Si scopron le tombe, si levano i morti, I martiri nostri son tutti risorti ! Le spade nel pugno, gli allori alle chiome, Va fuora d'Italia, va fuora ch'è l'ora, La terra dei fiori, dei suoni e dei carmi Di cento catene ci avvinser la mano, Non crescon al giogo le stirpi di Roma; Le case d'Italia son fatte per noi, È là sul Danubio la casa de' tuoi; Col carro di foco rompiam gli Apennini; Va fuora d'Italia, va fuora ch'è l'ora, Non basta il trionfo di barbare spoglie, Va fuora d'Italia, va fuora ch'è l'ora, Se ancora dell'Alpi tentasser gli spaldi, Va fuora d'Italia, va fuora ch'è l'ora, Per sempre è caduto degli empi l'orgoglio, Soltanto ai tiranni minaccia le fronti; Va fuora d'Italia, va fuora ch'è l'ora, A friend has kindly sent me the following free translation of the first stanza: Uplifted the tombstones! Our martyrs arisen! Brave Italy's bravest Have leapt from Death's prison ! Fair bays on each forehead, Up! up! oh my brothers, With sword and with brand! III. - Ancient Hymns. 20- THE MAGNIFICAT. THE Song of the Virgin Mary on learning that she was to be the mother of the Messiah takes precedence of all other hymns of the Church. There is a curiously persistent note in it, of the exaltation of the humble, and the humiliation of the powerful, that must have sounded ill in the ears of the monarchs and nobles and champions of the constituted order. It is peculiarly fitting that this revolutionary pæan of gratitude should be adopted by the Church from the lips of a woman, for, as any one may discover who cares to look facts in the face, or even to read such a text-book as Mill's Subjection of Women," woman, after all these centuries, is still everywhere awaiting the fulfilment of the promise- "deposuit potentes de sede, et exaltavit humiles." My and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Y soul doth magnify the Lord, Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his hand maiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. AGNIFICAT: anima mea Dominum. MAEN exultavit spiritus meus: in Deo salutari meo. ecce Quia respexit humilitatem ancillæ suæ: enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes. Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est: et sanctum nomen ejus. Et misericordia ejus a progenie in progenies : timentibus eum. Fecit potentiam in brachio suo: dispersit superbos mente cordis sui. Deposuit potentes de sede: et exaltavit humiles. Esurientes implevit bonis: et divites dimisit inanes. Suscepit Israel puerum suum: recordatus misericordiæ suæ. Sicut locutus est ad patres nostros: Abraham, et semini ejus in sæcula. Gloria Patri, etc. 21-GLORIA IN EXCELSIS. AFTER the Magnificat, this may properly be regarded as the earliest Christian hymn. It is built up as from a foundation upon the angels' song which the shepherds heard who were keeping their flocks by night when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa. But the anthem that sufficed for the angels at the Nativity was soon found inadequate for the Church that worshipped the Crucified. Hence the evolution of the Gloria, which by the end of the fifth century had been developed into the hymn which, with variations in one clause, is used alike by Greek, Latin, and Protestant believers all over the world. The text is here given in Latin and English. The Greeks say instead of "O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ," "Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit." GL LORY be to God on high, and in earth peace, good-will towards men. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee. We give thanks to Thee, for Thy great glory. O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty, O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, That takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For Thou only art holy, Thou only art the Lord. Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen. |