Hymn 15.

Chapter 3

1If the head had not been right — haply the members had murmured:— for when because of a perverse head — the course of the members is put astray — they are wont to lay the blame on the head. R. Blessed be He who chose you the pride of our people!

2If now on one that is all goodly — on it we lay our hatred — how much more if we were hateful!— Yea even God though He is kind — bitter men complain against Him.

3Be like the head O you members!— Get repose in his purity — and pleasantness in his tranquillity — in his sanctity renown — and in his wisdom learning!

4Get discernment in his mildness — and chastity in his gravity — and bounty in his poverty! — As he is fully and altogether fair — let us be altogether fair with him!

5See how meted and weighed — are his words and his actions! — Take heed how even his steps — keep the measure of peace!— With all his might he holds the bridle of all himself.

6He was master over his youth — he bound it in the yoke of chastity :— his members were not enticed by lust — for they were kept under the rod:— his will he had in subjection.

7For he was ready beforehand for his degree — as he was ready beforehand in his conversation — as he laid his foundations securely.— He became Head in his youth — when they made him preacher to the people.

8Excellent was he among preachers — learned was he among scholars — and understanding was he among the wise:— chaste was he among his brethren — and grave among his familiar friends.

9In two abodes was he — a solitary recluse from his early days — for he was holy within his body — and solitary within his dwelling — openly and secretly was he chaste.

10But although we my brethren — have put astray those measures — and we have lost that savour, — and have become teachers to ourselves — unto the perfection that called us.

11Yet that measure of Truth — preserves itself in its vessel:— Truth chose it because she saw it chose her — she has preserved in it her fragrance and savour, — from the beginning to the end.

12The Head both chaste and grave — that was not wrathful nor hard — nor transgressed even as we did — set and kept his own measures — and cast a bridle on his thoughts.

13He gave example in his person, — that as he kept the measure of his time — so was it meet that we should know our time.— We have become strangers to our time — for we have been witless in the time of discernment.

14In the beginning the blast of the wind — in its might chastens the fruit — then in the meantime the might of the sun:— but when its mightiness is passed — its end gathers his sweetness.

15But we — they that were first chastened us — and also they that came next rebuked us — and they that were last added sweetness to us:— then when the time of tasting us arrives — great was our savourlessness.

16For we came to maturity — that we might wean the children from wantonness — and lead them to gravity:— but our old age stood in need — that we should be rebuked as youths.

17Accordingly he in kindness endured, nor did he make use of force — that he might increase honour to our old age:— and even if it knew not its degree — let him be magnified who knew its time!

18And if one say that for the multitude — force and the rod should govern it — even as for the thief fear — and for the spoiler threatening — and for fools open shaming.

19Yet if with the head as first — the members had hasted to move as second — they would have drawn that which was third — and the whole body from the end — would have followed after them.

20They that were second despised those that were first — and that were third those that were second:— the degrees were set at naught one by another.— While these within despised one another — they were trodden down likewise by those without.