Creator Spiritus,” which was probably recommended to him as being the favourite hymn of St. Francis Xavier,[22] shows that they did so.  But it is less generally known, that the English Catholics have preserved two other translations ascribed to Dryden; one of the “Te Deum,” the other of the hymn for St. John’s Eve; with which the public are here, for the first time, presented, as the transcripts with which I have been favoured reached me too late to be inserted in the poet’s works.[23] I think most of my readers will join with me in opinion, that both their beauties and faults are such as ascertain their authenticity.

  THE TE DEUM.

  Thee, Sovereign God, our grateful accents praise;
  We own thee Lord, and bless thy wondrous ways;
  To thee, Eternal Father, earth’s whole frame
  With loudest trumpets sounds immortal fame. 
  Lord God of Hosts! for thee the heavenly powers,
  With sounding anthems, fill the vaulted towers. 
  Thy Cherubims thee Holy, Holy, Holy, cry;
  Thrice Holy, all the Seraphims reply,
  And thrice returning echoes endless songs supply. 
  Both heaven and earth thy majesty display;
  They owe their beauty to thy glorious ray. 
  Thy praises fill the loud apostles’ quire: 
  The train of prophets in the song conspire. 
  Legions of martyrs in the chorus shine,
  And vocal blood with vocal music join.[24]
  By these thy church, inspired by heavenly art,
  Around the world maintains a second part,
  And tunes her sweetest notes, O God, to thee,
  The Father of unbounded majesty;
  The Son, adored co-partner of thy seat,
  And equal everlasting Paraclete. 
  Thou King of Glory, Christ, of the Most High,
  Thou co-eternal filial Deity;
  Thou who, to save the world’s impending doom,
  Vouchsafst to dwell within a virgin’s womb;
  Old tyrant Death disarmed, before thee flew
  The bolts of heaven, and back the foldings drew,
  To give access, and make thy faithful way;
  From God’s right hand thy filial beams display. 
  Thou art to judge the living and the dead;
  Then spare those souls for whom thy veins have bled. 
  O take us up amongst thy bless’d above,
  To share with them thy everlasting love. 
  Preserve, O Lord! thy people, and enhance
  Thy blessing on thine own inheritance. 
  For ever raise their hearts, and rule their ways,
  Each day we bless thee, and proclaim thy praise;
  No age shall fail to celebrate thy name,
  No hour neglect thy everlasting fame. 
  Preserve our souls, O Lord, this day from ill;
  Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy still: 
  As we have hoped, do thou reward our pain;
  We’ve hoped in thee—­let not our hope be vain.

  HYMN FOR ST. JOHN’S EVE.[25]

  (29th June.)

  O sylvan prophet! whose eternal fame
  Echoes from Judah’s hills and Jordan’s stream;
  The music of our numbers raise,
  And tune our voices to thy praise.