THE STORY OF THE HYMNS AND THEIR WRITERS 439
Hymn 852. Jerusalem the golden. Urbs Syon aurea, Patria lactea, cive decora.
BERNARD OF MORLAIX (or Cluny) (851) ; translated by DR. NEALE (27).
Dr. Neale says, The greater part is a bitter satire on the fearful corruptions of the age. But as a contrast to the misery and pollution of earth, the poem opens with a description of the peace and glory of heaven, of such rare beauty as not easily to be matched by any mediaeval composition on the same subject.
After the lines Exult, O dust and ashes ! Dr. Ncale adds a note : I have no hesitation in saying that I look on these verses of Bernard as the most lovely, in the same way that the Dies Irae is the most sublime, and the Stabat Mater the most pathetic, of mediaeval poems.
Elsewhere he writes : It would be most unthankful did I not express my gratitude to God for the favour He has given some of the centos made from the poem, but especially "Jerusalem the Golden." It has found a place in about twenty hymnals. It is also a great favourite with Dissenters, and has obtained admission in Roman Catholic services. "And I say this," to quote Bernard s own preface, " in no wise arrogantly, but with all humility, and therefore boldly." But more thankful still am I that the Cluniac s verses should have soothed the dying hours of many of God s servants : the most striking instance of which I know is related in the memoir published by Mr. Brownlow under the title, "A little child shall lead them/ where he says that the child of whom he writes, when suffering agonies which the medical attendants declared to be almost unparalleled, would lie without a murmur or motion while the whole 400 lines were read to him.
Hymn 853. Jerusalem, my happy homo.
JOSEPH BROMKHKAD. An undated MS. in the British Museum gives
A Song mad by F. 15. P., to the Tune of Diana.
Ilierusalein my happie home
When shall I come to thee When shall my sorrowes have an end
Thy joyes when shall I see.
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