Jesu, corona Virginum

Jesu, the Virgins’ crown

The Hymns of the Breviary and Missal

Jesu, corona Virginum,
Quem mater illa concipit,
Quæ sola Virgo parturit:
Hæc vota clemens accipe.
Qui pergis inter lilia,
Septus choreis Virginum,
Sponsus decorus gloria,
Sponsisque reddens præmia.
Quocumque tendis, Virgines
Sequuntur, atque laudibus
Post te canentes cursitant,
Hymnosque dulces personant
Te deprecamur supplices;
Nostris ut addas sensibus,
Nescire prorsus omnia
Corruptionis vulnera.
Virtus, honor, laus, gloria
Deo Patri cum Filio,
Sancto simul Paraclito,
In sæculorum sæcula.

Jesu, the Virgins’ crown, do Thou
Accept us as in prayer we bow;
Born of that Virgin, whom alone
The Mother and the Maid we own.
Amongst the lilies Thou dost feed,
By Virgin choirs accompanied—
With glory decked, the spotless brides
Whose bridal gifts Thy love provides.
They, wheresoe’er Thy footsteps bend,
With hymns and praises still attend:
In blessed troops they follow Thee,
With dance, and song, and melody.
We pray Thee therefore to bestow
Upon our senses here below
Thy grace, that so we may endure
From taint of all corruption pure.
All laud to God the Father be,
All praise, Eternal Son, to Thee;
All glory as is ever meet,
To God, the holy Paraclete.

Author: Ascribed to St. Ambrose (340-397). Meter: Iambic dimeter. Translation by J. M. Neale. There are thirteen translations. Liturgical Use: Hymn for Vespers and Lauds. This beautiful hymn is founded on Is. 28, 5; Canticle of Canticles 2,16; Apoc. 14, 4.

“O Jesus, crown of Virgins, whom that Mother conceived who alone as Virgin did give birth to a Child, graciously accept these our prayers.”
“Thou walkest among the lilies surrounded by choirs of Virgins, as a bridegroom adorned with glory dispensing gifts to brides.” Pergis: The Original Text has pascis—which text Neale translates. The texts differ but slightly. Qui pascitur inter lilia (Cant. 2, 16). The lily is a symbol of virginal purity; it is here used for Virgins themselves.
“Whithersoever Thou goest, Virgins follow, and with songs of praise they hasten after Thee, causing sweet hymns to resound.”
“We suppliantly beseech Thee that Thou grant to our senses that they may know nothing whatever of all the wounds of corruption.” Addas = des, tribuas. Sensibus, to our souls. Nescire, to have nothing to do with.