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Hymns and Homilies

St Ephrem the Syrian, tr. Burgess, 1853

3. Hymn 3: On the Death of Children

How bitter is the grief
For the death of childhood;
How grievous the separation
Of the infant from its mother:—
Train it up (Lord) in Thy dwelling!

This day afflicts
The fathers through their sons;
And death now breaks
The staff of their old age:—
Lord! may they lean on Thee!

This day removes
The only child from its mother,
And cuts off the arm
Which would have been her stay:—
In Thee, Lord, may she trust!

This day separates
The little one from its parent,
And leaves her in the wilderness
Of suffering and grief:—
Do Thou, Lord, comfort her!

This day divides
The sucking-child from the breast;
And (the mother) wails and grieves
Because her intercourse with it hath perished:—
May she see it in the Kingdom!

O happy infancy
Which hath gained Paradise!
Alas! for old age,
Which still remains in sorrow!
Lord, be Thou its helper!