I 2 25. THE Son of God goes forth to war, A kingly crown to gain ; His blood-red banner streams afar : Who best can drink His cup of woe, Who patient bears His cross below, 3 The Martyr, first, whose eagle eye 4 Like Him, with pardon on his tongue, He prayed for them that did the wrong : 5 A glorious band, the chosen few, Twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew, 6 They met the tyrant's brandished steel, They bowed their necks the death to feel : 7 A noble army, men and boys, The matron and the maid, 8 They climbed the steep ascent of heaven, I 2 O God! to us may grace be given Bp. R. Heber. St. John the Evangelist's Day. 26. WORD Supreme, before creation Born of God eternally, Who didst will for our salvation To be born on earth, and die; Now, 'tis come, and faith espies Thee; One in steadfast worship eyes Thee, 3 He first, hoping and believing, Own Thee Lord for evermore. 4 Much he asked in loving wonder, 5 Lo! heaven's doors lift up, revealing 7. Keble. 27. Jussu tyranni pro fide. I EXPELLED by tyrant's harsh command, The Exile on the sea-girt strand, 2 Before him stands, in vision dread, 3 There, to the prophet's kindling eye, 4 Grant us, O Christ, with Thee to die ;With Thee to rise and reign on high;All gain terrestrial to despise, And joys celestial only prize. 5 We praise the Father, and the Son With whom, blest Spirit, praise to Thee. Amen. I THE 2 W. E. Green. (tr.) The Innocents Day. 28. Hymnum canentes martyrum. hymn for Infant Martyrs raise Through whom the Lord did perfect praise ; And heaven with joy received to-day ; A voice from Ramah was there sent, When Rachel mourned her children sore, The first for Christ in death to bow. 3 Dwelling on Sion's holy hill, The Lamb's own steps they follow still; Ven. Bede. J. M. Neale. (tr.*) I 29. GLORY to Thee, O Lord! Who, from this world of sin, By the fierce Herod's ruthless sword 2 Glory to Thee, O Lord! For now, all grief unknown, They wait in patience their reward, 3 Baptized in their own blood, 4 Glory to Thee for all The ransomed infant band, Who since that hour have heard Thy call, And reached the quiet land ! 5 Oh, that our hearts within, Like theirs, were pure and bright; Oh, that as free from deeds of sin We shrunk not from Thy sight! 6 Lord, help us every hour Thy cleansing grace to claim; In life to glorify Thy power, In death to praise Thy Name. Amen. |