Pange Lingua [pp. 814]

P,4NPAGE LzNGUA.M
PANGE LINGUA.
(A new translation from St. Thomas Aquinas.)
BY REV. C. A. WALWORTH.
ING, my tongue, the wond'rous story;
Sing the mystery divine;
Sing the Saviour's precious body,
Royal grape of Mary's vine,
Bleeding, for a world's redemption,
Costly drops of saving wine.
Wond'rous boon to earth from Heaven,
Mary's virgin womb the mean;
In our desert, thrifty Farmer,
Sowing truth in golden grain.
Wonderful the solemn mission!
Wonderful the closing scene!
At the Paschal feast reclining
'Midst the tearful brotherhood,
All that ancient rites prefigured
Closing in a newer code;
Jesus, with His own hand min'stering,
Gave Himself to be their food.
With a word, the Word incarnate
Bread as living flesh doth hail;
Wine becomes a bleeding fountain.
Oh, if thought and senses fail
To confirm the heart that loveth,
Let a simple faith avail.
Bow we then with souls adoring;
Low before the mystery fall.
Let the ancient institution
Yield to nobler ritual!
Let firm faith supply, where folded
Sense is ineffectual.
Now to Thee, O Sire eternal,
And to Thee, eternal Son,
And to Thee, co-equal Spirit,
Everlasting praise be shown!
- Equal be the salutation
Where the life is always one.
8I4
[Mar.,