Thou art, O God, our life and might; The source of all the worlds of light, Which on the brows of heaven lie, And make resplendent earth and sky. Of old this day was earth’s first-born; It shone from heaven a holy morn: Even so the Word, Eternal Light, The Father gave this world of night. That day the chaos dark destroyed; Dispelling night into the void: So Victor o’er the foe did He This world from death’s fierce fetters free. Upon the deep thick darkness lay Before the dawning of that day; So ignorance the heart enwound Till Jesus shed His light around. A remarkable composition, probably belonging to the same period, and intended to be used on the birthdays of the martyrs has, like a few others, the refrain “Alleluia” introduced after every verse. The term “birthday” does not bear here its ordinary meaning, but birth by temporal death into a higher life. This hymn is regarded as one of the best productions of the Latino-Celtic muse: SACRATISSIMI MARTYRES. Martyrs of the God Most High, Who for Christ did bravely die; Leaders on the heavenly road; Victors, sing with saints to God,— Alleluia! Christ exalted! Cherubim Render homage unto Him, On the Father’s throne on high, While the saints with martyrs cry,— Alleluia! Glorious One! The first to bear Shame upon the Cross, our share; In thy triumph blessings came; Now the martyr saints proclaim,— Alleluia! The Apostles, strong in faith, Suffered on the Cross to death; Shielded now, and saved by grace, Chant within Thy holy place,— Alleluia! Christ! the Helper of the saints, Heard their weary hearts’ complaints; Now these martyrs praises bring And rehearse before their King,— Alleluia! Praised, O Lord, Thy power be, Which obtains the victory; Crushes Satan by the way While the saints with martyrs say,— Alleluia! God’s strong hand will be their shield; With His grace their hearts are steeled To resist the enemy’s ways, While with saints they ever raise,— Alleluia! Heirs with Christ! Their crowns behold! Filled with fruit a hundred-fold; Pains are past; they now rejoice, Uttering in thankful voice,— Alleluia! Let us humbly pray for grace, Till we see the Father’s face In Jerusalem on high Where we raise with saints the cry,— Alleluia! Another very ancient hymn is the “Spiritus Divinae,” which is one of the matins used for the Lord’s Day: