Jump to content

Page:Medivalhymnsand00nealgoog.djvu/112

From Wikisource
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
88
MEDIÆVAL HYMNS.

    Here they bloom, they thrive, they flourish,

    For decayed is all decay:

    Lasting energy hath swallowed

    Darkling death's malignant sway.

    Though each one's respective merit

    Hath its varying Palm assigned,

    Love takes all as his possession,

    Where his power hath all combined:

    So that all that each possesses

    All partake in unconfined.

    Christ, Thy soldier's palm of honour,

    Unto this Thy City free

    Lead me, when my warfare's girdle

    I shall cast away from me:

    A partaker in Thy bounty

    With Thy Blessed ones to be.

    Grant me vigour, while I labour

    In the ceaseless battle pressed,

    That Thou may'st, the conflict over,

    Grant me everlasting rest:

    And I may at length inherit

    Thee my portion ever blest.

    With the above it is worth while to compare some of the concluding stanzas of the Christ's Triumph after Death of Giles Fletcher, who clearly had S. Peter Damiani's poem in his mind.

    Here may the band that now in triumph shines,
    And that, before they were invested thus,
    In earthly bodies carried heavenly minds,
    Pitch round about, in order glorious,