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Hymns and Homilies

St Ephrem the Syrian, tr. Burgess, 1853

5. Hymn 5: On the Death of a Young Person

This day stimulates
Our eyes to weeping,
Our hands to signs of woe,
And our mouth to lamentation:—
Lord! be Thou my comforter!

This day invites
Very many to shed tears,
For whoever enters or departs,
His mouth is full of mourning:—
May we be consoled by Thy goodness!

This day makes void
The covenant of espousals,
And in place of a bridal
Prepares a sepulchre:—
Let them rejoice at thy marriage-feast!

This day dismisses
The body from life,
And instead of sweet perfumes
It is anointed with clay:—
Let us be gladdened with celestial fragrance.

The day of death
Is a bitter day,
It causes all to weep
And moves every one to sadness:—
Lord, may we see Thy day!

This day cuts off,
And takes away a member,
From the united body
Of brothers and kindred:—
By Thee, Lord, let it be restored!

This day the fathers die,
And are removed from us,
And leave their children
Orphans and dependent:—
Do Thou, Lord, train them up!

This day divides
The brother from his brethren,
And makes the number less,
And diminishes the active members:—
Lord, by Thee let them be completed!

This day separates
The husband from the wife,
And the widow is desolate,
Because her companion hath ceased to be:—
In Eden may she behold him!

This day removes
The friend from him he loves,
Like two oxen let loose
From the yoke which united them:—
Let Thy love bind them together!

The day of thy birth
Made thy parents happy.
The day of thy death
Gives sorrow to thy survivors:—
In Eden may they see thee!