Firstpublished:1587 in Opus musicum (Jacob Handl), Volume 2, no. 30 Description:Antiphon for Easter, especially Easter Vigil. Although set for two SATB choirs, the parts for Chorus I consistently lie in a higher tessitura than those of Chorus II.
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Original text and translations
Latin text
Prima pars
Cum rex gloriae Christus infernum debellaturus intraret, et chorus angelicus ante faciem eius portas principum tolli perciperet, sanctorum populus, qui tenebatur in morte captivus, voce lacrimabili clamaverat:
"Advenisti desiderabilis, quem exspectabamus in tenebris, ut educeres hac nocte vinculatos de claustris!
Te nostra vocabant suspiria, te larga requirebant lamenta.
Tu factus es spes desperatis, magna consolatio in tormentis."
Alleluia.
Secunda pars
Triumphat Dei Filius ab hoste superbissimo,
resurgens a morte, delens Evae culpam.
Latronem sero flebilem, conjunctum beatissimo,
perduxit ad regna quo iturus erat.
Petrum cum caeteris visitat,
omnesque flebiles consolat semper voce pia.
Alleluia.
English translation
First part
When Christ, the King of glory, entered into hell to conquer it, and the angelic host before his face perceived that the gates of princes were to be lifted up, the people of the saints, who had been held captive in death, cried out with a tearful voice:
"You have come, O Desired One, whom we awaited in darkness, to lead forth those bound this night from their prisons!
Our sighs were calling out to you, our loud laments were seeking you.
You have become the hope of the despairing, a great consolation in torment."
Alleluia.
Second part
The Son of God triumphs over the most arrogant enemy,
rising from the dead, erasing Eve’s guilt.
The thief who wept late, but tearfully, joined to the most blessed one,
he led to the kingdom where he himself was going.
He visits Peter and the others,
and comforts all who weep with his gentle voice always.
Alleluia.
Latin text
English translation