Wednesday in Holy Week

commonly called Spy Wednesday

Privileged Feria, Simple

Matins

Lauds 2

Prime

Terce

Sext

None

Vespers

COLLECT OF THE DAY

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

Station at St. Mary Major

Matins

Absolutio: A vínculis peccatórum nostrórum absólvat nos omnípotens et miséricors Dóminus.
R.  Amen.

Absolution:  May the Lord Almighty and merciful break the bonds of our sins and set us free.
R.  Amen.

Benedíctio 1: Ille nos benedícat, qui sine fine vivit et regnat.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 1: May he who ever liveth and reigneth bestow upon us his gracious blessing.
R.  Amen.

Exspectátio Israël, Dómine : omnes, qui te derelínquunt, confundéntur : recedéntes a te, in terra scribéntur : quóniam dereliquérunt venam aquárum vivéntium Dóminum.  Sana me, Dómine, et sanábor : salvum me fac, et salvus ero : quóniam laus mea tu es.  Ecce ipsi dicunt ad me : Ubi est verbum Dómini? véniat.  Et ego non sum turbátus, te pastórem sequens : et diem hóminis non desiderávi , tu scis.  Quod egréssum est de lábiis meis, rectum in conspéctu tuo fuit.  Non sis tu mihi formídini, spes mea tu in die afflictiónis.  Confundántur qui me persequúntur, et non confúndar ego : páveant illi, et non páveam ego : induc super eos diem afflictiónis, et dúplici contritióne cóntere eos.

O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters.  Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.  Behold, they say unto me, Where is the word of the Lord? let it come now.  As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before thee.  Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil.  Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Locúti sunt advérsum me lingua dolósa, et sermónibus ódii circumdedérunt me : pro eo ut me dilígerent, detrahébant mihi : * Ego autem orábam, et exaudísti me, Dómine, Deus meus.
V.  Et posuérunt advérsum me mala pro bonis, et ódium pro dilectióne mea.
R.  Ego autem orábam, et exaudísti me, Dómine, Deus meus.

R.  They have spoken against me with false tongues ; they compassed me about also with words of hatred : for the love that I had unto them, lo, they take now my contrary part : * But I gave myself unto prayer, and thou hast heard, O Lord my God.
V.  Thus have they rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
R.  But I gave myself unto prayer, and thou hast heard, O Lord my God.

Benedíctio 2: Divínum auxílium máneat semper nobíscum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 2: May help divine be with us all, for ever abiding.
R.  Amen.

Quis audívit tália horribília, quæ fecit nimis virgo Israël?  Numquid defíciet de petra agri nix Líbani? aut evélli possunt aquæ erumpéntes frígidæ, et defluéntes?  Quia oblítus est mei pópulus meus, frustra libántes, et impingéntes in viis suis, in sémitis sæculi, ut ambulárent per eas in itínere non trito : ut fíeret terra eórum in desolatiónem, et in síbilum sempitérnum : omnis qui præteríerit per eam obstupéscet, et movébit caput suum.  Sicut ventus urens dispérgam eos coram inimíco : dorsum, et non fáciem osténdam eis in die perditiónis eórum.  Et dixérunt : Veníte et cogitémus contra Jeremíam cogitatiónes : non enim períbit lex a sacerdóte, neque consílium a sapiénte, nec sermo a prophéta : veníte, et percutiámus eum lingua, et non attendámus ad univérsos sermónes ejus.

Who hath heard such things: the virgin of Israel hath done a very horrible thing.  Will a man leave the snow of Lebanon which cometh from the rock of the field? or shall the cold flowing waters that come from another place be forsaken?  Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up; to make their land desolate, and a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head.  I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.  Then said they, Come and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Dixérunt ímpii apud se, non recte cogitántes : Circumveniámus justum, quóniam contrárius est opéribus nostris : promíttit se sciéntiam Dei habére, Fílium Dei se nóminat, et gloriátur patrem se habére Deum : * Videámus si sermónes illíus veri sunt : et si est vere Fílius Dei, líberet eum de mánibus nostris : morte turpíssima condemnémus eum.
V.  Tamquam nugáces æstimáti sumus ab illo, et ábstinet se a viis nostris tamquam ab immundítiis : et præfert novíssima justórum.
R.  Videámus si sermónes illíus veri sunt : et si est vere Fílius Dei, líberet eum de mánibus nostris : morte turpíssima condemnémus eum.

R.  The ungodly said, reasoning with themselves, but not aright : let us lie in wait for the Righteous One, because he is clean contrary to our doings.  He professeth to have knowledge of God ; he calleth himself the Child of the Lord, and maketh his boast that God is his Father : * Let us see if his words be true ; for if he be verily the Son of God, God will help him and and deliver him out of our hands ; wherefore let us condemn him with a shameful death.
V.  We are esteemed of him as counterfeits : he abstaineth from our ways as from filthiness : he pronounceth the end of the just to be blessed.
R.  Let us see if his words be true ; for if he be verily the Son of God, God will help him and and deliver him out of our hands ; wherefore let us condemn him with a shameful death.

Benedíctio 3: Ad societátem cívium supernórum perdúcat nos Rex Angelórum.
R.  Amen.

Benediction 3: May the King of Angels give us fellowship with all the citizens of heaven.
R.  Amen.

Atténde, Dómine, ad me, et audi vocem adversariórum meórum.  Numquid rédditur pro bono malum, quia fodérunt fóveam ánimæ meæ?  Recordáre quod stéterim in conspéctu tuo, ut lóquerer pro eis bonum, et avérterem indignatiónem tuam ab eis.  Proptérea da fílios eórum in famem, et deduc eos in manus gládii : fiant uxores eórum absque líberis, et víduæ : et viri eárum interficiántur morte : júvenes eórum confodiántur gládio in prælio.  Audiátur clamor de dómibus eórum : addúces enim super eos latrónem repénte : quia fodérunt fóveam ut cáperent me, et láqueos abscondérunt pédibus meis.  Tu autem, Dómine, scis omne consílium eórum advérsum me in mortem : ne propitiéris iniquitáti eórum, et peccátum eórum a fácie tua non deleátur : fiant corruéntes in conspéctu tuo, in témpore furóris tui abútere eis.

Give heed to me, O Lord, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me.  Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, and to turn away thy wrath from them.  Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and pour out their blood by the force of the sword; and let their wives be bereaved of their children, and be widows; and let their men be put to death; let their young men be slain by the sword in battle.  Let a cry be heard from their houses, when thou shalt bring a troop suddenly upon them: for they have digged a pit to take me, and hid snares for my feet.  Yet, Lord, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay me: forgive not their iniquity, neither blot out their sin from thy sight, but let them be overthrown before thee; deal thus with them in the time of thine anger.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

R.  Circumdedérunt me viri mendáces : sine causa flagéllis cecidérunt me : * Sed tu, Dómine defénsor, víndica me.
V.  Quóniam tribulátio próxima est, et non est qui ádjuvet.
R.  Sed tu, Dómine defénsor, víndica me.
R.  Circumdedérunt me viri mendáces : sine causa flagéllis cecidérunt me : * Sed tu, Dómine defénsor, víndica me.

R.  They that speak with false tongues have compassed me about with words of hatred, and have fought against me without a cause : * But do thou, O Lord my Redeemer, avenge me.
V.  For trouble is hard at hand, and there is none to help me.
R.  But do thou, O Lord my Redeemer, avenge me.
R.  They that speak with false tongues have compassed me about with words of hatred, and have fought against me without a cause : * But do thou, O Lord my Redeemer, avenge me.

The Office of Matins ends after the Third Respond.  The Te Deum is not said, and Lauds normally follows immediately, beginning with the Opening Versicles.  Otherwise, the Conclusion of Matins is read, according to the Rubrics.

Conclusion of Matins
 

Lauds 2

The first part of Lauds is in the Ordinary

Psalmus 50.  Miserere mei, Deus

Miserére mei Deus, * secúndum magnam misericórdiam tuam.
2  Et secúndum multitúdinem miseratiónum tuárum, * dele iniquitátem meam.
3  Amplius lava me ab iniquitáte mea: * et a peccáto meo munda me.
4  Quóniam iniquitátem meam ego cognósco: * et peccátum meum contra me est semper.
5  Tibi soli peccávi, et malum coram te feci: * ut justificéris in sermónibus tuis, et vincas cum judicáris.
6  Ecce enim in iniquitátibus concéptus sum: * et in peccátis concépit me mater mea.
7  Ecce enim veritátem dilexísti: * incérta et occúlta sapiéntiæ tuæ manifestásti mihi.
8  Aspérges me hyssópo, et mundábor: * lavábis me, et super nivem dealbábor.
9  Audítui meo dabis gáudium et lætítiam: * et exsultábunt ossa humiliáta.
10  Avérte fáciem tuam a peccátis meis: * et omnes iniquitátes meas dele.
11  Cor mundum crea in me, Deus: * et spíritum rectum ínnova in viscéribus meis.
12  Ne projícias me a fácie tua: * et spíritum sanctum tuum ne áuferas a me.
13  Redde mihi lætítiam salutáris tui: * et spíritu principáli confírma me.
14  Docébo iníquos vias tuas: * et ímpii ad te converténtur.
15  Líbera me de sanguínibus, Deus, Deus salútis meæ: * et exsultábit lingua mea justítiam tuam.
16  Dómine, lábia mea apéries: * et os meum annuntiábit laudem tuam.
17  Quóniam si voluísses sacrifícium dedíssem útique: * holocáustis non delectáberis.
18  Sacrifícium Deo spíritus contribulátus: * cor contrítum, et humiliátum, Deus non despícies.
19  Benígne fac, Dómine, in bona voluntáte tua Sion: * ut ædificéntur muri Jerúsalem.
20  Tunc acceptábis sacrifícium justítiæ, oblatiónes, et holocáusta: * tunc impónent super altáre tuum vítulos.

Have mercy upon me, O God, * after thy great goodness.
2  According to the multitude of thy mercies * do away mine offences.
3  Wash me throughly from my wickedness, * and cleanse me from my sin.
4  For I acknowledge my faults, * and my sin is ever before me.
5  Against thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight; * that thou mightest be justified in thy saying, and clear when thou art judged.
6  Behold, I was shapen in wickedness, * and in sin hath my mother conceived me.
7  But lo, thou requirest truth in the inward parts, * and shalt make me to understand wisdom secretly.
8  Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; * thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
9  Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness, * that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
10  Turn thy face from my sins, * and put out all my misdeeds.
11  Make me a clean heart, O God, * and renew a right spirit within me.
12  Cast me not away from thy presence, * and take not thy holy Spirit from me.
13  O give me the comfort of thy help again, * and stablish me with thy free Spirit.
14  Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked, * and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
15  Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou that art the God of my health; * and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousness.
16  Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord, * and my mouth shall shew thy praise.
17  For thou desirest no sacrifice, else would I give it thee; * but thou delightest not in burnt-offerings.
18  The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit: * a broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt thou not despise.
19  O be favourable and gracious unto Sion; * build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
20  Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with the burnt-offerings and oblations; * then shall they offer young bullocks upon thine altar.

Ant.    Líbera me de sanguínibus, Deus, Deus meus : et exsultábit lingua mea justítiam tuam.

Ant.    Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou that art the God of my health; and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousness.

Psalmus 64.  Te decet hymnus

Te decet hymnus, Deus, in Sion: * et tibi reddétur votum in Jerúsalem.
2  Exáudi oratiónem meam: * ad te omnis caro véniet.
3  Verba iniquórum prævaluérunt super nos: * et impietátibus nostris tu propitiáberis.
4  Beátus quem elegísti et assumpsísti: * inhabitábit in átriis tuis.
5  Replébimur in bonis domus tuæ, sanctum est templum tuum: * mirábile in æquitáte.
6  Exáudi nos, Deus salutáris noster: * spes ómnium fínium terræ et in mari longe.
7  Præparans montes in virtúte tua, accínctus poténtia: * qui contúrbas profúndum maris sonum flúctuum ejus.
8  Turbabúntur Gentes, et timébunt qui inhábitant términos a signis tuis: * éxitus matutíni, et véspere delectábis.
9  Visitásti terram, et inebriásti eam: * multiplicásti locupletáre eam.
10  Flumen Dei replétum est aquis; parásti cibum illórum: * quóniam ita est præparátio ejus.
11  Rivos ejus inébria multíplica genímina ejus: * in stillicídiis ejus lætábitur gérminans.
12  Benedíces corónæ anni benignitátis tuæ: * et campi tui replebúntur ubertáte.
13  Pinguéscent speciósa desérti: * et exsultatióne colles accingéntur.
14  Indúti sunt aríetes óvium et valles abundábunt fruménto: * clamábunt, étenim hymnum dicent.

Psalm 64.  Te decet hymnus

Thou art worthy to be praised, O God, in Sion; * and a vow shall be paid thee in Jerusalem.
2  O hear thou my prayer, * unto thee shall all flesh come.
3  The words of the wicked have prevailed against us : * and thou shalt pardon our transgressions.
4  Blessed is the man whom thou hast chosen and taken unto thee: * in thy courts shall he dwell.
5   We shall be filled with the good things of thy house, holy is thy temple : * wonderful in thy righteousness.
6  Hear us, O God of our salvation; * thou that art the hope of all the ends of the earth, and in the broad sea.
7  Who by thy strength settest fast the mountains, and art girded about with power: * who makest the deep sea to rage, and the noise of its waves.
8  The heathen shall be thrown into confusion, and they also that dwell in the uttermost parts of the earth shall be afraid at thy signs, * thou shalt make the out-goings of the morning and evening to rejoice.
9  Thou hast visited the earth, and made it plentiful; * thou hast many ways enriched it.
10  The river of God is full of water: * thou hast prepared their food, for so is thy providence.
11  Fill up plentifully the streams thereof, increase its fruits : * it shall spring forth and rejoice in its drops of rain.
12  Thou shalt bless the crown of the year with thy goodness; * and thy fields shall be filled with plenty.
13  The beauty of the wilderness shall grow fat : * and the hills shall be girded about with joy.
14  The rams of the flock are clothed, and the vales also shall abound with corn, * they shall call out, yea, they shall sing praises.

Ant.    Contumélias et terróres passum sum ab eis : et Dóminus mecum est tamquam bellátor fortis.

Ant.    I heard the defaming of many, fear was on every side; but the Lord is with me as a mighty terrible one.

Psalmus 100.  Misericordiam et judicium

Misericórdiam, et judícium * cantábo tibi, Dómine:
2  Psallam, et intélligam in via immaculáta, * quando vénies ad me.
3  Perambulábam in innocéntia cordis mei: * in médio domus meæ.
4  Non proponébam ante óculos meos rem injústam: * faciéntes prævaricatiónes odívi.
5  Non adhæsit mihi cor pravum: * declinántem a me malígnum non cognoscébam.
6  Detrahéntem secréto próximo suo, * hunc persequébar.
7  Supérbo óculo, et insatiábili corde, * cum hoc non edébam.
8  Oculi mei ad fidéles terræ ut sédeant mecum: * ámbulans in via immaculáta, hic mihi ministrábat.
9  Non habitábit in médio domus meæ, qui facit supérbiam: * qui lóquitur iníqua, non diréxit in conspéctu oculórum meórum.
10  In matutíno interficiébam omnes peccatóres terræ: * ut dispérderem de civitáte Dómini omnes operántes iniquitátem.

Psalm 100.  Misericordiam et judicium

Mercy and judgment; * I will sing unto thee, O Lord.
2  I will sing praises, and will have understanding in the way without blemish : * when thou shall come unto me.
3  I will walk in the innocency of my heart : * in the midst of my house.
4  I did not set before mine eyes any unjust thing : * I have hated the workers of iniquity.
5  The perverse heart did not cleave unto me : * and the malignant that turned aside from me, I would not know.
6  Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, * on him have I taken vengeance.
7  And with him that hath a haughty look and an insatiable heart, * with him I would not eat.
8  Mine eyes look upon such as are faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me: * the man that walked in the way without blemish, he was my servant.
9  He that worketh pride shall not dwell in the midst of my house; * he that speaketh wicked things did not prosper in my sight.
10  In the morning I put to death all the ungodly of the land; * that I might cut off all the wicked doers from the city of the Lord.

Ant.    Tu autem, Dómine, scis omne consílium eórum advérsum me in mortem.

Ant.    But thou, O Lord, knowest all their plans to put me to death.

Canticum Annæ.      I Kings 2. 1.

Exsultávit cor meum in Dómino: * et exaltátum est cornu meum in Deo meo.
2  Dilatátum est os meum super inimícos meos: * quia lætáta sum in salutári tuo.
3  Non est sanctus, ut est Dóminus : neque enim est álius extra te, * et non est fortis sicut Deus noster.
4  Nolíte multiplicáre loqui sublímia, * gloriántes :
5   Recédant vétera de ore vestro : quia Deus scientiárum, Dóminus est, * et ipsi præparántur cogitatiónes.
6  Arcus fórtium superátus est, * et infírmi accíncti sunt róbore.
7  Repléti prius, pro pánibus se locavérunt: * et famélici saturáti sunt.
8  Donec stérilis péperit plúrimos: * et quæ multos habébat fílios, infirmáta est.
9  Dóminus mortíficat et vivíficat: * dedúcit ad ínferos et redúcit.
10  Dóminus páuperem facit et ditat, * humíliat et súblevat.
11  Súscitat de púlvere egénum, *  et de stércore élevat páuperem :
12  Ut sédeat cum princípibus: * et sólium glóriæ téneat.
13  Dómini enim sunt cárdines terræ, * et pósuit super eos orbem.
14  Pedes sanctórum suórum servábit, et ímpii in ténebris conticéscent: * quia non in fortitúdine sua roborábitur vir.
15  Dóminum formidábunt adversárii ejus: * et super ipsos in cælis tonábit:
16  Dóminus judicábit fines terræ, et dabit impérium regi suo, * et sublimábit cornu Christi sui.

Canticle of Hannah.      I Kings 2. 1.

My heart hath rejoiced in the Lord, * and mine horn is exalted in my God.
2  My mouth is enlarged over mine enemies, * because I have rejoiced in thy salvation.
3  There is none holy as the Lord; for there is none other beside thee; * neither is there any strong like our God.
4  Do not multiply to speak lofty things, * boasting.
5  Let old matters depart out of your mouth; * for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and to him are thoughts prepared.
6  The bows of the mighty men are overcome, * and the weak are girded with strength.
7  They that before were full have hired out themselves for bread; * and the hungry are filled.
8  So that the barren hath borne many; * and she that had many children is waxed feeble.
9  The Lord giveth death, and maketh alive; * he bringeth down into hell, and bringeth back again.
10  The Lord maketh poor, and conferreth riches: * he bringeth low, and also lifteth up.
11  He raiseth up the needy out of the dust, * and lifteth up the poor from the dunghill.
12  To set them among princes, * and to hold the throne of glory.
13  For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, * and he hath set the world upon them.
14  He guardeth the feet of his saints, and the wicked are put to silence in darkness, * for no man shall prevail by his own strength.
15  The adversaries of the Lord shall fear him : * and out of heaven shall he thunder upon them.
16  The Lord shall judge the ends of the earth, and he shall give empire unto his king, * and shall exalt the horn of his Anointed.

Ant.    Omnes inimíci mei audiérunt malum meum : Dómine, lætáti sunt, quóniam tu fecísti.

Ant.    All mine enemies have heard of my trouble: they are glad, O Lord, that thou hast done it.

Psalmus 145.  Lauda, anima mea

Lauda, ánima mea, Dóminum, laudábo Dóminum in vita mea: * psallam Deo meo quámdiu fúero.
2  Nolíte confídere in princípibus: * in fíliis hóminum, in quibus non est salus.
3  Exíbit spíritus ejus, et revertétur in terram suam: * in illa die períbunt omnes cogitatiónes eórum.
4  Beátus, cujus Deus Jacob adjútor ejus, spes ejus in Dómino Deo ipsíus: * qui fecit cælum et terram, mare et ómnia, quæ in eis sunt.
5  Qui custódit veritátem in sæculum, facit judícium injúriam patiéntibus: * dat escam esuriéntibus.
6  Dóminus solvit compedítos: * Dóminus illúminat cæcos.
7  Dóminus érigit elísos: * Dóminus díligit justos.
8  Dóminus custódit ádvenas, pupíllum et víduam suscípiet: * et vias peccatórum dispérdet.
9  Regnábit Dóminus in sæcula, Deus tuus, Sion, * in generatiónem et generatiónem.

Psalm 145.  Lauda, anima mea

Praise the Lord, O my soul: while I live, will I praise the Lord; * yea, as long as I have any being, I will sing praises unto my God.
2  O put not your trust in princes, * nor in the children of men, in whom is no salvation.
3  His spirit shall go forth, and he shall turn again to his earth, * in that day shall perish all their thoughts.
4  Blessed is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, and whose hope is in the Lord his God: * who hath made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that therein is.
5  Who keepeth truth for ever, who executeth judgment unto them that suffer wrong; * who feedeth the hungry.
6  The Lord looseth them that are in fetters; * the Lord giveth light to the blind.
7  The Lord lifteth up them that are cast down; * the Lord loveth the righteous.
8  The Lord keepeth the strangers; he shall defend the fatherless and widow: * and destroy the ways of the ungodly.
9  The Lord shall reign for evermore, thy God, O Sion, * throughout all generations.

Ant.    Fac, Dómine, judícium injúriam patiéntibus : et vias peccatórum dispérde.

Ant.    The Lord helpeth them to right that suffer wrong; but as for the way of the ungodly, he turneth it upside down.

STAND

Capitulum           Jer. 11. 19.
Veníte, mittámus lignum in panem ejus, et eradámus eum de terra vivéntium, et nomen ejus non memorétur ámplius.
R.  Deo grátias.

The Little Chapter        Jer. 11. 19.
Come, let us put wood on his bread, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his Name may be remembered no more.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Lustra sex qui jam perégit,
Tempus implens córporis,
Sponte líbera Redémptor
Passióni déditus,
Agnus in Crucis levátur
Immolándus stípite.

Felle potus ecce languet :
Spina, clavi, láncea
Mite corpus perforárunt :
Unda manat, et cruor :
Terra, pontus, astra, mundus,
Quo lavántur flúmine !

Crux fidélis, inter omnes
Arbor una nóbilis :
Silva talem nulla profert
Fronde, flore, gérmine :
Dulce ferrum, dulce lignum,
Dulce pondus sústinent.

Flecte ramos, arbor alta,
Tensa laxa víscera,
Et rigor lentéscat ille,
Quem dedit natívitas ;
Et supérni membra Regis
Tende miti stípite.

Sola digna tu fuísti
Ferre mundi víctimam ;
Atque portum præparáre
Arca mundo náufrago,
Quam sacer cruor perúnxit,
Fusus Agni córpore.

Sempitérna sit beátæ
Trinitáti glória,
Æqua Patri, Filióque ;
Par decus Paráclito :
Uníus Triníque nomen
Laudet univérsitas.  Amen.

Thirty years among us dwelling,
His appointed time fulfilled,
Born for this, he meets his Passion,
For that this he freely willed :
On the Cross the Lamb is lifted,
Where his life-Blood shall be spilled.

He endured the nails, the spitting,
Vinegar, and spear, and reed :
From that holy Body broken
Blood and Water forth proceed :
Earth, and stars, and sky, and ocean,
By that flood from stain are freed.

Faithful Cross! above all other,
One and only noble Tree;
None in foliage, none in blossom,
None in fruit thy peer may be :
Sweetest wood, and sweetest iron,
Sweetest weight is hung on thee.

Bend thy boughs, O Tree of glory,
Thy relaxing sinews bend :
For awhile the ancient rigour
That thy birth bestowed, suspend :
And the King of heavenly beauty
On thy bosom gently tend.

Thou alone wast counted worthy
This world's ransom to sustain,
That a shipwrecked race for ever
Might a port of refuge gain :
With the sacred Blood anointed
Of the Lamb for sinners slain.

To the Trinity be glory
Everlasting, as is meet :
Equal to the Father, equal
To the Son, and Paraclete :
Trinal Unity, whose praises
All created things repeat.  Amen.

V.  Deliver me from mine enemies, O God.
R.  Defend me, O Lord, from them that rise up against me.

Ad Bened. Ant:  Simon, dormis? * non potuísti una hora vigiláre mecum?

Ant. on Bened:  Simon, sleepest thou? * couldest thou not watch with me even for one hour?

BENEDICTUS

THE BENEDICTUS

Ferial Preces

Oremus.
Præsta, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus : ut, qui nostris excéssibus incessánter afflígimur, per unigéniti Fílii tui passiónem liberémur : Qui tecum vivit et regnat.

Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God : that we, who are continually afflicted by reason of our transgressions, may be delivered by the Passion of thine only-begotten Son.  Who liveth and reigneth with thee.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

Prime

Ant.    Líbera me * de sanguínibus, Deus, Deus meus : et exsultábit lingua mea justítiam tuam.

Ant.    Deliver me * from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou that art the God of my health; and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousness.

Wednesday Psalms

Return to the Office of Prime
 

Terce

Ant.    Contumélias * et terróres passum sum ab eis : et Dóminus mecum est tamquam bellátor fortis.

Ant.    I heard the defaming * of many, fear was on every side; but the Lord is with me as a mighty terrible one.

Wednesday Psalms

Return to the Office of Terce
 

Sext

Ant.    Tu autem, Dómine, * scis omne consílium eórum advérsum me in mortem.

Ant.    But thou, O Lord, * knowest all their plans to put me to death.

Wednesday Psalms

Return to the Office of Sext
 

None

Ant.    Fac, Dómine, * judícium injúriam patiéntibus : et vias peccatórum dispérde.

Ant.    The Lord helpeth them * to right that suffer wrong; but as for the way of the ungodly, he turneth it upside down.

Wednesday Psalms

Return to the Office of None
 

Vespers

The first part of Vespers is in the Ordinary

Antiphons and Psalms of Wednesday

Chapter and Hymn from the Ordinary

V.  Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man.
R.  And preserve me from the wicked man.

Ad Magnif. Ant:  Ancílla dixit * Petro : Vere tu ex illis es : nam et loquéla tua maniféstum te facit.

Ant. on Magnif:  A maid said unto Peter: * surely thou art one of them, for thy speech betrayeth thee.

MAGNIFICAT

THE MAGNIFICAT

Ferial Preces

Oremus.
Réspice, quæsumus, Dómine, super hanc famíliam tuam, pro qua Dóminus noster Jesus Christus non dubitávit mánibus tradi nocéntium, et crucis subíre torméntum : Qui tecum vivit et regnat.

Let us pray.
Almighty God, we beseech thee graciously behold this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed, and given up into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer death upon the Cross.  Who liveth and reigneth with thee.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH