Sequence 99. Of the Holy Apostles

LIKE the setting sun in heaven,
These, most glorious in life's even,
Introduce the Sun's new birth,
Yea, the true Sun's rise and setting ;
Of whose fate, their deaths relating,
Tell thus all the ends of earth.

Patras by geas' orders,
And by Nero's Rome's own borders,
Andrew, Paul and Peter slay :
In Judaea Herod's action,
And the Pharisaic faction.

Take the Jameses' lives away.
John, returning, when commanded,
Back from Ephesus, ascended
To Christ's banquet in the skies :
Matthew Moorish butchers martyr,
India's hordes Nathanael slaughter,
Whilst in Scythia Philip dies.

hS de ss, apostolis.
Thomam Indi, Judam Persae
Jude and Simon Persia, Thomas
India murders ; thus, ta'en from us,
All pierce heaven a different way ;
To the heaven of heavens thus soar they,
Where sweet songs to Christ outpour they.

And for life for us men pray. Amen.