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Six Songs on the Hymns of St. Ephraim the Syrian
I. This is the day that gladdened them

This is the day that gladdened them, the Prophets, Kings, and Priests, for in it were their words fulfilled, and thus were the whole of them indeed performed! Lo! from Jacob shone the Star, and from Israel rose the Head. The prophecy that Balaam spake had its interpreting to-day! Down also came the hidden Light, and from the Body rose His beauty! The light that spake in Zachary, to-day shined in Bethlehem!


II. The Voice made proclamation

The Voice made proclamation: and they gathered and came; the hosts of the Evil One, together with his ministers. The army of the tares was gathered altogether, for they saw that Jesus had triumphed. They began one by one to relate all whatsoever they had endured. Sin and Hell were terrified: Death trembled and the dead rebelled; and Satan because sinners rebelled against him. To You be glory because the Evil One saw You and was troubled!


III. Be not angry

Be not angry against me, gracious Jesus, for the words that my pride has spoken before You! Who is there that when seeing Your Cross, shall have doubted that You are man? Who is there that shall have seen Your Power, and shall not believe that You are also God? Lo! Thus by these two things I have learned to confess that You are man and likewise art God! For as much as the dead in Hell repent not, go up among the living, O Lord, and preach repentance.


IV. Our King living

Our King living has gone forth and gone up, out of Hell, as Conqueror. To evil spirits and demons He is sorrow, to Satan and to Death He is pain, to Sin and Hell mourning. On this great day therefore, great glory let us give to Him, who died and is alive that, unto all He may, give life and resurrection!


V. He has saved us

He has saved us without wall, and taught us that He is our wall: He has saved us without king and made us know that He is our king: He has saved us, in each and all, and showed us that He is All: He has saved us in His grace and again reveals, that freely He has mercy and quickens. From every boaster, He takes away his boasting, and gives it to His own grace. From all that have mouths, glory be to Your grace!


VI. Glory to that voice

Glory to that Voice Which became Body, and to the Word of the High One Which became Flesh! Hear Him, O ears, and see Him, O eyes, and feel Him, O hands, and eat Him, O mouth! Mary bare the silent Babe, while in Him were hidden all tongues! The High One became as a little child, and in Him was hidden a treasure of wisdom sufficing for all!