expletive character, usque ad nauseam, to use the words of Hahn, is well known to every reader of Syriac verse. Benedict uses the past tense in this hymn, but in Canon XXXIV. the present. ܝܚܝܕܐ ,translator "The only child."-In a specimen of this work issued by the was rendered the beloved one; and, although he has altered it at the suggestion of a learned friend, he is still disposed to think the former version preferable. In Psalm xxii. 21, TT occurs, and Gesenius renders it, "unicum, inde carissimum," In Genesis xxii. 2, Isaac is said to be the only son of Abraham (T) which was not true in fact, and the translation of the LXX. probably conveys the exact meaning, τòv åɣaπητòv, thy beloved son. The death of an only child is an occurrence too rare to warrant a reference to it in hymn for general use, and on this ground the sense of beloved seems the more correct one. d "And (the mother) wails and grieves."-There is here no nominative case expressed, and it has been suggested that La the breast, should be supplied. is of common gender, and therefore, grammatically, might be construed with but as that would introduce a very far-fetched figure, and destroy the beauty of the prayer in the last verse of the strophe, the ellipse of the text has been preferred. Benedict makes the mother the nominative. IV. On the Death of Youth. (CANON XXXIV., tom. vi., p. 292.) THE day of death Is common to all men ; But is bitter and grievous In the season of youth :- This day are separated And instead of dancing There is funereal wailing :" Let them come to Thy marriage-feast! The world calls thee, "Go forth to labour :" The grave calls thee, "Come, rest thou weary one:". Glory be to Him who gives thee repose! This day adorns The child for the sepulchre ; It adorns the youth also, Dismissing him to the tomb: Let them be happy in Thy tabernacle ! Alas! for thee, early youth! The crown of old age! Who hath extinguished thy beauty? Let old age weep That youth is no more! Which should have been a support To the ancient in days : Let it lean upon Thy power! PENTASYLLABIC, in strophes of five verses, the last being antiphonal. a There is a paronomasia in the text, founded on the double use of the word to dance. Music and dancing were used at funerals as well as feasts; as (Matt. ix. 23) the minstrels made a noise on the death of the daughter of the ruler. V. On the Death of a Young Person. (CANON XXXV., tom. vi., p. 292.) 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, Do Thou, Lord, train them up! This day divides The brother from his brethren, And makes the number less, And diminishes the active members :- 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! |