De laudibus sancte crucis

O Savior Christ, protect the High Pontiff,
And preserve this shepherd for us, safe for all ages.
May the faithful guardian and teacher in the church hall
Be the excellent prelate, O nurturing Gregory.

A woodcut illustration within an architectural frame depicts a monk, likely the author Rabanus Maurus, kneeling and presenting a book to a Pope seated on a throne. The Pope, identified in the text as Gregory IV, wears a triple-tiered papal tiara and holds a ferula a triple-barred cross. A dove, representing the Holy Spirit and divine inspiration, is perched near the monk's head, whispering into his ear. In the background, attendants and advisors are seen through a doorway and window. The room features a tiled floor with perspective and an ornate throne under a canopy. The architectural frame contains Latin text in red ink along the borders.

Prince of the apostolic seat, golden light of Rome,
Both the honor and the teacher of the people, and nurturing love.
You are the head of the Church, the first patriarch throughout the world,
Renowned for your merits, and powerful in piety.
Salt of the earth, light of the world, and renowned city of Christ,
Providing the path of perpetual light to the people.
Your tongue has the power to unlock and to close heaven,
The heavenly key-bearer established on earth.
You stand as the renewer of the fatherland, its hope, ruler, and honor,
Sweet love to all, worthy of the love of God.
The times of this life are now full of dangers:
Wars stir the nations, the enemy rages everywhere.
Wherefore there is great need that your strong protection
Should succor the wretched, whom the enemy hates.
Rescue the flock committed to you, O holy shepherd, from the enemy
With your pious warnings and consecrated prayers.
So that your praise may remain, your reward, and your glory forever,
Holding the blessed kingdoms with Christ in the heavens.
Joined forever to Peter, the apostolic prince,
Whose place you yourself hold here on the lands.

O prelate beloved by God, Pope Gregory, I pray to you.
Count me, a wretched man, among your own sheep:
And thus be the true protector of your servant, and restore him
To the eternal Lord through your prayers.
He who offers his whole self, provides these small gifts as well,
Commending to you both himself and his possessions at once.
Through you, may the nurturing praise of the Cross now stand more acceptable,
Gifts sent to Peter, the apostolic prince:
Which was written for the praise of Christ in an earlier time
When it was a pleasure to play with versified song.
Indeed, I believe that through you I can obtain
The life which I cannot reach through my own merits.
May the eternal God, the most gentle author of the world,
Protect and rule you for a long time.
May you be strong, flourish in health, and seize prosperous things
Here, and in eternity may you reach the supernal kingdoms.
May He who does not sleep forever keep you watchful:
And may He restore the merit of your name.
So that you may watch as a cautious shepherd, Gregory, be present
For your sheep: O blessed Pope, farewell.