Why, impious Herod - Coelius Sedulius

Why, impious Herod, shouldst thou fear

Because the Christ is come so near?

He who doth heavenly kingdoms grant

Thine earthly realm can never want.

Lo, sages from the East are gone

To where the star hath newly shone:

Led on by light to Light they press,

And by their gifts their God confess.

The Lamb of God is manifest

Again in Jordan’s water blest,

And he who sin had never known

By washing hath our sins undone.

Yet he that ruleth everything

Can change the nature of the spring,

And gives at Cana this for sign--

The water reddens into wine.

Then glory, Lord, to thee we pay

For thine Epiphany to-day;

All glory through eternity

To Father, Son, and Spirit be.

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Coelius Sedulius (5th century) Italy?

Translated by Percy Dearmer

Source: Hymnary.org