Sequence 53. St. Peter and St. Paul

June 29TH.
ROME! rejoice, earth's mistress reckoned !

In the victory of the second
Praised should the first pastor be.

Joy let all the world be showing,
And its zeal for virtue growing
Greater in his memory.

Holy love's bright torch is Peter,
Truth's light, salt that maketh sweeter,
Mount that righteousness displays,
Well that from the Saviour welleth,
Fruitful tree that sweetly smelleth,
Tree that no decay decays.

How aright tell Peter's story ?
Though unseen Christ's works of glory.

At the first suggestion made
Nets and ship at once he leaveth,
Ere the full truth he receiveth
Through the quickening Spirit's aid.

Gold nor silver coin possessing,
Bright with miracles is he,
Who, the lame man's nerves releasing,
Bursts their fetters instantly.

From his palsy liberated,
neas once more upright stands,
When, by Peter supplicated,
God unto his prayer attends.

Life to Dorcas Peter giveth.
And a youth from death reviveth,
With a power from limit free :
On the stormy waves he treadeth,
Whom the Saviour's right hand leadeth,
When he follows falteringly.

When his faith Christ's question trieth.
In his answer he supplieth
Briefly what must be our creed :
Christ the Son of God avowing,
But the fitting difference showing
In Him as the woman's seed.

His denial, thrice repeated,
Love, love only, expiated,
And confession three times made.

'Tis an angel letteth loose
Peter from the prison-house.

Where he, doomed to die, was laid.
Weakness 'neath his shadow ceases,
Mind and body's heakh increases ;
Impotent become diseases
Through this great physician's power.

Magus hate for Peter feeleth,
Peter Magus' craft revealeth,
And men's hearts by preaching steeleth
'Gainst his subtle magic lore.

From a rock his name deriving,
Peter, in fierce conflict striving,
Conquers, though, whilst he is living,
Lasts the contest's struggle dire.

Magus, as aloft he flieth,
Falleth headlong down and dieth,
And, most justly stricken, lieth
'Neath the judgment of God's ire.

Nero fumes infuriated,
Nero for this monster mourns,
Nero, 'gainst whose empire hated
All the world complaining turns.

So he Peter's cross prepareth
Through his crimes' abettors then,
Whereon Christ is, Christ declareth,
Crucified in him again.

To Peter's care Christ's sheep are given,
Who holds as well the keys of heaven :
From Peter goes that sentence forth,
Which binds and looses all on earth.

O for our shepherd's merits' sake,
And prayers that our salvation win,
From us. Eternal Shepherd ! take
Our debt to Thee for all our sin ! Amen.