Sequence 60. St. James the Greater

July 25TH.
LET our choir in sweet laudation,
Sounding with clear intonation,
Chant a new-made song to-day :
'Tis with James the lyre resoundeth,
Who with merits rare aboundeth
In so wonderful a way.

He and Zebedee his father
Toiled as fisheniien together
By the Sea of Galilee :
Jewry's withered fig-tree bore him,
And, as his stern nurse, watched o'er him
In the Law's severity.

Hearing a voice divine God's will proclaim.
He, when Christ's nod and look commands the same,
Abjures at once the fisher's trade and name,
Scenting afar eternal gifts outpoured :
He gives the Church the Synagogue's old place,
Changes his sire for God, the law for grace,
Transforming of set purpose in each case
Ship to the cross and nets to God's own Word.

He, pure vessel ! grain most feeding !
Drinks milk from God's word proceeding.

Sucks the breasts of life on high,
The Apostolate assumeth,
A great prince in Heaven becometh,
With the word attacks the sky.

The great King of glory he
Doth in all his beauty see.

With his visage bright as flame,
Who, when now the cross drew nigh,
Was in his fierce agony
Sprinkled with a blood-sweat stream.

Him too at that mystic feast
With the Lamb's divine flesh Christ
Fed most truly ;
And his soul with heavenly fire
Did the Paraclete inspire
Fully, throughly.

He, his twain wings exercising.
Sets a ladder, heavenward rising,
Of words said and actions done ;
And of Magians, God opposing,
Wildest thoughts and doctrines choosing,
Makes the faith with angels' one.

By this Hebrew's voice were given
Wakening sounds Uke God's in heaven,
Teaching a lost world that even
Its sins penitence could heal :
James like vivid lightning gloweth,
Bright wdth marks that virtue showeth,
Thought on things divine bestoweth,
And for heaven expends his zeal.

Herod therefore, hot with passion,
Wild with direst indignation,
Forth his cruel mandate sent,
Ordering him to death most dreaded,
With the sword to be beheaded.

Who deserved no punishment.
Thus, martyrdom's fierce frost all thawed and past,
St. James's wisdom wins for him at last
The crown which is the victor's prize.

Through whose assistance now the Church doth
shine : —
May its faith stand, its grace too ne'er decline.

But gain at last its guerdon in the skies ! Amen.