Sequence 39. St. Agnes

January zist.
AS we tell once more the fashion
Of this glorious virgin's passion,
Be we kindled to the fight :
As we touch the sacred flower,
Let us breathe the scents that shower
From its sweetness' full delight !

Beautiful and wise and noble,
Agnes now had to the double
Of five years an added three :
Much the prefect's first-born loves her,
But to maiden scorn he moves her.

Not submission to his plea.
Wonderful power of faith,
Wondrous virginity,
Wonderful virtue hath i5
Virgin hearts' constancy !

lO
238 i". AGNES.

So did the Son of God
Come of His wondrous will,
And in frail flesh abode ;
Which is more wondrous still !

Sick, to bed the lover goeth :
When the cause the prefect knoweth,
Quickly seeks he for a cure :
Much now, vowing more, he proffers, —
Short-lived offerer, short-lived offers ! —
But his gifts are all too poor.

Her doth the prefect, bare,
To outrage vile expose,
But a thick fringe of hair
Christ round her body throws,
And a robe heaven-whitened.

One of the angel-race
Beside her takes his place ;
The den of lust that night
Becomes the abode of light,
And the lewd are frightened.

Her blind lover, most indignant,
Rushes in, and a malignant
Spirit robs him of life-breath.

Weeps his father, all are crying,
Rome bewailed a young man dying
By so terrible a death.

He is raised by Agnes' pleading ;
But the crowd, — blind rage misleading ! —
For the maid prepare the stake :
Its bright blaze the guilty burneth ;
'Gainst the fierce the fierce flame turneth
For the Most High's honour's sake.

To the Saviour thanks she proffers,
To the lictor her throat offers;
Neither fears she when she suffers,
Conscious of her purity.

Agnes ! thou, thy crown receiving,
At the saving Lamb's side living,
Comfort to thy parents giving,
Bidd'st them mount to joys on high !

Lest they mourn, as dead and buried.
One, to Spouse divine now married,
In a lamb's shape, Christ the story
Of His own and of thy glory
Set before them, spotless maid !

Suffer not our separation
From that Lamb, our One salvation ;
Unto Whom devoted wholly,
Thou didst noble Constance throughly
Heal of sickness by His aid.

Vessel, glorious and elected !
Flower, with scent by naught affected !

By the angelic choirs respected !
Thou art as the type erected
Of a maiden's spotless fame.

Off the palm of victory bearing,
Still thy virgin blossom wearing,
Grant we may, unfit appearing
For a special title, share in,
With the saints, their general name ! Amen.