A Translation of the Dies Irae
The Day of Wrath, when terrorized, The ages shall be pulverized As David and Sybil prophesied: What tremor awful echoing As the Judge His throne's mounting, His strictest justice dispensing. The trumpet's blast so marvelous O'er all graves echoes sonorous, Compels all to the throne to come. Nature, Death, there stupefied, Shall see then all the dead arise At the Judge's awful cry. Records then shall proffered be Cataloguing every deed And each soul's judgment shall be seen: The Judge therefore upon His throne Shall make then every secret known, Nor leave unpunished even one. Who, for I am misery, Who shall advocate for me, When even the just will fear to speak? King of majesty and splendor, Free Thou saves those Thou hast favored, Font of goodness be my Savior. Recall, good Jesus, that Thy Way Was caused by me, and on that day Let not perdition be my fate. Thou didst seek me with weary waiting, My soul bought by Cross and Suff'ring, Let not this labor count for nothing. Judge most just of most just vengeance, Give the gift then of forgiveness; Before the reckoning day, repentance. Groaning, cringing, as a convict, My face reddened by my delict, Spare this suppliant from Thy verdict. Who Magdalene did once absolve, Who heard the thief upon the Cross, Hope Thou hast given to my cause. My poor prayers Lord are not worthy, In Thy kindness make them goodly, In hellfire do not burn me. Among the sheep let me be placed And from the goats be separate: Upon Thy right hand my estate. When the accursed have all been silenced, And to acrid flames been sentenced, With the blest let me gain entrance. I kneel and pray, my head bowed down, My heart like ash has been crushed. Thou Set a new course for my soul now. On that day tears shall fill all eyes, When from the ashes shall arise To judgement every guilty man, Spare him o God, show mercy then. O my Jesus, good and blest, Grant to them eternal rest. Amen.