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Hymns and Homilies

St Ephrem the Syrian, tr. Burgess, 1853

17. Hymn 17: On the Death of a Woman

Tears are in the eyes,
In the ears are sounds of woe,
In the mouth is wailing,
And sadness in the heart:—
Comfort me, oh Lord!

This day separates
A woman from her house,
And it bows down and falls prostrate,
Having lost its order:—
Let it be arranged by Thy light!

This day hath clothed
This house in mourning,
And hung upon its walls
Affliction and sadness:—
Let Thy consolation give it light!

In the day of her birth she became mortal;
In her life there was trouble;
The day of her death caused mourning
To the company of her friends:—
Glory to Him who hath taken her away!

In the grave which hath swallowed up
The dead of all generations,
Her body sees corruption,
And becomes but dust:—
Let Thy resurrection raise her up!

Death hath entered—hath snatched her away,
And put her forth from her dwelling,
And in the habitation of the tomb
Hath deposited her:—
Till the day of her rising.

Her soul hath gone away,
As Thy command hath decreed;
Behold! she hath become dust,
As Thy command hath decreed:—
Lord, make her live anew!