Then, Jesu, grant us now to die with Thee, With new-born hearts, oh! grant us now to rise, That so the world's vain pleasures we may flee, And fix our hearts, our treasure, in the skies. Now to the Father, and his only Son, Who conquered death, and reigns supreme in heaven, And to the Holy Spirit, Three in One, MATINS. (Dum morte victor obrutá. No. 94.) THE Lord hath burst the bonds of death, Remember how with joyful hearts But when He told you of the cross, Oh! surely 'twas ordained for Him, That He might triumph over death, O Lord, we pray thee, be thou still Instruct our hearts to know thee well, Now to the Father, and the Son, Who reigns supreme in heaven, And Holy Spirit, Three in One, EVENSONG. (Natus parenti redditus. No. 95.) THE Son, upon His Father's throne, Thus fitted for your heavenly task, To sound the glorious trumpet-note, is He will fortify your hearts, Whatever toils betide, Though dark the way, and rough the path, With foes on every side. Though tyrants rage, though sinners scoff, May steadfast faith, may joyful hope, Remove your fears, console your hearts, To God the Father, God the Son, And to the Holy Ghost, be praise *The feast of St. Philip and St. James always comes between Easter and Whit Sunday; in the course of those fifty days, during which our Lord, after his rising from the dead, and before his ascension, showed himself to his disciples, and spoke to them of the things appertaining to the kingdom of God. Accordingly, each of these hymns refer to these particular circumstances. The first consoles the disciples under the prospect of their Lord's departure; the second reminds them of the glorious consequences of his death; and the third sets forth to them their glorious career, as the publishers of his Gospel all over the world. 108 ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS. (Christi, qui sedes Olympo. No. 96.) O CHRIST, who in heaven To whom there is given Before Thee assemble Oh! may we, combining Among them appeareth The sword that he wielded So stoutly in fight, When the fierce dragon yielded To his greater might: He dared to rebel, With his armies was driven To nethermost hell. The chief place thou bearest The spirits among, Thou, Michael, fairest Of all the bright throng: Round God's seat in glory Ye all are arrayed, And ever before ye His counsels are laid: The courses of nature The heirs of salvation Your succour receive, And strong consolation, Ye save us from fear, When the breath of life fails us, Ye still hover near; And so when, life ended, Our spirits take flight, By you they're attended To regions of light. Oh! let the Creator Our praises embrace, The Father of nature, The Father of grace: The like adoration To him be assigned, |