Hymns from the Greek Office Books Part 1

Hymns from the Greek Office Books.

by John Brownlie.

PREFACE

The renderings contained in this volume are chosen from a quant.i.ty of material, much of which had to be set aside as, for various reasons, unsuitable. But, as can be understood, in process of reading, thoughts linked themselves to the memory, and echoes of music, much of it surpa.s.singly sweet, lingered, and from those echoes and thoughts the Centos and Suggestions have been formed. The phrases containing the thoughts, and the echoes repeating the music, have been woven together to form the fabric which is shewn here.

This volume is presented because the author believes that the hymnody of the West must find much of its finest enrichment in the praise literature of the Church of the East. It would be presumptuous to think that these renderings and suggestions are at all a worthy expression of the n.o.ble and richly varied praise of the Eastern Church; but they const.i.tute, together with those contained in two former volumes by the present author, perhaps one-half of all the pieces which have yet appeared in English verse.

All the renderings in this collection appear for the first time. If any one thinks he has reason to complain of their quality, let him try to do better. The field lies untilled for any one who will work it.

J. B.

Trinity Manse, Portpatrick, September 15, 1904.

Troparia

{eleeson hemas, kyrie heleeson hemas}

_Euchologion_, p. 35

I

O dest.i.tute of all defence, We bow before Thee now; In mercy let Thy mercy come, For merciful art Thou.

II

Our trusting souls in quiet repose Would rest Thy love within;-- O be not angry with us, Lord, Nor think upon our sin.

III

But from Thy high abode look down, With tender love the while, And save us from our foes who would Our wayward hearts beguile.

IV

For, verily Thou art our G.o.d, And we Thy people all;-- Hear us, the creatures of Thy hand, When on Thy name we call.

V

To G.o.d the Father, G.o.d the Son, All praise and glory be; And to the Spirit, Three in One, To all eternity.

Stichera Idiomela

{en tais aulais sou hymneso se}

_Pentecostarian_, p. 186

I

Within Thy courts my praise shall rise, O Saviour of the world, to Thee; And while I bow, will lift mine eyes, Unconquered Might, Thy face to see; At eve, at morn, at noon, alway, All blessing Lord, to Thee I'll pay.

II

Here in Thy courts, O Lord, we bow, And soul and body wors.h.i.+p give; Hear us, Thy faithful servants now, Eternal G.o.d in Whom we live; And Thou the Unbeginning Son, And Holy Spirit Three in One.

Sticheron Idiomelon

(From the Order of the Burial of Priests)

{rheustoi pos gegonamen, aphtharton eikona ph.o.r.esantes}

_Euchologion_, p. 467

I

Why do we fade?

Who Thine own image bear, Who life immortal share,-- Why do we fade?

II

Why did we err?

And leave the food of life, To eat the bread of strife,-- Why did we err?

III

Why thus deceived?

And robbed of life divine, That precious gift of Thine?

Why thus deceived?

Idiomela of John The Monk

(From the Order of the Burial of Laymen)