That awful day of ire.
This is a free translation of some select portions of the Dies Iræ; so well known to English readers, by the fine imitation of Scott; and to scholars, by the impressive use made of it by Goethe in his Faust. I have partially imitated, as well as translated, several passages; that famous one, in particular, which is known as the Rex Tremendæ. In so doing, I have been forced, however, to sacrifice, in some degree, a desirable gracefulness of expression, for the sake of approximating, in some degree, to the sonorous melody of the Latin.
Not unto us, oh Lord, our God.
I have put together, this hymn, and the translation of the Te Deum, which follows, because the Non Nobis was once always associated with that sublime doxology, in Thanksgiving services; though now seldom heard of, except as performed at public dinners, on the removal of the cloth. The exclamation of Henry V., on the field of Agincourt, is familiar to all:
Do we all holy rites,
Let there be sung Non Nobis and Te Deum.
It is interesting, also, to remember, that Te Deum was the first Christian thanksgiving ever offered to God, in this hemisphere. The piety of Columbus, at once suggested the propriety of its use, when he found himself the discoverer of a New World; and the hymn that was introduced to public worship, in the Cathedral at Milan, at the baptism of Augustine, was made the offering of a free heart, when the first European foot was planted in America. We doubt whether any thing as good was chaunted on Plymouth Rock; though had the Pilgrim Fathers been Churchmen, they would have found in the Psalms for the day, a very appropriate as well as inspired thanksgiving: “Then are they glad because they are at rest; and so He bringeth them unto the haven where they would be. Oh that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness; and declare the wonders that he doeth for the children of men.”
Holy Orders.