Sequence 23. Oat the Dedication of a Church

OHOW skilled the
Hands that build thee ;
How secure thy walls remain ;
Ne'er subverted,
But supported
Rather by wind, flood, and rain !

O how comely thy foundations,
By deep mysteries' celebrations
Shadowing forth the coming day !

Adam, when in sleep reclining,
From his side pours Eve, beginning
Thus a bond to last for aye.

Noah, in ark of wood consti'ucted.
O'er that flood is safe conducted,
Which did all the world destroy.

Great with ofifspring long awaited,
Aged Sarah laughs, elated.

Giving milk to feed our joy.
Thirst the servant-legate slaketh,
And its fill his camel taketh,
From Rebecca's water-pail.

She, as rings and chains she weareth,
Fitly thus herself prepareth
To assume the bridal veil.

Since it so the letter vaunteth,
Jacob now the Law supplanteth.

Whilst it roams forth far and wide.
Rachel, since she sees much hidden
From Leah's tender sight, is bidden
To an equal rank as bride.

Tamar, long a widow biding,
By the way her features hiding,
Doth twin-sons to Judah bear.

Here in basket made of rushes
Moses see, who, while she washes,
Was perceived by maiden fair.

Here the male lamb, immolated,
Wherewith Israel's tribes are sated.

And besprinkled with its blood.
Here the Red Sea, safe passed over,
Which the Egyptian host did cover
With its deep devouring flood.

Here the pot that manna filleth ;
Here the Decalogue God willeth,
In the ark of covenant bound.

Here the Temple's decorations ;
Aaron's robes for ministrations,
Chief the one' that sweeps the ground.

Here his wife Uriah loseth ;
Here the king for consort chooseth
Bathsheba, his throne to share.

As she by him takes her station,
Dons she gold's rich decoration,
Such as monarchs' daughters wear.

Hither Sheba's queen progresseth,
She, whom Solomon impresseth
With his wisdom all-divine :
Black she is, but comely ; blending
Charms, as when in smoke ascending
Myrrh and frankincense combine.

Things forth-coming,
Darkly looming.

'Neath types shaded,
Are paraded
Plainly by this day of grace :
With the dear one
Lying near one,
Rest we, raising
Psalms of praising ;
For the marriage now takes place.

On first assembling for the feast
Is heard the trumpets' thrilling blast ;
Sweet psalteries' notes ring forth at last.

The Bridegroom in ten thousand ways 7 5
These myriad minstrels hymn, whose lays
Are still the same, as still they raise
Their Alleluia's endless praise !

144 DEDICATIO ECCLESIAi.