BONAVENTURE

I

OF THE HOLY CROSS

Thou who art so prone to measure
Perfect life by ceaseless pleasure,
Think upon the holy cross...
Be the cross thy contemplation
Through unwearied meditation,
Counting all things else as loss.

Whether resting or achieving,
Whilst thou laughest, or art grieving,
Weeping or in joy thou art;
Faring forth, or homeward hastening
In thy comfort, in thy chastening,
Keep the cross within thy heart.

Lo, the cross, when ills oppress thee,
Burdens crush and woes possess thee,

Is thy one and only cure.
In thy pain and deep affliction
'Tis thy soul's sweet benediction
And thy refuge safe and sure.

Crux est porta paradisi,
In qua sancti sunt confisi,
Qui vicerunt omnia.
Crux est mundi medicina,
Per quam bonitas divina
Facit mirabilia.

Crux est salus animarum,
Verum lumen et praeclarum,
Et dulcedo cordium.
Crux est vita beatorum,
Et thesaurus perfectorum,
Et decor et gaudium.

Crux est speculum virtutis, Gloriosae dux salutis,

Cuncta spes fidelium.

Crux est decus salvandorum,

Et solatium eorum

Atque desiderium.

Lo, the cross is heaven's portal,
In which trust the saints immortal,
Who have conquered in the fight.
This world finds the cross its healing,
God's own goodness still revealing
By its wonder-working might.

Of our souls it is salvation,
Bright and true illumination,
Hearts' delight without alloy.
Of the blest, life without measure,
Of the perfect, countless treasure,
Their renown and fadeless joy.

Here is virtue's reproduction,
Great salvation's sweet instruction,
Faithful spirits' hope entire.
Of the workers of salvation
Ornament and consolation,

And their ardent souls' desire.