AMBROSIUS

A native of Trèves in Gaul, the great bishop of Milan, champion of orthodoxy against the Arians, teacher of Augustine, master of the art of eloquence, Ambrose is one of the most conspicuous figures in ecclesiastical history. He was born about 340 A.D., consecrated bishop in 374, and died in 397. His character has not escaped the breath of calumny, but all efforts at detraction have failed to remove him from the high estimation history has accorded to him. His reluctance to accept the office of bishop seems to have been sincere, and his integrity in the administration of the office as marked as the simplicity of his life. He was of noble birth and high education. The undoubted author of many hymns, there are many more ascribed to him which he probably did not compose. Duffield says: "The bishop met three great enemies during his career. First appeared Idolatry, championed by Symmachus; then followed Heresy, championed by Justina; and now came Despotism, behind which stood the beloved Theodosius." His bones were deposited in the church of San Ambrogio, the cathedral which stands on the old site in the city of Milan, where a church was built in 387.

AMBROSIUS

I

HYMNUS MATUTINUS

Aeterne rerum conditor, Noctem diemque qui regis, Et temporum das tempora, Ut alleves fastidium;

Praeco diei iam sonat,
Noctis profundae pervigil,
Nocturna lux viantibus,
A nocte noctem segregans.

Hoc excitatus lucifer

Solvit polum caligine,

Hoc omnis errorum chorus

Viam nocendi deserit.

Hoc nauta vires colligit
Pontique mitescunt freta,
Hoc ipsa petra ecclesiae
Canente culpam diluit.

AMBROSE

I

MORNING HYMN

Creator everlasting, Thou
Who rulest night and day,
And giv'st the boundaries of time,
Our weariness to stay;

Now sounds the herald of the morn Who through deep night abides, A sleepless guide for wandering feet, And night from night divides.

Awaked by him, the morning star

From gloom clears all the sky, While error's every host, at this, Their evil courses fly.

The sailor now regains his strength, The sea's wild waves grow tame, As, at this sound, the Church's rock Himself deplored his shame.

Surgamus ergo strenue!
Gallus iacentes excitat,
Et somnolentos increpat,
Gallus negantes arguit.

Gallo canente spes redit,
Aegris salus refunditur,
Mucro latronis conditur,
Lapsis fides revertitur.

Iesu, labentes respice,
Et nos videndo corrige,
Si respicis, lapsus cadunt,
Fletuque culpa solvitur.

Tu lux refulge sensibus, Mentisque somnum discute, Te nostra vox primum sonet Et ore psallamus tibi.