St. Agatha - Martyris ecce dies Agathae
  • Could someone direct me to a copy of the chant notation for "Martyris Ecce Dies Agathae," the hymn of Pope St. Damasus, written in honor of St. Agatha? I found this translation:

    Now dawns the feast of Agatha,
    The illustrious virgin and martyr;
    Christ has espoused her to himself,
    And crowns her with a double crown.

    Of noble race and beauteous form,
    More illustrious still by deeds and by faith,
    She sets no value at all on earthly well-being,
    But binds to her heart the commands of her Lord.

    Stronger by far than her cruel tormentors,
    She yielded her fair limbs to the terrible scourgings,
    And proved the great fortitude deep in her bosom,
    By enduring in her breasts the bitterest of tortures.

    To her the dungeon was a place of delight,
    And thither came Peter the Shepherd to comfort his lamb.
    Thus encouraged and burning with still greater zeal,
    She joyfully ran the ever new torments to meet.

    The pagan mob fleeing the peril of Etna's fierce flames,
    By Agatha's power is effectively aided.
    And those who take pride in their title of faithful
    From unchastity are also preserved by the saint.

    Now that as a bride she shines resplendent in heaven,
    May she beg the Lord's mercy on those who are wretched,
    And whilst here below we celebrate her feast,
    May she be propitious to all who praise her great name.


  • a_f_hawkins
    Posts: 3,471
    Martyris ecce dies Agathae
    Virginis emicat eximiae,
    Christus eam sibi qua sociat,
    Et diadema duplex decorat.

    Stirpe decens, elegans specie,
    Sed magis actibus atque fide,
    Terrea prospera nil reputans,
    Jussa Dei sibi corde ligans;

    Fortior haec trucibusque viris,
    Exposuit sua membra flagris.
    Pectore quam fuerit valido,
    Torta mamilla docet patulo.

    Deliciae cui carcer erat;
    Pastor ovem Petrus hanc recreat.
    Laetior inde, magisque flagrans,
    Cuncta flagella cucurrit ovans.

    Ethnica turba, rogem fugiens,
    Hujus et ipsa meretur opem;
    Quos fidei titulus decorat,
    His Venerem magis ipsa premat.

    Jam renitens, quasi sponsa, polo,
    Pro misero rogita Damaso.
    Sic sua festa coli faciat,
    Se celebrantibus ut faveat.

    I suggest you check this against the pdf (p 212) of Latin Prosody made Easy by John Carey. It is used there as evidence about Latin pronunciation of the period, Carey is not impressed by the poetry. Google title and author, throws up a pdf.

    As for the tune, it is in Paleographie Musicale vol 21, but that's not available online as far as I know.
    Thanked by 1expeditus1
  • tomjaw
    Posts: 2,782
    Martyris ecce dies Agathae,

    Latin and English translation can be found in Gueranger, Liturgical Year, Vol. 4 pg. 248

    Also Cantus has this, http://cantusindex.org/id/008348
    N.B. different order of verses!

    In the Global chant database, 3 melodies, melodies appear to be unique...
    http://www.globalchant.org/text-details.php?text=Martyris-ecce-dies-Agathae

    The Ambrosian rite also has a Hymn,
    https://societyofstbede.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/piissacratumvocibus.pdf

    Thanked by 1expeditus1