The Fast, as taught by holy lore,
we keep in solemn course once more:
the fast to all men known, and bound
in forty days of yearly round.
The law and seers that were of old
in divers ways this Lent foretold,
which Christ, all seasons' King and guide,
in after ages sanctified.
More sparing therefore let us make
the words we speak, the food we take,
our sleep and mirth, -and closer barred
be every sense in holy guard:
~ Pope St. Gregory the Great
we keep in solemn course once more:
the fast to all men known, and bound
in forty days of yearly round.
The law and seers that were of old
in divers ways this Lent foretold,
which Christ, all seasons' King and guide,
in after ages sanctified.
More sparing therefore let us make
the words we speak, the food we take,
our sleep and mirth, -and closer barred
be every sense in holy guard:
~ Pope St. Gregory the Great
