| Katharine collaudemus |
We praise Catherine |
Catherine: O let us praise her, |
| virtutum insignia, |
and her excellent virtues; |
Her virtues and saintly name! |
| cordis ei presentemus |
we present to her our hearts |
Hearts and mouths now let us raise her |
| et oris obsequia, |
and mouths compliantly, |
And offer to serve her aim; |
| ut ab ipsa reportemus |
that we may receive |
When our conduct well displays her, |
| equa laudis premia. |
reward equal to our praise. |
We merit her great acclaim. |
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| Fulta fide Katharina |
Catherine was so strong in her faith |
By no wrath was her faith broken, |
| iudicem Maxentium |
that the judge Maxentius |
Not even the Emperor's. |
| non formidat; lex divina |
she did not fear; divine law |
By his verdict it was woken. |
| sic firmat eloquium, |
strengthened her speech, |
Divine Law made wisdom hers: |
| quod confutat ex doctrina |
which refuted the doctrine |
She refuted discourse spoken |
| doctores gentilium |
of the Greek teachers. |
By all his philosophers. |
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| Victi Christum confitentur |
The defeated confessed Christ, |
By her eloquence persuaded, |
| relictis erroribus. |
leaving their sins. |
The speakers to Christ now turned. |
| Iudex iubet, ut crementur; |
The judge ordered them to be burnt alive; |
To the fire they were paraded; |
| nec pilis nec vestibus |
neither their hair nor their clothing |
Inside it could be discerned |
| nocet ignis, sed torrentur |
was hurt by the fire, but scorched |
Bodies, twisted, scorched, abraded, |
| inustis corporibus. |
by the ordeal were their bodies. |
Their hair and their clothes unburned. |
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| Post hec blandis rex molitur |
After this, flattering, the king tried |
Thinking he would soon undo her, |
| virginem seducere, |
to seduce the virgin, |
He tried to propose a tryst. |
| nec promissis emollitur |
but neither softened by promises |
She ignored his whispers to her, |
| nec terretur verbere; |
nor deterred by the lash was she; |
Nor feared she the lash or fist, |
| compeditur, custoditur |
he caught her and kept her |
So he in the dungeon threw her, |
| tetro clausa carcere. |
shut up in a filthy prison. |
In darkness, in filth dismissed. |
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| Clause lumen ne claudatur, |
Even if light is kept hidden away, |
Even when the light is hidden, |
| illucet Porphyrio, |
it shines like Porphyry, |
It shines, as Porphyry shone, |
| qui regine federatur |
who allied with the queen |
Who allied in faith forbidden |
| fidei collegio; |
in the company of faith; |
With her who controlled the throne. |
| quorum fidem imitatur |
their faith is imitated |
This belief, as it is written, |
| ducentena contio. |
by an assembly of two hundred. |
For hundreds inspired their own. |
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| Huius ergo contionis |
Therefore this assembly, |
Therefore, all this congregation |
| concordes constantia |
in harmony and steadfastness, |
In concord and perfect peace |
| vim mundane passionis |
the force of worldly passion |
Worldly forces of frustration |
| pari patientia |
with patience |
With patience have made to cease, |
| superemus, ut cum bonis |
overcomes, so that good people |
That the blessed of every nation |
| letemur in gloria. |
rejoice in glory. |
In glory and joy increase. |
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| Anonymous |
Carol Anne Perry Lagemann |
Carol Anne Perry Lagemann |