11,10,11,10,8,8

Cosmas, the Melodist, 760

Theos on eirenes.

Father of Peace, and GOD of Consolation!

The Angel of the Counsel dost Thou send

To herald peace, to manifest Salvation,

Thy Light to pour, Thy knowledge to extend;

Whence, with the morning's earliest rays,

Lover of men! Thy Name we praise.

'Midst Caesar's subjects Thou, at his decreeing,

Obey'dst and was enrolled: our mortal race,

To sin and Satan slave, from bondage freeing,

Our poverty in all points didst embrace:

And by that Union didst combine

The earthly with the All-Divine.

Lo! Mary, as the world's long day was waning, [16]

Incarnate Deity conceived and bore;

Virgin in birth, and after birth [17] , remaining

And man to GOD is reconciled once more:

Wherefore in faith her name we bless,

And Mother of our GOD confess.

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Footnotes:

[16] 1st:ed.: Behold! the Virgin, prophecy sustaining,

[17] 1st:ed.: Virgin still