Gloria in Excelsis.
“Glory be to God on high! on earth, peace!”
—Prayer Book.
Bright choristers around God's throne!
We cannot catch the glory-tone,
But when high raptures most intensely reign
Can lauding wonder so attune your strain
As that which thrills a saint on earth
Rejoicing o'er his second-birth?
Ye living stars of light above
Who glisten with adoring love,
Creation's
quire! heaven gave you once to see
Fresh from the cradle of eternity
An infant-world repose awhile
Under Jehovah's mantling smile:
But though as God's elect in glory
'Twas yours to chant creation's story,
While passionless and pure such bright estate
On earth eclipses all of good or great,—
Yet far beyond what angels know,
The Church's eucharistic glow
In this high festival of Praise!—
Here, pardon'd souls hosannahs raise;
And while the deep'ning hallelujah rolls
Melodious worship round the Lord of souls
Saints feel what seraphs never can,—
They live on Him who bled for Man!
Hence, Gloria in excelsis! Lord,
In echoes of Thy caroll'd word
Lift we in lauding ecstacy above,
Impassion'd now with superhuman love:—
If angel-food
to saints belong,
They rightly chant the angel-song.
We laud, we bless, we glorify
Thy pure and perfect Majesty
Dread King of Kings! almightily conceal'd
E'en in that
light where Love is most reveal'd,—
Supremest God, celestial One
The Father of th' incarnate Son.
Begotten of the true I AM,
By sacrifice the saving Lamb,
Eternal Semblance of th' eternal Sire!
Thy mercies and Thy merits now inspire
All hearts which feel devotion's flame
Burn into brightness at Thy name.
O Thou, Whose death-pangs took away
The guilt that on creation lay,
Glory to Thee! Whose feet our world have trod,
But now art seated on the throne of God,—
Thy suppliant Church would Thee adore
Prophet and Priest for evermore.
“Glory to God, good will to man”—
Behold, the everlasting plan,
With “peace on earth” and pardon brought from heaven,
Justice atoned and forfeit-souls forgiven,—
For this we laud and glorify
Salvation through the Trinity!
“Glory to God!” again, again
Adoring myriads swell the strain;
Not quiring angels who ensphere His throne
Can reach or rival that exulting tone
Of rescued sinners, who have cried
For me a God was crucified!
