Sequence 49. St. Nereus and St. Achilleus

May I2TH.
THE triumph let us celebrate
Of Nereus and Achilleus now,
Whom faith's bright ardour did translate
To endless glory from below.

Grooms of the bedchamber they both
To virgin Domitilla were,
True servants of the God of truth,
Mirrors of purity most rare.

By Peter's ministry were they
To the pure font of baptism brought,
And to the maiden they display
The precious truths that Christ had taught.

Led by the arguments they use
Of spot or wrinkle to be ware,
With her whole soul doth she refuse 1 5
The couch of mortal spouse to share.

By Clement's sacred hands arrayed
In sacred robes, within is stirred
With fire of holy zeal this maid,
Whene'er the name of Christ is heard.

Therefore Aurelian's vengeful wrath
'Gainst Domitilla breaketh forth,
And her he would before have wed
He plans to punish now instead.

As, roused by anger's sting, he raves,
Christ's handmaid off by him is sent,
Together with these two, her slaves.

To Pontia's isle in banishment.
Prisons and Furius, who were there.

In Simon Magus' footsteps trod ;
Perverting with too zealous care
The simple from sound faith in God.

Then Nereus and Achilleus both
With arguments gainsay their lies ;
And at the preaching of the truth
The pervert from his error flies.

With torture, to the horse-rack borne.
Is Nereus with Achilleus torn ;
But not a whit the lictor stirs
Christ's to be idol-worshippers.

Flames with their mangled limbs are fed,
And they, beheaded here, again
Are re-united with their Head,
Who doth in heavenly places reign.

Grant through their merits, and their prayer
In efficacy unsurpassed,
Of that one Head's one body there
We members be, though least and lat.

May Domitilla Flavia be
Our help to a like constancy,
Who, like to men in victory,
Can boast their glory equally ! Amen.