Nox et Tenebrae et Nubila

Ye clouds and darkness, hosts of night,
That bred confusion and affright,
Begone! O’erhead the dawn shines clear,
The light breaks in and Christ is here.

Earth’s gloom flees broken and dispersed,
By the sun’s piercing shafts coerced:
The day-star’s eyes rain influence bright,
And colours glimmer back to sight.

Thee, Christ, alone we know; to thee
We bend in pure simplicity;
Our songs with tears to thee arise;
Prove thou our hearts with thy clear eyes.

Though we be stained with blots within,
Thy quickening rays shall purge our sin;
Light of the Morning Star, thy grace
Shed on us from thy cloudless face.

Prudentius (348-c. 410ad)
Tr. R M Pope