DAY OF WRATH

 A HYMN FOR THE LAST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

13th century Sequence from the Requiem Mass

Day of wrath, and doom impending,
David's word with Sibyl's blending:
Heaven and earth in ashes ending.

O what fear man's bosom rendeth,
When from heaven the Judge descendeth,
On whose sentence all dependeth!

Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth,
Through earth's sepulchres it ringeth,
All before the throne it bringeth.

Death is struck, and nature quaking,
All creation is awaking,
To its Judge an answer making.

Lo! the book exactly worded,
Wherein all hath been recorded,
Thence shall judgment be awarded.

When the Judge his seat attaineth,
And each hidden deed arraigneth,
Nothing unavenged remaineth.

What shall I, frail man, be pleading?
Who for me be interceding,
When the just are mercy needing?

King of majesty tremendous,
Who dost free salvation send us,
Fount of pity, then befriend us.

Think, kind Jesu, my salvation
Caused thy wondrous Incarnation,
Leave me not to reprobation.

Faint and weary thou hast sought me,
On the Cross of suffering bought me,
Shall such grace be vainly brought me?

Righteous Judge! for sin's pollution
Grant thy gift of absolution
Ere that day of retribution.

Guilty, now I pour my moaning,
All my shame with anguish owning:
Spare, O God, thy suppliant groaning.

Through the sinful woman shriven,
Through the dying thief forgiven,
Thou to me a hope hast given.

Worthless are my tears and sighing:
Yet, good Lord, in grace complying
Rescue me from fires undying.

With thy sheep a place provide me,
From the goats afar divide me,
To thy right hand do thou guide me.

When the wicked are confounded,
Doomed to flames of woe unbounded,
Call me, with thy saints surrounded.

Low I kneel, with heart-submission:
See like ashes my contrition!
Help me in my last condition!

Ah that day of tears and mourning!
From the dust of earth returning,
Man, for judgment must prepare him.

Spare, O God, in mercy spare him:
Lord all-pitying, Jesu blest,
Grant them thine eternal rest.  Amen.