Page:The seven great hymns of the mediaeval church - 1902.djvu/78

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48
The Dies Iræ


While the pealing organ rung;
Were it meet with ſacred ſtrain
To cloſe my lay ſo light and vain,
Thus the holy Fathers ſung:

That day of wrath, that dreadful day!
When heaven and earth ſhall paſs away,
What power ſhall be the ſinner's ſtay?
How ſhall he meet that dreadful day?

When ſhrivelling like a parchèd ſcroll
The flaming heavens together roll;
When louder yet, and yet more dread,
Swells the high trump that wakes the dead!

Oh! on that day, that wrathful day
When man to judgment wakes from clay,
Be Thou the trembling ſinner's ſtay,
Though heaven and earth ſhall paſs away!