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CARMINAORIENTIOTRIBUTA. I. DENATIUITATEDOMINI. Splendidiorluxlucemicat, maiorquediebusfulgetclaradies, totofestiuioranno, natalisquaelectadeo. quanasciturille, cumpatrequisempercaeliinconsortiaregnans, uirtusmagnapatris, carnisprimordianostrae, moxhominemincaelumreuehens, sicmorteperactasumerequicarnemuoluit ? neccarnesenescit. II. DEEPITHETISSALUATORISNOSTRI. IanuaUirgoLeoUirtus?
POEMS ATTRIBUTED TO ORIENTIUS. I. ON THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD. A light more splendid than light gleams, and a day brighter than other days shines forth, more festive than the whole year—the chosen birthday for God. On it is born he who reigns forever with the Father in the fellowship of heaven, the great power of the Father, the first beginnings of our flesh, soon bearing man back into heaven; who, when death was accomplished, willed thus to take on flesh—nor does he grow old in the flesh. II. ON THE EPITHETS OF OUR SAVIOR. Gate, Virgin, Lion, Power.
Wisdom, Word, King, Staff, Prince, Leader, Rock, Shepherd, Man, Net, Sun, Bridegroom, Seed, Mountain, Star, Master, Pearl, Day, Lamb, Sheep, Calf, Treasure, Fountain, Life, Hand, Head, Fire, Plough, Flower, Cornerstone, Right Hand, Pillar, Child, the gentle Adam, Finger, Mirror, Way, Cluster of grapes, Bread, Victim, Law, Reason, Rod, Fish, Eagle, the Just One, Offspring of a King and a King's Priest—great names for God, yet God himself is greater. III. AGAIN, BY THE SAME, ON THE TRINITY. What was from the ages, and what is unto the ages of ages, ever shall be, because it ever was, abiding without end.
And above all that is, without which is nothing, to whom all things belong: the all-begetting Word, the Word, God almighty, who alone is with the Father, with whom alone is the Father, who is also God—this he was, and as yet his nature had received no beginning. For Christ is the Seed, Christ is the first beginnings of things, Christ is the honor of the earth, the trembling of the world, the glory of heaven. From the ruling God, King and Lord in the heights, only-begotten before all, yet begotten by that One whom no one begot, through whom all begetting things exist—we beseech, we long, we tremble, we venerate, we love. Whole, and from the Whole, diffused as a whole throughout the world.
Not the same, yet wholly the same, both like and together, just as much and alike: thus the Son and the Father are one. A name divided in name, the substance is commingled, completing the holy mysteries of the sacred depth. A mighty fullness, given to itself, bound in turn: the threefold conclusion of the powers is made equal, and the Spirit, hovering, the whole perfection from on high. Therefore the honor is in Christ, the praise is the Father's, and in the Father is Christ's.
He himself is the Father's mind and word and witness and heir; he himself recognizes how much the Father dares in him; he himself is our Head, Wisdom, Grace, Life; he himself is the guardian, watchman, and arbiter of men; he himself is the way of salvation, and he himself is the unchangeable light; from the True, true Splendor; from the Light, Light; from Goodness, good; from the Full and Rich, full; provident, indulgent, clement, compassionate, abounding, perfect, patient, just, godly, immaculate; the eternal gift of the Eternal, the guardian of those before, the firmament of the soul, the flight of the demon, the armor of faith; reigning perpetually, censor and judge of what is to come; not enclosed by time, yet by his command about to enclose times; beginning and end, quickener both within and without; holding the will and mighty in power, and gentle though severe; the peace of the world and its joy, the divider of the wicked and the good.
A man bearing and mediating a twofold nature, while God proved that what is mortal is immortal. O happy lordship of the Lord, O noble death! O hard heart of a wretched people, and faithless error! Impious condemner, your death hangs upon this trunk; trusting confessor, your life shall live by this blood. You shall be bent, while God judges, who, seeming to strike, saved the peoples—the people whom the wicked one hated. This is he who was once rejected and accursed by his own, the spittings of men, the reproach of a perishing rabble. This is he upon whom a cruel hand poured gall mixed with vinegar, whom blows of the palm violated with a blind stroke. Behold, you frenzied striker, the venerable wood; mark the victorious signs of the blood profaned.
Is he not the living God, the God unconquerable by the enemy, the vengeance, refuge, rest, light, life, faith, and hope? From the Father he is to be known, in that he is Sower and Quickener; from the cross, in that he is the avenger and repeller of Gehenna, the washer-away of errors, the faithful peace, the lavish remission. Born for the love of man, suffering for the sake of salvation, having undergone the law of death, brought back to life into the lofty heavens, seated on his Father's throne, bringer of salvation above every age; whence he deigned to come to the humble earth, returnable thither. He himself is the price of sin, himself knowing nothing of sinning, sharing with his servants, conforming the glorified. Behold, how fair a trophy gleams through our thresholds, O Christ! What bright banners you bring back to the Father, still bloodstained, and being yet what you were before, ever mighty in power, everlasting in majesty.
Why, however, the cross should hold this shape, its established form shows: the figure declares by its whole reasoning that he is to be adored. In that the mark stands out divided into four parts, it grants the Lord of the world to be known—and all the archangels too. He himself rules as many regions as the cross sees quarters of heaven. The cross imitates the pious palms of one praying, in the likeness of his hands; the cross, attesting the peace of God, depicts it, and is peace—the peace which is given through the wood: peace is held inscribed upon the wood. Do you wish, as one who marvels, also to look upon the Greek figures? Behold the perfect riddle of the rich sign. You may see a Greek 'P' (Rho): it is the head, or the arms of the crucified. The 'I' (Iota), which is upright, is here the suspension of the body. The letter proclaims punishment, and the punishment brings salvation; then 'Alpha' is next beside it, and close at hand the other, 'Omega.'
In that here he is the first, the last, the newest—he is here. These are the elements of the letters, but God here is above every element: all the insignia agree with the heavenly sign. When he ascends upon the wood, the wood shows God to be the very material of the fruit; when he extends his branch on high, the Lord, loftier than the heights, towers above all. He is the middle of those fixed there: the number, being three, gives honor. He is struck, blood comes forth, water comes from the wound that is made, and from that very wound soon comes blood: for the blood is martyrdom, the water claims for itself the laver of baptism. Thus by divine help, death and life came by the tree. By the apple, O first-formed man, you fall; by the cross, O Christ, you bring healing. There the death-bearing, plague-bringing serpent offered the deadly food.
Nor is it a wonder, if a numerous praise scarcely worthy of God draws out a thousand names—a praise unequal to so many virtues, as many as the titles which the miracles of devoted Christ brought forth. AN EXPLANATION OF THE NAMES OF THE LORD. Gate, because he sits in heaven and opens its secret things. Virgin, of an incorrupt mother whose childbearing is his origin. And Lion, because here is the King of kings: that king of beasts is also called Power—nothing is stronger than this one alone. But whence is he called Wisdom? He is the rule of life. How is he the Word? Because he flowed forth from the Father's mouth. Why is the same one now King, now the King's Son? Because he keeps the throne of heaven in common with the Father. Why a Staff? Because he raises up the fallen and sets upright the sick. Why a Prince? Because he governs all things subjected to his throne. Why the Leader of the heavenly host? From the holy army. Why the Rock?
Because he establishes what is firm upon a strong foundation. Whence is he the good Shepherd? Because he keeps stain away from the sheepfolds. Now Man: for he was born and took flesh from a virgin. Why a Net? Because he gathers the scattered nations from every side. Why the Sun of righteousness? Because he enlightens every just one. Why Bridegroom? Because the Church is a virgin betrothed to God. Why holy? Because he sows happy kingdoms by his word. Mountain: because for the ascent its heights yield not to all. Star: because with guiding light he directs the wandering steps. Whence Master? He loves to teach serving hearts. Pearl: what more precious than this can be found? Whence Day? Because he shines more brightly than light. Then because he is holy, he is held to be the harmless Lamb, who alone could take away the sin of the world.
And now he is called Sheep, because he submits himself to those who slay him; he is also called Calf: his contented Passion shows this. Fountain, because he purifies vice by lavish baptism. Life, because he grants those made alive to live forever. He is a Hand: the rich working of his powers presents itself. He is the Head: it is plain by whose authorship we are created. Fire: in this, that our testing yet remains. Whence a Plough? Because he subdues hearts and makes them fruitful. Flower, because he himself crowns the confessors and martyrs. Why a Cornerstone? Because he joins together both peoples. The Right Hand, by which he sits beside the Father's side, adorns, honors. Often a Dove: because he knows no guile and is without gall. Whence a Child? Because pure he goes to the citadel of his Begetter. Vine: because he propagates himself by an adopted heir.
Whence the second Adam? Because he himself is the head of those reborn. He is a Finger, that stylus: God's law is written by him. Now a Mirror: because the image of the Father shines through in him. Now the Way: because for the saints he goes before into paradise. Cluster of grapes: because he waters the world with heavenly juices. Bread: in this, that the nourishments of our faith are in him. A living Victim to God: why is he himself the highest Priest? Because, sanctifying himself, he offers himself at his Father's altars. Now Reason: this is the reason by which the fabric of the world stands. Rod: because he corrects wandering deeds as with a lash. A Fish born in the waters: he himself is the author of baptism. Often an Eagle: since from the earth he flew back like a bird. A SONG OF PRAISE. Finally, lest we linger over so many and so great things with many words, he is an Eye: I know God; God sees every heart.
Whence a Prophet? Because in brief he reveals things to come. Whence an Angel? Because he himself stood forth as his own messenger. Arm, he is called, from the embrace by which he holds all things. Whatever it is, I acknowledge: it is yours, O Holy One, by which you are named. The greatness of your works conceals the names of so many things; but by their own merits such honors are reckoned. The cause makes the titles; the virtue grants knowledge of the names. You, sitting on high, are Holy (Agios), our benediction. You are God Emmanuel: the divinity dwelling among us. You are the Lord of Sabaoth: with your fist you cover all that is anywhere. You the house of Israel and the blessed confessors, you all the patriarchs, and you every angel adore. You flash above the unknown Cherubim, above the stars;
you who had been promised to Abraham, of the seed of David, are heard in heaven, glorious, praiseworthy, in the Hosanna. Only look upon us, O crucified, O Paraclete, O Christ the Nazarene; O God, in whom we believe, both of Galilee and God of Abraham the holy father, and God of Isaac and God, O kindly One, of Jacob, whence are our hope and faith. Look upon your own, O Christ, and long protect your redeemed. I, unworthy, make supplication; but you, O almighty, deign to heed the one who asks: have mercy on me, have mercy on mine. Grant that grief depart, that care and dread give way, and that, as your servant, I may be joined to the saints, and may fear you and please you while I live, and may not be guilty at that time when I shall stand mindful of my desert before your tribunal, O Christ, and may truly worship the divinity I proclaim. May your cross sit upon forehead, hand, lips, your cross inmost within.
May the cross be the shielded house, the cross be the breastplate of salvation. With this sign a bright tower shall gleam better than when it dripped, polluted with sacrilegious gore.