POSTQUAM HOSTEM ET INFERNA

A hymn of complex authorship and of frequently altered text.

I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
Eternal King, enthroned on high,
Redeemer, strong Thy folk to save;
Thee, powerful death, by death o'ercome,
A royal crown of triumph gave.
Ascending to the throne of God,
Beyond the glittering host of heaven,
More power than human hand could give
To Thee, victorious King, is given.
Three kingdoms bow before Thee now--
The heavens above, the earth below,
Hell's dark abode--and to their Lord,
On bended knee, submission show.
All awe inspired, the angel host
Behold man's changed estate, amazed;
Our sinful flesh, by flesh renewed,
And man, true God, to Godhead raised.
O Christ, with God who dwell'st on high,
Be Thou to us, we humbly pray,
A lasting joy while here we wait,
Our great reward in heaven for aye.
In earnest prayer we come to Thee;
O may our sins be all forgiven,
And lift our hearts by Thy rich grace,
To where Thou art Thyself, in heaven.
That when in clouds of Judgment dire,
Thou com'st with Thine angelic host,
We may escape the avenger's power,
And wear anew the crowns we lost.
To Thee, O Christ, all glory be,
Victor returning now to heaven;
To Father, and to Holy Ghost,
Let praise through endless years be given.
By Adam of St. Victor. ([68]See p. 49.)
I
II
III
IV
Broken are the bands that bound us,
Spoiled are Satan's realms around us,
And to joys supernal now,
Christ returns with hosts attending,
And, as when at first descending,
Angel guards their homage bow.
Far above the stars ascending,
Faith alone His course attending,
Passing now from mortal sight;
To His hand all power is given,
One with God He rules in heaven,
One in honour and in might.
Victor on His throne uplifted,
See all rule to Him is gifted,
O'er Creation's wide domain.
Now for evermore He liveth,
Nevermore His life He giveth--
Once the sacrifice was slain.
Once He wore our flesh in weakness,
Once He suffered, once in meekness
Gave Himself for sin to die.
Now no longer pain He knoweth:
Perfect peace for ever floweth,
Perfect joy is ever nigh.