Discantus: Hail Katherine, form of
Christ’s holiness,
bride beautiful enough
shining with chastity
whose dove-like flesh,
refused kings.
Bound fast she revealed
heights of chaste heaven to the wheels.
Rejected by the broken wheels,
the weeping people is cast down,
the strife of rulers is subdued
and the destroying pyre is prepared.
The leader of the ordeal is summoned,
believers in Christ are burned,
the pallor is displayed to the faithful.
Named among the steadfast in heaven
in prison they enclose
the burning virgin with their prayers.
The merciful gather at the bars,
they shun the scarcely willing life.
The virgin bids the people prosper,
flourishing in virtue,
and conquering her vigorous life
she demands to be rewarded with the ordeal.
Contratenor: Hail salvation of slaves,
illumined by the sun
in the height of the clear sky
fed by heavenly food,
whose tortured flesh
is given up in a wonderful way,
brought to a cruel prison
soon is healed by remedies,
her sweet mind is wonderfully fortified
remaining cast down for the queen,
she is martyred with her breasts
taken and cast to destruction.
The king at the root of it snarls in anger,
he is stirred up to violence against Katherine,
a rose reddening suddenly as it is
stained by the cut neck,
shining-white blood is seen
soon wonderfully to flow,
to the care in the height of heaven
entrust the remedy of the suffering.
Gentle martyr contemplate,
favour the slaves,
alleviate sorrowing minds,
keep them safe in health.
Tenor: The heavenly hosts sing praises.
Music for Saint Katherine of Alexandria
