Day of wrath! O day of mourning!
See fulfilled the prophet's warning!
Heaven and earth to ashes turning!

O what fear man's bosom rendeth
When from heaven the Judge descendeth,
On whose sentence all dependeth!

Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth,
Through earth's sepulchres it ringeth,
All before the throne it bringeth.

Death is struck and nature quaking
See all creatures now awaking,
To the Judge their answer making.

Lo, the Book exactly worded,
Wherein all hath been recorded:
Thence shall judgement be awarded.

When the Judge his seat attaineth,
And each hidden deed arraigneth,
Not a sin unjudged remaineth.

What shall I, frail man, be pleading,
Who for me be interceding,
When the just are mercy needing?

King of majesty tremendous,
Who dost free salvation send us,
Fount of pity, then befriend us!

Think, good Jesu, my salvation
Caused thy wondrous Incarnation;
Leave me not to reprobation.

Faint and weary thou hast sought me,
On the cross of suffering bought me;
Shall such grace be vainly brought me?

Righteous Judge! for sin's pollution
Grant thy gift of absolution,
Ere that day of retribution.

Guilty, now I pour my moaning,
All my shame with anguish owning;
Spare, O God, thy suppliant groaning.

By the sinful woman shriven,
By the dying thief forgiven,
Thou to me a hope hast given.

Worthless are my prayers and sighing;
Yet, thy mercy not denying,
Save me from the wrath undying.

With the sheep vouchsafe to place me;
Do not with the goats abase me;
But to thy right hand upraise me.

While the wicked are confounded,
Doomed to grief and loss unbounded,
Call me, with thy saints surrounded.

Low I kneel, with heart-submission,
Bowed to dust in sore contrition:
Shield me, dying, from perdition.

Ah, that day of tears and mourning!
From the dust of earth returning
Man for judgement must prepare him:

Spare, O God, in mercy spare him!
Lord, all-pitying, Jesu blest,
Grant us thine eternal rest.


Thomas of Celano
tr. W. J. Irons and others