The Nisibene Hymns 45Hymn LXVI.

1. Hold your peace, O mortals (said Death), a little while: and be like me who am so silent, in the midst of Sheol.--2. R., To Thee be glory, Watcher, that didst come down, after them that slept: and utter the voice from the Tree, and waken them!--3. Ye are grieving, yea, weeping, for him that has gone: as though he came to grind for me, the mill in Sheol.--4. Great is the peace I give, unto the wearied: I wax not weary as you, nor weary them.--5. I hear all manner of curses, from thankless men: the sons of Adam are like Adam, who was thankless to his Lord.--6. Contrary one to the other are your voices, and your doings: with your voices ye weep and in your doings, ye fight daily.--7. I heard weeping and I thought to myself, that none labours: I saw toiling and I thought to myself, that no man dies.--8. The struggles of man made me think, that he is not mortal: his great weeping made me think, that to-morrow he is not.--9. Hear and let me be your counsellor, if ye be willing: for these two, these burdens, are very bitter.--10. Cease a little while from this toil, and from this weeping: toil ye and weep as mortals, who to-morrow vanish.--11. Ye are frantic with weeping, for your departed: and ye struggle in toiling, for your possessions.--12. It is well with the infants that die, and blessed are they: for they are freed from the misery, whereunto ye are cast.--13. Suffer me to go to Sheol, and there to say: "Happy are ye silent dead, how tranquil are ye!"--14. Hear the conclusion of our own words, If there be a resurrection: weep not ye, neither labour as though strangers.--15. Ye straggle as one who was to live, here forever: and ye weep as one who never, should rise again.--16. Hear my words, if there be with you place for hearing: and prepare you provision that when I call ye may answer.--17. For I hearken even I, to Him that calls me: and will restore your bodies, with your treasures.--18. Let there be peace between us, until that day: and when ye come forth I will cry and say, "Depart in peace!"--19. Come ye, you and I even now, shall give glory: to Him that brings to death and to life, that He may give aid.--20. Praise from us all be to thee, O Lord, the living Sacrifice! Who by the sacrifice of Thy Body hast given life to quick and dead.--21. Praise to Him Who clothed Himself in our body, and died and rose again: He died in us and we live in Him, blessed be He Who sent Him!