Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Hodie scietis, quia veniet Dominus

Today you shall know that the Lord will come.

Chanticleer

All this night shrill chanticleer,
Day's proclaiming trumpeter,
Claps his wings and loudly cries,
Mortals, mortals, wake and rise!
See a wonder Heav'n is under;
From the earth is risen a Sun
Shines all night, though day be done.

Wake, O earth, wake ev'ry thing!
Wake and hear the jou I bring;
Wake and joy; for all this night
Heav'n and ev'ry twinkling light,
All amazing, Still stand gazing.
Angels, powers, and all that be,
Wake and joy this Sun to see.

Hail, O Sun, O blessed Light,
Sent into the world by night!
Let thy rays and heav'nly powers
Shine in these dark souls of ours;
For most duly Thou art truly
God and man, we do confess;
Hail, O Sun of Righteousness!

From 'Devotionis Augustinianae Flamma by William Austin, of Lincolnes Inne Esquire', who died 16 January 1633 (published 1635). There is a monument to him in St. Saviour's Southwark. [Oxford Book of Carols. ]

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