7,7,7,7,8,8

John Damascene, 780

mega to musterion.

Catavasia. "Stand on thy watch-tower, Habakkuk the Seer." ([100]p.98.)

"CHRIST, we turn our eyes to Thee,

"And this mighty mystery!'

"Habakkuk exclaimed of old,

"In the HOLY SPIRIT bold:

"Thou shalt come in time appointed,

"For the help of Thine anointed!'"

Taste of myrrh He deigned to know,

Who redeemed the source of woe:

Now He bids all sickness cease

Through the honeycomb of peace:

And to this world deigns to give

That sweet food [12] by which we live.

Patient LORD! with loving eye

Thou invitest Thomas nigh,

Showing Him that Wounded Side:

While the world is certified,

How the third day, from the grave,

JESUS CHRIST arose to save.

Blest, O Didymus, the tongue

Where that first confession hung:

First the SAVIOUR to proclaim

First the LORD of Life to name:

Such the graces it supplied,

-- That dear touch of JESU's side!

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Footnotes:

[12] 1st:ed.: fruit