O soothe thy servants' woes, and bring (Placare Christe Servulis) - Rabanus Maurus

O soothe thy servants' woes, and bring 

Our souls to thee, most clement King; 

We seek before thy mercy seat 

The Virgin's intercession sweet. 

And ye, O blessed ones, who move 

In circles near the throne of love, 

Shield us from all iniquity, 

Or past, or present, or to be. 

Ye prophets and apostles, hear; 

Lift up before the Judge severe 

Our tearful prayers, and give your voice, 

That he may bid our souls rejoice. 

Ye noble martyrs of the Lord, 

And white-robed preachers of the word, 

Behold us exiled, bowed in gloom; 

Oh guide us to our heavenly home. 

Ye holy bands of virgins chaste, 

And godly dwellers of the waste, 

Now glorified with God, look down. 

And help us to the heavenly crown. 

Lord save us from the poisonous breath 

Of heresy, that bringeth death; 

So all thy people, joined as one, 

Shall bow before thy heavenly throne. 

To God the Father glory be, 

And sole-begotten Son to thee. 

And to the Spirit, three in one 

While everlasting ages run.

---

Rabanus Maurus (780 - 856) Germany

Translated by Daniel Joseph Donahoe

Source: Early Christian hymns: translations of the verses of the most noted Latin writers of the early and middle ages, by Daniel Joseph Donahoe, Grafton Press, 1908