THE GOD OF LOVE. [CHANT ROYAL.] I. MOST fair God, O Love both new and old, ing blew, Before the glad sun in his mail of gold Leapt into light across the first day's dew! That art the first and last of our delight, That in the blue day and the purple night Holdest the hearts of servant and of king : Lord of liesse, sovran of sorrowing, That in thy hand hast heaven's golden key, And Hell beneath the shadow of thy wing, Thou art my Lord to whom I bend the knee! II. What thing rejects thy mastery? who so bold That kissed Endymion when the Spring was new, She slid down trembling from her mooned ring And in that kiss put off cold chastity. Who but acclaim with voice and pipe and string, "Thou art my Lord to whom I bend the knee?" III. Master of men and gods, in every fold Of thy wide vans the sorceries that renew The labouring earth tranced with the winter's cold Lie hid, the quintessential charms that woo The souls of flowers, slain with the sullen might Of the dead year, and draw them to the light. Balsam and blessing to thy garments cling: Skyward and seaward, when thy white hands fling Their spells of healing over land and sea, One shout of homage makes the welkin ring, "Thou art my Lord to whom I bend the knee !" IV. I see thee throned aloft: thy fair hands hold All men do praise thee, ay! and everything; Thou art my Lord to whom I bend the knee ! V. I fear thee, though I love. Who can behold Flames like a fire, except his mazèd view Both joy and fear unto thy feet I bring; ENVOY. God above gods, High and Eternal King, I find no whither from thy power to flee, Thou art my Lord to whom I bend the knee! JOHN PAYNE. |