Office Hymns: Memorial Hymns: of the Sorrow of the Blessed Virgin

of the Sorrow of the Blessed Virgin

138

Deep the Virgin Mother's heart - Matris cor Virgineum trina totum trivit.

At Matins.

Deep the Virgin Mother's heart

Was with anguish shaken.

When she knew her Son that night

By the folk was taken ;

And at dawn that He was led

Unto judgment hearing.

Many a scalding tear she shed.

Sort distressed and fearing.

At Prime.

'Twas at Prime, her Only Child

That most holy Virgin

Saw, by men abused, reviled.

And bound down for scourging ;

With the stripes His Body torn.

And defiled with spitting ;

With clasped hands she sinks forlorn.

For her Child intreating.

At Terce.

Ah! The Queen of Virgins mourns.

That Third Hour impending.

When she saw the Crown of Thorns

Her Son's forehead rending ;

How to Calvary the Cross

He was meekly bearing ;

Down amid the dust she falls,

Woe-struck and despairing.

At Sext.

On Him, at this Hour of Sext,

That sad Mother gazeth.

As the foe upon the Cross

High His Person raifeth ;

Thieves they place on either part

Gall as drink is given ;

Sore she waileth, for her heart

Is with anguish riven.

At None.

None ! Her tears in torrents roll

To behold Him dying ;

And to God yield up His Soul

On Eloi crying ;

Then a soldier pierced His Side,

And that wound discerning

Lo ! she swoons and sinks to earth

Soul-stricken, deeply yearning.

At Vespers.

From the Cross, this Vesper Hour,

Lifeless, they are taking

That dear Son, for Whom her heart

Is with anguish breaking ;

At Heaven's pledge, upon His bier.

See ! she fondly gazeth ;

And with many a bitter tear

That sweet Corpse embraceth.

At Compline.

At this Holy Compline Hour

That sad Mother hurried.

O'er the tomb her plaints to pour

Where her Son was buried ;

Fondly lingering there she waits.

Nor the grave forsaketh.

Till unto her arms once more

Her risen Son she taketh.