Veni, Creator Spiritus

Creator Spirit, by whose aid

The world’s foundations first were laid,

Come, visit ev’ry pious mind;

Come, pour thy joys on human kind;

From sin, and sorrow set us free;

And make thy temples worthy Thee.

O, Source of uncreated Light,

The Father’s promis’d Paraclete!

Thrice Holy Fount, thrice Holy Fire,

Our hearts with heav’nly love inspire;

Come, and thy Sacred Unction bring

To sanctify us, while we sing!

Plenteous of grace, descend from high,

Rich in thy sev’n-fold energy!

Thou strength of his Almighty Hand,

Whose pow’r does heav’n and earth command:

Proceeding Spirit, our Defence,

Who do’st the gift of tongues dispence,

And crown’st thy gift with eloquence!

Refine and purge our earthly parts;

But, oh, inflame and fire our hearts!

Our frailties help, our vice control;

Submit the senses to the soul;

And when rebellious they are grown,

Then, lay thy hand, and hold ’em down.

Chase from our minds th’ Infernal Foe;

And peace, the fruit of love, bestow;

And, lest our feet should step astray,

Protect, and guide us in the way.

Make us Eternal Truths receive,

And practise, all that we believe:

Give us thy self, that we may see

The Father and the Son, by thee.

Immortal honour, endless fame,

Attend th’ Almighty Father’s name:

The Saviour Son be glorified,

Who for lost Man’s redemption died:

And equal adoration be,

Eternal Paraclete, to thee.

John Dryden was an English poet, playwright, translator, and critic who dominated Restoration literature so thoroughly that the era became known as the Age of Dryden. Appointed England’s first Poet Laureate in 1668, he mastered the heroic couplet, excelled in satire with works like Mac Flecknoe and Absalom and Achitophel, and produced influential criticism such as Of Dramatick Poesie. His translations, plays, and political verse shaped English literary style for generations. He is buried in Westminster Abbey.