CIRCLE OF THE HOURS. 407 



XII. O'CLOCK P.M. MATINS, or Midnight. 



Obs. The Nocturn or Slidnight OflRCe began as soon as the 

 clock had sounded twelve. This was the time of Matiru, or the 

 Morning Song of Praise. And at this solemn hour, also, the Mid- 

 night Mass is offered up in the church on the morning of the Nati- 

 vity, the whole of the Christmas Eve or Vigil being passed in fast- 

 ing and prayer. 



Hymnus ad OJicium Nociurnum, called Mathis. 

 Nox atra rerum contegit 

 Terrae colore? oinnium : 

 Nos confiteiitcs poscimus 

 Te, juste judex cordium, 

 Vt auferas piacula, 

 Sordesque mentis abluas : 

 Donesque, Cliriste, gratiam, 

 Ut ai'ceanturcriniina. 

 Mens ecce torpet impia, 

 Quam culpa raorclet noxia : 

 Obscura gestit tollere, 

 Et te, Reoemptor, quaerere. 

 Kepelle tu caliginem 

 Intrinsecus quuni niaximfe; 

 Ut ill beatoffaudeat 

 Se collocari lumine. 

 Praesta, Pater piissime, 

 Patrique compar Unice, 

 Cum Spiritii Paraclito 

 Regnaiis per omne saeculum. 



The following lines were often recited at the end of the Cano- 

 nical Day : 



Has Horus Canouicas 



Cum devotione 

 Tibi Saucti Spiritus 



Pia ratione 

 Dixi ut nos visites 



Inspiratione 

 Et vivamus jugiter 



In eoeli regione. Amen, 



