by Edmund Spenser (1552 - 1599)

Open the temple gates unto my Love
Language: English 
Open the temple gates unto my Love,
Open them wide that she may enter in, 
And all the postes adorne as doth behove,
And all the pillours deck with girlands trim,
For to receyve this saynt with honour dew,
That commeth in to you.
With trembling steps and humble reverence, 
She commeth in before th'Almighties view:
Of her, ye virgins, learne obedience,
When so ye come into those holy places,
To humble your proud faces.
Bring her up to th'high altar, that she may 
The sacred ceremonies there partake,
The which do endlesse matrimony make;
And let the roring organs loudly play
The praises of the Lord in lively notes;
The whiles, with hollow throates, 
The choristers the ioyous antheme sing,
That all the woods may answer, and their eccho ring.

Available sung texts:   ← What is this?

•   R. Vaughan Williams 

About the headline (FAQ)

Confirmed with The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser, Volume V, edited by Francis J. Child, London: Imprinted for William Ponsonbie, dwelling in Paules Churchyard at the Signe of the Bishops Head, 1591.

Modernized version used by Vaughan Williams: 

Open the temple gates unto my love,
Open them wide that she may enter in,
And let the roaring organs loudly play
The praises of the Lord in lively notes,
The whiles with hollow throats,
The Choristers the joyful anthem sing.


Text Authorship:

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The text above (or a part of it) is used in the following settings:
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Gustav Ringel

This text was added to the website: 2020-01-12
Line count: 19
Word count: 131