The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1873-03-02
lSornlng star and Catholic MESSENGER.
HEw ORLEANS, SUNDAY, MARCH = 1913
DIES IRE.

OF all the Latin hymns of tho Church, TINS
is probably the best known. Even they' "ho
have no acquaintance with the hymns OF the
Church. at least know this. If there DO any
one 40 lost to all human feeling as not to under
.tand the sweetness of sacred song, let him
read this hymn, whose words are SO many
thnpders. It's introduction in Faust may have
helped to bring it to the knowledge OF some
who would not otherwise have knowh IL, Or II
they had, would not have believed its worth,
but that the sage and seer of this world had
thus stood sponsor to it, and set bis seal
of recognition upon it, The esublime use which
Gothic has made of it in that drama will be
remembered by all. To another illustrous
man this hymn was cminently dear. iiow
afaesting is th at incident recorded of Sir Walter
Scott, by his bographer, how, in the last days
Of his life, when all of his great mind had
failed, or was failing, he was yet heard to muir
mur to himself some lines of this hymn, which
had been especial favorito with him IN
other days. Nor is it hard to understand or
explain the wide and general popularity which
it has enjoyed The metre is grandly de-
vised, of which we remember other example,
fitted though it has here shown itself for bring
ing out some Oh tne nODlest poWoIso u euo L"tih
language-the solemn effect of the triple rhyme
which has been likened to blow following blow
of the hammer on the auvif-the confidence Of
the poet in the universal interest OF his theme,
. confidence which has made him set out his
matter with so majestic and unadorned y
plainness, as Mt once to be Intelligent to all !;
these merits, with I.any more, have given the
Dies Ira high place, indeed one of tho high
est, among the masterpieces of sacred song
The following translation is that of Mr.. Irons
Day Of r,,h Ssey Of Tsa,9ps
Heav'n and earlh In ashes burning!
ewhat fear mans bosom roudeth,
Whom from Heav'n the Judge aesoendeth,
On whose sentence all dePendsth!
wondrous sound the Trumpet fngsth,
Through earth's sopuIchresit ringsth.
An before the throne 1t bringeth.
Death 10 struck and nature quskiug-
All creation 10 awaking
To its judge an answer making
Wherein all hath boen recorded; -
Hence shall judgment be awarded.
Whom tho Judge His seat attaincth
And each hidden decd arraignetb
Nothing unavenged rcmaneth.
What shall T. frail man. be pleading
Who for DO interceding-
When tho just are mercy needing
King of majesty tremendous,
Who dost flee salvation send us,
Fount OF pity! then befriend us,
Think, kind Jesu my salvation
Caus'd Thy wond 'rOus Incarnation;
Leave me not to reErobationi
Faint and weary Thou hast aoue hit me-
On the Cross of suffering bough mo -
Shall such grace be vainly brought mo
Righteous Judge of Re.ribution.
Grant Thy gilt of absolution,
IRE that reckoning day s conclusion;'
Guilty, now pour my moaning
All my shame with anguish owning;
Spare, . God, Thy surpant, groaning.
Ehou tho sin full woman savcdst-
Thou the dying thief forgavest:
Aud to me u hope vouchsaiest!
Worthless my prayers aud sighpg,
Yet good Loi d, IN grace complying,
Rescue me from free undyiDg!
With Thy favord sheep, o place me.
Nor among tho goats abase me;
But TO Thy right hand upraise
While tho wicked con founded
Doom d to flames OF woe uubounded.
Cali me- with Thy saints surrounded.
Low kneel with heart submission;
See, like ashes my contiiton--
Help me- In my last condition
Ahi that day of tears and mourning
F-Om the dust of earth returning,
Man for judgment must prepare him
Sparel 0 God. in mercy spare him
l.urG of Mercy, Jesus blest,
Grant them Thine eternal rest Amen!