W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895.

St. John

From the Parisian Breviary

Translated by Isaac Williams

“I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last; and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven Churches.”—REV. I. 9–11.

JOHN, by a tyrant’s stern command,

Is exil’d on a sea-girt strand;

But his free spirit takes her flight

Into the regions of the light.

And there his awe-struck soul before

He stands who lives for evermore:

Who as a Lamb gave up His breath,

And as a Lion vanquished death.

And now, before his ravish’d eyes,

He brings His kingdom’s mysteries;

The faith sown by His martyrs’ blood,

Which through all lands shall spread abroad.

O Lord, the power baptismal give,

With Thee to die, with Thee to live,

To tread on earthly things, and love

The better things that are above.

All glory and dominion

To God the Father, Spirit, Son,

Who hath broke through our prison-bars,

And leads us to the happy stars.

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”—1 John v. 21.

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