151. Advent—Vespers

{262}
Creator alme siderum.

CREATOR of the starry pole,
    Saviour of all who live,
And light of every faithful soul,
    Jesu, these prayers receive.

Who sooner than our foe malign
    Should triumph, from above
Didst come, to be the medicine
    Of a sick world, in love;

And the deep wounds to cleanse and cure
    Of a whole race, didst go,
Pure Victim, from a Virgin pure,
    The bitter Cross unto. {263}

Who hast a Name, and hast a Power,
    The height and depth to sway,
And Angels bow, and devils cower,
    In transport or dismay;

Thou too shalt be our Judge at length;
    Lord, in Thy grace bestow
Thy weapons of celestial strength,
    And snatch us from the foe.

Honour and glory, power and praise,
    To Father, and to Son,
And Holy Ghost, be paid always,
    The Eternal Three in One.

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