Traditional: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Patris Sapientia, Bonitas Divina

Traditional

“Patris Sapientia, Bonitas Divina” as printed in Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences (1867).

Traditional: Collected Lyrics Text 313 1867 · historical text
Public domainHymnMediaeval song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences, edited by John Mason Neale, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

Circled by His enemies,

By His own forsaken,

Christ the Lord at Matin hour

For our sakes was taken:

Very Wisdom, Very Light,

Monarch long expected,

In the garden by the Jews

Bound, reviled, rejected.

Verse 2

See them at the Hour of Prime

Unto Pilate leading

Him 'gainst whom with lying tongues

Witnesses are pleading.

There with spitting and with shame

Ill for good they render,

Marring of That Face which gives

Heaven eternal splendour.

Verse 3

"Crucify Him!" for His Love

Is their bitter payment,

When they lead Him forth at Tierce

Clad in purple raiment:

And a crown of woven thorns

On His Head He weareth:

And the Cross to Calvary

On His Shoulder beareth.

Verse 4

He upon that Cross at Sexts

For man's sake was mounted;

By the passers by reviled,

With transgressors counted:

Mocking, vinegar and gall

To His thirst they proffer:

To the Holy Lamb of God

Such the taunt they offer.

Verse 5

At the Hour of Nones the strife,

Long and sharp, was ended:

Gently to His Father's Hands

He His Soul commended;

And a soldier pierced His Side

With a spear unbidden;

And earth quaked exceedingly,

And the Sun was hidden.

Verse 6

When it came to Vesper time,

From the Cross they take Him,

Whose great love to bear such woes

For our sakes could make Him:

Such a death He underwent,

Sin's alone Physician,

That of Everlasting Life

We might have fruition.

Verse 7

At the holy Compline tide

Holy hands array Him

In the garments of the grave

Where the mourners lay Him;

Myrrh and spices have they brought,

Scripture is completed;

And by death the Prince of Life

Death and Hell defeated.

Verse 8

Therefore these Canonical

Hours my tongue shall ever

In Thy praise, O Christ, recite

With my heart's endeavour:

That the Love which for my sake

Bare such tribulation

In mine own Death-agony

May be my Salvation.

Credits

Written by Traditional

Traditional words. Historical text published in Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences (1867); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences (1867), edited by John Mason Neale, “Patris Sapientia, Bonitas Divina”

The 1867 published edition is in the public domain in the United States (pre-1931 publication). Entries whose credited author or translator died more than 70 years ago are also in the public domain in life-plus-70 jurisdictions; other entries are held.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-25. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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