VERBUM DEI, DEO NATUM.
He, the Word of God, the fated
Son, unmade and uncreated
Came from heaven to be with men.
John beheld him, touched him truly,
Brought him in this gospel newly
Back to dwell with us again.
Where those early streams were flowing,
Purely from pure fountains going,
John breaks forth in fuller tides,
Pouring for the thirsty nations
Those life-giving, sweet libations
Which the throne of God provides.
Heaven he trod, wherein the golden
Sun of truth by him beholden
Filled his soul’s most secret space.
Dreaming, with his spirit lifted
To the seraphim, whose shifted
Wings revealed God’s very face.
There he heard in circle seated
Harpers harp their oft-repeated
Praise, with elders near the throne:
By the seal of Godhead placing
On our very speech the tracing
Of the thoughts of God alone.
As an eagle, unmolested
Where each seer and prophet rested,
Far he flies above them all:
Never yet was mortal smitten
By such secret truths unwritten,
Truths which never fail or fall.
There the King, in vesture splendid
Seen, but yet uncomprehended,
Passes to his palace gate;
To his bride, from his dominion,
He has sent on eagle’s pinion
Tidings of that mystic state.
Speak thou then her bridegroom’s splendor,
Tell of rest most deep and tender,
Bear thy message to the bride.
Tell what angels’ food resembles,
At what feasts all heaven assembles,
Where their King shall still abide.
Tell again what bread is given,
Purchased by that side once riven—
Christ’s own bread, himself alone.
How that company upraises
To the Lamb its lofty praises,
When we sing before the throne.