CANON FOR ASCENSION DAY. This is the crowning glory of the poet Joseph: he has here with a happy boldness entered into the lists with S. John Damascene, to whom, on this one occasion, he must be pronounced superior. I have preserved the alphabetic arrangement, and "Joseph's Ode" at the end. All the Catavasias are in Iambics. A B ODE I. ἀνέστης τριήμερος. fter three days Thou didst rise First the Eleven worshipped Thee, Then the rest in Galilee : Then a cloud in glory bore Thee to Thine own native shore. oldly David pour'd the strain: с rime on crime, and grief on grief, Left the world without relief: Now that aged, languid race, Catavasia. θέιῳ καλυφθείς. Ꭰ arkness and awe, when Sinai's top he trod, Taught him of faltering tongue the Law of GOD : The mist was scattered from his spirit's eye, He prais'd and hymn'd the Maker of the sky, When He That is and was and shall be, passed by. ODE III. ἐπάρατε πυλάς. "Exalt, exalt, the Heavenly Gates, F G So to the higher seats they cry, or Adam's sake, by Serpent guile Distress'd, deceiv'd, o'erthrown, Thou left'st Thy native Home awhile, Thou left'st the FATHER'S Throne: Now he is deck'd afresh with grace, Thou seek'st once more the Heav'nly place. lad festal keeps the earth to day, H Catavasia. ἔῤῥηξε γαστρός. er fetters of the barren womb it rent, It crush'd the malice of the insolent, The cry of her-the prophetess, who brought A contrite spirit, and a humble thought To Him, Who bids His Throne by earnest prayer be sought. J K L ODE IV. Ἰησοῦς ὁ ζωοδότης. ESUS, LORD of Life Eternal, Taking those He lov'd the best, And His Own the last time blest: nit is now our flesh to Godhead, Floods and oceans, clap your hands: Make response, ye distant lands! oosing Death with all its terrors As Thine own Disciples saw Thee |