Sequence 64. St. Lawrence

August ioth.
MID the blazing
Conflagration,
Wondering, praising,
Veneration
Pay we Lawrence, laurel-crowned ;
Awe-struck bowing,
Venerate him ;
Our love showing,
Supplicate him.

As a martyr most renowned. lo
They indict him, —
He denies not ;
When they smite him,
He replies but
In the tone soft organs raise :
'Mid flames, playing
Round him, praying.

He rejoices,
And his voice is
Lifted to his Maker's praise.

As sweet sounds the harp-string waketh
And enchanting music maketh,
Which the minstrel's hght quill hits,
So the martyr's frame, extended
On the lyre of torture, blended
Strains of faith and hope emits.

Decius ! see how
Brave stands he now,
As faith urges
'Neath the scourges,
Threats, and fierce flames mounting high ;
Hope internal,
Words supernal,
Consolation,
Exhortation,
Give the man to constancy.

For the treasure which thou seekest
With these tortures thou bespeakest
For St. Lavrence, not for thee :
He in Christ that wealth is heaping,
Whom, whilst fighting, Christ is keeping
For the palm of victory.

Darkness knows the saint's night never,
So that sin should mingle ever
With his pangs through faith too dim :
Nor the blind could he have lightened,
Had no light within him brightened
By its presence all for him.

Our true faith, confest aright,
Shines in Lawrence, pure and bright;
'Neath no bushel placed, its light
In the midst, in all men's sight,
Sets he that it may be seen.

When to bear his cross thus bade,
As God's servant, he is glad,
That he, 'mid the fierce flames laid.

Should a spectacle be made
Both to angels and to men.

Flames he minds not, round him wrapping.
Who from flesh would be escaping,
And abide with Christ for aye :
Neither fears he those men ever.

Who the body kill, but never.
Though they would, the soul can slay.

As the furnace tests by baking
Potters' vessels, harder making
The materials used thereby ;
i6o S. LAURENTIUS.

So too this man, roast to cinders,
Hard as tiles the fire's heat renders
Through untiring constancy.

For, as the old man decayeth
In the flame that round him playeth.

Firmer yet becomes the new ;
While that champion's power receiveth
Thus a rare support, who giveth
Unto God the service due.

Flames up-soaring,
A dew-shower,
Downward pouring,
Through love's power,
And zeal Godward, counteth he :
Fire that warmeth,
Yet nought harmeth,
The live fuel
Quenches, cruel
Officer ! heaped up by thee !

Scarce one learneth
Mustard burneth,
Till one use it.

Till one bruise it ;
And then sweetest.

When thou heatest
It by fire, is incense too :
So, limbs fastened,
By fire chastened,
'Neath its fury,
Sick and sorry.

Fuller flavour,
Sweeter savour.

Martyrs o'er their virtues throw.
Lawrence, beyond measure glorious !

King sublime, o'er kings victorious !
Who, in righteousness defending,
Countedst anguish cheap, contending
Bravely for the King of kings !

Who so many ills o'ercomest,
Looking to Christ's good things promised,
Make us tread down aught distressing,
Make us joy in every blessing,
Through the grace thy merit brings ! Amen. 1 10
i64 ASSUMPTIO BEATj VIRGINIS.