AT MIDNIGHT. The wild boar out of the wood doth root it up and the wild beasts of the field devour it. Turn Thee again, Thou God of Hosts, look down from Heaven: behold and visit this vine.PSALM 1xxx. "Quos in postes, Saule, tendis?" WHITHER, Saul, this raging sense All thy fury turning? Christ is now at hand, behold, On the earth he lieth : And Christ's armed foe e'en now He, who, fill'd with threatnings, sped, Chains and death preparing; · By a gentle hand is led, With a child-like bearing; Like a raging wolf he came ; But he goes a gentle lamb. Lord, men's hearts in sternest mood Open lie before Thee; He who in Thy children's blood, With his blood shall it rehearse Praise the Father, by whose might And the Son, by whose blest light And the Spirit, by whose breath AT THE MATTINS. Nevertheless, I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.-GAL. ii. "Quæ gloriosum tanta cœlis evocat," LORD, from out Thy glorious skies, What cause constraining in Thine eyes That Thou, the Judge of endless doom, What foe doth call Thee forth? With defying mien and tread Hastes a warrior dread; Afar the trembling flock is fled : With suppliant gaze beseechingly Their eyes look up; but from the sky Forth hath gone one awful sound, And the world is bound, With Saul laid suppliant on the ground. At morn went forth to slay The ravening wolf of Benjamin, But with the sheep, when eve comes in, He shall divide the prey. Through all climes His glory plant! Sing praise and honour jubilant, As is and aye hath been! All worship, all dominion, To Him who all things holds in one, R ON THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE; OR, THE PURIFICATION OF THE VIRGIN MARY. AT THE FIRST VESPERS. Behold, I will send My messenger, and He shall prepare the way before Me; and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the Covenant, whom ye delight in.-Behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts. -MAL. iii. "Templi sacratas, pande, Sion, fores." SION, Ope thy hallowed dome : Flocks and herds shall bleed no more,- Lo! He comes from Heaven above, |