Sequence 65. Assumption of the Blessed Virgin

August 15TH.
GLAD thanks let us Godward carry,
For the Assumption of St, Mary,
Which distinguishes this day :
'Tis a day with gladness mated,
When she was with joy translated j
Up to heaven from earth away
IO'er angelic choirs uplifted,
She with higher rank was gifted
Than all heaven's own home-born sons.

In His beauty she surveyeth lo
There her Son, and there she prayeth
For all true and faithful ones.

Let us purge out sin's foul traces,
That we thus may in her praises
With hearts purified take part :
For her ears will listen ever
To our voices, if we never
Discord make 'twixt tongue and heart.

With one heart now let us bless her,
And, while blessing, thus address her,
" Hail, thou who such grace dost boast !

Hail to thee, Christ's mother-maiden !
With thy sacred burden laden
By the o'ershading Holy Ghost !

" Holy Virgin ! spotless Virgin !
May our voices, upward surging.

Pleasant music to thee bear :
Bring us help, from heaven descended,
And, when this life's course is ended,
With thy Son unite us there ! 3°
" Thou, from all time pre-elected,
Wast for ages undetected
'Neath the letter of God's law,
Where, that thou should'st Christ be bearing.

Prophets of thee, truth declaring,
Spake in types in days of yore.

" Plain the mystery becometh.
When the Word our flesh assumeth,
Of thee willing to be born,
i68 ASSUMPTIO BEAT VIRGINIS.

Who hath, in His love most tender,
Been for us a strong defender,
And our race from Satan torn.

" Type of thee we hold the gilded
Throne that Solomon erst builded,
Type too Gideon's fleece, to be,
And the bush that never burnetii :
If the mind aright discerneth
The old Scriptures' mystery.

" O'er the fleece the dewdrops flowing.
In the bush the bright flame glowing,
Though uninjured both remain,
Point to Christ, who flesh receiveth,
And who yet thy chasteness leaveth
Unimpaired by travail-pain.

" From thee, as the rod, there springeth
Fairest flower, Isaiah singeth,
Which shall all the world befriend ;
Christ in this fair flower forecasting ;
Him, whose virtue, ever lasting.

Ne'er began and ne'er shall end.
" Cistern, whence life's fountain floweth !

Lamp, that with warm radiance gloweth !
'Tis through thee that heaven's light throweth
Down on us its rays so bright !

All the warmth of true love sharing,
Bright with Virgin light appearing,
To the world thine offspring bearing,
The effulgence of God's Light !

" O thou gate of man's salvation !
Hear us, give us consolation,
And without least hesitation
Call us back whene'er we stray :
From the deep we call thee, wailing ;
Whilst on this world's ocean sailing.

Save us through thy prayer avaiUng
From our furious foe, we pray !

" Jesu, who art our salvation !
For the due commemoration
Of Thy mother's worth and station.

With Thy grace's free dotation
This our vale to visit deign :
Thou, who would'st that no man living
Perish, help to us be giving,
That, amid this ocean striving
To live well, at death arriving,
We may fitly rest obtain ! " Amen.