Latinised Hymns

The Son of God goes forth to war

The Son of God goes forth to war
A kingly crown to gain;
His blood-red banner streams afar:
Who follows in his train?
Who best can drink his cup of woe.
Triumphant over pain,
Who patient bears his cross below,
He follows in his train.

The martyr first, whose eagle eye
Could pierce beyond the grave;
Who saw his Master in the sky.
And called on him to save.
Like him, with pardon on his tongue
In midst of mortal pain.,
He prayed for them that did the wrong:
Who follows in his train?

A glorious band. the chosen few
On whom the Spirit came,
Twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew,
And mocked the cross and flame.
They met the tyrant's brandished steel,
The lion's gory mane;
They bowed their necks. the death to feel:
Who follows in their train?

A noble army, men and boys,
The matron and the maid,
Around the Saviour's throne rejoice
In robes of light arrayed.
They climbed the steep ascent of heaven
Through peril, toil, and pain:
O God, to us may grace be given
To follow in their train.

R.Heber

Ad bellum prodiens thronum
en! Christus appetit;
vexillum panditur rubrum:
quis huic satelles it?
Qui eius poculum bibens.
dolorem subicit
mundanae crucis patiens,
is huic satelles it.

En! Martys sicut aquila
ultra videns necem
discernit Dominum supra
et poscit inde opem;
nec veniam minus rogat,
cum saeva mors rapit,
eius qui sibi noceat:
quis huic satelles it?

En! Parva lectorum manus,
bis sex spe validi,
cui fecit crucem Spiritus
ignemque spretui.
Nec tyrannorum gladius
nec leo terruit,
subirent cum necantibus,
quis his satelles it?

Mas gloriosa legio
commixta feminis
cingit thronum cum iubilo
lucentibus stolis.
Via scanderunt ardua
per arduas vices
tua scandamus gratia
cum his satellites.

MM 28.7–7.8.01