"Behold, the Bridegroom draweth nigh!"
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"Behold, the Bridegroom draweth nigh!" Hear ye the oft-repeated cry? Go forth into the midnight dim; For blest are they whom he shall find With ready heart and watchful mind; Go forth, my soul,to him. "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh by!" The call is echoed from the sky: Go forth, ye servants, watch and wait; The slothful cannot join his train No careless one may entrance gain: Awake, my soul, 'tis late. The wise will plead with one accord, "O Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, On us thy quickening grace bestow, That none may reach the door too late, When thou shalt enter at the gate And to thy Kingdom go." 'Behold, the Bridegroom draweth near!" The warning falls on every ear: That night of dread shall come to all: Behold, my soul, thy lamp so dim, Rise, rise the smoking flax to trim; Soon shalt thou hear his call. |
"Maritus en adest prope!" vox clamitat. Attendite! Exite nocte media. Beati quos paratos et quos vigiles inveniet; i coram, anima. "Maritus ecce praeterit!" hunc sonum aether reicit; i vigilans familia! Ignavus nequit hunc sequi iners aut ullus accipi: festines, anima! En! preces sapientium Ter Sanctum erga Dominum: "quin gratia vivificas, ne sero quis petat fores, tu quando portam penetres, ut regnum ineas?" "Maritus ecce proximus!" cunctorum sonat auribus, cunctis minatur ista nox heus! paene extinctam, anima, fumantem taedam suscita; iam poscet illa vox. |