Fifteen Hymns For the Feast of the Epiphany 11Hymn XI.

(Resp.--Let the bodies rejoice which the Evil One had made naked, that in the water they have put on their glory!)

1. Give thanks, O daughter, that thy crownings have been doubled;--for lo! thy temples and thy sons rejoice.--The dedication of thy temples is in the ministration;--The dedication of thy sons is in the anointing.--Blessed art thou that at once......--......the tabernacle for them that dwell in thee,--and the Spirit has abode upon thy sons!

2. Our Lord opened up Baptism--in the midst of Jordan the blessed river.--The height and the depth rejoiced in Him;--He brings forth the first fruits of His peace from the water,--for they are first fruits, the fruits of Baptism.--The good God in His compassion will bring to pass--that His peace shall be first fruits on earth.

3. Moses stretched out the temporal Tabernacle;--the priests bathed themselves in water,--and went in and ministered; and were stricken and punished,--because their heart within was not cleansed.--Blessed art thou that in the Passover of the great Passion,--the priests by the savour of their oblations,--lo! are cleansing souls in thee!

4. Great was the mystery that the Prophet saw,--the torrent that was mighty.--Into its depths he gazed and beheld--thy beauty instead of himself; thee it was he saw, for thy faith passes not away,--thou whose flood unseen shall overwhelm--the subtleties of idolatry.

5. Though John was great among them that are born of women,--yet he that is little is greater than he,--in this that his baptized were again baptized,--in the baptism that was of the Apostles.--Blessed art thou that thy priest is greater than he--in this alone that forever--abides his baptism.

6. The baptism that was of Siloam--did not bring mercy to the man that was laid there--who for thirty and eight years awaited it,--for he was a respecter of the persons of the Levites.--Blessed art thou that thy healing is in thee for all men,--and thy priests are devoted and ready--for all that are in need of thy help.

7. The Prophet healed the waters that were unwholesome,--and cured the disease of the land that was barren,--so that its death was done away and its region resounded, for its offspring increased and its bosom was filled.--Greater is Thy grace, Lord, than Elisha's!--Multiply my lambs and my flocks--at the great stream of my fountain!

8. Great is the marvel that is within thy abode;--the flocks together with the Shepherds,--those at the stream of the waters,--two unseen with one manifest who baptizes.--Blessed is he who is baptized in their fountains!--for three arms have upheld him,--and three Names have preserved him!