Whate'er the ancient prophets spoke

Whate'er the ancient prophets spoke
Concerning Thee, O Christ, make known.
Sole Subject of the Sacred Book,
Thou fillest all, and Thou alone
Yet there our Lord we cannot see,
Unless Thy Spirit lend the key.

Now, Jesu, now the veil remove,
The folly of our darken'd heart,
Unfold the wonders of Thy love,
The knowledge of Thyself impart:
Our ear, our inmost soul we bow;
Speak, Lord, Thy servants hearken now.

Make not as Thou wouldst farther go,
Our Friend, and Counsellor, and Guide;
But stay, the path of life to show,
Still with our souls vouchsafe to' abide,
Constrain'd by Thy own mercy stay,
Nor leave us at our close of day.

Come in, with Thy disciples sit,
Nor suffer us to ask in vain,
Nourish us, Lord, with living meat,
Our souls with heavenly bread sustain;
Break to us now the mystic bread,
And bid us on Thy body feed.

Honour the means ordain'd by Thee,
The great unbloody sacrifice,
The deep tremendous mystery;
Thyself in our enlighten'd eyes
Now in the broken bread make known,
And show us Thou art all our own.