The Holy Innocents' Day. "The LORD bringeth the counsels of princes to none effect.' 30. WHEN it reach'd the tyrant's ear, Brooding anxious all alone, That the King of kings was near, Stung with madness, straight he cries, Drown the cradles deep in blood !” What is guilty Herod's gain, Though a thousand babes he slay? Honour, glory, virtue, merit, Be to Thee, O Virgin's Sox! With the FATHER, and the SPIRIT, "These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto GOD and to the Lamb." 31. LOVELY flowers of martyrs, hail! Smitten by the tyrant foe On life's threshold,—as the gale First to die for CHRIST, sweet lambs! With your martyr-crowns and palms, Honour, glory, virtue, merit, Be to Thee, O Virgin's SON! "They serve GOD day and night in His temple: they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more. The Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall lead them unto living fountains of water." 32. As wolves attack their helpless prey, The cradles flow with infant blood, Ye mothers, let no tears be shed; The FATHER'S Name we loudly raise, The Circumcision of Christ. "There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." 33. "TIs for conquering kings to gain Glory o'er their myriads slain; JESU, Thy more glorious strife So no other Name is given That which CHRIST so hardly wrought, That which He so dearly bought, That salvation, mortals, say, Will you madly cast away? Rather gladly for that Name Is not death, but victory. E Dost Thou, JESU, condescend Thus to make our boast of Thee. Glory to the FATHER be; "When eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the Child, His name was called JESUS." 34. THE Word, Who dwelt above the skies With GOD, before the world began, Now on the virgin's bosom lies, A helpless new born Child of man. Already on His sinless head The streams of wrath begin to flow; The taste of grief the LORD must know. The lowliest poverty He bears, That we may be with wealth supplied; |