In my bosom raises.
Glory, glory evermore
Be to thee from shore to shore,
Lord of earth and heaven;
Honor unto thee and love
Through the earth and heaven above
Be forever given.
John Mauburne (1460 - 1502) Belgium
Translated by Daniel Joseph Donahoe
Source: Early Christian Hymns: Series II. Translations of the Verses of the Most Noted Latin Writers of the Early and Middle Ages, edited by Daniel Joseph Donahoe, Donahoe Publishing Company, 1911
Thank you for this
ReplyDelete