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Hymns and Homilies

St Ephrem the Syrian, tr. Burgess, 1853

21. Hymn 21: On the Death of a Presbyter

“My brethren, present on my behalf
A supplication to the King;
And pray for me with tears,
Who have departed from you for ever!

Offer up for me, my brethren,
A supplication to the King;
That my course may tend to happiness,
And that I may attain to the place of light.”

“Be comforted, oh, our brother,
For sin did not rule over thee;
The Blessed One will come forth to meet thee,
And give thee the reward of thy labours.”

“But the judgment is decreed, it now hasteneth;
The end of my days is completed;
And before I had prepared for my journey,
The King sent and took me away!”

“He is bountiful in his mercy;
He can make thy pound ten thousand;
The bridegroom whose truth thou hast preserved,
Will place a crown upon thy head.”

“Behold! the end of my days is accomplished,
And my Angel suddenly removed me;
Pray for me with weeping,
And remember me who have departed!

My feeble heart is agitated,
Lest I should light upon the fire.
Pray for me that I may overcome
The flame which is so terrible!”

“The Blessed One will furnish thee
With might to conquer the fire;
He will provide thee with wings,
That thou mayest fly over it!”