Stars of the Morning

Hymns of the Eastern Church, by J.M. Neale, [1884], at sacred-texts.com

p. 206

STARS OF THE MORNING.

by S. Joseph of the Studium

A Cento from the Canon of the "Bodiless Ones;" Tuesday in the Week of the Fourth Tone.

Stars of the morning, so gloriously bright,
Fill’d with celestial resplendence and light;
These that, where night never followeth day,
Raise the Trishagion ever and aye:

These are Thy counsellors: these dost Thou own,
God of Sabaoth! the nearest Thy throne;
These are Thy ministers; these dost Thou send,
Help of the helpless ones! man to defend.

p. 207

These keep the guard, amidst Salem's dear bowers:
Thrones, Principalities, Virtues, and Powers:
Where with the Living Ones, mystical Four,
Cherubin, Seraphin, bow and adore.

"Who like the Lord? "—thunders Michael, the Chief:
Raphael, "the Cure of God," comforteth grief:
And, as at Nazareth, prophet of peace,
Gabriel, "the Light of God," bringeth release.

Then, when the earth was first pois’d in mid-space,
Then, when the planets first sped on their race,—
Then, when were ended the six days' employ,—
Then all the sons of God shouted for joy.

p. 208

Still let them succour us; still let them fight,
Lord of angelic hosts, battling for right!
Till, where their anthems they ceaselessly pour,
We with the Angels may bow and adore!

[No. 6 in H.E.C]