Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences/Hymnum canentes Martyrum

Mediæval Hymns and Sequences (1867)
edited by John Mason Neale
Hymnum Canentes Martyrum by Bede, translated by John Mason Neale
2175586Mediæval Hymns and Sequences — Hymnum Canentes Martyrum1867Bede, translated by John Mason Neale


Hymnum canentes Martyrum.

A Hymn for the Holy Innocents, the composition of Venerable Bede. Although it stands in unfavourable contrast with the Salvete flores Martyrum of Prudentius, it is somewhat strange that no part of it should have been introduced into any English Breviary. It will be observed that the first and last line of every verse are identical. This somewhat frigid conceit, (Epanalepsis, as the grammarians call it,) V. Bede seems to have borrowed from the Elegy of Sedulius, which is composed on a similar plan. Other mediaeval writers, however, as Peter Damiani, Eugenius of Toledo, Theodulph of Orleans, have employed it.—I have omitted some of the stanzas.

The Hymn for conquering Martyrs raise:
The Victor Innocents we praise:
Whom in their woe earth cast away,
But heaven with joy received to-day.
Whose Angels see the Father's Face
World without end, and hymn His Grace:
And while they chant unceasing lays,
The Hymn for conquering Martyrs raise.

By that accursed monarch slain,
Their loving Maker bade them reign:
With Him they dwell, no more distressed,
In the fair Land of light and rest:
He gives them mansions, one and all,
In that His Heavenly Father's Hall:
—Thus have they changed their loss for gain,
By that accursed Monarch slain.

A voice from Ramah was there sent,
A voice of weeping and lament:
When Rachel mourned the children's care
Whom for the tyrant's sword she bare.
Triumphal is their glory now
Whom earthly torments could not bow:
What time, both far and near that went,
A voice from Ramah was there sent.

Fear not, O little flock and blest,
The lion that your life oppressed!
To heavenly pastures ever new
The heavenly Shepherd leadeth you;
Who, dwelling now on Sion's hill
The Lamb's dear footsteps follow still:
By tyrant there no more distressed,
Fear not, O little flock and blest!

And every tear is wiped away
By your dear Father's bands for aye;
Death hath no power to hurt you more,
Whose own is Life's eternal store,—
Who sow their seed, and, sowing, weep,[1]
In everlasting joy shall reap:
What time they shine in heavenly day,
And every tear is wiped away.

O City blest o'er all the earth,
Who gloriest in the Saviour's birth!
Whose are His earliest Martyrs dear,
By kindred and by triumph here.
None from henceforth may call thee small;—
Of rival towns thou passest all;
In whom our Monarch had His Birth,—
O City blest o'er all the earh!



  1. V. Bede is very fond of a practice not usual in the Hymns we are considering:—the introducing the words of Scripture as a part of his own composition:—and the additions he makes to them are sometimes very beautiful. Here, for example: "Qui seminant in lacrymis, Longo metent in gaudio." Again, in a fine hymn on the Ascension:

    Mirata adhuc cœlestium
    Rogavit aula Civium:
    Quis (inquit) est Rex gloriæ,
    Rex iste tarn laudabilis?