Quid, obstinata pectora

Hymnus 44.

For St. Stephen's Day from the Paris Breviary, 1736

English Translations:
Why, Stern of Heart, and Dull of Ear
Ah, Wherefore Do The Impious Jews

Source: Rev. John Chandler, The Hymns of the Primitive Church (London: John W. Parker, 1837), pp. 172-173.

Quid, obstinata pectora,
    Verbo Dei resistitis?
Qui vos Deo plenus docet
    Hunc destinatis funeri.

Omnes in unum saeviunt,
    Saxis gravant truces manus,
Hunc particeps Saulus necis
    Per omnium dextras petit.

Quid hoc! repente punditur
    Stellata Coeli Regia,
Ad dexteram Patris videt
    Sublime stantem Filium.

Non deseris, Dux, Militem,
    Quem, Christe, spectans roboras:
Stas arbiter certaminis,
    Futurus ipse praemium.

Deo mori sub judice
    Pugnantis est victoria:
Dum grando saxorum pluit,
    Nil sentit aifixus polo.

Mens nempe largo vividas
    Torrente lucis ebria,
Nil corporis memor sui
    Jam se beatis inserit.

Qui natus es de Virgine,
    Jesu, tibi sit gloria,
Cum Patre, cumque Spiritu,
    In sempiterna secula.

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