134

Yattendon Hymnal (1899)

LL praise be to God, whom all things obey,
From angels and men, for ever and ay:
Who sendeth on earth the powers of his throne,
His providence good and love to make known.

His angels are they of countenance fair,
The arm of his strength, his hand of kind care:
His message of peace to us they reveal:
His wisdom most high they seal or unseal.

'Twas they of their art taught David to sing,
And faith evermore hath knelt at his spring:
Through them the world doth with music abound,
Of viols and reeds and horns of rich sound.

By martyrs of old they stood in the flame,

And bade them not flinch, but call on God's name : Through torment, through shame, through darkness of death,

They led without fear the sires of our faith.

They stand with the few, they fight for the free,
God's reign to advance o'er land and o'er sea :
And when the brave die, or fall in the fight,
Their spirits they bear to rest in God's sight.
For patience and toil a crown they prepare,
They found for the meek a kingdom full fair:
No famine nor plague 'gainst them doth prevail,
Their bread cannot lack, their cruse cannot fail.

We pray thee, who art thine angels' reward,
Thy flock to defend forget not, O Lord!
But prosper their aid, that us they may bring
To see the true face of Jesus, our King.

135

St. Joseph the Hymnographer (d. 883)
Trans, Johm Mason Neale (1818-1866)

Φωστήρες τῆς αύλου

TARS of the morning, so gloriously bright, Filled with celestial resplendence and light, These that, where night never followeth day, Raise the tris-agion ever and ay;

These are thy counsellors; these dost thou own,
God of Sabaoth, the nearest thy throne;
These are thy ministers; these dost thou send,
Help of the helpless ones, man to defend.

Then, when the earth was first poised in mid space,
Then, when the planets first sped on their race,
Then, when were ended the six days' employ,
Then all the sons of God shouted for joy.

These keep the guard amidst Salem's dear bowers, Thrones, Principalities, Virtues, and Powers; Where with the living ones, mystical Four, Cherubin, Seraphin, bow and adore.

Still let them succour us; still let them fight,
Lord of angelic hosts, battling for right;
Till, where their anthems they ceaselessly pour,
We with the angels may bow and adore.