I 2 Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 209 232. VIRGIN-born! we bow before Thee; Blessed was the womb that bore Thee! Blessed was she in her Child! Blessed was the breast that fed Thee! That watched Thy slumbering infancy! 3 Blessed she, by all creation, Who brought forth the world's Salvation! Who love Thee most and serve Thee best! 4 Virgin-born! we bow before Thee! Blessed was the womb that bore Thee! I 2 Mary, mother meek and mild, Blessed was she in her Child! St. Mark's Day. 233. Christi perennes nuntii. Bp. R. Heber. CHRIST'S everlasting messengers, Who from the opening skies, Traverse the earth in showers of light, The things discerned by seers of old, In the full day have ye beheld, With not a veil between. P 3 The things which God as Man hath borne, Which Man as God hath done, Ye write, as God dictates, to all 4 Though far in space and time apart, 5 Glory to God, the Three in One; I 2 Who from our darkness callest us Thy glorious light to see. Amen. I. Williams. (tr.) St. Philip & St. James's Day. 234. O JESU Lord, the Way, the Truth, The Life, the Crown of all Who here on earth confess Thy Name; We bring to mind with grateful joy Thy servants who of old Withstood the snares of earth and hell, 3 Who sought on earth the joys of prayer, And that communion knew, Which saints and angels share above 4 Vouchsafe us, Lord, we pray Thee now, To us it may be given, Like them to live and die in Thee, 5 To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, The God whom we adore, I Be glory as it was, is now, Amen. St. Barnabas' Day. 235. BRIGHTLY did the light divine From his words and actions shine, Whom the Twelve, with love unblamed, "Son of Consolation" named. 2 Full of peace and lively joy, 3 Blessed Spirit, Who didst call And didst them with gifts endue, 4 Grant us, Lord of Life, to be, 5* Glory be to God above, Fountain of eternal love; Amen. I 2 St. John the Baptist's Day. 236. WHEN Christ the Lord would come on earth His messenger before Him went, The greatest born of mortal birth, And charged with words of deep intent. The least of all that here attend Hath honour greater far than he; 3 A higher race, the sons of light, Of water and the Spirit born; And we the children of the morn. 4 And, as he boldly spake Thy word, 5* To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, The God whom heaven and earth adore, Be glory from the angel host And all mankind for evermore. Amen. H. Alford. I 2 237. Nunc suis tandem novus e latebris. Lo! from the desert homes In sternest wisdom strong; Your God e'en now doth stand And He will purge His floor; 3 Ye haughty mountains, bow For evermore He comes to reign. 4 Let Thy dread voice around, Thou harbinger of Light, On our dull ears still sound Lest here we sleep in night, |