Christe sanctorum (= Clare sanctorum, correcta)

Here is my translation of Bonnus' correcta of Notker's Sequence for Apostles, as given in Magdeburg 1613. Some of the accents are off, but then, Bonnus' version is slightly adapted from the original melody, not to mention the text, of course. Note that toward the end, the line structure has been adapted, which required departing from the numbering system employed by James Erb for the analysis of the original text, in his Recent Researches… Thanks to Rev. Weedon for the copy of the original (see this blog post.)


1. CHRIST, the Instructor of all Thine holy Apostles,
Prince of all things created, and Ruler of kingdoms:
2a. Direct, guide, and strengthen the ways and life of the churches.
2b. At first Thou didst summon fishermen, simple and common,
3a. And on them confer royal thrones and dominions across earth’s distant boundaries,
3b. By warfare to bring to an end sin and Satan’s twin tyranny,
4a. Not by the flesh’s poor weapons, but by the mighty Word of Thy ministry,
4b. Than which there is no office more worthy and dignified.
5. Peter Cephas, Paul, Matthew,
6a. Thomas, John, and Bartholomew, Philip, Simon, and James, both “Less” and of Zebedee.
6b. Andrew and Thaddeus, God’s faithful soldiers most luminous—
7. These men are they whom the whole world, from the dawn of the sun to its setting, acclaims as its fathers in doctrines of Christendom,
8. And therefore, we pray Thee, O Christ, that in their scriptural dogma we all may stand firm and unshaken forever.

Translation © Matthew Carver, 2010.

LATIN (correcta by H. Bonnus)
1a. Christe sanctorum Præceptor Apostolorum,
1b. Princeps orbis terrarum, Rectorque regnorum:
2. Ecclesiarum mores et vitam moderare
3. Tu primum rudes piscatores evocasti.
4. Illisque per totum orbem terrarum commisisti regni solium
5. Tyrannidem ut Satanae et peccati debellarent.
6. Non per arma carnalia: sed per Verbi tui ministerium.
7. Quo non est aliud munus sublimius atque dignius.
8. Petrus, Paulus, Matthæus, Thomas, Bartholomæus, Johannes, Philippus, Simon, et uterque; Jacobus,
9. Andreas, Thaddæus, Dei bellatores inclyti.
10. Hi sunt quos Oriens et Occidens, et totus mundi circulus se Patres habere gaudet, in doctrina Fidei.
11. Et idcirco omnes, ut in ipsorum dogmate sinceri permaneamus, te Christe precamur.

LATIN (original, by Notker Balbulus):
1a. Clare sanctorum senatus apostolorum,
1b. Princeps orbis terrarum, rectorque regnorum,
2. Ecclesiarum mores et vitam moderare,
3. Quae per doctrinam tuam fideles sunt ubique.
4. Antiochus et Remus concedunt tibi, Petre, regni solium.
5. Tyrannidem tu, Paule, Alexandriuam invasisti Graeciam.
6. Aethiopes horridos, Matthace, agnelli vellere.
7. Qui maculas nesciat aliquas, vestisti candido.
8. Thoma, Bartholomaee, Ioannes, Philippe, Simon Iacobique pariles,
9. Andrea, Thaddaee, Dei bellatores inclyti,
10. En vos oriens et occidens, immo teres mundi circulus se patres habere gaudet et expectat iudices.
11. Et idcirco mundus omnis laudes vobis et honorem sanctis debitum supplex impendit.