'L \ <5\ > A LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, i^Qp. __ ixi|iijng]^ Ifu. .ShcM. P/ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ESURGIT A COLLECTION OF fiumns anti Songs of t\)e Hcsurrrctton. EDITED, WITH NOTES, Bv FRANK FOXCROFT. iriTH AN INTRODUCTION By ANDREW PRESTON PEABODY, D.D. \\ ->. 187^. Boston : . - ^- LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS. Xcb ^ork: CHARLES T. DILLINGHAM. 1S79. . 2t f^ Copyright, 1879, By frank FOXCROFT. AU rights reserved. Eafalc of Contents. Prefatory Note Index of First Lines . Index of Latin Hymns. Index of Authors . Index of Translators . Introduction by Andrew P Hymns from the Greek Hymns from hie Latin Hymns from ihe Russiax Hymns from the Danish Hymns from the German Hymns from the Swedish English Hymns American Hymns . Bibliography . V ix . XV xvii xxi . Peabod^ ', D.D. xxiii I 25 97 lOI 109 159 167 347 ^Prefatorg Note* HE present volume explains, and, it may be hoped, justifies itself. It is the result of a more careful search than has been hitherto made in the rich field of resurrection- poetry. It finds its purpose in a desire to con- tribute to the observance of a day, the hopes and associations of which are precious to all branches of the Christian Church ; and, besides this, to pre- sent a collection of verse sufficiently varied and suggestive to be welcome not only at Easter-time, but throughout the year. For the Christian Sabbath is itself a weekly commemoration of the rising of Christ, and we do not wisely if we keep the Easter- feast but once a year. The scope of the volume might have been greatly enlarged by including poems relating to the ascen- sion and exaltation of Christ, or to the general res- urrection, and the joys of heaven. Poems of both these classes are often included among Easter- VI PREFATORY NOTE, pieces. But, if these had been taken, the collec- tion would have lost its distinctive character. With a very few exceptions, the poems which it contains relate directly to the rising of Christ, and to the Christian hope of resurrection as based thereon. Within these seemingly narrow limits the reader will find a wide variety of form and thought and feeling. It will be noticed that comparatively few of the pieces are among those in common use for public worship. No part of the editor's search has been so disappointing as that which led him among the hymn-books. It is well known that what may be called the singing qualities of a hymn are often in inverse ratio to the poetic. There are very many hymns, which, when removed from their set- ting, and analyzed as poems, are found to be com- monplace, and barren of beauty. No piece, how- ever, has been discarded from the collection simply because it was familiar, nor included simply be- cause it was little known. Religious feeling and poetic beauty constitute the standard which the editor has sought to apply. It is not claimed that the collection is complete, but that it is comprehensive and fairly representa- tive. It contains one hundred and seventy-seven pieces, extending over fifteen centuries of sacred song, and representing the poets of eight distinct nationalities. It is hoped that the attempt made at classification and chronological arrangement will assist the reader in the ready use of the volume. PREFATORY NOTE. Vll The notes prefixed to the hymns have been pre- pared with care fi"om the best accessible sources. They are given in the behef that the interest of a hymn is enhanced by a knowledge of the circum- stances in which it was written, or of the author. If inaccuracies exist, the editor will be glad to be informed of them, in order that they may be cor- rected in later editions. The editor is indebted to Mr. Whittier, Bishop Coxe, Dr. Peabody, Mr. A. D. F. Randolph, Mr. C. B. Tillinghast, and Mr. A. P. Hitchcock, for encouragement or advice ; and to A. D. F. Ran- dolph & Co., Dr. Schaff, Houghton, Osgood & Co., Mrs. A. D. T. Whitney, Miss Emily Seaver, Miss Harriet McEwen Kimball, and Miss Emily P, Mann, for permission to use copyrighted poems. Intiex of jFtrst ILincs* Again the Lord of life and light . Alas, poore death ! where is thy glorie ? Alleluia ! Alleluia ! . . . . Alleluia! Alleluia ! . . . . All hail ! dear Conqueror ! all hail ! All is o'er, — the pain, the sorrow All praise to Him of Nazareth Angels, roll the rock away . Angels, to our jubilee .... A pathway opens from the tomb . Arise Arise, my soul ! awake from sleep As spring's sweet breath after long wintry snow As those who seek the break of day Awake, glad soul ! awake ! awake ! Awake, thou wintry earth . . Behold the day the Lord hath made Blest morning, whose young dawning rays Breezes of spring, all earth to life awaking Calm they sit with closed door Christ has arisen . Christ hath arisen PAGE 211 1 86 66 293 263 236 316 210 94 306 247 103 291 18 261 301 54 201 345 300 332 141 INDEX OF FIRST LINES. Christ hath arisen ! O mountain peaks ! attest ! Christ is become our Paschal Lamb Christ is risen ! Allehiia ! Christ is risen, the Lord is come . Christ the Lord is risen again Christ the Lord is risen to-day Christ the Lord is risen to-day Christ, upon the Friday slain Christ, we sing Thy saving passion Christ with mighty triumph rises . Come, and let us drink of that new river Come, ye faithful, raise the strain . Come, ye saints, look here and wonder Dawn bursts o'er death's prison . Dawn of dawns, the Easter Day . Days grow longer, sunbeams stronger Dear Saviour of a dying world Death and darkness, get you packing ! Death, thou wast once an uncouth hideous thing Done is a battle on the dragon black Do saints keep holy day in heavenly places ? Ere yet the dawn has filled the skies Eternal Father ! at whose word Fair spring, thou dearest season of the year Far be sorrow, tears, and sighing . For Easter Day, O lilies white ! . Forth to the Paschal Victim, Christians, brin From death, Christ, on the Sabbath morn Glory be to God on high Hail, day of days ! in peals of praise . Hail ! day of joyous rest Hail ! the holy day of days . Hail the much-remembered day PAGE 233 298 259 228 118 67 204 56 17 91 4 12 218 163 339 303 285 199 187 169 326 123 324 "5 299 338 69 105 302 36 24s 79 52 INDEX OF FIRST LINES. XI Hallelujah ! Jesus lives ! . . . Hallowed forever be that twilight hour . He comes ! He comes ! the tomb . He is risen ! He is risen! Helped by the Almighty's arm, at last . Hence they have borne my Lord. Behold the stone He's gone ! see where His body lay How brightly glows the morning red ! . How shall we keep this holy day of gladness? \i the dark and awful tomb . I have no wit, no words, no tears . In the bonds of death He lay In the tomb, behold. He lies In Thy glorious resurrection Into the dim earth's lowest parts descending I say to all men far and near It is the noon of night .... Jesus Christ is risen to-day . Jesus hath vanished ; all in vain . Jesus ! in spices wrapped, and laid Jesus lives : no longer now . Jesus my Redeemer lives Jesu, the very thought of Thee Joy, O joy, ye broken-hearted ! Lamb, the once crucified Let faithfull soules this double feast attend Let us rise in early morning . Lift your glad voices in triumph on high Light's glittering morn bedecks the sky Lord, who createdst man in wealtli and store Lo ! the day the Lord hath made . Lo ! the gates of death are broken Mary to her Saviour's tomb . Morning breaks upon the tomb PAGE 282 275 87 182 216 143 331 15 28 1 120 250 251 7 145 277 96 n 264 135 127 45 64 150 175 6 314 Zl, 1S5 224 47 207 227 Xll INDEX OF FIRST IINES. Morning of the Sabbath day . Most glorious Lord of lyfe that on this day Now Morning hfts her dewy veil . Now the world's fresh dawn of birth Now thy gentle Lamb, O Sion ! . O Christians, let us joyful be ! O darkest woe ! O day of days ! shall hearts set free O glorious Head, Thou livest now O mine eyes, be not so tearful Once more thou comest, O delicious spring On earth was darkness spread O risen Lord, O conquering King O Thou, the heavens' eternal King O Thou who once from death didst rise Our Paschal joy at last is here Pain and toil are over now . Praise to Christ with suppliant voices . Purge we out the ancient leaven . Put on thy beautiful robes. Bride of Christ Rejoice, dear Christendom, to-day Rise again, yes, rise again, wilt thou Rise, heart, thy Lord is risen : sing His praise Rise, heir of fresh eternity , Sabbath of the saints of old . Saints on earth, and saints in light Saviour of mankind, Man ! Emmanuel ! Say, Earth, why hast thou got thee new attir See the land, her Easter keeping . Sing aloud, children .... Sleep, sleep, old sun ; thou canst not have re- Smile praises, O sky ! . So holy is this day of days . past PAGE 222 171 83 49 63 106 125 230 133 334 2>^7 335 131 «5 40 161 276 42 59 296 "3 137 183 197 266 74 172 177 274 325 174 81 114 INDEX OF FIRST LINES. Xlll So rest, my rest .... Spring is in its beauty glowing Springtide birds are singing, singing Stand on thy watch-tower, Habakkuk the seer Still thy sorrow, Magdalena ! Sun, shine forth in all thy splendor Tell us, Gard'ner, dost thou know Tlie calm of blessed night . The Church of God Hfts up her voice The foe behind, the deep before . The golden palace of my God The graves grow thicker, and life's ways more bare The happy morn is come The Lord is risen indeed The Lord of life is risen The morning purples all the sky . The orient beams of Easter morn There went three damsels at break of day The setting orb of night her level ray The supper of the Lamb to share The tomb is empty : wouldst thou have it full ? The winter is over and gone at last The world itself keeps Easter Day They bound him well in the dungeon cell They who with Mary came . This is the day the Lord hath made This is the very day of God . Thou hallowed chosen morn of praise Thou new Jerusalem, arise and shine ! Thou, that on the first of Easters . Thou whose sad heart and weeping head lyes low Thou, who to save 'Tis He! 'tis He ! 1 know him now 'Tis the day of resurrection . To Him who for our sins was slain 'Twasnightl still night I PAGE 129 70 19 5 61 147 320 257 16 271 99 305 208 220 154 38 S8 III 214 29 254 323 343 28S 14 180 27 336 200 90 318 3 249 242 XIV INDEX OF FIRST LINES. Up, and away . . . . , i88 Up ! sound your joyful songs victorious , . . . 156 Weeper ! to thee how bright a morn was given . . -235 We keep the festival .... .... 31 Welcome, O day, in dazzling glory bright .... 313 Welcome the triumphal token 51 We were not with the faithful few 295 What faithless, froward, sinful man 190 What glorious light 196 What said He, Mary, unto thee ? 268 Who comes? my soul, no longer doubt . .... 213 Who deems the Saviour dead ?...... 341 Who from the fiery furnace saved the three .... 8 Who is this that comes from Edom ? ..... 219 Why, thou never-setting Light . . . , . .100 Words may not thy glory tell 75 Ye choirs of New Jerusalem 41 Ye sons and daughters of the King ..... 72 Yes, the Redeemer rose 202 Entiex of Hatin f^umns. PAGE Ad coenam Agni providi 29 Adeste, ccelitum chori 94 Ad regias Agni dapes 31 Ad templa nos rursiis vocat 83 Alleluia ! Alleluia ! Finita jam sunt proelia .... 66 A niorte qui Te suscitans 40 Aurora ccelum purpurat 38 Aurora lucis dum novae ....... 88 Aurora lucis rutilat 33 Cedant justi signa luctus 64 Chorus Novae Jerusalem 41 Coeli choris perennibus 74 Ecce dies Celebris ! ........ 52 Ecce tempus est vernale 70 Erumpc tandem juste dolor 77 Forti tegente brachia 87 Haec est dies triumphalis 51 Haec est sancta solemnitas solemnitatum .... 79 Hie est dies verus Dei 27 XV XVI INDEX OF LATIN HYMNS. PAGE Jesu, dulcis memoria 45 Jesu, Redemptor saeculi 90 Laudes Christo redempti voce . .... . .42 Mitis Agnus, Leo fortis 63 Mortis portis fractis, fortis 47 Mimdi renovatio 49 O filii et filise 72 Plaudite coeli 81 Pone luctum, Magdalena ! 61 Rex sempiterne coelitum 85 Salve, dies dierum gloria '54 Salve, festa dies, toto venerabilis sevo 36 Sexta passus feria 56 Surgit Christus cum trophaeo 91 Surrexit Christus hodie 96 Te quanta Victor funeris 75 Victimae Paschali laudes 67, 69 Zyma vetus expurgetur 59 Jntrex of ^utfjorsi» The names to which an asterisk is prefixed are those of authors con- cerning whom no biographical data have been obtained. Adam of St. Victor. . , . 49, 5', 52, 54, 56, 59 Adams, Sarah Flower 247 Alexander, Cecil Frances 275, 276 Alford, Henry . . 257 Allen, William 313 Ambrose, St 27, 33 Barbauld, Anna L/etitia 211 Baynes, Robert Hall 291 Beaumont, John 175 Bernard of Clairvaux 45 Bethune, George W 318 * Blackburn, Thomas 301 Bobroff, Semen Sergejewitsch .... 99, 100 BoEHMER, Justus H. 131 BONAR, HoRATIUS 254 Bowles, William Lisle 213 Brandenburg, Electress of 127 Bryant, William Cullen 316 Gary, Phcebe 334 Collyer, William Bengo 227 xvii XVlll INDEX OF AUTHORS. CoxE, A, Cleveland 320, 323 Crashaw, Richard . 197 Croswell, William 317 Dix, William Chatterton 296 Doddridge, Philip 202 Donne, John 174 Dunbar, William . . ■ 169 Faber, Frederick W. ' 263, 264 Fletcher, Giles 177 Fortunatus, Venantius 36 Frank, Solomon 129 Franzen, F. Michael 163 FULBERT of ChARTRES ........ 4I Garve, Christian 139 Gellert, Christian F 135 Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von 141 Grahame, James 214 Greenwell, Dora 268 Grundtvig, Nicolai Frederik Severin . . . 105 Hardenberg, Friedrich von 145 Harvey, Christopher 188 Haweis, Thomas 208 Heerman, Johann . 123 Hemans, Felicia 233, 235 Herbert, George 183, 185, 186, 187 Herrick, Robert 182 Hill, Thomas 324 Ingelow, Jean 277 Janvier, Francis De Haes 341 John of Damascus . . 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 Keble, John 230 Kelly, Thomas ^ 216, 218, 219, 220 INDEX OF AUTHORS. XIX Kimball, Harriet M 338, 339 KiNGO, Thomas 103 KiNGSLEY, Charles 274 Klopstock, Friedrich G 137 Lange, Johann Peter 154 Littledale, Richard F 288 Lowe, Martha P 329 Luther, Martin 120 Mant, Richard 224 Milman, Henry H 228 MoNSELL, John S. B 259, 261 Montgomery, James . . . ' 222 Moultrie, Gerard 282 Moultrie, John 236 Neale, John Mason 271 Newman, John Henry 242 Newton, John 207 NovALis. — See Hardenberg. Peter the Venerable 47 Petersen, Laurence 161 QuEiNFURT, Conrad von 115 * Ramus, 106 RiST, Johann von 125 RossETTi, Christina G 2S1 Russell, Arthur T. 249, 250 Sandys, George 172 Schweizer, Meta Hausser 150 Seaver, Emily 331 Scott, Thomas 210 Spenser, Edmund 171 Spitta, C. J. P 147 XX INDEX OF AUTHORS. Taylor, Jeremy 196 Tersteegen, Gerhard 133 Thompson, Alexander Ramsay ..... 325 Trend, Henry 245 TouRNEAux, Nicholas Le 94 Vaughn, Henry 199, 200 Ware, Henry, Jun 314 Waring, Anna L^titia 285 Washburn, E. A. . ' 332 Watts, Isaac 201 Wesley, Charles 204 Whitney, A. D. T 326 Whytehead, Thomas 266 Wither, George iSo Wordsworth, Christopher 251 Inticx of translators. Blew, William John 94 BoRTinviCK, Jane . 139 BowRiNG, John 99, 100 Caswall, Edward 45) 69, 77, 85 Chambers, John David 87, 88 Chandler, John 83 Charles, Elizabeth 27,29,47,81 Cox, Frances Elizabeth 135 Dix, William Chatterton . . .14, 15, 16, 17, 18 Findlater, Mrs. Eric 139 Harbaugh, Henry 154 Hedge, Frederick H 141 Hewett, John William 79> 9' Hitchcock, A. P 163 Kynaston, Herbert 64 Littledale, Richard Frederick . 42, 56, 143, 161 Massie, Richard 147 Neale, John Mason, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 33, 52, 59, 66, 72 xxi XXll INDEX OF TRANSLATORS. Onslow, Phipps I9j 74 Porter, Thomas C 150 Smith, John George 40 Tait, Gilbert 103, 105, 106 Thompson, Alexander Ramsay . . . . 31, 38 Thompson, Henry 156 Trend, Henry . . . . . . . . 63, 70 Washburn, E. A 61 Weiss, Michael 118 Williams, Isaac 90 Winkworth, Catherine . in, 113, 114, 115, 118, 120, 123, 125, 127, 131, 133, 137, 1^5 Worsley, p. S 49, 5 1 3introtiuction» :;«rsaN the early Church, the Resurrection of Christ was regarded as the most important fact in the record of His life, and still more as the foremost article of Christian belief, — as that without which it was impossible to place any confidence in the Saviour's teachings, or to ascribe any efficacy to His death. " If Christ be not risen," writes St. Paul, " cur preaching is vain, and your faith is also vain." This event has left a deeper impress on the world's history than any other on record. It does not depend for its evi- dence even on the Gospels. Were they lost or dis- credited, there yet occurred, beyond a doubt, in the century to which they relate, intellectual, moral, and social developments and changes, which can be accounted for only by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The sceptics of our own time ad- mit that the Apostles could not have held together or pursued their work of propagandism, and that Christianity could not have survived its Founder's XXIV INTRODUCTION. cross, had not His followers felt certain that their Master had risen, and that they had seen Him. It is conceded even by Renan, that the stories of the Evangelists are honest statements of what they thought had passed under the eyes of various groups of disciples, — at one time, of several hundred per- sons. But he does not explain how an optical illu- sion could have been kept up at intervals for forty days, before different groups, and in clear sunlight, in the open air, on the lake-shore and the moun- tain-side, no less than in the evening-gloom of the upper chamber. That the whole Church believed in the reahty of this life from the dead, we have abundant evidence. St. Paul's earliest Epistles were confessedly written but a few years after the crucifixion, and they con- stantly refer to the Resurrection as a fact undoubted in Christian circles. In the generation next suc- ceeding that of the Apostles, there grew up a con- troversy as to the proper time of keeping Easter ; and appeal was then made to primitive usage, as if the Resurrection had been celebrated from the very first. Indeed, we know it had from the be- ginning a weekly celebration : for there is not the slightest trace of any religious observance of the first day of the week before the time of Christ ; while we find that it was a day of Christian wor- ship within a few weeks after He had disappeared from the earth, and we have abundant proof that it was so hallowed as the day on which He rose. INTRODUCTION. XXV This event is properly called the resurrection, the rising again, — not the coming of the dead to life, but the re-appearance of Him who had lived on in death, and who returned to the dead body to show that it is the body alone that can die. Thus our Saviour in His owm person " abolished death," — blotted it out from among the possible experiences of any and every living soul. Those, then, who have gone from us, and have seemed to die, still live ; and for us death will be but a passage from hfe to life. All this might, indeed, have been proclaimed on Divine authority ; but mere words — even though words of God — would have failed fully to meet man's needs. No event takes so strong hold as death on the imagination and the emotional nature. The altered countenance, the wasted frame, the agony of parting, the grave with its mysterious horrors, cannot but recur to make the memory of the departed intensely painful, and to shroud in the densest gloom the prospect of our own dissolution. It is therefore a solace of indispensable need, and unspeakable worth and efificacy, that all the sad accessories of death in their most appalling forms were about our Lx)rd, and that they have all been transfigured by His rising, — symbols no longer of decay and corruption, but of emancipation into the higher and eternal life. The Resurrection is thus brought within the field of poetry. While it commends itself to faith by XXVI INTRODUCTION. an array of impregnable proof, it equally appeals to feeling and sentiment. The gorgeous beauty of an Oriental spring surrounding the Sepulchre with bloom and fragrance ; the roUing-away of the rock by unseen hands ; the white-robed angels where the dead had lain ; the procession of the sorrowing wonien ; the interview with Mary Magdalene ; the movements — so perfectly in character — of Peter and John ; the walk to Emmaus, and the supper there ; the leaping from mouth to mouth and from heart to heart of the glad tidings, " The Lord has risen indeed ! " — these, and not a few other features of the scene and incidents of the day, have in them elements of transcending beauty and grandeur, and furnish a mine of poetic fancy and imagery, which has been worked from the very birth-time of Chris- tian hymnology, and which will still open new and rich veins for sacred lyrics in all coming genera- tions. A volume of Easter-hymns might, at first thought, promise but little variety. The truth is far other- wise. As from a few lines and tints an endless number of patterns, all differing from one another, may be drawn for a carpet or a wall-paper, so may innumerable combinations and groupings be made from a few simple incidents, with the associations inseparable from them, and the thoughts that natu- rally flow from them. It is thus that no two hymns on the same subject are alike, and that no hymn that unites devotional and poetic merit can ever be INTRODUCTION. XXVU dispensed with because of its resemblance to an- other. This is especially true of the hymns and poems that commemorate the Resurrection. No theme of sacred song has a wider range. It con- nects itself with all our sorrows, our hopes, and our joys ; with all that sheds sun-rays of heaven upon our earthly life ; with the blessed memories of those who sleep in Jesus ; with the fellowship that unites the households which death has parted, and makes of the whole family of Christian believers " one church, above, beneath." Nor has there been any subject which has called forth so wide a diversity of inspiration. We have the rich mellifluous strains of the old Greek hymns, the terse, sonorous, majestic melodies of the Latin Church, the calm, meditative fervor of the German Muse, and, in our own tongue, the quaintness of our early poets, and, in later time, every mood of lyric rhythm, now slow and solemn, now soaring and jubilant as the song of the lark, and again in a tone of tender and subdued gladness, as of one whose inward vision turns from the grave of buried kindred to the place where the Lord lay. May this Easter offering lift many hearts in glad thanksgiving to Him who has conquered death, in whom the dead live, and in whom he that believeth shall never die ! ANDREW P. PEABODY. ' Still on the lips of all we question The finger of God's silence lies: Shall the lost hands in ours be folded ? Will the shut eyelids ever rise ? O friends ! no proof beyond this yearning, This outreach of our souls, we need: God will not mock the hope He giveth ; No love He prompts shall vainly plead. Then let us stretch our hands in darkness, And call our loved ones o'er and o'er : Some time their arms shall close about us, And the old voices speak once more." J. G. Whittier. iTrom tl)e ®reck. Kesurgit. 'Etg tfje ©as of Eesxirrectton* By St. John Damascene, who was unquestionably the greatest of the poets of the Eastern Church. The date of his birth is unknown; and of his death all that is certain is that it occurred after 754, and before 787. He was born of a good family, made great progress in philosophy, was an eloquent adversary of the Iconoclasts, resided for a time at the monastery of St. Sabas in Palestine, and late in life was ordained priest of the Church of Jerusalem. The following is the first Ode of his great Easter Canon, which is to this day sung by the Greek Church, at the first hour of Easter morning, with every sort of jubilant accompaniment, — the flashing of light from thousands of tapers, the joyous strains of bands of music, the roll of drums, and thunder of cannon. The translation is by Rev. J. M. Neale, D.D., and is contained in his "Hymns of the Eastern Church." See biographical note prefixed to the piece, " The Foe behind, the Deep before." |IS the Day of Resurrection : Earth ! tell it out abroad ! The Passover of Gladness, The Passover of God. From Death to Life eternal, From this world to the sky, Our Christ hath brought us over, With hymns of victory. 3 LET US DRINK OF THA T NEW RIVER. Our hearts be pure from evil, That we may see aright The Lord in rays eternal Of Resurrection-Light ; And, listening to His accents. May hear, so calm and plain. His own All Hail ! — and, hearing. May raise the victor strain ! Now let the Heavens be joyful ! Let Earth her song begin ! Let the round world keep triumph, And all that is therein ; Invisible and visible, Their notes let all things blend ; For Christ the Lord hath risen, — Our joy that hath no end. Come, anti %ti us IBrtnJt of tjat Neb) Eiber* By St. John Damascene: the third Ode in his Easter Canon, Translated by Dr. Neale. OME, and let us drink of that New River, Not from barren rock divinely poured, STAND ON TIIY WATCH-TOWER. 5 But the Fount of Life that is forever From the sepulchre of Christ the LorH. All the world hath bright illumination, — Heaven and Earth, and things beneath the earth :■ 'Tis the festival of all Creation ; Christ hath risen, Who gave Creation birth. Yesterday with Thee in burial lying, Now to-day with Thee arisen, I rise : Yesterday the partner of Thy dying, With Thyself upraise me to the skies. .Stanti on tftu SEatc!]=Eotocr, 1l?atiafikufe By St. John Damascene: the fourth Ode in his Easter Canon. Translated by Dr. Neale. g]TAND on thy watch-tower, Habak- kuk the Seer, And show the Angel, radiant in his light : " To-day," saith he, " Salvation shall appear, Because the Lord hath risen as God of miefht." 6 LET US RISE IN EARLY MORNING. The male that opes the Virgin's womb is He : The Lamb of Whom His faithful people eat ; Our truer Passover, from blemish free ; Our very God, Whose name is all complete. This yearling Lamb, oiu: Sacrifice most blest. Our glorious Crown, for all men freely dies : Behold our Pascha, beauteous from His rest, The healing Sun of Righteousness arise. Before the ark, a type to pass away, David of old time danced : we, holier race, Seeing the Antitype come forth to-day, Hail, with a shout, Christ's own almighty grace. %jX us 2^ise xxi lEarlg JHorntng* By St. John Damascene: the fifth Ode in his Easter Canon. Translated by Dr. Neale. ET us rise in early morning, And, instead of ointments, bring Hymns of praises to our Master, And His Resurrection sing : We shall see the Sun of Justice, Risen with healing on His wing. INTO THE DIM EARTH'S LOWEST PARTS, J Thy unbounded loving-kindness, They that groaned in Hades' chain, Prisoners, from afar beholding, Hastened to the light again ; And to that eternal Pascha Wove the dance, and raised the strain. Go ye forth. His Saints, to meet Him ! Go with lamps in every hand ! From the sepulchre He riseth : Ready for the Bridegroom stand : And the Pascha of Salvation Hail, with his triumphant band ! Into tjje I9tm Eartfj's iLotoest parts ©escentiins. By St. John Damascene: the sixth Ode in his Easter Canon, Translated by Dr. Neale. |NTO the dim earth's lowest parts descending, And bursting by Thy might the infernal chain That bound the prisoners. Thou, at three days' ending, As Jonah from the whale, hast risen again. 8 WHO FROM THE FIERY FURNACE Thou brakest not the seal, Thy surety's token, Arising from the tomb. Who left'st in birth The portals of virginity unbroken. Opening the gates of heaven to sons of earth. Thou, Sacrifice ineffable and living, Didst to the Father by Thyself atone As God eternal ; resurrection giving To Adam, general parent, by Thine own. SEIjo from tjje jFterg jFurnace ^abeti tfje By St. John Damascene: the seventh Ode of his Easter Canon. Translated by Dr. Neale. HO from the fiery furnace saved the Three, Suffers as mortal; that. His Passion o'er, This mortal, triumphing o'er death, might be Vested with immortality once more : He whom our fathers still confest God over all, forever blest. SAVED THE THREE. 9 The women with their ointment seek the tomb ; And Whom they mourned as dead, with many a tear, They worship now, joy dawning on their gloom. As Living God, as mystic Passover ; Then to the Lord's disciples gave The tidings of the vanquished grave. We keep the festal of the death of death ; Of hell o'erthrown ; the first-fruits, pure and bright. Of life eternal ; and, with joyous breath. Praise Him that won the victory by His might : Him Whom our fathers still confest God over all, forever blest. All hallowed festival, in splendor born ! Night of salvation and of glory ! Night Fore-heralding the Resurrection morn ! When from the tomb the everlasting Light, A glorious frame once more His own, Upon the world in splendor shone. lO THOU HALLOWED CHOSEN MORN. ^fjou flalloiweU Cjjosen Horn of Praise. By St. John Damascene: the eighth Ode of his Easter Canoi Translated by Dr. Neale. HOU hallowed chosen morn of praise. That best and greatest shinest ! Lady and Queen and Day of days, Of things divine, divinest ! On thee our praises Christ adore For ever and for evermore. Come, let us taste the Vine's new fruit, For heavenly joy preparing; To-day the branches with the Root In Resurrection sharing: Whom as True God our hymns adore, For ever and for evermore. Rise, Sion, rise, and, looking forth. Behold thy children round thee! From East and West, and South and North, Thy scattered sons have found thee ! And in thy bosom Christ adore For ever and for evermore. THOU NEW JERUSALEM, ARISE! 1 1 O Father ! O co-equal Son ! O co-eternal Spirit ! In Persons Three, in Substance One, And One in power and merit : In Thee baptized, we Thee adore For ever and for evermore ! ^fjou Ncbj :3erusalem, %xm antr Bs^xu I By St. John Damascene: the ninth Ode in his Easter Canon. Translated by Dr. Neale. There is another translation by William Chatterton Dix, beginning, " Shine, shine, O New Jerusalem! " HOU New Jerusalem, arise and shine! The glory of the Lord on thee hath risen. Sion, exult ! rejoice with joy divine ! Mother of God ! Thy Son hath burst his prison ! O heavenly Voice ! O word of purest love ! " Lo ! I am with you alway to the end ! " This is the anchor, steadfast from above, — The golden anchor, whence our hopes depend. 12 COME, YE FAITHFUL, RAISE THE STRAIN: O Christ, our Pascha ! greatest, holiest, best ! God's Word and Wisdom and effectual Might ! Thy fuller, lovelier presence manifest. In that eternal realm that knows no nio^ht ! Come, ge jFaitjjful, liaise tfje .Strain, From St. John Damascene, by Dr. Neale. It is commonly classed among Easter hymns, although it belongs in his canon for St. Thomas's Sunday, or Low Sunday, as indicated by the allusion in the last stanza. jlOME, ye faithful, raise the strain Of triumphant gladness ! God hath brought His Israel Into joy from sadness ; Loosed from Pharaoh's bitter yoke Jacob's sons and daughters ; Led them with unmoistened foot Through the Red Sea waters. 'Tis the spring of souls to-day ! Christ hath burst His prison ; And, from three days' sleep in death, As a sun hath risen. COME, YE FAITHFUL, RAISE THE STRAhY. I 3 All the winter of our sins, Long and dark, is flying From His light, to Whom we give Laud and praise undying. Now the queen of seasons, bright With the day of splendor, With the royal Feast of feasts, Comes its joy to render; Comes to glad Jerusalem, Who with true affection Welcomes, in unwearied strains, Jesu's Resurrection. Neither might the gates of death. Nor the tomb's dark portal. Nor the watchers, nor the seal, Hold Thee as a mortal ; But to-day amidst the twelve Thou didst stand, bestowing That Thy peace, which evermore Passeth human knowing. . 34 THEY WHO WITH MARY CAME. Cfjeg ixijjo iwitji Jlarg came* From the Greek of St. John Damascene, translated by William Chatterton Dix. See biographical note prefixed to the hymn, " Put on Thy Beautiful Robes, Bride of Christ." HEY who with Mary came, Before the dawn of day, Soon found that from the sepulchre The stone was rolled away. Then to those fearful souls The shining Angel said, — Him who in light eternal dwells, Why seek ye with the dead ? The grave-clothes see, and haste The joyful news to tell : The Lord is risen, and He hath been The death of death and hell. He is the Son of God, Who saves the human race : No more shall death destroy, no more The ancient foe have place. IF THE DARK AND A WFUL TOMB. 1 5 \i tfjc ©arfe anti ^bjful Comti. This also is from the Greek of St. John Damascene, and the trans- lation by William C. Dix. F the dark and awful tomb Thou, immortal One, hast known, Rising, in Thy deathless bloom. Hades Thou hast overthrown. Yes ; as Victor Thou hast burst All the bands of hell, and said, Hail ! to those who sought Thee first, Bearing ointment for the dead ; Peace, Thy earliest, sweetest gift, Unto Thine Apostles given ; All the fallen Thou didst lift From the gates of hell to heaven. 1 6 THE CHURCH OF GOD. Cfje Cfjurcf) of ffioti Hifts up f^er Foice. A Greek Paschal hymn, from the Offices of the Greek Church, trans- lated by William C. Dix. HE Church of God lifts np her voice ; To-day both heaven and earth re- joice : The gladsome Passover is here, — The Passover of Christ most dear. The Passover that frees from woe, That binds in chains the ancient foe, That opens wide the heavenly gate. The Lord's own day, we celebrate. From " very early " until night. One strain we lift, one shout of might : With Eucharist the morn arose, With Hallelujahs day shall close. O Christ, eternal Pascha, Thou, And Crown for every willing brow ! Thou spotless Lamb and Victor bright. Arrayed in more than morning light ! CHRIST, WE SING THY SAVING PASSION. 1 7 On this Thy Resurrection-day Be strife and hate put far away, That those who in thy likeness hve May each his brother's wrongs forgive. The earth in festal raiment stands, The floods for gladness clap their hands : Then higher still, and higher raise The true, the living Pascha's praise. erijrist, iwe sins Eftg ^abtng passion* From the Offices of the Greelc Church, translated by William C. Dix. HRIST, we sing Thy saving passion; Thine arising glorify : Death forever to abolish, Thou upon the Cross didst die ; Then from Hades Thou didst hasten, As alone omnipotent : Grant us peace in life, Redeemer, Joy when earthly life is spent. Sing we now Thy condescension, Christ, with God the Father One ; We in lofty hymns will praise Thee, Mary-Mother's Blessed Son. 1 8 THOSE WHO SEEK THE BREAK OF DAY. Thou for US as Man didst suffer, Willingly the Cross didst bear ; That Thy resurrection-glory, We, the sons of men, may share. Coming as from bridal chamber. Robed with orient morning-light ; Bringing to the world salvation. Spoiling hell of all her might ; Raising, by Thy resurrection, Man to dignity most high : Christ, may we with pure thanksgiving Thee forever glorify ! Translated from the Offices of the Greek Church, by William C. Dix. S those who seek the break of day Full early in the morning, The women came where Jesus lay, Who late had borne the scorning. Sweet ointment in their hands they brought. And, ere the sun had risen, The Sun of Righteousness they sought, Now set within death's prison. SPRINGTIDE BIRDS ARE SINGING. 1 9 And thus they cried : "The Body here, Let us give new anointing ; The quickening flesh, the Body dear, Which, by Divine appointing, From this dark sepulchre shall rise, And Adam's race deliver. And lift the fallen to the skies. To reign in bliss forever." And, like the Magi, hasten we To Him with love adoring : Sweet spices, too, our gifts shall be. And we must weep, imploring That He, in swaddling clothes no more, But in fine linen lying, Would grant the fallen, when life is o'er, The gift of life undying. ^prtngtitfe iStrtrs are ^incjincj, .Smcjinof. The following is contained in " Lyra Mystica," under the title " The Salutation of the Greek Church on Easter Day.*' The translation is by Rev. Phipps Onslow. See the biographical notice prefi.\ed to the hymn, " Saints on Earth, and Saints in Light." PRINGTIDE birds are singing, sing- in o" For the daybreak in the East : Silver bells are ringing, ringing. For the Church's glorious Feast. 20 SPRINGTIDE BIRDS ARE SINGING. Christ is risen ! Christ is risen ! Sin's long triumph now is o'er. Christ is risen ! Death's dark prison Now can hold His Saints no more. Christ is risen ! risen, Brother ! Brother, Christ is risen indeed ! Holy women sought Him weeping, Weeping at the break of dawn, — Sought their Lord where He lay sleeping, In the love of hearts forlorn. Life for death on death's throne meeting, Joy for sorrow, faith for fear, For their tears the Angel's greeting, — Christ is risen ! He is not here. Christ is risen ! risen. Brother ! Brother, Christ is risen indeed ! Loved Apostles, scarce believing In His triumph o'er the grave, Hear the tale amid their grieving, Hasten eager to the Cave ; Find the folded grave-clothes lying. Death's unloosed and shattered chain, Find Him gone, death's power defying, From the Cavern sealed in vain. Christ is risen! risen, Brother! Brother, Christ is risen indeed ! SPRINGTIDE BIRDS ARE SINGING. 21 Mary comes, a refuge seeking For her mourning and her shame : Lo ! a well-known voice is speaking ; Lo ! the Master calls her name. First, the life o'er sin victorious, She who v/ept for sin adored, For her tears the mission glorious To announce the Risen Lord. Christ is risen ! risen, Brother ! Brother, Christ is risen indeed ! For her tears, O glad reversing Of the Woman's work of old, Glorious tidings now rehearsing ; For the tale in Eden told. Woman's voice, that tale supplying, Brought in death by Satan's lie : Woman's voice is now replying, — Christ is risen ! we shall not die. Christ is risen ! risen, Brother ! Brother, Christ is risen indeed ! Where the noontide rays are falling On the rugged mountain-side, Brethren journey, sad recalling How He loved, and how He died. 22 SPRINGTIDE BIRDS ARE SINGING. He is with them ! He is hearing How their trust and hope had fled, To their loving faith appearing In the blessing of the Bread. Christ is risen ! risen, Brother ! Brother, Christ is risen indeed ! Flashing back the sunset glory, Burns a casement high and dim : There the Ten, on all His Story Sadly dwelling, speak of Him. He is there ! the Light that never Into twilight fades away ; Day-star of the Dawn that ever Breaks into the perfect Day ! Christ is risen ! risen. Brother ! Brother, Christ is risen indeed ! Saints, your Cross in patience bearing, Mourners stained with many a tear, Penitents, in sorrow wearing Darkest weeds of shame and fear, — Christ is risen ! lose your sadness, Joying with the joyous throng: Faithful hearts will find their gladness. Joining in the Easter song, Christ is risen ! risen. Brother ! Brother, Christ is risen indeed ! SPRINGTIDE BIRDS ARE SINGING. 23 Christ is risen ! Christ the Living, All His mourners' tears to stay ; Christ is risen ! Christ, forgiving. Wipes the stain of sin away. Christ is risen ! Christ is risen ! Sin's long triumph now is o'er ; Christ is risen ! Death's dark prison Holds His faithful never more. Christ is risen ! risen, Brother ! Brother, Christ is risen indeed ! iTrom tl)e Catin. THIS IS THE VERY DAY OF GOD. 2/ STijis is tfjt Ferg IBag of €^oti, {Hie est Dies verus Dei.) By St. Ambrose, bom probably at Treves, about 340, died in 397. His father was prefect of Gaul, and the son was intended for a secular career. He practised as an advocate at Milan, and was far advanced in civil preferment — having been appointed consular prefect of Liguria in 370 — when he was suddenly chosen Bishop of Milan, in 374, by an im- pulsive and unanimous vote of the people, although he was then only a layman, and unbaptized. He was a man of dauntless courage, and his strong and austere hymns inspired the people to render him their support in his defence of the integrity of the Creed, and the spiritual authority of the Church. Many hymns have been ascribed to him on insufficient evidence: the authenticity of the following rests on the excellent authority of F. J. Mone. The translation is by Mrs. Elizabeth Charles. jHIS is the very day of God : Serene with holy light it came, — In which the stream of sacred blood Swept over the world's crime and shame. Lost souls with faith once more it filled, The darkness from blind eyes dissolved : Whose load of fear too great to yield, Seeing the dying thief absolved .-' 28 THIS IS THE VERY DAY OF GOD. Changing the cross for the reward, That moment's faith obtains his Lord : Before the just his spirit flies; The first-fruits enters Paradise. The angels ponder, wondering ; They see the body's pain and strife, They see to Christ the guilty cling, And reap at once the blessed life. O admirable Mystery ! The sins of all are laid on Thee ; And Thou, to cleanse the world's deep stain. As man dost bear the sins of men. What can be ever more sublime .-' That grace might meet the guilt of time, Love doth the bonds of fear undo, And death restores our life anew. Death's fatal spear himself doth wound ; With his own fetters he is bound. Lo ! dead the Life of all men lies, That life anew for all might rise. That, since death thus hath passed on all, The dead might all arise again ; By his own death-blow death might fall, And o'er his unshared fall complain. THE SUPPER OF THE LAMB TO SHARE. 29 E!)c Supper of t|}c ILamtj to 7 The fiery sun in loftier noon O'er heaven's high orbit shines, As o'er the tide of waters wide He rises and declines. From hell's deep gloom, from earth's dark tomb, The Lord in triumph soars : The forests raise their leafy praise, The fiowery field adores. As star by star He mounts afar. And hell imprisoned lies, Let stars and light and depth and height In Hallelujahs rise. Lo ! He Who died, the Crucified, God over all He reigns ; On Him we call, His creatures all, Who heaven and earth sustains. 38 THE MORNING PURPLES ALL THE SKY. ^jje IHornmg Purples all tfje ^Itg* {Aurora ccelum pttrpzirat.) An ancient Paschal Hymn, found in manuscripts at least as old as the beginning of the ninth century. There are several different texts in the original. The translation which follows is by Rev. Dr. A. R. Thompson of New York, and was contributed to Dr. Schaff's " Christ in Song." There are other translations, by Rev. J. Chandler, " This Holy Morn, so fair and bright; " and by Caswall, " The Dawn was purpling over the Sky." "HE morning purples all the sky, The air with praises rings ; Defeated hell stands sullen by, The world exulting sings ; Glory to God ! our glad lips cry : All praise and worship be On earth, in heaven, to God Most High, For Christ's great victory ! While He, the King all strong to save. Rends the dark doors away. And through the breaches of the grave Strides forth into the day, Glory to God ! our glad lips cry : All praise and worship be On earth, in heaven, to God Most High, For Christ's great victory ! THE MORNING PURPLES ALL TILE SKY. 39 Death's captive, in his gloomy prison Fast fettered He has lain ; But he has mastered Death, has risen. And Death wears now the chain. Glory to God ! our glad lips cry : All praise and worship be On earth, in heaven, to God Most High, For Christ's great victory ! The shining angels cry, " Away With grief ! no spices bring ; Not tears, but songs, this joyful day, Should greet the rising King ! " Glory to God ! our glad lips cry : All praise and worship be On earth, in heaven, to God Most High, For Christ's great victory ! That Thou our Paschal Lamb mayst be. And endless joy begin, Jesus, Deliverer, set us free From the dread death of sin. Glory to God ! our glad lips cry : All praise and worship be On earth, in heaven, to God Most High, For Christ's great victory ! 40 O THOU WHO ONCE FROM DEATH. © Efjou SEJjo once from ©eatfj tftt(St Etge. (A ?noi'te qui Te suscitans.) An ancient Compline hymn, translated by John George Smith. THOU Who once from death didst rise, Effulgent with new victories, Lighten the darkness of our night, And shield us with Thy gifts of might. Oh, grant that when our limbs shall lie Wrapt in sleep's needful lethargy, Our spirits then, from fetters free, May upward soar, O Lord, to Thee. And, lest the fiery darts that fly By night should work us injury. With Thy right hand victorious keep Watch o'er Thy servants while they sleep. And when the cord shall be unwound With which our guilty race is bound. Grant that we be not crushed beneath The weisfht of everlastino- death. YE CHOIRS OF NEW JERUSALEM. 4 1 gc Cijotrs of NebJ Scrusalem, {Chorus N'cn'iB Jerusalem.) By St. Fulbert of Chartres, who died about 1029. He was a man of very wide and varied attainments, and became distinguished throughout France for his abiHties and wisdom. His advice was sought by kings and princes. He conducted a theological college at Chartres, and was consecrated bishop of that diocese. His writings which remain consist of hymns, letters, sermons, and theological treatises. The follow- ing version is taken from " Hymns Ancient and Modern," where it is altered from a translation by an unknown writer. There is another trans- lation in Dr. Neale's " Mediaeval Hymns." E choirs of New Jerusalem, Your sweetest notes employ, The Paschal victory to hymn In strains of holy joy. For Juda's Lion bursts His chains, Crushing the serpent's head ; And cries aloud, through death's domains, To wake the imprisoned dead. Devouring depths of hell their prey At His command restore ; His ransomed hosts pursue their way Where Jesus goes before. 42 PRAISE TO CHRIST. Triumphant in His glory now, To Him all power is given ; To Him in one Communion bow All saints in earth and heaven. While we, His soldiers, praise our King, His mercy we implore, Within His Palace bright to bring And keep us evermore. All glory to the Father be ; All glory to the Son ; All glory, Holy Ghost, to Thee, While endless ages run. Alleluia ! Amen, praise to Cfjrtgt bJttlj Suppliant Fotceg* (Laudes Christo redempti voce.) A Prose of the eleventh century, translated by Richard Frederick LiTTLEDALE. RAISE to Christ, with suppliant voices, Let His ransomed people sing : Let the world which now rejoices Bless the Son of God, its King. PRAISE TO CHRIST. 43 Ye, of Heaven's shrine the warders, Fellow-citizens of earth, Standing in your ninefold orders. Join us to your festal mirth. Sing aloud, O highest regions ! Lowest deeps, your echoes raise ! To the Lotd, in glad allegiance, Let all spirits give their praise. God, as Man Himself concealing. Born in flesh to save mankind, Bearing shame for sinners' healing. Yet as God in wonders shined. With our human form invested. Truly Man, He dwelt below. And no Godhead manifested At the tempting of the foe. Craft with wisdom He defeated. And the knots of sin untied ; On the Cross, His work completed, There for us a Victim died. To His Father sacrificing, By His death He sin hath slain : Now, with noble pomp arising. From the depths He comes again ; 44 PRAISE TO CHRIST. ;; Comes victorious over evil, " • Spoiling hell of all its prey, Binding in His chains the Devil, 5 . . i On this glad triumphant day, — .i \ Day which brightest radiance giveth, \ Now that Egypt's gloom i^ o'er When He rose. Who ever liveth ; In the flesh which Mary bore : \ Christ, Who here with mortals tarried, : While the straying sheep He sought, j Which, upon his shoulders carried,, j To the Father He hath brought. i JESU, THE VERY THOUGHT OF THEE. 45 3esu, t!)e Fert Ef)oug|)t of dee* CJcsH, Dtclcis Meinoria.) By St. Bernard of Clairvaux, born in Fontaine, Burgundy, in 1091 ; died in 1153. He has been called the best and greatest man of his age, and Luther speaks of him as " the best monk that ever lived." He was the son of a nobleman, and was educated at the University of Paris. His tastes early inclined him to a monastic life; and, after three years spent in the Cistercian monastery of Citeaux, at the age of twenty-five he was appointed abbot of a new monastery at Clairvau.x. This position he re- tained till his death, declining repeated offers of high preferment. He was often appealed to for counsel by kings and popes, and it was through his persuasion that the King of France undertook the crusade of 1146. The following is the first part of his Jubilation on the Name of Jesus, a hymn of about two hundred lines, which Dr. Schaff characterizes as the sweetest and most evangelical of the middle ages. The translation is by Edward Caswall. There are translations by Neale, Mrs. Charles, and others; but Mr. Caswall's is the sweetest and smoothest. In Dr. SchafTs "Christ in Song," in " Hymns Ancient and Modern," and in nearly all hymn-books, — for the lines have found their way into universal hymnol- ogy, — only the first four or five verses of this part are given. The last four verses entitle it to a place with Easter poems, and are quite too beau- tiful to be cast aside. The quotation is taken directly from Mr. Cas- wall's volume of "Hymns and Poems," with the lines which have been mutilated or marred by the hymn-menders restored. ESU, the very thought of Thee With sweetness fills my breast ; But sweeter far Thy face to see, And in Thy presence rest. Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame, Nor can the memory find, 46 JESU, THE VERY THOUGHT OF THEE. A sweeter sound than Thy blest name, O Saviour of mankind ! O hope of every contrite heart ! O joy of all the meek ! To those who fall, how kind Thou art ! How good to those who seek ! But what to those who find ? Ah, this ' Nor tongue nor pen can show : The love of Jesus, what it is, None but His lovers know. O Jesu, Light of all below ! Thou Fount of life and fire ! Surpassing all the joys we know, And all we can desire ! Thee will I seek, at home, abroad. Who everywhere art nigh ; Thee in my bosom's cell, O Lord, As on my bed I lie. With Mary to Thy tomb I'll haste. Before the dawning skies ; And all around, with longing, cast My soul's inquiring eyes ; THE GA TES OF DEA TH ARE BROKEN. 47 Beside Thy grave will make my moan, And sob my heart away ; Then at Thy feet sink trembling down, And there adoring stay ; Nor from my tears and sighs refrain, Nor those dear feet release, My Jesu, till from Thee I gain Some blessed word of peace ! Ho, t!je Crates of ©cat!) are 33roften* {Mortis portis fractis, fortis.) By Peter the Venerable, bom in Auvergne, in 1092 or 1094, of a noble family; died in 1156. He was elected abbot of Clugny in 1122, and it was with him that Abelard found shelter after the condemnation of his errors. He was a contemporary of Bernard of Clairvaux, and engaged in a keen controversy with him over the relative merits of the Clugniac and Cistercian monks. He gave to Christendom its first accurate trans- lation of the Koran, and he wrote a refutation of Mahometanism. The following translation is by Mrs. Charles. ^O, the gates of death are broken, And the strong man armed is spoiled, — Of his armor, which he trusted. By the Stronger Arm despoiled. Vanquished is the prince of hell. Smitten by the Cross he fell. 48 THE GA TES OF DEA TH ARE BROKEN. Then the purest light resplendent Shone those seats of darkness through, When, to save whom he created, God willed to create anew. That the sinner might not perish, For him the Creator dies ; By Whose death our dark lot changing, Life again for us doth rise. Satan groaned, defeated then, When the Victor ransomed men ; Fatal was to him the strife, Unto man the source of life ; Captured as he seized his prey, He is slain as he would slay. Thus the King all hell hath vanquished Gloriously and mightily ; On the first day leaving Hades, Victor He returns on high. Thus God brought man back to heaven. When He rose from out the grave, The pure primal life bestowing. Which creating first He gave. By the sufferings of his Maker, To his perfect Paradise The first dweller thus return eth. Wherefore these o:lad sonsrs arise. ' THE WORLD'S FRESH DAWN OF BIRTH. 49 {Alintdi Rcnoz'atio.) By Adam of St. Victor, whom Neale and Trench agree in regard- ing as the greatest of mediaeval poets. He was born in Brittany, — in what year is uncertain, — and died about the year 1192. He was the author of more than a hundred sequences, which were collected and pub- lished by M. Gautier in 1858. His hymns are full of Old-Testament allu- sions, employed as types to illustrate New- Testament truths; and the theological often predominates over the devotional interest. But his verse has a rich melody, and an exquisite art and variety, and abounds in deep and tender feeling. The following fine translation is by P. S. Worslev. OW the world's fresh dawn of birth Teems with new rejoicings rife : Christ is rising, and on earth All things with Him rise to life. Feeling this memorial day, Him the elements obey, Serve, and lay aside their strife. Gleamy fire flits to and fro, Throbs the everlasting air, Water without pause doth flow. And the earth stands firm and fair ; Light creations upward leap, Heavier to the centre keep. All things renovation share. 50 THE WORLD'S FRESH DA WN OF BIRTH. Clearer are the skies above, And more quiet is the sea ; Each low wind is full of love, Our own vale is blooming free ; Dryness flushing into green. Warm delight where frost hath been, For spring cometh tenderly. Melted is the ice of death. And the world's prince driven away ; From amidst us vanisheth All his old tyrannic sway. He, who sought to clasp more tight That wherein he held no right, Fails of his peculiar prey. Life is vanquisher of Death, And the joy man lost of old, That he now recovereth, Even Paradise to hold. For the cherub keeping ward. By the promise of the Lord, Turns the many-flaming sword. And the willing gates unfold. WELCOME THE TRIUMPHAL TOI^EN. 5 I SEclcome tije CrtumpSal Eoken, {Hcc est Dies Trhmtphalis.) By Adam of St Victor. Translated by P. S. Worsley. (See note to the preceding hymn.) ELCOME the triumphal token, — Day to ruined world how sweet, When thefoeman's power was broken. And our ills found comfort meet ! Know ye not this day so splendid. Shining with so fair a crown, Witnessed Sin's dominion ended. And the Evil One cast down ? Then, the Prince of Darkness flying-, Every baneful charm did cease ; Health came to the sick and dying, Rose on earth the reign of peace ; Death the sting of death undoing, Hope of life returned to-day ; Sin's stronghold was hurled to ruin. And pollution chased away. Since, then, Christ our souls hath cherished In a union such as this. 52 HAIL THE MUCH-REMEMBERED DAY! And on earth hath freely perished For the things we wrought amiss, Lightly may we hymn His story, And our Paschal banquet spread ; Heart, word, work, proclaim His glory, Risinsf with Him from the dead. [Ecce Dies Celebris !) By Adam of St. Victor. Translated by Rev. J. M. Neale, D.D. AIL the much-remembered Day ! Night from morning flies away ; Life the chains of Death hath burst : Gladness, welcome ! Grief, begone ! Greater glory draweth on Than confusion at the first. Flies the shadowy from the true : Flies the ancient from the new : Comfort hath each tear dispersed. Hail, our Pascha, that wast dead ! What preceded in the Head, That each member hopes to gain ; HAIL THE MUCH-REMEMBERED DAY I 53 Christ, our newer Pascha now, Late in death content to bow. When the spotless Lamb was slain. . From the Cross's pole of glory- Flows the must of ancient story In the Church's wine-vat stored : From the press, now trodden duly, Gentile first-fruits gathered newly Drink the precious liquor poured. Sackcloth, worn with foul abuses, Passes on to royal uses ; Grace in that garb at length we see, The Flesh hath conquered misery. They, by whom their monarch perished, Lost the kingdom that they cherished ; And, for a sign and wonder, Cain Is set, who never shall be slain. Reprobated and rejected Was this Stone, that, now elected. For a Trophy stands erected, And a precious Corner-stone : Sin's, not Nature's, termination, He creates a new creation, And, Himself their colligation, Binds two peoples into one. 54 THE DAY THE LORD HATH MADE. Give we glory to the Head, O'er the members love be shed ! Befjolti tjje ©as tfje ISorti jjatfj tnatie! [Salve, Dies Dieruin Gloria.) By Adam of St. Victor. Translated by H. R. B., in Rev. Orby Shipley's " Lyra Messianica." EHOLD the Day the Lord hath made ! That peerless day which cannot fade ; That day of light, that day of joy, Of glory which shall never cloy. The day on which the world was framed Has signal honor ever claimed ; But Christ, arising from the dead, Unrivalled brightness o'er it shed. In hope of their celestial choice. Now let the sons of light rejoice : Christ's members in their lives declare What likeness to their Head they bear. For solemn is our feast to-day, And solemn are the vows we pay : THE DAY THE LORD HATH MADE. 55 This day's surpassing greatness claims Surpassing joy, surpassing aims. The Paschal victory displays The glory of our festal days ; Which type and shadow dimly bore, In promise to the saints of yore. The veil is rent ; and lo ! unfold The things the ancient Law foretold : The figure from the substance flies, And light the shadow's place supplies. The type the spotless Lamb conveyed, The goat, where Israel's sins were laid ; Messiah, purging our offence, Disclosed in all their hidden sense. By freely yielding up His breath. He freed us from the bonds of death ; Who on that Prey forbidden flew, And lost the prey that was his due. The ills on sinful flesh that lay His sinless flesh hath done away, Which, blooming fresh on that third morn, Assurance gave to souls forlorn. 56 CHRIST, UPON THE FRIDAY SLAIN. O wondrous Death of Christ ! may we Be made to Uve to Christ by Thee ! O deathless Death, destroy our sin, Give us the prize of Hfe to win ! CJjrist, upon tjje jFrttfag ^lain* (Sexta passtis feria.) By Adam of St. Victor. Translated by Richard Frederic Little- dale, D.C.L. See the biographical notice prefixed to the hymn, " Our Paschal Joy at last is here." HRIST, upon the Friday slain, When three days were past again, Rose victorious, And, triumphant o'er the Tomb, Lifts His loved ones out of gloom. Makes them glorious. For the people of His Name, He, upon the cross of shame. Dead was lying : In the grave a while He lay. Then, at dawning of the day, Rose undying. CHRIST, UPON THE FRIDAY SLAIN. 5/ In His passion and His cross, With a bulwark sure from loss We are gifted : By His resurrection bright, From the grave of sin and night We are lifted. Offered up for sinners, Christ As their sacrifice sufficed Unrepeated : By the precious blood He spilt, Jesus washed our souls from guilt, Hell defeated. Once He lay within the grave, Lest the race He came to save Twice should perish : Now He opens Heaven wide, Comes to every mourner's side, — Comes to cherish. He the Lion, strong in fight, Rising up to-day, His might Forth is telling ; With the arms of righteousness, Satan, Prince of wickedness, Ever quelling. 58 CHRIST, UPON THE FRIDAY SLAIN. Now is come the Lord's own day, j Whereon He hath washed away I Earth's pollution ; j Whereon death was slain in strife, i And the foe hath made of life | Restitution. I \ So, from hearts made pure from stain, ; Now the Alleluia strain i Doubly pealeth : \ Now all evil hath its close, < And the life which Heaven knows \ God revealeth. \ In the world's late eventide, ■; Raise Thou up Thy servants tried, | Jesu Holy : I May this glad and festal day | Thy salvation bring for aye j To the lowly ! PURGE WE OUT THE ANCIENT LEAVEN. 59 ^gurofc ixie out tjjc Ancient Heaben* [Zyvia vctus expiirgetur.) By Adam of St. Victor. Translated by Rev. J. M. Neale, D.D. The original contains thirteen stanzas, of which we give only the first three and the last two, — the remainder of the sequence being taken up with a somewhat subtle application of Old-Testament types. URGE we out the ancient leaven, That the feast of earth and heaven We may celebrate aright. On to-day our hope stands founded : Moses teacheth how unbounded Is its virtue and its might. This day Egypt's treasure spoiled, And the Hebrews freed, that toiled, Pressed with bondage and in chains, From the mortar, brick, and stubble : Heaviest toil and sorest trouble Had they known in Zoan's plains. Now the voice of exultation, Now the triumph of salvation, Free and wide its tidings flings. This is the day the Lord hath made ; the day That bids our sin and sorrow flee away ; Life and light and hcaltli that brinirs. 60 PURGE WE OUT THE ANCIENT LEAVEN. i \ Death and life have striven newly : i Jesus Christ hath risen truly ; 1 And with Christ ascended duly, \ Many a witness that He lives : \ Dawn of newness, happy morrow, ■■ Wipes away our eve of sorrow : ' Since from death our life we borrow,' \ Brightest joy the season gives. i Jesu, Victor, Life, and Head ; ! Jesu, Way Thy people tread ; , By Thy death from death released, ; Call us to the Paschal Feast, That with boldness we may come : Living Water, Bread undying, Vine, each branch with life supplying, ; Thou must cleanse us. Thou must feed us, j From the second death must lead us "\ Upward to our heavenly home ! j STILL THY SORROW, MAGDALENAl 6 1 .Still tfjg .Sorrob, JHagtialcnal (Pone liictum, Magdalena !) A sweet and jubilant hymn, of uncertain date and authorship. In " Lyra Messianica," and in Dr. Schaff's " Christ in Song," the name of the author is not given; and by Mrs. Charles it is ascribed to Adam of St. Victor ("Voice of Christian Life in Song," p. 182). The original may be found in Trench's " Sacred Latin Poetry," p. 159. There are several translations, by Mrs. Charles, W. J. C, and others; but the following — contributed by Rev. Dr. Edward A. Washburn to " Christ in Song " — is much the best. Dr. Washburn was born at Boston, April 16, 1819 ; graduated at Harvard University 1838; studied theology at Andover and New Haven: was rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Newbury- port, 1844-51; rector of St. John's, Hartford, 1S53-62, and professor of church polity in Berkeley Divinity School, Middletown; rector of St. Mark's, Philadelphia, 1862-65; from 1865 to date, rector of Calvary Church, New York. s»siTILL thy sorrow, Magdalena ! Wipe the teardrops from thine eyes : Not at Simon's board thou kneelest, Pouring thy repentant sighs : All with thy glad heart rejoices ; All things sing, with happy voices, Hallelujah ! Laugh with rapture, Magdalena ! Be thy drooping forehead bright: Banished now is every anguish, Breaks anew thy morning light : 62 STILL THY SORROW, MAGDALENAt Christ from death the world hath freed ; He is risen, is risen indeed : Hallelujah ! Joy ! exult, O Magdalena ! He hath burst the rocky prison : Ended are the days of darkness : Conqueror hath He arisen. Mourn no more the Christ departed ; Run to welcome Him, glad-hearted : Hallelujah ! Lift thine eyes, O Magdalena ! See ! thy living Master stands ; See His face, as ever, smiling ; See those wounds upon His hands, On His feet, His sacred side, — Gems that deck the Glorified : Hallelujah! Live, now live, O Magdalena ! , Shining is thy new-born day ; Let thy bosom pant with pleasure, Death's poor terror flee away ; Far from thee the tears of sadness : Welcome love, and welcome gladness ! Hallelujah ! NOW THY GENTLE LAMB, SION! 63 Nobj i:|)2 Gentle 3Lam&, ©