Why, cru­el He­rod, dost thou fear,
Lest our great God and king ap­pear?
He who can heav’n­ly crowns be­stow
Comes not to seize thy throne be­low.

The wise men fol­lowed that bright star,
Which shone to them in realms afar;
While light it­self by light they seek,
Their gifts, their faith and love be­speak.

The heav’n­ly Lamb the wa­ters lave,
He sanc­ti­fies the crys­tal wave;
And He, whom sin could ne­ver stain,
Bids none up­on our souls re­main.

Behold a new dis­play of might,
The pal­lid waters red­den bright;
The man­date for the change once heard,
Wine flows obe­di­ent at the word.

Jesus, to Gen­tile kings dis­played,
Glory to Thee and praise be paid,
With Fa­ther and with Ho­ly Ghost,
Enthroned above the heav’n­ly host.