131. Lauds—Sunday
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{226}
Ęterne rerum conditor. |
FRAMER of the earth and sky, |
| Ruler of the day and night, |
| With a glad variety, |
| Tempering all, and making light; |
Gleams upon our dark path flinging, |
| Cutting short each night begun, |
| Hark! for chanticleer is singing, |
| Hark! he chides the lingering sun. |
And the morning star replies, |
| And lets loose the imprison'd day; |
| And the godless bandit flies |
| From his haunt and from his prey. |
{227}
Shrill it sounds, the storm relenting |
| Soothes the weary seaman's ears; |
| Once it wrought a great repenting, |
| In that flood of Peter's tears. |
Rouse we; let the blithesome cry |
| Of that bird our hearts awaken; |
| Chide the slumberers as they lie, |
| And arrest the sin-o'ertaken. |
Hope and health are in his strain, |
| To the fearful and the ailing; |
| Murder sheathes his blade profane, |
| Faith revives when faith was failing. |
Jesu, Master! when we sin, |
| Turn on us Thy healing face; |
| It will melt the offence within |
| Into penitential grace: |
Beam on our bewilder'd mind, |
| Till its dreamy shadows flee; |
| Stones cry out where Thou hast shined, |
| Jesu! musical with Thee. {228} |
To the Father and the Son, |
| And the Spirit, who in Heaven |
| Ever witness, Three and One, |
| Praise on Earth be ever given. |