Sequence 100. Of the Holy Apostles

DECKED with robes such state befitting,
As the Great King's council sitting
Is the Apostles' company !

Hearts and lips to it are singing ;
For a pure heart's accents ringing
Make angelic melody.

'Tis the glory of creation,
Righteous judge of every nation,
'Tis the rock of new-found grace,
From eternity elected,
Whose chief builder is erected
In the Church's crowning place.

These famed Nazarites the story
Of the Cross's wars and glory
To the world at large narrate ;
God's own word so widely spreading,
That the knowledge all succeeding
Nights and mornings indicate.

Christ's light yoke and burden preaching,
Earth's extremest borders reaching,
Scatter they the seed of life :
Cultured earth yields crop redundant,
And with fruit yet more abundant
Faith in the God-man is rife.

Bridesmen of the new law given,
To the new King's arms in heaven
They conduct the royal bride,
Holy Church, who, — from her purging
Spot or wrinkle, — ever virgin
Through all ages shall abide.

Virgin is she, though child-bearing ;
Ever young, though old appearing ;
Knowing nought of failing power :
Stainless heart the couch she shareth,
Faith sincere the babe she beareth,
Heavenly grace her ample dower.

On these is the Church erected,
By them are its parts connected.

Each therein a lively stone :
These too are the city's portals,
These the link that bindeth mortals,
Jew and Gentile, into one.

These, who, wielding Justice' fan.
On the barn-floor from the grain
The useless chaff are winnowing out,
Those twelve brazen oxen be
Round about the molten sea,
Which for king Solomon were wrought.

The twelve Patriarchs, the twelve fountains
Of sweet waters from the mountains,
The twelve loaves of Temple-bread,
The twelve gems the High-Priest weareth ;
Each, a well-known type, declareth
These the chiefs new tribes to lead.

At their nod o'ercome be error,
Faith increased, and absent terror
Of the final judgment-doom,
That, absolved from all transgression.

We may in the Saints' procession
To the bar of glory come ! Amen.