ADESTO, SANCTA TRINITAS

Found in two MSS. of the eleventh century, and included in the York, Sarum, and Aberdeen Breviaries.

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O Holy Father, gracious Thou and tender;
O Jesus Christ, Thou much adorèd Son;
Spirit most sweet, Thou Paraclete, Defender,
Eternally one!
Trinity Holy, Unity abiding,
True God Thou art, unbounded goodness Thou,
Light of the angels, trust of the confiding,
We hope in Thee now.
Thee all creation pays eternal homage;
Thee all Thy creatures songs of glory raise;
Now come we humbly, joining in the chorus,
O hear Thou our praise.
Glory to Thee, O God of power almighty,
Triune yet One, and great Thou art and high;
Hymns fitly tell Thy honour, praise, and glory,
and eternally.

Authorship unknown. It first occurs in a MS. of the eleventh century in the British Museum Library, has a place in the English Breviaries of York, Hereford, and St. Albans, and is printed in the "Latin Hymns of the Anglo-Saxon Church."

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Be present, Holy Trinity,
One glory Thou, one Deity;
Where'er creation's bounds extend,
Thou art beginning without end.
The hosts of heaven Thy praise proclaim,
Adoring, tell Thy matchless fame;
Earth's threefold fabric joins the song,
To bless Thee through the ages long.
And we, Thy humble servants, now
To Thee in adoration bow;
Our suppliant vows and prayers unite
With hymns that fill the realms of light.
One Light, we Thee our homage pay,
We worship Thee, O triple ray;
Thou First and Last, we speak Thy fame,
And every spirit lauds Thy name.
Praise to the Eternal Father be;
Thou only Son, all praise to Thee;
And Holy Ghost to Thee be praise,
Great Triune God, yet One always.