25.

I

The Son of God goes forth to war,

A kingly crown to gain ;
His blood-red banner streams afar:

Who follows in His train ?

2

Who best can drink His cup of woe,

Triumphant over pain,
Who patient bears His cross below,

He follows in His train.

3 The Martyr, first, whose eagle eye

ould pierce beyond the grave ; Who saw his Master in the sky,

And called on Him to save.

4 Like Him, with pardon on his tongue,

In midst of mortal pain,
He prayed for them that did the wrong:

Who follows in his train ?

5 A glorious band, the chosen few,

On whom the Spirit came ;
Twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew,

And mocked the cross and flame.

6 They met the tyrant's brandished steel,

The lion's gory mane;
They bowed their necks the death to feel :

Who follows in their train ?

7 A noble army, men and boys,

The matron and the maid,
Around the Saviour's throne rejoice,

In robes of light arrayed.
8 They climbed the steep ascent of heaven,

Through peril, toil, and pain ;
O God! to us may grace be given
To follow in their train! Amen.

Bp. R. Heber.

I

2

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 ;
Well Thy saints have kept their station,

Watching till Thine hour drew nigh.
Now, 'tis come, and faith espies Thee;

Like an eaglet in the morn,
One in steadfast worship eyes Thee,

Thy beloved, Thy latest born:
In Thy glory he descries Thee

Reigning from the tree of scorn. 3 He first, hoping and believing,

Did beside the grave adore;
Latest he, the warfare leaving,

Landed on th' eternal shore;
And his witness we receiving

Own Thee Lord for evermore.

4 Much he asked in loving wonder,

On Thy bosom leaning, Lord ;
In that secret place of thunder

Answer kind didst Thou accord,
Wisdom for Thy Church to ponder

Till the day of dread award.

5 Lo! heaven's doors lift up, revealing

How Thy judgments earthward move,
Scrolls unfolded, trumpets pealing,
Wine cups

from the wrath above;
Yet o'er all a soft voice stealing-
“Little children, trust and love !"

7. Keble.

27.

I

Jussu tyranni pro fide.
EXPELLED by tyrant's harsh command,
The Exile on the sea-girt strand,
Disdainful of the chains of earth,
Asserts his free celestial birth.

2

Before him stands, in vision dread,
Jesus who liveth, and was dead :
The Lamb for us a Victim slain ;
The Lion who hath rent death's chain.

3 There, to the prophet's kindling eye,

He pictures heaven's bright mystery ;
And shows, with blood of martyrs sown,
Earth's kingdoms conquered for His own.

1

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

Who hath o'er death the victory won,
That we, with Him, may conquerors be ;
With whom, blest Spirit, praise to Thee. Amen.

W. E. Green. (tr.)
The Innocents' Day.

28.
Hymnum canentes martyrum.
THE hymn for Infant Martyrs raise
Through whom the Lord did perfect praise ;
Whom earth so early cast away,
And heaven with joy received to-day;
Whose angels see the Father's face,

World without end, and sing His grace. 2 A voice from Ramah was there sent,

A voice of weeping and lament,
When Rachel mourned her children sore,
Whom for the tyrant's sword she bore;
Triumphant is their glory now,

The first for Christ in death to bow. 3 Dwelling on Sion's holy hill,

The Lamb's own steps they follow still ;
Death hath no power to hurt them more,
The hour of pain and grief is o'er ;
All bright they shine in heavenly day,
And every tear is wiped away.

Ven. Bede. 7. M. Nealt. (tr.*)

I

29.
i GLORY to Thee, O Lord !

Who, from this world of sin,
By the fierce Herod's ruthless sword

Those precious ones didst win.

2 Glory to Thee, O Lord !

For now, all grief unknown,
They wait in patience their reward,

The martyr's heavenly crown.

3 Baptized in their own blood,

Earth's untried perils o'er,
They passed unconsciously the flood,

And safely gained the shore. 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.