 Latin text
Johannes Peckham, 13th c., attr.
1. Ave, vivens hostia,
Veritas et vita,
In qua sacrificia
Cuncta sunt finita,
Per te patri gloria
Datur infinita,
Per te stat ecclesia
Iugiter munita.
2. Ave, vas clementiae,
Scrinium dulcoris,
In quo sunt deliciae
Caelici saporis,
Veritas substantiae
Tota salvatoris,
Sacramentum gratiae,
Pabulum amoris.
3. Ave, manna caelicum
Verius legali,
Datum in viaticum
Misero mortali,
Medicamen mysticum
Morbo spiritali,
Morte dans catholicum
Vitae immortali.
4. Ave, corpus Domini
Et munus finale,
Corpus iunctum numini,
Nobile iocale,
Quod reliquit homini
In memoriale,
Cum finali termino
Mundo dixit vale.
5. Ave, plenum gaudium,
Vita beatorum,
Pauperum solacium,
Salus miserorum,
Grande privilegium
Est hoc viatorum.
Quorum sacrificium
Merces est caelorum.
6. Ave, virtus fortium,
Obvians ruinae,
Turris et praesidium
Plebis peregrinae,
Quam insultus hostium
Frangere non sine,
Ne vi malignantium
Pereat in fine.
 German translation
1. Sei gegrüßt, du lebendige Opfergabe, Wahrheit und Leben,
in der alle Opfer zu Ende gebracht sind.
Durch dich wird dem Vater unendlicher Ruhm gegeben,
durch dich steht die Kirche immerdar befestigt.
2. Sei gegrüßt, du Gefäß der Milde, Schrein der Süßigkeit,
in dem die Wonnen des himmlischen* Geschmacks sind.
Ganze Wahrheit des Wesens des Erlösers,
Sakrament der Gnade, Speise der Liebe.
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 English translation
Hugh T. Henry (1862-1946), transl.
1. Hail, Thou living Victim blest,
truth and life supernal,
Olden types in Thee confessed
find their end eternal.
Infinite through Thee the praise
to the Father given,
While Thy love the Church arrays
as an earthly heaven.
2. Hail, Thou ancient Mercy-seat,
source of grace and favour;
Precious ointment-box replete
with celestial savour:
Thou the God-man truly art
in divine completeness:
Fed on Thee, the loving heart
knows Thy raptured sweetness.
3. Hail, Thou Manna from the skies,
yet more truly given
To the pilgrim soul that sighs
for her promised Heaven:
Mystic medicine Thou art
for the wounded spirit;
Healed by Thee, may every heart
endless life inherit.
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English translation
Ronald A. Knox (1888-1957), transl.
Hail, true Victim, life and light
Unto sinners lending--
Every older form and rite
Hath in thee its ending--
Spotless in the Father's sight
Evermore ascending,
Holy church in bitter fight
Evermore befriending.
Hail, true Manna from the sky--
Israel never knew thee;
Pilgrims, for the day's supply,
Daily homage do thee;
When our souls in sickness lie,
Yields that sickness to thee;
Christians, when they come to die,
Live immortal through thee.
Hail, Christ's Body--gift he made,
His own death foreshewing,
(Godhead under earthly shade
Like a jewel glowing),
Sacred memories, ne'er to fade,
On his Church bestowing,
When to earth farewell he bade,
To his Passion going.
Jesus truly in this place
God and Man resideth;
Him no shadow doth replace,
Him no rent divideth,
Very flesh, although his face,
Glorified, he hideth;
Garnered in this little space
All of Christ abideth.
Seen in heaven by blessed eyes
This his body reigneth;
Form of bread, in other wise,
Here its scope containeth;--
Mystery he alone descrise
Who the same ordaineth;
Well may her such thing devise
Whom no power restraineth.
Plead, true Victim, in our stead,
To the Father crying,
Thou, Thy children's daily bread,
Daily health supplying;
Banquet for the exile spread,
Grant us life undying:
May our love from Thine be fed,
Self and sense denying!
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