As God’s man-loving Mother, be man-loving thou, with gentle eyes and merciful regarding me, as from the body goes my soul, that thee I ever may extol, thou holy Bringer-forth of God. Me worthy count to overcome the hosts of bodiless foes, to mount th’ aërial space and enter heaven, that thee I ever may extol, thou holy Bringer-forth of God. Thou who didst bear th’ Almighty Lord, from me far keep away the world-controlling prince of bitter guiles when I approach mine end, that thee I ever may extol, thou holy Bringer-forth of God. _Glory._ When the great final trump shall sound, arousing all to resurrection menacing and dread, O then do thou remember me, thou holy Bringer-forth of God. _Both now._ Palace high rais’d of Christ the Lord, send from on high thy grace, and now in trouble’s day prevent thou me, that I may ever thee extol, thou holy Bringer-forth of God. _Ode ix. Irmos._ Mortals may not see God.... O how shall I th’ invisible behold? how that most dreadful vision bear? how venture to lift up mine eyes? how dare my Master to regard, whom, from my youth, I never ceased have to give offence? Thou holy maiden, Bringer-forth of God, look on my lowliness with tender heart; accept thou this, my last and penitential prayer; and make thou speed to rescue me from the tormenting endless fire. My soul, that temples holy hath defil’d, having a stain’d and bodily temple left, beseecheth thee, O maiden, Virgin Mother, that it may ’scape the gloom profound, and fierce gehenna’s flame. _Glory._ Seeing the end of life draw near, and on my most unseemly thoughts and deeds bethinking me, O thou All-pure, the darts of conscience fiercely wound mine active soul; but O in mercy turn thyself to me, and be mine advocate. _Both now._ The Son in mercy gave himself for us, the Son of God and angels’ King eterne, becoming man from thy pure blood; move him to mercy on my passionate soul, O Maid, which is with violence from my wretched body torn. _Then_, It is very meet.... _Prayer said by the priest at the departure of a soul._