Regali solio

Glory of Iberia’s throne

The Hymns of the Breviary and Missal

Regali solio fortis Iberiæ,
Hermenegilde jubar, gloria Martyrum,
Christi quos amor almis
Cœli cœtibus inserit.
Ut perstas patiens, pollicitum Deo
Servans obsequium! quo potius tibi
Nil proponis, et arces
Cautus noxia, quæ placent.
Ut motus cohibes, pabula qui parant
Surgentis vitii, non dubios agens
Per vestigia gressus,
Quo veri via dirigit!
Sit rerum Domino jugis honor Patri,
Et Natum celebrent ora precantium,
Divinumque supremis
Flamen laudibus efferant.

Glory of Iberia’s throne!
Joy of martyred Saints above!
Who the crown of life have won
Dying for their Saviour’s love.
What intrepid faith was thine!
What unswerving constancy!
Bent to do the will divine
With exact fidelity.
Every rising motion checked
Which might lead thy heart astray,
How thou didst thy course direct
Whither virtue showed the way.
Honor, glory, majesty,
To the Father and the Son,
With the Holy Spirit be,
While eternal ages run.

Author: Pope Urban VIII (1568-1644). Meter: Lines 1, 2 of each stanza, Asclepiadic; line 4 is Glyconic; line 3 is the same as line 4 but catalectic. This and the following hymn are the only hymns in the Breviary written in this meter. Translation by Father Caswall. There are four translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Vespers and Lauds. Read the article on St. Hermengild, in the Cath. Encycl. Note the spelling—Hermengild or Hermenegild.

“Brave Hermengild, shining light for the throne of Spain, the glory of the martyrs whom love for Christ hath enrolled among the august choirs of heaven.” St. Hermengild was martyred in 585.
“How persistently didst thou persevere in the allegiance promised to God! Nothing was more dear to thee than this, and thou didst cautiously avoid hurtful things that please.” Constr.: Nil potius tibi proponis quo = quam illud, sc. obsequium. Noxia, earthly honors, etc.
“How well thou didst restrain the passions which furnish food for incipient vice, making no hesitating steps along the path whither the way of truth directs!”
“To the Father, the Lord of creation, be perpetual honor; may the mouths of Thy suppliants praise the Son, and let them glorify with sovereign praise the Holy Spirit.”