At the banquet all seem equal,
Good and bad, but ah! the sequel—
Life or death is in the food:
See how different the dividing—
To the bad, ’tis death providing:
Life, salvation to the good.
When the solemn words are spoken,
Doubt not though the Host be broken,
That each fragment doth betoken
What the sacred whole supplied:
What is broken is partition
Of the outward sign’s condition;
Diminution or addition
Cannot reach the Signified.
Lo! for pilgrims deathward wending.
‘Neath life's awful burden bending.
See the Angels’ bread descending,
Children’s food to dogs not sent;
Known by many an adumbration,
Seen in Isaac’s immolation,
By the Pachal celebration,
By the mystic manna meant.
O true Bread! O Shepherd tender!
Be our food and our defender;
Jesus! Jesus! succour render,
Till we see Thee in Thy splendour,
In the Land of Life and Love.
Thou from whom all power proceedeth,
Thou who knoweth what each one needeth,
Thou who here all mortals feedeth,
Make us guests when heaven succeedeth.
And co-heirs with saints above. Amen.
