While the Kathleen's away, the mice will play. :)

I'm probably not the first one to notice that this hymn by St. Ambrose is like two hymns in one. The patristics folks think this is a didactic hymn that tackles, in an oblique fashion, several heresies that were going around.

Anyway, they used to sing it at Terce, beween Easter and Pentecost. There's a nice YouTube version from the folks in Milan. Didn't see any translations online, so here's mine. It's not super-literal, alas.

Jam surgit hora tertia,
Qua Christus ascendit crucem,
Nil insolens mens cogitet,
Intendat affectum precis.

Now, in the third hour of the day,
Christ took His Cross, as Mark did say.
So think no thought of mocking pride;
But pray to Him, the Crucified.

Qui corde Christum suscipit,
Innoxium sensum gerit:
Votisque praestat sedulis,
Sanctum mereri Spiritum.

He who receives Christ will be kind
And carry Him in heart and mind;
And with attentive offered prayer,
Will soon the Holy Spirit share.

Haec hora qua finem dedit
Diri veterno criminis,
Mortisque regnum diluit,
Culpamque ab aevo sustulit.

This hour at which He ends our time
Of stupor from that first bad crime,
Destroys the world's guilt with His blood;
Washed out death's kingdom with its flood.

Hinc jam beata tempora
Coepere Christi gratia:
Fide replevit veritas
Totum per orbem Ecclesias.

Then at this blessed hour of day,
The grace of Christ came into play
And Truth made faith complete and full
In all His churches, pole to pole.

Celso triumphi vertice,
Matri loquebatur suae:
En filius, mater, tuus;
Apostole, en mater tua.

Then on His Cross, His triumph's peak,
To His dear mother, hear Him speak:
"O Mother, now behold your son.
"Behold your mother," He told John.

Praetenta nuptae foedera
Alto docens mysterio;
Ne virginis partus sacer
Matris pudorem laederet.

The bridal covenant's veiled to hide
Deep mystery that's taught inside;
For otherwise the sacred Child
Might shame the virgin mother mild.

Cui fidem coelestibus
Jesus dedit miraculis:
Nec credidit plebs impia;
Qui credidit, salvus erit.

Both times by signs celestial,
Jesus gave faith by miracle
Hardhearted folk would not believe.
They will be saved who did believe.

Nos credimus natum Deum,
Partumque Virginis sacrae,
Peccata qui mundi tulit,
Ad dexteram sedens Patris.

So we believe that God was born;
His Virgin Birth we do not scorn.
Sin of the world He took away;
He's at the Father's right, today.

Deo Patri sit gloria,
eiusque soli Filio,
cum Spiritu Paraclito!
in sempiterna saecula. Amen.

To God the Father, glory be,
And glory to His only Son,
And to the Spirit Paraclete,
The One in Three and Three in One.
Amen.