'Die dierum principe.'
Morn of morns, and day of days,
Silent as the morning's rays
From the sepulchre's dark prison
Christ the light of lights hath risen.
He commanded, and His word
Death and the dread chaos heard:
We, O shame, more deaf than they,
In the chains of darkness stay.
Nature 'neath the shadow lies;
Let the sons of light arise,
All throughout the stillness deep
Holy symphonies to keep.
Thus to hearts in slumber weak
Let the heavenly trumpet speak;
And, like streaks of early morn,
New ways mark the newly born.
Grant us this and with us be,
Fountain of all charity,
Thou who dost the Spirit give,
Bidding the dead letters live.
Equal praise to Father, Son,
And to Thee, the Holy One,
By whose quickening breath divine
Our dull spirits burn and shine.
CHARLES COFFIN (Paris Breviary).
tr. by ISAAC WILLIAMS.
Up to the throne of God is borne
The voice of praise at early morn,
And He accepts the punctual hymn,
Sung as the light of day grows dim:
Nor will He turn His ear aside
From holy offerings at noontide :
Then here reposing let us raise
A song of gratitude and praise.
Look up to heaven! the industrious sun
Already half his race hath run;
He cannot halt nor go astray,
But our immortal spirits may.
Lord, since his rising in the east
If we have faltered or transgressed,
Guide, from Thy love's abundant source,
What yet remains of this day's course.
Help with Thy grace, through life's short day,
Our upward and our downward way;
And glorify for us the west,
When we shall sink to final rest.
All praise to Thee, my God, this night
For all the blessings of the light;
Keep me, O keep me, King of kings,
Beneath Thine own almighty wings.
Forgive me, Lord, for Thy dear Son,
The ill that I this day have done;
That with the world, myself, and Thee,
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.
Teach me to live, that I may dread
The grave as little as my bed;
To die, that this vile body may
Rise glorious at the awful day.
O may my soul on Thee repose,
And may sweet sleep mine eyelids close;
Sleep that may me more vigorous make
To serve my God when I awake.
When in the night I sleepless lie
My soul with heavenly thoughts supply;
Let no ill dreams disturb my rest,
No powers of darkness me molest.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him, all creatures here below,
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Awake, my soul, and with the sun
Thy daily stage of duty run :
Shake off dull sloth and joyful rise
To pay thy morning sacrifice.
In conversation be sincere,
Keep conscience as the noontide clear:
Think how all seeing God thy ways
And all thy secret thoughts surveys.
Wake and lift up thyself, my heart,
And with the angels bear thy part,
Who all night long unwearied sing
High praise to the eternal King.
I wake, I wake, ye heavenly choir;
May your devotion me inspire
That I like you my age may spend,
Like you may on my God attend.
May I like you in God delight,
Have all day long my God in sight,
Perform like you my Maker's will,
O may I never more do ill!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him, all creatures here below,
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
All praise to Thee who safe hast kept
And hast refreshed me while I slept :
Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake,
I may of endless life partake.
Shine on me, Lord, new life impart,
Fresh ardours kindle in my heart:
One ray of Thy all quickening light
Dispels the sloth and clouds of night.
Lord, I my vows to Thee renew;
Disperse my sins as morning dew,
Guard my first springs of thought and will,
And with Thyself my spirit fill.
Direct, control, suggest, this day,
All I design, or do, or say;
That all my powers, with all their might,
In Thy sole glory may unite.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him, all creatures here below,
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
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