Hymn XI. For a Knight of the Garter.
[_]
This Hymn was composed for the Knights of the
Garter, to be sung in their Chappell at their Festivall.
It sheweth how their Honours and civill
Triumphs, may be directed to the honour of God,
and to the more dignifying of their honourable-Order
of Knighthood, &c.
Sing this as Te Deum.
[1]
All praise and glory that we may
Ascribe we Lord, to Thee
From whom, the Triumphs of this day,
And all our honors be.
For, of it self, nor East, nor West,
Doth honour ebbe or flow;
But, as to thee it seemeth best,
Preferment to bestow.
2
Thou Christ, art that victorious Knight,
Whose order we professe;
And our Saint George, to whom in fight
Our Cries, we do addresse.
The Dragon which thou foil'dst is He,
That, would thy Church devour;
And, that faire Princesse, LORD, is She,
Who scaped by thy pow'r.
3
Thou art that Husbandman, whose care
Makes Rich our barren soile.
Thou art that valiant Man of War,
Who keeps our Coasts from spoile.
Vouchsafe that we, who by a Band
More bound then heretofore,
May to thy Faith's-Defendor, stand
Fast Friends, for evermore.
[4]
Since, by our Soveraigne, chose we are,
This Order to put on;
And, since we Hieroglyphicks wear,
Of that which thou hast done:
Lest we forget it, let these tell
Why they by us are worn;
And inwardly informe, as well
As outwardly adorn.
5
So shall our Order unto none
A vain Invention seem;
Nor our Solemnities be done
Without their due esteem.
And, they who have the Saint mistook,
On whom, we do rely;
Shall know, we only Thee invoke;
When we Saint
George do cry.
