ST. STEPHEN'S DAY. AT MIDNIGHT. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. REV. ii. "O, qui tuo, dux Martyrum." RIGHTFUL Prince of martyrs thou, Weave we this thy crown of death. Like a gem each rugged stone, From thy forehead's gushing streams Thou the first-slain victim free To Him, the Victim slain for thee: Sharer of His thorny crown. First to tread the pointed road What a countless army wind? Thou of Virgin-mother born, AT THE MATTINS. Behold my witness is in Heaven, and my record is on high.JOB XVI. "Quid obstinata pectora." WHY, stern of heart, and dull of ear, The heaven-born truth defy? When full of Heaven he bids you hear, Why doom the saint to die? Behold him, where each murderous hand Upheaves the deadly stone; And Saul hath arm'd his savage band How fruitless all! for lo, on high Thou fail'st not, Lord, Thy liegeman true, Thou art his might, his umpire Thou, And Thou his great reward. Nor recks he aught the 'whelming shower, Full fix'd on Heaven and Thee : Where Thou art Judge, and Thine the power, To die is victory. From Thy full fount his raptur'd thought Drinks in Thy living fires; And from his mortal coil up-caught, He joins Thine Angel quires. Oh Thou, of Virgin-mother born, All glory be to Father, Son, AT THE VESPERS. I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father which is in Heaven.-ST. MATT. V. "Miris probat sese modis." HOLY Love towards her foes Bow'd to soothe, or steel'd to blame, Holy Love is still the same. Pleader for himself he stood :- G God from Heav'n His martyr heard,— Heard, and bless'd his dying word: Saul, the murderer, standing by,— Saul was granted to that cry. Thus he bow'd his drooping head, Death, kind angel, watching nigh, Thou that dealtst thy plenteous store Daily to the sick and poor, Now art come, a welcome guest, In thy bridal crown display'd, |