οἱ παῖδες εὐσεβείᾳ.
The Holy Children boldly stand
Against the tyrant's fierce command:
The kindled furnace they defy,—
No doom can shake their constancy
They in the midmost flame confess’d,
"God of our Fathers! Thou art bless’d!"
The Shepherds keep their flocks by night;
The Heav’n glows out with wondrous light;
The glory of the Lord is there,
The Angel-bands their King declare:
The watchers of the night confess’d,
"God of our Fathers! Thou art bless’d!"
The Angel ceas’d; and suddenly
Seraphic legions fill’d the sky:
"Glory to God," they cry again:
"Peace upon earth, good will to men:
"Christ comes! "—And they that heard confess’d,
"God of our fathers! Thou art bless’d!"
What said the Shepherds?—"Let us turn
This new-born miracle to learn."
To Bethlehem’s gate their footsteps drew:
The Mother with the Child they view:
They knelt and worshipp’d, and confess’d,
"God of our Fathers! Thou art bless’d!"
