Aeterne lucis conditor

Aeterne lucis conditor,
lux ipse totus et dies,
noctem nec ullam sentiens
natura lucis perpeti,		 Eternal Maker of the light,
Who art Thyself the Light and Day,
No darkness can be found in Thee,
Nor can thy splendor pass away.
Iam cedit pallens proximo
diei nox adventui,
obtundens lumen siderum
adest et clarus lucifer.		 The fading night now gives its place
To dawning day, so clear and bright;
Now rises, too, the Morning Star,
Outshining all the stars of night.
Iam stratis laeti surgimus
grates canentes et tuas,
quod caecam noctem vicerit
revectans rursus sol diem.		 So from our rest in joy we rise
To chant thy praise and to adore;
Blind night hath fallen to the sun
That ushers in the day once more.
Te nunc, ne carnis gaudia
blandis subrepant aestibus,
dolis ne cedat saeculi
mens nostra, sancte, quaesumus.		 We beg Thee now, O Holy Lord,
Should baser passions lure and charm,
Let not such fleeting worldly snares
Bring hearts and minds to any harm.
Ira ne rixas provocet,
gulam ne venter incitet,
opum pervertat ne famis,
turpis ne luxus occupet,		 Help us to temper food and drink;
May anger never bring distress;
Let not a thirst for wealth corrupt,
Nor shameful lust our hearts possess.
Sed firma mente sobrii,
casto manentes corpore
totum fideli spiritu
Christo ducamus hunc diem.		 But, sober and with steadfast mind,
Remaining chaste, let us proceed
Throughout this day in loyalty
To Christ in ev'ry thought and deed.
Praesta, Pater piisime,
Patrique compar Unice,
cum Spiritu Paraclito
regnans per omne saeculum.		 This gift, O Father, we entreat;
This blessing grant, eternal Son,
And Holy Spirit, Paraclete,
Who reign while endless ages run.

This translation appears in the Hymnal for the Hours, by Rev. Samuel Weber, O.S.B.