A Poem by Prudentius: Of the Father's Love Begotten

 Of the Father's Love Begotten

Corde natus ex Parentis by Prudentius (AD 405)
Translation by J. M. Neale and H. W. Baker
A layman, government official of the Roman Empire, and great Christian poet.

1 Of the Father's love begotten ere the worlds began to be,
he is Alpha and Omega,
he the source, the ending he,
of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall see evermore and evermore.

2 Oh, that birth forever blessed when the virgin, full of grace,
by the Holy Ghost conceiving, bore the Savior of our race,
and the babe, the world's Redeemer, first revealed his sacred face evermore and evermore.

3 This is he whom seers and sages sang of old with one accord, whom the voices of the prophets promised in their faithful word. Now he shines, the long-expected; let creation praise its Lord evermore and evermore.

4 Let the heights of heav'n adore him, angel hosts his praises sing, pow'rs, dominions bow before him and extol our God and King.
Let no tongue on earth be silent, ev'ry voice in concert ring evermore and evermore.

5 Christ, to thee, with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to thee
hymn and chant and high thanksgiving and unending praises be, honor, glory, and dominion
and eternal victory
evermore and evermore.