Hymn by Marbodaeus:
Cives caelestis patriae, regi regum concinite,
Qui est supernus opifex civitatis Uranicae
In cujus aedificio talis extat fundatio:
Iaspis colore viridi praefert colorem fidei,
Quae in perfectis hominibus numquam marcessit penitus,
Cuius forti praesidio resistitur diabolo.
Sapphirius habet speciem caelesti throno similem,
Designat cor simplicium spe certam praestolantium;
Quorum vita operibus delectatur et moribus.
Chalcedonius pallidam ignis habet effigiem,
Subrutilat in publico fulgorem dat in nubilo;
Virtutem fert fidelium occulto famulantium.
Smaragdus, virens nimium, dat lumen oleaginum,
Est fides integerrima ad omne bonum facula,
Que numquam scit deficere a pietatis opere.
Sardonyx, constans tricolor homo fertur interior,
Quem denigrat humilitas in quo albescit castitas,
Ad honestatis cumulum rubet quoque martyrium.
Sardius est puniceus cuius color sanguineus,
Ostentat et martyrium rite agonyzantium,
Sextus est in catalogo crucis haeret mysterio.
Auricolor crysolithus scintillat velut clibanus,
Praetendit mores hominum perfecte sapientium,
Qui septiformis gratiae sacro splendescunt iubare.
Beryllus est lymphaticus ut sol in aqua limpidus,
Figurat vota mentium ingenio sagacium,
Quis magis libet sumere quietis otium pulchrae.
Topazius quo rarior est tanto pretiosior
Nitore rubet roseo et aspectu aethereo;
Contemplativae solidum vitae monstrat officium.
Chrysoprassus purpureus auricolor et flammeus,
Cuius splendor in tenebris flammas evibrat oculis,
Hic est perfecta charitas, quam nulla sternit feritas.
Hyacincthus est caeruleus more medioxinus,
Cuius acuta facies mutatur ut remperies,
Vitam sumitt angelicam discretione praeditam.
Amethystus praecipuus colore violaticus,
Flammas emittit roseas, et violas purpureas,
Praetendit cor humilium chaste commorientium.
Quis significent ii lapides pretiosissimi?
Hi pretiosi lapides carnales signant homines,
Colorem est varietas, virtutum multiplicitas.
Quicunque his floruerit, congruus esse poterit;
Hierusalem! pacifica haec tibi sunt fundamina;
Felix et Deo proxima quae te meretur anima,
Custos tuarum turrium non dormit in perpetuum.
Concede nobis, αγιε, rex civitatis caelicae,
Post cursum vitae labilis considere cum superis.
Englished by John Jones:
Ye freemen of heaven, in unison sing
The praise of your Founder, the all-ruling King,
While stones of your city their radiance fling.
In jasper's green see faith's array
Unfading through the wintry day,
Though Satan rave, unmoved her stay.
Blue sapphire, like the heavenly throne,
Shows suppliants girt with hope's firm zone,
Joying in noble deeds alone.
Chalcedony, whose pallid flame
In silence gleams, but shrinks from fame,
Shows secret virtue's lofty aim.
The emerald, of the olive green,
Is ripened faith's illuming sheen,
Which lights to duty's rugged scene.
Sardonyx, in thy triple hue,
The lowly pure and brave we view,
E'en in the martyr's trials true.
The punic sard of bloody die
Shows martyrs in their agony -
The crucifixion's mystery.
The chrysolite, of golden blaze,
Betokens wisdom's sunny ways,
Where friends exchange the grateful gaze.
The beryl, like the sparkling tide,
Denotes how genius loves to glide
Where self-created fancies guide.
The costly topaz, hard to seek,
Like rosy blush on angel's cheek,
Doth contemplation's calm bespeak.
The chrysoprase, with yellow light,
Still kindling most in blackest night,
Tells charity's unwearied might.
Blue mixed with green the jacinth holds;
In changing hue the eye beholds
Angelic love in wisdom's folds.
The purple amethyst displays
In rosy flames and violet rays,
The hear that Christ for succour prays.
What mean these stones that priceless shine?
Their varied tints form virtue's crest.
Right is his heart where all combine.
Salem! on these thy temples rest;
Happy the soul who wins thy gate,
Sleepless is he that guards thy towers;
Grant us, O King, complete life's date,
To rest with Thee in heavenly bowers.