Let the solemn feast of John
be worthily celebrated,
that the Son of God
may be devoutly petitioned for us.
In his youth he blossoms,
with already ripened morals,
giving a clear indication,
of what may be to come.
In order that the flesh might more freely
follow the inclinations of the mind,
he enters the cloister,
and professes the sacred rule.
From a pure model
of secular living, the boy,
through profession of the rule,
is made a canon regular.
He exercised different
offices of the priory,
of which, with industry,
he reformed the standing.
Light of princes,
splendour of the church,
solace of the poor,
delight of the clergy,
may your prayers,
father of the church,
make us citizens
of the heavenly court.
Let us rejoice in the Lord
who created all things,
and distinguished John with virtue
and miracles.
May the faithful
zealously sing
the merits of John
with all due praise,
that by his prayers
our debts may be removed
at the end of time.
Clothed by the Lord
in the beauty of virtues,
the convent in concord
select him as their prior.
Having become prior,
he proves to be both Martha and Mary,
loving Rachel before,
yet not disdaining Leah.
Wise and shrewd,
like a serpent,
in clemency he ruled,
innocent within,
like a dove
sighing for its homeland.
An evil spirit
had seized a possessed man
so intently that he
incurred frenzy of mind.
Having poured out prayers to the Lord,
he [John] cast out that spirit.
And the people, admiring
the sign which they had witnessed
as accomplished by the Lord,
gave thanks.
Having poured out prayers to the Lord,
he cast out that spirit.
Music for Henry V & the House of Lancaster
