The Hymn. The early prime blushes to say She could not rise so soon as they Could lend them any cruelty. Their hands with lashes arm'd, their tongues with lies, And loathsome spittle blot those beauteous eyes, The blissful springs of joy, from whose all-cheering ray The fair stars fill their weakful fires, the sun himself drinks day. The Antiphon. Victorious sign That now dost shine, Transcrib'd above Into the land of light and love; O, let us twine Our roots with thine, That we may rise Upon thy wings and reach the skies! The Versicle. Lo, we adore Thee, Dread Lamb! and fall Thus low before Thee; The Responsor. 'Cause by the covenant of Thy Cross Thou hast saved at once the whole world's loss. The Prayer. O, my Lord Jesu Christ, Son of the living God! interpose, I pray Thee, Thine own precious death, Thy Cross and Passion, betwixt my soul and Thy judgment, now and in the hour of my death. And vouchsafe to grant me Thy grace and mercy; to the living and dead, remission and rest; to Thy Church, peace and concord; to us sinners, life and glory everlasting. Who livest and reignest with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. THE THIRD. The Versicle. ORD, by that sweet and saving sign, The Responsor. Defend us from our foes and Thine. Ver. Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord; Res. And my mouth shall declare Thy praise. Ver. O God, make speed to save me. Res. O Lord, make haste to help me. Ver. Glory be to, &c. Res. As it was in the, &c. The Hymn. The third hour's deafen'd with the cry Of" crucify Him! crucify!" So goes the vote, nor ask them, why? "Live Barabbas!" and let God die. But there is wit in wrath, and they will try For while in sport He wears a spiteful crown, 1 The serious show'rs along His decent face run sadly down. The Antiphon. Christ when He died And on Death's side Threw all the loss. The captive world awak'd, and found The Versicle. Lo, we adore Thee, Dread Lamb! and fall Thus low before Thee; The Responsor. 'Cause by the covenant of Thy Cross The Prayer. O, my Lord Jesu Christ, Son of the living God! interpose, I pray Thee, Thine own precious death, Thy Cross and Passion, betwixt my soul and Thy judgment, now and in the hour of my death. And vouchsafe to grant me Thy grace and mercy; to the living and dead, remission and rest; to Thy Church, peace and concord; to us sinners, life and glory everlasting. Who livest and reignest with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. THE SIXTH. The Versicle. ORD, by Thy sweet and saving sign, The Responsor. Defend us from our foes and Thine. Ver. Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord; Res. O Lord, make haste to help me. Ver. Glory be to, &c. Res. As it was in, &c. The Hymn. Now is the noon of sorrow's night High in His patience as their spite. Lo, the faint Lamb, with weary limb, Bears that huge tree which must bear Him! For fruit of sorrow and of shame, Shall swell with both for Him, and mix All woes into one crucifix. Is tortur'd thirst itself too sweet a cup? Gall and more bitter mocks shall make it up. Are nails blunt pens of superficial smart? the inmost heart. The Antiphon. O, dear and sweet dispute "Twixt death's and love's far different fruit! Different as far As antidotes and poisons are. By that first fatal tree Both life and liberty Were sold and slain; By this they both look up and live again! The Versicle. Lo, we adore Thee, Dread Lamb! and bow thus low before Thee; The Responsor. 'Cause by the covenant of Thy Cross Thou hast saved the world from certain loss. The Prayer. O, my Lord Jesu Christ, Son of the living God! interpose, I pray Thee, Thine own precious death, Thy Cross and Passion, betwixt my soul and Thy judgment, now and in the hour of my death. And vouchsafe to grant me Thy grace and mercy; to the living and dead, remission and rest; to Thy Church, peace and concord; to us sinners, life and glory everlasting. Who livest and reignest with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. |