MEDIÆVAL HYMNS.
133
The praises that the Blessed know
The Church shall intimate below,
Whene'er she greets, in yearly strain,
The birthdays of her saints again.
Now, all their battles past and gone,
The Crown of Glory is set on;
For Chastity, as lily white,
For Martyrdom, as ruby bright.
And these beside, a golden chain
Shall Doctors Catholic attain:
Where Angels round their monarch bow,
Such chain Augustine weareth now.
That we this Saint's blest life may reach,
That we his blessed faith may teach,
May join above, and love below,
The Spirit of All Grace bestow! Amen.
Gautier reads Eterni: but I understand the poet to mean that the external celebration of the Festival is only the outspoken expression of the internal joy of the heart.
