But they who were of the lip and lineage of the land, they whose country was brought so near and whose hopes were raised on such strong and familiar wings—they truly were moved to the soul. I saw tears in their eyes; I heard their suppressed and laboring breath; I beheld their eager faces; and the glory of that land fell on them even as I gazed. So, though we cannot here perceive the fulness of the Franciscan’s hymn, yet do we discern the stately splendor of Messiah’s throne, and “Catch betimes, with wakeful eyes and clear Some radiant vista of the realm before us.” This alone can justify another attempt—the resultant of four previous versions—to express something of the grandeur of this majestic hymn: 1. Dies irae, dies illa Solvet saeclum in favilla, Teste David cum Sybilla. 2. Quantus tremor est futurus, Quando judex est venturus, Cuncta stricte discussurus! 3. Tuba mirum sparget sonum Per sepulcra regionum, Coget omnes ante thronum. 4. Mors stupebit et natura, Quum resurget creatura, Judicanti responsura. 5. Liber scriptus proferetur, In quo totum continetur, Unde mundus judicetur. 6. Judex ergo cum sedebit, Quidquid latet, apparebit, Nil inultum remanebit. 7. Quid sum miser tunc dicturus, Que, patronum rogaturus, Dum vix justus sit securus? 8. Rex tremendae majestatis, Qui salvandos salvas gratis, Salva me, fons pietatis! 9. Recordare, Jesu pie, Quod sum causa tuae viae; Ne me perdas illâ die! 10. Quaerens me sedisti lassus, Redemisti cruce passus: Tantus labor non sit cassus! 11. Juste judex ultionis, Donum fac remissionis Ante diem rationis! 12. Ingemisco tanquam reus, Culpa rubet vultus meus: Supplicanti parce, Deus! 13. Qui Mariam absolvisti, Et latronem exaudisti, Mihi quoque spem dedisti 14. Preces meae non sunt dignae. Sed tu bonus fac benigne, Ne perenni cremer igne. 15. Inter oves locum praesta, Et ab haedis me sequestra, Statuens in parte dextrâ. 16. Confutatis maledictis, Flammis acribus addictis, Voca me cum benedictis. 17. Oro supplex et acclinis, Cor contritum quasi cinis, Gere curam mei finis. 18. Lachrymosa dies illa, Qua resurget ex favilla Judicandus homo reus; Huic ergo parce, Deus! 1. Day of wrath, thy fiery morning Earth consumes, no longer scorning David’s and the Sibyl’s warning. 2. Then what terror of each nation When the Judge shall take his station Strictly trying his creation! 3. When that trumpet tone amazing, Through the tombs its message phrasing, All before the throne is raising. 4. Death and Nature he surprises Who, a creature, yet arises Unto those most dread assizes. 5. There a written book remaineth Whose sure registry containeth That which all the world arraigneth. 6. Therefore when the Judge is seated Each deceit shall be defeated, Vengeance due shall then be meted.