Sequence 50. Relics of St. Victor

June 17TH.
FROM the root of true afifection,
And from pious predilection,
Let this church's anthem rise !

Let both heart and Hps be singing,
And let all from Victor springing
Joy in Victor's victories.

His remains, now to us granted,
From Marseilles have been transplanted
Hither by a faithful few ;
So that whom before in spirit
We possessed, we now inherit
In corporeal presence too,
'Tis our joy's full consummation ;
Let us show our exultation
From the bottom of the heart :
For this martyr's relics raise
Matter for unceasing praise,
And an endless joy impart.

May the organ of our soul,
And our flesh's drum, control
Every strain of melody,
With themselves in discord found.

And take part in all whose sound
Is with theirs in harmony !

As with choirs in unison,
Of our habits too but one
Should the modulation be :
Voices in a different key,
Habits that no law obey,
Gravely hinder harmony.

Sounds by different lips outpoured
Must discordant strains afford,
If the finger of the Lord
First attune not every chord
With a gentle mastery.

If the Spirit's sweetening power
Touch the heart not to the core,
Then the voice's loudest roar,
And earth's joys in richest store,
Will be tasteless inwardly.

Men, with minds distracted, never
Feel the sweetness thence distilled ;
Neither are life's true charms ever
Unto us on earth revealed.

May believers here unite
But to taste of joys so bright,
Taste, and thirst for their delight,
Till they there shall be full filled !

Let our hearts' mouth taste its flavour,
That through its internal savour
We may show no further favour
To this world's seductive love :
'Tis a savour salutary,
'Tis a taste extraordinary,
Which doth in oblivion bury
Earthly cares 'mongst which we move.

That the world to us be bitter.
May Christ's perfume seem still sweeter,
And this sweetness ever greater
Grow within our inmost hearts :
Where such fragrance round us floweth,
Spiritual fervour groweth,
And for all, that earth bestoweth
Passingly, the love departs.

Victor, soldier now victorious !
Of Christ's martyrs the most glorious !

From sins here to souls injurious
Keep us, lest a love all-spurious
Sink us in iniquity :
With one heart and voice before thee,
Giving thee especial glory,
Strive we honour to assure thee !

Show us favour, we implore thee,
Whilst we travel o'er this sea !

Ne'er permit their hope's frustration,
Who are thine own congregation ;
Cause to Christ our presentation.

That we may by contemplation
Now with thee His glory know.

Christ ! to Thee due honour paying,
Have the words we have been saying
Been Thy champion's praise portraying ;
Whilst he here with us is staying,
Let no griefs our joys o'erthrow ! Amen.