This Wondrous Glory

Transfiguration

They glorified God in me

I SAW thee once and nought discern'd

     For stranger to admire;

A serious aspect, but it burn'd

     With no unearthly fire.

Again I saw, and I confess'd

     Thy speech was rare and high;

And yet it vex'd my burden'd breast,

     And scared, I knew not why.

I saw once more, and awe-struck gazed

     On face, and form, and air;

God's living glory round thee blazed--

     A Saint--a Saint was there!

John Henry Newman
Off Zante
January 8, 1833

The Transfiguration

Quicunque Christum quæritis

O YE who seek the Lord,

    Lift up your eyes on high,

For there He doth the Sign accord

    Of His bright majesty.

We see a dazzling sight

    That shall outlive all time,

Older than depth or starry height,

    Limitless and sublime.

'Tis He for Israel's fold

    And heathen tribes decreed,

The King to Abraham pledged of old

    And his unfailing seed.

Prophets foretold His birth,

    And witness'd when He came,

The Father speaks to all the earth

    To hear, and own His name.

To Jesus, who displays

    To babes His beaming face,

Be, with the Father, endless praise,

    And with the Spirit of grace. Amen.