_Ad coenam Agni providi_.(_Ad An ancient hymn, older possibly than regias Agni_.) Ambrose or Hilary. _Aeterna Christi unmera nos_. A mediaeval patchwork. _Aeterna coeli gloria_. An Abcedary of later date. _Agathae sanctae virginis_. Found at Milan among Ambrosian hymns. _Almi prophetae progenies_. Time of Ennodius, sixth century. _Amore Christi nobilis_. Versification of Ambrose on the Incarnation, cap. 3. _A solis ortus cardine, Ad “An Abcedary arranged by usque_. Sedulius.”—Neale. _Aurora jam spargit polum_. “Incognitus auctor.”—Cassander. _Bellator armis inclytus_. “Ein altes Lied.”—Mone. _Ex more docti mystico_.—Gregory. _Fit porta Christi pervia_. Part of _A solis ortus_.—Sedulius. _Jam Christus astra ascenderat_. —Gregory. _Lucis creator optime_. —Gregory. Here, then, we have what may be called substantially the earliest hymn-book of the Latin Church. Of course there were other hymns which were very soon separated and properly assigned, but not until the fifteenth century was any intelligent analysis attempted, and it is even now—as can be easily seen—a matter not of dogmatic certainty, but of scholarly authority and inherent probability. It may not be improper to add, however, that in these hymns we find some of the purest and most pious of praises. The _honor_ of the Virgin Mother and of the saints has not yet been attempted. The martyrs, Stephen and Agnes and Agatha, are alone mentioned, if we except an occasional and somewhat doubtful tribute to others. These are hymns of worship and of prayer—of adoration and of fellowship. As a handful of grain from a great granary, here are four versions of hymns counted as among Ambrose’s best: DEUS CREATOR OMNIUM. Maker of all, the Lord, And ruler in the height, Thy care doth robe the day in peace, Thou givest sleep by night. Let rest refresh our limbs For toil, though wearied now, And let our troubled minds be calm, And smooth the anxious brow. We sing our thanks, for day Is gone and night appears; Our vows and prayers in contrite hope Are lifted to thine ears. To thee the deepest soul, To thee the tuneful voice, To thee the chaste affections turn, In thee our minds rejoice. That when black depths of gloom Have hid the day from sight, Our faith may tread no darkening path, And night by faith be bright. And let no slumber seize That mind which must not sleep, Whose faith must keep its virtue fresh, Whose dreams may not be deep. When sensual things are done Our loftiest thought is thine, Nor fear of unseen enemies Can break such peace divine. To Christ and to the Father now, And to the Spirit equally, We pray for every favoring gift, One God supreme, a Trinity.