As God’s man-loving Mother, be man-loving thou, with gentle eyes and merciful regarding me, as from the body goes my soul, that thee I ever may extol, thou holy Bringer-forth of God.
Me worthy count to overcome the hosts of bodiless foes, to mount th’ aërial space and enter heaven, that thee I ever may extol, thou holy Bringer-forth of God.
Thou who didst bear th’ Almighty Lord, from me far keep away the world-controlling prince of bitter guiles when I approach mine end, that thee I ever may extol, thou holy Bringer-forth of God.
Glory.
When the great final trump shall sound, arousing all to resurrection menacing and dread, O then do thou remember me, thou holy Bringer-forth of God.
Both now.
Palace high rais’d of Christ the Lord, send from on high thy grace, and now in trouble’s day prevent thou me, that I may ever thee extol, thou holy Bringer-forth of God.
Ode ix. Irmos.
Mortals may not see God....
O how shall I th’ invisible behold? how that most dreadful vision bear? how venture to lift up mine eyes? how dare my Master to regard, whom, from my youth, I never ceased have to give offence?