To me thy life-effecting bidding was substance and origin; for, willing me to form a living one from nature that unseen is and is seen, my body thou didst make of earth, and, by thy breathing life-creating and divine, me gavest soul. Therefore, O Christ, thy servant rest in tract of them that living are, and in the dwellings of the just. _Tone vii._ After thine image and resemblance in the beginning making man, in paradise thou him didst place to be of thy creation lord; but, by the devil’s enviousness beguil’d, he ate the fruit, transgressing thy commands. Therefore, again to earth, whence he was taken, thou hast doom’d him to return, O Lord, and beg for rest. _Tone viii._ I weep and I lament when I reflect on death, and see the comeliness, according to God’s image, that was shap’d for us lying in the graves disfigured, and bereft of glory and of form. O wonder! what is this mystery concerning us? how to corruption have we been assign’d? how unto death conjoin’d? Verily by God’s command, as it is written, who giveth the departed rest. _The beatitudes, tone vi._ When in thy kingdom thou shalt come, O Lord, remember us. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Christ, who, aforetime, for his penitence, didst make the thief a citizen of paradise when on the cross to thee he cried, Remember me, of this even me, unworthy, worthy count. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Thou who dominion hast o’er life and death, rest in the courts of saints him whom from things of time thou taken hast; and think on me, when in thy kingdom thou shalt come. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Thou who o’er souls and bodies lordship hast, thou in whose hand is held our breath, who mourners’ consolation art; rest in the land of righteous ones thy servant whom thou hast removed hence. Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.... Christ rest thee in the land of living ones, and open paradise’s gates to thee, and of the kingdom thee declare a citizen, and give thee pardon of those things wherein in life thou sinned hast, O thou of Christ belov’d. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you.... Let us go forth and muse among the graves; for man is naked bones, the food of worms, and of an odour ill; and let us learn what riches are, yea, beauty, strength, and comeliness. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad.... Let us give ear to what the Almighty saith, Woe unto them that seek to see the Lord’s most fearful day! for it is one of gloom: for everything with fire shall be tried.