The Beauteous Star That Beams On High

For The Weeks After Epiphany

Words: Quâ lapsu tacito stella loquacibus, by C. Coffin.

Translation:  Robert Campbell, of Sherrington

Source: Orby Shipley, Annus Sanctus: Hymns of the Church for the Ecclesiastical Year. Vol. 1. (London and New York: Burns and Oates, 1884), p. 53-54.

The beauteous star that beams on high 
The wanderers watch with anxious eye, 
And strive with careful step to tread 
The path o'er which its light is shed. 

At length arrived at Salem's walls, 
The Lord his messenger recalls ; 
And as a bark they seem to stray, 
Which hath no star to guide her way. 

But nothing can the heart affright 
Which walks by faith and not by sight ; 
To Herod's court they boldly bring 
The tidings of a new-born king. 

Hope ne'er deceives the faithful mind ; 
Who meekly seeks is sure to find ; 
In him on whom his people trod, 
The Gentiles see their king and God. 

Then let us praise our heavenly king, 
To Father, Son and Spirit sing ; 
That Spirit is the star divine 
Which will in faithful bosoms shine.

Note from Shipley:

59. Qua lapsu tacito stella loquacious. Matins Hymn from the Parisian Breviary, by C. Coffin. The beauteous star that beams on high. Robert Campbell. 53

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