Aurelius Prudentius

Aurelius Prudentius (c.348―c.413) is a Roman Christian poet, born in what is now northern Spain. He had attained influential positions, as the governor of two provinces, and in the imperial court of Milan. Around 392 he refocused his attention to live a life of poverty, and to use his skill as a poet for the glory of God. He published his poetry collections Cathemerino (Daily Rounds), and Peristephanon (Crown of Martyrdom), plus works of apologetics. His Psychomachia (Warfare of the Soul) is the first epic poem written by a Christian.

Six stanzas of Prudentius’ Christmas poem “Corde Natus Ex Parentis.” were translated as “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” by John Mason Neale in 1852, and was later expanded by Henry W. Baker.

The following translation is from Roby Furley Davis and appeared in The English Hymnal (1906). Davis translated nine of Prudentius’ 38 stanzas from the original Latin poem.

Of the Father’s Heart Begotten

Of the Father's heart begotten,
Ere the world from chaos rose,
He is Alpha, from that Fountain
All that is and hath been flows;
He is Omega, of all things,
Yet to come the mystic Close,
Evermore and evermore.

By His Word was all created
He commanded and 'twas done;
Earth and sky and boundless ocean,
Universe of three in one,
All that sees the moon's soft radiance,
All that breathes beneath the sun,
Evermore and evermore.

He assumed this mortal body,
Frail and feeble, doomed to die,
That the race from dust created,
Might not perish utterly,
Which the dreadful Law had sentenced
In the depths of hell to lie,
Evermore and evermore.

O how blest that wondrous birthday,
When the Maid the curse retrieved,
Brought to birth mankind's salvation
By the Holy Ghost conceived,
And the Babe, the world's Redeemer
In her loving arms received,
Evermore and evermore.

Sing, ye heights of heaven, his praises;
Angels and Archangels, sing!
Wheresoe’er ye be, ye faithful,
Let your joyous anthems ring,
Every tongue his name confessing,
Countless voices answering,
Evermore and evermore.

This is He, whom seer and sibyl
Sang in ages long gone by,;
This is He of old revealed
In the page of prophecy;
Lo! He comes the promised Saviour;
Let the world his praises cry!
Evermore and evermore.

Hail! Thou Judge of souls departed;
Hail! of all the living King!
On the Father's right hand throned,
Through his courts thy praises ring,
Till at last for all offences
Righteous judgement thou shalt bring,
Evermore and evermore.

Now let old and young uniting
Chant to thee harmonious lays
Maid and matron hymn Thy glory,
Infant lips their anthem raise,
Boys and girls together singing
With pure heart their song of praise,
Evermore and evermore.

Let the storm and summer sunshine,
Gliding stream and sounding shore,
Sea and forest, frost and zephyr,
Day and night their Lord adore;
Let creation join to laud thee
Through the ages evermore,
Evermore and evermore.

Entry written by D.S. Martin. He is the author of five poetry collections including Angelicus (2021, Cascade) ― a book of poems written from the point-of-view of angels. His books are available through Wipf & Stock.