Why, cruel Herod, dost thou fear, That Christ, the King, is coming near?

Author: Sedulius

Sedulius, Coelius. The known facts concerning this poet, as contained in his two letters to Macedonius, are, that in early life, he devoted himself to heathen literature; that comparatively late in life he was converted to Christianity; and that amongst his friends were Gallieanus and Perpetua. The place of his birth is generally believed to have been Rome; and the date when he flourished 450. For this date the evidence is, that he referred to the Commentaries of Jerome, who died 420; is praised by Cassiodorus, who d. 575, and by Gelasius, who was pope from 492 to 496. His works were collected, after his death, by Asterius, who was consul in 494. They are (1) Carmen Paschale, a poem which treats of the whole Gospel story; (2) Opus Paschale,… Go to person page >

Translator: Robert Corbet Singleton

Singleton, Robert C., M.A., was born Oct. 9, 1810, and educated at Trinity College, Dublin; B.A. 1830; M.A. 1833. He was for some time Warden of St. Columba College, near Dublin; and subsequently First Warden of St. Peter's College, Radley, from 1847 to 1851. In 1851 he retired to Monkstown, near Dublin; and then to York, where he died in 1881. In 1868 he published in conjunction with Dr. E. G. Monk, the Anglican Hymn Book (2nd ed. 1871). To that collection he contributed a large number of translations from the Latin, a few from the German, and the following original hymns:— 1. As James the Great, with glowing zeal. St. James. 2. Beneath the fig-tree's grateful shade. St. Bartholomew. 3. From out the deep, 0 Lord, on Thee. For… Go to person page >