I King: The delegated eye of Day Does first his sceptre, then himself, in solemn tribute pay. Thus he undresses His sacred unshorn tresses; At Thy adored feet, thus he lays down 240 Of flame and fire, 2 King: His glittering robe, 3 King: His sparkling crown; 1 King: His gold, 2 King: His myrrh, 3 King: His frankincense; Chorus: To which he now has no pretence: 245 For being show'd by this Day's light, how far He is from sun enough to make Thy star, Thee. Or on Heaven's azure forehead high to stand Thy golden index; with a duteous hand 250 TO THE QUEEN'S MAJESTY [UPON HIS DEDICATING TO HER THE FOREGOING MADAM, HYMN] 'Mongst those long rows of crowns that gild your race, These royal sages sue for decent place: The daybreak of the Nations; their first ray, When the dark World dawn'd into Christian Day, And smiled i' th' Babe's bright face: the purpling bud And rosy dawn of the right royal blood; 5 Fair first-fruits of the Lamb! sure kings in this, A golden harvest of crown'd heads, that meet IO 15 And crowd for kisses from the Lamb's white feet: feet. Fix here, fair majesty! may your heart ne'er miss To reap new crowns and kingdoms from that kiss; Nor may we miss the joy to meet in you The agèd honours of this day still new. 20 May the great time, in you, still greater be, 25 While your each day's devotion duly brings Three kingdoms to supply this day's three kings. THE OFFICE OF THE HOLY CROSS THE HOURS FOR THE HOUR OF MATINS The Versicle LORD, by Thy sweet and saving sign! The Responsory Defend us from our foes and Thine. V. Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord R. And my mouth shall shew forth Thy praise. V. O, God, make speed to save me. R. O, Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. 5 As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. THE HYMN The wakeful Matins haste to sing Amen. The unknown sorrows of our King: ΙΟ The World's price set to sale, and by the bold 15 By His worst foes (because He would) beseiged and taken. The Antiphon All hail, fair tree Whose fruit we be!! What song shall raise Thy seemly praise, Who brought'st to light Life out of death, Day out of Night! 20 The Versicle Lo, we adore Thee, 25 Dread LAMB! and bow thus low before Thee: The Responsory 'Cause by the covenant of Thy cross Thou hast saved at once the whole World's loss. The Prayer O 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 unto me Thy grace and mercy; unto all quick 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. 30 35 FOR THE HOUR OF PRIME The Versicle LORD, by Thy sweet and saving sign! The Responsory Defend us from our foes and Thine. V. Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord, R. And my mouth shall shew forth Thy praise. R. O Lord, make haste to help me. R. As it was in the, etc. THE HYMN The early prime blushes to say She could not rise so soon, as they Call'd Pilate up, to try if he Could lend them any cruelty; 40 45 50 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 wakeful fires, the sun himself drinks day. The Antiphon Victorious sigh That now dost shine, Transcribed above Into the land of light and love; 55 |