It must not be forgotten in this regard that Thomas's career occurred during the period when Latin hymn writing was at its apogee. The Dies Irae and the Stabat Mater were both written during the Thirteenth Century, and the most precious Latin hymns of all times were composed during the century and a half from 1150 to 1300. Aquinas's hymns do not fail to challenge comparison even with the greatest of these. While he had an eminently devotional subject, it must not be forgotten that certain supremely difficult theological problems were involved in the expression of devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. In spite of the difficulties, Thomas succeeded in making not only good theology but great poetry. A portion of one of his hymns, the Tantum Ergo, has been perhaps more used in church services than any other, with the possible exception of the Dies Irae. Another one of his beautiful hymns that especially deserves to be admired, is less well known and so I have ventured to quote three selected stanzas of it, as an illustration {288} of Thomas's command over rhyme and rhythm in the Latin tongue. [Footnote 24] Adoro te devote, latens Deitas, Quae sub his figuris vere latitas. Tibi se cor meum totum subjicit, Quia te contemplans totum deficit. Visus, tactus, gustus, in te fallitur, Sed auditu solo tute creditur: Credo quidquid dixit Dei filius Nihil veritatis verbo verius. And the less musical but wonderfully significative fourth, stanza-- Plagas sicut Thomas non intueor, Deum tamen meum te confiteor, Fac me tibi semper magis credere, In te spem habere, te diligere. Only the ardent study of many years will give anything like an adequate idea of the great schoolman's universal genius. I am content if I have conveyed a few hints that will help to a beginning of an acquaintance with one of the half dozen supreme minds of our race. [Footnote 24: The following translation made by Justice O'Hagan renders sense and sound into English as adequately perhaps as is possible: Hidden God, devoutly I adore thee, Truly present underneath these veils: All my heart subdues itself before thee. Since it all before thee faints and fails. Not to sight, or taste, or touch be credit. Hearing only do we trust secure; I believe, for God the Son hath said it-- Word of truth that ever shall endure. ... Though I look not on thy wounds with Thomas, Thee, my Lord, and thee, my God, I call: Make me more and more believe thy promise, Hope in thee, and love thee over all. ] {289} XVIII ST. LOUIS THE MONARCH.