Part 13 (1/2)

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_”Tu sola interemisti omnes Haereses.”_

x.x.xI.

What tenderest hand uprears on high The standard of Incarnate G.o.d?

Successive portents that deny Her Son, who tramples? She who trod

On Satan erst with starlike scorn!

Ah! never Alp looked down through mist As she, that whiter star of morn, Through every cloud that darkens Christ!

Roll back the centuries:--who were those That, age by age, their Lord denied?

Their seats they set with Mary's foes:-- They mocked the Mother as the Bride.

Of such was Arius; and of such He whom the Ephesian Sentence felled, [Footnote 2]

Her t.i.tle triumphed. At the touch [Footnote 3]

Of Truth the insurgent rout was quelled.

[Footnote 2: Nestorius.]

[Footnote 3: Dei-para.]

Back, back the hosts of h.e.l.l were driven As forth that sevenfold thunder rolled:-- And in the Church's mystic Heaven There was great silence as of old.

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MAY CAROLS.

PART III.

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PART III.

I.

In vain thine altars do they heap With blooms of violated May Who fail the words of Christ to keep; Thy Son who love not, nor obey.

Their songs are as a serpent's hiss; Their praise a poniard's poisoned edge; Their offering taints, like Judas' kiss, Thy shrine; their vows are sacrilege.

Sadly from such thy countenance turns: Thou canst not stretch thy Babe to such (Albeit for all thy pity yearns) As greet Him with a leper's touch.

Who loveth thee must love thy Son.