This hymn has been translated repeatedly into Eng- lish and German. The following in English is a free rendering by an unknown hand, first introduced into the office for the ordination of priests upon the revision of the liturgy of the Church of England in 1GC)"2, and runs thus :
"Come, Holy Ghost, our sonls inspire And lighten with celestial tire. Tliou the Anointing Spirit art, Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impnrt.
"Thy blessed unction from iibove Is comfort, ht'e, and Are of love. Enable with perpetual lisht The duluess of our blinded sight.
"Anoint and cheer our soiled face With the abundance of thy grace. Keep far our foes; jjive peace at home. Where thou art guide, no ill can come.
"Teich us to know the Father, Sou, And thee of both, to be but One.
"That throu2:h the ages all along This may be our endless song: 'Praise to thy eternal merit, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.' "
In German it is found in the collections of Biissler, Sim- rock, Ki.nigsfeld, Rambach, etc. (B. P.)
Veiii, Redemptor Gentium (Come, Redeemer of the ?iattons), is the beginning of the famous Advent hymn written by St. Ambrose. It is " the best of the Ambrosian hymns, full of faith, rugged vigor, austere simplicity, and bold contrasts." The German hymn- book is indebted to this immortal hymn of St. Ambrose for one of its choicest treasures : namely, John Frank's Advent hymn, commencing — ■
"Komm, Heidenheiland Liisegeld, Komm, schiiuste Sonne dieser Welt, Lass abwarts flammeu deinen Schein, Denn so will Gott geboren sein."
" It is not a translation." says Trench, but " a free recom- position of the original, beside which it is well-nigh wor- thy to stand." The first lines of the original run thus :
" Veui, Redemptor arentinm, Ostende partum Virginis ; Miretur omne sseculnm : Talis decet partus Deum.
Non ex virili semine,
Sed mystico spiramine, Verhnm Dei factum est caro, Fructusque veutris floruit," etc.
It has been translated into Englisli by Mrs. Charles Neale and others. The latest is that of Dr. K. Palmer, and given in .Schaff's Christ in Song:
"O thou Redeemer of our race ! Come, show the Virgin's Son to earth ; Let every as^e admire the grace ; Worthy a God thy human birth ! 'Twas by no mortal will or aid, But bv the Holy Spirit's might, That flesh the Word of God was made, A babe yet waitiug for the light," etc.
It was also translated into German as early as the 15th century. It became better known through Lu- ther's translation. Nun komm. der Ileiden IleiUind (Eng. transl. in Pick, Liilhcr as a llyniniM), It is also fotuid in the collections of Latin and (Jcrman hymns of Biiss- ler, Simrock, Konigsi'eld, and others. (B. P.)
Veni, Sancte Spiiitus {Come, Holy Spirit). This hymn, which Trrnrli declares to be the loveliest of all the hymns in the wiiole circle ol' Latin sacred po- etry, and which dean Stanley calls " the most beautiful of all Latin hynms," is generally ascribed to Robert II, king of France. Whether he reall\' was its author or not cannot now be ascertained. Trench does not hesi- tate to ascribe it to him. But whoever was its author, the Church has reason to be thankful for this precious jewel of sacred poetry. Tliis hymn, which is appointed in the Roman Church for Whitsuntide, and is contained in Luther's Form of U rdiiiation, runs thus in the orig- inal :
"Veni, Sancte Spii-itus, Et emitte coelitus
Lucis tune radium. Veni, Pater panpeium, Veui, Dm tor niunei-ain, Veni, Lumen cordiura:
"Consolator optime, Dulcis hospes anima;,
Dulce refrigeiiuni: In labore requies. In ;estu lemperies,
111 fletu solatium.
"O lux beatissima, Reple cordis iutima
Tuorum fldelium. Sine tuo immiiie Nihil est in homiiie,
Nihil est inuoxium.
" Lava quod est sordidum, Riga quod est ariduni,
Sana quod est Siuicium: Flecte quod est ritriduui, Pove quod est lantruidmn,
Rege quod est devium.
"Da tuis fldelibus In te coufidentibus
Sacrum septenarium ; Da virtntis merituni, Da salutis exitum,
Da perenue gaudinm."
It has very often been translated into English, and one of the latest is the translation made by dean Stan- ley, running thus :
" Come, Holy Spirit, from above, And from the realms of li<j;ht and love
Thine own brinht rays impart. Come, Father of the fatherless, Come, Giver of all happiness, Come, Lamp of every heart;
"O thou, of comforters the best, O thou, the soul's most welcome guest,
O thou, our sweet repose, Our restinL'-pl:ice from life's long caro. Our shadow from the world's fierce glare,
Our solace in all woes.
" O Light divine, all liofht excelling, Fill with thyself the inmost dwelling
Of souls sincere and lowly; Without thy pure divinity, Nothinsr in all humanity.
Nothing is stnmg or holy.
"Wash out e;ioh dark and sordid stain, Water ench dry and arid iilaiu.
Raise up the bruised reed. Enkindle what is cold and chill, Relax the stiff and stubborn will.
Guide those that guidance need.
"Give to the good, who find in thee The Spirit's perfect liberty.
Thy sevenfold power and love. Give virtue strength its crown to win, Give strugirling souls their rest from sin.
Give endless peace above."
As this hymn has held a place with the most esteem- ed in both the Romish and the Protestant Cliurch, it could not fail that Germany should also contribute her