A surgical clip applicator includes a handle configured to produce translational movement; a cartridge containing a plurality of clips arranged in a row, the cartridge including a jaw assembly for receiving and closing a clip; a jaw closing mechanism for closing the jaw assembly; a clip feed mechanism for serially feeding a lead clip from the row to the jaw assembly; a clip advance mechanism for advancing the row as the lead clip is fed to the jaws; and a rocker mechanism for translating translational movement from the handle opposite translational movement of the haw closing mechanism in one direction and the clip feed mechanism and clip advance mechanism in an opposite direction.