Sequence 101. Of the Holy Evangelists

AS our choir, exulting, singeth,
Those, through whom the Gospel ringeth
O'er the earth, let it extol !

From their words salvation floweth ;
Night is past ; the bright sun gloweth,
Lighting all from pole to pole.

The good Shepherd, fondly caring
For His flock, the law preparing,
Four men for earth's healing chose,
Who should for its fourfold quarters
Four distinct and separate charters,
And four codes of law, compose.

Though one set of facts is stated,
They by each one are related
In a manner all his own:
This the prophet by four creatures.

Each of different form and features.
Pictures for us, one by one.

rst DE SS. EVANGELISTIS,
Pellens nubem nostras molis,
Intuetur jubar solis
Johannes in aquila ;
John, our earth's clouds dissipating,
And his gaze with sunbeams sating.

As an eagle is pourtrayed,
Who, as o'er the heavens he flieth,
God the Father's Son descrieth,
Bom before the worlds were made.

Like a roaring lion appearing,
Mark is pictured, thus declaring
Christ, the risen Saviour's might ;
Who from death again reviveth
At His Father's word, and liveth,
Glory-crowned, in endless light.

Human form of Matthew telleth,
For he God, as man, revealeth,
Tracing out His pedigree :
He connects each generation,
Till of David's race and nation
Christ, when born in flesh, we see.

As an ox Luke's form is painted,
'Neath which figure is presented
Christ, as new oblation sent :
On the altar-Cross, all-lowly,
Is He slaughtered, and thus wholly
Passes the Old Testament.

i6o DE SS. EVANGELISTIS.
His quadrigis deportatur
Mundo Deus, sublimatur
Istis area vectibus.

Paradisi haec fluenta
Nova pluunt sacramenta,
Quae irrorant gentibus.

Non est domus ruitura
Hac subnixa quadratura,
Haec est domus Domini :
Gloriemur in hac domo,
Qua beate vivit homo
Deo junctus homini. Amen.

OF THE HOLY EVANGELISTS. i6i
On this four-yoke chariot speedeth
God to earth ; the Ark proceedeth
On these staves from place to place.

These four streams from Eden flowing
Are new sacraments, bestowing
Showers on man of heavenly grace :
Firm shall stand the habitation,
Reared on this four-square foundation ;
'Tis the Lord's abode and throne :
Let us glory in the dwelling,
Where the man, in bliss excelling,
Lives, both man and God in one ! Amen.

i62 DE SS. EVANGEUSTIS.