Praeclara qua tu gloria
Praeclara qua tu gloria, Levi beate, cingeris, laus est Dei clementiae, spes nostra ad indulgentiam. |
Surpassing glory from above, Blest Levi, now encircles thee: The hope of pardon for our sins And praise of God's great clemency. |
Teloneo quando assidens nummis inhaeres anxius, Matthaee, Christus advocans opes tibi quas praeparat! |
O Matthew, sitting at thy booth, Collecting coins 'mid worldly cares, To thee Christ beckons, “Follow me,” For thee much greater wealth prepares! |
Iam cordis ardens impetu curris, Magistrum suscipis, sermone factus inclito princeps in urbe caelica. |
With burning zeal within thy heart, And running to embrace the Lord, Thou hast become a heav'nly prince According to his glorious word. |
Tu verba vitae colligens Davidque facta Filii, per scripta linquis aurea caeleste mundo pabulum. |
Thou didst record the words of life, Provision for this passing age, And mighty deeds of David's Son Emblazoned on thy golden page. |
Christum per orbem nuntians confessus atque sanguine, dilectionis vividae supremo honoras pignore. |
Proclaiming Christ throughout the world, Thou with thy blood this witness showed, A final sign of vital love, And worship unto God bestowed. |
O martyr atque apostole, evangelista nobilis, tecum fac omne in saeculum Christo canamus gloriam. |
O Martyr and Apostle blest, Evangelist, now grant that we Might sing Christ's glory one with thee From age to age eternally. |
This translation appears in the Hymnal for the Hours, by Rev. Samuel Weber, O.S.B.