N 2848, MAY 27, '82 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF 
 CALIFORNIA 
 
 SAN CM EGO 
 
 THEOLOGICAL BOOKS. 
 
 I 
 
 ^ The Liturgical Poetry of Adam of St. Victor. 
 v With Translations into English in the Original 
 > Metres. By Digby S. Wrangham, M.A. 3 vols. 
 J (Kegan Paul, Trench & Co.) Mr. Wrangham 
 is taken his text of the Latin originals of these 
 hymns from the edition published by Gautier 
 \ about twenty years ago. Gautier did not revise 
 the text critically, and admitted many hymns or 
 w sequences which were not written by Adam of 
 v^ St. Victor. In this he has been followed by 
 Mr. Wrangham, who would have done well if he 
 had taken the trouble to collate the sequences 
 I with copies of those which are to be found in 
 v mediaeval manuscript service books, many of 
 which are in the British Museum and Bodleian 
 i libraries. It is to be wished also that Mr. 
 Wrangham had given his readers a longer 
 v preface, and some account of what sequences 
 are, by whom and when introduced, and how, 
 with very few exceptions, they have long fallen 
 into disuse in the Catholic Church. A few pages 
 to this effect would have much increased the 
 interest in these hymns among the large majority 
 of his readers, for there are not many people who 
 know much about the subject. But we heartily 
 thank Mr. Wrangham for what he has done. 
 He has attempted a very hard task, and very 
 fairly succeeded. He has not only supplied a 
 - reasonably correct version of the sequences, but, 
 Vin spite of the great difficulties in his way, has 
 given it in a very literal manner and in rhymes 
 which are generally good, and often excellent, 
 imitations of the original. It would be absurd to 
 cay that Mr. Wrangham has always managed to 
 convey the exact sense of his author ; but we 
 have not observed a single example where he 
 has failed because of want of labour, or because 
 of a wish to introduce some new thought or 
 illustration of his own. Sometimes, in his 
 desire to be literal, his version touches on what 
 seems to be almost grotesque and ridiculous, and 
 we could have forgiven a less literal translation 
 which had retained only the spirit and the 
 meaning. This straining after too great exact- 
 j ness has involved also the admission of some 
 J I objectionable and false rhymes. But, as we 
 x have already said, we gladly welcome Mr. Wrang- 
 ^jl ^ ham's book ; it is good work of a good scholar, 
 ;and of one who thoroughly sympathizes with 
 ' his subject. It should be added that the three
 
 ADAM OF ST. VICTOR.
 
 THE LITURGICAL POETRY 
 
 OF 
 
 ADAM OF ST. VICTOR. 
 
 FROM THE TEXT OF GAUTIER. 
 
 WITH TRANSLATIONS INTO ENGLISH IN THE ORIGINAL METRES 
 AND SHORT EXPLANATORY NOTES BY 
 
 DIGBY S. WRANGHAM, M.A., 
 
 ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, OXFORD, 
 Vicar of Darrington, Yorkshire. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 LONDON : 
 KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, & CO., i, PATERNOSTER SQUARE. 
 
 MDCCCLXXXI.
 
 [All rights reserved.}
 
 TO 
 
 His ROYAL HIGHNESS 
 
 PRINCE LEOPOLD, 
 
 DUKE OF ALBANY, EARL OF CLARENCE, 
 
 BARON ARKLOW, K.G., K.T., G.C.M.G., G.C.S.I., 
 
 &c. &c. &c., 
 
 LIKE HIS ILLUSTRIOUS AND GIFTED FATHER, 
 A SCHOLAR AND PATRON OF LETTERS, 
 THIS ATTEMPT 
 
 TO 
 
 ILLUSTRATE AND INTERPRET 
 A GREAT MEDIAEVAL CLASSIC 
 
 IS 
 WITH HIS PERMISSION 
 
 DEDICATED 
 
 BY ONE WHO, UNLIKE HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, CANNOT 
 
 HOPE TO ENHANCE, 
 
 BUT ONLY FEARS TO FORFEIT, 
 
 THE REPUTATION FOR GRACEFUL SCHOLARSHIP 
 
 THAT IN DAYS GONE BY 
 DISTINGUISHED THE NAME HE BEARS.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 T N offering this work to the public I am breaking what is 
 JL practically new ground to the great majority of English 
 readers. The circumstances, detailed in the Introduction to 
 M. Gautier's Edition, under which the larger part of the 
 poetry of Adam of St. Victor was entirely lost to the world 
 for many years after the French Revolution, seem likely to 
 give an interest and novelty to it in this country at this day, 
 which that Edition, published in Paris in 1858-59, has only 
 to a very limited degree forestalled. I feel therefore that, so 
 far as the original text is concerned, I am doing good service 
 to the lovers of Mediaeval Hymnology, by rendering it more 
 accessible to them in this, the first edition of it published in 
 England. 
 
 As regards what forms the principal part of my work in 
 these volumes, viz., the Translations, I feel, on the other 
 hand, that much apology is due for the imperfections with 
 which I know they abound, and I am anxious therefore to ex- 
 plain the principles which have guided me in my attempts 
 for they are no better than attempts to render the original 
 into our tongue. 
 
 I have looked at the duty of a translator as analogous to 
 that of an engraver, and felt that, the poet being a " word- 
 painter" the translator must be a " word-engraver" ; hi other 
 words, that to be successful, he must reproduce faithfully, as 
 a whole and hi detail, what he sets himself to copy. A so-
 
 viii PREFACE. 
 
 called translation, which is stripped at the taste of the trans- 
 lator not only of faeform of the original, viz., its metre, but 
 more or less also of the thoughts and expressions with which 
 that form is clothed, appears to me to fail to be what it pro- 
 fesses to be, just in proportion as these defects, if I may ven- 
 ture to call them so, appear in it. It may be a very beautiful 
 piece of poetry in itself, and it very often is so, but a 
 translation, i.e., a transferring of a given original from one 
 language into another it can scarcely be. If I were to take 
 the picture of a beautiful boy with curling locks and ' ' fair 
 and of a niddy countenance," and draw another, as fancy led 
 me, of that same boy in later life, bronzed in the battle of 
 life, of stalwart form and with flowing beard ; though I 
 might keep the shapely features of the original face before 
 me constantly and reproduce their outline carefully, no one 
 could say that I had made a copy of the picture I had seen. 
 Those who saw the two portraits together might detect that 
 the child was the father of the man, but that would be all. 
 They would count the two as separate works of art, standing 
 or falling by their own several faults or merits, and never 
 dream that the second was intended to reproduce the first. 
 
 And what is true of the copyist would seem to be neces- 
 sarily still truer of the engraver, who has not the help of 
 colours to aid his efforts, as the former has, and is compelled 
 therefore to follow most closely his original both in outline 
 and detail, if he would have that original recognizable at all 
 in the sombrer hues of his engraving. 
 
 In like manner the translator, so far from needing the origi- 
 nality with which some would have him endowed, must be con- 
 tent, I submit, like the engraver, to follow his original painfully, 
 line after line, and not be satisfied with his work till he 
 has succeeded in so reconstructing it, as to leave no doubt 
 upon the mind of the reader of the two works as to their 
 inter-identity. In a certain sense, no doubt, an engraver 
 should be an artist, that is to say, he should have a good eye
 
 PREFACE. ix 
 
 for proportion, and be well versed in the rules of drawing 
 generally ; and in the same sense a translator should be 
 something of a poet, with a good ear for rhythm, the propor- 
 tion of poetry, and not ignorant of the rules of poetical com- 
 position. But neither engraver nor translator needs to be 
 original, to my mind ; for, when his originality comes in at 
 the window, his original goes out at the door. It is a singu- 
 lar fact, for I think it is a fact, that great poets have not been 
 very successful translators, nor successful translators very 
 great poets. Exceptions there may have been to this rule, 
 but very rare ones. The only great poet who was I can 
 scarcely say a great but a good translator, that I can call to 
 mind, was Dryden, and his translations are of the freest ; 
 while the merits of Milton, Pope, Cowper, Shelley and 
 Keble, as translators, pale before those of Gifford, Neale, 
 Frere and Conington. 
 
 Should I seem to go too far were I to suggest that the ob- 
 ject of a translator and that of a parodist should be much the 
 same in kind, however different in effect? The difference 
 between them appears to me to be simply this, viz., that, 
 while both preserve the metre of their original, the translator 
 changes its language, and preserves, as far as possible, its 
 meaning, and the parodist changes its meaning, and, as far 
 as possible, preserves its language. 
 
 If in these principles, which I cannot help thinking ought 
 to govern translators, I am at all right, however imperfect 
 may be, and are, my own attempts to carry them out, I 
 need scarcely point out how absolutely essential it is to ob- 
 serve them in translating such an author as Adam of St. 
 Victor, because it is manner and not matter that is his dis- 
 tinguishing characteristic. As Archdeacon Cheetham observes 
 in a private letter to me, " though his variations on his theme 
 are almost always sweet, Adam's range is not great ; " and, 
 therefore, if you take away his metres, which are ever-chang- 
 ing in the same Sequence even, and his peculiar mode of
 
 x PREFACE. 
 
 building them up, till he finishes with a rush of liquid rhyme, 
 you utterly efface what is his distinguishing feature. No 
 author probably is so difficult to translate such at least was 
 Dr. Neale's opinion, and he had had experience enough of 
 the difficulty to make him a judge ; but, if translated at all, 
 it can only be fairly done by adhering strictly to the lines 
 upon whkh Adam himself builds his mellifluous superstruc- 
 ture. It is better, to my fancy, to present even the skeleton 
 of him, as one may hope to succeed in doing, in a perfectly 
 literal translation ; than to give him to the world as a shape- 
 less mummy, embalmed though it may be in the richest 
 spices of original thought and feeling. 
 
 At the same time I would not be understood to maintain 
 that no license at all is permitted to the translator ; my own 
 versions of Adam of St. Victor would be more faulty, than I 
 quite feel they are as it is, were that the case. I simply urge 
 that the license must at any rate be limited, in the case of 
 additions or omissions, to such as leave intact the sense of 
 the original passages, and, in the case of metres, to, at most, 
 the occasional varying the rhythm of some of them, leaving 
 the number of syllables the same. Such a metre as the 
 following, e.g., and there are some four or five of that 
 character in Adam's collection of sequences, appears to me to 
 be one, that it is almost impossible in our consonant -ridden 
 language to reproduce faithfully and yet gracefully. 
 
 Salve, dies dienun gloria, 
 Dies felix, Christi victoria, 
 Dies digna jugi laetitia. 
 Dies prima ! 
 
 I have ventured, therefore, to alter the emphasis, while keep- 
 ing intact the length, of each line, thus: 
 
 Hail, day, the glory of all days ! to thee ! 
 Thrice happy day, Christ's day of victory ! 
 The first day, day most fit continually 
 Our joy to show !
 
 PR&FACR. xi 
 
 I have adopted the same course, and for the same reason, in 
 the case of four other Sequences, viz. : " Gaude Sion, quae 
 diem recolis ; " "Jerusalem et Sion filiae ;" " Aquas plenas 
 amaritudine ; " and "Gratiani grata solempnitas." A 
 few lines, sprinkled about here and there in other Sequences, 
 I have treated in the same way. With these exceptions, I 
 have kept, I believe, rigidly to the exact metre of each original 
 Sequence. 
 
 One great difficulty in carrying out the principle of literal 
 translation in these volumes has been, not only the number, 
 but the character also, of the rhymes so called for. English 
 rhymes are naturally, and generally, single rhymes ; Latin 
 rhymes, on the other hand, are naturally, and generally, 
 double rhymes. In Latin, again, the same terminations, if 
 attached to words of different meanings, are held to rhyme ; 
 in English, however, this is not the case, every word, in 
 order to make a good rhyme, must in our language have a 
 different termination, ultimate or penultimate, according as 
 the rhyme is single or double, to the word with which it is 
 meant to rhyme. The literal translator, therefore, of any 
 rhyming Latin poetry, especially one that ventures, in trans- 
 lating such a master of rhyme as Adam of St. Victor, to keep 
 intact both the number and the character of the original 
 rhymes, starts, handicapped, as it were, by the necessity 
 of finding rhymes in numbers far greater than any English 
 poetry, so far as I know, contains, and of a kind in which 
 the English language is singularly poor. I venture to remind 
 the critical reader of these facts, in the hope that they may 
 serve to explain, if not to excuse, my shortcomings which I 
 am painfully aware of in the matter of rhymes. I can only 
 say that I have done my best to avoid even doubtful rhymes, 
 and such as still disfigure my translations remain, because I 
 have failed to find better ones to replace them. 
 
 I have thought it better on the whole, chiefly in the 
 interest of the translations, to print the original Sequences
 
 xU PREFACE. 
 
 and my own renderings of them upon opposite pages. I am 
 aware that some, who will value the book simply for the sake 
 of the Latin text, would have preferred having the translations 
 printed at the end of each volume by themselves, but the 
 poetry of Adam of St. Victor is of so peculiar a kind, that I 
 think the majority of any readers I may be fortunate enough 
 to secure, will like better to have the two placed as they are 
 for the sake of ready comparison. The translations, if found 
 to be tolerably correct, are naturally such an interpretation of 
 the originals as to render long critical notes unnecessary, 
 and such as there are I have remitted to the end of each 
 volume, so as not to interfere with the appearance of the 
 pages. 
 
 The notes themselves are principally confined to short 
 accounts of the less known Saints commemorated by the poet, 
 to Scripture references, and to explanations of the typology 
 and symbolism of both of which Adam is very fond con- 
 tained in the Sequences. I have gathered my information 
 from the best, indeed the only, sources accessible to me in a 
 country parsonage. 
 
 I should like to be able to thank by name all those who 
 have aided me in many ways in my undertaking, but they 
 are so many in number that I am compelled to content my- 
 self with a general expression of heart-felt gratitude in the 
 case of the large majority of my kindly coadjutors. Some, 
 however, I feel bound to mention more particularly. 
 
 To His Grace the Archbishop of Dublin, the first " Vic- 
 torine " scholar of the day, I owe my grateful thanks for his 
 kindness in helping me in not a few of the difficult and ob- 
 scure passages to be found in the text of Adam ; for his 
 allowing me to use what he has written upon Adam, (a per- 
 mission of which I have freely availed myself, as will be seen 
 in the notes, &c.) ; and not least for his personal interest in 
 the work of one who was a perfect stranger to him. 
 
 To Canon C. Page Eden, Vicar of Aberford, and to Dr.
 
 PREFACE. xiii 
 
 Littledale I am equally and deeply indebted for assistance 
 which must have involved no little time and labour even to 
 such distinguished scholars as they are, and without which I 
 should scarcely have dared to venture upon publication. 
 
 To Bishop Jenner, Dr. B. H. Kennedy, Canon of Ely, 
 Regius Professor of Greek at Cambridge, W. S. Lilly, Esq., 
 and to many others my thanks are due for help and interest 
 in a work which I can only hope may not prove entirely 
 unworthy of the kindness it has elicited towards myself during 
 its progress. 
 
 I would only add how grateful I shall be to any of my 
 readers who may be moved to point out defects, or to suggest 
 improvements in what is still, I fear, very crude work. I 
 shall grudge no additional time nor labour spent hereafter to 
 make more worthy of their great original the interpretations 
 I have essayed in these volumes of perhaps the noblest Medi- 
 aeval Classic we possess. 
 
 D. S. W. 
 DARRINGTON,
 
 CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME. 
 
 SEQUENCES FOR CHURCH SEASONS. 
 No. Page 
 
 Adam of St. Victor xix 
 
 ( Nati vitas Domini 2 
 
 \ Christmas 3 
 
 ( Nativitas Domini 8 
 
 \Christmas 9 
 
 J Nativitas Domini 14 
 
 \ Christmas 15 
 
 ( Nativitas Domini ..... 22 
 
 \ Christmas ...... 23 
 
 ( Nativitas Domini . . . . . 28 
 
 \ Christmas 29 
 
 ( Nativitas Domini 34 
 
 \ Christmas -35 
 
 ( Nativitas Domini 38 
 
 \ Christmas 39 
 
 ( Dies Circumcisionis .... 46 
 
 \ The Circumcision of Christ ... 47 
 
 , / Pascha 52 
 
 \Easter 53 
 
 x / Pascha 58 
 
 \ Easter 59 
 
 f Pascha 64 
 
 (Easter 65 
 
 xii. | ascha 70 
 
 (. Easter 71
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 No. 
 
 f Pascha 
 
 76 
 
 XIII. 
 
 t Easter 
 
 77 
 
 XIV. 
 
 f Pascha 
 
 80 
 
 
 X Easter 
 
 81 
 
 
 
 88 
 
 XV. 
 
 \Ascension 
 
 . 89 
 
 
 ( Pentecoste ..... 
 
 94 
 
 XVI. 
 
 (Whitsuntide 
 
 95 
 
 
 ( Pentecoste 
 
 100 
 
 XVII. 
 
 (Whitsuntide 
 
 101 
 
 
 f Pentecoste 
 
 no 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 (Whitsuntide 
 
 in 
 
 
 ( Pentecoste ..... 
 
 . 116 
 
 XIX. 
 
 (Whitsuntide 
 
 "7 
 
 
 J Pentecoste 
 
 122 
 
 XX. 
 
 (Whitsuntide 
 
 . 123 
 
 
 /Trinitas 
 
 . 128 
 
 XXI. 
 
 ( Trinity ...... 
 
 129 
 
 
 ( Trinitas 
 
 . 130 
 
 XXII. 
 
 ( Trinity 
 
 
 
 ( Dedicatio Ecclesiae 
 
 . 136 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 X On the Dedication of a Church 
 
 137 
 
 
 J Dedicatio Ecclesiae 
 
 144 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 \ On the Dedication of a Church 
 
 . 145 
 
 
 ( Dedicatio Ecclesise 
 
 . 150 
 
 XXV. 
 
 \ On the Dedication of a Church 
 
 
 
 J" Dedicatio Ecclesise 
 
 .' 156 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 \ On the Dedication of a Church 
 
 157 
 
 SEQUENCES FOR SAINTS' DAYS. 
 
 {S. Andreas 
 O,. A J 
 St Andrew 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 rs. 
 \st. 
 
 Nicolaus 
 Nicholas 
 
 164 
 165 
 170 
 171
 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 XVH 
 
 No. 
 
 
 Page 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 {S. Stephanus .... 
 St Stephen 
 
 . I 7 6 
 
 
 
 184 
 
 XXX. 
 
 St. Stephen 
 
 . I8 5 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 f S. Joannes Evangelista . 
 \ St. John the Evangelist 
 
 . 188 
 . 189 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 f S. Joannes Evangelista . 
 X St. John the Evangelist 
 
 . 194 
 . 195 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 ( S. Joannes Evangelista . . . 
 X St. John the Evangelist 
 
 200 
 2OI 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 ( S. Joannes Evangelista . 
 X St. John the Evangelist 
 
 2O4 
 205 
 
 
 f S. Thomas Cantuarius . 
 
 208 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 X St. Thomas of Canterbury 
 
 2O9 
 
 
 {S. Thomas Cantuarius . 
 
 214 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 St. Thomas of Canterbury 
 
 . 215 
 
 
 {S. Thomas Cantuarius . 
 
 222 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 St. Thomas of Canterbury 
 
 223 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 f S. Genovefa 
 
 . 230 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 f S. Agnes 
 X St. Agnes 
 
 . 236 
 237 
 
 NOTES 
 
 ........ 
 
 2 4 C
 
 ADAM OF ST. VICTOR. 
 
 THE Abbey of St. Victor, from which the great Latin 
 hymnologist takes his name, and which, originally in 
 the suburbs of Paris, was later on absorbed into the city 
 itself, as she enlarged her borders, was celebrated, especially 
 in the twelfth century, as a school of theology. 
 
 Probably no other religious foundation could boast of such 
 a brilliant triad of doctors of divinity, as the one that graced 
 this Abbey during that century in the persons of Hugh of St. 
 Victor, known to his generation as Lingua Augustini ; his 
 pupil, Richard of St. Victor, named Alter Augustinus ; and 
 Adam of St. Victor, the author of the Sequences * in these 
 volumes, who, as will be apparent to the most cursory reader 
 even, was deeply versed in the learning of the school to which 
 he belonged. Beyond the fact, however, that they were 
 monks of St. Victor, whose residence there one or other of 
 them covered nearly the whole of the twelfth century, the 
 accounts that we have left of them are exceedingly meagre 
 and uncertain. They live for us now-a-days, very much as 
 they must have lived, in the retirement of their monastic life, 
 for their contemporaries, only in the books which they 
 
 1 " SEQUENCE. The prolongation of the verstcle of the Alleluia, 
 instituted in order to give the deacon time to reach the pulpit to chant 
 the Gospel. Gradually words were set to this cadence, and so came the 
 Sequence. It is ascribed alike to S. Notker and Alcuin ; the Sequences 
 in rhythm are a development of later days. Originally the Sequence 
 was called a Prose, because its early' form was rhythmical prose." 
 Orby Shipley's " Glossary of Ecclesiastical Terms "(1872).
 
 xx ADAM OF ST. VICTOR. 
 
 wrote, of which, in all probability, we know more than 
 their own generation did. 
 
 Hugh of St. Victor, the oldest of them, was by birth a 
 Saxon ; when he entered the Monastery of St Victor we are 
 not told. All we can glean about his chronology is that he 
 died there either in A.D. 1139, or one of the two following 
 years. 
 
 Richard of St. Victor, his pupil, and a native of Scotland, 
 was more closely contemporaneous with Adam, the last and 
 most brilliant of the three. There seems no reason to doubt 
 that he was nearly of the same age as the latter, though his 
 life was by no means so prolonged as that of Adam, if we are 
 to accept the authority of an old MS., quoted by Gautier, as 
 quoted by John of Toulouse ; which describes the poet as 
 being " Richardi Victorini contemporaneus, sed longe 
 superstes." 
 
 Of Adam of St. Victor (so scanty are the materials for a 
 biographical notice of him), we cannot certainly prove even 
 the nationality. This much only seems to be certain, that he 
 was a native either of England or Brittany. He is described 
 generally in the MSS. of the period immediately succeeding 
 his own as Brito, and the question remains, and must remain, 
 unsettled, as to which of the two countries for which he is 
 claimed as a native, that term refers. Of course in an Abbey 
 where so many of the monks were evidently foreigners, for 
 neither Hugh nor Richard were Frenchmen, it is possible 
 that the great Mediaeval poet was a fellow-countryman of 
 ours ; but Archbishop Trench and it is a point upon which, 
 as upon most others, we may safely defer to his better judg- 
 ment concludes, that "the fact that France was the main 
 seat of Latin poetry in the twelfth century, and that all the 
 most famous composers in this kind, as Hildebert, the two 
 Bernards, Abelard, Marbod, Peter the Venerable, were 
 Frenchmen, leaves it more likely that he, the first and fore- 
 most of all, was such as well ! "
 
 ADAM OF ST. VICTOR. xxi 
 
 M. Gautier entertains no doubt, and he has evidently 
 been most indefatigable in his researches into all that relates 
 personally, or poetically, to the object of them, that, be he 
 " Breton " or " Briton," Adam entered the religious founda- 
 tion of St. Victor, as a young man, about A.D. 1130; after 
 having, as Archbishop Trench says, "made his studies at 
 Paris." Here he remained for the rest of his life, which was 
 prolonged certainly to A.D. 1172, and probably, according to 
 M. Gautier, to A.D. 1192. And here he wrote at various 
 times, as the occasion called each forth, the series, and it is 
 not a short one, of the Sequences on which his claim to lite- 
 rary honours mainly rests, and of which however much 
 English Churchmen must, in many points, decline to follow 
 their doctrinal teaching very few will fail to recognize the 
 exceeding beauty, looked at as classical compositions merely, 
 and fewer still, one would hope, to appreciate at their real 
 value the exactness of their author's theology when dealing 
 with the great Catholic doctrines which are common to 
 almost the whole of Christendom, or the devotional spirit that 
 breathes throughout his writings. 
 
 Lord Coleridge, the present Lord Chief Justice of England, 
 in his preface to a re-publication by him in 1872 of the 
 seventeenth century edition in English of " A Mirror of 
 Monks," by Lewis Blosius, expresses so completely the senti- 
 ments by which I have been animated in dealing with the 
 works of Adam of St. Victor, that I gladly and gratefully 
 avail myself of his lordship's permission to quote a few 
 sentences from it here, feeling sure that the reader will be 
 glad to have an opinion on such a point from one whose 
 opinion upon any point must carry great weight with it : 
 
 "It is hardly necessary to say that I do not agree with 
 every theological doctrine which Blosius assumes or inculcates 
 in his book ; but I think the book in itself a good and beauti- 
 ful book. I believe the writer of it to have been a holy man ; 
 and I do not think it right, in spite of high authority to the
 
 xxii ADAM OF ST. VICTOR. 
 
 contrary, to mutilate or adapt such works as these. To do 
 so appears to me unmanly and unfair. It is as if we were 
 afraid of the soundness of our convictions, and dared not look 
 in the face the fact that good men of other times did not 
 share them. Whereas it is part of Christian history that 
 very good and saintly men have held opinions in religion 
 which we now think mistaken ; and it is a narrow and 
 shallow judgment which holds such opinions to be inconsistent 
 with true and vital Christianity. This book, to my mind, 
 proves that they are nowise inconsistent : and I most earnestly 
 hope that those who read it carefully will think so too." 
 
 The reader will have the opportunity of judging for himself 
 as to the merits of the various Sequences as they come before 
 him ; but it may be well, perhaps, to say a few words as to 
 their general character, and I know not that they can be said 
 better than by one'who has so thoroughly identified his name 
 with Latin hymnology generally, and especially with that of 
 the " Victorine School," as the present Archbishop (Trench) 
 of Dublin : 
 
 "Very different estimates have been formed of the merits 
 of Adam of St. Victor's hymns. His most zealous admirers 
 will hardly deny that he pushes too far, and plays overmuch 
 with, his skill in the typical application of the Old Testa- 
 ment. So, too, they must own that sometimes he is unable to 
 fuse his manifold learned allusion into the passion of his 
 poetry. . . . Nor less must it be allowed that he is some- 
 times guilty of conceits, of plays upon words, not altogether 
 worthy of the solemnity of his theme. Thus of one Martyr 
 he says : 
 
 1 Sub securi stat securus ; ' 
 
 of another, Saint [Vincent] namely : 
 
 ' Dum torretur, non terretur ; ' 
 
 of the Blessed Virgin (for he did not escape, as it was not to 
 be expected that he should, the exaggerations of his time) :
 
 ADAM OF ST. VICTOR. xxiii 
 
 ' O dulcis vena veniae ; ' 
 of heaven : 
 
 ' O quam beata curia, 
 Quae curae prorsus nescia.' 
 
 Sometimes, too, he is overfond of displaying feats of skill in 
 versification, or prodigally accumulating, or curiously inter- 
 lacing his rhymes, that he may show his perfect mastery of 
 the forms which he is using, and how little he is confined or 
 trammelled by them. 
 
 " These faults it will be seen are indeed most of them but 
 merits pushed into excess. And even accepting them as 
 defects, his profound acquaintance with the whole circle of 
 the theology of his time, and eminently with its exposition of 
 Scripture, the abundant and admirable use, with indeed the 
 drawback already mentioned, which he makes of it, deliver- 
 ing as he thus does his poems from the merely subjective cast 
 of those, beautiful as they are, of St. Bernard, the exquisite 
 art and variety with which for the most part his verse is 
 managed and his rhymes disposed, their rich melody multi- 
 plying and ever deepening at the close, the strength which 
 he often concentrates into a single line, 1 his skill in conduct- 
 ing a story, and, most of all, the evident nearness of the 
 things which he celebrates to his own heart of hearts, all 
 these, and other excellencies, render him, as far as my judg- 
 ment goes, the foremost among the sacred Latin poets of the 
 Middle Ages. He may have no single poem to vie with the 
 austere grandeur of the Dies Ira, nor yet with the tearful 
 passion of the Stabat Mater, although concerning the last 
 point there might well be a question ; but then it must not be 
 forgotten that these stand well-nigh alone in the names of 
 
 ' Thus of a Roman governor, who, alternating flatteries with threats, 
 is seeking to bribe St. Agnes from her allegiance to Christ by the offer of 
 worldly dignities and honours : 
 
 " Oflfert multa, spondet plura, 
 
 Periturus peritura"
 
 xxiv ADAM OF ST. VICTOR. 
 
 their respective authors, while from his ample treasure-house 
 I shall enrich this volume with a multitude of hymns, all of 
 them of considerable, some of the very highest, merit. In- 
 deed, were I disposed to name any one who might dispute the 
 palm of sacred Latin poetry with him, it would not be one of 
 these, but rather Hildebert, Archbishop of Tours." Sacred 
 Latin Poetry, pages 57-61. 
 
 It would be unnecessary for me, even were I able, which I 
 am not, to add much to this eloquent and exhaustive sum- 
 mary of the merits, and defects as well, of this great poet. 
 One point only, in what is characteristic of the author, is not 
 touched upon, and that is his love of alliteration, carried at 
 times perhaps to an excess like his play upon words, 1 but 
 often used with striking effect 
 
 The history of the Sequences in this work is a curious and 
 a chequered one. As I said at the beginning of this notice, 
 the Abbey of St. Victor, which in our poet's time was in the 
 suburbs of Paris, was by the growth of the town afterwards 
 included within its walls. There it remained undisturbed, 
 and having Adam of St. Victor's poetry in its library, until 
 the French Revolution, when, in common with all others, its 
 religious foundation was dissolved, its inmates dispersed, and 
 its precious MSS. removed, as it appeared afterwards, to the 
 National Library in the Louvre. Some of Adam's Sequences 
 had, during the centuries that the MSS. remained in the 
 custody of the monks of the author's monastery, found their 
 way into circulation, thirty-seven of them with his name 
 attached to them, and a few others without any trace of the 
 
 ' Take this instance from the Sequence "On the Passion of St. 
 Quintin : " 
 
 " Propter jugum Christi lene, 
 Premunt compes et catenae 
 
 Carcerali clausum cella ; 
 Sed triumphal bonus bene 
 Universum genus poense, 
 
 Famem, frigus, et flagella."
 
 ADAM OF ST. VICTOR. xxv 
 
 writer. The thirty-seven were collected and published by 
 Clichtoveus, "a Roman Catholic theologian of the first half 
 of the sixteenth century," in his " Elucidatorium Ecclesiasti- 
 cum," which passed through several editions from 1515 to 1556 
 at Paris, Basle, and Geneva. This work, which was written 
 originally for the instruction of the clergy in the meaning of 
 the various offices of the Church, according to Archbishop 
 Trench, became invaluable to those who made Mediaeval 
 Hymnology their study, and was in fact the only collection of 
 it on a large scale. 
 
 The remainder of the Sequences contained in these volumes, 
 and which never saw the light (until they were discovered in 
 the Louvre) from the date of the French Revolution up to 
 the middle of this century, we owe to the persevering search 
 after them which M. Gautier made about the latter date. 
 Those published by him for the first time are forty-eight in 
 number, and include some of the most striking of the whole 
 collection. Of three the first line only survives, the remainder 
 of the Sequences not having been found as yet ; and it is more 
 than probable that there may be more still written by Adam 
 which cannot be assigned to him now, because it is a remark- 
 able fact that, numerous as those hymns are of which he will 
 henceforth have the credit, we do not possess a single Sequence 
 of which he was professedly the author, upon so central a 
 Christian truth as the Passion of our Lord, or one for Lent 
 or Advent, which could hardly, one would imagine, have 
 been the case always, seeing that the rest of the Christian year 
 is so largely illustrated in his writings. 
 
 The collection, as M. Gautier gave it to the world, consisted 
 of 106 Sequences, satisfactorily proved to have come from 
 Adam of St. Victor's pen, viz., thirty-seven published and 
 attributed to the author by Clichtoveus, two published by him 
 without attribution, seventeen published in other collections 
 without attribution, forty-seven published for the first time by 
 .Gautier, and the three mentioned above of which we have as
 
 xxvi ADAM OF ST. VICTOR. 
 
 yet only the first line. Besides these, however, there is the 
 Epitaph of Adam, of which only the first ten lines were 
 written by him, and eight Sequences doubtfully or wrongly 
 attributed to him, but included in M. Gautier's volumes. 
 All these, arranged as they were in the French edition, will 
 be found in that now offered to the public. 
 
 The reader will, no doubt, be struck by the great variety 
 of metres employed by the poet, not only in the Sequences, 
 taken as a whole, but also in single Sequences. In some the 
 metre changes several times during the course of them, and 
 even single stanzas are constantly subjected to the same 
 process. The effect is to give great variety to the hymns, 
 generally and singly, enabling the poet to introduce an 
 amount of light and shade into his compositions which is 
 impossible when one metre is rigidly adhered to throughout 
 a poem. As all Adam's Sequences were originally set to 
 music and used in the worship of his Abbey, a suggestion is 
 perhaps allowable on my part, as to whether we might not now- 
 a-days have some of the music in our choral services arranged 
 upon a similar plan. As it is, we have nothing between the 
 ordinary hymn in which the metre never changes, and for 
 which, therefore, the same tune must be used throughout, and 
 anthems, which, beautiful as they are, are far too elaborate 
 and difficult for general use in our churches. The arrange- 
 ment of these Mediaeval hymns appears to me to combine the 
 advantages, without the defects, of both hymns and anthems, 
 possessing as they do all the simplicity of the first without 
 their sameness, and much of the variety of the last without 
 their elaborateness. If we could vary the tunes in a single 
 hymn, as is often done, as it is, in the Te Deum or the 
 Psalms of the day, we should be enabled to increase not 
 only the length of the hymns, which are now confined to four 
 or six verses, but to add to their devotional effect as well by 
 having both the metre in which, and the music to which the 
 words are set somewhat more appropriate to the sentiments 
 sought to be expressed than is always the case now.
 
 ADAM OF ST. VICTOR, xxvii 
 
 But the metres of our poet are not only various in their 
 arrangement, they, as a well-known labourer in the mine 
 of Mediaeval Hymnology, the Rev. Louis Coutier Biggs, says, 
 "absolutely bristle with rhymes, .... These are distin- 
 guished," he adds " into 
 
 " Leonines, rhyming the middle with the end of the line, 
 thus : 
 
 ' Urit ira tua dim 
 O Trajane inhuman* 
 
 Proprw ex vitio 
 Sanctum Christi quum jusszsti 
 Flagellarr, crucian' 
 
 Nim/0 supplied.' 
 
 " Caudate, or tail-rhymes, are final rhymes following each 
 other closely, as .... the hymn : 
 
 ' Lux illuxit Dominica, 
 Lux insignis, lux unica, 
 Lux lucis et laetit&?, 
 Lux immortalis glorzV?. 
 
 ' Diem mundi condit/V; 
 Commendat ab init/c, 
 Quam Christi resurrect/.? 
 Ditavit privilegz'0.' 
 
 " Interlaqueate, or interlaced rhymes, are such as we find in 
 the Spenserian stanza, or in the poetry of Dante, e.g. : " ' 
 
 " Mundi renovatio 
 
 Nova pant gaudia ; 
 Resurgenti Domino 
 
 Conresurgunt omnia. 
 lementa serviunt, 
 Et auctoris sentiunt 
 
 Quanta sint sollenmia." 
 
 The critical reader, who may desire to follow up more 
 closely than it is requisite to do in this notice of Adam of 
 St. Victor, this part of the subject, will find an interesting 
 
 ' " Monthly Packet " (New Series), vol. xi. page 544.
 
 xxviii ADAM OF ST. VICTOR. 
 
 account of the metres employed by the poet in Neatis 
 " Epistola de Sequentiis," published by Daniel at the begin- 
 ning of his " Thesaurus Hymnologicus," vol. v. ; as well as 
 in Gauffer's Introductory Essay on Adam and his Poetical 
 and Prose Works, prefixed to the edition of 1858-59. 
 
 I will conclude this brief introductory notice of one who 
 has been described by Rambach as the " Schiller of the 
 Middle Ages ; " by Dom Gueranger as " le plus grande poete 
 du moyen age ;" and by Dr. Neale with almost pardonable 
 exaggeration as"to my mind the greatest Latin poet, not only 
 of Mediaeval, but of all, ages," with the passage that immedi- 
 ately follows that just quoted from the last-named writer in 
 his Preface to "Mediaeval Hymns," page x. 
 
 " It is a magnificent thing to pass along the far-stretching 
 vista of hymns, from the sublime self-con tainedness of S. 
 Ambrose to the more fervid inspiration of S. Gregory, the 
 exquisite typology of Venantius Fortunatus, the lovely paint- 
 ing of S. Peter Damiani, the crystal-like simplicity of S. 
 Notker, the scriptural calm of Godescalcus, the subjective 
 loveliness of S. Bernard, till all culminate in the full blaze of 
 glory which surrounds Adam of S. Victor, the greatest of all . 
 And though Thomas of Celano in one unapproachable se- 
 quence distanced him, and the author, whoever he were, of 
 the Verbum Dei Deo natum once equalled him, what are we to 
 think of the genius that could pour forth one hundred 
 sequences, of which fifty at least are unequalled save by the 
 Dies Ira ? . , . . Indeed, Adam is worth any pains and any 
 study."
 
 SEQUENCES FOR CHURCH SEASONS.
 
 NATIVITAS DOMINI. 
 
 NATIVITAS DOMINI. 
 
 T)OTESTATE, non natura, 
 \_ Fit Creator creatura, 
 Reportetur ut factura 
 
 Factor! s in gloria. 
 
 Prasdicatus per prophetas, 5 
 
 Quern non capit locus, setas, 
 Nostrse sortis intrat metas, 
 
 Non relinquens propria. 
 
 Castitatis in tenorem, 
 
 Plasma gignit plasmatorem, 10 
 
 Virgo parit amatorem, 
 
 Lactat patrem filia. 
 Argumentum geniturse 
 Hujus nescit jus naturae ; 
 Suse legis fracto jure, 15 
 
 Stupet de potentia. 
 
 Ccelum terris inclinatur, 
 Homo-Deus adunatur ; 
 Adunato famulatur
 
 CHRISTMAS. 
 
 CHRISTMAS. 
 
 'THHE Creator, not by nature 
 
 JL But by might, becomes a creature, 
 That with glory the Creator 
 
 May His creature once more crown. 
 Presaged in the prophets' pages, 5 
 
 He, Who of no place or age is, 
 Enters on our life's brief stages, 
 
 Not relinquishing His own. 
 
 Virgin still, the creature giveth 
 
 Birth to Him through Whom she liveth ; 10 
 
 Maiden's womb her spouse conceiveth ; 
 
 Daughter's breasts her father feed. 
 Nature's law no instance knoweth 
 Of such birth as this one showeth ; 
 And, since it all law o'erthroweth, 15 
 
 Nature trembles at the deed. 
 
 Heaven to earth hath condescended ; 
 Man is with the Godhead blended, 
 And the Man-God is attended
 
 NATIVITAS DOMINI. 
 
 Ccelestis familia. 20 
 
 Rex sacerdos consecratur 
 Generalis, quod monstratur 
 Cum pax terris nuntiatur 
 
 Et in altis gloria. 
 
 Causam quseris, modum rei : 25 
 
 Causa prius omnes rei, 
 Modus justum velle Dei, 
 
 Sed conditum gratia. 
 O quam dulce condimentum 
 Nobis mutans in pigmentum 30 
 
 Cum aceto fel cruentum 
 
 Degustante Messya ! 
 O salubre sacramentum, 
 Quod nos ponit in jumentum 
 Plagis nostris dans unguentum 35 
 
 Ille de Samaria ! 
 
 Ille alter Elyseus, 
 Reputatus homo reus, 
 Suscitavit homo-Deus 
 
 Sunamitis puerum. 40 
 
 Hie est gigas currens fortis, 
 Qui, destructo lege mortis, 
 Ad amcena primae sortis 
 
 Ovem fert in humemm.
 
 CHRISTMAS. 5 
 
 By celestial ministry. 20 
 
 That, as priest, is consecrated 
 Heaven's king, is demonstrated ; 
 Peace on earth is promulgated, 
 
 Glory unto God on high ! 
 
 \ 
 
 Ask'st thou why ? how? this beginneth. 25 
 Why ? because mankind first sinneth ; 
 How? God's just will then combineth 
 
 With His grace to break sin's thrall. 
 O how sweet their blended savour, 
 Changing into spiced wine's flavour, 30 
 
 When Christ tasted, man to favour, 
 
 Bitter vinegar and gall ! 
 O dread mystery, soul-reviving ! 
 When Samaria's son arriving 
 Sets, for wounds a balm contriving, 35 
 
 On His own beast those that fall ! 
 
 He, Elisha's true successor, 
 God-man, counted a transgressor, 
 To the Shunamite, to bless her, 
 
 Hath restored her son again. 40 
 
 As a giant runs He joying, 
 Who, His shoulder's strength employing, 
 Bears His sheep, Death's law destroying, 
 
 Back to primal joys of men.
 
 NATIVITAS DOMINI. 
 
 Vivit, regnat Deus-homo, 45 
 
 Trahens orco lapsum porno ; 
 Ccelo tractus gaudet homo 
 Denum complens numerum. 
 
 Patris mater, meta vatum, 
 Ora Patrem, jube natum, 50 
 
 Nos ut ducat ad hunc statum 
 Plenum pace, gloria, 
 Quo refecti 
 Visu Dei 
 
 Cantemus Alleluia. 55 
 
 Amen dicant omnia !
 
 CHRISTMAS. 7 
 
 As God-man He lives and reigneth, 45 
 
 And lost man from hell restraineth ; 
 Man with joy heaven's realms obtaineth, 
 Filling up its orders ten. 
 
 Heaven's Sire's mother, goal of sages ! 
 Pray that Father through all ages, 50 
 
 Tell thy Son to point our stages . 
 To where peace and glory reign ; 
 Till there, being 
 Braced, God seeing, 
 
 Lift we Alleluia's strain, 55 
 
 Let creation say " Amen ! "
 
 N ATI VITAS DOMIXI. 
 
 II. 
 NATIVITAS DOMINI. 
 
 IN excelsis canitur 
 Nato regi gloria, 
 Per quern terrse redditur 
 Et coelo concordia. 
 
 Jure dies colitur 5 
 
 Christ! natalitia, 
 Quo nascente nascitur 
 
 Novae legis gratia. 
 
 Mediator nobis datus 
 
 In salutis pretium 10 
 
 Non naturae, sed reatus 
 
 Refugit consortium. 
 
 Non amitrit claritatem 
 
 Stella fundens radium 
 Nee Maria castitatem 15 
 
 Pariendo filium.
 
 CHRISTMAS. 
 
 II. 
 CHRISTMAS, 
 
 IN the highest, hark ! the strain, 
 " Glory to the new-born King ! 
 Who doth with Him peace, again 
 Joining earth and heaven, bring ! " 
 
 Honour thus is paid aright 
 
 Unto this, Christ's natal morn ; 
 
 At Whose birth the grace so bright 
 Of a new-made law is born. 
 
 The appointed Mediator, 
 
 Our salvation's price to pay, 10 
 
 Not His share in human nature, 
 
 But its misdeeds, puts away. 
 
 Not a whit less bright appearing, 
 
 The life-giving star we see ; 
 Nor doth Mary by child-bearing 1 5 
 
 Lose her spotless chastity.
 
 NATI VITAS DOMINI. 
 
 Quid de monte lapis caesus 
 Sine manu, nisi Jesus 
 
 Qui de regum tinea, 
 
 Sine carnis opere, 20 
 
 De carne puerpera 
 
 Processit virginea ? 
 
 Solitudo floreat 
 
 Et desertum gaudeat ! 
 
 Virga Jesse floruit 25 
 
 Radix virgam, virga florem, 
 Virgo profert Salvatorem, 
 
 Sicut lex prsecinuit. 
 
 Radix David typum gessit, 
 
 Virga matris quse processit 30 
 
 Ex regali semine ; 
 Flos est Puer nobis natus, 
 Jure flori comparatus 
 
 Prae mira dulcedine. 
 
 In praesepe reclinatur, 35 
 
 Cujus ortus celebratur 
 
 Coelesti praeconio. 
 
 Coeli cives jubilant, 
 
 Dum pastores vigilant 
 
 Sub noctis silentio. 40
 
 CHRISTMAS. 1 1 
 
 What is this rock-stone so precious, 
 Quarried not by hand, but Jesus, 
 
 Scion of a line of kings, 
 
 Who, begot, without man's aid, 20 
 
 Of a pure yet pregnant maid, 
 
 From her fleshly nature springs ? 
 
 Let the desert blossom forth ; 
 
 Joy, waste places of the earth 1 
 
 Jesse's rod doth flowers unfold. 25 
 
 Root it brancheth, branch it bloometh, 
 Virgin-born, a Saviour cometh, 
 
 As the law of old foretold. 
 
 David's self that root portended ; 
 
 Mary is that branch, descended 30 
 
 From that seed of royal line : 
 He, the Son unto us given, 
 Is its flower, a flower from heaven, 
 
 Since its fragrance is divine. 
 
 He, Whose birth's due celebration 35 
 
 Forms the angels' proclamation, 
 In a manger-cradle lies ; 
 Heavenly hosts therein delight, 
 Whilst the shepherds watch by night 
 'Neath the silence of the skies. 40
 
 12 N ATI VITAS DOMINI. 
 
 Cuncta laudes intonant 
 
 Super partum Virginis ; 
 Lex et psalmi consonant 
 
 Prophetarum paginis. 
 
 Angelorum et pastorum, 45 
 
 Stellae simul et magorum 
 
 Concordant indicia ; 
 Reges currunt Orientis 
 Ad pnesepe vagientis, 
 
 Gentium primordia. 50 
 
 Jesu, puer immortalis, 
 Ex aterno temporalis, 
 Nos ab hujus vitse malis 
 
 Tu potenter erue. 
 
 Tu, post vitam hanc mortalem, 55 
 Sive mortem hanc vitalem, 
 Vitam nobis immortalem 
 
 Clementer restitue. Amen.
 
 CHRISTMAS. 13 
 
 All things shouts of joy upraise 
 
 For the Virgin's Son most high ; 
 Him the law and psalms too praise 
 
 With the page of prophecy. 
 
 Angels', shepherds', salutations, 45 
 
 Stars' and wise men's indications, 
 
 In their object all agree : 
 Haste those Eastern kings where, crying, 
 In a crib a Babe is lying, 
 
 Who the Gentile first-fruits be. 50 
 
 Infant Jesu, death-bound never ! 
 For a time and yet for ever ! 
 By Thy might mankind deliver 
 
 From this life's adversity : 
 When this mortal life is ended, 55 
 
 From this living death ascended, 
 By Thy clemency befriended, 
 
 Grant us deathless life with Thee ! Amen.
 
 14 NATI VITAS DOMINI. 
 
 III. 
 NATIVITAS DOMINI. 
 
 IN natale Salvatoris 
 Angelorum nostra choris 
 Succinat conditio : 
 Harmonia diversorum, 
 Sed in unum redactorum 5 
 
 Dulcis est connexio. 
 
 Felix dies hodiernus, 
 In quo Patri coseternus 
 
 Nascitur ex Virgine ! 
 Felix dies et jocundus ! 10 
 
 Illustrari gaudet mundus 
 
 Veri solis lumine. 
 
 Ne periret homo reus, 
 Redemptorem misit Deus, 
 
 Pater unigenitum ; 1 5 
 
 Visitavit quos amavit 
 Nosque vitae revocavit 
 
 Gratia, non meritum.
 
 CHRISTMAS. 15 
 
 III. 
 CHRISTMAS. 
 
 SINCE a Saviour is born for us, 
 With the angels in glad chorus 
 Let our race unite to-day : 
 Sweetly sound such hymns uprising, 
 Different voices harmonizing 5 
 
 All their praises in one lay. 
 
 Happy day, when the Supernal, 
 With the Father co-eternal, 
 
 Of a Virgin comes to birth ! 
 Day of joy and jubilation, 10 
 
 When the bright illumination 
 
 Of the true Sun lights glad earth ! 
 
 God hath a Redeemer given, 
 
 His, the Father's, Son from heaven, 
 
 That the sinner should not die : r 5 
 
 It is grace alone, not merit, 
 Gives us new life through the Spirit, 
 
 Visiting God's family.
 
 16 NATIVITAS DOMINI. 
 
 Infinitus et immensus 
 
 Quern non capit ullus sensus 20 
 
 Nee locorum spatia, 
 Ex aeterno temporalis, 
 Ex immenso fit localis, 
 
 Ut restauret omnia ! 
 
 Non peccatum, sed peccati 25 
 
 Formam sumens, vetustati 
 
 Nostrae se contemperat : 
 Immortalis se mortal!, 
 Spiritalis corporali, 
 
 Ut natura conferat 30 
 
 Sic concurrunt in persons 
 Singularis unione 
 
 Verbum, caro, spiritus, 
 Ut natura non mutetur, 
 Nee persona geminetur, 35 
 
 Sed sit una penitus. 
 
 Tanta5 rei sacramentum 
 Latet hostem fraudulentum ; 
 
 Fallitur malitia. 
 
 Caucus liostis non praesagit 40 
 
 Quod sub nube carnis agit 
 
 Dei sapientia.
 
 CHRISTMAS. 17 
 
 Infinite and in all places, 
 
 He, whom sense and earth's wide spaces 20 
 
 Comprehend not nor contain, 
 Though eternal, time obeyeth, 
 And, though everywhere, here stayeth, 
 
 All things to restore again ! 
 
 He sin's form, without sin, weareth, 25 
 
 And, to be made like us, shareth 
 
 Our worn-out existence here ; 
 That the temporal and eternal, 
 That the spiritual and carnal, 
 
 Natures might thus linked appear. 30 
 
 So the Word and Flesh and Spirit 
 Doth one Person thus inherit 
 
 In mysterious union, 
 That no change its nature showeth, 
 Nor two-fold that Person groweth, 35 
 
 But is altogether one. 
 
 This great mystery lies ever 
 Hidden from man's base deceiver, 
 
 And at fault his malice is : 
 That the wisdom of the Godhead 40 
 
 'Neath the veil of flesh is shrouded 
 
 Our blind enemy ne'er sees. 
 c
 
 18 NATIVITAS DOMINI. 
 
 Hujus nodum sacramenti 
 Non subtilis argument! 
 
 Solvit inquisitio. 45 
 
 Modum nosse non est tneum ; 
 Scio tamen posse Deum 
 
 Quod non capit ratio. 
 
 Quam subtile Dei consilium ! 
 
 Quam sublime rei mysterium ! 50 
 
 Virga florem, 
 
 Vellus rorem, 
 Virgo profert filium. 
 
 Nee pudorem laesit conceptio, 
 
 Nee virorem floris emissio ; 55 
 
 Concipiens 
 
 Et pariens 
 Comparatur lilio. 
 
 O Maria, Stella maris, 
 
 Post Deum spes singularis 60 
 
 Naufragantis saeculi, 
 Vide quam nos fraudulenter, 
 Quam nos vexant violenter 
 
 Tot et tales aemuli. 
 
 Per te virtus nobis detur, 65 
 
 Per te, mater, exturbetur 
 Daemonum superbia ;
 
 CHKISTMAS. 19 
 
 This deep mystery's complication 
 No abstruse investigation 
 
 By induction can explain. 45 
 
 "Pis not mine to know its measure, 
 But I wot that God's good pleasure 
 
 Rules where reason cannot strain. 
 
 O how deep the counsel of God appears ! 
 How sublime the mystery it declares ! 50 
 
 Rod a flower, 
 
 Fleece a shower, 
 And a Son a Virgin bears. 
 
 Her conception hurt not her chastity, 
 
 Nor its blooming that ever verdant tree ; 55 
 
 In conceiving 
 
 And birth-giving, 
 Lily-like, still pure is she ! 
 
 Mary, star of ocean ! giving 
 
 To this shipwrecked age we live in 60 
 
 After God its hope alone ! 
 See what rival machinations, 
 And what fierce and dire temptations 
 
 Vex us sorely every one. 
 
 Virtue unto us be given, 65 
 
 And demonic pride be driven 
 Far away from us by Thee ;
 
 20 NATIVITAS DOMINI. 
 
 Tuse proli nos commenda, 
 Ne nos brevis, sed tremenda 
 
 Feriat sententia. 70 
 
 Jesu, noster salutaris, 
 Qui prudenter operaris 
 
 Salutis mysterium, 
 His qui colunt hunc natalem 
 Da salutem temporalem, 75 
 
 Da perhenne gaudium !
 
 CHRISTMAS. 21 
 
 To thine offspring O commend us, 
 Lest His brief but most tremendous 
 
 Sentence crush us utterly. 7 o 
 
 Jesu, Who art our salvation, 
 Who its wondrous operation 
 
 With such wisdom watchest e'er ! 
 Those, who keep this day, defending, 
 Here Thy help to them extending, 75 
 
 Grant them joy for evermore !
 
 22 N ATI VITAS DOMINI. 
 
 IV. 
 
 NATIVITAS DOMINI. 
 
 LUX est orta gentibus, 
 In umbra sedentibus 
 Et mortis caligine. 
 Gaudet miser populus 
 Quia mundo parvulus 5 
 
 Nascitur de virgine. 
 
 Ut ascendat homo reus 
 Condescendit homo-Deus 
 
 Hominis miseriae. 
 
 Quis non laudet et laetetur ? 10 
 
 Quis non gaudens admiretur 
 
 Opus novae gratiae ? 
 
 Quidnam jocundius, 
 Quidnam secretius 
 
 Tali mysterio ? 15 
 
 O quam laudabilis ! 
 O quam mirabilis 
 
 Dei dignatio !
 
 CHRISTMAS. 23 
 
 IV. 
 CHRISTMAS. 
 
 FOR the Gentiles up hath sprung 
 Light, for those that sate among 
 Darkness and in death's deep gloom. 
 Joys a people all forlorn, 
 That on earth a Child is born 5 
 
 From a spotless maiden's womb. 
 
 Guilty man to raise to heaven, 
 Condescends the God-man even 
 
 To our nature's misery. 
 
 Who would not with joy be praising, 10 
 
 Songs of wondering gladness raising, 
 
 Grace-work of such novelty ? 
 
 What is more full of bliss, 
 What is more fathomless, 
 
 Than such a mystery? 15 
 
 How worthy all our praise, 
 How unlike human ways, 
 
 Is God's humility !
 
 NATIVITAS DOMINI. 
 
 Hujus nodum sacramenti 
 
 Non subtilis argument! 20 
 
 Solvit inquisitio. 
 Modum nosse non est meum ; 
 Scio tamen posse Deum 
 
 Quod non capit ratio. 
 
 Quam subtile Dei consilium \ 25 
 
 Quam sublime rei mysterium ! 
 
 Virga florem, 
 
 Vellus rorem, 
 Virgo profert filium. 
 
 Nee pudorem Isesit conceptio, 30 
 
 Nee virorem floris emissio ; 
 
 Concipiens 
 
 Et pariens 
 Comparatur lilio. 
 
 O Maria, Stella maris, 35 
 
 Post Deum spes singularis 
 
 Naufragantis sseculi, 
 Vide quam nos fraudulenter, 
 Quam nos vexant violenter 
 
 Tot et tales aemuli. 40
 
 CHRISTMAS. 25 
 
 This deep mystery's complication 
 
 No abstruse investigation 20 
 
 By induction can explain. 
 Tis not mine to know its measure, 
 But I wot that God's good pleasure 
 
 Rules where reason cannot strain. 
 
 O how deep the counsel of God appears ! 2 5 
 How sublime the mystery it declares ! 
 
 Rod a flower, 
 
 Fleece a shower, 
 And a Son a Virgin bears ! 
 
 Her conception hurt not her chastity, 30 
 Nor its blooming that ever verdant tree ; 
 
 In conceiving 
 
 And birth-giving, 
 Lily-like, still pure is she ! 
 
 Mary, star of ocean ! giving 35 
 
 To this shipwrecked age we live in 
 
 After God its hope alone ! 
 See what rival machinations, 
 And what fierce and dire temptations 
 
 Vex us sorely every one. 40
 
 26 NATIVITAS DOMINI. 
 
 Per te virtus nobis detur, 
 Per te, mater, exturbetur 
 
 Daemonum superbia ; 
 Tuae proli nos commenda, 
 Ne nos brevis, sed tremenda 45 
 
 Feriat sententia.
 
 CHRISTMAS. 27 
 
 Virtue unto us be given, 
 And demonic pride be driven 
 
 Far away from us by Thee ; 
 To thine offspring O commend us, 
 Lest His brief but most tremendous 45 
 
 Sentence crush us utterly.
 
 28 NATIVITAS DOMINI, 
 
 V. 
 " NATIVITAS DOMINI. 
 
 T UBILEMUS Salvatori 
 J Quern coelestes laudant chori 
 
 Concordi laetitia ; 
 Pax de coelo nuntiatur, 
 Terra coelo fcederatur, 5 
 
 Angelis Ecclesia. 
 
 Verbum carni counitum, 
 Sicut erat prsefinitum, 
 
 Sine carnis copula 
 
 Virgo parit, Dei templum, 10 
 
 Nee exemplar, nee exemplum 
 
 Per tot habens ssecula. 
 
 Res est nova, res insignis, 
 Quod in rubo rubet ignis 
 
 Nee rubum attaminat : 15 
 
 Cceli rorant, nubes pluunt, 
 [ Montes stillant, colles fluunt, 
 
 Radix Jesse germinal.
 
 CHRISTMAS. 29 
 
 V. 
 
 CHRISTMAS. 
 
 SONGS of joy let us be raising 
 To that Saviour now, in praising 
 Whom with us heaven's choirs delight ; 
 News of peace from heaven is brought us, 
 Heaven is leagued with earth about us, 5 
 And the Church with angels bright. 
 
 God the Word, with our flesh blended, 
 As beforehand was intended, 
 
 She, who never knew a man, 
 Virgin, bears, God's temple hallowed, 10 
 
 Following none, by no one followed, 
 
 Ever since the world began. 
 
 That a bush with red fire gloweth, 
 Yet the fire no harm there doeth, 
 
 Is a new and wondrous thing : 15 
 
 Heaven drops dew, the clouds rain fountains, 
 Melt the hills and drip the mountains, 
 
 Jesse's root doth upward spring.
 
 30 NATIVITAS DOMINI. 
 
 De radice flos ascendit 
 
 Quern prophetae praeostendit 20 
 
 Evidens oraculum : 
 Radix Jesse regem David, 
 Virga matrem designavit 
 
 Virginem, flos parvulum. 
 
 Ut ascendat homo reus, 25 
 
 Condescendit homo-Deus 
 
 Hominis miseriae. 
 Quis non laudet et laetetur ? 
 Quis non gaudens admiretur 
 
 Opus novae gratiae ? 30 
 
 Quidnam jocundius, 
 Quidnam secretius 
 
 Tali mysterio ? 
 O quam mirabilis ! 
 O quam laudabilis 35 
 
 Dei dignatio ! 
 
 Mira floris pulchritude 
 Quern commendat plenitudo 
 
 Septiformis gratiae. 
 
 Recreemur in hoc flore 40 
 
 Qui nos gustu, nos odore, 
 
 Nos invitat specie.
 
 CHRISTMAS. 31 
 
 From that root a flower upgroweth, 
 
 As the prophet plainly showeth 20 
 
 In his prophecy of yore : 
 David as that root appeareth, 
 As the rod the maid that beareth, 
 
 As its flower the Child she bore. 
 
 Guilty man to raise to heaven, 25 
 
 Condescends the God-man even 
 
 To our nature's misery. 
 Who would not with joy be praising, 
 Songs of wondering gladness raising, 
 
 Grace- work of such novelty? 30 
 
 What is more full of bliss, 
 What is more fathomless, 
 
 Than such a mystery ? 
 How worthy all our praise, 
 How unlike human ways, 35 
 
 Our God's humility ! 
 
 Wondrous beauty hath the flower, 
 That rich grace's sevenfold dower 
 
 Hath commended to our care. 
 Let us in this flower delight us, 40 
 
 Which doth both by taste invite us, 
 
 And by scent and semblance rare.
 
 NATIVITAS DOMINI. 
 
 Jesu, puer immortalis, 
 Tuus nobis hie natalis 
 
 Pacem det et gaudia ; 45 
 
 Flos et fructus virginalis, 
 Cujus odor est vitalis, 
 
 Tibi laus ct gloria !
 
 CHRISTMAS. 33 
 
 Jesu, Infant death-defying ! 
 May Thy birthday be supplying 
 
 Peace to us and joys divine : 45 
 
 Flower and fruit of spotless maiden, 
 With immortal fragrance laden ! 
 
 Glory and great praise be Thine !
 
 34 NATI VITAS DOMINI. 
 
 VI. 
 NATIVITAS DOMINI. 
 
 NATO nobis Salvatore 
 Celebremus cum honore 
 
 Diem natalitium, 
 Nobis datus, nobis natus, 
 Et nobiscum conversatus 5 
 
 Lux et salus gentium. 
 
 Eva prius interemit, 
 Sed Salvator nos redemit 
 
 Carnis suse merito. 
 
 Prima parens nobis luctum, 10 
 
 Sed Maria vitae fhictum 
 
 Protulit cum gaudio. 
 
 Negligentes non neglexit, 
 Sed ex alto nos prospexit 
 
 Pater mittens Filium ; 15 
 
 Prsesens mundo, sed absconsus, 
 De secreto tanquam sponsus 
 
 Prodiit in publicum.
 
 CHRISTMAS. 35 
 
 VI. 
 CHRISTMAS. 
 
 SINCE a Saviour is born for us, 
 Let us, honouring Him, in chorus 
 
 Celebrate His natal day, 
 To us given, for us even 
 Born, a man 'mongst men, from heaven, 5 
 As all nations' light and stay. 
 
 Death we first from Eve inherit, 
 But redemption through the merit 
 
 Of the Saviour's fleshly birth. 
 Sorrow our first parent bore us, 10 
 
 But the fruit, which shall restore us, 
 
 Mary with great joy brought forth. 
 
 Caring for the careless even, 
 
 God the Father looked from heaven, 
 
 Sending down His Son on earth : 15 
 
 In the world, yet from it hidden, 
 As a bridegroom, when thus bidden, 
 
 From His chamber Christ came forth.
 
 NATIVITAS DOMINI. 
 
 Gigas velox, gigas fortis, 
 
 Gigas nostrse victor mortis, 20 
 
 Accinctus potentia, 
 Ad currendam venit viam, 
 Complens in se prophetiam 
 
 Et legis mysteria. 
 
 Jesu, nostra salutaris 25 
 
 Medicina, singularis 
 
 Nostra pax et gloria, 
 Quia servis redimendis 
 Tarn decanter condescendis, 
 
 Te collaudant omnia ! 30
 
 CHRISTMAS. 37 
 
 Giant swift and giant glorious, 
 
 Giant o'er our death victorious, 20 
 
 Girt with power and majesty, 
 Came to run His course, fulfilling 
 All that seers had been foretelling, 
 
 And the Law's whole mystery. 
 
 Jesu, our salvation-giving 25 
 
 Balm, Who only on all living 
 
 Peace and glory canst bestow ! 
 Since, Thy servants to deliver, 
 Thou dost stoop in love, for ever 
 
 All things join Thy praise to show ! 30
 
 NATIVITAS DOMINI. 
 
 VII. 
 NATIVITAS DOMINI. 
 
 QPLENDOR Patris et figura 
 v^ Se conformans homini 
 Potestate, non natura, 
 
 Partum dedit Virgin!. 
 
 Adam vetus, 5 
 
 Tandem Isetus, 
 Novum promat canticum ; 
 
 Fugitivus 
 
 Et captivus 
 Prodeat in publicum ! 10 
 
 Eva luctum, 
 Vitae fructum 
 
 Virgo gaudens edidit ; 
 Nee sigillum 
 Propter ilium 
 
 Castitatis perdidit.
 
 CHRISTMAS. 39 
 
 VII. 
 CHRISTMAS. 
 
 FASHIONED as a human creature, 
 Christ, His Father's image clear, 
 By His power, and not by nature, 
 
 Caused a Virgin's womb to bear. 
 
 No more grieving, 
 
 New songs weaving, 
 Let old Adam sing for mirth ! 
 
 Exiles flying ! 
 
 Captives lying 
 Prison-bound ! come boldly forth ! 
 
 Eve bore sadness, 
 
 But with gladness 
 Fruit of life a Virgin bears ; 
 
 While unbroken 
 
 Still the token 15 
 
 Of her chastity appears.
 
 4 NATIVITAS DOMINL 
 
 Si crystallus sit humecta 
 Atque soli sit objecta, 
 
 Scintillat igniculum : 
 
 Nee crystallus rumpitur, 20 
 
 Nee in partu solvitur 
 
 Pudoris signaculum. 
 
 Super tali genitura 
 Stupet usus et natura, 
 
 Deficitque ratio ; 25 
 
 Res est ineffabilis 
 
 Tarn pia, tarn humilis 
 
 Christi generatio. 
 
 Frondem, florem, nucem sicca 
 
 Virga profert, et pudica 30 
 
 Virgo Dei Filium. 
 Fert ccelestem vellus rorem, 
 Creatura Creatorem, 
 
 Creaturse pretium. 
 
 Frondis, floris, nucis, roris 35 
 
 Pietati Salvatoris 
 
 Congruunt mysteria. 
 Frons est Christus protegendo, 
 Flos dulcore, nux pascendo, 
 
 Ros coelesti gratia. 40
 
 CHRISTMAS. 41 
 
 If a crystal that is wetted 
 
 To the sun's rays be submitted, 
 It emits a little spark ; 
 Neither doth the crystal break, 20 
 
 Neither doth this child-birth take 
 From the maid her maiden-mark. 
 
 Such begetting of a creature 
 
 Strikes experience dumb, and nature ; 
 
 Reason too fails utterly ; 25 
 
 Words could ne'er be found to show 
 
 Birth so loving, birth so low, 
 
 As at Christ's nativity. 
 
 Leaf, flower, nut, a dry rod beareth, 
 
 And a maiden pure prepareth 30 
 
 To produce God's Son Most High. 
 From a fleece heaven's dew-shower springeth ; 
 She, He made, her Maker bringeth 
 
 Forth, what He had made to buy. 
 
 A 
 
 In the flower, leaf, nut, and shower 35 
 
 Mystic emblems of the power 
 
 Of the Saviour's love are met. 
 Leaf Christ is by shelter spreading; 
 Flower by sweetness ; nut by feeding ; 
 
 Dew by grace with heaven's dew wet. 40
 
 NATIVITAS DOMINI. 
 
 Cur, quod virgo peperit, 
 Est Judaeis scandalum, 
 
 Cum virga produxerit 
 
 Sicca sic amygdalum ? 
 
 Contemplemur adhuc nucem ; 45 
 
 Nam prolata nux in lucem 
 
 Lucis est mysterium. 
 Trinam gerens unionem, 
 Tria confert : unctionem, 
 
 Lumen et edulium. 50 
 
 Nux est Christus, cortex nucis 
 Circa carnem pcena crucis, 
 
 Testa corpus osseum. 
 
 Carne tecta Deitas 
 
 Et Christi suavitas 55 
 
 Signatur per nucleum. 
 
 Lux est caecis, et unguentum 
 Christus segris, et fomentum 
 
 Piis animalibus. 
 
 O quam dulce sacramentum ! 60 
 
 Fcenum carnis in frumentum 
 
 Convertit fidelibus.
 
 CHRISTMAS. 43 
 
 Why should it offend the Jews, 
 
 That a virgin bore a son, 
 When a rod could thus produce 
 
 Almonds, though a sapless one ? 
 
 On the nut still let us ponder ; 45 
 
 For, if a full light brought under, 
 
 Tis the mystic type of light. 
 As it three in one appeareth, 
 So three gifts too it conferreth ; 
 
 Unction, food, effulgence bright. 50 
 
 Christ the nut, its hull His passion, 
 Closing round His human fashion, 
 
 And His bony frame its shell, 
 
 The incarnate Deity 
 
 And Christ's tender sympathy 55 
 
 In the kernel mark ye well. 
 
 Christ is light to those not seeing, 
 Balm, the sick from sickness freeing, 
 
 And His loving creatures' food. 
 O how sweet a rite ! He taketh 60 
 
 Grass our flesh and thereof maketh 
 
 Grain for those who trust in God.
 
 NATI VITAS DOMINI. 
 
 Quos sub umbra sacramenti, 
 Jesu, pascis in prsesenti, 
 
 Tuo vultu satia. 65 
 
 Splendor Patri coaeterne, 
 Nos hinc transfer ad paternse 
 
 Claritatis gaudia. Amen.
 
 CHRISTMAS. 45 
 
 Those, whose food Thou now providest, 
 Jesu ! as 'neath rites Thou hidest, 
 
 With Thy presence satiate ! 65 
 
 Thou, the Father's Co-eternal 
 Brightness ! us to joys supernal 
 
 In His glory hence translate ! Amen,
 
 46 DIES CIRCUMCISIONIS. 
 
 VIII. 
 DIES CIRCUMCISIONIS. 
 
 H 
 
 AC die festa concinat multimoda camcena, 
 Collaudans cceli Dominum cum dulci 
 cantilena. 
 
 Per hsec enim solempnia sunt cuncta renovata, 
 Humano quoque generi est venia donata. 
 
 Invenit drachma mulier ; accenditur lucerna, 5 
 In carne dum comparuit mens Deo coseterna. 
 
 Dum cadit secus Jericho vir Hierosolomita, 
 Samaritanus affuit quo lapso datur vita. 
 
 Perduxit hunc in stabulum dementia divina, 
 Vinum permiscens oleo suavi medicina. 10
 
 \ 
 
 THE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST. 47 
 VIII. 
 
 THE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST. 
 
 THIS festal day our Muse should be a varied 
 song upraising, 
 
 In strains of sweetest melody the Lord of heaven 
 praising. 
 
 For all things by this festival have been renewed 
 
 from heaven, 
 And pardon to the human race for all their misdeeds 
 
 given. 
 
 The woman finds her silver piece ; her candle she 
 hath lighted, 5 
 
 What time to flesh the mind, with God co-equal, is 
 united. 
 
 When from Jerusalem the man nigh Jericho is lying, 
 The good Samaritan comes by and rescues him 
 from dying. 
 
 By clemency divine he is into the inn attended, 
 Whilst wine and oil, as remedy to soothe his pain, 
 are blended. 10
 
 48 DIES CIRCUMCISIONIS. 
 
 Curantis segri vulnera sunt dulcia fomenta, 
 Dum cunctis pcenitentia fuit reis inventa. 
 
 Bini dati denarii sunt duo Testamenta 
 
 Dum Christus, finis utriusque, complet sacramenta. 
 
 En tellus rore germinat nee patet madefacta, 15 
 Dum virgo Deum parturit, et mater est intacta. 
 
 In tenebris exortus est Puer, lux sempiterna ; 
 Octava circumcisus est hac die hodierna. 
 
 Hsec ab antiquis patribus dies fuit praevisa 
 Dum se prolemque Domino dant came cir- 20 
 cumcisa. 
 
 Hac die circumcisio fiebat sub figura 
 Octava, qua salvabitur humana creatura.
 
 THE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST. 49 
 
 Sweet are the balms of Him, who gives to sick men's 
 wounds their healing, 
 
 The way of penitence for all their sinfulness re- 
 vealing. 
 
 Of the two Testaments the gift of the two pennies 
 
 telleth, 
 Since Jesus Christ, the end of both, their mysteries 
 
 fulfilleth. 
 
 Lo ! now the earth buds forth with dew and yet 
 
 abideth rainless, 15 
 
 Whilst bears a maid our God Himself, and is a 
 mother stainless. 
 
 In darkness was the Infant born, Who light eternal 
 
 giveth ; 
 And circumcision on this day, the eighth day, He 
 
 receiveth. 
 
 This day the Patriarchs of old foresaw in clear pre- 
 vision, 
 
 Who gave themselves and progeny to God by cir- 
 cumcision. 20 
 
 That circumcision was performed this eighth day in 
 
 a figure, 
 Which shall a human creature save from God's most 
 
 righteous rigour. 
 
 E
 
 So DIES CIRCUMCISION1S. 
 
 Ergo nos circumcidamus, non carnis preputia, 
 Sed a nobis abscidamus sordes et vitia. 
 
 Ut mundati mente, carne, capiamus praemia, 25 
 Quse octava confert aetas merenti coelestia. 
 
 Eya, die ista, 
 Omnis organ ista 
 Cantor et psalmista 
 
 Intonet, 30 
 
 Consonet 
 Cum cytharista. Amen.
 
 THE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST. 51 
 
 Ourselves, and not our foreskins, then let us be cir- 
 cumcising, 
 
 And cut away the lust and sin for aye within us 
 rising. 
 
 That, cleansed in heart and flesh, to us those prizes 
 may be given, 25 
 
 Which the eighth age confers on him deserving joy 
 in heaven. 
 
 Come ye then to-day here, 
 Every organ-player, 
 Singer and psalm-sayer ! 
 
 Lift your praise, 30 
 
 And upraise, 
 Minstrel ! your lay here ! Amen.
 
 PASCHA. 
 IX. 
 
 PASCHA. 
 
 ECCE dies Celebris ! 
 Lux succedit tenebris, 
 Morti resurrectio. 
 Laetis cedant tristia, 
 Cum sit major gloria 5 
 
 Quam prima confusio ; 
 Umbram fugat veritas, 
 Vetustatem novitas, 
 Luctum consolatio. 
 
 Pascha novum colite; 10 
 
 Quod prseit in capite, 
 
 Membra sperent singula. 
 Pascba novum Christus est, 
 Qui pro nobis passus est, 
 
 Agnus sine macula. 15 
 
 Hosti qui nos circuit 
 Praedam Christus eruit : 
 Quod Samson praecinuit, 
 Dum leonem lacerat.
 
 EASTER. 53 
 
 IX. 
 
 EASTER. 
 
 HAIL, great day of wondrous deeds ! 
 Light to deepest gloom succeeds, 
 And to death new risen life. 
 Joy all sorrow triumphs o'er, 
 For the glory now is more 5 
 
 Than the former mingled strife ; 
 Truth the shadow puts to flight, 
 What is new the old and trite, 
 Consolation tears and grief. 
 
 Hail to our new Passover ; 10 
 
 What the Head did first secure 
 
 May each member hope to gain. 
 Our new Passover is Christ, 
 Who for us was sacrificed, 
 
 As a Lamb devoid of stain. 15 
 
 From the foe about our way 
 Christ delivers now the prey, 
 E'en as Samson once did say, 
 
 When the lion he slew of yore.
 
 54 PASCHA. 
 
 David, fortis viribus, 20 
 
 A leonis unguibus 
 Et ab ursi faucibus 
 
 Gregem patris liberal. 
 
 Qui in morte plures stravit, 
 
 Samson, Christum figuravit, 25 
 
 Cujus mors victoria. 
 Samson dictus Sol eorum : 
 Christus lux est electorum, 
 
 Quos illustrat gratia. 
 
 Jam de Crucis sacro vecte 30 
 
 Botrus fiuit in dilectae 
 
 Penetral ecclesiae. 
 Jam, calcato torculari, 
 Musto gaudent ebriari 
 
 Gentium primitiae. 35 
 
 Saccus scissus et pertusus 
 In regales transit usus : 
 Saccus fit soccus gratia;, 
 Caro victrix miseriae. 
 
 Quia regem peremerunt, 40 
 
 Dei regnum perdiderunt : 
 Sed non deletur penitus 
 Cain, in signum positus.
 
 EASTER. 55 
 
 David, strong in his good cause, 20 
 
 Rescues from the lion's claws 
 And the bear's devouring jaws, 
 
 All his father's flock once more. 
 
 Samson slew the most when dying, 
 
 Jesus Christ thus typifying, 25 
 
 Death to Whom was victory. 
 Samson's name " Their Sun " declareth ; 
 As His saints' light Christ appeareth, 
 
 Whom He shines on graciously. 
 
 From the Cross's holy transom 30 
 
 Flows the grapes' divinest ransom 
 
 To the well-loved Church's shrine : 
 Round the trodden wine-press thronging, 
 Gentile first-fruits drink, with longing, 
 
 Draughts of new and gladdening wine. 35 
 
 Sackcloth, worn to rags and riven, 
 
 Is to royal uses given : 
 
 With sackcloth shod, see ! peace doth go ; 
 
 The flesh hath triumphed over woe. 
 
 They are from God's kingdom driven, 40 
 
 Who to death its king have given : 
 Cain hath not wholly perished yet, 
 But for a warning sign is set.
 
 56 PASCHA. 
 
 Reprobatus et abjectus 
 
 Lapis iste, nunc electus, 45 
 
 In tropaeum stat erectus, 
 
 Et in caput anguli. 
 Culpam delens, non naturam, 
 Novam creat creaturam, 
 Tenens in se ligaturam 50 
 
 Utriusque populi. 
 
 Capiti sit gloria, 
 Membrisque concordia ! Amen.
 
 EASTER. 57 
 
 Though condemned once and rejected 
 
 Was this stone, it stands erected 45 
 
 For a trophy now, selected 
 
 As the chiefest corner-stone. 
 Sin, not nature, He rebateth, 
 A new creature He createth, 
 And Himself in corporateth 50 
 
 Jews and Gentiles into one. 
 
 To the Head all glory be, 
 'Mongst the members unity ! Amen.
 
 58 PASCHA. 
 
 X. 
 
 PASCHA. 
 
 LUX illuxit Dominica, 
 Lux insignis, lux unica, 
 Lux lucis et laetitiae, 
 Lux immortalis glorise. 
 
 Diem mundi conditio 5 
 
 Commendat ab initio, 
 Quam Christi resurrectio 
 Ditavit privilegio. 
 
 In spe perennis gaudii, 
 Lucis exultent filii ; i o 
 
 Vindicent membra meritis 
 Conformitatem capitis ! 
 
 Solemnis est celebritas 
 
 Et vota sunt solemnia ; 
 
 Prima; diei dignitas 15 
 
 Prima requirit gaudia.
 
 EASTER. 59 
 
 X. 
 
 EASTER. 
 
 THE Lord's own day hath poured its rays, 
 That glorious light, the day of days ; 
 The light of light and joy, the day 
 Whose glory passeth not away. 
 
 This day the world's foundations laid 5 
 
 Distinguish, since the world was made ; 
 On which Christ's rising from the dead 
 Hath new peculiar glory shed. 
 
 Ye sons of light ! with lifted voice 
 In hope of endless joys rejoice ; 10 
 
 And by good deeds, ye members ! see 
 That like unto your Head ye be ! 
 
 A holy feast this day displays, 
 
 And prayers as holy it desires ; 
 
 The glory of the first of days 1 5 
 
 The first-fruits of our joy requires.
 
 60 PASCffA. 
 
 Solemnitatum gloria, 
 
 Paschalis est victoria, 
 
 Sub multis senigmatibus 
 
 Prius proraissa patribus. 20 
 
 Jam scisso velo patuit 
 Quod vetus lex prsecinuit ; 
 Figuram res exterminat, 
 
 Et umbram lux illuminat. 
 
 Quid agnus sine macula, 25 
 
 Quid haedus typi gesserit, 
 Nostra purgans piacula, 
 Messias nobis aperit 
 
 Per mortem nos indebitam 
 
 Solvit a morte debita ; 30 
 
 Prsedam captans illicitam 
 
 Praeda privatur licita. 
 
 Carnis delet opprobria 
 
 Caro peccati nescia ; 
 
 Die reflorens tertia 35 
 
 Corda confirmat dubia.
 
 EASTER. 61 
 
 The feast of Easter's victory 
 
 The glory of all feasts must be, 
 
 'Neath many a mystic type foretold 
 
 In promise to our sires of old. 20 
 
 Now, rent the veil, is that well known 
 In the old law obscurely shown ; 
 Fulfilment types obliterates, 
 And shadows light illuminates. 
 
 From what the lamb without a spot, 25 
 
 From what the scapegoat, typified, 
 Purging from us guilt's sinful blot, 
 Messias draws the veil aside. 
 
 By death deserved not doth He pay 
 
 From death deserved to set us free ; 30 
 
 Death, seizing the unlawful prey, 
 
 Loses what was his lawfully. 
 
 That flesh, which knows nor guilt nor stain, 
 Destroys our guilt, the flesh's bane ; 
 And, springing the third day again, 35 
 
 Doth doubting hearts' full faith maintain.
 
 62 PASCHA. 
 
 O mors Christ! mirifica, 
 
 Tu Christo nos vivifica ! 
 
 Mors morti non obnoxia, 
 
 Da nobis vitse prsemia ! 40
 
 EASTER. 63 
 
 O death of Christ, most wondrous death ! 
 Be thou in Christ our life and breath ! 
 O death, that bows no death beneath ! 
 Grant thou to us life's glory-wreath ! 40
 
 PASCHA. 
 
 XI. 
 PASCHA. 
 
 SALVE, dies dierum gloria, 
 Dies felix, Christi victoria, 
 Dies digna jugi laetitia, 
 
 Dies prima ! 
 
 Lux divina csecis irradiat, 5 
 
 In qua Christus infernum spoliat, 
 Mortem vincit et reconciliat 
 Summis ima. 
 
 Sempiterni Regis sententia 
 
 Sub peccato conclusit omnia, 10 
 
 Ut infirmis superna gratia 
 
 Subveniret. 
 Dei virtus et sapientia 
 Temperavit iram dementia 
 Cum jam mundus in praecipitia 15 
 
 Totus iret. 
 
 Insultabat nostrae miseriae, 
 Vetus hostis, auctor malitiae, 
 Quia nulla spes erat veniae 
 
 De peccatis ; 20
 
 EASTER. 65 
 
 XL 
 EASTER. 
 
 HAIL, day, the glory of all days, to thee ! 
 Thrice happy day, Christ's day of victory ! 
 The first day ! day most fit continually 
 
 Our joy to show ! 
 
 This day divine illuminates blind eyes, 5 
 
 Upon which Christ of hell's dark realms makes prize, 
 O'ercometh death and joins in one the skies 
 And earth below. 
 
 The judgment of the everlasting King 
 
 Hath under sin concluded everything, 10 
 
 That heavenly grace the weak and wavering 
 
 Might come to aid. 
 
 God's goodness and His wisdom from on high 
 His wrath hath tempered with His clemency, 
 Now when all earth was being rapidly 15 
 
 In ruin laid. 
 
 The father of all lies, man's ancient foe, 
 Was trampling on us in our bitter woe, 
 Because no hope of pardon here below 
 
 For sin was left ; 20 
 
 F
 
 66 PASCHA. 
 
 Desperante mundo remedium, 
 Dum tenerent cuncta silentium, 
 Deus Pater emisit Filium 
 Desperatis. 
 
 Prsedo vorax, monstrum tartareum, 25 
 
 Carnem videns, nee cavens laqueum, 
 In latentem ruens aculeum 
 
 Aduncatur ; 
 
 Dignitatis primae conditio 
 Reformatur nobis in Filio 30 
 
 Cujus nova nos resurrectio 
 
 Consolatur. 
 
 Resurrexit liber ab inferis 
 
 Restaurator humani generis, 
 
 Overa suam reportans humeris 35 
 
 Ad superna. 
 
 Angelorum pax fit et hominum ; 
 Plenitude succrescit ordinum : 
 Triumphantem laus decet Dominum, 
 
 Laus seterna ! 40 
 
 Harmonise ccelestis patrise 
 Vox concordet matris ecclesiae ; 
 Alleluia frequentet hodie 
 Plebs fidelis.
 
 EASTER. 67 
 
 When thus the earth despaired of cure for sin, 
 And silence reigned o'er it and all therein, 
 Forth God the Father sent His Son to men 
 Of hope bereft. 
 
 The insatiate robber, monster hell did bear, 25 
 Seeing the bait, but heedless of the snare, 
 Rushing upon the hook's point hidden there, 
 
 On it is caught ; 
 
 The dignity of man, as first begun, 
 Is now re-fashioned for us in the Son, 30 
 
 By Whose new resurrection to each one 
 
 Comfort is brought. 
 
 Free hath He risen from depths of hell below, 
 
 Who hath the human race re-fashioned so, 
 
 And, on His shoulder borne, His sheep He now 35 
 
 To heaven doth raise. 
 
 'Twixt men and angels is there perfect peace ; 
 The ranks of heaven now swell to full increase ; 
 Praise to the Lord Who maketh wars to cease, 
 
 Eternal praise ! 40 
 
 O let the voice of Mother-Church agree 
 With heaven, our fatherland's, bright harmony, 
 And alleluias from the faithful be 
 Countless to-day !
 
 68 PASCHA. 
 
 Triumphato mortis imperio, 45 
 
 Triumphal! fruamur gaudio : 
 In terra pax et jubilatio 
 Sit in ccelis ! Amen.
 
 EASTER. 69 
 
 The power of death o'ercome effectually, 45 
 Let us enjoy the joys of victory : 
 On earth be peace and jubilee on high 
 In heaven for aye ! Amen.
 
 70 PASCHA. 
 
 XII. 
 
 PASCHA. 
 
 SEXTA passus feria 
 Die Christus tertia 
 Resurrexit ; 
 Surgens cum victoria, 
 Collocat in gloria 5 
 
 Quos dilexit. 
 
 Pro fideli populo 
 Crucis in patibulo 
 
 Immolatur; 
 
 Clauditur in tumulo, 10 
 
 Tandem in diluculo 
 
 Suscitatur. 
 
 Christi crux et passio 
 Nobis est praesidio, 
 
 Si credamus; 15 
 
 Christi resurrectio 
 Facit ut a vitio 
 
 Resurgamus.
 
 EASTER. 71 
 
 XII. 
 EASTER. 
 
 CHRIST, upon the Friday slain, 
 V_x On the Sunday once again 
 
 Rose victorious, 
 
 And those, whom He sought in love, 
 Gathers round Himself above, 5 
 
 Ever glorious. 
 
 For His faithful people He, 
 Offered on the Cross's tree, 
 
 Death sustained! : 
 
 To the tomb's enclosure borne, 10 
 
 Life once more at early morn 
 
 He regaineth. 
 
 Christ's protection we receive 
 Through His Cross, if we believe, 
 
 And His Passion ; 15 
 
 While His rising for our sakes 
 Possible our rising makes 
 
 From transgression.
 
 72 PASCHA. 
 
 Hostia sufficiens 
 
 Christus fuit moriens 20 
 
 Pro peccato ; 
 Sanguinis effusio 
 Abluit nos, impio 
 
 Triumphato. 
 
 Morte sua simplici 25 
 
 Nostrse morti duplici 
 
 Fert medelam ; 
 Vitae pandit aditum, 
 Nostrum sanat genitum 
 
 Et querelam. 30 
 
 Leo fortis hodie 
 Dat signum potentiae 
 
 Resurgendo, 
 Principem nequitiae 
 Per arma justitise 35 
 
 Devincendo. 
 
 Diem istam Dominus 
 Fecit, in qua facinus 
 
 Mundi lavit, 
 
 In qua mors occiditur, 40 
 
 In qua vita redditur, 
 
 Hostis ruit.
 
 EASTER. 73 
 
 A sufficient sacrifice 
 
 Jesus by His death supplies 20 
 
 For all evil : 
 
 Through His blood, shed, cleansed are we, 
 And thus gain the victory 
 
 O'er the devil. 
 
 He, by dying once for all, 25 
 
 Freedom from death's double thrall 
 
 For us gaining, 
 Opens wide the gate of life, 
 Thereby healing all our grief 
 
 And complaining. 30 
 
 He, the lion strong, to-day 
 Rising, of his powerful sway 
 
 Token showeth ; 
 For iniquity's fell lord, 
 He with righteousness's sword 35 
 
 Overthroweth. 
 
 'Tis the Lord's own day, wherein 
 All the world, made clean from sin, 
 
 He recalleth, 
 
 Whereon, death's self being slain, 40 
 
 And our life restored again, 
 
 Satan falleth.
 
 74 PASCHA. 
 
 Geminatum igitur 
 Alleluya canitur 
 
 Corde puro, 45 
 
 Quia culpa tollitur 
 Et vita promittitur 
 
 In future. 
 
 In hoc mundi vespere 
 
 Fac tuos resurgere, 50 
 
 Jesu Christe; 
 Salutaris omnibus 
 Sit tuis fidelibus 
 
 Dies iste ! Amen.
 
 EASTER. 75 
 
 Therefore from pure hearts once more 
 Double alleluias soar 
 
 Up to heaven ; 45 
 
 Since away man's guilt is ta'en, 
 And that he shall live again 
 
 Promise given. 
 
 Jesu Christ ! make Thou Thine own 
 
 Rise before the sun goes down 50 
 
 O'er creation ; 
 
 May this day to all who bear 
 True allegiance to Thee here. 
 
 Bring salvation ! Amen.
 
 PASCHA. 
 
 XIII. 
 PASCHA. 
 
 MUNDI renovatio 
 Nova parit gaudia; 
 Resurgent! Domino 
 
 Conresurgunt omnia. 
 Elementa serviunt, 5 
 
 Et auctoris sentiunt 
 Quanta sint sollemnia. 
 
 Ignis volat mobilis, 
 
 Et aer volubilis, 
 
 Fluit aqua labilis, 10 
 
 Terra manet stabilis : 
 
 Alta petunt levia, 
 
 Centrum tenent gravia, 
 
 Renovantur omnia. 
 
 Coelum fit serenius, 15 
 
 Et mare tranquillius ; 
 Spirat aura levius, 
 Vallis nostra floruit.
 
 EASTER. 77 
 
 XIII. 
 EASTER. 
 
 SPRING'S renewal of earth's plain 
 New-born joys to man supplies ; 
 When the Lord doth rise again, 
 With Him also all things rise : 
 Elements upon Him wait, 5 
 
 Feeling, as their source, how great 
 Should be His solemnities. 
 
 Fires their swift flames upward throw, 
 
 Lightly the air-eddies blow, 
 
 Running waters onward flow, 10 
 
 Earth remains unmoved below : 
 
 Light things soar above the plain, 
 
 Heavy things their place retain, 
 
 All things are renewed again. 
 
 Heights of heaven serener be, 15 
 
 And more tranquil grows the sea ; 
 Breathes the air more buoyantly, 
 And our vale fresh verdure shows ;
 
 PASCHA. 
 
 Revirescunt arida, 
 Recalescunt frigida 20 
 
 Postquam ver intepuit. 
 
 Gelu mortis solvitur, 
 Princeps mundi tollitur, 
 Et ejus destruitur 
 
 In nobis imperium ; 25 
 
 Dum tenere voluit 
 In quo nihil habuit, 
 
 Jus amisit proprium. 
 
 Vita mortem superat ; 
 
 Homo jam recuperat 30 
 
 Quod prius amiserat 
 
 Paradisi gaudium : 
 Viam prsebat facilem, 
 Cherubim versatilem 
 
 Amovendo gladium. 35 
 
 Christus coelos reserat 
 Et captives liberal 
 Quos culpa ligaverat 
 
 Sub mortis interitu. 
 Pro tanta victoria 40 
 
 Patri, Proli gloria 
 
 Sit cum Sancto Spiritu ! Amen.
 
 EASTER. 79 
 
 What is dry once more revives, 
 What is cold new heat receives, 20 
 
 When with warmth the springtide glows. 
 
 Icy death dissolves to-day ; 
 
 This world's prince is borne away, 
 
 And o'er us his hateful sway 
 
 Is destroyed for evermore : 25 
 
 Since he in possession sought 
 Him in whom he had not aught, 
 
 He hath lost his ancient power. 
 
 Death by life is triumphed o'er ; 
 
 Man recovers now once more 30 
 
 All the bliss, which, lost of yore, 
 
 Paradise's joys afford : 
 Easy hath the way there proved, 
 Since the cherubim removed 
 
 Thence his ever-turning sword. 35 
 
 Christ re-opens heaven again, 
 Loosing every captive's chain, 
 Bound to undergo death's pain 
 
 For his foul iniquity. 
 
 Glory for such victory won 40 
 
 To the Father and the Son 
 
 With the Holy Spirit be ! Amen.
 
 8o PASCHA. 
 
 XIV. 
 PASCHA. 
 
 ZYMA vetus expurgetur 
 Ut sincere celebretur 
 Nova resurrectio : 
 Haec est dies nostrae spei, 
 Hujus mira vis diei 5 
 
 Legis testimonio. 
 
 Haec ^Egyptum spoliavit 
 Et Hebraeos liberavit 
 
 De fornace ferrea : 
 
 His in arcto constitutis 10 
 
 Opus erat servitutis 
 
 Lutum, later, palea. 
 
 Jam Divina laus virtutis, 
 Jam triumphi, jam salutis 
 
 Vox crumpet libera ! 1 5 
 
 Haec est dies quam fecit Dominus, 
 Dies nostri doloris terminus, 
 Dies salutifera !
 
 EASTER. 8l 
 
 XIV. 
 EASTER. 
 
 PURGE away the former leaven, 
 That true thanks may now be given 
 On the day which saw Christ rise ! 
 Hope to us this great day yieldeth ; 
 Mighty is the power it wieldeth, 5 
 
 As the Law's word testifies. 
 
 Egypt's sons this day were plundered ; 
 Israel's tribes, their fetters sundered, 
 
 From the kilns were freed to-day ; 
 Servile was the occupation 10 
 
 Of this bound and captive nation, 
 
 Making bricks of straw and clay. 
 
 Of God's goodness let laudation, 
 Songs of triumph and salvation, 
 
 Burst forth now in accents clear : 1 5 
 
 This is the day the Lord Himself hath made, 
 The day our sorrows all to rest are laid, 
 And which brings salvation near. 
 G
 
 82 PASCHA. 
 
 Lex est umbra futurorum, 
 
 Christus, finis promissorum, 20 
 
 Qui consummat omnia : 
 
 Christi sanguis igneam 
 
 Hebetavit romphaeam, 
 
 Amota custodia. 
 
 Puer nostri forma risus, 25 
 
 Pro quo vervex est occisus, 
 
 Vitse signat gaudium. 
 Joseph exit de cisterna : 
 Christus redit ad superna, 
 
 Post mortis supplicium. 30 
 
 Hie dracones Pharaonis 
 Draco vorat, a draconis 
 
 Immunis malitia : 
 
 Quos ignitus vulnerat, 
 
 Hos serpentis liberal 35 
 
 JEnei praesentia. 
 
 Anguem forat in maxilla 
 Christi hamus et armilla : 
 
 In cavernam reguli 
 
 Manum mittit ablactatus, 40 
 
 Et sic fugit exturbatus 
 
 Vetus hospes saeculi.
 
 EASTER. 83 
 
 Things to come the Law's type veileth ; 
 
 Christ the promises fulfilleth, 20 
 
 Who doth all things consummate ; 
 Christ's own blood, for us outpoured, 
 Making blunt the flaming sword, 
 Drives the warders from the gate. 
 
 Life's joy he, that lad, implieth, 25 
 
 Who our laughter typifieth, 
 
 In whose stead the ram was slain : 
 Joseph from the pit ascendeth, 
 Back to heaven His way Christ wendeth, 
 Having died His death of pain. 30 
 
 Tis this serpent that devoureth 
 Pharaoh's serpents, and o'erpowereth, 
 
 Scatheless, the old serpent's spite. 
 
 He provideth an escape, 
 
 In a brazen serpent's shape, 35 
 
 From the fiery serpent's bite. 
 
 Christ the hook and thorn appeareth, 
 Which the serpent's jaw-bone teareth : 
 
 On the cockatrice's den 
 When His hand this weaned child layeth, 40 
 Driven off, no longer stayeth 
 
 That old dweller amongst men.
 
 PASCHA. 
 
 Irrisores Elisaei, 
 
 Dum conscendit domum Dei, 
 
 Zelum calvi sentiunt : 45 
 
 David arreptitius, 
 
 Hircus emissarius 
 
 Et passer effugiunt 
 
 In maxilla mille sternit, 
 
 Et de tribu sua spernit 50 
 
 Samson matrimonium : 
 Samson Gazse seras pandit, 
 Et asportans portas scandit 
 
 Montis supercilium. 
 
 Sic de Juda leo fords, 55 
 
 Fractis portis dirae mortis, 
 
 Die surgit tertia ; 
 Rugiente voce patris 
 Ad supernae sinum matris 
 
 Tot revexit spolia. 60 
 
 Cetus Jonam fugitivum, 
 Veri Jonas signativum, 
 Post tres dies reddit vivum 
 De ventris angustia.
 
 EASTER. 85 
 
 Mocking children, insults throwing 
 At the seer to Beth-el going, 
 
 Feel the bald-head's righteous wrath : 45 
 David, by feigned madness stirred, 
 The scapegoat, the " living bird," 
 
 From the haunts of men flee forth. 
 
 Samson with a jaw-bone slayeth 
 
 Thousands, and contempt displayeth 50 
 
 For a wife from 'mongst his own : 
 Samson Gaza's bolts unfastens, 
 And, its gates uplifting, hastens 
 
 With them to the mountain's crown. 
 
 Judah's lion by this token 55 
 
 Boldly, death's dread portals broken, 
 
 Rises the third day once more : 
 Back to Heaven rich fruits of daring 
 To our mother's bosom bearing, 
 
 When He hears the Father's roar. 60 
 
 Jonah, from his duty flying, 
 Three days in her belly lying, 
 Our true Jonah typifying, 
 Doth the whale restore alive.
 
 86 PASCHA. 
 
 Botrus Cypri reflorescit, 65 
 
 Dilatatur et excrescit ; 
 Synagogse flos marcescit, 
 Et floret ecclesia. 
 
 Mors et vita conflixere, 
 
 Resurrexit Christus vere, 70 
 
 Et cum Christo surrexere 
 
 Multi testes gloriae. 
 Mane novum, mane laetum 
 Vespertinum tergat fletum : 
 Quia vita vicit letum, 75 
 
 Tempus est laetitiae. 
 
 Jesu victor, Jesu vita, 
 
 Jesu vitae via trita, 
 
 Cujus morte mors sopita, 
 
 Ad Paschalem nos invita 80 
 
 Mensam cum fiducia. 
 Vive panis, vivax unda, 
 Vera vitis et fecunda, 
 Tu nos pasce, tu nos munda, 
 Ut a morte nos secunda 85 
 
 Tua salvet gratia. Amen.
 
 EASTER. 87 
 
 Clustered camphire fresh life showeth, 65 
 
 Spreads abroad and larger groweth : 
 Blight alone the Law's bud knoweth, 
 And the Church doth bloom and thrive. 
 
 Death and life's long strife is ended ! 
 
 Christ hath risen indeed, attended 70 
 
 By a witness crowd, ascended 
 
 With Him, who His glory show. 
 Morning new, morn gladness reaping ! 
 Wipe away our eve of weeping ; 
 Life o'er death is triumph keeping, 75 
 
 Tis the time for joyance now ! 
 
 Jesu Victor, life bestowing ! 
 
 Jesu, Way to true life going ! 
 
 Through Thy death death's self o'erthrowing ! 
 
 At Thy Paschal feast o'erflowing So 
 
 Grant us in full trust a place ! 
 Bread of life and Water living ! 
 Vine, the true Vine, much fruit giving ! 
 Feed us, cleanse us from sin's striving, 
 That, at second death arriving, 85 
 
 We escape it through Thy grace ! Amen.
 
 ASCENSIO. 
 
 xv. 
 ASCENSIO. 
 
 POSTQUAM hostem et infema 
 Spoliavit, ad superna 
 Christus redit gaudia ; 
 Angelorum ascendent! 
 Sicut olim descendenti 5 
 
 Parantur obsequia. 
 
 Super astra sublimatur ; 
 Non apparet, absentatur 
 
 Corporis prsesentia ; 
 
 Cuncta tarn en moderatur, 10 
 
 Cujus Patri cosequatur 
 
 Honor et potentia. 
 
 Modo victor, modo tutus, 
 Est in coelo constitutus 
 
 Rector super omnia. 15 
 
 Non est rursum moriturus, 
 Nee per mortem mandaturus 
 
 Hominum contagia.
 
 ASCENSION. 89 
 
 XV. 
 
 ASCENSION. 
 
 SATAN and the realms infernal 
 Having spoiled, to joys supernal 
 Christ returneth back once more : 
 As His upward way He wendeth, 
 As before, when He descendeth, 5 
 
 Angels set them to adore. 
 
 As above the stars He goeth, 
 Here no more Himself He showeth, 
 
 Bodily, to mortal sight ; 
 But all rule to Him is given, 10 
 
 Who is with His Sire in Heaven 
 
 One in majesty and might. 
 
 Victor now, from perils warded, 
 He in heaven hath been accorded 
 
 Empire over all therein : 15 
 
 Nevermore shall He be dying, 
 Nevermore through death supplying 
 
 Means to purify man's sin.
 
 9b ASCENSIO. 
 
 Semel enim incarnatus, 
 
 Semel passus, semel datus 20 
 
 Pro peccatis hostia, 
 Nullam feret ultra pcenam, 
 Nam quietem habet plenam 
 
 Cum summa laetitia. 
 
 Cum recessit, ita dixit, 25 
 
 Intimavit et infixit 
 
 Talia discipulis : 
 " Ite, mundum circuite, 
 Universes erudite 
 
 Verbis et miraculis. 30 
 
 " Nam ad Patrem meum ibo ; 
 Sed sciatis quod redibo : 
 
 Veniet Paraclitus 
 Qui desertos et loquaces, 
 Et securos, et audaces 35 
 
 Faciet vos penitus. 
 
 " Super jegros et languentes 
 Manus vestras imponentes, 
 
 Sanitatem dabitis ; 
 
 Universas res nocentes, 40 
 
 Inimicos et serpentes 
 
 Et morbos fugabitis.
 
 ASCENSION". 91 
 
 Once for all He took our nature, 
 
 Once He suffered, once, a creature, 20 
 
 Was for sin content to die : 
 Further pain shall He know never, 
 But, in perfect peace for ever, 
 
 Compass endless joys on high. 
 
 Thus He spake, as He ascended; 25 
 
 These things straitly He commanded, 
 
 And impressed upon His own : 
 " Go through all the world and preach ye, 
 Every nation therein teach ye 
 
 Both by word and wonder done. 30 
 
 " For I go unto My Father, 
 To return, as ye may gather, 
 
 Since shall come a Comforter, 
 Who shall make you bold and fearless, 
 Of all consequences careless, 35 
 
 Eloquent in speech and clear. 
 
 " Those laid low by sickness on them, 
 When ye lay your hands upon them, 
 
 Shall their former health regain : 
 All things hurtful and annoying, 40 
 
 With all deadly snakes, destroying, 
 
 Ye shall drive out plagues and pain.
 
 93 ASCEAWO. 
 
 " Qui fidelis est futurus 
 Et cum fide suscepturus 
 
 Baptism! remedium, 45 
 
 In peccatis erit purus 
 Et cum justis habiturus 
 
 Sempiternum gaudium." Amen.
 
 ASCENSION. 93 
 
 " Whosoever but believeth, 
 And with simple faith receiveth 
 
 Baptism's sure remedy, 45 
 
 Shall be cleansed from all transgression, 
 And have with the saints possession 
 
 Of eternal joys on high ! " Amen.
 
 94 PENTECOSTE. 
 
 XVI. 
 PENTECOSTE. 
 
 LUX jucunda, lux insignis, 
 Qua de throno missus ignis 
 In Christi discipulos 
 Corda replet, linguas ditat, 
 Ad Concordes nos invitat 5 
 
 Linguae cordis modules. 
 
 Christus misit quod promisit 
 Pignus sponsae, quam revisit 
 
 Die quinquagesima ; 
 Post dulcorem melleum 10 
 
 Petra fudit oleum, 
 Petra jam firmissima. 
 
 In tabellis saxeis, 
 Non in linguis igneis 
 
 Lex de monte populo ; 15 
 
 Paucis cordis novitas 
 Et linguarum unitas 
 
 Datur in ccenaculo.
 
 WHITSUNTIDE. 95 
 
 XVI. 
 
 WHITSUNTIDE. 
 
 DAY delightful ! day most noted ! 
 When o'er Christ's disciples floated 
 Fire sent from the throne on high, 
 Filling hearts and tongues endowing, 
 And on hearts and tongues bestowing 5 
 
 Words and thoughts in harmony ! 
 
 Christ, as once His word had spoken, 
 Sent His spouse a pledge and token, 
 
 Coming back the fiftieth day. 
 v After streams of honey sweet 10 
 
 Oil that rock poured forth from it, 
 
 Which is now man's firmest stay. 
 
 From the mount to Jewry came 
 God's law, not in tongues of flame, 
 
 But on tables wrought from stone : 15 
 
 In a furnished upper room, 
 Given but to few, there come 
 
 Hearts renewed, and tongues as one.
 
 PENTECOSTE. 
 
 O quam felix, quam festiva 
 
 Dies, in qua primitiva 20 
 
 Fundatur ecclesia ! 
 Vivae sunt prioritise 
 Nascentis ecclesiae, 
 Tria primum millia. 
 
 Panes legis primitivi 25 
 
 Sub una sunt adoptivi 
 
 Fide duo populi : 
 Se duobus inter) ecit 
 Sicque duos unum fecit 
 
 Lapis, caput anguli. 30 
 
 Utres novi, non vetusti, 
 Sunt capaces novi musti ; 
 
 Vasa parat vidua ; 
 Liquorem dat Eliseus; 
 Nobis sacrum rorem Deus, 35 
 
 Si corda sunt congrua. 
 
 Non hoc musto vel liquore, 
 Non hoc sumus digni rore, 
 
 Si discordes moribus. 
 In obscuris vel divisis 40 
 
 Non potest hsec Paraclisis 
 
 Habitare cordibus.
 
 WHITSUNTIDE. 97 
 
 O the joy and jubilation 
 
 Of that day, when first foundation 20 
 
 Of the early Church was laid : 
 
 When the Church, then first begun, 
 
 Souls three thousand to it won, 
 
 Lively first-fruits of it made. 
 
 Thus one faith binds earth's two nations, 25 
 Like the early dispensation's 
 
 Twofold offering of bread : 
 The Head Corner-stone two races 
 By His presence interlaces, 
 
 And thus one the two are made. 30 
 
 In new bottles, not in olden, 
 
 Must the new-made wine be holden : 
 
 Brings the widow but the cruse ; 
 Oil is by Elijah given : 
 So doth God for dew from heaven 35 
 
 Hearts, if fitting vessels, use. 
 
 Of this wine or oil before Thee, 
 Of this dew, are we unworthy, 
 
 If we have not peace within : 
 Not in hearts 'gainst God rebelling, 40 
 
 Can this Comforter be dwelling, 
 
 Nor in those made dark through sin. 
 u
 
 98 PENTECOSTE. 
 
 Consolator alme, veni ; 
 
 Linguas rege, corda leni ; 
 
 Nihil fellis aut veneni 45 
 
 Sub tua praesentia. 
 Nil jocundum, nil amoenum. 
 Nil salubre, nil serenum, 
 Nihil dulce, nihil plenum, 
 
 Nisi tua gratia. 50 
 
 Tu lumen es et unguentum, 
 Tu cceleste condimentum 
 Aquas ditans elementum 
 
 Virtute mysteriL 
 
 Nova facti creatura, 55 
 
 Te laudamus mente pura, 
 Gratiae nunc, sed natura 
 
 Prius irae filii. 
 
 Tu qui dator es et donum, 
 Tu qui condis omne bonum, 60 
 
 Cor ad laudem redde pronum, 
 Nostrae linguae formans sonum 
 
 In tua praeconia. 
 Tu nos purga a peccatis, 
 Auctor ipse puritatis, 65 
 
 Et in Christo renovatis 
 Da perfectae novitatis 
 
 Plena nobis gaudia. Amen.
 
 WHITSUNTIDE. 99 
 
 Come, Thou Comforter benignest ! 
 
 Rule our hearts and tongues, Divinest ! 
 
 Gall or poison, where Thou shinest, 45 
 
 May not any more be found : 
 There is not a joy or pleasure, 
 Health and rest are not a treasure, 
 Nought is sweet, all scant in measure, 
 
 Where Thy grace doth not abound. 50 
 
 Thou, for light and unction given, 
 A sweet savour sent from heaven, 
 Fillest simple water even 
 
 With a new mysterious power : 
 We, re-made by Thy creation, 55 
 
 Give Thee, with pure hearts, laudation ; 
 Sons of grace, by generation 
 
 Sons of wrath who were before. 
 
 Thou, Who art both gift and giver, 
 Helping every good endeavour, 60 
 
 Cause our hearts to praise Thee ever, 
 And our lips, O let us never 
 
 But in blessing Thee employ : 
 Wash out every evil passion, 
 Who alone canst purge transgression ! 65 
 And in Christ our souls refashion, 
 That we may, in full possession, 
 
 Our new nature's bliss enjoy ! Amen.
 
 ioo PENTECOSTE. 
 
 XVII. 
 PENTECOSTE. 
 
 QUI procedis ab utroque, 
 Genitore Genitoque 
 Pariter, Paraclite, 
 Redde linguas eloquentes, 
 Fac ferventes 
 In te mentes 
 Flamma tua divite. 
 
 Amor Patris Filiique, 
 Par amborum et utrique 
 
 Compar et consimilis. 10 
 
 Cuncta reples, cuncta foves, 
 Astra regis, ccelum moves, 
 
 Permanens immobilis. 
 
 Lumen carum, 
 
 Lumen clarum, 15 
 
 Internarum 
 
 Tenebrarum
 
 WHITSUNTIDE. 101 
 
 XVII. 
 WHITSUNTIDE. 
 
 COMFORTER, from both together, 
 From the Son and from the Father, 
 Who proceedest equally ! 
 Eloquent our utterance render ; 
 
 With Thy splendour 5 
 
 Bright engender 
 In our hearts true warmth for Thee. 
 
 Love of Father, Son, together ; 
 Equal of them both ; with either 
 
 One : the same in every part ! 
 All Thou fillest, all Thou lovest, 
 Stars Thou rulest, heaven Thou movest, 
 
 Though immovable Thou art. 
 
 Light the dearest ! 
 
 Light the clearest ! 15 
 
 Off Thou scarest, 
 
 As Thou nearest,
 
 102 PENTECOSTE. 
 
 Effugas caliginem ; 
 Per te mundi sunt mundati ; 
 Tu peccatum et peccati 20 
 
 Destruis rubiginem. 
 
 Veritatem notam facis 
 Et ostendis viam pacis 
 Et iter justitiae. 
 
 Perversorum 25 
 
 Corda vitas, 
 Et bonorum 
 
 Corda ditas 
 Munere scientiae. 
 
 Te docente 30 
 
 Nil obscurum, 
 Te praesente 
 
 Nil impurum ; 
 Sub tua praesentia 
 
 Gloriatur mens jocunda ; 35 
 
 Per te laeta, per te munda 
 Gaudet conscientia. 
 
 Tu commutas elementa ; 
 Per te suam sacramenta 
 
 Habent efficaciam : 40
 
 WHITSUNTIDE. 103 
 
 From the heart its gloomy night : 
 All the pure Thou purifiest, 
 Thou it is that sin destroyest, 20 
 
 And its mildew's baleful blight 
 
 Knowledge of the truth Thou spreadest ; 
 On the way of peace Thou leadest, 
 And the path of righteousness. 
 
 From Thee thrusting 25 
 
 Hearts unruly, 
 Thou all trusting 
 
 Hearts and holy 
 Dost with gifts of wisdom bless. 
 
 When Thou teachest, 30 
 
 Nought obscure is ! 
 Where Thou readiest, 
 Nought impure is ; 
 And, if present Thou wilt be, 
 Hearts in Thee then blithely glory, 35 
 
 And the conscience joys before Thee, 
 Gladdened, purified, by Thee. 
 
 Elements their mystic dower, 
 Sacraments their saving power, 
 
 But through Thee alone possess : 40
 
 104 PENTECOSTE. 
 
 Tu nocivam vim repellis, 
 Tu confutas et refellis 
 Hostium nequitiam. 
 
 Quando venis, 
 
 Corda lenis ; 45 
 
 Quando subis 
 
 Atrae nubis 
 Effugit obscuritas ; 
 
 Sacer ignis, 
 
 Pectus ignis ; 50 
 
 Non comburis, 
 
 Sed a curis 
 Purgas, quando visitas. 
 
 Mentes prius imperitas 
 
 Et sopitas 55 
 
 Et oblitas 
 Erudis et excitas. 
 Foves linguas, formas sonum ; 
 Cor ad bonum 
 
 Facit pronum 60 
 
 A te data charitas. 
 
 O juvamen 
 
 Oppressorum, 
 O solamen 
 
 Miserorum, 65
 
 WHITSUNTIDE. 105 
 
 What can harm us Thou repellest, 
 Thou exposest and Thou quellest, 
 Adversaries' wickedness. 
 
 Where Thou lightest, 
 
 Hearts are brightest ; 45 
 
 Gloom-enshrouded 
 
 Clouds that brooded 
 There, before Thee disappear ; 
 
 Fire all-holy ! 
 
 Hearts Thou truly 50 
 
 Never burnest, 
 
 But thence yearnest, 
 When Thou comest, cares to clear. 
 
 Thou the heart, experience needing, 
 
 Languor pleading, 55 
 
 Little heeding, 
 
 Dost instruct and rouse to right ; 
 Speeches framing, tongues endowing, 
 And bestowing 
 
 Love all-glowing, 60 
 
 Hearts Thou mak'st in good delight. 
 
 Sustentation 
 
 In dejection ! 
 Consolation 
 
 In affliction ! 65
 
 io6 PENTECOSTE. 
 
 Pauperum refugium, 
 Da contemptum terrenorum, 
 Ad amorem supernorum 
 
 Trahe desiderium ! 
 
 Consolator 70 
 
 Et fundator, 
 
 Habitator 
 
 Et amator 
 Cordium humilium, 
 Pelle mala, terge sordes, 75 
 
 Et discordes 
 
 Fac Concordes, 
 Et affer praesidium. 
 
 Tu qui quondam visitasti, 
 
 Docuisti, confortasti 80 
 
 Timentes discipulos, 
 Visitare nos digneris ; 
 Nos, si placet, consoleris 
 
 Et credentes populos. 
 
 Par majestas 85 
 
 Personarum, 
 Par potestas 
 
 Est earum,
 
 WHITSUNTIDE. 107 
 
 Only refuge of the poor ! 
 Give us scorn for things terrestrial, 
 And to care for things celestial 
 
 Lead our longings more and more ! 
 
 Comfort wholly, 70 
 
 Founder solely, 
 
 Inmate truly, 
 
 Lover throughly, 
 
 Of those hearts that bow to Thee ! 
 Concord, where is discord, raising, 75 
 
 Ills thence chasing, 
 
 Guilt effacing, 
 Bring us true security ! 
 
 Thou, Who once by visitation 
 
 Didst inform, and consolation 80 
 
 To Thy scared disciples give ! 
 Deign Thou now to come unto us : 
 If it please Thee, comfort show us, 
 
 And all nations that believe ! 
 
 One excelling 85 
 
 Greatness sharing, 
 One as well in 
 
 Power appearing,
 
 io8 PENTECOSTE. 
 
 Et communis Deltas : 
 Tu, procedens a duobus, 90 
 
 Coasqualis es ambobus ; 
 
 In nullo disparitas. 
 
 Quia tantus es et talis 
 Quantus Pater est et qualis ; 
 
 Servorum humilitas 95 
 
 Deo Patri, Filioque 
 Redemptori, Tibi quoque 
 
 Laudes reddat debitas. Amen.
 
 WHITSUNTIDE. 109 
 
 But one God three Persons are. 
 Coming forth from two together, 90 
 
 Thou co-equal art with either, 
 
 No disparity is there. 
 
 Such as is the Father Thou art ; 
 Since so great and such Thou now art, 
 
 By Thy servants unto Thee, 95 
 
 With the Sire, and Son, in heaven 
 Our Redeemer, praise be given, 
 
 As is due, most reverently ! Amen.
 
 PENTECQSTE. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 PENTECOSTE. 
 
 SIMPLEX in essentia, 
 Septiformis gratia, 
 Nos illustret Spiritus ; 
 Cordis lustret tenebras 
 Et carnis illecebras 5 
 
 Lux emissa ccelitus ! 
 
 Lex praecessit in figura, 
 Lex poenalis, lex obscura, 
 
 Lumen evangelicum. 
 Spiritalis intellectus, 10 
 
 Litterali fronde tectus, 
 
 Prodeat in publicum ! 
 
 Lex de monte populo, 
 Paucis in ccenaculo 
 
 Nova datur gratia. 1 5 
 
 Situs docet nos locorum, 
 Prseceptorum vel donorum 
 
 Quae sit eminentia.
 
 WHITSUNTIDE. in 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 WHITSUNTIDE. 
 
 MAY the Spirit on us shine, 
 One in essence all-divine, 
 Septiform in gifts of grace ! 
 May His beams from Heaven's height 
 Flood the darkened heart with light 5 
 
 And our lusts' ensnaring ways ! 
 
 First the penal Law came, clouded 
 O'er with types, in mystery shrouded, 
 
 Ere the Gospel light shone forth. 
 'Neath the foliage of the letter 10 
 
 May the spirit, free from fetter, 
 
 Of that Gospel spread o'er earth ! 
 
 From the Mount the Law was given 
 Unto all ; new grace from Heaven 
 
 In a chamber to a few ; 1 5 
 
 The position of which places 
 Brings out the respective graces 
 
 Of their laws and gifts to view.
 
 112 PENTECOSTE. 
 
 Ignis, clangor buccinae, 
 
 Fragor cum caligine, 20 
 
 Lampadum discursio, 
 Terrorem incutiunt 
 Nee amorem nutriunt, 
 
 Quern efFudit unctio. 
 
 Sic in Sina 25 
 
 Lex divina 
 Reis est imposita ; 
 
 Lex timoris, 
 
 Non amoris, 
 Puniens illicita. 30 
 
 Ecce patres prseelecti 
 Dii recentes sunt effecti : 
 
 Culpse solvunt vincula. 
 Pluunt verbo, tenant minis ; 
 Novis linguis et doctrinis 35 
 
 Consonant miracula. 
 
 Exhibentes aegris curam, 
 Morbum damnant, non naturam. 
 
 Persequentes scelera, 
 Reos premunt et castigant : 40 
 
 Modo solvunt, modo ligant, 
 
 Potestate libera.
 
 WHITSUNTIDE. \ 1 3 
 
 Flames of fire, the trump's loud sound, 
 
 Din and darkness all around, 20 
 
 Bickering lightnings sent abroad, 
 Strike wild terror to the heart, 
 Nor the fostering love impart, 
 
 Which that unction hath outpoured. 
 
 Thus were given 25 
 
 Out of heaven 
 Laws to sinners from the Mount ; 
 
 Laws of terror, 
 
 Chastening error, 
 Making love of small account. 30 
 
 By the fathers, pre-elected, 
 God-like works are now effected ; 
 
 They unloose sin's galling bond : 
 Rain their words, their threatenings thunder, 
 With their words their works of wonder, 35 
 
 New and startling, correspond. 
 
 Caring for each sickly creature, 
 They condemn disease, not nature; 
 
 Punishing iniquity, 
 
 Sinners they strike down and chasten ; 40 
 Chains they loosen, chains they fasten, 
 
 With a power from limit free. 
 i
 
 II 4 PENTECOSTE. 
 
 Typum gerit Jubilei 
 Dies iste, si diei 
 
 Requiris mysteria, 45 
 
 In quo, tribus millibus 
 
 Ad fidem currentibus, 
 
 Pullulat Ecclesia. 
 
 Jubilaeus est vocatus 
 
 Vel dimittens vel tnutatus, 50 
 
 Ad priores vocans status 
 
 Res distractas libere. 
 Nos distractos sub peccatis, 
 Liberet lex charitatis 
 Et perfectse libertatis 55 
 
 Dignos reddat munere. Amen.
 
 WHITSUNTIDE. 115 
 
 Like a Jubilee appeareth 
 
 The appearance this day weareth, 
 
 If its mystery thou would'st know ; 45 
 When three thousand souls make haste 
 'Mongst believers to be classed, 
 And the Church doth thrive and grow. 
 
 " Jubilee " is a provision 
 
 Made for change or for remission, 50 
 
 Freely to their first condition 
 
 Calling those in misery. 
 May the law, by love enacted, 
 Freeing us, by sin distracted, 
 Make us, to its gifts attracted, 55 
 
 Fit for perfect liberty ! Amen.
 
 u6 PENTECOSTE, 
 
 XIX. 
 
 PENTECOSTE. 
 
 QPIRITUS 
 w.3 Paraclitus, 
 Procedens divinitus, 
 Manet ante ssecula ; 
 Populis, 
 Discipulis 
 Ad salutem sedulis 
 Pacis dedit oscula. 
 
 Hodie 
 
 Cum tertiae 10 
 
 Surgit hora, veniae 
 Fit ampla donatio ; 
 Criminum 
 Est hominum 
 
 Per actorem luminum 1 5 
 
 Facta relaxatio. 
 
 Micuit, 
 Aperuit, 
 Viros fortes imbuit
 
 WHITSUNTIDE. 117 
 
 XIX. 
 
 WHITSUNTIDE. 
 
 THE Spirit dear, 
 That Comforter, 
 Who, before all ages were, 
 
 By procession came from God, 
 
 On a race, 5 
 
 That sought His face, 
 Striving for His saving grace, 
 Hath the kiss of peace bestowed. 
 
 On this day, 
 
 When its first ray 10 
 
 The third hour doth display, 
 
 Comes full pardon's gift so bright, 
 Which is then 
 For all their sin 
 
 Freely offered to all men 15 
 
 By the Father of all light. 
 
 Its bright sheen 
 Was fully seen, 
 And inspired bold dauntless men
 
 Ii8 PENTECOSTE. 
 
 Suavis refectio; 20 
 
 Irruit 
 
 Et mituit 
 Et eosdem docuit 
 Suo magisterio. 
 
 Fragiles, 25 
 
 Indociles 
 Et adhuc inutiles, 
 Sermonum inopia, 
 Utiles, 
 
 Amabiles 30 
 
 Et amici probabiles 
 Facti sunt ex gratia. 
 
 Tenere, 
 Non temere, 
 
 Dilectis occurrere 35 
 
 Vult ita benignitas ; 
 Propere 
 Consumere 
 Culpas vult et tergere 
 
 Non exstincta caritas. 40 
 
 Audio 
 Cum gaudio
 
 WHITSUNTIDE. 119 
 
 With a sweet refreshment there ; 20 
 
 Yea, did tame 
 
 With rushing flame, 
 And instruct and teach the same 
 In its learning rich and rare. 
 
 Men, before 25 
 
 Devoid of lore, 
 
 Weak and frail, and lacking power 
 Through the lack of eloquence, 
 Useful prove, 
 
 Friends worthy love, 30 
 
 And beloved where'er they move, 
 Through the grace it doth dispense. 
 
 Feelingly, 
 Not fearfully, 
 
 Thus would true benignity 35 
 
 To its well-beloved come : 
 Instantly 
 Sin's infamy 
 Never-failing charity 
 
 Would wipe off us and consume. 40 
 
 O mine ear 
 
 With joy doth hear,
 
 120 PENTECOSTE. 
 
 Quod ejus auxilio 
 
 Sit tanta felicitas 
 Cum tanto tripudio ... 45 
 
 Cesset avaritia, 
 
 Fugetur iniquitas, 
 Cesset insolentia, 
 
 Cesset infidelitas ! 
 
 Sit in ipsa veritas; 50 
 
 Mentem cum modestia 
 Scrutetur humilitas, 
 
 Gratiam pro gratia. 
 
 Reddat universitas 
 
 Ut Christi familia 55 
 
 Quam commendat sanctitas 
 
 Sit semper innoxia ! 
 
 Sit in ipsa veritas, 
 
 Sit peccati nescia, 
 Sit perennis claritas 60 
 
 In ccelesti patria ! Amen.
 
 WHITSUNTIDE. 121 
 
 That, whene'er His help is near, 
 
 Such untold felicity 
 We shall meet with bounding feet ... 45 
 
 Let all avarice vanish hence, 
 
 Far away, wrong-doing ! flee : 
 No more pride and insolence, 
 
 No more infidelity ! 
 
 Let the truth still hold its place, 50 
 
 And let but humility 
 Search the conscience, grace for grace, 
 
 With all meekness modestly. 
 
 May the All in All so bless 
 
 Christ the Lord's own family, 55 
 
 That it, marked by holiness, 
 
 Be from ills for ever free ! 
 
 Let the truth there hold its place, 
 
 Let it sin ne'er understand : 
 Let its brightness never cease 60 
 
 In the heavenly fatherland ! Amen.
 
 122 PENTECOSTE. 
 
 XX. 
 
 PENTECOSTE. 
 
 VENI, summe consolator, 
 Spes salutis, vitse dator, 
 Adsit tua gratia ! 
 Dulcis ardor, ros divine, 
 Bonitatis germine 
 Eadem substantia. 
 
 Ab utroque derivatus 
 Et a neutro separatus, 
 Ad utrumque colligatus 
 
 Sempiterno foedere ; 10 
 
 Ros et vapor utriusque, 
 Donet Pater Filiusque 
 Quod effluas ad nos usque 
 
 Largifluo munere. 
 
 Rorem audis et vaporem, 1 5 
 
 Crede simul et odorem 
 Quo Deus discernitur.
 
 WHITSUNTIDE. 123 
 
 XX. 
 
 WHITSUNTIDE. 
 
 , our comfort's chief reviver ! 
 V ' Hope of saving-health, Life-giver ! 
 
 May Thy grace here present be ! 
 Pleasant heat, dew from above ! 
 
 Outgrowth from the God of love ! 
 
 One with it substantially ! 
 
 Who from both proceedest, neither 
 Canst be separate from either, 
 Linked with both of them together 
 
 By an everlasting tie ; 
 Dew and breath of both in heaven ! 
 By both Sire and Son be given 
 Of Thy Spirit to us even 
 
 In rich plenty from on high. 
 
 Of this dew and breath thou hearest ; 1 5 
 
 Deem Him scent too, whereby clearest 
 Is His Godhead to us shown.
 
 124 PENTECOSTE. 
 
 Rorem istum quern emittit 
 Qui plus gustat, magis sitit, 
 
 Nee ardor reprimitur. 20 
 
 Plebs ut sacra renascatur, 
 Per hunc unda consecratur, 
 Cui super ferebatur 
 
 In rerum exordium, 
 Fons, origo pietatis, 25 
 
 Fons emundans a peccatis, 
 Fons de fonte Deitatis, 
 
 Fons sacrator fontium ! 
 
 De salice sine lignis 
 
 Hsedum vorat manans ignis 30 
 
 Azymaque pariter; 
 Ignis dispar elementis, 
 In altari nostrae mentis 
 
 Accendaris jugiter ! 
 
 Umbra septem mulierum 35 
 
 Figuraris ipsum verum, 
 Idem ipse forma rerum, 
 
 Septiformis Spiritus ! 
 Speciebus designaris, 
 Nee specie variaris : 40 
 
 Absit unquam ut dicaris 
 
 Speciei deditus !
 
 WHITSUNTIDE. 125 
 
 As this dew, that from it bursteth, 
 Tastes man more, the more he thirsteth 
 
 With a thirst that nought tones down. 20 
 
 For the world's regeneration 
 It to water consecration 
 Gave, on which at the creation, 
 
 O'er its surface borne, it sate. 
 Fountain, source of love's devotion ! 25 
 
 Fountain, cleansing sinful motion ! 
 Fountain from the Godhead's ocean, 
 
 That all founts doth consecrate ! 
 
 ^ 
 
 Fire, unfed by fuel, flowing 
 From the rod with ardent glowing 30 
 
 That devours both kid and bread ! 
 Fire, unlike all fire, O may the 
 Altar of our soul, we pray Thee, 
 
 Ever with Thy flame be fed ! 
 
 Darkly by the women seven 35 
 
 Art Thou figured, Truth of Heaven ! 
 Inner life to all things given ! 
 
 Spirit, Sevenfold in grace ! 
 Thee all various types betoken, 
 Though Thy oneness be unbroken ; 40 
 
 Nor of Thee may it be spoken, 
 
 That a type can Thee embrace.
 
 126 PENTECOSTE. 
 
 Ignis vive, vivax unda, 
 Munda sinus et fecunda, 
 
 Subministra gratiam ; 45 
 
 Caritatis tactos igne, 
 Nosniet tibi fac benigne 
 
 Sanctitatis hostiam. 
 
 Patris, Nati pium flamen, 
 
 Vitiorum medicamen, 50 
 
 Fessis esto sublevamen, 
 
 Moestis consolatio. 
 Castus amor et honestus, 
 ^Estus ardens, sed modestus, 
 Quos urit ardor incestus 55 
 
 Tua sanet unctio. 
 
 Vox non sono designata, 
 
 Vox subtilis, vox privata, 
 
 Vox beatis inspirata, 
 
 O vox dulcis, O vox grata, 60 
 
 Sona nostris mentibus ! 
 Lux depellens falsitatem, 
 Lux inducens veritatem, 
 Vitam atque sanitatem 
 Et aeternam claritatem 65 
 
 Nobis confer omnibus. Amen.
 
 WHITSUNTIDE. 127 
 
 Fire of life and life's bright river ! 
 Cleanse and fertilize hearts ever, 
 
 Giving grace in everything ; 45 
 
 Touched with fire of true love, take us 
 To Thee, and in mercy make us 
 
 Holiness's offering ! 
 
 Sire and Son's blest emanation ! 
 
 Be from sin our restoration, 50 
 
 When worn out, our sustentation, 
 
 And our comfort, when we mourn ! 
 Love both pure and noble truly ! 
 Heat that warms, but ne'er unduly ! 
 May Thine unction heal those throughly, 55 
 
 Who with unchaste ardour burn ! 
 
 Voice, that doth no sounds deliver ! 
 
 Still small voice, that whisperest ever, 
 
 Saints inspiring to endeavour ! 
 
 Voice of joy and sweetness ! never 60 
 
 Cease to sound within our heart ! 
 Light, away all falsehood driving ! 
 Light, to truth incentive giving ! 
 Grant that life, health, thence deriving, 
 Of Thy brightness ever-living 65 
 
 All of us may have our part ! Amen.
 
 128 TRINITAS. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 TRINITAS. 
 
 TRINITATEM simplicem, 
 Trinum Deum, non triplicem, 
 Supplex colat ecclesia ! 
 Trinitatis 
 
 In creatis 5 
 
 Interlucent rebus vestigia. 
 
 Mens in Deum consurgat sobria ! 
 
 Genitoris et Geniti 
 
 Spiritusque Paracliti 
 
 Gratia 10 
 
 Nobis sacra revelet mysteria. 
 
 Tres personae sunt, et plura 
 Quse personas distingunt mysteria. 
 
 Tres idem sunt in natura, 
 Quod una nee tribus minor singula. 1 5 
 
 Trium posse, scire, velle paria, 
 In personis tribus et distantia. 
 
 Sit par reverentia 
 
 Tribus, et uni gloria ! Amen.
 
 TRINITY. 129 
 
 XXI. 
 
 TRINITY. 
 
 TO the Trine God, not Gods three, 
 The Trinity in Unity, 
 Let the Church now bow the knee ! 
 All creation 
 
 Indication, 5 
 
 Clear and lucid, gives of a Trinity. 
 
 Let the sober mind up to God then rise ! 
 
 Of the Father and of the Son, 
 
 With the Paraclete Spirit one, 
 
 To our eyes 10 
 
 May God's grace reveal all the mysteries ! 
 
 There are Persons three, and many 
 Mysteries marking these Persons distinctively : 
 
 One by nature, all and any, 
 Neither is separately less than all the three. 15 
 
 Equal in all Three is knowledge, power, and will, 
 Yet in their three Persons is there difference still : 
 
 Equal reverence to the Three, 
 
 To the One all glory, be ! Amen. 
 
 K
 
 130 TRINITAS. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 TRINITAS. 
 
 T)ROFITENTES Unitatem 
 JL Veneremur Trinitatera 
 
 Pan reverentia, 
 Tres Personas asserentes 
 Personal! differentes 5 
 
 A se differentia. 
 
 Hsec dicuntur relative^ 
 Quum sint unum substantive, 
 
 Non tria principia. 
 
 Sive dicas tres vel tria, 10 
 
 Simplex tamen est usia, 
 
 Non triplex essentia. 
 
 Simplex esse, simplex posse, 
 Simplex velle, simplex nossc, 
 
 Cuncta simplicia. 15 
 
 Non unius quam duarum 
 Sive trium Personarum 
 
 Minor efficacia.
 
 TRINITY. 131 
 
 XXII. 
 TRINITY. 
 
 WE, the Unity confessing, 
 Must the Trinity be blessing 
 In our worship equally ; 
 In three Persons thus believing ; 
 Difference 'twixt them each perceiving 5 
 
 In their Personality. 
 
 Relatively of these speak we, 
 Substantively but one make we, 
 
 Nor three Persons in them see; 
 Call them three or threefold, never 10 
 
 But one substance are they ever, 
 
 Neither in their essence three. 
 
 One in being, One in power, 
 One in will and wisdom's dower, 
 
 One in all respects they be : 15 
 
 Of all these three Persons, either 
 One, or two, or all together, 
 
 Are Almighty equally.
 
 13* TRINITAS. 
 
 Pater, Proles, Sacrum Flamen, 
 
 Deus unus : sed hi tarn en 20 
 
 Habent qusedam propria. 
 Una virtus, unum numen, 
 Unus splendor, unum lumen, 
 
 Hoc una quod alia. 
 
 Patri Proles est sequalis, 25 
 
 Nee hoc tollit personalis 
 
 Amborum distinctio. 
 Patri compar Filioque, 
 Spiritalis ab utroque 
 
 Procedit connexio. 30 
 
 Non humana ratione 
 Capi possunt hse Personae, 
 
 Nee harum discretio. 
 Non hie ordo temporalis, 
 Non hie situs, aut localis 35 
 
 Rerum circumscriptio. 
 
 Nil in Deo prseter Deum, 
 Nulla causa prseter eum 
 
 Qui causat causalia. 
 
 Effectiva vel formalis 40 
 
 Causa Deus, et finalis, 
 
 Sed nunquam materia
 
 TRINITY 133 
 
 Father, Son, and Spirit Holy, 
 
 Are one God, but each hath truly 20 
 
 Some peculiar property : 
 One their goodness, one their might, is ; 
 One their glory, one their light, is ; 
 
 One are they entirely. 
 
 Equal are the Son and Father, 25 
 
 But from this we may not gather 
 
 That their Persons are the same : 
 One with Son and Father either, 
 Not from one, but both together, 
 
 The connecting Spirit came. 30 
 
 These three Persons that we mention 
 Are beyond man's comprehension, 
 
 As the difference each one shows : 
 Time and place alike unbounded 
 Are for them, and unsurrounded 35 
 
 By the limits nature knows. 
 
 Naught but God God's self compriseth, 
 Nor from other cause ariseth, 
 
 Cause of all causality : 
 
 Though the cause, all things respecting, 40 
 Formal, final, and effecting, 
 
 Immaterial is He.
 
 134 TRINITAS. 
 
 Digne loqui de Personis 
 Vim transcendit rationis, 
 
 Excedit ingenia. 45 
 
 Quid sit gigni, quid processus, 
 Me nescire sum professus : 
 
 Sed fide non dubia. 
 
 Qui sic credit, ne festinet, 
 
 Et a via non declinet 50 
 
 Insolerter regia. 
 Servet fidem, formet mores, 
 Non declinet ad errores 
 
 Quos damnat Ecclesia. 
 
 Nos in fide gloriemur, 55 
 
 Nos in una modulemur 
 
 Fidei constantia : 
 Trinse sit laus Unitati, 
 Sit et simplae Trinitati 
 
 Coaeterna gloria ! Amen. 60
 
 TRINITY. 135 
 
 To describe these Persons duly 
 Far transcends man's reason truly, 
 
 And exceeds his wit as well : 45 
 
 What that birth is, that procession, 
 Though faith doubts not, my confession 
 
 Must be that I cannot tell. 
 
 Who believes this, nought dismayeth ; 
 
 He ne'er ignorantly strayeth 50 
 
 From this creed's right royal road ; 
 Keeps the faith, his life makes purer, 
 Not declining into error 
 
 Censured by the Church of God. 
 
 In this faith then let us glory, 55 
 
 And in one consistent story 
 
 Hold it in its verity : 
 Praise be to the Triune Godhead ; 
 To the Three in One included 
 
 Co-eternal glory be ! Amen. 60
 
 136 DEDICATIO ECCLESI&. 
 
 XXIII. 
 DEDICATIO ECCLESI^E. 
 
 QUAM DILECTA TABERNACULA DOMINI VIRTUTUM, 
 ET ATRIA! 
 
 Q 
 
 ,UAM electi 
 Architecti, 
 Tuta ledificia, 
 
 Quae non movent, 5 
 
 I mo fovent 
 Ventus, flumen, pluvia ! 
 
 Quam decora fundamenta 
 Per concinna sacramenta 
 
 Umbrae praecurrentia ! 10 
 
 Latus Adae dormientis 
 Evam fundit, in manentis 
 
 Copulae primordia. 
 
 Area ligno fabricata 
 Noe servat, gubernata 15 
 
 Mundi per diluvium.
 
 ON THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. 137 
 
 XXIII. 
 ON THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. 
 
 O HOW LOVELY ARE THE COURTS DIVINE OF THE 
 LORD OF HOSTS, HIS HALLOWED SHRINE ! 
 
 OHOW skilled the 
 Hands that build thee ; 
 How secure thy walls remain ; 
 
 Ne'er subverted, 5 
 
 But supported 
 Rather by wind, flood, and rain ! 
 
 O how comely thy foundations, 
 By deep mysteries' celebrations 
 
 Shadowing forth the coming day ! 10 
 Adam, when in sleep reclining, 
 From his side pours Eve, beginning 
 
 Thus a bond to last for aye. 
 
 Noah, in ark of wood constructed, 
 O'er that flood is safe conducted, 1 5 
 
 Which did all the world destroy.
 
 138 DEDICATIO ECCLESI&. 
 
 Prole sera tandem fceta, 
 Anus Sara ridet laeta, 
 
 Nostrum lactans gaudium. 
 
 Servus bibit qui legatur 20 
 
 Et camelus adaquatur 
 
 Ex Rebeccas hydria. 
 Haec inaures et armillas 
 Aptat sibi, ut per illas 
 
 Virgo fiat congrua. 25 
 
 Synagoga supplantatur 
 A Jacob, dum devagatur 
 
 Nimis freta litterae. 
 Liam lippam latent multa : 
 Quibus Rachel videns fulta, 30 
 
 Pari nubit fcedere. 
 
 In bivio tegens nuda, 
 Geminos parit ex Juda 
 
 Thamar diu vidua. 
 
 Hie Moyses a puella, 35 
 
 Dum se lavat, in fiscella 
 
 Reperitur scirpea. 
 
 Hie mas agnus immolatur, 
 Quo Israel satiatur, 
 
 Tinctus ejus sanguine. 40
 
 ON THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. 139 
 
 Great with offspring long awaited, 
 Aged Sarah laughs, elated, 
 
 Giving milk to feed our joy. 
 
 Thirst the servant-legate slaketh, 20 
 
 And its fill his camel taketh, 
 
 From Rebecca's water-pail. 
 She, as rings and chains she weareth, 
 Fitly thus herself prepareth 
 
 To assume the bridal veil. 25 
 
 Since it so the letter vaunteth, 
 Jacob now the Law supplanteth, 
 
 Whilst it roams forth far and wide. 
 Rachel, since she sees much hidden 
 From Leah's tender sight, is bidden 30 
 
 To an equal rank as bride. 
 
 Tamar, long a widow 1 biding, 
 By the way her features hiding, 
 
 Doth twin-sons to Judah bear. 
 Here in basket made of rushes 35 
 
 Moses see, who, while she washes, 
 
 Was perceived by maiden fair. 
 
 Here the male lamb, immolated, 
 Wherewith Israel's tribes are sated, 
 
 And besprinkled with its blood. 40
 
 140 DEDICATIO ECCLESIJS. 
 
 Hie transitur rubens unda, 
 ^Egyptios sub profunda 
 Obruens voragine. 
 
 Hie est urna manna plena, 
 
 Hie mandata legis dena, 45 
 
 Sed in area foederis. 
 Hie sunt aedis ornamenta, 
 Hie Aaron indumenta 
 
 Quae praecedit poderis. 
 
 Hie Urias viduatur, 50 
 
 Bethsabee sublimatur, 
 
 Sedis censors regiae. 
 Haec regi varietate 
 Vestis astat deauratae, 
 
 Sicut regum filiae. 55 
 
 Hue venit Austri regina, 
 Salomonis quam divina 
 
 Condit sapientia. 
 Haec est nigra sed formosa, 
 Myrrhae et thuris fumosa, 60 
 
 Virga pigmentaria. 
 
 Haec futura 
 Quae figura
 
 ON THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. 141 
 
 Here the Red Sea, safe passed over, 
 Which the Egyptian host did cover 
 With its deep devouring flood. 
 
 Here the pot that manna filleth ; 
 
 Here the Decalogue God willeth, 45 
 
 In the ark of covenant bound. 
 Here the Temple's decorations ; 
 Aaron's robes for ministrations, 
 
 Chief the one that sweeps the ground. 
 
 Here his wife Uriah loseth ; 50 
 
 Here the king for consort chooseth 
 
 Bathsheba, his throne to share. 
 As she by him takes her station, 
 Dons she gold's rich decoration, 
 
 Such as monarchs' daughters wear. 55 
 
 Hither Sheba's queen progresseth, 
 She, whom Solomon impresseth 
 
 With his wisdom all-divine : 
 Black she is, but comely ; blending 
 Charms, as when in smoke ascending 60 
 
 Myrrh and frankincense combine. 
 
 Things forth-coming, 
 Darkly looming,
 
 14* DEDICATIO ECCLESI&. 
 
 Oburabravit, 
 
 Reseravit 65 
 
 Nobis dies gratiae : 
 
 Jam in lecto 
 
 Cum dilecto 
 
 Quiescamus 
 
 Et psallamus : 70 
 
 Adsunt enim nuptiae. 
 
 Quarum tonat initium 
 In tubis epulantium 
 Et finis per psalterium. 
 
 Sponsum millena millia 75 
 
 Una canunt melodia, 
 Sine fine dicentia : 
 Alleluia !
 
 ON THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH, ^.143 
 
 'Neath types shaded, 
 
 Are paraded 65 
 
 Plainly by this day of grace : 
 
 With the dear one 
 
 Lying near one, 
 
 Rest we, raising 
 
 Psalms of praising ; 70 
 
 For the marriage now takes place. 
 
 On first assembling for the feast 
 
 Is heard the trumpets' thrilling blast ; 
 
 Sweet psalteries' notes ring forth at last. 
 
 The Bridegroom in ten thousand ways 75 
 These myriad minstrels hymn, whose lays 
 Are still the same, as still they raise 
 Their Alleluia's endless praise !
 
 144 DEDICATIO ECCLESIA. 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 DEDICATIO 
 
 REX Salomon fecit templum, 
 Quorum instar et exemplum 
 Christus et Ecclesia. 
 Hujus hie est imperator, 
 Fundamentum et fundator, 5 
 
 Mediante gratia. 
 
 Quadri templi fundamenta 
 Marmora sunt, instrumenta 
 
 Parietum paria ; 
 
 Candens flos est castitatis, 10 
 
 Lapis quadrus in praelatis 
 
 Virtus et constantia. 
 
 Longitudo, 
 
 Latitude, 
 Templique sublimitas, 15 
 
 Intellects 
 
 Fide recta, 
 Sunt fides, spes, caritas.
 
 ON THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. 145 
 XXIV. 
 
 ON THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. 
 
 SOLOMON, the King, a Temple 
 Built, whose pattern and example 
 Christ, with Holy Church, appears : 
 He, its founder and foundation, 
 Sway, through grace's mediation, 5 
 
 As the Church's ruler bears. 
 
 Squarely built, this Temple's bases 
 Are of marble ; each wall's space is 
 
 Formed of stones cut evenly : 
 Chastity's fair flower there twineth ; 10 
 
 Each squared stone therein combineth, 
 
 Prelates' nerve and constancy. 
 
 Its far-reaching 
 
 Length, and stretching 
 Width, and height that tempts the sky, 15 
 
 Faith explaining 
 
 The true meaning, 
 Are Faith, Hope, and Charity.
 
 146 DEDICATIO ECCLESI&. 
 
 Sed tres partes sunt in Templo 
 Trinitatis sub exemplo 20 
 
 Ima, summa, media : 
 Ima signal vivos cunctos, 
 Et secunda jam defunctos, 
 
 Redivivos tertia. 
 
 Sexagenos quaeque per se, 25 
 
 Sed et partes universae 
 
 Habent lati cubitos : 
 Harum trium tres conventus 
 Trinitati dant concentus 
 
 Unitati debitos. 30 
 
 Templi cultus 
 
 Extat multus, 
 
 Cinnamomus 
 
 Odor domus, 
 Myrrha, stacte, casia; 35 
 
 Qua? bonorum 
 
 Decus morum 
 
 Atque bonos 
 
 Precum sonos 
 Sunt significantia. 40 
 
 In hac casa 
 Cuncta vasa
 
 ON THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. 147 
 
 Tripartite is this fair Temple, 
 
 After the Triune's example, 20 
 
 With first, third, and middle floor : 
 First, the living signifying ; 
 Second, those in death now lying, 
 
 Third, those raised to life once more. 
 
 All the parts together rated, 25 
 
 Or alone, are calculated 
 
 Threescore cubits wide to be : 
 Triply do these three, thus blending, 
 Harmonize with the transcending 
 
 Trinity in Unity. 30 
 
 Gorgeous ritual 
 
 And perpetual 
 
 Scents, sweet smelling, 
 
 Fill God's dwelling, 
 Cassia, myrrh, and cinnamon ; 35 
 
 Signifying 
 
 Never-dying 
 
 Christian graces, 
 
 Prayers, and praises, 
 Grateful offerings at His throne. 40 
 
 In this palace 
 Is each chalice
 
 H8 DEDICATIO ECCLESI&. 
 
 Sunt ex auro, 
 
 De thesauro 
 Praeelecto penitus : 45 
 
 Nam magistros 
 
 Et ministros 
 
 Decet doctos 
 
 Et excoctos 
 Igne Sancti Spiritus. 50 
 
 Sic ex bonis 
 
 Salomonis 
 
 Quse Rex David 
 
 Praeparavit 
 Fiunt aedificia ; 55 
 
 Nam in lignis 
 
 Res insignis 
 
 Vivit Tyri, 
 
 Cujus viri 
 Tractant artificia. 60 
 
 Nam ex gente Judaeisque 
 Sicut Templum ab utrisque 
 
 Conditur Ecclesia : 
 Christe, qui hanc et hos unis, 
 Lapis huic et his communis, 65 
 
 Tibi laus et gloria ! Amen.
 
 ON THE DEDICA TION OF A CHURCH. 149 
 
 A gold measure 
 
 From the treasure 
 Pre-elected secretly : 45 
 
 For all teachers' 
 
 Minds, and preachers', 
 
 Throughly furnished, 
 
 Purged, and burnished, 
 By the Spirit's fire should be. 50 
 
 Thus with treasure, 
 
 David's pleasure 
 
 Had collected, 
 
 Is erected 
 Solomon's great sanctuary ; 55 
 
 But the dwelling, 
 
 All excelling, 
 
 Timber sending, 
 
 Craftsmen lending, 
 Tyre's art fashioned cunningly. 60 
 
 Formed of Jew and Gentile races, 
 Builds the Church her holy places, 
 
 As did both the Temple raise. 
 Christ, Who both in one unitest ! 
 Corner-stone of each ! the brightest 65 
 
 Glory be to Thee and praise. Amen.
 
 ISO DEDICATIO ECCLESI^. 
 
 XXV. 
 DEDICATIO ECCLESLE. 
 
 CLARA choras dulce pangat voce nunc 
 alleluia, 
 Ad aetemi Regis laudem qui gubernat omnia ! 
 
 Cui nos universalis sociat Ecclesia, 
 Scala nitens et pertingens ad poli fastigia ; 
 
 Ad honorem cujus laeta psallamus melodia, 5 
 Persolventes hodiernas kudes illi debitas. 
 
 O felix aula, quam vicissim 
 Confrequentant agmina ccelica, 
 
 Divinis verbis alternatim 
 Jungentia mellea cantica ! 10
 
 ON THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. 151 
 
 XXV. 
 
 ON THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. 
 
 ET our choir now loudly join their Alleluia's 
 brightest strains, 
 
 L 1 
 
 The eternal Monarch praising, who o'er all creation 
 reigns ! 
 
 Unto Him the universal Church uniteth us in love, 
 Like a shining ladder reaching to the heights of 
 heaven above. 
 
 To His honour psalms of gladness we in tuneful 
 strains upraise, 5 
 
 Paying thus the proper tribute to Him of our daily 
 praise. 
 
 O hall of bliss ! where, in due order, 
 Troops of angels gather continually ; 
 
 And with divine words, alternating, 
 Join sweet strains of ravishing melody !
 
 152 DEDICATIO ECCLESI^E. 
 
 Domus haec, de qua vetusta sonuit 
 
 historia 
 Et moderna protestatur Christum fari 
 
 pagina : 
 
 " Quoniam elegi earn thronum sine macula, 
 Requies haec erit mea per eterna saecula." 
 
 Tunis supra montem sita, 1 5 
 
 Indissolubili bitumine fundata 
 
 Vallo perenni munita, 
 
 Atque aurea columna 
 Miris ac variis lapidibus distincta, 
 
 Stylo subtili polita ! 20 
 
 Ave, mater praeelecta, 
 Ad quam Christus fatur ita 
 
 Prophetae facundia : 
 " Sponsa mea speciosa, 
 Inter filias formosa, 25 
 
 Supra solem splendida ! 
 
 " Caput tuum ut Carmelus, 
 Et ipsius comae tinctae regis uti purpura ;
 
 ON THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. 153 
 
 Tis the home of which the former Testament did 
 sound the praise, 
 
 And of which the New declareth that 'tis Christ 
 Himself that says : 
 
 " Seeing I have chosen this to be my throne of 
 purity, 
 
 Henceforth through undying ages here my resting- 
 place shall be ! " 
 
 Tower ! on a Mount erected, 15 
 
 And with cement that melteth not upon it founded, 
 
 By perennial walls protected, 
 
 And with pillared gold surrounded, 
 Of divers jewels, polished with fine skill, com- 
 pounded, 
 
 For their rarity selected ! 20 
 
 Elect Mother ! hail ! whom, blessing, 
 Christ is in these words addressing 
 
 Of impassioned prophecy : 
 " Rise, my lovely spouse ! the fairest 
 'Mongst earth's daughters thou appearest, 25 
 
 Brighter than the sun on high ! 
 
 " Lo ! thy head is like Mount Carmel, 
 And the flowing locks upon it, as with regal purple, 
 red:
 
 154 DEDICATIO ECCLESIM. 
 
 Oculi ut columbarum, 
 Genae tuae punicorum ceu malorum fragmina ! 30 
 
 " Collum tuum ut columna, turns et eburnea ; 
 Mel et lac sub lingua tua, favus stillans labia ! " 
 
 Ergo nobis Sponsae tuae 
 Famulantibus, O Christe, pietate solita, 
 
 Clemens adesse digneris, 35 
 
 Et in tuo salutari nos ubique visita. 
 
 Ipsaque mediatrice, summe Rex, perpetue, 
 
 Voce pura 
 Flagitamus, da gaudere Paradisi gloria. 
 
 Alleluia ! 40
 
 ON THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. 155 
 
 Doves' eyes do thine eyes resemble ; 
 Like a piece of a pomegranate are the temples of 
 thine head. 30 
 
 "Like a column is thy neck and like an ivory 
 
 tower's walls; 
 Milk and honey 'neath thy tongue, thy lips a 
 
 comb whence honey falls." 
 
 Therefore still with us, the servants 
 Of Thy spouse, O Christ ! we pray Thee, in Thy 
 
 never-failing love 
 
 Kindly deign Thou to be present : 35 
 
 Everywhere with Thy salvation visit us from heaven 
 above ! 
 
 Through her mediation also, King Most High ! 
 perpetually 
 
 We implore Thee 
 
 Loudly, that with alleluias we 'midst joys of 
 Paradise 
 
 May adore Thee ! 40
 
 156 DEDICATIO ECCLESI&. 
 
 XXVI. 
 DEDICATIO ECCLESLE. 
 
 T ERUSALEM et Sion filiae, 
 J Coetus omnis fidelis curiae, 
 Melos pangas jugis laetitiae, 
 
 Alleluia! 
 
 Christus enim desponsat hodie 5 
 
 Matrem nostram, norma justitiae, 
 Quam de lacu traxit miseriae, 
 
 Ecclesiam. 
 
 In Spiritus Sancti dementia, 
 
 Sponsa sponsi lastatur gratia : 10 
 
 A reginis, laudum cum gloria, 
 
 Felix dicta. 
 
 Dos ut datur, crescit laetitia : 
 Quae dos ! quanta ! triplex potentia, 
 Tangens coelum, terram et stygia 15 
 
 Judicia. 
 
 Mira loquar, sed sanum credere : 
 Foederatam tarn largo munere, 
 De proprio produxit latere 
 
 Deus-Homo. 20
 
 ON THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. 157 
 
 XXVI. 
 ON THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. 
 
 JERUSALEM and Sion's daughters fair ! 
 And all the faithful crowd that worship there ! 
 That ceaseless strain of tuneful joy prepare, 
 
 "Alleluia!" 
 
 For Christ, Who doth all righteousness display, 5 
 Is to our Mother- Church espoused to-day, 
 That Church, whom He in love hath drawn away 
 From depths of woe. 
 
 Through the blest Spirit's mercy from above 
 
 The Bride rejoices in the Bridegroom's love : 10 
 
 Earth's queens with glorious praises doth she move 
 
 To call her blest. 
 
 'Mid greater joy still is her dowry given : 
 What ! and how great ! that threefold power, which 
 
 heaven, 
 And earth below, and the dread judgments even 15 
 
 Of hell affects. 
 
 Belief is wise, though strange my tale : that bride, 
 By gifts of such vast magnitude allied 
 To Him, was taken out of His own side 
 
 By the God-Man : 20
 
 158 DEDICATIO ECCLESI^E. 
 
 Formaretur ut sic Ecclesia 
 Figuravit in pan gloria 
 Adae costis formata femina, 
 Hostis Eva. 
 
 Eva fuit noverca posteris : 25 
 
 Haec est mater electi generis, 
 Vitae portus, asylum miseris 
 
 Et tutela. 
 
 Pulchra, potens, partu mirabilis, 
 Ut luna, sol, fulget spectabilis, 30 
 
 Plus acie multo terribilis 
 
 Ordinata, 
 
 Multiplex est, singularis, una, 
 
 Generalis et individua ; 
 
 Omnis aevi, sexus, simul una 35 
 
 Parit turmas. 
 
 Haec signata Jordanis fluctibus ; 
 Haec quae venit a terras finibus, 
 Scientiam audire cominus 
 
 Salomonis. 40 
 
 Haec typicis descripta sensibus, 
 Nuptiarum induta vestibus, 
 Coeli praeest hodie civibus 
 Christo juncta.
 
 ON THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. 159 
 
 That thus the Church should form and shape receive 
 In equal glory, we a type believe 
 Was woman, formed source of our sorrow, Eve ! 
 From Adam's rib. 
 
 Eve a stepmother hath been to her seed ; 25 
 
 The Church to her elect a mother indeed, 
 Life's haven, an asylum in their need, 
 
 And sure defence. 
 
 She, beautiful and great, in birth divine, 
 Fair as the moon, clear as the sun doth shine ; 30 
 More terrible than armies' serried line, 
 
 With banners dight. 
 
 Multifold is she, yet but one alone ; 
 
 As all together, and each singly, known ; 
 
 Of every age and sex, yet only one ; 35 
 
 Troops she brings forth. 
 Jordan ! thy waves a type of her appear, 
 And she, that from the ends of earth drew near, 
 That, face to face, she might the wisdom hear 
 
 Of Solomon. 40 
 
 She, whom these types, when understood, portray, 
 Robed for her marriage-feast in bright array, 
 Presides o'er all the heavenly host to-day, 
 The bride of Christ.
 
 160 DEDICATIO ECCLESI&. 
 
 O solemnis festum laetitiae ; 45 
 
 Quo unitur Christus Ecclesiae, 
 In quo nostrse salutis nuptiae 
 Celebrantur ! 
 
 Ccetus felix, dulce convivium, 
 
 Lapsis ubi datur solatium, 50 
 
 Desperatis offertur spatium 
 
 Respirandi ! 
 
 Justis inde solvuntur praemia, 
 Angelorum novantur gaudia, 
 Lseta nimis quod facit gratia 55 
 
 Charitatis. 
 
 Ab aeterno fons sapientiae, 
 
 Intuitu solius gratiae, 
 
 Sic praevidit in rerum serie 
 
 Hsec futura. 60 
 
 Christus ergo nos suis nuptiis, 
 Recreates veris deliciis, 
 Interesse faciat gaudiis 
 
 Electorum ! Amen.
 
 ON THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. 161 
 
 O holy joy's bright feast-day in the skies, 45 
 
 Which joins the Church with Christ in marriage-ties ! 
 That marriage-day, whose rite mankind allies 
 With saving-health ! 
 
 O happy gathering ! O sweet feast of heaven ! 
 When consolation to the lapsed is given, 50 
 
 And to the sinner, to despair now driven, 
 
 A breathing-space ! 
 
 Here their rewards are to the righteous paid, 
 And angels' joys, renewed again, displayed ; 
 Feast, by the grace of charity thus made 55 
 
 Too full of joy ! 
 
 The fount of wisdom from the first hath known, 
 Through the clear insight given by grace alone, 
 As the due course of things hath onward gone, 
 
 What is to be : 60 
 
 Therefore may Christ, by these His marriage-rites, 
 Make us, refreshed thereby with true delights, 
 Partake those joys to which His love invites 
 
 All His elect ! Amen.
 
 FOR SAINTS' DAYS.
 
 1 64 ANDREAS. 
 
 XXVII. 
 S. ANDREAS. 
 
 XXX NOVEMBRIS. 
 
 EXULTEMUS et laetemur 
 Et Andreae delectemur 
 Laudibus apostoli ; 
 Hujus fidem, dogma, mores, 
 Et pro Christo tot labores, 5 
 
 Digne decet recoli. 
 
 Hie ad fidem Petrum duxit, 
 Cui primum lux illuxit, 
 
 Joannis indicio. 
 
 Secus mare Galilaeae, 10 
 
 Petri simul et Andreae 
 
 Sequitur electio. 
 
 Ambo prius piscatores 
 Verbi fiunt assertores 
 
 Et formae justitiae. 15 
 
 Rete laxant in capturam 
 Vigilemque gerunt curam 
 
 Nascentis Ecclesiae.
 
 ST. ANDREW. 165 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 ST. ANDREW. 
 NOVEMBER 30x11. 
 
 LET us, shouts of gladness raising, 
 Now delighted to be praising 
 The Apostle Andrew be : 
 Whose faith, life, and doctrine precious, 
 With his mighty works for Jesus, 5 
 
 Should be honoured worthily. 
 
 He, who first the true light's glowing 
 Saw, at John the Baptist's showing, 
 
 Peter led the faith to see ! 
 Then are Peter and his brother 10 
 
 Called along with one another 
 
 At the Sea of Galilee. 
 
 Fishermen till then, both preachers 
 Of the word become and teachers 
 
 Of the rules of righteousness : 1 5 
 
 Now a net to catch men loose they, 
 And a wary forethought use they 
 
 The young Church to guard and bless.
 
 166 S. ANDREAS. 
 
 A fratre dividitur 
 
 Et in partes mittitur 20 
 
 Andreas Achaiae. 
 In Andreae retia 
 Currit, Dei gratia, 
 
 Magna pars provinciae. 
 
 Fide, vita, verbo, signis, 25 
 
 Doctor pius et insignis, 
 
 Cor informal populi. 
 Ut ^Egeas comperit 
 Quid Andreas egerit, 
 
 Irae surgunt stimuli. 30 
 
 Mens secura, mens virilis, 
 Ciii praesens vita vilis, 
 
 Viget patientia. 
 Blandimentis aut tormentis, 
 Non enervat robur mentis 35 
 
 Judicis insania. 
 
 Crucem videns prseparari, 
 Suo gestit conformari 
 
 Magistro discipulus. 
 Mors pro morte solvitur 40 
 
 Et crucis appetitur 
 Triumphalis titulus.
 
 .ST. ANDREW. 167 
 
 Andrew soon his brother leaves, 
 
 When commission he receives, 20 
 
 And is in Achaia placed : 
 Of which province a great part, 
 By God's grace convinced in heart, 
 
 To the nets of Andrew haste. 
 
 By his faith, life, signs, and speeches 25 
 
 This great, good, man's doctrine reaches 
 
 And reforms the people's heart. 
 When ^Egeas findeth out 
 All that Andrew thus had wrought, 
 
 Forth his bitter wrath-stings start. 30 
 
 His staid heart and manly spirit, 
 Who in this life saw no merit, 
 
 Stronger from endurance grow. 
 Flattering or tormenting either, 
 His insensate judge by neither 35 
 
 Can his strength of mind o'erthrow. 
 
 When he sees the cross preparing, 
 Like his Master, suffering sharing, 
 
 The disciple longs to be ; 
 For Christ's death he pays his own, 40 
 
 And for its triumphal crown 
 On the cross seeks eagerly.
 
 1 68 S. ANDREAS. 
 
 In cruce vixit biduum, 
 
 Victurus in perpetuum : 
 
 Nee vult, volente populo, 45 
 
 Deponi de patibulo. 
 
 Hora fere dimidia 
 
 Luce perfusus nimia, 
 
 Cum luce, cum laetitia, 
 
 Pergit ad lucis atria. 50 
 
 O Andrea gloriose, 
 Cujus preces pretiosae, 
 Cujus mortis luminosae 
 
 Dulcis est memoria ; 
 Ab hac valle lacrymarum 55 
 
 Nos ad illud lumen clarum, 
 Pie pastor animarum, 
 
 Tua transfer gratia. Amen.
 
 ST. ANDREW. 169 
 
 Upon the cross he lived two days, 
 Thenceforth to live in heaven always ; 
 Nor, when the people wished, would he 45 
 Be lifted from the fatal tree. 
 
 Nigh half an hour upon that height 
 
 Bathed in a light exceeding bright, 
 
 In light, exulting at the sight, 
 
 He passes to the halls of light. 50 
 
 Andrew, crowned with endless glory ! 
 
 Rich in prayer propitiatory ! 
 
 Of whose brilliant death the story 
 
 Tis so sweet in thought to trace ! 
 From this vale of woe exceeding 55 
 
 To that light such radiance shedding, 
 Loving shepherd, spirits feeding ! 
 
 O transport us by thy grace ! Amen.
 
 i?o S. NIC OLA US. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 S. NICOLAUS. 
 
 vi DECEMBRIS. 
 
 /^ONGAUDENTES exultemus vocali concordia 
 Ad beati Nicolai festiva solemnia ; 
 
 Qui in cunis adhuc jacens servando jejunia 
 A papillis ccepit summa promereri gaudia. 
 
 Adolescens amplexatur literarum studia, 
 Alienus et immunis ab omni lascivia. 
 
 Felix confessor, 
 Cujus fuit dignitatis vox de coslo nuntia ! 
 
 Per quam provectus, 
 Praesulatus sublimatur ad summa fastigia. 10
 
 ST. NICHOLAS. 171 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 ST. NICHOLAS. 
 DECEMBER 6xH. 
 
 ET us all exult together, as with one united 
 
 voice 
 
 We upon his solemn feast-day in St. Nicholas 
 rejoice ; 
 
 Who, whilst in his cradle lying, by observing duly 
 
 fast, 
 Heavenly joys began to merit even at his mother's 
 
 breast. 
 
 In his youth he chooses letters, that his study they 
 may be, 5 
 
 To all evil lust a stranger, from all sinful passions 
 free. 
 
 This blest confessor, 
 
 Whom, as worthy of the office, 'twas a voice from 
 heaven praised, 
 
 Thereby exalted, 
 
 Amongst bishops to the very highest rank is forth- 
 with raised. 10
 
 i?2 S. NIC OLA US. 
 
 Erat in ejus animo pietas eximia, 
 
 Et oppressis impendebat multa beneficia. 
 
 Auro per eum virginum tollitur infamia, 
 Atque patris earundem levatur inopia. 
 
 Quidam nautae navigantes, 15 
 
 Et contra fluctuum ssevitiam luctantes, 
 
 Navi pene dissoluta, 
 
 Jam de vita desperantes, 
 In tanto positi periculo, clamantes 
 
 Voces dicunt omnes una : 20 
 
 " O beate Nicolae, 
 
 Nos ad maris porturn trahe 
 
 De mortis angustia. 
 Trahe nos ad portum maris, 
 Tu qui tot auxiliaris 25 
 
 Pietatis gratia." 
 
 Dum clamarent, nee incassum, 
 " Ecce ! " quidam dicit, " assum
 
 .ST. NICHOLAS. 173 
 
 There was too in his character benevolence ex- 
 ceeding, 
 
 And many a bounty he bestowed, the tale of sorrow 
 heeding. 
 
 With gold he saved some maidens, who had else 
 
 vile lives been leading, 
 Relieving all their father's want, when help most 
 
 sorely needing. 
 
 Certain sailors once, when sailing, 15 
 
 And fighting 'gainst fierce waves with struggles 
 unavailing, 
 
 Shipwrecked nigh through stress of weather ; 
 
 Hope of life already failing, 
 Amid such dangers set, aloud their fate bewailing, 
 
 Lift their voices altogether : 20 
 
 " Blessed Nicholas ! O steer us 
 From the straits of death so near us 
 
 To the haven of the sea ! 
 To that harbour in the distance 
 Draw us, who dost grant assistance 25 
 
 Through the grace of charity ! " 
 
 " Lo ! " while thus they cried, norvainly, 
 " I am here ! " a voice said plainly,
 
 174 NIC OLA US. 
 
 Ad vestra praesidia." 
 
 Statim aura datur grata 30 
 
 Et tempestas fit sedata : 
 
 Quieverunt maria. 
 
 Nos, qui sumus in hoc mundo, 
 Vitiorum in profundo 
 
 Jam passi naufragia, 35 
 
 Gloriose Nicolae, 
 Ad salutis portum trahe, 
 
 Ubi pax et gloria. 
 
 Ex ipsius tumba manat 
 
 Unctionis copia, 40 
 
 Quae infirmos omnes sanat 
 
 Per ejus suffragia. 
 
 Ipsam nobis unctionem 
 Impetres ad Dominum, 
 
 Prece pia, 45 
 
 Quae sanavit laesionem 
 Multorum peccaminum 
 In Maria. 
 
 Hujus festum celebrantes gaudeant per saecula, 
 Et coronet eos Christus post vitae curricula ! 50 
 Amen dicant omnia !
 
 ST. NICHOLAS. 175 
 
 " To watch o'er you and to aid ! " 
 Instantly blow favouring breezes, 30 
 
 Instantly the tempest ceases, 
 
 And to rest the sea is laid. 
 
 We, now in this world abiding, 
 
 Have been wrecked, as we were riding 
 
 O'er the deep abyss of vice : 35 
 
 Draw us, Nicholas most glorious ! 
 To the home of peace victorious, 
 
 To the port of Paradise ! 
 
 From his tomb, to heal diseases, 
 
 Oil abundant floweth forth, 40 
 
 Which the sick from pain releases 
 
 Through his prayers' availing worth. 
 
 May we of the self-same ointment 
 Through thy pious prayer to God 
 
 Gain possession, 45 
 
 Which did by the Lord's appointment 
 Heal the wounds of Mary's load 
 Of transgression ! 
 
 Let them joy throughout all ages, who observe this 
 
 holy day, 
 And, when this life's course is ended, crowned in 
 
 heaven by Christ be they ! 50 
 
 Amen ! let all creatures say !
 
 176 5. STEPS ANUS. 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 S. STEPHANUS. 
 
 xxvi DECEMBRIS. 
 
 HER I mundus exultavit 
 Et exultans celebravit 
 Christi natalitia ; 
 Heri chorus angelorum 
 Prosecutus est coelorum 5 
 
 Regem cum laetitia. 
 
 Protomartyr et Levita, 
 Clarus fide, clarus vita, 
 
 Clarus et miraculis, 
 
 Sub hac luce triumphavit, 10 
 
 Et triumphans insultavit 
 
 Stephanus incredulis. 
 
 Fremunt ergo tanquam ferae, 
 Quia victi defecere 
 
 Lucis adversarii : 15 
 
 Falsos testes statuunt, 
 Et linguas exacuunt 
 Viperarum filii.
 
 ST. STEPHEN. 177 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 ST. STEPHEN. 
 DECEMBER 26111. 
 
 "YESTERDAY the world, elated, 
 X Joyed, and, joying, celebrated 
 
 Christ the Saviour's natal day : 
 Yesterday, heaven's King surrounding, 
 Angel-choirs, his welcome sounding, 5 
 
 Sang to him with joyful lay. 
 
 Protomartyr and a deacon, 
 
 Faith's clear light and life's bright beacon, 
 
 For his wonder-works well known, 
 Stephen on this day all-glorious 10 
 
 Won the victory, and, victorious, 
 
 Trod the unbelievers down. 
 
 Thus, since those 'gainst light engaging, 
 Conquered, fail, behold them raging 
 
 Like wild beasts in their despair : 15 
 
 Lying witnesses they bring, 
 And with bitter words they sting, 
 Seed of vipers that they are ! 
 
 N
 
 178 S. STEPHANUS. 
 
 Agonista, nulli cede, 
 
 Certa certus de mercede, 20 
 
 Persevera, Stephane : 
 Insta falsis testibus, 
 Confuta sermonibus 
 Synagogam Satanae. 
 
 Testis tuus est in coelis, 25 
 
 Testis verax et fidelis, 
 
 Testis innocentise. 
 Nomen habes Coronati : 
 Te tormenta decet pati 
 
 Pro corona gloriae. 30 
 
 Pro corona non marcenti 
 Prefer brevis vim tormenti ! 
 
 Te manet victoria. 
 Tibi fiet mors natalis, 
 Tibi poena terminalis 35 
 
 Dat vitae primordia. 
 
 Plenus Sancto Spiritu, 
 Penetrat intuitu 
 
 Stephanus coelestia. 
 Videns Dei gloriam, 40 
 
 Crescit ad victoriatn, 
 
 Suspirat ad pnemia.
 
 ST. STEPHEN. 179 
 
 Champion ! yield to none, but ever 
 Persevere in thine endeavour, 20 
 
 Stephen ! sure of sure reward : 
 Their false witnesses withstand, 
 And confute all Satan's band 
 By thine eloquence outpoured. 
 
 In the heavens thy Witness dwelleth ; 25 
 
 Truly, faithfully, He telleth 
 
 How thou hast no evil done : 
 Since "a crown" for name thou bearest, 
 Suffering first thou fitly sharest, 
 
 Till thy glory-crown be won. 30 
 
 For that crown's unfading dower 
 Choose to bear brief torture's power ; 
 
 There awaits thee victory ! 
 Death new birth for thee portendeth, 
 And its pain, which quickly endeth, 35 
 
 Is the dawn of life to thee. 
 
 Full of the blest Spirit's grace, 
 Stephen into heaven's space 
 
 Penetrates with lightened eyes ; 
 Gazing on God's glory, he 40 
 
 Waxes strong for victory, 
 
 Longing for its deathless prize.
 
 i8o S. STEPHANUS. 
 
 En a dextris Dei stantem, 
 Jesum pro te dimicantem, 
 
 Stephane, considera: 45 
 
 Tibi coelos reserari, 
 Tibi Christum revelari, 
 
 Clama voce libera. 
 
 Se commendat Salvatori, 
 
 Pro quo dulce ducit mori 50 
 
 Sub ipsis lapidibus. 
 Saulus servat omnium 
 Vestes lapidantium, 
 Lapidans in omnibus. 
 
 Ne peccatum statuatur 55 
 
 His, a quibus lapidatur, 
 Genu ponit, et precatur, 
 
 Condolens insaniae : 
 In Christo sic obdormivit, 
 Qui Christo sic obedivit, 60 
 
 Et cum Christo semper vivit, 
 
 Martyrum primitise. 
 
 Quod sex suscitaverit 
 
 Mortuos in Africa, 
 Augustinus asserit, 65 
 
 Fama refert publica.
 
 ST. STEPHEN, 181 
 
 Lo ! at God's own right hand standing, 
 Jesus, in thy cause contending, 
 
 Stephen ! lift thine eyes and see ! 45 
 Cry that heaven now open lieth ; 
 And that Christ thine eye descrieth 
 
 Cry aloud in accents free ! 
 
 To his Lord his soul commending, 
 
 Sweet he deems it at life's ending 50 
 
 'Neath these stones for him to fall. 
 Saul stands by and keeps the clothes 
 Of each stoner as he throws, 
 
 Stoning Stephen through them all. 
 
 That the Lord would not be laying 55 
 
 To his murderers' charge this slaying, 
 Stephen kneeleth down, and, praying, 
 
 Mourns their mad and reckless deed : 
 So asleep in Christ fell Stephen, 
 Who had Christ to serve so striven, 60 
 
 And now lives with Christ in heaven, 
 
 First-fruits of the martyrs' seed ! 
 
 That in Africa from death 
 
 He six men to life revived, 
 Is a fact Augustine saith, 65 
 
 And one commonly believed.
 
 182 S. STEPHANUS. 
 
 Hujus, Dei gratia, 
 
 Revelato corpora, 
 Mundo datur pluvia 
 
 Siccitatis tempore. 70 
 
 Solo fugat hie odore 
 
 Morbos et dsemonia, 
 Laude dignus et honore 
 
 Jugique memoria. 
 
 Martyr, cujus est jocundum 75 
 
 Nomen in Ecclesia, 
 Languescentem fove mundum 
 
 Coelesti fragrantia. Amen.
 
 ST. STEPHEN. 183 
 
 When, by God's grace, his remains 
 
 From their grave to light were brought, 
 
 Then were given heavy rains 
 
 On the earth in time of drought. 70 
 
 He by perfume rare alone 
 
 Makes disease and demons flee, 
 And due praise and fame hath won 
 
 With a deathless memory. 
 
 Martyr ! whose sweet name doth live 75 
 
 In the Church so pleasantly, 
 An enfeebled world revive 
 
 With thy heavenly fragrancy ! Amen.
 
 1 84 S. STEPHANUS. 
 
 XXX. 
 
 S. STEPHANUS. 
 xxvi DECEMBRIS. 
 
 ROSA novum dans odorem, 
 Adornatum ainpliorem 
 Regiae ccelestis, 
 Ab ^Egypto revocatur ; 
 Ilium sequi gratulatur 5 
 
 Cujus erat testis. 
 
 Genus nequam et infaustum 
 Qui se fecit holocaustum 
 
 Afficit indigne, 
 
 Et quod in Christum credit, 10 
 
 A quo tamen non recedit 
 
 Passionis igne. 
 
 Gaudet carne purpurata, 
 Flexo genu, voce grata, 
 
 Pro Judaeis orans, 15 
 
 Ut non illis imputetur 
 Quia gratis pateretur, 
 
 Facinus ignorans.
 
 ST. STEPHEN. 18$ 
 
 xxx. 
 
 ST. STEPHEN. 
 DECEMBER 26x11. 
 
 LO ! a rose, new odour shedding, 
 Bright with beauty, all exceeding, 
 From the halls of heaven, 
 Out of Egypt is invited, 
 And to follow Christ delighted, 5 
 
 After witness given. 
 
 An unhappy, evil nation 
 Treats its victim's self-oblation 
 
 In unworthy fashion, 
 
 And Christ's truths, for which he pleadeth; 10 
 Though therefrom he ne'er recedeth 
 
 Through his fiery passion. 
 
 In his bruised flesh he rejoices ; 
 Bent his knee and soft his voice is, 
 
 For the Jews' race pleading, 15 
 
 That 'gainst them his causeless passion 
 Be not charged, of their transgression 
 
 Being thus unheeding.
 
 i86 S. STEPHANUS. 
 
 Constitutum in spe certa 
 
 Certiorat res aperta, 20 
 
 Quando Jesum vidit 
 Stantem Patris in virtute ; 
 Tune ad petram pugnans tute 
 
 Pavidos allidit. 
 
 Uva, data torculari, 25 
 
 Vult pressuras inculcari 
 
 Ne sit infecunda ; 
 Martyr optat petra teri, 
 Sciens munus adaugeri 
 
 Sanguinis in unda. 30 
 
 Nos qui mundi per desertum 
 Agitamur in incertum, 
 
 Stephanum sequamur, 
 Ut securi tanto duce 
 Trinitatis vera luce 35 
 
 Jugiter fruamur. Amen.
 
 ST. STEPHEN. 187 
 
 His hope's certain expectation 
 
 Is confirmed to demonstration, 20 
 
 When he Christ perceiveth 
 In His Father's glory standing ; 
 On the rock then, safe contending, 
 
 Awe-struck foes he driveth. 
 
 As a grape, the wine-press feeding, 25 
 
 Would have wine pressed thence by treading, 
 
 Lest it useless seemeth ; 
 So the martyr stoning pleaseth, 
 Knowing his reward increaseth, 
 
 As his life-blood streameth. 30 
 
 Let us, through earth's desert driven 
 Here and there, to follow Stephen 
 
 In his course endeavour ; 
 That, safe such a leader under, 
 We the Triune's true light yonder 35 
 
 May enjoy for ever ! Amen.
 
 i88 S. JOANNES EVANGELISTA. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 S. JOANNES EVANGELISTA. 
 xxvii DECEMBRIS. 
 
 GRATULEMUR ad festivum, 
 Jocundemur ad votivum 
 Johannis praeconium ! 
 Sic versetur laus in ore, 
 Ne fraudetur cor sapore 5 
 
 Quo degustet gaudium. 
 
 Hie est Christi praedilectus, 
 Qui reclinans supra pectus 
 
 Hausit sapientiam ; 
 
 Huic in cruce commendavit 10 
 
 Matrem Christus ; hie servavit 
 
 Virgo viri nesciam. 
 
 Intus ardens caritate, 
 Foris lucens honestate, 
 
 Signis et eloquio, 15 
 
 Ut ab aestu criminali, 
 Sic immunis a pcenali, 
 
 Prodiit ex dolio.
 
 7: JOHN THE EVANGELIST. 189 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST. 
 
 DECEMBER 27111. 
 
 ON his feast with gratulation 
 Joy we at John's exaltation, 
 As we pay our public vows ! 
 Let the mouth so sing his praises, 
 That the relish which it raises 5 
 
 The glad heart may never lose. 
 
 This is he most loved by Jesus, 
 
 Who drank draughts of wisdom precious, 
 
 As he on His breast did lean : 
 To whom Mary was commended 10 
 
 From Christ's cross ; who, virgin, tended 
 
 Her who had not known a man. 
 
 Inwardly with warm love glowing, 
 Outwardly bright virtue showing, 
 
 Eloquence and wonders wrought ; 1 5 
 As by lust's consuming fever, 
 So by tortures' heat, touched never, 
 
 From the oil-vat came he out.
 
 190 S. JOANNES EVANGELISTA. 
 
 Vim veneni superavit, 
 
 Morti, morbis imperavit, 20 
 
 Necnon et daemonibus : 
 Sed vir tantae potestatis, 
 Non minoris pietatis 
 
 Erat tribulantibus. 
 
 Cum gemmarum partes fractas 25 
 
 Solidasset, has distractas 
 
 Tribuit pauperibus. 
 Inexhaustum fert thesaurum, 
 Qui de virgis fecit aurum, 
 
 Gemmas de lapidibus. 30 
 
 Invitatur ab amico 
 Convivari ; Christum dico 
 
 Visum cum discipulis. 
 De sepulcro quo descendit, 
 Redivivus sic ascendit 35 
 
 Frui summis epulis. 
 
 Testem habes populum, 
 Immo, si vis, oculum, 
 Quod ad ejus tumulum 
 Manna scatet, epulum 40 
 
 De Christi convivio.
 
 ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST, 191 
 
 Poison's strength he overpowered, 
 
 Death, disease, beneath him cowered, 20 
 
 And the very devils too : 
 But the man, such power possessing, 
 Could no less bring health and blessing 
 
 Unto those in want and woe. 
 
 Broken gems by him were mended, 25 
 
 And their value was expended 
 
 On the poor, his pious loan. 
 He produces boundless treasure, 
 Who from tree-twigs at his pleasure 
 
 Fashioned gold, and gems from stone. 30 
 
 By a friend to banquet bidden, 
 Christ, I mean, no longer hidden, 
 
 Seen with His disciples there, 
 From the grave, where he was lying, 
 He arose in form undying, 35 
 
 In the heavenly feast to share. 
 
 There are crowds to testify, 
 Nay, yourself may trust your eye, 
 How that, where he once did lie, 
 Flows forth manna, a supply 40 
 
 From the table of the Lord.
 
 192 S. JOANNES EVANGELIST A. 
 
 Scribens evangelium, 
 Aquiise fert proprium, 
 Cemens soils radium, 
 Scilicet principium, 45 
 
 Verbum in principle. 
 
 Hujus signis est conversa 
 Gens gentilis, gens perversa, 
 
 Gens totius Asiae. 
 
 Hujus scriptis illustratur, 50 
 
 Illustrata solidatur 
 
 Unitas ecclesiae. 
 
 Salve, salvi vas pudoris, 
 
 Vas coelestis plenum roris, 
 
 Mundum intus, clarum foris, 55 
 
 Nobile per omnia. 
 Fac nos sequi sanctitatem; 
 Fac, per mentis puritatem, 
 Contemplari Trinitatem 
 
 In una substantia. Amen. 60
 
 ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST. 193 
 
 As he doth his Gospel write, 
 Eagle-like in upward flight, 
 He beholds the Light of Light, 
 Its primaeval source, to wit, 
 
 " In the beginning was the Word ! " 
 
 A perverse and heathen nation, 
 All of Asia's population, 
 
 To the faith his wonders won. 
 Illustrated by his writing, 50 
 
 Unity, the Church uniting, 
 
 Firmer ground now stands upon. 
 
 Vessel, hail ! that no sin staineth ! 
 
 Vessel, that heaven's dew containeth ! 
 
 Which within quite pure remaineth, 55 
 
 Bright without, all dignity ! 
 Cause us, like thee, to be holy, 
 And, with spirits chastened throughly, 
 Let us see the Godhead fully, 
 
 In one substance Persons three. Amen. 60
 
 194 & JOANNES EVANGELISTA. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 S. JOANNES EVANGELISTA. 
 xxvn DECEMBRIS. 
 
 VERBI vere substantivi, 
 Caro cum sit in declivi 
 Temporis angustia, 
 In aeternis verbum annis 
 Permanere, nos Johannis 5 
 
 Docet theologia. 
 
 Dum Magistri super pectus 
 Fontem haurit intellectus 
 
 Et doctrina? flumina, 
 Fiunt, ipso situ loci, 10 
 
 Verbo fides, auris voci, 
 
 Mens Deo contermina. 
 
 Unde mentis per excessus, 
 Carnis, sensus super gressus 
 
 Errorumque nubila, 15 
 
 Contra veri solis lumen 
 Visum cordis et acumen 
 
 Figit velut aquila.
 
 ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST. 195 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST. 
 DECEMBER 27111. 
 
 JOHN'S theology declareth, 
 Though on earth all flesh appeareth 
 To decline in swift decay, 
 That the Word's word self-existent, 
 Through all ages still consistent, 5 
 
 Will remain nor pass away. 
 
 As the loved disciple sinketh 
 
 On his Master's breast, and drinketh 
 
 Wisdom's fount and learning's stream, 
 From a posture so endearing 10 
 
 Word and faith, and speech and hearing, 
 
 Mind and God, converging seem. 
 
 By the flights of thought thence taken, 
 Flesh and carnal sense forsaken, 
 
 Far o'er error's cloudy night, 15 
 
 Eagle-like, by observation, 
 The true Sun's illumination, 
 
 Keeps his keen-eyed heart in sight.
 
 196 S. JOANNES EVANGELISTA. 
 
 Hebet sensus exsors styli, 
 
 Stylo scribit tarn subtili, 20 
 
 Fide tarn catholica, 
 Ne de Verbo salutari 
 Posset quicquam refragari, 
 
 Pravitas haeretica. 
 
 Verbum quod non potest dici, 25 
 
 Quod virtute creatrici 
 
 Cuncta fecit valde bona, 
 
 Iste dicit ab aeterni 
 
 Patris nexu non secerni, 
 
 Nisi tantum in persona. 30 
 
 Quern Matthaeus de intactae 
 
 Matris alit casto lacte 
 
 Cum labore et aerumna ; 
 
 Quern exaltat super cruce, 
 
 Cornu bovis, penna Lucas, 35 
 
 Ut serpentem in columna ; 
 
 Quern de mortis mausoleo 
 
 Vitae reddit Marci leo, 
 
 Scissis petris, terra mota, 
 
 Hunc de Deo deum verum 40 
 
 ALPHA et 1, Patrem rerum, 
 
 Solers scribit idiota.
 
 ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST. 197 
 
 Want of style the sense confuses, 
 
 But such subtlety John uses, 20 
 
 And so Catholic his faith, 
 That all heretics, depraving 
 Doctrines of that Word soul-saving, 
 
 Fail to gainsay aught he saith. 
 
 Lo ! that Word, beyond expression, 25 
 
 Who all very good did fashion 
 
 By His power of creation, 
 From the eternal Sire appeareth 
 Undivided, John declareth, 
 
 Save in Personal relation. 30 
 
 Whom with chaste milk Matthew feedeth, 
 Which from virgin breasts proceedeth, 
 
 With much toil and trouble blended ; 
 Whom that ox-horn, Luke's pen, placeth 
 On the cross and high upraiseth, 35 
 
 As the serpent was suspended ; 
 
 Whom from death's sepulchral portal 
 Lion Mark restores immortal, 
 
 Whilst earth quakes and rocks are riven ; 
 Him John paints with skill unstudied, 40 
 
 FIRST AND LAST, God in true Godhead, 
 Father of all earth and heaven.
 
 198 S. JOANNES EVANGELIST A. 
 
 Cujus lumen visuale, 
 
 Vultus anceps, leves alas, 
 
 Rotae stantes in quadriga, 45 
 
 Sunt in ccelo visa, prius 
 
 Quam hie esset, vel illius 
 
 Forma capax, vel auriga. 
 
 Illi scribunt Christum pati 
 
 Dolum, inde vim Pilati, 50 
 
 Cum corona spinea : 
 Hie sublimis tractu pennae 
 Tractat Christi jus perenne 
 
 Cum ultrici framei. 
 
 Pennis hujus idiotae 55 
 
 Elevantur Regis rotae, 
 
 Secus animalia. 
 Et ccelestes citharoadi 
 Se prosternunt Patris sedi 
 
 Canentes: Alleluia! 60
 
 ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST. 199 
 
 He the eyes all round these creatures, 
 Their swift wings, their fourfold features, 
 
 And the wheels that stand beside them, 45 
 In their might had seen in heaven, 
 Ere form here to them was given, 
 
 Or the charioteer to guide them. 
 
 They describe what craft Christ suffered ; 
 Violence by Pilate offered, 50 
 
 With the thorn-crown, then endured : 
 He, borne up on soaring pinion, 
 Treats of Christ's supreme dominion, 
 
 And of His avenging sword. 
 
 On his wings, though uninstructed, 55 
 
 Rise the King's own wheels, conducted 
 
 As though on the living four ; 
 While the heavenly harpers, kneeling 
 At the Father's throne, their thrilling 
 
 Alleluia's song outpour ! Amen. 60
 
 200 S. JOANNES EVANGELISTA. 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 S. JOANNES EVANGELISTA. 
 xxvii DECEMBRIS. 
 
 /*"""* HRISTO laudes persolvat hie chorus psal- 
 V.^ lens die ista, 
 
 Qua Johannes supernae mensae fratrumque est 
 conviva ! 
 
 Qui multis ex maximis claruit miraculis hac in 
 
 vita; 
 Patrem, navim, nuptias, seque liquit, Domini 
 
 sequens vias. 
 
 Clarior hie ceteris, supra pectus Domini Cubans 
 coenat ; 5 
 
 Huic de cruce virgini Virgo voce Filii est com- 
 missa. 
 
 Fervens vicit oleum, tonsus ad ridiculum, risit 
 
 flagra. 
 Propter Evangelium, subiit exilium, ferrum, 
 
 vincla.
 
 ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST, 201 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST. 
 DECEMBER 27111. 
 
 LET our choir upon this day, as they lift 
 _^ their anthem, pay, Christ due praises ; 
 Day, when John became a guest at high heaven's 
 supernal feast with his brethren ; 
 
 Who for marvels by him done, many and most 
 great, was known, whilst here living ; 
 
 Father, vessel, marriage-bed and himself he left, 
 instead Christ to follow. 
 
 More illustrious than the rest lying upon Jesus' 
 breast at the supper ; 5 
 
 From the Cross to this chaste one was the Virgin 
 by the Son given over. 
 
 Boiling oil he overcame, and, when shorn for 
 scoff and shame, mocked their scourgings ; 
 
 For the Gospel's honour spent, banishment he 
 underwent, torture, fetters.
 
 202 & JOANNES EVANGELIST A. 
 
 Virus fidens sorbuit, et extinctos eruit : vir vita 
 
 refloruit et matrona ; 
 Aurum hie de frondibus, gemraas de silicibus, 
 
 fractis de fragminibus fecit firmas. 10 
 
 Hunc vocans visitat Christus et hie intrat vivus 
 
 foveam : petit aethra. 
 Nunc te, Christe, nostra rogant vox et vota, ipsi 
 
 socia nos per saecla ! Amen.
 
 .S7. JOHN THE EVANGELIST. 203 
 
 He through faith did poison drain, and the dead 
 revived again, first restoring a young man, 
 then a mother. 
 
 Gold from foliage fashioned he, out of pebbles 
 jewelry, and their fragments perfectly 
 put together. 10 
 
 Christ visits him to call him home, and he, alive 
 
 still, entereth the tomb, thence seeks 
 
 heaven. 
 Now, Christ ! to Thee plead voice and prayer, 
 
 bring us to be his partners there, through 
 
 the ages ! Amen.
 
 204 S. JOANNES EVANGELISTA. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 S. JOANNES EVANGELISTA. 
 xxvii DECEMBRIS. 
 
 PR^EFATIO. Trinitatem reserat aquila, summus 
 Evangelista ! 
 
 "T7ELIX sedes gratiae, 
 
 JL Summum Regem gloriae 
 
 Videns mentis acie 
 
 Non repulsa ! 5 
 
 Johannem deificat, 
 Angelis parificat, 
 Spiritus qui indicat 
 Coeli summa. 
 
 Aquae vivae salientis 10 
 
 Hie est potus recumbentis 
 
 Supra pectus Domini. 
 Hie exfulget miris signis, 
 Hie expugnat vires ignis 
 
 Et ferventis olei.' 15 
 
 Mirantur nimia 
 Tormenti saevitia,
 
 S7. JOHN 7 HE EVANGELIST. 205 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST. 
 DECEMBER 27111. 
 
 PREFACE. John, the eagle, first of Evangelists, the 
 Triune God revealeth ! 
 
 BLESSED resting-place of grace ! 
 Who on heaven's great King dost gaze 
 With the mind's eye, face to face, 
 
 All unblinded ! 5 
 
 For the Spirit shows God's throne 
 To him, deifying John, 
 Making him with angels one, 
 Heavenly-minded ! 
 
 Now the water, life supplying, 10 
 
 As it springs up, drinks he, lying 
 
 On the bosom of the Lord : 
 Now he shines with many a wonder, 
 Now the force of fire keeps under, 
 
 And of hot oil round him poured. 15 
 
 Wondrous it seems to be, 
 That, 'mid torture's agony,
 
 206 S. JOANNES EVANGELISTA. 
 
 Quod martyr quis fiat, 
 Et pcenas non sentiat. 
 
 O martyr ! O virgo! O custos Virginis per quam 
 mundo gloria, 20 
 
 Ex quo sunt, in quo sunt, per quem sunt omnia, 
 per te det sufiragia ! 
 
 O dilecte prae caeteris, 
 Christum, a quo diligeris, 
 
 Interpellans 
 
 Et exorans, 25 
 
 Nos ei concilia. 
 Tu qui rivus, due ad fontem, 
 Tu qui collis, due ad montem ; 
 
 Praesta Sponsum 
 
 Ad videndum, 30 
 
 Virgo totus gratia. 
 
 FINIS. Sponso laus per saecula !
 
 ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST. 207 
 
 Martyrdom one should gain, 
 And yet never feel the pain. 
 
 O martyr ! O virgin ! that Virgin's guardian, who 
 did earth's chief Glory bear ! 20 
 
 From Whom is, in Whom is, through Whom is 
 everything, may He through thee hear our 
 prayer ! 
 
 O thou, beloved above the rest ! 
 
 Ask Christ, Who loved thee far the best, 
 
 To Him pressing 
 
 Prayers addressing, 25 
 
 For His reconciling grace. 
 River ! lead us to the fountain ; 
 Hill ! conduct us to the mountain ; 
 
 Who endurest 
 
 Virgin purest ! 30 
 
 Let us see the Bridegroom's face. 
 
 CONCLUSION. To the Bridegroom endless praise !
 
 208 S. THOMAS CANTUARIUS. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 S. THOMAS CANTUARIUS. 
 xxix DECEMBRIS. 
 
 (~* AUDE, Sion, et laetare, 
 V_T Voce, veto jocundare 
 
 Solemni Isetitia : 
 Tuus Thomas trucidatur ; 
 Pro te, Christe, immolatur, 5 
 
 Salutaris hostia. 
 
 Archiprsesul et legatus, 
 Nullo tamen est elatus 
 
 Honoris fastigio ; 
 
 Dispensator summi Regis, 10 
 
 Pro tutela sui gregis 
 
 Trusus est exilio. 
 
 Telo certans pastorali, 
 Ense cinctus Spiritali, 
 
 Triumphare meruit ; 15 
 
 Hie pro Dei sui lege, 
 Et pro suo raori grege 
 
 Decertare studuit.
 
 ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY. 209 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY. 
 DECEMBER 29x11. 
 
 JOY, O Sion ! and rejoice thou ; 
 With both vow and lifted voice now, 
 With a holy joy be glad ! 
 For Christ's sake, assassinated, 
 Is thy Thomas immolated, 5 
 
 A most precious victim made. 
 
 Primate, legate, though created, 
 He was ne'er with pride elated 
 
 By his honours' lofty height ; 
 Steward of the King of heaven, 10 
 
 He was into exile driven, 
 
 Since he for his flock would fight. 
 
 With the Spirit's sword girt round him, 
 Victory with full triumph crowned him, 
 
 As with pastoral spear he fought ; 15 
 For his God's law to be fighting, 
 For his flock's sake death inviting, 
 
 Ever was his chiefest thought. 
 p
 
 2io S. THOMAS CANTUARIUS. 
 
 Tune rectore desolatam 
 
 Et pastore viduatam 20 
 
 Se plangebat Canthia ; 
 Versa vice, plausu miro, 
 Exultavit tanto viro 
 
 Senonensis Gallia. 
 
 Quo absente, infirmatur, 25 
 
 Infirmata conculcatur 
 
 Libertas Ecclesiae ; 
 Sic nos, pater, reliquisti, 
 Nee a vero recessisti 
 
 Tramite justitiae. 30 
 
 Quondam coetu curiali 
 Primus eras et regali 
 
 Militans palatio ; 
 Plebis aura favorali 
 Et, ut mos est, temporali 35 
 
 Plaudebas praconio. 
 
 Consequenter es mutatus : 
 Prsesulatu sublimatus, 
 Novus homo reparatus 
 
 Felici commercio, 40 
 
 Ex adverse ascendisti, 
 Et te murum objecisti : 
 Caput tuum obtulisti, 
 
 Christ! sacrificio.
 
 ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY. 21 1 
 
 Losing then its guide and master, 
 
 And deprived thus of its pastor, 20 
 
 Canterbury deeply grieved ; 
 But then one, so justly noted, 
 Sens in France, with joy devoted, 
 
 And with glad acclaim received. 
 
 In his absence sore prostrated, 25 
 
 And, when prostrate, violated, 
 
 Was the Church no longer free ; 
 So from 'mongst us thou departedst, 
 Father ! but aside ne'er startedst 
 
 From the path of probity. 30 
 
 Once, amid the courtier bevy, 
 Thou wast foremost of the levy 
 
 In the palace of the king ; 
 All the people approbation, 
 And the world loud acclamation, 35 
 
 As its wont is, offering. 
 
 Well-timed was thy transformation ; 
 For of thee thy consecration 
 By a blest reciprocation 
 
 Made a new man happily : 40 
 
 Thou thine opposition endedst, 
 As a wall, the Church defendedst, 
 And thyself to death commendedst, 
 
 Willing thus for Christ to die.
 
 212 S. THOMAS CANTUARIUS. 
 
 Carnis tuae morte spreta, 45 
 
 Triumphalis es athleta ; 
 Palma tibi datur laeta, 
 Quod testantur insueta 
 
 Plurima miracula. 
 
 Per te visus caecis datur, 50 
 
 Claudis gressus instauratur, 
 Paralysis effugatur, 
 Vetus hostis propulsatur 
 
 Et peccati macula. 
 
 Cleri gemma, clare Thoma, 55 
 
 Motus carnis nostrae doma 
 
 Precum efficacia, 
 Ut, in Christo vera vite 
 Radicati, vera vitse 
 
 Capiamus gaudia. Amen. 60
 
 ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY. 213 
 
 Champion ! who this life disdainest ! 45 
 
 Victory in the fight thou gainest, 
 And the joyful palm obtainest ; 
 Evidence of which the plainest 
 
 All thy wonders rare afford. 
 To the blind their sight thou givest, 50 
 
 And the lame man's powers revivest ; 
 Thou paralysis relievest, 
 And the old foe backward drivest, 
 
 And transgressions' filthy horde. 
 
 Gem of priesthood, princely Thomas ! 5 5 
 
 By thy prayer effectual from us 
 
 Take our lusts, our flesh subdue ; 
 That, in Christ, the true Vine, rooted, 
 We may gain, thus constituted, 59 
 
 Life-joys both divine and true ! Amen.
 
 214 THOMAS CANTUARIUS. 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 S. THOMAS CANTUARIUS. 
 xxix DECEMBRIS. 
 
 PIA mater plangat Ecclesia 
 Quod patravit major Britannia 
 Factum detestabile; 
 Pietate movetur Francia ; 
 Fugit coelum, tellus et maria 5 
 
 Scelus exsecrabile ! 
 
 Scelus, inquam, non dicendum : 
 Grande scelus et horrendum 
 
 Perpetravit Anglia. 
 
 Patrem suum praedamnavit, 10 
 
 Et in sede trucidavit 
 
 Restitutum propria. 
 
 Thomas totius Angliae 
 Flos vernans, et Ecclesise 
 
 Specialis gloria, 15 
 
 In templo Cantuariae 
 Pro legibus justitiae 
 
 Fit sacerdos et hostia.
 
 ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY. 215 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY. 
 DECEMBER 29x11. 
 
 NOW let our holy Mother-Church bemoan 
 What was aforetime by Great Britain 4one ; 
 'Twas a deed detestable : 
 By pious feelings France is deeply stirred, 
 And in all horror from the guilt abhorred 5 
 
 Flee heaven and earth and seas as well ! 
 
 Ah ! a crime beyond all telling, 
 One most hateful and repelling, 
 
 Was at England's hands then done : 
 She prejudged her father, newly 10 
 
 To his home restored, and foully 
 
 Murdered him upon his throne. 
 
 Thomas, all England's brightest flower, 
 The glory of the church, before 
 
 All others in exalted fame, 15 
 
 At Canterbury's temple door, 
 The laws of justice to secure, 
 
 Both sacrifice and priest became.
 
 216 S. THOMAS CANTUARIUS. 
 
 Inter templum et altare, 
 
 Templi super liminare 20 
 
 Concutitur, non frangitur; 
 Sed gladiis conscinditur 
 
 Velum templi medium. 
 
 Eliseus decalvatur, 
 
 Zacharias trucidatur; 25 
 
 Pax tradita dissolvitur 
 Et organum convertitur 
 
 In lamentum flentium. 
 
 Prope festum Innocentum 
 
 Innocentur ad tormentum 30 
 
 Pertrahitur, concutitur, 
 Et cerebrum effunditur 
 
 Cuspide mucronis. 
 
 Ad decoris ornamentum 
 
 Templi rubet pavimentum, 35 
 
 Quod sanguine respergitur, 
 Dum sacerdos induitur 
 Veste passionis. 
 
 Furor ingens debacchatur, 
 
 Sanguis Justus condemnatur, 40 
 
 Ense caput dissecatur 
 
 In conspectu Domini :
 
 .ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY. 217 
 
 'Twixt the temple and the altar, 
 
 On the threshold, each assaulter 20 
 
 Doth rudely shake, but breaks him not ; 
 Though with their swords in twain they cut 
 In its midst the temple veil. 
 
 Low Elisha's bald head lieth, 
 
 Zacharias, slaughtered, dieth ; 25 
 
 Peace, thus betrayed, dissolves away, 
 And the sweet organ now can play 
 
 But the tearful mourners' wail. 
 
 Upon Childermas's morrow 
 
 Is this Innocent to sorrow 30 
 
 Dragged forth, and blows, and tortures' pain ; 
 Whilst, on the earth outpoured, his brain, 
 Lo ! the sword's point bareth. 
 
 As that temple's chiefest glory, 
 
 Blushes still its pavement gory, 35 
 
 Which is o'ersprinkled with his blood, 
 As there this holy priest of God 
 Robes of passion weareth. 
 
 Rages wrath, with fury fevered, 
 Just blood is to death delivered ; 40 
 
 With a sword his head is shivered 
 In the presence of the Lord :
 
 218 S. THOMAS CANTUARIUS. 
 
 Cum sacrabat, hie sacratur, 
 Immolator iramolatur, 
 Ut virtutis relinquatur 45 
 
 Hoc exemplum homini. 
 
 Holocaustum medullatum, 
 Jam per orbem propalatum, 
 In odorem Deo gratum 
 
 Est pontifex oblatus ; 50 
 
 Pro corona quae secatur 
 Duplex stola praeparatur, 
 Ubi sedes restauratur 
 
 Archiepiscopatus. 
 
 Synagoga derogat, ridet Paganismus, 55 
 
 Insultant idolatrae, quod Christianismus 
 
 Foedus violaverit 
 
 Nee patri pepercerit 
 Christianitatis. 
 
 Rachel plorat filium, non vult consolari, 60 
 Quam in matris utero vidit trucidari ; 
 
 Super cujus obitum 
 
 Dant in fletu gemitum 
 Mentes pietatis. 
 
 Hie est ille pontifex 65 
 
 Quern supernus Artifex 
 In coslorum culmine
 
 ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY. 219 
 
 Consecrating, consecrated, 
 Immolating, immolated, 
 He to man a celebrated 45 
 
 Type of virtue doth afford. 
 
 Holocaust, with marrow welling, 
 Known to earth's remotest dwelling, 
 Sacrifice to God sweet-smelling, 
 
 This pontiff was selected ; 50 
 
 For a crown that may be riven 
 Two-fold robes to him are given 
 On his primate's throne, in heaven 
 
 Restored and re-erected. 
 
 Jews depreciate our fame, Pagans show derision, 55 
 Such as worship idols scoff, that our own religion 
 
 Should to break its pledge have dared, 
 
 Neither have that father spared, 
 
 Over Christians reigning, 59 
 
 Rachel weepeth for that son, nor finds consolation, 
 Who thus in his mother's womb meets assassination ; 
 
 Over whose untimely end 
 
 Holy hearts their tears expend, 
 Bitterly complaining. 
 
 This man is that pontiff bright, 65 
 
 Whom on heaven's supremest height 
 Its supernal maker, God,
 
 220 S. THOMAS CANTUARIUS. 
 
 Magnum stabilivit, 
 Postquam pertransivit 
 
 Gladios Anglorum. 70 
 
 Cum mori non timuit, 
 Sed cervicem praebuit 
 In suo sanguine j 
 Ut abhinc exivit, 
 
 Semel introivit 75 
 
 In sancta sanctorum. 
 
 Cujus mortem pretiosam testantur miracula, 
 Christe, nobis suffragetur per seterna ssecula !
 
 ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY. 221 
 
 Stablished in great glory, 
 When with swords all-gory 
 
 England's swordsmen smite him. 70 
 
 Since of death he felt no dread, 
 But surrendered up his head 
 To welter in his blood, 
 When he hence was driven 
 God to highest heaven 75 
 
 Did at once admit him. 
 
 Of his death indeed most precious mighty wonders 
 
 testify ; 
 Jesu ! may he recommend us unto Thee eternally !
 
 S. THOMAS CANTUARIUS. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 S. THOMAS CANTUARIUS. 
 
 xxix DECEMBRIS. 
 
 AQUAS plenas amaritudine 
 Novi sails nova dulcedine, 
 Ollam plenam lethali gramine 
 Novi farris sanat pinguedine 
 
 Eliseus ; 5 
 
 Novus vervex pro grege moritur, 
 Et pro matre proles occiditur ; 
 In obscuris sol novus oritur, 
 In quo serus annus promittitur 
 
 Jubilseus. 10 
 
 Abel novum Cayn malitia, 
 Novum Jacob Seir saevitia, 
 Novum Joseph fratrum invidia 
 Intercepit fraude nefarii 
 
 His diebus. 15 
 
 Surrexerunt in patrem pueri, 
 Non materno parcentes uberi ; 
 Thomas praesul dum datur funeri, 
 Novum chaos videtur ingeri 
 
 Mundi rebus. 20
 
 ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY. 223 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY. 
 DECEMBER 29x11. 
 
 ANEW Elisha bitter waters heals 
 With such new sweetness as new salt reveals ; 
 The pot too, which a herb most deadly fills, 
 He renders harmless by the fat of meal's 
 
 New remedy. 5 
 
 Lo ! for the flock another wether dies, 
 And, for the mother slain, the offspring lies : 
 To light our darkness a new sun doth rise, 
 Which the long promised year to all supplies 
 
 Of Jubilee. 10 
 
 'Gainst a new Abel doth Cain's malice fight ; 
 Seir's fierceness 'gainst another Jacob's right ; 
 Another Joseph hath his brethren's spite, 
 Seizing with wicked fraud, put out of sight 
 
 In these last days. 15 
 
 Sons 'gainst their fathers to rebel have dared, 
 Not having e'en their mother's bosom spared : 
 As Bishop Thomas to his death is snared, 
 Lo ! a new chaos, for all earth prepared, 
 
 The eye surveys. 20
 
 224 & THOMAS CANTUARIUS. 
 
 Sed occumbit Abel in gloria, 
 Jacob servat Mesopotamia, 
 Joseph regnat in aula regia, 
 Thomas noster in coeli curia" 
 
 Coronatur. 25 
 
 Renovantur Anglorum gaudia, 
 Bethel novus fit Dorovernia, 
 Fit piscina propitiaria, 
 In qua jugis et multifaria 
 
 Salus datur. 30 
 
 Dilatatur Jordanis fluvius, 
 Fit Naaman alter et tertius, 
 Derivatur Siloe longius, 
 Coelum pluit manna profusius 
 
 Quam solebat. 35 
 
 Duplicatur Solaris radius ; 
 Magnus Annae donatur films, 
 Novum vatem Herodis gladius 
 Trucidavit inverecundius 
 
 Quam decebat. 40 
 
 Trucidato non desunt prsemia ; 
 Sancto namque pro sanctimonia, 
 Pro sincerae mentis constantia, 
 Vita, salus et lux aetherea 
 
 Condonatur. 45
 
 ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY. 225 
 
 But Abel covered with great glory falls ; 
 Haran saves Jacob, when for help he calls ; 
 Joseph bears rule within a monarch's walls ; 
 Our Thomas too is crowned in the bright halls 
 
 Of highest heaven. 25 
 
 All Englishmen, their joys renewed, are glad, 
 And Canterbury, new Bethesda made, 
 Becomes a pool, the sinful soul to aid, 
 Whence at all times to all around it laid 
 
 Salvation's given. 30 
 
 The river Jordan wider tracts streams o'er ; 
 Another and third Naaman seeks its shore ; 
 Siloam's pool spreads further than before, 
 Whilst heaven far more profusely than of yore 
 
 Doth manna rain. 35 
 
 The sun's rays are with double power outpoured ; 
 A mighty son to Hannah is secured ; 
 Another prophet Herod's ruthless sword 
 With shamelessness yet more to be abhorred 
 
 Hath foully slain. 40 
 
 But, slaughtered thus, a full reward hath he ; 
 For to the saint for his great sanctity, 
 And his pure heart's untiring constancy, 
 Salvation, life, and light most heavenly, 
 
 Is freely given. 45 
 
 Q
 
 226 S. THOMAS CANTUARIUS. 
 
 Abhinc multa facit prodigia : 
 Lepram curat, fugat daemonia ; 
 Caecis visum, claudis vestigia, 
 Verba mutis, segris remedia 
 
 Imprecatur. 50 
 
 Vir Belial luit blasphemias, 
 Quas in sanctum arsit injurias ; 
 Visu dempto, tristes exsequias 
 Maturando nefandas furias 
 
 Terminavit. 55 
 
 Vir devotus in sanctum Domini, 
 Zelo pravo sustractus lumini, 
 Sed mox datus visus acumini, 
 Laudes laetus divino nomini 
 
 Decantavit. 60 
 
 Cruces, factae manu angelica, 
 Pii patris prece benefica, 
 Crebro pollent virtute coelica ; 
 Far fit humi quod paralytica 
 
 Membra sanat. 6 
 
 Immolentur lucernae geminae, 
 Accenduntur coelesti lumine ; 
 Declaratur in vasis fragmine 
 Locum sanctum fraudis molimine 
 
 Qui profanat. 70
 
 ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY. 227 
 
 Henceforth he works unnumbered prodigies ; 
 Lepers are cleansed, the devil's legion flies ; 
 Strength for the lame, and sight for blinded eyes, 
 Speech for the dumb, for sick folk remedies, 
 
 He asks of heaven. 50 
 
 A son of Belial blasphemies he swore, 
 Burning the saint to harm, atoneth for ; 
 The loss of sight and death did he incur, 
 An early death, which stopped for evermore 
 
 His wrath's fierce stream. 55 
 
 A man, who in the Lord's saint took delight, 
 And had his eyes put out by bigot spite, 
 But soon again recovered perfect sight, 
 Sang constant praises with rejoicing bright 
 
 To God's great name. 60 
 
 Crosses, which were by angel fingers made, 
 When kindly prayers this pious father prayed, 
 Through heavenly virtue oft great power displayed ; 
 And grain, that heals the limbs with palsy dead, 
 
 On earth is grown. 65 
 
 An offering of two lamps was made, which same 
 Are lighted up by a celestial flame : 
 The broken fragments of a vase proclaim 
 Who hath to some blest shrine by fraudful scheme 
 
 Dishonour done. 70
 
 228 S. THOMAS CANTUARIUS. 
 
 Calce puer qui matrem Iseserat 
 Poenitendo calcem absciderat ; 
 Mox, ut opem sancti petierat, 
 Bipedalem gressum meruerat, 
 
 Res stupenda ! 75 
 
 Nauta potens in navi mystica, 
 Nostra, Thoma, laudes et cantica 
 Summo Regi prece gratifica 
 Et eidem prece magnifica 
 
 Nos commenda. Amen. 80
 
 ST. THOMAS OF CANTERBURY. 229 
 
 A lad, who with his foot his mother lamed, 
 Cut off that foot to show himself ashamed ; 
 Soon, when he had this saint's assistance claimed, 
 He walked upon two feet, as if ne'er maimed, 
 
 A wonder rare ! 7 5 
 
 O seaman, who in mystic ship bear'st sway ! 
 Our joyful praises and this grateful lay 
 To the great King in kindly prayer to-day, 
 Thomas ! commend, and us to Him, we pray, 
 
 In potent prayer ! Amen. 80
 
 230 S. GENOVEFA. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 S. GENOVEFA. 
 iii JANUARII. 
 
 f~* ENOVEF^E solemnitas 
 y^Jf Solemne parit gaudium ; 
 Cordis erumpat puritas 
 In laudis sacrificium ! 
 
 Felix ortus infantulae, 5 
 
 Teste Germane praesule : 
 Quod praevidit in spiritu, 
 Rerum probatur exitu. 
 
 Hie ad pectus virgineum, 
 
 Pro pudoris signaculo, 10 
 
 Nummum suspendit aeneum, 
 
 Crucis insignem titulo. 
 
 Genovefam divinitus 
 
 Oblato dotat munere, 
 In templum Sancti Spiritus 15 
 
 Sub Christi dicans foedere.
 
 .ST. GENEVIEVE. 231 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 ST. GENEVIEVE. 
 JANUARY 3RD. 
 
 ENEVIEVE a holy mirth 
 V_T Brings forth upon her holy day ; 
 Then let the chastened heart break forth, 
 The sacrifice of praise to pay ! 
 
 Blest was that infant's birth of yore, 5 
 
 As Bishop Germain witness bore, 
 And what in spirit he foreknew 
 The issue of events proves true. 
 
 Upon the virgin's bosom laid, 
 
 To mark her spotless chastity, 10 
 
 A medal, that of bronze was made, 
 
 Stamped with a cross suspendeth he. 
 
 Genevieve he then endows 
 
 With gifts that heaven-sent power can boast, 
 And consecrates through Christian vows 15 
 
 A temple for the Holy Ghost.
 
 232 J. GENOVEFA. 
 
 Insontem manu feriens, 
 
 Mater privatur lumine ; 
 Matri virgo compatiens 
 
 Lucis dat usum pristinse. 20 
 
 Genovefa magnanimis 
 
 Carnem frangit jejunio, 
 Terramque rigans lacrymis, 
 
 Jugi gaudet martyrio. 
 
 Coelesti duce prsevio, 25 
 
 Coelos lustrat et tartara, 
 Civesque precum studio 
 
 Servat a gente barbara. 
 
 Divino diu munere 
 
 Sitim levat artificum ; 30 
 
 Confractum casu miserae 
 
 Matri resignat unicum. 
 
 Ad primam precem virginis 
 Contremiscunt daemonia ; 
 
 Pax datur energuminis, 35 
 
 Spes aegris, reis venia. 
 
 In ejus manus cerei 
 
 Reaccenduntur coelitus ; 
 Per hanc in sinus alvei 
 
 Redit amnis coercitus. 40
 
 ST. GENEVIEVE. 233 
 
 For striking at the guileless maid 
 
 Her mother's eyes lose all their light ; 
 
 The virgin, for her mother sad, 
 
 Restores to them their former sight. 20 
 
 Genevieve, the great- souled, wears 
 
 Her fleshly frame by fasts away, 
 And joys, bedewing earth with tears, 
 
 In martyrdom from day to day. 
 
 'Neath angel guidance she surveys 25 
 
 The heavens above and hell below ; 
 
 And saves, so fervently she prays, 
 The people from a barbarous foe. 
 
 Long doth she with unearthly power 
 
 Some workmen's thirst alleviate ; 30 
 
 And at a mother's tears restore 
 Her only son, struck down by fate. 
 
 At the pure maiden's earliest prayer 
 Trembles and quakes all Satan's race ; 
 
 While rest and peace demoniacs share, 35 
 The sickly hope, the guilty grace. 
 
 Some waxen tapers in her hand 
 
 With heaven-sent flame are made to burn ; 
 Its waters too at her command 
 
 Back to a river's bed return. 40
 
 234 S. GENOVEFA. 
 
 Ignem sacrum refrigerat, 
 
 Post mortem vivens meritis, 
 Quae prius in se vicerat 
 intern! fomitis. 
 
 Morti, morbis, daemonibus, 45 
 
 Et elementis imperat : 
 Sic Genovefa precibus 
 
 Naturae leges superat. 
 
 Operatur in parvulis 
 
 Christi virtus magnalia : 50 
 
 Christo, pro tot miraculis, 
 
 La us frequens, jugis gloria ! Amen.
 
 ST. GENEVIEVE. 235 
 
 She by her merits, living still 
 
 When dead, cools down "the Ardents"' fire, 
 Who in herself before could quell 
 
 The flames within of hot desire. 
 
 Disease, death, powers of the air, 45 
 
 And elements, all own her sway ; 
 So Genevieve by force of prayer 
 
 Makes Nature's laws her will obey. 
 
 In very babes Christ's power alone 
 
 Works mighty deeds effectually : 50 
 
 To Christ for such great wonders done 
 
 All praise and endless glory be ! Amen.
 
 236 S. AGNES. 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 S. AGNES. 
 xxi JANUARII. 
 
 A NIMEMUR ad agonem, 
 JT\. Recolentes passionem 
 
 Gloriosae virginis : 
 Contrectantes sacrum florem, 
 Respiremus ad odorem 5 
 
 Respersse dulcedinis. 
 
 Pulchra, prudens et illustris, 
 Jam duobus Agnes lustris 
 
 Addebat triennium : 
 
 Proles amat hanc praefecti, 10 
 
 Sed ad ejus virgo flecti 
 
 Respuit arbitrium. 
 
 Mira vis fidei, 
 
 Mira virginitas, 
 Mira virginei 1 5 
 
 Cordis integritas !
 
 AGNES. 237 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 ST. AGNES. 
 JANUARY 21 ST. 
 
 AS we tell once more the fashion 
 Of this glorious virgin's passion, 
 Be we kindled to the fight : 
 As we touch the sacred flower, 
 Let us breathe the scents that shower 5 
 
 From its sweetness' full delight ! 
 
 Beautiful and wise and noble, 
 Agnes now had to the double 
 
 Of five years an added three : 
 Much the prefect's first-born loves her, 10 
 But to maiden scorn he moves her, 
 
 Not submission to his plea. 
 
 Wonderful power of faith, 
 
 Wondrous virginity, 
 Wonderful virtue hath 15 
 
 Virgin hearts' constancy !
 
 238 S. AGNES. 
 
 Sic Dei Filius, 
 
 Nutu mirabili, 
 Se mirabilius 
 
 Prodit in fragili. 20 
 
 Languet amans, cubat lecto, 
 Languor notus fit praefecto ; 
 
 Maturat remedia. 
 Offert multa, spondet plura, 
 Periturus peritura, 25 
 
 Sed vilescunt omnia. 
 
 Nudam prostituit 
 
 Prseses flagitiis, 
 Quam Christus induit 
 
 Comarum fimbriis 30 
 
 Stolaque ccelesti. 
 Coelestis nuntius 
 Assistit propius ; 
 Cella libidinis 
 
 Fit locus luminis : 35 
 
 Turbantur incesti. 
 
 Caecus amans indignatur, 
 Et irrumpens prsefocatur 
 
 A maligno spiritu. 
 
 Luget pater, lugent cuncti, 40 
 
 Roma flevit pro defuncti 
 
 Juvenis interitu.
 
 ST. AGNES. 239 
 
 So did the Son of God 
 
 Come of His wondrous will, 
 
 And in frail flesh abode ; 
 
 Which is more wondrous still ! 20 
 
 Sick, to bed the lover goeth : 
 When the cause the prefect knoweth, 
 
 Quickly seeks he for a cure : 
 Much now, vowing more, he proffers, 
 Short-lived offerer, short-lived offers ! 25 
 
 But his gifts are all too poor. 
 
 Her doth the prefect, bare, 
 
 To outrage vile expose, 
 But a thick fringe of hair 
 
 Christ round her body throws, 30 
 
 And a robe heaven-whitened. 
 One of the angel-race 
 Beside her takes his place ; 
 The den of lust that night 
 Becomes the abode of light, 35 
 
 And the lewd are frightened. 
 
 Her blind lover, most indignant, 
 Rushes in, and a malignant 
 
 Spirit robs him of life-breath. 
 Weeps his father, all are crying, 40 
 
 Rome bewailed a young man dying 
 
 By so terrible a death.
 
 240 5. AGNES. 
 
 Suscitatur ab Agnete ; 
 Turba fremit indiscrete; 
 
 Rogum parant virgini : 45 
 
 Rogus ardens reos urit, 
 In furentes flamma furit, 
 
 Dans honorem numini. 
 
 Grates agens Salvatori, 
 
 Guttur offert haec lictori ; 50 
 
 Nee ad horam timet mori, 
 
 Puritatis conscia. 
 Agnes, Agni salutaris 
 Stans ad dextram gloriaris, 
 Et parentes consolaris, 55 
 
 Invitans ad gaudia. 
 
 Ne te flerent ut defunctam, 
 
 Jam coelesti Sponso junctam, 
 
 His, sub agni forma, suam 
 
 Revelavit atque tuam 60 
 
 Virginalem gloriam ; 
 Nos ab Agno salutari 
 Non permitte separari, 
 Cui te totam consecrasti, 
 Cujus ope tu curasti 65 
 
 Nobilem Constantiam. 
 
 Vas electum, vas honoris, 
 Incorrupti flos odoris,
 
 ST. AGNES. 241 
 
 He is raised by Agnes' pleading ; 
 
 But the crowd, blind rage misleading ! 
 
 For the maid prepare the stake : 45 
 
 Its bright blaze the guilty burneth ; 
 'Gainst the fierce the fierce flame turneth 
 
 For the Most High's honour's sake. 
 
 To the Saviour thanks she proffers, 
 
 To the lictor her throat offers ; 50 
 
 Neither fears she when she suffers, 
 
 Conscious of her purity. 
 Agnes ! thou, thy crown receiving, 
 At the saving Lamb's side living, 
 Comfort to thy parents giving, 55 
 
 Bidd'st them mount to joys on high ! 
 
 Lest they mourn, as dead and buried, 
 
 One, to Spouse divine now married, 
 
 In a lamb's shape, Christ the story 
 
 Of His own and of thy glory 60 
 
 Set before them, spotless maid ! 
 Suffer not our separation 
 From that Lamb, our One salvation ; 
 Unto Whom devoted wholly, 
 Thou didst noble Constance throughly 65 
 
 Heal of sickness by His aid. 
 
 Vessel, glorious and elected ! 
 Flower, with scent by naught affected ! 
 R
 
 242 S. AGNES. 
 
 Angelorum grata choris, 
 
 Honestatis et pudoris 70 
 
 Forman praebes sseculo. 
 Palma fruens triumphali, 
 Flore vernans virginal!, 
 Nos indignos speciali, 
 Fac sanctorum general! 75 
 
 Vel subscribi titulo. Amen.
 
 ST. AGNES. 243 
 
 By the angelic choirs respected ! 
 
 Thou art as the type erected 70 
 
 Of a maiden's spotless fame. 
 Off the palm of victory bearing, 
 Still thy virgin blossom wearing, 
 Grant we may, unfit appearing 
 For a special title, share in, 75 
 
 With the saints, their general name ! Amen.
 
 NOTES.
 
 NOTES. 
 
 * 
 
 SEQUENCE I. 
 
 I. " Christus natus non est per conditionem sed per potes- 
 tatem." August. " De Trinit. " iii. 26. 
 
 7. "So in the Greek Anthology, 6 axwpjjroc x w f^ ra '-" 
 Trench, ad loc., "Sacred Latin Poetry," 3rd edit. 
 p. 113. 
 
 19-20. Cf. Luke, ii. 10, 13 ; Matth. iv. II ; Luke xxii. 43 ; 
 Matth, xxviii. 2. 
 
 31, 32. Cf. Matth. xxvii. 34; Ps. Ixix. 21. 
 
 33-36. Cf. Adam's Sequence on the Circumcision, page 46 
 in this volume, where he enlarges on the good Samaritan 
 as the type of Christ, lines 7-14. 
 
 37 et ss. Cf. 2 Kings iv. 7-37 ; and on Elisha as a type of 
 Christ, Bernard, "In Cant. Serm. 15, 16." 
 
 41. The "Giants" of Gen. vi. 4, according to the interpre- 
 tation of the early Church, Gemince mbstantice ; the 
 "sons of God" who begat them, (ver. 2,) being angels, 
 who formed unions with the "daughters of men." Cf. 
 Ps. xix. 5, Trench. The application of this to our 
 Lord as God and man is obvious, and is used more than 
 once by St. Ambrose. Cf. his hymn, " Veni, Redemptor 
 gentium." 
 
 45. Mone y vol. ii., page 86, reads "Vicit."
 
 248 NOTES. 
 
 47, 48. "There is allusion here to that interpretation of the 
 parable of the pieces of silver (Luke xv. 8-10) which 
 makes the nine which were not lost to be the nine ranks 
 of angels who stood in their first obedience, and the one 
 lost to be the race of mankind." Trench, ad loc. 
 
 49. Meta Vatum. "Because with Christ's birth the prophets 
 of the O. T. ceased." Mone t "Hymni Lat. Med. 
 /Evi," vol. ii. p. 87. 
 
 SEQUENCE II. 
 
 I, 2. Cf. Luke ii. 13, 14: "And suddenly there was with 
 the angels a multitude of the heavenly host, praising 
 God, and saying, ' Glory to God in the highest, on earth 
 peace, goodwill towards men ! ' " 
 
 ii, 12. Cf. Hebrews iv. 15: "For we have not an High- 
 Priest, which cannot be touched with the feeling of our 
 infirmities ; but was in all points tempted like as we are, 
 yet without sin." 
 
 17. Vid. note on Sequence Ixxiv. 45-47. Cf. Daniel ii. 34. 
 
 20, 22. Cf. Isaiah vii. 14 ; Matth. i. 18, 22, 23 ; Luke i. 27. 
 
 25. Cf. Isaiah xi. i, 2; Romans xv. 12: "The stem is 
 the Virgin, the flower Jesus. One can refer to numberless 
 ' Jesse Trees ' which have been carved over the doorways 
 and on the walls of our cathedrals. Liturgical poetry 
 often took its inspiration from the passage in Isaiah. A 
 response in verse by Fulbert de Chartres, music for 
 which was composed by the pious King Robert, was 
 especially popular in the middle ages. 
 
 ' Stirps Jesse virgam produxit virgaque florem, 
 Et super hunc florem requiescit spiritus almus, 
 Virgo Dei genetrix virga est, flos Filius ejus, 
 Et super hunc florem requiescit spiritus almus.' " 
 
 Gautier, ad loc.
 
 NOTES. 249 
 
 SEQUENCE III. 
 
 51. Gautier says here, "Aaron's rod that blossomed is the 
 emblem of the Virgin Mary, who bore a child without 
 losing her virginity, and gave to the world that Jesus 
 jureflori comparatus. " 
 
 $2. " The fleece of Gideon, which, on a soil perfectly dry, 
 was saturated with dew, is the type of Mary, who be- 
 came a mother without experience of carnal intercourse." 
 Gautier, ad loc. 
 
 59. Stella Marts is the exact translation of the name of Mary 
 according to St. Jerome. 
 
 SEQUENCE IV. 
 
 I, 2, 3. Cf. Luke i. 79 : "To give light to them that sit in 
 
 darkness and in the shadow of death." 
 
 SEQUENCE V. 
 
 II, 12. "The Virgin Mary had no model in the past, ex- 
 emplar ; nor can she in the future find a faithful likeness, 
 exemplum : 
 
 Gaudia Matris habens .cum virginitatis honore, 
 Nee primam similem visa est nee habere sequentem. " 
 Sedulius, " Carmen Paschale," ii. 67, 68. 
 Gautier, ad loc. 
 
 Vid. also the "Great Antiphon" in the Sarum 
 Breviary for December 23rd, " O Virgo Virginum." 
 14. Cf. Genesis iii. 2. 
 
 SEQUENCE VI. 
 
 7-12. " Nothing is more common in liturgical poetry than 
 the comparison of Eve with Mary, The New Eve" 
 Gautier, ad loc. 
 
 It begins very early indeed, being found in St. Irtnaus, 
 "Adv. Hser," v. 19. 
 
 17-22. Cf. Psalm xix. 5, and note on Sequence i. line 41 
 ante.
 
 250 NOTES. 
 
 SEQUENCE VII. 
 
 29, 30. Cf. Numbers xvii. 8. 
 
 32. Cf. Judges vi. 37 et seq. 
 
 45-53. " These three stanzas are devoted to the double sym- 
 bolism of the almond or the nut. The nut is first in itself 
 the representation of Jesus Christ ; its bitter hull is the 
 anguish of the cross circa carnem ; the shell of the nut is 
 the body of our Lord, and the fruit the Godhead clothed 
 with flesh, the sweetness of Christ. By its properties 
 moreover the nut is the representation of Christ ; it 
 offers us three benefits, unction, light, nourishment. 
 Is not Christ the light of the blind, the unction of the 
 sick, the food of the faithful in the Eucharist?" 
 Gaitticr, ad loc. 
 
 SEQUENCE VIII. 
 5, 6. Cf. Luke xv. 8. " The lost piece of silver" symbolizes 
 
 man after the fall. "The lighted candle" Christ, the 
 
 light of the world, sent to seek "that which was lost." 
 7-14. Cf. Luke x. 3037. The good Samaritan symbolizes 
 
 Christ ; the man that fell among thieves mankind ; the 
 
 oil and wine the sacraments ; the two pence the two 
 
 testaments. 
 
 15, 1 6. Cf. Judges vi. 37 et seq. 
 1 8, 26. A reference to the symbolic character of the number 
 
 eight, which makes it so often the sign of finality : that 
 
 finality being a complete restoration and happy summing 
 
 up of all. 
 The hymnist asks in lines 25, 26, that he and others 
 
 may have their share in the blessings of that completing 
 
 age and epoch of the church. 
 
 SEQUENCE IX. 
 II. Cf. I Cor. xi. 3: "The head of every man is Christ."
 
 NOTES. 251 
 
 12. Cf. I Cor. vi. 15, and xii. 27 : " Now ye are the body 
 of Christ, and members in particular." 
 
 13. Cf. I Cor. v. 7: "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for 
 us." 
 
 1 6. Cf. I Peter v. 8, Vulgate, " Adversarius noster, tanquam 
 leo rugiens, circuit, quserens quern devoret." 
 
 1 8, 19. Cf. Judges xiv. 6. 
 
 20-23. Cf. I Sam. xvii. 34-36. Fortibus manibus is the 
 translation of the word "David." 
 
 27. Sol eorum. "This etymology of Samson's name is de- 
 rived from Jerome, who ('De Nom. Heb.') explains 
 Samson : ' Sol eorum, vel soils fortitude, their light, or 
 the light of them that are His.' .... They may 
 have been right in seeing shemesh or ' the sun ' in Sam- 
 son's name ; but ' sol eorum ' is of course a mistake." 
 Trenth, ad loc. 
 " Samson "=" Solar " according to modern scholars. 
 
 31. Cf. Numb. xiii. 23, 24. The " one cluster of grapes " 
 and the "staff" upon which it was borne, are constantly, 
 as noted by Archbishop Trench, counted among the O. T. 
 types of Christ and His cross. The archbishop quotes 
 Hugh of St. Victor, Inst. Mor. i. 4, August., Enarr. 
 in Ps. viii. I, and the following lines from Pet. de Riga 
 to illustrate this fact : 
 
 In ligno botrus est pendens, in cruce Christus ; 
 
 Profluit hinc vinum, profluit inde salus. 
 Ejicitur praelo de botro gratia vini ; 
 
 Prselo pressa crucis sanguis et unda fluit. 
 Trench, "Sacred Lat. Poetry," pp. 164, 165. 
 
 36-38. Saccus siccus. Cf. Ps. xxx. II, E. V. ; xxix. 12, Vul- 
 gate. " The sackcloth is here the flesh of Christ ; the 
 ' royal uses' its immortality of glory after His death."' 
 Neale, " Mediaeval Hymns," in a note ad loc., page 117. 
 
 41. Dei. Trench considers rei a far better reading, and it is
 
 252 NOTES. 
 
 used in the missals of Clugny and Paris. I have ventured, 
 however, to retain Gautier's reading of del, as occurring 
 in the larger number of both MSS. and printed editions 
 of this hymn. 
 
 43. " The poet with only the Vulgate before him, in which he 
 found (Gen. iv. 15) 'Posuitque Dominus Cain signum,' 
 Cain being undeclined, understood the passage thus: 
 ' The Lord set Cain for a sign,' instead of ' The Lord set 
 a sign upon Cain.' " Trenctis note, ad loc. 
 
 44-47. Cf. Psalm cxviii. 22: "The stone which the builders 
 refused is become the head-stone in the corner ; " Isaiah 
 xxviii. 1 6 ; Mark xii. 10 ; Luke xx. 17 ; Matth. xxi. 42; 
 Acts iv. li; Ephes. ii. 20 ; I Peter ii. 6, 7. 
 
 SEQUENCE X. 
 
 IO. Cf. John xii. 36 : " While ye have the light, believe in 
 the light, that ye may be the children of light." 
 
 25, 26. Cf. Exodus xii. 5 : " Your lamb shall be without 
 blemish" 
 
 SEQUENCE XI. 
 
 25-28. " The reference is to the question, put by God to Job, 
 ' Canst thou draw out Leviathan with a hook ? ' Job xii. 
 I, 2. But what man was unable to do, that Christ could 
 and did effect on the true Leviathan, Satan. Thus, ac- 
 cording to the Fathers, our Lord's humanity was the bait, 
 His Divinity the hook ; Satan, unconsciously swallowing 
 the one, was destroyed by the other. Thus . . . . St. 
 Hildebert in his epigrams, if we may so call them, named 
 ' The Moral Interpretation of Scripture : ' 
 
 ' Fisher the Father is ; this world the sea ; 
 
 Christ's flesh the bait, the hook His Deity, 
 
 The line His generation. Satan took 
 
 The offered bait, and perished by the hook.' " 
 
 Neales "Med. Hymns," pp. 122, 123.
 
 NOTES. 253 
 
 43, 44. " At Easter the song of ' Alleluia ' begins again, 
 
 which the church puts away through the whole of Lent." 
 Gautier, ad loc. 
 
 SEQUENCE XII. 
 31. Cf. Rev. v. 5 ; Amos iii. 8. 
 
 44. A reference to the double alleluias in the responses to the 
 Lessons and at the close of an Office, peculiar in several 
 rites to Easter-tide. 
 
 SEQUENCE XIII. 
 23. Some MSS., e.g., the Paris Missal, read "fallitur" for 
 
 "tollitur." 
 27. Cf. John xiv. 30 : " The prince of this world cometh, 
 
 and hath nothing in me." 
 34. Cf. Gen. iii. 24 : " He placed at the east of the Garden 
 
 of Eden cherubims and a flaming sword, which turned 
 
 every way to keep the way of the Tree of Life." 
 
 SEQUENCE XIV. 
 
 I, 2. Cf. I Cor. v. 7, 8 : " Purge out therefore the old 
 leaven, . . let us keep the feast not with the old leaven 
 . . but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth " ; 
 Exod. xii. 19. 
 
 4-6. Cf. Exod. xii. 41, 42. 
 
 12. Cf. Exod. i. 14 ; v. 12. 
 
 1 6. Cf. Psalm cxviii. 24. 
 
 19-21. Cf. Heb. x. ij Col. ii. 17; Rom. x. 4 ; 2 Cor. 
 i. 20. 
 
 25. Cf. Gen. xxi. 6. St. Hildebert, following the Fathers, 
 says, " Isaac, whose name by interpretation is laughter, 
 signifies Christ. For Christ is the joy of men and 
 angels." Neale, "Med. Hymns," page 122. 
 
 " The use of forma tor figura, TVTTO^, is frequent." 
 Trench, " Sacred Latin Poetry," p. 1 68.
 
 254 NOTES. 
 
 31 et seq. Cf. Exodus vii. 10-12. 
 
 38. Cf. Job xl. 20, 21, Vulgate; xli. i, 2, E. V. Vid. Note 
 to Sequence xi. 25-28. 
 
 39. Cf. Isaiah xi. 8. "Regulus, the diminutive of 'rex,' 
 answers to 'basilisk,' a name we give to a serpent with 
 crown-like, and so kingly marks upon its head." 
 Trench, ad loc. 
 
 43-45. Cf. 2 Kings ii. 23-25. 
 
 46. " Arreptitius " = arreplus furore. Cf. I Sam. xxi. 14. 
 St. Augustine uses the word in his " De Civ. Dei," ii. 4. 
 The same author in another work expounds the mystery 
 of David's supposed madness, and of the prophecy which 
 was therein of Christ, of whom the people said, " He is 
 mad and hath a devil." David's escape from the pre- 
 sence of Achish represents to him Christ's escape at His 
 resurrection from the Jews. Enarr. I. in Ps. xxxiii. Cf. 
 Trench, ad loc. 
 
 47, 48. Cf. Lev. xvi. 22 ; xiv. 49-53. 
 49. Cf. Judges xvi. 2, 3. 
 
 58. " The legend, frequent in the middle ages, that the lion's 
 whelps were born dead, and first roused to life on the 
 third day by the roar of their sire, was often contemplated 
 as a natural type of the Resurrection." Trench, " Sacred 
 Latin Poetry," note, page 70. 
 
 65. Cf. Canticles i. 14 : " My beloved is unto me as a 
 cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En-gedi." 
 
 Botrus cypri-=.Cyprus grape, used in this passage in 
 the Vulgate, is an error from following the Septuagint, 
 ' ' /Sorpi'c TT/C Kvirpov, " where the last word does not mean 
 the island Cyprus, but merely copies the Hebrew 
 " kopher "=r camphor-plant, and botrus means only 
 cluster. 
 
 72. Cf. Matthew xxvii. 52. 
 
 73, 74. Cf. Psalm xxx. 5.
 
 NOTES. 255 
 
 SEQUENCE XVI. 
 
 10-12. Cf. Deut. xxxii. 13 : "Honey out of the rock and 
 oil out of the flinty rock." 
 
 25. Cf. Lev. xviii. 16, 17. The poet alludes probably to 
 the mediaeval interpretation of the two loaves offered as 
 first-fruits at the end of harvest, as typifying that the first- 
 fruits of the Christian Church on the Day of Pentecost 
 should be two-fold, viz. : Jews and Gentiles. 
 
 31, 32. Cf. Matthew ix. 17 : Utres novi; " sunt homines 
 per gratiam innovati." Utres vetusti : "sunt homines pec- 
 catores veterem hominem cum actibus suis imitantes." 
 Sunt capaces novi musti: "In novos [utres] vinum 
 ponendum est novum scilicet Spiritus Sanctus qui vinum 
 novum dicitur ab effectu, etc." Petrus Cantor., "Spici- 
 legium Solesmense," ii. 462. Quoted by Gautier, ad loc. 
 
 33, 34. Cf. 2 Kings iv. 1-7. 
 
 S3 54- Cf. Gen. i. 2. As the Spirit moved over the face 
 of the waters at the Creation, so does it, the poet suggests, 
 over the waters of baptism. 
 
 SEQUENCE XVII. 
 
 I. Ab utroque. Adam here emphasizes a protest against 
 the heresy of the Greek Church as to the procession of 
 the Holy Ghost from the Father alone. 
 
 SEQUENCE XVIII. 
 3. Gautier reads reformet for illustret. I have preferred the 
 
 latter, as the reading adopted by Archbishop Trench and 
 
 Daniel. 
 7-28. "These stanzas are in the true spirit of St. Paul and 
 
 St. Augustine, and hardly to be understood fully without 
 
 reference to the writings of the latter, above all to his
 
 256 NOTES. 
 
 anti-Pelagian tracts, wherein he constantly contrasts, as 
 Adam does here, the killing letter of the old, and the 
 quickening spirit of the new, covenant." Trench^ ad 
 loc. 
 
 19, 20. Cf. Exodus xix. 16, Vulgate : "Ecce cceperunt au- 
 diri tonitrua ac micare fulgura, et nubes densissima 
 operire montem, clangorque buccinse vehementius per- 
 strepebat." 
 
 21,22. Cf. Exodus xx. 1 8, Vulgate: "Cunctus autem 
 populus videbat voces et lampades, et sonitum buccinse, 
 montemque fumantem : et perterriti ac pavore concussi 
 steterunt procul. " 
 
 30 et seq. Cf. Acts ii. 
 
 40. "The poet sees in the Jewish year of Jubilee the year 
 of restitution and restoration a type of that great epoch 
 of re-creation and restoration that began at Pentecost. " 
 Trench, ad loc. Cf. Lev. xxv. 
 
 47, 48. Vel dimittens vel mutattis : " These etymologies of 
 Jubilee have long been given up." Trench, ad loc. 
 
 Dr. Littledale, in writing to me on this point, says : 
 "It is not quite correct to say that the etymology dimit- 
 tens has long been given up. There is a good deal to be 
 said for it, and the verb which yields the meaning, VlTi 
 agrees, except in vocal points, with that which is ac- 
 cepted by most modern critics, meaning to "flow im- 
 petuously," and held to refer to the flowing from the 
 trumpets. But there is quite as much to be said for the 
 earlier view, supported as it is by Josephus," who in 
 "Ant.,"iii. 12, 3, makes it mean "liberty." Modern 
 critics, following Kranold, interpret the word as " Id quod 
 magno strepitu fluit "= a rushing, penetrating sound. 
 Cf. Smith's "Diet, of the Bible," vol. i. p. 1151.
 
 NOTES. 257 
 
 SEQUENCE XIX. 
 
 41 et seq. This stanza is unfinished in the MSS. 
 
 58. This repetition of line 50 is probably a clerical error of 
 the transcriber, which cannot unfortunately be corrected 
 now. 
 
 SEQUENCE XX. 
 
 21-28. Vide note on Sequence xvi. 53, 54, ante. 
 
 23. Cf. Gen. i. 2, Vulgate : " Et Spiritus Dei ferebatur super 
 aquas." 
 
 35. Cf. Isaiah iv. I. 
 
 37. The word forma is one of the most difficult in mediaeval 
 philosophy, but the meaning it mostly bore at the date 
 of Adam of St. Victor was that property which made 
 anything to be a species of its genus. Thus essence or 
 kind will come near to its intention. Here Adam's 
 notion would seem to be that the Holy Spirit is the 
 anima mundi. I have used the word "type" in this 
 stanza, not in its meaning of allegory or similitude, but 
 as representing any form or species of being or idea. 
 
 SEQUENCE XXII. 
 
 7, 8. " Relative significat vox qure relationem significat, ut vox 
 Pater : importat enim relationem ad Filium. Substantive 
 autem vox quae significat aliquid per se subsistens absque 
 ullo respectu ad aliud, ut vox Deus." (Lexicon quo 
 veterum philosophorum locutiones explicanttir, ToRNACl. 
 Casterman, 1849.) 
 
 " Gautier explains that the Latin adverb ' relative ' is 
 used here with special reference to the relation subsisting 
 between the divine persons of the Blessed Trinity ; also 
 that the word ' substantive ' signifies that which subsists 
 without reference to any other, as doth God." D. T. 
 Morgan's "Hymns, &c., of the Latin Church," note, 
 page 151. 
 
 S
 
 258 NOTES. 
 
 SEQUENCE XXIII. 
 
 I, 2. Cf. Ps. Ixxxiv. i, 2, in our Bibles. The words of 
 the Vulgate are : ' ' Quara dilecta tabernacula tua, Domine 
 virtutum ! Concupiscit et deficit anima mea in atria 
 Domini." This Psalm, Gautier says, is chanted whilst 
 the bishop is sprinkling the proposed site of a church 
 with holy water. Tabernaculum signifies " temple ; " 
 but the material temple is here only the representation 
 of the spiritual temple, where God is worshipped ' ' in 
 spirit and in truth" the Church. It is then of the 
 Church, as the congregation of the faithful, that Adam 
 speaks throughout this sequence, without doubt one of 
 the most difficult, and perhaps the most figurative, of all 
 of his. Cf. Gautier, ad loc. 
 
 3-6. Cf. Matthew vii. 24, 25 ; Ephes. ii. 20 ; Rev. xxi. 14. 
 
 10-12. Cf. Gen. ii. 21, 22. As woman was formed out of a 
 rib taken from Adam's side whilst he slept, so the sacra- 
 ments flowed from the side of Christ, when pierced by 
 the spear, during His sleep of death upon the Cross. 
 Umbra, in line 10, = the Old Testament. 
 
 13-15. Cf. Gen. viL The ark typifies the Church on earth, 
 riding in safety over the floods of the world's wickedness. 
 Noah is the type of Christ. 
 
 16-18. Cf. Gen. xviii. 12, 13. Sarah typifies the Church on 
 earth, and Isaac Christ. On gaudium, vide note to 
 Hymn xiv., line 25, ante. 
 
 20. Cf. Gen. xxiv. 17-20. " According to the mediaeval 
 allegory, Isaac is Christ ; Rebecca the Gentile Church ; 
 Eliezer the Apostles and Doctors whom He sent to betroth 
 that Church to Himself; the servant's thirst, their ardour 
 for souls, satisfied by the obedience of the Gentile con- 
 verts, as Eliezer's by the pitcher of Rebecca." Neale, 
 "Mediaeval Hymns," page 150.
 
 NOTES. 259 
 
 23. Cf. Gen. xxiv. 22. " As Rebecca puts on the bracelets 
 and ear-rings which Isaac sent her, so the Gentile Church 
 adorns herself for her Lord ; but with ornaments of His 
 giving." Trench, ad loc. 
 
 25-27. Cf. Gen. xxvii. 5. " Esau going away to hunt here 
 represents the Jew, who while wandering in search of 
 the letter of the Scriptures, and careless about the spirit, 
 lost the blessing, which Jacob obtained." Neale, " Me- 
 diaeval Hymns, ;> p. 150. 
 
 28, 29. Cf. Gen. xxix., xxx. "Leah and Rachel typify here 
 the Synagogue and the Church Leah the Synagogue, 
 lippa, unable to see Christ, the true end of the law ; 
 but Rachel, or the Church, widens, seeing the things 
 that belong unto her peace." Trench, ad loc. 
 
 31. Cf. Gen. xxxviii. 14. " Tamar is the Gentile Church ; 
 the garment, in which she sat by the wayside, confession 
 of sins ; her becoming the mother of twins by Judah, 
 while he was ignorant who she was, is explained of that 
 text, ' A people that have not known me shall serve 
 me.' Psalm xviii. 48." Neale, "Mediaeval Hymns," 
 p. 151. 
 
 34-36. Cf. Exod. ii. "The Nile is the world, because it 
 flows through Egypt, the land of darkness. Moses is 
 the natural state of man ; the Ark his vain endeavour to 
 work out a righteousness of his own ; Pharaoh's daugh- 
 ter the grace of God, which finally makes him by adop- 
 tion a son of the true King." Neale, " Med. Hymns," 
 p. 151. 
 
 37-39. Cf. Exod. xii. 5 ; I Cor. v. 7. 
 
 40-42. "In mari rubro submersus est Pharao et principes 
 ejus ; et in baptismo liberamur a potestate diaboli et 
 principum ejus." Hugh of St. Victor. 
 
 44-46. sdis ornamenta. "The candlestick, altar of incense, 
 table of shew-bread, and the like. The poet would say, 
 4 Here, in the tabernacle which the Lord hath pitched,
 
 26o NOTES. 
 
 are these in their truth, and not, as in that of old, the mere 
 figures of the true,' Hebrews ix." Trench, ad loc. 
 
 The pot is Christ's Manhood ; the manna His God- 
 head ; the Ten Commandments typify the new law that 
 Christ brought from heaven, and committed to the care 
 of the Church = the Ark of the covenant. 
 47, 48. Poderis. Cf. Exod. xxviii. 4 and 31. "The poet 
 would say, ' Here, in the Church, are the realities which 
 the garments of the high-priest, indumenta, and the 
 robe, poderis, the chief among them, did but foreshow." 
 Trench, ad loc. 
 
 Hie sttnt adis ornamenta. Symbolical meanings were 
 attached to the ornaments of the Temple by Mediaeval 
 writers, e.g., the table of shew-bread signified Holy 
 Scripture ; its " crown of gold round about," preaching j 
 its four rings, the four Gospels ; the staves, preachers ; 
 and the twelve loaves, the Apostles' doctrine, and so on. 
 Cf. Hugh of St. Victor's "Allegories on Numbers" 
 chaps, xi., xii. 
 
 Hie Aaron indumenta. Each of the High Priest's vest- 
 ments also had mystic meaning in Mediaeval symbolism ; 
 according to the same authority, "Allegories on 
 Exodus," chap, xv., when commenting on Exod. ii. 28, 
 the breastplate was wisdom and discretion ; the ephod, 
 endurance ; the robe, well-doing ; the girdle, prepara- 
 tion therefor ; the gold plate upon the front of the mitre 
 confession of the faith ; the golden bell, the preaching 
 of it, &c. 
 
 49-54. Cf. 2 Samuel xi. 26, 27; Ps. xlv. 9. "Uriah sets 
 forth the Jews ; Bathsheba, the true Church ; David re- 
 presents Christ. . . The symbolical interpretation of 
 the history is very well given by Hildebert : 
 
 "Bersabee lex est ; rex David ; Christus Urias ; 
 Judaeo regi nuda puella placet. 
 
 Nuda placet Christo lex non vestita figuris ; 
 Aufert Judaeis hanc, sociatque sibi.
 
 NOTES. 261 
 
 " Vir non vult intrare domum, nee spiritualem 
 Intellectum plebs Israel ingreditur. 
 
 Scripta gerit, per scripta perit deceptus Urias ; 
 Sic et Judseus scripta sequendo perit." 
 
 Male, "Med. Hymns," p. 152. 
 
 55. " The coming of the Queen of the South Matthew xii. 
 24 to hear the wisdom of Solomon I Kings x. 
 was a favourite type of the coming of the Gentile world 
 to hear the wisdom of a greater than Solomon." 
 Trench, ad loc. 
 
 58. Cf. Cant. i. 5; 2 Cor. iv. 7. The Church "hath her 
 treasure in earthen vessels." 
 
 60. Cf. Cant. iii. 6. The Church, as the bride, is likened to 
 " a pillar of smoke perfumed with myrrh and frankin- 
 cense, with all powders of the merchant." 
 
 64-66. " Nttftue sunt Christi et Ecclesiae ; dilectus est 
 Christus ; lectus unitas ecclesise." S. Melito. 
 
 67-69. "According to the Mediaeval allegory . . . the 
 trumpets, as usually employed in the Jewish feasts, 
 are the harsher Law ; the sweeter psaltery is the gentler 
 teaching of the Gospel." Neale, "Med. Hymns," p. 152. 
 
 SEQUENCE XXIV. 
 
 7 et seq. Cf. I Kings vi., vii. ; 2 Chron. iii. iv. 
 
 33-35. Each of the perfumes named is symbolic, according 
 to Mediaeval interpretation, e.g., cinnamon stands for the 
 " odour of sanctity ;" myrrh, from its bitterness, signi- 
 fies " the mortification of the flesh;" stacte, or myrrh- 
 oil, what results from such mortification ; cassia, being 
 purgative, represents confession ; or the three perfumes 
 may be taken as signifying respectively penitence, morti- 
 fication, and pardon.
 
 262 NOTES. 
 
 SEQUENCE XXV. 
 
 4. Cf. Gen. xxviii. 12. The Church is the ladder, which, 
 like Jacob's, stretches from earth to heaven, by which 
 man may reach the last and God visits the first. 
 
 II, 12. Vetusta historia is the Old Testament; moderna 
 pagina, the New. 
 
 13, 14. Cf. Psalm cxxxii. 13, 14. 
 
 24. Cf. CanL ii. 13. 
 
 25. Cf. Cant. ii. 10. 
 
 26. Cf. Cant vi. 10. 
 
 27. 28. Cf. Cant, vil 5. 
 
 29. Cf. Cant. iv. I. 
 
 30. Cf. Cant. iv. 3. 
 
 31. Cf. Cant, vil 4. 
 
 32. Cf. Cant. iv. 1 1. 
 
 SEQUENCE XXVI. 
 
 I. "Jerusalem " and " Sion " are used figuratively to denote 
 the Church Triumphant and the Church Militant. 
 
 9-12. Reference probably is here made to Cant. vi. 9 ; pos- 
 sibly to the forty-fifth Psalm, and reginis in the twelfth 
 line would in that case represent the ' ' kings' daughters " 
 in the ninth verse of the Psalm. Mone (i. 326) sees 
 a reference in the expression to the Queen of Sheba. 
 
 17-24. " Haec enim Ecclesia jam in primo homine prsefigurata 
 est ; nam sicut ex Adae latere fabricata est Eva, ita et ex 
 corpore Christ! et vulnere redempta crevit Ecclesia." 
 Lefons du brhriaire de Langres four /< jfour de la 
 Dldicace. Vide note on Sequence xxiii. 10-12. 
 
 30. Cf. Cant. vi. 9, Vulgate: " Pulchra ut luna, electa ut 
 sol" 
 
 31, 32. Cf. Cant, vi 3 and 9, Vulgate : " Pulchra es, arnica 
 
 mea, et decora sicut Jerusalem : terribilis ut castrvrum 
 odes ordinato"
 
 NOTES. 263 
 
 37. As the Jordan of old was parted in the midst to make a 
 pathway by which the ark of the covenant and the 
 Israelites might pass through it, so the ranks of the 
 Gentile world have opened out to admit the new dispen- 
 sation of Christ. 
 
 38-40. The Queen of Sheba here represents the Church com- 
 ing to hear the wisdom of one greater than Solomon. 
 
 47, 48. Cf. Rev. xix. 7. 
 
 SEQUENCE XXVII. 
 
 St. Andrew, so runs the legend, who preached the 
 Gospel in Thrace and Scythia, having been arrested by 
 JEgeas, the proconsul at Patras in Achaia, was first cast 
 into prison, then cruelly scourged, and at last crucified. 
 During the two days that he lived upon the cross he never 
 ceased instructing the people ; and having prayed to our 
 Lord not to suffer him to be taken down from the cross, 
 he was surrounded by a great light from heaven, and, 
 after it presently disappeared, departed this life. 
 
 7 et seq. Cf. John i. 36, 37, 40-42. 
 
 13. Cf. Matthew iv. 18 et seq. 
 
 37. Vide the hymn, " Salve, tropseum gloriae," which Arch- 
 bishop Trench gives in his "Sacred Latin Poetry," p. 219. 
 It is there attributed to the Venerable Bede, and its sub- 
 ject is " SL Andrew addressing the Cross." 
 
 SEQUENCE XXVIII. 
 
 St. Nicholas belongs to the fourth century of the 
 Christian era, and was a native of the city of Patara, in 
 Lycia, in Asia Minor. So strong were his devotional 
 tendencies, even from infancy, that the legend asserts 
 that he refused to suck the breast on Wednesdays and 
 Fridays, the fast-days appointed by the Church. He 
 afterwards became Archbishop of Myra, the capital of
 
 264 NOTES. 
 
 Lycia. Whilst he was still resident at Patara, a noble- 
 man in that town, who had three daughters, had sunk to 
 such depths of poverty, as to be on the point of selling 
 their persons for prostitution, as the only means of pre- 
 serving them from starvation. St. Nicholas, who had 
 inherited a large fortune, no sooner heard of this unfor- 
 tunate family, than he resolved to save it from the degra- 
 dation with which it was threatened. As he proceeded 
 secretly to the nobleman's house at night, debating how 
 he might best accomplish his object, the moon shone out 
 from behind a cloud, and showed him an open window 
 into which he threw a purse of gold. This fell at the 
 nobleman's feet, and enabled him to portion his eldest 
 daughter. A second nocturnal visit was paid to the 
 house by the saint, and a similar present bestowed, which 
 procured a dowry for the second daughter. But the father 
 was now determined to discover his mysterious benefactor, 
 and with that view set himself to watch. On St. Nicholas 
 approaching and preparing to throw in a purse of money 
 for the third daughter, the nobleman caught hold of the 
 skirt of his robe, and threw himself at his feet, exclaim- 
 ing, "O Nicholas! servant of God! why seek to hide thy- 
 self ? " But the saint made him promise that he would 
 inform no one of this seasonable act of benevolence. 
 
 On another occasion he is said to have personally ap- 
 peared to and saved some sailors, who had invoked his 
 assistance during a storm. 
 
 He was buried at Myra, but during the eleventh cen- 
 tury some merchants of Bari, on the Adriatic, carried off 
 his bones to Italy. On the day they landed, May gth, 
 1087, at Bari, we are told that thirty persons were 
 cured of various distempers, and since that time his tomb 
 has been famous for pilgrimages. 
 
 The above facts are taken, with very little alteration, 
 from a long account of this saint in Chambers's ' ' Book of
 
 NOTES. 265 
 
 Days," and include most of the wonders dwelt upon 
 in this sequence. Vol. ii. pp. 661, 662. 
 
 SEQUENCE XXIX. 
 
 15. Luds adversarii. Cf. John viii. 12; i. 9. 
 
 16. Cf. Acts vi. 9, 13. 
 1 8. Cf. Luke iii. 7. 
 24. Cf. Rev. ii. 9. 
 
 31. Cf. I Peter i. 4. 
 
 37-48. Cf. Acts vii. 55, 56. 
 
 49-54. Cf. Acts vii. 57, 58. 
 
 55-60. Cf. Acts vii. 59, 60. 
 
 63-66. Cf. St. Augustine's "Civitas Dei," lib. xxii. 
 
 66-70. Cf. Acts. viii. 2 : " ffvvtKopiffav Sk TOV 2re0avov 
 tv\aj3eis icai f.iroir\aavTo Kovfrbv fiiyav lit' 
 It was probably upon this somewhat slender 
 foundation that the elaborate legend referred to in these 
 lines was built by writers of the fifth century. The 
 legend, as given in Smith's "Diet, of the Bible, "vol. iii. 
 P- Z 379> was as follows : 
 
 " The High-Priest, it is said, had intended to leave the 
 corpse of St. Stephen to be devoured by beasts of prey. 
 It was rescued by Gamaliel, carried off in his own chariot 
 by night, and buried in a new tomb upon his property at 
 Caphar Gamala= Fi7/av? of the Camel, eight leagues from 
 Jerusalem. The funeral lamentations lasted forty days. 
 All the Apostles attended. Gamaliel undertook the ex- 
 pense, and, on his death, was interred in an adjacent cave. 
 " This story was probably first drawn up on the occa- 
 sion of the remarkable event which occurred in A.D. 415. 
 under the name of "the Invention and Translation of 
 the Relics of St. Stephen." Successive visions of Gama- 
 liel to Lucian, the parish priest of Caphar Gamala, on 
 the 3rd and i8th of December in that year, revealed the 
 spot where the remains of the martyr would be found.
 
 266 NOTES. 
 
 They were identified by a tablet bearing his name 
 Cheliel, and were carried in state to Jerusalem, amidst 
 various portents, and buried in the church on Mount 
 Zion, the scene of so many early Christian traditions." 
 71, 72. The legend adds, that, when they began to dig, and 
 disturb the soil about the saint's tomb, a delightful fra- 
 grance arose therefrom, and cured seventy persons, sick 
 of different diseases and infirmities. 
 
 SEQUENCE XXX. 
 
 I. The rose, as though red with blood, is an emblem con- 
 stantly used in Mediaeval poetry for Martyrs. 
 
 4-6. Egypt, the land of darkness and tribulation to the Jews, 
 typifies the world in bondage to Satan. 
 
 7-12. Cf. Acts vii. 56-58. 
 
 13-18. Cf. Acts vii. 59. 
 
 19-24. Cf. Acts vii. 55. 
 
 25. Grapes in the wine-press are emblems of Christ and his 
 Martyrs in their sufferings. 
 
 SEQUENCE XXXI. 
 
 7-9. Cf. John xiii. 23. 
 
 10, II. Cf. John xix. 25-27. 
 
 12. Tradition represents St. John as having been throughout 
 his whole life a pure virgin. 
 
 1 6- 1 8. An allusion to the miracle by which St. John escapes 
 martyrdom at Rome. " Jussu igitur Domitiani, Romam 
 deducitur et deducto omnes capilli pro derisioni a capite 
 praescinduntur, ac ante portam urbis quae Latinam dicitur 
 in dolium ferventis olei, igne desubter candente, mitti 
 jubetur : nullum tamen ibidem dolorem sensit, sed penitus 
 illsesus exivit." Golden Legend, " De Johanne ante Por- 
 tam Latinam."
 
 NOTES. 267 
 
 19. This refers to the legend that, whilst in Asia, St. John 
 drank a cup of hemlock, which was intended to cause his 
 death, and suffered no harm from it. 
 
 25-30. Crato, a philosopher, discoursing upon the worthless- 
 ness of the things of this world, had persuaded two young 
 men to sell all that they had, and to spend the money thus 
 obtained in the purchase of some jewels. This being 
 done, he induces them to break the gems in pieces, when 
 St. John happened to pass that way, and invited the phi- 
 losopher to embrace the true faith. Crato said that if 
 St. John's Master was the true God, He could cause the 
 broken gems to re-unite, so that the worth of them 
 might be given to the poor. St. John then took the 
 gems into his hands, and prayed, and they became whole 
 once more. Upon this Crato and the two young men 
 believed, and, selling the precious stones, gave the price 
 of them to the poor. Two other young men, touched by 
 this example, sold all that they possessed, employed 
 themselves in almsgiving, and followed the Apostle. One 
 day, seeing certain, who had been their servants once, 
 richly clad, whilst they themselves had only an old cloak 
 to cover them, they grew sad. Then St. John, since 
 they were on the sea-shore, desired them to collect some 
 bits of wood and small pebbles, and these he changed into 
 gold and precious stones. 
 
 31-41. Our Lord with His disciples, so the legend runs, ap- 
 peared to St. John, then in his ninety-ninth year, and 
 desired him to come to Him, " For it is time," said He, 
 " that thou shouldest sup with thy brethren at My table." 
 On the following Lord's day accordingly, when the people 
 were gathered in church, St. John, after exhorting them 
 to remain steadfast in the faith, directed a tomb to be pre- 
 pared for him near the altar, and descended into it. A 
 bright light hid him from the spectators' eyes, and, when 
 it presently cleared away, instead of finding St. John
 
 268 NOTES. 
 
 there, they found the vault full of manna, which con- 
 tinued to be constantly generated there ever afterwards. 
 
 SEQUENCE XXXII. 
 
 1-6. Cf. I John ii. 16, 17 ; John xii. 48. 
 
 13. Cf. Rev. i. 10. 
 
 19-48. " The poet urges that the theology, properly so called, 
 belongs to St. John. The other Evangelists set forth 
 Christ's earthly ministry of labour and toil and passion ; 
 St John rather the relation of Him, the creative Word, 
 to the Father, John i. 3 ; Gen. i. i, and His return, 
 at the end of time, cum ultrici framea (v. 48) these 
 last words containing an allusion to that sublimest of all 
 visions, Rev. xix. 11-16." Trench, "Sacred Latin 
 Poetry," pp. 73, 74. 
 
 19. Cf. Rev. xix. 12 ; Gen. xxxii. 20 ; Judges xiii. 17, 18. 
 
 36. Cf. Acts iv. 13, Vulgate : " Homines sine litteris et 
 idiottz." 
 
 37-42. Cf. Ezek. i. 18 ; x. 12, as to lumen visuale: L 6, 
 10, as to vultus anceps : L 6, 9, as to /eves ate: L 21, 
 as to rota stantes. 
 
 " A difficult stanza . . . I take Ad am to mean that 
 St. John's eagle-glance, lumen visuale, with all else as- 
 cribed to him here, was seen in heaven, anticipated in 
 Ezekiel's vision, before John himself, or his Lord, the 
 charioteer, auriga, of that wondrous chariot, which John, 
 with the other 'living creatures,' upbore, took form and 
 shape on earth. But I am not satisfied with this expla- 
 nation." Trench, ad loc. 
 
 49, 50. Cf. Ezek. i. 19, Vulgate : " Cumque ambularent 
 animalia, ambulabant pariter et rot re juxta ea, et cum 
 elevarentur animalia de terra, elevabantur simul et rota." 
 
 52-54. Cf. Rev. v. 8, 9.
 
 NOTES. 269 
 
 SEQUENCE XXXIII. 
 
 This Sequence, like all those in the irregular metres 
 common to the Notkerian Sequences, was probably 
 written to be used with music previously composed. 
 
 Strophe 2. Nuptias . . liquit. Adam seems here to 
 adopt the legendary notion, that the marriage at Cana in 
 Galilee was that of St. John, and that the Apostle left the 
 marriage-feast to follow Christ. 
 
 Strophe 5. Virus sorrens sorbuit. Vide note to Sequence 
 xxxi. 19. Vir vita refloruit et matrona. The " Golden 
 Legend " records that St. John raised a woman called 
 Drusiana to life "De S. Johanne," sec. I. and a 
 young man, who had been married thirty days sec. 4. 
 Ordericus Vitalis, " Eccl. History of England and Nor- 
 mandy," bk. ii. cap. v., gives Stacteus as the name of the 
 young man. 
 
 Aurum de frondibus, &c. Vide note to Sequence 
 xxxi. 25-30. 
 
 Strophe 6. Hunc vocans, &c. Vide note to Sequence xxxi. 
 
 SEQUENCE XXXIV. 
 
 I. " Evangelista Johannes velut aquila volat altius caliginem- 
 que terrse transcendit, et lucem veritatis firmioribus oculis 
 intuetur." Augustine, " In Evangel. Joh.," iii. 15, sec. 
 I. " Altissimus Evangelista ~Dzi."Anselmi, " Orat." 67. 
 
 20. O Virgo. Vide note on Sequence xxxi. 12. 
 
 SEQUENCE XXXV. 
 
 I. Sion = The Church Militant. 
 
 23, 24. A large portion of Thomas a Becket's days of exile
 
 270 NOTES. 
 
 were, by the invitation of the King of France, spent by 
 him in the province of Sens in France days amongst the 
 happiest of his life. 
 
 28. Points to the probability of the Archbishop having passed 
 some time in the Abbey of St. Victor. 
 
 31-33. "In brevi in tantam familiaritatcm a prsefato rege 
 Thomas est admissus, ut per diversas regiones se beatos 
 reputarent qui ei ut consiliario et cancellario Domini 
 obsecundare potuissent . . In regis palatio nullus eo 
 potentior." Quoted by Gautier, ad loc., from the 
 legend of St. Thomas in the " Langres Breviary." 
 
 37-40. " Summo sacerdotio Thomas sublimatus 
 
 Est in virum alium subito mutatus." 
 Quoted by Gautier from the " Salisbury Breviary." 
 
 48,49. Vide "Golden Legend," De S. Thoma Cant., 
 ss. 3-6. 
 
 53. Cf. John xv. 1,5. 
 
 SEQUENCE XXXVI. 
 
 19. Cf. Matthew xxiii. 35 : "That upon you may come all 
 the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood 
 of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, son of 
 Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the 
 altar." 
 
 24. Cf. 2 Kings ii. 23-25. 
 
 25. Cf. Matthew xxiii. 35. 
 
 29. Thomas & Becket's murder took place on December 
 29th, 1170 the morrow of the festival of the Holy 
 Innocents. 
 
 52. Cf. Rev. vi. ii. Sto!a=z "Gloria coelestis." The duplex 
 stola has many meanings in Christian symbolism ; some- 
 times it means " impassibilitas et immortalitas " ; some- 
 times the soul and body, which, after resurrection, are 
 destined to a like immortality, &c. Vide Gautier, 
 ad loc.
 
 NOTES. 271 
 
 SEQUENCE XXXVII. 
 
 I, 2. Cf. 2 Kings ii. 19-22. 
 
 3-5. Cf. 2 Kings iv. 38-41. 
 
 12. Seir, which is the same as Edom, is here taken to represent 
 Esau. 
 
 27. Bethel. Gautier accepts the poet's use of ' ' Bethel " in 
 this passage, and has a note to explain its appropriate- 
 ness ; but taken in connection with the following line it 
 would almost appear that Adam had for once made a slip 
 from Scriptural accuracy, and confounded " Bethel " with 
 "Bethesda." 
 
 The ancient name of Canterbury was "Durovernum 
 Cantiorum," but "Dorobernia" or " Dorovernia " = 
 Dover. 
 
 28-30. Cf. John v. 1-8. 
 
 31-35. The idea seems to be that from the number of miracles 
 of healing of which the shrine of Becket at Canterbury 
 became the scene, it rivalled the waters of Jordan and 
 the pool of Siloam. Cf. 2 Kings v. ; John ix. 7 ; Exod. 
 xvi. 1-12. 
 
 37-40. Cf. I Sam. i. 24; Matth. xiv. I-I2. 
 
 51-75. I have not succeeded in tracing any of the miracles 
 attributed to this saint, beyond the statement of them in 
 the text. Gautier is silent as to any other authority for 
 them. 
 
 SEQUENCE XXXVIII. 
 
 The story of St. Genevieve's life is as follows: 
 " About the year 430, St. Germanus of Auxerre and St. 
 Lupus of Troyes, being on their way to England to 
 combat the Pelagian heresy, stayed one night at Nanterre, 
 then a village, about seven miles from Paris. The vil- 
 lagers assembled to see two prelates of such renown, and
 
 272 NOTES. 
 
 a little girl in the crowd attracted the notice of St. 
 Germanus. Calling her to him, he asked the bystanders 
 who she was, and learnt that her name was Genovefa, 
 that she was seven years of age, and her parents' names 
 were Severus and Gerontia. The parents were summoned 
 at his request, and in the spirit of prophecy he bade them 
 rejoice in the sanctity of their daughter, for that she would 
 be the means of saving many. Then, addressing himself 
 to the child, he dwelt on the high state of virginity, and 
 engaged her to consecrate herself. The bishops then held 
 a service in the church, and at nightfall bade Severus 
 bring his daughter again at early dawn. Before depart- 
 ing St. Germanus reminded her of her promise, and 
 giving her a brazen coin marked with the cross, bade her 
 wear it as her only ornament, and leave gold and precious 
 stones for the servants of the world. Henceforth miracles 
 marked her out as the spouse of Christ ; her mother was 
 struck blind for a thoughtless blow, and only healed by 
 the girl's supernatural gifts. Brought to the archbishop 
 of Paris, generally supposed to have been Felix, to be 
 formally consecrated as a virgin, he recognized her 
 sanctity, and preferred her over the two girls who ac- 
 companied her. In the course of time her parents died, 
 and Genovefa was taken by her godmother to live in 
 Paris. Here she fell ill, and lay three days in a trance, 
 in which an angel led her to see the dwellings of the just, 
 and the rewards prepared for those who love God. . . 
 The rumour of Attila's merciless and irresistible progress 
 reached Paris, and the terrified citizens were for fleeing 
 with their families and goods ; but Genovefa prophesied 
 that Paris would remain unharmed. . . Nor did 
 the Huns reach Paris, but were diverted through the 
 efficacy of her prayers, as after ages believed (circa 
 448). 
 
 " But her abstinence and self-inflicted privations are
 
 NOTES. 273 
 
 perhaps her greatest characteristic. From her fifteenth 
 to her fiftieth year she ate but twice a week, and then 
 only bread of barley, or beans. Wine and strong drink 
 were unknown to her. After her fiftieth year, by com- 
 mand of her bishops, she added a little fish and milk to 
 her bread." Smith and Wacfs "Diet, of Christian 
 Biography," vol. ii. pp. 632, 633. 
 
 29, 30. " To her wonder-working powers, no less than to her 
 zeal, was due the building at Paris of what was in its 
 beginning a humble chapel in honour of St. Denys and 
 his companions." Smith and Wace's "Diet, of Christian 
 Biography," ii. 633. 
 
 It was during the building of this church, when the 
 workmen employed upon it were without any means of 
 satisfying their thirst, that the saint, taking an empty 
 cask, prayed and made the sign of the cross over it, 
 and the cask was immediately filled to the brim, and 
 supplied the workmen continuously until the building 
 was complete. 
 
 31, 32. The legend ran that a boy of four years old, who had 
 fallen into a well, and after three hours had been taken 
 out of it dead, was brought to St. Genevieve by his 
 mother, and that the saint spread her cloak over the 
 body, and by prayer restored it to life again. 
 
 37, 38. St. Genevieve, having gone one Sunday night very 
 late to the church of St. Denys, in company with some 
 young girls, the taper which they carried was extinguished, 
 and her companions became alarmed at being in the dark. 
 The saint thereupon took the taper into her hand and it 
 was immediately re-lighted. 
 
 39, 40. This refers to a flood, caused by the river Seine 
 overflowing its banks, which St. Genevieve was supposed 
 to have caused to subside. 
 
 41. "In 1130, though some place it earlier, occurred the 
 famous miracle of ' The Ardents,' commemorated Novem- 
 T
 
 274 NOTES. 
 
 her 26, by order of Pope Innocent II. Paris was devas- 
 tated by a plague called the ' Ignis Sacer, ' against which 
 all human remedies proved futile. At last the coffin of St. 
 Genovefa was carried in solemn procession and elevated 
 in her church. All who pressed near it were healed, ex- 
 cept three, who were concluded from that circumstance 
 to be unbelievers." Smith and Wace's " Diet, of Chris- 
 tian Biography," vol. ii., p. 634. 
 
 SEQUENCE XXXIX. 
 
 St. Agnes, a virgin either twelve or thirteen years old, 
 was beheaded at Rome under Diocletian, after vain efforts 
 first made to overcome her faith by vile outrage. 
 
 The legend about her relates that the prefect's son fell 
 in love with her as she was returning from school, and, 
 on her refusing his suit, fell ill. The father then en- 
 deavoured, first by large offers, and afterwards by 
 threats, to force her into a union with his son, but, fail- 
 ing to move her, caused her to be stripped naked, and, in 
 that condition, to be conveyed to a brotheL On her way 
 thither our Lord caused her hair to grow to such a length 
 as entirely to cover her nakedness, and on her arrival at 
 the brothel she found an angel awaiting her, who first 
 wrapped her in a robe of exceeding whiteness, and then 
 filled the place with such dazzling light, that none dare 
 approach her to do her harm. On coming there, the 
 prefect's son (whom some represent as having been 
 blinded) rushes recklessly towards the light and is 
 suffocated by an evil spirit. At the prayer of St. Agnes 
 he recovers, but the priests excite the heathen populace 
 to fury at this Christian miracle, and demand her death 
 by burning as a witch. On her being cast into a great 
 fire the flames divide on other side, and burn the by- 
 standers, but leave her untouched in the midst. The
 
 NOTES. 275 
 
 subprefect, one Aspasius, then orders her to be beheaded. 
 As, seven days after her burial, her parents were watching 
 her grave, St. Agnes appeared to them in the midst of a 
 body of virgins, clothed in a vesture of gold, and with a 
 lamb whiter than snow standing on her right hand. This 
 apparition of St. Agnes was celebrated by the church on 
 the 2nd of January. 
 
 65, 66. Constantia, a virgin, not the sister, but the daughter of 
 Constantine, having, whilst in prayer at the tomb of St. 
 Agnes, fallen asleep, saw in her dreams a vision of the 
 saint, and woke up perfectly cured of a grievous leprosy 
 with which she had been previously afflicted.
 
 INDEX OF FIRST LINES OF THE 
 FIRST VOLUME. 
 
 LATIN. 
 
 No. Page 
 
 xxxix. Animemur ad agonem, .... 236 
 
 xxxvii. Aquas plenas amaritudine .... 222 
 
 xxxm. Christo laudes persolvat . . . . 200 
 
 xxv. Clara chorus dulce pangat voce nunc 
 
 Alleluia 150 
 
 xxviil. Congaudentes exultemus vocali concordia, . 170 
 
 IX. Ecce dies Celebris ! . . . . . 52 
 
 xxvil. Exultemus et laetemur .... 164 
 
 xxxv. Gaude, Sion, et laetare, .... 208 
 
 xxxvni. Genovefse solemnitas .... 230 
 
 xxxi. Gratulemur ad festivum 188 
 
 viii. Hac die festa concinat multimoda camcena, 46 
 
 xxix. Heri mundus exultavit . . . .176 
 
 II. In excelsis canitur ..... 8 
 
 III. In natale Salvatoris 14 
 
 xxvi. Jerusalem et Sion filiae 156 
 
 V. Jubilemus Salvatori 28 
 
 IV. Lux est orta gentibus, .... 22 
 x. Lux illuxit Dominica . . . . 58 
 
 xvi. Lux jucunda, lux insignis, ... 94 
 
 xiii. Mundi renovatio ..... 76 
 
 vi. Nato nobis Salvatore .... 34 
 
 xxxvi. Pia mater plangat ecclesia . . . 214 
 
 xv. Postquam hostem et inferna ... 88 
 
 I. Potestate, non natura, .... 2 
 
 xxn. Profitentes unitatem 130 
 
 xxni. Quam dilecta tabernacula . . .136
 
 278 INDEX OF FIRST LINES. 
 
 No. 
 
 xvn. Qui procedis ab utroque, . 
 
 XXIV. Rex Salomon fecit templum, . 
 
 xxx. Rosa novum dans odorem, 
 
 XI. Salve, dies dierum gloria, 
 
 XII. Sexta passus feria, ... 
 
 XVIII. Simplex in essentia, . 
 
 Xix. Spiritus paraclitus, ... 
 
 VII. Splendor Patris et figura . 
 
 xxxiv. Trinitatem reserat aquila . 
 
 xxi. Trinitatem simplicem, . \.. 
 
 XX. Veni, summe consolator, . -, - 
 
 xxxii. Verbi vere substantivi, 
 
 XIV. Zyma vetus expurgetur 
 
 Page 
 100 
 
 144 
 184 
 
 64 
 70 
 
 no 
 116 
 
 38 
 204 
 128 
 
 122 
 
 194 
 
 So
 
 INDEX OF FIRST LINES OF THE 
 FIRST VOLUME. 
 
 ENGLISH. 
 
 No. Page 
 
 xxxvn. A new Elisha bitter waters heals . . 223 
 
 xxxix. As we tell once more the fashion . . 237 
 
 XII. Christ, upon the Friday slain, . . . 71 
 
 XX. Come, our comfort's chief reviver ! . . 123 
 
 XVII. Comforter, from both together, . . 101 
 
 xvi. Day delightful, day most noted ! . . 95 
 
 vii. Fashioned as a human creature, . . 39 
 
 IV. For the Gentiles up hath sprung . . 23 
 
 xxxvin. Genevieve a holy mirth . . . .231 
 
 XI. Hail, day, the glory of all days, to thee ! . 65 
 
 IX. Hail, great day of wondrous deeds ! . . 53 
 
 II. In the highest, hark ! the strain, . . 9 
 
 XXVI. Jerusalem's and Sion's daughters fair ! . 157 
 
 xxxiv. John, the eagle, first of Evangelists, . 205 
 
 XXXII. John's theology declareth, .... 195 
 
 xxxv. Joy, O Sion ! and rejoice thou, . . 209 
 
 xxv. Let our choir now loudly j oin their Alleluia's 
 
 brightest strains, 151 
 
 xxxill. Let our choir upon this day, . . . 201 
 
 xxvni. Let us all exult together, as with one united 
 
 voice 171 
 
 XXVII. Let us, shouts of gladness raising, . . 165 
 
 xxx. Lo ! a rose, new odour shedding, . . 185 
 
 xvni. May the Spirit on us shine, . . . in 
 
 xxxvi. Now let our holy Mother-Church bemoan 215 
 
 xxill. O how lovely are the courts divine . . 137 
 
 xxxi. On his feast with gratulation . . . 189
 
 28o 
 
 INDEX OF FIRST LINES. 
 
 No. Page 
 
 xiv. Purge away the former leaven, 81 
 
 XV. Satan and the realms infernal ... 89 
 
 ill. Since a Saviour is born for us, (No. i) . 15 
 
 vi. Since a Saviour is born for us, (No. 2) . 35 
 
 XXIV. Solomon, the King, a temple . . . 145 
 
 v. Songs of joy let us be raising ... 29 
 
 xin. Spring's renewal of earth's plain . . 77 
 
 I. The Creator, not by nature ... 3 
 
 X. The Lord's own day hath poured its rays, . 59 
 
 XIX. The Spirit dear, that Comforter, . . 117 
 
 vin. This festal day our muse should be a varied 
 
 song upraising, ..... 47 
 
 xxi. To the Trine God, not Gods three, . . 129 
 
 xxil. We, the Unity confessing, . . .131 
 
 XXIX. Yesterday the world, elated, . . .177 
 
 END OF VOL. I. 
 
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