Hymn 14.

Chapter 2

1Under the three pastors — there were manifold shepherds — the one mother that was in the city — had daughters in all regions.— Since Wrath has destroyed her dwellings — Peace shall build up her churches. R. Blessed be He who chose out those three!

2The kindly labour of the first — bound up the land in her affliction:— the bread and wine of the next — healed the city when site was broken:— the sweet speech of the last — sweetened our bitterness in affliction.

3The first tilled the land with his labour — he rooted out of her the briars and thorns:— the next fenced her round about — he made a hedge for her of them that were saved: — the last opened the garner of his Lord, — and sowed in her the words of her Lord.

4The first priest by means of a fast, — closed up the doors of men's mouths:— the second priest for the captives, — opened the mouths of the purse:— but the last pierced through the ears — and fastened in them the ornament of life.

5Aaron stripped off from the ears — the earrings and made a calf.— That lifeless calf in secret — pierced and slaughtered the camp:— those who had fashioned his horns, — he ripped them up with his horns.

6But our priest who was the third — pierced through the ears of the heart:— and fastened there the earrings he had fashioned — of the nails that were fixed in the cross , — whereon his Lord was crucified — and gave life to His fellow-men.

7A son unto death the fire brought forth — Death feeds upon all bodies:— the son of Death who surpassed Death — upon the souls of men he fed.— The calf forsook his provender — for men's minds were the food for him.

8To the first Tree that which killed, — to it grace brought forth a son.— O Cross offspring of the Tree — that fought against your sire!— The Tree was the fount of death — the Cross was the fount of life.

9The son that was born to Death — all mouths were opened to curse him.— He devoured bodies and souls — and multiplied the disgrace of his father.— But the Cross caused to pass away the rebuke — of its father that first Tree.

10The two sons were even as were — the two mothers that bare them.— The calf which the fire brought forth — the fire consumed in the midst of the people:— the Cross the offspring of grace — divided good gifts to all creation.

11O my tongue hold your peace and be silent of the histories of the Cross that press to be told! — for my mind of a sudden has conceived — and lo! pangs of travail smite it:— it has conceived these among the last — and they strive to become the firstborn .

12The babes struggled in the womb — the elder made haste to come forth:— the younger desiring the birthright — laid his hand upon his heel — that which he obtained not by birth — he obtained by the mess of pottage.

13After the like sort these later histories — lo! They make light of the former ones — that themselves may come forth and take the birthright.— Let us bring forth the history of our fathers — for lo! The histories of the Cross — are the firstborn of all creatures.

14For if that which has no beginning — is the first of all created things — its histories also are the firstborn — for they are elder than all creatures.— Let the histories of You, O my Lord, yield place — that we may tell of Your ministers!

15The first in degree of doctrine, — His eloquence was like as was his degree — the next who was second in degree — his interpretation mounted to the height of his degree — the last who was third in degree — his eloquence was great as he was .

16The first in his simple words — gave milk unto his infants — the next in his plain sayings — gave victual to his children — the third in his perfect sayings — gave meat to his that were of perfect age.

17She too the daughter of instruction — mounted from degree to degree — along with her teachers and fathers.— A young child she was with the first; a simple maid was she with the next — she came to perfect age in the third.

18The first dealing with her as a child — loved her and taught her to fear — the next as with a damsel, rebuked her and make her glad — the third as with one fully instructed — was to her a solace of pleasantness.

19Even the Most High with the daughter of Jacob, — gave blandishment and the rod to her childhood — and in her frowardness and full age — gave part in the sword and the Law;— and according to her discipline and instruction — He came to her in mildness and pleasantness.

20The first that begot the flock — his bosom bare her infancy — the next of glad-some countenance — cheered with song and made glad her childhood — the last grave of countenance — lo! He guards her chastity in her youth.

21The first priest who begot her — gave milk to her infancy — the next priest interpreted — and gave victual to her childhood — the third priest nourished her , and gave meat to her perfect age.

22The wealthy father who was first — laid up treasures for her childhood — the next for her maturity — multiplied provision for her journey — the third the goodly olive tree — multiplied oil in her vessels.

23When she comes before Him who is rich, — she will show the treasure of the first — when she comes before the Saviour , she will show the saved ones of the next — when she goes forth to meet the Bridegroom — she will show the oil of her lamps.

24Before Him who rewards the weary toilworn — she will offer the labour of the first — before Him who loves cheerful givers — she will show the almsgiving of the next — before Him who judges doctrines, — she will offer the discourse of the last.

25And I the sinner who have striven to be — the disciple of these three — when they shall see Him of the Third Day — that he has closed the door of His chamber — may these three pray Him for me, that He keep the door open a little while for me!

26May the sinner press into and enter — rejoicing and fearing to behold!— May the three masters call in — the one disciple in their grace !— May he gather up under the table — the crumbs that are full of life!