Let This Our Solemn Feast

Hymn from Matins [translated by John David Chambers (1805–1893)]

Let this our solemn feast with holy joys be crowned; and from each loving breast the voice of gladness sound; let ancient things depart, and all be new around, in every act and voice and heart.

• Remember we that eve,
  that Supper last and dread,
  when Christ, as we believe,
  the lamb and leavenless bread
  unto his brethren brought,
  and thus the law obeyed,
  of old time to the fathers taught.
• But when the law’s repast
  was o’er, the type complete,
  to his disciples last
  the Lord his flesh to eat,
  the whole to all, no less
  the whole to each, doth mete,
  with his own hand as we confess.
• He gave the weak and frail,
  his body for their food;
  the sad for their regale,
  the chalice of his blood;
  and said, Take ye of this,
  my cup with life imbued,
  o drink ye all this draught of bliss.
• That sacrifice so he
  to institute did will,
  and by a sure decree
  that office to fulfill,
  to priests alone confide,
  to whom pertaineth still
  to take, and to the rest divide.
• Lo! angels’ bread is made
  the bread of mortal man;
  shows forth this heavenly bread
  the end which types began;
  o wondrous boon indeed!
  upon his Lord now can
  a poor and humble servant feed!
• Thee, deity triune
  yet one! we meekly pray
  o visit us right soon,
  as we our homage pay;
  and in thy footsteps bright,
  conduct us on our way,
  to where thou dwell’st in cloudless light! Amen.