Sequence 8. The Circumcision of Christ

THIS festal day our Muse should be a varied
song upraising,
In strains of sweetest melody the Lord of heaven
praising.

For all things by this festival have been renewed
from heaven,
And pardon to the human race for all their misdeeds
given.

The woman finds her silver piece ; her candle she
hath lighted,
What time to flesh the mind, with God co-equal, is
united.

When from Jerusalem the man nigh Jericho is lying,
The good Samaritan comes by and rescues him
from dying.

By clemency divine he is into the inn attended.
Whilst wine and oil, as remedy to soothe his pain,
are blended.

Sweet are the balms of Him, who gives to sick men's
wounds their healing,
The way of penitence for all their sinfulness re-
vealing.

Of the two Testaments the gift of the two pennies
telleth.

Since Jesus Christ, the end of both, their mysteries
fulfiUeth.

Lo ! now the earth buds forth with dew and yet
abideth rainless,
Whilst bears a maid our God Himself, and is a
mother stainless.

In darkness was the Infant born, Who light eternal
giveth ;
And circumcision on this day, the eighth day, He
receiveth.

This day the Patriarchs of old foresaw in clear pre-
vision,
Who gave themselves and progeny to God by cir-
cumcision.

That circumcision was performed this eighth day in
a figure,
Which shall a human creature save from God's most
righteous rigour.

Eso
DIES CIRCUMCISIOmS.

IOurselves, and not our foreskins, then let us be cir-
cumcising,
And cut away the lust and sin for aye within us
rising.

That, cleansed in heart and flesh, to us those prizes
may be given,
Which the eighth age confers on him deserving joy
in heaven.

Come ye then to-day here,
Every organ-player,
Singer and psalm-sayer !

Lift your praise,
And upraise,
Minstrel ! your lay here i Amen.