O vos imitatores (Arr. for Soprano, Saxophone and Vocal Ensemble by Nigel Short)

Verse: O vos imitatores excelse persone

In preciosissima

Et gloriosissima significatione,

O quam magnus est vester ornatus

Ubi homo procedit

Solvens et stringens in Deo

Pigros et peregrinos

Response: etiam ornans

Candidos et nigros et magna onera

Remittens

V. Nam et angelici ordinis officia habetis

Et fortissima fundamenta prescitis

Ubicumque constituenda sunt

Unde magnus est vester honor

R. etiam ornans

Candidos et nigros et magna onera

Remittens

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V: O actors, you who play the Highest Role

Within that precious drama,

That glorious sacrament!

How great and beautiful your vested costume

As steps forth such a man

To loose and bind in God

The slacker and sojourner

R. to beautify

The shining and the squalid and their heavy burdens

To remit

V. For you both hold the office of the angels

And foreknow where’er the firm foundations

Of the Church are to be laid –

This twofold duty marks your honour grand

R. to beautify

The shining and the squalid, and their heavy burdens

To remit