Hymns of the Eastern Church

tr. Neale, 1862

5. S. Stephen the Sabaite

κόπον τε καὶ κάματον.

Art thou weary, art thou languid,
Art thou sore distrest?
“Come to Me”—saith One—“and coming,
Be at rest!”

Hath He marks to lead me to Him,
If He be my Guide?
“In His Feet and Hands are Wound-prints,
And His Side.”

Is there Diadem, as Monarch,
That His Brow adorns?
“Yea, a Crown, in very surety,
But of Thorns!”

If I find Him, if I follow,
What His guerdon here?
“Many a sorrow, many a labour,
Many a tear.”

If I still hold closely to Him,
What hath He at last?
“Sorrow vanquish’d, labour ended,
Jordan past!”

If I ask Him to receive me,
Will He say me nay?
“Not till earth, and not till heaven
Pass away!”

Finding, following, keeping, struggling,
Is He sure to bless?
“Angels, Martyrs, Prophets, Virgins,
Answer, Yes!”