242IDIOMELA IN THE WEEK OF THE FIRST OBLIQUE TONE.
These Stanzas, which strike me as very sweet, are not in all the
editions of the Octoechus.2323[1st ed. adds: I copy from a dateless
Constantinopolitan book.]
8,5,8,3
Stephen the Sabaite (725-794)
κοπον τε και καματον.
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Art thou weary, art thou languid,
Art thou sore distrest?
“Come to me”—saith One—“and coming,
Be at rest!”
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Hath He marks to lead me to Him,
If He be my Guide?
“In His Feet and Hands are Wound-prints,
And His Side.”
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243
Is there Diadem, as Monarch,
That His Brow adorns?
“Yea, a Crown, in very surety,
But of Thorns!”
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If I find Him, if I follow,
What His guerdon here?
“Many a sorrow, many a labour,
Many a tear.”
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If I still hold closely to Him,
What hath He at last?
“Sorrow vanquished, labour ended,
Jordan past!”
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If I ask Him to receive me,
Will He say me nay?
“Not till earth, and not till Heaven
Pass away!”
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244
Finding, following, keeping, struggling,
Is He sure to bless?
“Angels, Martyrs, Prophets, Virgins,
Answer, Yes!”
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[No. 4. in Mr. Sedding’s book: also No. 4. in H. E. C. Both very sweet
melodies;—but that in H. E. C., which gives a different version of
the 4th line throughout, is, to my mind, singularly touching.]
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