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DEO GRATIAS, by                    
First Line: "in a church this chance befell, / bells to morning mass did ring"
Last Line: "with his saints to sing sans end / blissful, deo gratias"
Subject(s): Public Worship; Church Attendance


IN a church this chance befell,
Bells to morning Mass did ring,
Sure it pleased me wondrous well
So I tarried, lingering.
Saw a clerk a book forth bring,
Pointed well in many a place,
Swift he sought what he should sing:
All was Deo Gratias.

All the cantors in the choir
With one voice the words they cry,
Sweet the sound -- I drew me nigher,
Called a priest full privily;
Said: "Sir, of thy courtesy
Prithee, grant me now this grace,
Say what meaneth this, and why
Ye sing Deo Gratias?"

All in silk that clerk was clad,
O'er a lectern leaned he,
Spake a word that made me glad
Saying: "Son, now hearken me;
Father, Son in Trinitie,
Holy Spirit, Fount of Grace,
God we praise, so oft as we
Sing our Deo Gratias.

"Sure, to thank Him are we bound
With such wit as man may win,
Sorrowful the wide world round
Till He crept into our kin.
Virgin womb He lay within --
Mary Maiden, full of grace;
Shed His Blood for all men's sin --
Therefore -- Deo Gratias."

Quoth the priest: "Son, by thy leave
I must now mine office say,
Nor for this I prithee grieve,
Thou hast heard the truth alway.
Wherefore now we priests must pray,
Holy Church must offer Mass
In Christ's Honour, day by day,
Saying, Deo Gratias."

From the church my way I went,
On that word was all my thought,
Said it o'er and o'er, intent,
Praying, I forgat there naught.
Tho' from bliss my lot were brought
'T were small help to cry, Alas!
In God's Name, whate'er be wrought,
Say I, Deo Gratias.

Mend what thou hast done amiss,
Do the right, from fear be freed,
Be thy lot or bale, or bliss,
Sure, thy patience winneth meed,
An a gentle life thou lead,
Kindness show in every case,
Thank thy God if well thou speed,
Saying, Deo Gratias.

Should God on thee gifts bestow
More than other two or three,
Then I rede thee, rule thou so
That men may speak well of thee.
Shun all pride, from boasting flee,
Lest thy virtues sin deface,
Keep thee courteous, pure, and free,
Think on Deo Gratias.

Should men bid thee office bear,
Set thee in a place of might,
See thou givest judgment fair,
Rob thou no man of his right.
Art thou valiant, fierce in fight,
See thou none for envy chase;
Fear thy God by day and night,
Think on Deo Gratias.

If this word in heart we bear,
And in love and loyalty lend,
We thro' Christ may claim a share
In the joy that knows no end.
When from out this world we wend
To His Palace we may pass,
With His Saints to sing sans end
Blissful, Deo Gratias.





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