There came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying,
Matthew 2:1–2Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him.
Words: T. Aubrey de Vere, in The Holy Family Hymns (London: Richardson, 1860).
Music: Port Louis, arranged from an old French carol by Edward d’Evry in Arundel Hymns, by Henry F. Norfolk & Charles T. Gatty (London: Boosey, 1898), number 51 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of d’Evry (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
They leave the land of gems and gold,
The shining portals of the east
For Him, the woman’s Seed
foretold,
They leave the revel and the feast.
Refrain
He, he is King, and He alone,
Who lifts that infant hand to bless;
Who makes His mother’s knee His throne,
Yet rules the starry wilderness!
To earth their scepters they have cast,
And crowns by kings ancestral worn;
They track the lonely Syrian waste;
They kneel before the Babe new-born.
Refrain
O happy eyes, that saw Him first!
O happy lips that kissed His feet!
Earth slakes at last her ancient thirst:
With Eden’s joy her pulses beat.
Refrain