MARTYRS
O beata beatorum.
BLESSÈD Feasts of blessèd Martyrs,
Saintly days of saintly men,
With affection's recollections
Greet we your return again.
2 Mighty deeds they wrought, and wonders,
While a frame of flesh they bore;
We with meetest praise and sweetest
Honour them for evermore.
3 Faith unblenching, hope unquenching,
Well-loved Lord, and single heart,—
Thus they glorious and victorious
Bore the Martyr's happy part.
4 Blood in slaughter poured like water,
Torments long and heavy chain,
Flame, and axe, and laceration,
They endured, and conquered pain.
5 While they passed through divers tortures,
Till they sank by death opprest,
Earth's rejected were elected
To have portion with the blest.
6 By contempt of worldly pleasures,
And by mighty battles done,
Have they merited with Angels
To he knit for ay in one.
7 Wherefore made co-heirs of glory,
Ye that sit with Christ on high,
Join to ours your supplications,
As for grace and peace we cry;
8. That, this weary life completed,
And its many labours past,
We may merit to be seated
In our Father's home at last.
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