Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences/Dies est laetitiae
Dies est lætitiæ.
A German carol;—at least it does not seem to have been used in the offices of the Church. It is perhaps scarcely worth mentioning that Luther believed it inspired.
Royal Day that chasest gloom!
Day by gladness speeded!
Thou beheld'st from Mary's womb
How the King proceeded;
Whom, True man, with praise our Choir
Hails, and love, and heart's desire,
Joy and admiration;
Who, True God, enthroned in light,
Passeth wonder, passeth sight,
Passeth cogitation.
On the Virgin as He hung,
God, the world's Creator,
Like a rose from lily sprung,—
Stood astounded nature:
That a Maiden's arms enfold
Him That made the world of old,
Him That ever liveth:
That a Maiden's spotless breast
To the King Eternal rest,
Warmth and nurture giveth!
As the sunbeam through the glass
Passeth but not staineth,
Thus the Virgin, as she was,
Virgin still remaineth:
Blessed Mother, in whose womb
Lay the Light that exiles gloom,
God, the Lord of Ages;
Blessed Maid! from whom the Lord,
Her own Infant, God adored,
Hunger's pangs assuages.
[See the lovely melody in the "Christmas Carols" published by Mr. Helmore and myself.]