LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY

OF

CALIFORNIA

THE VENERABLE BEDE

THE BIRTHDAY OF THE INNOCENTS

A hymn of martyred innocents
Sing we with heart and voice,
Whom earth hath lost and heaven gained,
Who wept but now rejoice.

Whose guardian angels evermore
Behold the Father's face,

They sing the blessed martyrs' hymn
And praise God's wondrous grace.

The king with impious hand destroyed,
But Christ with tender love

Hath placed them at His own right hand,
On His bright throne above.

And He who in the Father's house
Gives mansions for the blest,
To these the impious king destroyed
Gives everlasting rest.

Vox in Rama percrebuit, Lamenta luctus maximi, Rachel suos cum lacrymis Perfusa flevit filios. Gaudent triumpho perpeti Tormenta quique vicerant, Quorum gemens ob verbera Vox in Rama percrebuit.

Ne, grex pusille, formides
Dentes leonis perfidos,
Pastor bonus nam pascua
Vobis dabit coelestia.
Agnum Dei qui candidum
Mundo sequeris tramite,
Manus latronis impias
Ne, grex pusille, formides.

Absterget omnem lacrymam, Vestris pater de vultibus, Mors vobis ultra non nocet, Vitae receptis moenibus. Qui seminent in lacrymis Longo metent in gaudio, Genis lugentum conditor Absterget omnem lacrymam.

A voice in Rama there was heard

Of all-surpassing woe,

When Rachel for her children wept

With sorrow's overflow.

They joy with ceaseless triumph now
Who bitter woes have known
Whose voice in Rama once was heard
With deep, lamenting groan.

Fear not the treacherous lion's teeth, Thou little flock and few,

For your good Shepherd soon will give
The fields of heaven to you.
O ye, the snow-white Lamb of God
Who faithfully pursue,

Fear not the robbers on your way,
O little flock and few.

From every face the Father's hand
Shall wipe all tears away,
Nor death within the gates of life
Shall work you harm for aye.
For they who sow in bitter tears,

In lasting joy shall reap.

And God Himself shall dry all tears
From face of them that weep.

O! quam beata civitas
In qua redemptor venitur,
Natoque primae martyrum
In qua dicantur hostiae.
Nunquam vocaris parvula
In civitatum millibus,
Ex qua novus dux ortus est,
O! quam beata civitas!

Adstant nitentes fulgidis Eius throno nunc vestibus, Stolas suas qui laverant Agni rubentes sanguine. Qui perpetis pro patriae Regno gementes fleverant, Laeti Deo cum laudibus Adstant nitentes fulgidis.