The Lantern

Fifteen Hymns for the Feast of the Epiphany15

CCEL

17. "Can it be that light should ever miss-the way whereon it has been sent? It was not darkness that summoned and led us;-in light we walked, and thy Son is King."

18. "Lo! ye see a babe without speech,-and the house of His mother empty and needy,-and of that which pertains to a king nought is in it:-how then in it is a king to be seen?"

19. "Lo! we see that without speech and at rest- is the King, and lowly as thou hast said:-but again we see that the stars-in the highest He bids haste to proclaim Him."

20. "It were meet, O men, that ye should enquire-who is the King, and then adore him;-lest haply your way has been mistaken,-and another is the King that is born."

21. "It were meet, O maiden, that thou shouldst receive it,-that we have learned that thy Son is King,-from the star of light that errs not,-and plain is the way, and he has led us."

22 "The Child is a little one, and lo! he has not-the diadem of a king and of a throne;-and what have ye seen that ye should pay honour to Him,-as to a king, with your treasures?"

23. "A little one, because He willed it for quietness' sake,-and meek now until He be revealed.-A time shall be for Him when all diadems-shall bow down and worship Him."

24. "Armies he has none;-nor has my Son legions and troops:-in the poverty of His mother He dwells;-why then King is He called by you?"

25. "The armies of thy Son are above;-they ride on high, and they flame,-and one of them it was that came and summoned us,-and all our country was dismayed."

26. "The Child is a babe, and how is it possible-He should be King, unknown to the world?-And they that are mighty and of renown,-how can a babe be their ruler?"

27. "Thy babe is aged, O Virgin,-and Ancient of Days and exalted above all and Adam beside Him is very babe,-and in Him all created things are made new."

28. "It is very seemly that ye should expound-all the mystery and explain it ;- who it is that reveals to you the mystery of my Son,-that He is a King in your region."

29. "It is likewise seemly for thee to accept this,-that unless the truth had led us we had not wandered hither from the ends of the earth,-nor come for the sake of thy Son."

30. "All the mystery as it was wrought-among you there in your country,-reveal ye to me now as friends.-Who was He that called you to come to me?"

31. "A mighty Star appeared to us-that was glorious exceedingly above the stars,-and our land by its fire was kindled;-that this King had appeared it bore tidings to us."

32. "Do not, I beseech you, speak of--these things in our land lest they rage,- and the kings of the earth join together-against the Child in their envy."

33. "Be not thou dismayed, O Virgin!-Thy Son shall bring to nought all diadems, and set them underneath his heel;-and they shall not subdue Him Whom they envy."

34. "Because of Herod I am afraid,-that unclean wolf, lest he assail me,-and draw his sword and with it cut off-the sweet cluster before it be ripe."

35. "Because of Herod fear thou not;-for in the hands of thy Son is his throne placed:-and as soon as He shall reign it shall be laid low,-and his diadem shall fall on the earth beneath."

36. "A torrent of blood is Jerusalem,-wherein the excellent ones are slain;-and if she perceives Him she will assail Him.-In mystery speak ye, and noise it not abroad."

37. "All torrents, and likewise swords,-by the hands of thy Son shall be appeased;-and the sword of Jerusalem shall be blunted,-and shall not desire at all to kill."

38. "The scribes of the priests of Jerusalem-pour forth blood and heed not.- They will arouse murderous strife-against me and against the Child; O Magi, be silent!"

39. "The scribes and the priests will be unable-to hurt thy son in their envy;-for by Him their priesthood shall be dissolved,-and their festivals brought to nought."

40. "A Watcher revealed to me, when I received-conception of the Babe, that my Son is a King;-that His diadem is from on high and is not dissolved,-he declared to me even as ye do ."

41. "The Watcher, therefore, of whom thou hast spoken-is he who came as a star,-and was shown to us and brought us good tidings-that He is great and glorious above the stars."