John Dryden (1631-1700)
Veni, Creator Spiritus
1Creator Spirit, by whose aid
2The world's foundations first were laid,
3Come, visit ev'ry pious mind;
4Come, pour thy joys on human kind;
5From sin, and sorrow set us free;
6And make thy temples worthy Thee.
7 O, Source of uncreated Light,
8The Father's promis'd Paraclete!
9Thrice Holy Fount, thrice Holy Fire,
10Our hearts with heav'nly love inspire;
11Come, and thy Sacred Unction bring
12To sanctify us, while we sing!
13 Plenteous of grace, descend from high,
14Rich in thy sev'n-fold energy!
15Thou strength of his Almighty Hand,
16Whose pow'r does heav'n and earth command:
17Proceeding Spirit, our Defence,
18Who do'st the gift of tongues dispence,
19And crown'st thy gift with eloquence!
20 Refine and purge our earthly parts;
21But, oh, inflame and fire our hearts!
22Our frailties help, our vice control;
23Submit the senses to the soul;
24And when rebellious they are grown,
25Then, lay thy hand, and hold 'em down.
26 Chase from our minds th' Infernal Foe;
27And peace, the fruit of love, bestow;
28And, lest our feet should step astray,
29Protect, and guide us in the way.
30 Make us Eternal Truths receive,
31And practise, all that we believe:
32Give us thy self, that we may see
33The Father and the Son, by thee.
34 Immortal honour, endless fame,
35Attend th' Almighty Father's name:
36The Saviour Son be glorified,
37Who for lost Man's redemption died:
38And equal adoration be,
39Eternal Paraclete, to thee.
Notes
1] A paraphrase of an anonymous ninth-century Latin hymn, used in both the Anglican and Catholic services.
8] Paraclete: advocate or comforter (see John xiv.16).
Online text copyright © 2009, Ian Lancashire (the Department of English) and the University of Toronto.
Published by the Web Development Group, Information Technology Services, University of Toronto Libraries.
Original text: John Dryden, Examen Poeticum (London: J. Tonson, 1693). hob Fisher Rare Book Library
First publication date:
1693
RPO poem editor: N. J. Endicott
RP edition: 2RP 1.503.
Recent editing: 4:2002/4/3*1:2006/6/3
Form: Short Couplets
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