In This Vale Of Wretchedness

Words: English Traditional, Before 1529

Source: Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), pp. 122-3.

Pray for us that we saved be,
Protomartyr Stephane

1. In this vale of wretchedness,
Yprovëd was thy meekness,
Where thou art in joy and bliss,
    Circumfultus undique.

2. With faith all armed in field to fight,
Sad thou stoodest as God's (own) knight,
Teaching the people, of God His might,
    O facies plena gracie!

3. Before the tyrant thou were brought,
Strokes of pain thou dreadedst nought,
God was with thee in all thy thought,
    Spes eterne glorie.

4. With sinful wretches thou were take,
Thy faith thou wouldest not forsake,
But rather to die to Godes sake,
    Circumfuso sanguine.

Notes:

Rickert gives the following translations:

• Circumfultus undique is translated as "Shone upon from all sides."

• O facies plena gracie is translated as "O countenance full of grace."

• Spes eterne glorie is translated as "Hope of eternal glory."

• Circumfuso sanguine is translated as "With the shedding of blood."

Editor's Note: Saint Stephen's feast day is December 26. Other hymns and carols for St. Stephen: Hymns to St Stephen. Saint Stephen was among the first seven deacons and was the first martyr. See the book of Acts, Chapters 6 and 7, and this biography of St. Stephen from the Catholic Encyclopedia.

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