Sequence 76. The Exaltation of the Cross

September 14TH.
HAIL, O Cross ! tree of life ! noble and noted !

Banner, throne, altar to Jesus devoted !
Cross ! to unholy-
Men both death and terror,
To Christians- truly
Art thou virtue's mirror.

Safety, victory, all-divine !
Thou, when he hurried
Against Maxentius' horde ;
Thou, when he carried
By Danube's shores the sword,
Glory wast to Constantine !

Chosroes and his son
Through thee were overthrown.

For Heraclius fighting :
Well may Christians glory
In this tree's true story.

In such balms delighting !
Length and breadth, Cross ! blending
With height, depth, far-reaching,
Thou, four ways extending,
Precious truths thus teaching,
Savest earth's four quarters.

Balm with true health gifted !
On the Cross-scales lifted,
Christ was there extended,
As the price expended
To redeem death's charters.

The Cross the balance is to weigh our right.
Our Monarch's sceptre and His rod of might ;
The sign of Heaven's own victory in the fight,
Our strength in war and glory's palm-branch bright !

Ladder ! raft ! upbearing
Hearts through grief despairing I
Their last plank, when drowning 1 35
Thou Christ's beauty sharest,
Since His limbs thou barestj
Cross ! the crown kings crowning.

Through thee, Cross ! with blessings freighted !
Cross, by Christ's blood consecrated !

May the grace of God most high
Deathless joys to us supply ! Amen.