By HOVHANNES TULKOURANTZI

(1450–1525)

O evil man, with passions fraught,

How long wilt thou strive after sin?

Enough the ill that thou hast wrought:

Repent,—a holier life begin.

From Adam’s time until this day,

No soul hath had immortal breath;

Thou heed’st not what the Scriptures say—

The sinner’s punishment is death.