The Nisibene Hymns 44Hymn LXV.

1. Man, O Death, despise thou it not, that image of Adam: which like a seed is committed to earth, till the Resurrection.--2. R., To thee be glory Who didst descend and plunge, after Adam: and draw him out from the depths of Sheol, and bring him into Eden!--3. Death, I marvel at this seed, and at your words: for lo! after five thousand years, it springs not yet.--4. M., Its present state passes away, as winter does: and as a handful of corn it comes in the resurrection, to the garner of life.--5. D., That there is vintage-time, lo! I know, but I have not seen: the dead at any time sown, or yet reaped.--6. M., There is coming a reaping, O Death, that will leave thee bare: and the Watchers shall go forth as reapers, and make thee desolate.--7. D., When did I become husbandman, instead of vine-dresser? who has turned Sheol the wine-press, into a tilled field?--8. M., Does not the seed then teach thee, which decays and dies: and is cut off from hope, yet from the rain, recovers hope?--9. D., A dream have ye seen ye feeble ones, of life from the dead: for in waking time the resurrection, ye do not see.--10. M., Thy drowsiness hinders thee, that thou seest not: the multitudes of mysteries which cry aloud, of the resurrection.--11. D., I know that seeds come to life, but I have not seen: bones that grew in Sheol, and sprang and came up.--12. M., All thy discourse is like thyself, for lo! Ezekiel: has taught thee how in the valley, the dead come to life.--13. D., Trees have I seen how in summer, they put on their garments: but bones in their nakedness, are cast into Sheol.--14. M., Moses broke by his splendour, thy heart, O Death: the son of Adam has regained and put on, the glory of Adam.--15. D., Our law in Sheol is this, to keep silence: for you are words and for me deeds, O feeble ones.--16. M., How are the aged passed over if thou be vinedresser? He Who hindered thee from taking their lives, the same quickens all.--17. The babe in the womb confutes thee, which is as buried there: to me it proclaims life from the dead, but to thee despoiling.--18. The despised flower despises thee, for it is shut up and passed over: yet though lost it is not lost, but blossoms again.--19. The chick cries out from the egg, wherein it is buried: and the graves are rent by a Voice, and the body arises.--20. For a body too is the chick, that is in the egg: lo! its body to our body proclaims, the life from the dead.--21. With the locust thy plea is overthrown, and ended, O Death: for in coming forth from the dust it teaches, the life from the dead.--22. D., I had been content if already, the resurrection had been: for the day of resurrection had disturbed me less, than your judgments.--23. Merciful is the Son of the Highest, yea good and just: and will not harshly avenge on me, the death of Adam.--24. Have ye then no understanding, to perceive this: that your father laid on you, this retribution?