Hymn LIV.
1. Hear, O Freedom, the dispute of two
servants: how they are convicted by each other, that they are
powerless.—2.
R., To Thee be glory by Whose humiliation Adam
was exalted: and by Whose death he was raised, and regained
Eden!
—3. If then the Evil One overcome thee, great is the
shame: Death his comrade has convicted him, as being
weak.—4. And if again Death subdue thee, lo! what reproach:
for the Evil One his comrade derides him, as but a shadow.—5.
Their dispute is for thee a mirror, wherein thou mayest see: that
they both are but as chaff, before thy breath.—6. Yea and
Prophets and Apostles, in their promises: assure thee that they
like flowers, shall fade at the rising.—7.
S
., Thou,
Death, art he whom they hate, the quick and dead: for every
combination thou dissolvest, and destroyest.—8.
D
., It is
not open death that kills, O Satan: thy death which is secret
kills the sons of men.—9.
S
., My name is not hateful as
thine, for the angel: showed himself in Satan’s likeness to
Balaam on the way.—10.
D
., How fit is this thy name, O
Satan: who hast erred and made unwary Adam err, from the
way!—11.
S
., Wander not like one ignorant, and lose thy
cause: dispute, O Death, if thou are competent, for
replying.—12.
D
., I know that thou art wily, O Satan:
so that thou out of sand canst twist a snare.—13.
S
., Thy
disputing, Death, is ended: for he who is worsted: when his
words fail and are ended, begins to rail.—14.
D
., Among
all I am conqueror, and by thee am I worsted? Let Adam persuade
thee whom I have overcome, O Satan!—15.
S
., I am he who
bound Adam, and cast him before thee: the mighty man whom my
wiles had bound, thou didst come and subdue.—16.
D
., I am
he who have been crowned anew, with a diadem in the world: for
Adam, chief of the mighty, I hold captive in Sheol.—17.
S
., I killed him by secret death, even Adam when he
sinned: thou, Death, hast slain one that was dead, killed by
me.—18.
D
., In thy desire to conquer, Evil One, thou hast
made thyself hated: for thou art Death as well as Satan, and this
seems
a little thing to thee.—19.
S
., Thou hast
then been silenced, Death, as a weakling: for neither in words
nor in deeds, hast thou strength to stand.—20.
D
., It is
for thy evil thou conquerest, O Evil One, if thou discernest: thy
crown is wholly of shame, if thou perceivest.—21. I shall be
defeated and thou shalt be cursed, O Satan: it is well for me to
be ignorant, and not mischievous.—22. Blessed be the Just One who
divided them, though they were quite of one mind: Blessed be the
Good One who made us of one mind, when we were divided.—23. I
will overcome the Evil One through Thy forgiveness, O
All-Merciful: and I shall overcome death through Thy
Resurrection, O All-Life-giver!