111 VENI, SANCTE SPIRITUS ET EMITTE CŒLITUS
A sequence universally regarded as one of the masterpieces of sacred Latin poetry. As in the case of the Veni, Creator Spiritus, the authorship is matter of dispute. Robert II. of France, Hermannus Contractus (born 1013, died 1054), Stephen Langton the Archbishop of Canterbury, Pope Innocent III.—these have all in turn been credited with its production. Dr. Julian, the greatest living authority, sums up the matter of authorship thus: “The sequence is clearly not earlier than about the beginning of the thirteenth century. It is certainly neither by Robert II. nor by Hermannus Contractus. The most probable author is Innocent III.”
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| Holy Spirit, come with power; Let Thy light, in darkest hour, Shine upon our onward way. Father of the humble heart, Come, Thy choicest gifts impart— Light our hearts with heavenly ray. | | Thou canst best the heart console; Sweet Thy sojourn with the soul— Cooling breath at noon of day, Calm Thy rest in toil and care, Soft Thy shade in noontide glare— Thou dost chase our tears away. | | O! Thou blessed Light of light! Let Thy beams in radiance bright Fill our inmost heart for aye. If Thou come not with Thy grace, Nought of worth can take Thy place, Nought but leads the soul astray. | | What is filthy, come, renew; What is parched, with grace bedew; Heal the wounded in the way. What is stubborn, gently bend; To the chilled the life-glow send; Bring the erring ’neath Thy sway. | | To the faithful who repose In the love Thy grace bestows, Be Thy sevenfold gift alway— Rich reward for service given, Hope in death and joy in heaven, Joy untold that lasteth aye. | |