Sei mir tausendmal gegrüszet.--(Goed. 40.)

Taken from the "Salve mundi salutare," ascribed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux.¹²⁷¹²⁷Bernard of Clairvaux, saint, abbot, and doctor, was born in Burgundy in 1091, entered the monastery of Citeaux in 1113. In 1146 he spent much time in traversing France and Germany to rouse the people to participate in the ill-fated second crusade. He died in 1153. The hymns by which he is best known are (1) "Jesu dulcis memoria," a long poem on the "Name of Jesus," and (2) "Salve mundi salutare," an address to the various members of Christ on the cross. Hymns, translated from, or founded on, St. Bernard's will be found in almost every modern hymnal. The text of this beautiful poem is in St. Bernard's Opera Omnia, Paris, 1609, cols. 1655-56. Here it is entitled "A rhythmical prayer to anyone of the members of Christ suffering and hanging on the Cross," and is divided into 7 parts viz:

I. Salve mundi salutare (to the Feet).

II. Salve Jesu, Rex sanctorum (to the Knees).

III. Salve Jesu, pastor bone (to the Hands).

IV. Salve Jesu, summe bonus (to the Side).

V. Salve salus mea, Deus (to the Breast).

VI. Summi Regis cor aveto (to the Heart).

VII. Salve caput cruentatum (to the Face).

The whole poem has been frequently translated into German. The best known translations are those by Paul Gerhardt, which are free versions of all the seven parts from the Latin text of 1609. Of Gerhardt's versions, nos. I, V, VI, and VII have passed into English, as follows: