Veni, Creator Spiritus

Translated in Paraphrase

CREATOR Spirit, by whose aid

The World’s Foundations first were laid,

Come, visit ev’ry pious Mind;

Come, pour thy Joys on Human Kind;

From Sin, and Sorrow set us free;

And make thy Temples worthy Thee.

O, Source of uncreated Light,

The Father’s promis’d Paraclite!

Thrice Holy Fount, thrice Holy Fire,

Our Hearts with Heav’nly Love inspire;

Come, and thy Sacred Unction bring

To Sanctifie us, while we sing!

Plenteous of Grace, descend from high,

Rich in thy sev’n-fold Energy!

Thou strength of his Almighty Hand,

Whose Pow’r does Heav’n and Earth command:

Proceeding Spirit, our Defence,

Who do’st the Gift of Tongues dispence,

And crown’st thy Gift with Eloquence!

Refine and purge our Earthy Parts;

But, oh, inflame and fire our Hearts!

Our Frailties help, our Vice controul;

Submit the Senses to the Soul;

And when Rebellious they are grown,

Then, lay thy hand, and hold ’em down.

Chace from our Minds th’ Infernal Foe;

And Peace, the fruit of Love, bestow;

And, lest our Feet shou’d step astray,

Protect, and guide us in the way.

Make us Eternal Truths receive,

And practise, all that we believe:

Give us thy self, that we may see

The Father and the Son, by thee.

Immortal Honour, endless Fame,

Attend th’ Almighty Father’s Name:

The Saviour Son be glorify’d,

Who for lost Man’s Redemption dy’d:

And equal Adoration be,

Eternal Paraclete, to thee.