If thou, O man, art merciful to man, he there shall mercy have to show to thee; and if to any orphan hast been kind, he there shall thee deliver out of need; if thou in life the naked clothed hast, he there shall clothing have to put on thee, and sing the psalm, the Alleluia.
The way is evil whereby I depart, and therein so I never went; that country also is unknown, where me none recognize at all. ’Tis fearful them to see who dreadfully are led, and him who me hath call’d, who ruleth life and death, and there us biddeth when he willeth. Alleluia.
If from some country we depart, we of some guides have need. What shall we do, and whither go, that country in, where we are quite unknown? To thee will then be needful many guides, and many prayers to go with thee to save thy wretched soul, ere it attain to Christ, and say to him, the Alleluia.
They that to lusts material subject are, in nowise have forgiveness there: there terrible accusers are, and there too opened are the books. Then where, O man, wilt thou glance round? or who will there then thee assist? save thou in life hast wrought some good, or done some kindness to the poor, singing the Alleluia.
Both youth and bodily beauty fade away in time of death, and then in painful wise is parch’d the tongue, and, dried up, is scorch’d the throat, then quenched is the beauty of the eyes, all chang’d the beauty of the face, the beauty of the neck is spoil’d, and what remaineth silent is to say ofttimes the Alleluia.
Keep silence then, keep silence: O ye survivors, be ye still before him lying there, and contemplate the mystery great; for fearful is the hour. Hush, that the soul may go in peace; for it endureth anguish great, and in much fear beseecheth God with Alleluia.
I have seen an infant dying, and for my life have wept; for it was altogether scar’d, and, when its hour came, trembling cried, O father, help me; mother, save me! and none sufficient was to help it then: they only griev’d beholding, and in the grave bewail’d it. Alleluia.
How many on a sudden have been taken from their bridal to the grave, betroth’d been with an everlasting troth, have costless made the dirge, and from the chamber have not risen; but together there was marriage and the grave, together troth and parting, together laughter and the wail, yea, and the psalm, the Alleluia.
We are enflam’d when only hearing that everlasting light is there, there our life’s fount, and there eternal joy: the paradise is there where every soul rejoiceth with the just. We all in Christ shall gather’d be, that so to God we all may cry the Alleluia.
All-holy Virgin, thou unwedded one, who didst bring forth th’ approachless light, I pray, entreaty make, and beg, Cease not to pray the Lord concerning him, thy sleeping servant, thou most pure, that in the day of judgment he may find forgiveness there; for thou, as Queen all pure, to pray thy Son hast always boldness. Alleluia.