Vexilla Regis Prodeunt (Forth Comes the Standard of the King)

Forth comes the Standard of the King: All hail, thou Mystery adored! Hail, Cross! on which the Life Himself Died, and by death our life restored! On which our Saviour's sacred side, Rent open with a cruel spear, Its stream of blood and water poured, To wash us from defilement clear. O sacred Wood! in thee fulfilled Was holy David's truthful lay! Which told the world that from a Tree The Lord should all the nations sway. Hail, Altar! hail, O Victim! Thee Deignest for man Thy blood to pour; By Death the Life of man died down, By Life did Death to life restore. To Thee, Eternal Three in One, Let homage meet by all be given; Whom by the Cross Thou dost restore, Preserve and govern us for heaven. Amen.