62 |
7,6,7,6
tw Basilei kai Despoth.
The LORD and King of all things But yesterday was born: And Stephen's glorious offering His birthtide shall adorn. No pearls of orient splendour, No jewels can he show; But with his own true heart's-blood His shining vestments glow. | |
Come, ye that love the Martyrs, And pluck the flow'rs of song, And weave them in a garland For this our suppliant throng; And cry,--O thou that shinest In grace's brighest ray, CHRIST's valiant Protomartyr, For peace and favour pray! | |
Thou first of all Confessors, Thou of all Deacons crown, Of every following athlete The glory and renown: Make supplication, standing Before CHRIST's Royal Throne, That He would give the kingdom, And for our sins atone! |
64 |
7,6,7,6
mega kai paradoxon Qauma.
A great and mighty wonder! A full and holy cure! The Virgin bears the Infant, With Virgin-honour pure! | |
The Word becomes Incarnate,1 And yet remains on high: And Cherubim sing anthems To shepherds from the sky. | |
And we with them triumphant Repeat the hymn again: "To GOD on high be glory, And peace on earth to men!" | |
While thus they sing your Monarch, Those bright angelic bands, Rejoice, ye vales and mountains! Ye oceans, clap your hands! | |
Since all He comes to ransom, By all be He adored, The Infant born in Bethlehem, The Saviour and the LORD! | |
And idol forms shall perish, And error shall decay, And CHRIST shall wield His sceptre, Our LORD and GOD for aye. |
[In Mr. Young's book. Melody of Christus der ist mein Leben. Harmony by M. Vulpius, 1609.]
1 Compare S. Thomas: Verbum supernum prodiens, Nec Patris linquens dexteram.