A visit to the Roman catacombs

by J. Spencer Northcote

HOC OPUS ÆGROTI DAMASI PRÆSTANTIA FECIT,

ESSET UT ACCESSUS MELIOR, POPULISQUE PARATUM

AUXILIUM SANCTI, ET VALEAS SI FUNDERE PURO

CORDE PRECES, DAMASUS MELIOR CONSURGERE POSSET,

QUEM NON LUCIS AMOR, TENUIT MAGE CURA LABORIS.

“Behold, a new staircase having been made, and the darkness put to flight,

You see the monuments of Cornelius and his sacred tomb.

This work the zeal of Damasus has accomplished, at a time when he was sick;

That so the means of approach might be better, and the aid of the saint

Put more within the reach of the people; and that if you pour forth prayers