Imatges de pàgina
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There in their purple stole are Martyrs seen,
And Virgins white that knew no earthly flame,
Like roses which with lilies blend between,
The victim's wreath to frame.

They who have fed their flocks are feeding there In God's own fulness, brought for ever near; And they who wept,-a Father's calming care Wipes away every tear.

Glory to Him from whom all blessings flow,
To Him who ransom'd man's lost destinies,
To Him who kindles in the soul below

The torch that never dies!

AT THE MATTINS.

White robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow-servants also, and their brethren should be fulfilled. -REV. vi.

"Hymnis dum resonat curia cœlitum."

YE in the house of heavenly morn
Attune your golden hymns for ever;
While we beside Time's lovely river

Have hung our tuneless harps forlorn,
And, exiled from our country, mourn.

When shall the soul put forth her flight,
Escaped from her earthly prison,
'Mid your glad choirs in glory risen,

See Truth in her own fountain bright,
And have her dwelling in the light?

From her the mists shall then be gone, When, without cloud and without motion, She stands beside the crystal ocean, Which is before the Eternal's throne; And we shall know as we are known.

Safe in your heavenly haven, ye Behold us on the stormy billow,

Nought but the rude wave for our pillow. Christ, lead us to that port to Thee, Thou Star that light'st eternity.

To Him from whom all blessings flow,
To Father, Son, in earth, in Heaven,
And unto Him be glory given,

Who doth with light the spirit sow,
And kindle heavenly seed below.

A a

THE OCTAVE OF ALL SAINTS.

(ON THE MORTAL REMAINS OF THE DEAD.)

AT THE VESPERS.

If the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.-ROMANS viii.

"O vos unanimes Christiadum chori."

REVERENCE their poor and sadly dear remains!
Folded in peace their earthly vesture lies,
Dear pledges, left below, but thence to rise,
Pledges of heavenly bodies, free from pains!
And here ye may lift up your thankful strains,
Ye Christian companies. The spirit flies,
And hath its recompence in quiet skies,
And leaves with you below its broken chains :
Yet for their bones meek Piety shall plead,
Blest Piety, which honoureth the dead!

Though scatter'd far and wide, yet God's own eye
Doth keep them that they perish not; and when
The promised hour shall come, their God again
Shall gather them, and as He builds on high
His habitation, each there, moulded by His grace,
Shall live and find a sure abiding place.

To us the places where your ashes lie

Shall be as altars, whence shall steadier rise

Our prayers to Heav'n; and that blest Sacrifice, Where God the Victim cometh down from high, Shall consecrate to holier mystery;

He here accepts your deaths as join'd with His, Here builds all in one body, and supplies Our dying frames with immortality.

And hence your graves become a tower of aid, A refuge from bad thoughts, a sacred shade; Until, fresh clad with new and wondrous dowers, Our flesh shall join th' angelic choirs, and be A living temple crown'd with heavenly towers; Where evermore the praises shall ascend Of the great undivided One and Three, And God be all in all, world without end.

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