(NOTE: The electronic text obtained from The Electronic Bible Society was
not completely corrected. EWTN has corrected all mistakes found.)


POEM OF VENANTIUS HONORIUS[1] CLEMENTIANUS FORTUNATUS, ON EASTER

   The seasons blush varied with the flowery, fair weather,[2] and the
gate of the pole lies open with greater light. His path in the heaven
raises the fire-breathing[3] sun higher, who goes forth on his course,[4]
and enters the waters of the ocean.  Armed with rays traversing the liquid
elements,  in this[5] brief night he stretches out the day in a circle. The
brilliant firmament[6] puts forth its clear countenance, and the bright
stars show their  joy. The fruitful earth pours forth its gifts with varied
increase,[7] when the year has well returned its vernal riches.[8] Soft
beds of violets paint the purple plain; the meadows are green with
plants,[9] and the plant shines with its leaves. By degrees gleaming
brightness of the flowers[10] comes forth; all the herbs smile with their
blossoms.[11] The seed being deposited, the corn springs up far and
wide[12] in the fields, promising to be able to overcome the hunger of the
husbandman. Having deserted its stem, the vine-shoot bewails its joys; the
vine gives water only from the source from which it is wont to give wine.
The swelling bud, rising with tender down from the back of its mother,
prepares its bosom for bringing forth. Its foliage[13] having been torn off
in the wintry season, the verdant grove now renews its leafy shelter.
Mingled together, the willow, the fir, the hazel, the osier,[14] the elm,
the maple, the walnut, each tree applauds, delightful with its leaves.
Hence the bee, about to construct its comb, leaving the hive, humming over
the flowers, carries off honey with its leg. The bird which, having closed
its song, was dumb, sluggish with the wintry cold, returns to its strains.
Hence Philomela attunes her notes with her own instruments,[15] and the air
becomes sweeter with the re-echoed melody. Behold, the favour of the
reviving world bears witness that all gifts have returned together with its
Lord. For in honour of Christ rising triumphant after His descent to the
gloomy Tartarus, the grove on every side with its leaves expresses
approval, the plants with their flowers express approval.[16] The light,
the heaven, the fields, and the sea duly praise the God ascending above the
stars, having crushed the laws of hell. Behold, He who was crucified reigns
as God over all things, and all created objects offer prayer to their
Creator. Hail, festive day, to be reverenced throughout the world,[17] on
which God has conquered hell, and gains the stars! The changes of the year
and of the months, the bounteous light of the days, the splendour of the
hours, all things with voice applaud.[18] Hence, in honour of you, the wood
with its foliage applauds; hence the vine, with its silent shoot, gives
thanks. Hence the thickets now resound with the whisper of birds; amidst
these the sparrow sings with exuberant[19] love. O Christ, Thou Saviour of
the world, merciful Creator and Redeemer, the only offspring from the
Godhead of the Father, flowing in an indescribable[20] manner from the
heart of Thy Parent, Thou self-existing Word, and powerful from the mouth
of Thy Father, equal to Him, of one mind with Him, His fellow, coeval with
the Father, from whom at first[21] the world derived its origin! Thou dost
suspend the firmament,[1] Thou heapest together the soil, Thou dost pour
forth the seas, by whose[2] government all things which are fixed in their
places flourish. Who seeing that the human race was plunged in the depth[3]
of misery, that Thou mightest rescue man, didst Thyself also become man:
nor wert Thou willing only to be born with a body,[4] but Thou becamest
flesh, which endured to be born and to die. Thou dost undergo[5] funeral
obsequies, Thyself the author of life and framer of the world, Thou dost
enter[6] the path of death, in giving the aid of salvation. The gloomy
chains of the infernal law yielded, and chaos feared to be pressed by the
presence[7] of the light. Darkness perishes, put to flight by the
brightness of Christ; the think pall of eternal[8] night falls. But restore
the promised[9] pledge, I pray Thee, O power benign! The third day has
returned; arise, my buried One; it is not becoming that Thy limbs should
lie in the lowly sepulchre, nor that worthless stones should press that
which is the ransom[10] of the world. It is unworthy that a stone should
shut in with a confining[11] rock, and cover Him in whose fist[12] all
things are enclosed. Take away the linen clothes, I pray; leave the napkins
in the tomb: Thou art sufficient for us, and without Thee there is nothing.
Release the chained shades of the infernal prison, and recall to the upper
regions[13] whatever sinks to the lowest depths. Give back Thy face, that
the world may see the light; give back the day which flees from us at Thy
death. But returning, O holy conqueror! Thou didst altogether fill the
heaven![14] Tartarus lies depressed, nor retains its rights. The ruler of
the lower regions, insatiably opening his hollow jaws, who has always been
a spoiler, becomes[15] a prey to Thee. Thou rescuest an innumerable people
from the prison of death, and they follow in freedom to the place whither
their leader[16] approaches. The fierce monster in alarm vomits forth the
multitude whom he had swallowed up, and the Lamb[17] withdraws the sheep
from the jaw of the wolf. Hence re-seeking the tomb from the lower
regions,[18] having resumed Thy flesh, as a warrior Thou carriest back
ample trophies to the heavens. Those whom chaos held in punishment[19]
he[20] has now restored; and those whom death might seek, a new life holds,
Oh, sacred King, behold a great part of Thy triumph shines forth, when the
sacred layer blesses pure souls! A host, clad in white,[21] come forth from
the bright waves, and cleanse their old[22] fault in a new stream. The
white garment also designates bright souls, and the shepherd has enjoyments
from the snow-white flock. The priest Felix is added sharing[23] in this
reward, who wishes to give double talents to his Lord. Drawing those who
wander in Gentile error to better things, that a beast of prey may not
carry them away, He guards the fold of God. Those whom guilty Eve had
before infected, He now restores, fed[24] with abundant milk at the bosom
of the Church. By cultivating rustic hearts with mild conversations, a crop
is produced from a briar by the bounty of Felix. The Saxon, a fierce
nation, living as it were after the manner of wild beasts, when you, 0
sacred One! apply a remedy, the beast of prey resembles[25] the sheep.
About to remain with you through an age with the return[26] of a hundred-
fold, you fill the barns with the produce of an abundant harvest. May this
people, free from stain, be strengthened[27] in your arms, and may you bear
to the stars a pure pledge to God. May one crown be bestowed on you from on
high gained from yourself,[28] may another flourish gained from your
people.


Taken from "The Early Church Fathers and Other Works" originally published
by Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co. in English in Edinburgh, Scotland beginning in
1867. (ANF 7, Roberts and Donaldson). The digital version is by The
Electronic Bible Society, P.O. Box 701356, Dallas, TX 75370, 214-407-WORD.

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