Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol VII: Venantius : On Easter

On Easter

Poem of Venantius Honorius 2104 Clementianus Fortunatus, On Easter.

The seasons blush varied with the flowery, fair weather 2105 , and the gate of the pole lies open with greater light. His path in the heaven raises the fire-breathing 2106 sun higher, who goes forth on his course, 2107 and enters the waters of the ocean. Armed with rays traversing the liquid elements, in this 2108 brief night he stretches out the day in a circle. The brilliant firmament 2109 puts forth its clear countenance, and the bright stars show their joy. The fruitful earth pours forth its gifts with varied increase, 2110 when the year has well returned its vernal riches. 2111 Soft beds of violets paint the purple plain; the meadows are green with plants, 2112 and the plant shines with its leaves. By degrees gleaming brightness of the flowers 2113 comes forth; all the herbs smile with their blossoms. 2114 The seed being deposited, the corn springs up far and wide 2115 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 2116 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, 2117 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, 2118 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. 2119 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, 2120 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. 2121 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 2122 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 2123 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 2124 the world derived its origin! Thou dost suspend the firmament, 2125 Thou heapest together the soil, Thou dost pour forth the seas, by whose 2126 government all things which are fixed in their places flourish. Who seeing that the human race was plunged in the depth 2127 of misery, that Thou mightest rescue man, didst Thyself also become man: nor wert Thou willing only to be born with a body, 2128 but Thou becamest flesh, which endured to be born and to die. Thou dost undergo 2129 funeral obsequies, Thyself the author of life and framer of the world, Thou dost enter 2130 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 2131 of the light. Darkness perishes, put to flight by the brightness of Christ; the thick pall of eternal 2132 night falls. But restore the promised 2133 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 2134 of the world. It is unworthy that a stone should shut in with a confining 2135 rock, and cover Him in whose fist 2136 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 2137 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! 2138 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 2139 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 2140 approaches. The fierce monster in alarm vomits forth the multitude whom he had swallowed up, and the Lamb 2141 withdraws the sheep from the jaw of the wolf. Hence re-seeking the tomb from the lower regions, 2142 having resumed Thy flesh, as a warrior Thou carriest back ample trophies to the heavens. Those whom chaos held in punishment 2143 he 2144 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 laver blesses pure souls! A host, clad in white, 2145 come forth from the bright waves, and cleanse their old 2146 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 2147 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 2148 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, O sacred One! apply a remedy, the beast of prey resembles 2149 the sheep. About to remain with you through an age with the return 2150 of a hundred-fold, you fill the barns with the produce of an abundant harvest. May this people, free from stain, be strengthened 2151 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 2152 , may another flourish gained from your people.

General Note.

A fine passage illustrating the gush of early Christian devotion at Easter, “breaking into all the heavenly joy of the new creation,” will be found in Professor Milligan’s remarkable work on The Resurrection of our Lord (London, Macmillan, 1884). The author is “professor of divinity and biblical criticism in the University of Aberdeen.”

Footnotes

329:2104

Venantius Honorius, to whom this poem is ascribed, was an Italian presbyter and poet. In some editions the title is De Resurrectione It was addressed to the bishop Felix.

329:2105

Florigero sereno.

329:2106

Ignivomus.

329:2107

Vagus.

329:2108

Hac in nocte brevi. Other editions read, “adhuc nocte brevi.”

329:2109

Æthera, an unusual form.

329:2110

Fœtu: others read “cultu.”