Sequence 41. St. Vincent

January 2 2nd.
TIS a morn whence victory springeth !

'Tis the glorious morn, that bringeth
Back this deacon's feast-day still :
Joy we all this morn so glorious,
Honouring, in Christ victorious,
Vincent the invincible.

He who bears this name of glory,
Vi7icent, proves the omen worthy
Of that name by what he dares :
Conquering, both by land and water,
Torturers' sharpest modes of slaughter,
Fearful pains and painful fears.

Like the curtain, which combineth
Blue and scarlet tints, he shineth,
Round whose loins the girdle twineth 1 5
Of a two-fold chastity ;
Robes of fine twined linen wearing,
For the purple's palm preparing,
Tortures dire for Christ's sake bearing.

See him stand forth dauntlessly !
He, a victim fit for offering,
One of the red rams' skins covering
O'er the tabernacle's dome,
As he sows, true love's tears weepeth,
In the sweat of his brow reapeth,
But brings with him life's sheaf home.

Dragged to Datian's blood-stained dwelling
Datian there, devoid of feeling,
Sorely God's saint-servant tries.

First, the prefect doth implore him,
Threatens now, now puts before him
This world's highest dignities.

Warrior-like, earth's glory spurning.
From the gifts, prayers, terrors, turning
Of despotic tyranny,
To a horse-rack is he fastened,
Where, while chastening, more is chastened
The despised chiefs vanity.

Red-hot bed o'er flames erected,
Lictor's stroke, or salt injected
Into inward parts laid bare,
Burn and torture all together.

Yet, with all their torments, neither
Drives this champion to despair.

Prison-bound, his limbs are riven
By sharp sherds into them driven ;
But a brightness, sent from heaven,
Soothes and heals him with its smiles :
There high honour his burden seemeth,
That dark cell with glory beameth,
And as sweet as flowers he deemeth
Those sharp edges of the tiles.

When they to a soft couch move him.
He revives, and, as above him
Angels' tuneful notes approve him,
Yields his spirit to the Lord.

Thrown to wild beasts, help is shown him ;
Ocean's billows cannot drown him ;
But men with due honour crown him,
To his mother-earth restored.

Every element thus shineth,
And with fitting signs combineth.

In the victory this man winneth,
Fire and water, earth and air !

i6 S. VINCENTIUS.
Summe testis veritatis,
Ora Christum, ut peccatis
Nos emundet, et mundatis
Vera prsestet gaudia,
Ut cantemus, claritatis
Cohseredes : Alleluia !

Saint, best proof of truth supplying !
Pray thou Christ, that, purifying
Us from sin, true joys undying
For the pure He will prepare,
That we may, with heaven's host vying,
In their alleluias share !

i8 S. VINCENTIUS.