"Dies Irae" is a Latin poem on the subject of the Last Judgment. Attributed to a Franciscan monk named Tomaso de Celante (1190 - c. 1255), the complete poem contains 18 rhymed stanzas. (An unknown author later added the "Pie Jesu" couplet and the "Amen.") Little did this Franciscan know that his colorful poem would provide a springboard for some of the most dramatic musical works ever written.