Redeundo per gyrum

As the circling year rolls on
O'er our northern region,
Comes the day that gave the crown
To the Theban Legion :
Equinoctial was that day,
As the world believed it ;
Everlasting was its ray,
As that band received it.

They had light that knew no end,
Chiefs of ancient story,
That the sun illumined not,
But diviner glory ;
Day of calm serenity,
By no twilight followed —
Day when age was changed to youth,
Death in victory swallowed.

There, Mauritius, spite his name,
Shines in heavenly whiteness :
Ethiopian Candidus
Puts on candid brightness :
Exuperius o'er his foes
There superior standeth ;
Victor, vanquished though by death,
With the victors bandeth ;

Innocentius meetly falls,
Innocence defending :
And Vitalis for his meed
Hath the life unending.
Six the chiefs that led the war,
Thousands six they guided ;
For the truth they stood in fight,
Careless what betided :

Though their necks endured the sword,
They, the gallant-hearted,
From their Head — their Head and ours —
Never could be parted.
Pray, ye valiant six, that we
Still may bid defiance,
So we gain the six-stepped Throne,
To the twice six lions :

That the six adversities ;
May beset us never,
Pray, ye glorious ones, who now
Wear the Crown for ever !