PENTECOST
Veni Creator
Dear Heart of the Eternal Rose—
O many-coloured Heart of Fire—
That in our Lord’s green garden grows,
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire.
Sweet Honey of the heavenly flowers,
Distilled from the white lily’s heart,
Drip on these thirsty lips of ours—
Thou the anointing Spirit art.
O Wind, down heaven’s long lanes ablow,
Warm, perfume-laden Breath of Love,
O Sweetness, on our hearts bestow
Thy blessed unction from above.
O Sun, in the mild skies ashine,
O Moon, bewitching all the night,
These dark and groping ways of mine
Enable with perpetual light.
Dear Absolution of the Sun,
Dear Quickener of the meadow’s grace,
When the day’s course of toil is run,
Anoint and cheer our soiléd face.
When evening falls and darkness creeps,
And the long starry hours have come,
And all the world is tired, and sleeps,
Keep far our foes, give peace at home.
O Sun, O Wind, O Flower, O Fire!...
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire!