Sequence 79. St. Leger

October 2nd.
FROM the heart's core loud laudation
Give, all ye our congregation !

To the King of kings to-day :
With one voice and heart-felt pleasure
Let us praise Him in St. Leger,
His own champion in the fray !

Cleanse your hearts, attune your voices,
That our praise, as each rejoices,
Bright and beautiful may be :
Heart with voice in discord never,
Let this tuneful trichord ever, —
Thoughts, words, deeds, — in sound agree !

He, with noble lineage shining,
Even from life's first beginning
By the Almighty was held dear :
While Clotaire as monarch reigned,
In his palace he remained.

Through God's providential care.
Thence to Poitiers is he sent
And its bishop, with intent
He its studies might embrace :
To the mitre is he lifted,
And, when so preferred, is gifted
With abundant stores of grace.

Ebroin, who then was mayor
Of the royal palace there,
'Gainst him deadly hate conceives :
To be tortured shamefully
By his hirelings' cruelty,
He God's saintly servant gives.

From the holy bishop's head
Both his eyes are torn, to shed
Light all eyes to lighten ;
Yea, with borers are dug out
Those same eyes, so soon about
Others' gloom to brighten.

High the lictor waves his blade ;
Then his head for Christ his Head
Bows the martyr 'neath its might ;
Thus o'ercoming man's dread foe,
Lord of Babylon below,
And his earthly satellite.

So, for Christ, a victim made.
He, through heaven's gate open laid,
Enters in triumphantly :
While the angels mustering
Joyfully their anthem sing,
" Praise to God and glory be ! "
Surrounded but by perils here,
And, every moment, very near
Amid those dangers dying,
To thee, O martyr ! do we flee,
And pour forth piteous prayers to thee ;
O help us, when thus crying !

Joying in thy blessings given,
Lifting up thy praise to heaven,
Thine assembled family
To the heavenly mansions take thou.

And co-heirs with Christ there make thou
And associates with thee ! Amen.