As Jonah, Issuing from His Three Days' Tomb

Verse 1

As Jonah, issuing from his three days’ tomb, At length was cast, uninjured, on the earth; So, from the Virgin’s unpolluted womb The Incarnate WORD, That dwelt there, had His Birth: For He, Who knew no taint of mortal stain, Willed that His Mother spotless should remain.

Verse 2

CHRIST comes, Incarnate GOD, amongst us now, Begotten of the FATHER ere the day: And He, to Whom the sinless legions bow, Lies cradled, ‘midst unconscious beasts on hay: And, by His homely swaddling-bands girt in, Looses the many fetters of our sin.

Verse 3

Now the New Child of Adam’s race draws nigh, To us, the faithful, given: This, this is He That shall the Father of Eternity, The Angel of the Mighty Counsel, be: This the eternal GOD, by Whose strong hands The fabric of the world supported stands.