Hymns of the Greek Church Part 4

{echos ho autos}

When seated with Thy chosen band Thou didst to Thy disciples say That one, O Christ, would Thee betray, But Judas would not understand.

{ho autos}

The sop revealed the traitor's hand, In answer to the question made; They saw by whom Thou wert betrayed, But Judas would not understand.

{ho autos}

The Jews, O Christ, Thy life demand, 'Twas purchased for a price like this-- For silver pieces and a kiss, But Judas would not understand.

{ho autos}

Thou, with Thine own unstained hand, Didst wash the feet, and humbly teach That such a task becometh each, But Judas would not understand.

{ho autos}

'Watch thou and pray,' was Thy command, Lest, thoughtless, the disciples fall Beneath the tempter's bitter thrall; But Judas would not understand.

{semeron gregorei ho Ioudas}

({Antiphonon echos barys})

I

The wily Judas watches near The Master's path to-day, That he may into wicked hands The Eternal Lord betray, Who in the desert lone and dread Supplied the mult.i.tudes with bread.

II

To-day the wicked one denies His Teacher and his Friend-- Once a disciple, he betrays His Master in the end.

For silver, see the Lord is sold, Who manna gave in days of old.

III

{ho autos}

To-day the Jews on Calvary A cruel Cross have raised, And nailed upon that Cross, their Lord Have wickedly abased, Who made a pathway through the sea And led them from captivity.

IV

To-day the spear is lifted high And thrust into His side, Who for His people raised His hand And wounded Egypt's pride; They give Him vinegar and gall, Who showered down manna on them all.

{Ho anaballomenos phos hos himation}

({Antiphonon I' echos pl. b'})

I

O Thou who cloth'st Thyself complete With light as with a garment fair, Thou bor'st the cruel, vulgar stare, Unrobed before the judgment-seat.

II

Thou gav'st the hand its subtle power, But with the hand, O Lord of grace, Upon Thy pallid, careworn face, They smote Thee in that evil hour.

III

They nailed the Lord of Glory high, And while He hung in awful pain, The temple veil was rent in twain, The sun refused to see Him die.

{Anti agathon hon epoiesas, Christe}

({Antiphonon IA' echos pl. b'})

For all the good performed by Thee, O Christ, the Hebrews deemed it meet To bear Thee from the judgment-seat And nail Thee to the cruel tree; They gave Thee vinegar and gall-- But render justice to them all.

{ho autos}

'Twas not enough they should betray And nail Thee to the Cross to die; They wagged their heads and pa.s.sed Thee by, And mocked Thee on that woful day; In vain they strove against Thee, Lord-- Give Thou to them their due reward.

{ho autos}

The quaking earth inspires no dread,-- The temple veil asunder fell, The rocks were rent--still they rebel, E'en when the graves gave up their dead; But vain they strove against Thee, Lord-- Give Thou to them their due reward.

{Kyrie, ho ton Lesten}

({Antiphonon ID' echos pl. d1})

I

When Thou wert crucified by men, O Christ, for Thy companion then Thou didst accept the base and vile, Whose hand was stained with blood the while; O, number us with him, we pray!

Thou who art good and kind alway.

II