The Period Is Come, And Lo, To-day

For Advent

Words: Verbum Supernum Prodiens Nec Patris æterno sinu

Translation:  (Probably) John Dryden. Primer, 1706.

Source: Orby Shipley, Annus Sanctus: Hymns of the Church for the Ecclesiastical Year. Vol. 1. (London and New York: Burns and Oates, 1884), p. 19.

The period is come ; and lo, to-day 
The Son of God begins his way, 
To rescue at his wondrous birth 
A world enslaved to sin and earth. 

Our minds, O God, with light inspire, 
And warm our hearts with heavenly fire, 
'Till flaming with seraphic love 
We relish only things above. 

That at the great and dreadful day, 
When heaven and hell contend for prey, 
And Christ our judge appoints for this 
Damnation, and for the other bliss ; 

Our lot with theirs maynt be the same 
Who feed an unconsuming flame ; 
But rather grant, that we may see 
Thy heavenly face eternally. 

To God, the Father and the Son 
And Holy Spirit, Three in One, 
Be endless glory, as before 
The world began, so evermore. 

Note from Shipley:

Verbum Supernum Prodiens Nec Patris æterno sinu. Revised from Verbum supernum prodiens a Patre [with notes]. Gregorian Matins Breviary Hymn.

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