and to truly love, and to yearn for the summit of desirable things, and grant that I may turn away utterly from every evil. And show me to be an excellent doer of your commandments, through the intercession of your only-begotten Son, and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
COMPUNCTIVE CHAPTERS IN VERSE
B Because I am not worthy to share in you, Now you see my soul Perishing from famine. Pity it, O Savior, and nourish it With the bread of life, You who out of compassion C Gave yourself as food to the faithful, O Christ. Like the rich man of old, I am melting with bitter thirst, Having a flame within, My own conscience. But O Fountain of life, Refresh me with living water, You who called all Who thirst to come to you. Incontinence of old Cast me out of the garden of Eden; And to be far From you, alas! from God. But do you, who dwell in heaven, Gather me back, You who appeared as a stranger on earth, Born in a strange way for my sake. Having wasted my substance, alas! With my mind, I am stripped bare. But do you, O kind Christ, Clothe me, the prodigal, with a robe; You who for this very reason Put on my flesh, And were stripped naked Being crucified with thieves. Bound by disease and a heavy Prison (for both are mine On account of my sins), Visit me, I pray, O Christ, By your kindness. You are Physician and Redeemer, Made man for all.
D Of the Emperor, Lord Manuel Palaiologos. Anacreontic verses against a certain talkative and most garrulous person:
Indiscreet-speaking Thersites, Who, while you are indeed silent least of all, How can one make you stop babbling, Trifling, and talking nonsense, And not break your skull For its own good? For if one were to tear out your tongue By the roots, Yet you would press on even with that And annoy us still more, And with meaningless sounds again You would not cease; as if you were chattering, Get thee to the crows with all speed, For I can no longer endure you.