A Cento from the Canon for SS. Timothy and Maura; May 3rd.
τῶν ἱερῶν ἀθλοφόρων.
Let our Choir new anthems raise:
Wake the morn with gladness:
God Himself to joy and praise
Turns the Martyrs’ sadness:
This the day that won their crown,
Opened Heav’n's bright portal;
As they laid the mortal down.
And put on th’ immortal.
Never flinched they from the flame,
From the torture, never;
Vain the foeman's sharpest aim,
Satan's best endeavour:
For by faith they saw the Land
Decked in all its glory,
Where triumphant now they stand
With the victor's story.
Faith they had that knew not shame,
Love that could not languish;
And eternal Hope o’ercame
Momentary anguish.
He Who trod the self-same road,
Death and Hell defeated;
Wherefore these their passions show'd
Calvary repeated.
Up and follow, Christian men!
Press through toil and sorrow!
Spurn the night of fear, and then,—
Oh the glorious morrow!
Who will venture on the strife?
Who will first begin it?
Who will seize the Land of Life?
Warriors, up and win it?
