Patris sapientia, bonitas divina

Circled by His enemies,
By His own forsaken,
Christ the Lord at Matin hour
For our sakes was taken :
Very Wisdom, Very Light,
Monarch long expected,
In the garden by the Jews
Bound, reviled, rejected.

See them at the Hour of Prime
Unto Pilate leading
Him 'gainst whom with lying tongues
Witnesses are pleading.
There with spitting and with shame
Ill for good they render,
Marring of That Face which gives
Heaven eternal splendour.

" Crucify Him !" for His Love
Is their bitter payment,
When they lead Him forth at Tierce
Clad in purple raiment :
And a crown of woven thorns
On His Head He weareth :
And the Cross to Calvary
On His Shoulder beareth.

He upon that Cross at Sexto
For man's sake was mounted ;
By the passers by reviled,
With transgressors counted :
Mocking, vinegar and gall
To His thirst they proffer :
To the Holy Lamb of God
Such the taunt they offer.

At the Hour of Nones the strife,
Long and sharp, was ended :
Gently to His Father's Hands
He His Soul commended ;
And a soldier pierced His Side
With a spear unbidden ;
And earth quaked exceedingly,
And the Sun was hidden.

When it came to Vesper time,
From the Cross they take Him,
Whose great love to bear such woes
For our sakes could make Him :
Such a death He underwent,
Sin's alone Physician,
That of Everlasting Life
We might have fruition.

At the holy Compline tide
Holy hands array Him
In the garments of the grave
Where the mourners lay Him ;
Myrrh and spices have they brought,
Scripture is completed ;
And by death the Prince of Life
Death and Hell defeated.

Therefore these Canonical
Hours my tongue shall ever
In Thy praise, O Christ, recite
With my heart's endeavour :
That the Love which for my sake
Bare such tribulation
In mine own Death-agony
May be my Salvation.