England's Antiphon

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CHRIST'S NATIVITY.

Awake, glad heart! Get up, and sing! It is the birthday of thy king!

Awake! awake!
The sun doth shake

Light from his locks, and, all the way Breathing perfumes, doth spice the day.

Awake! awake! Hark how the wood rings Winds whisper, and the busy springs

A concert make:
Awake! awake!

Man is their high-priest, and should rise To offer up the sacrifice.

I would I were some bird or star,
Fluttering in woods, or lifted far

Above this inn
And road of sin!

Then either star or bird should be Shining or singing still to thee.

I would I had in my best part

Fit
rooms for thee! or that my heart Were so clean as Thy manger was!

But I am all filth, and obscene;
Yet, if thou wilt, thou canst make clean.

Sweet Jesu! will then. Let no more This leper haunt and soil thy door.

Cure him, ease him;
O release him!

And let once more, by mystic birth, The Lord of life be born in earth.

The fitting companion to this is his



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