When It Reach'd The Tyrant's Ear

Matins, for the Holy Innocents
See The Hymns Of The Holy Innocents

Words: Audit tyrannus anxius

Rev. Edward Caswall, Lyra Catholica: containing all the hymns of the Roman Breviary and Missal (New York: G. Dunigan And Brother, 1851).

When it reach'd the tyrant's ear,
Brooding anxious all alone,
That the King of kings was near,
Who should sit on David's throne;

Stung with madness, straight he cries,
"Treason threatens—draw the sword!
Rebels all around us rise!
Drown the cradles deep in blood!"

What is guilty Herod's gain,
Though a thousand babes he slay
Christ, amid a thousand slain,
Is in safety borne away.

Honor, glory, virtue, merit,
Be to Thee, O Virgin's Son!
With the Father, and the Spirit,
While eternal ages run.

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