The Stanzaic Poems of Jacob of Serugh: A Collection of His Madroshe and Sughyotho 9781463244316

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The Stanzaic Poems of Jacob of Serugh

Texts from Christian Late Antiquity

72 Series Editor George Anton Kiraz

TeCLA (Texts from Christian Late Antiquity) is a series presenting ancient Christian texts both in their original languages and with accompanying contemporary English translations.

The Stanzaic Poems of Jacob of Serugh

A Collection of His Madroshe and Sughyotho

̈ ‫ܕܗܒܒܐ ܐܘܟܝܬ ܡܕ�ܫܐ‬ ̈ ‫ܟܦܐ‬ ‫ܘܣܘܓܝܬܐ ܕܣܝ̈ܡܢ ܠܡܪܝ‬ ‫ܝܥܩܘܒ ܡ�ܦܢܐ‬ Edited and Translated by

Sebastian P. Brock

gp 2022

Gorgias Press LLC, 954 River Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA www.gorgiaspress.com Copyright © 2022 by Gorgias Press LLC

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise without the prior written permission of Gorgias Press LLC. ‫ܓ‬

1

2022

ISBN 978-1-4632-4430-9

ISSN 1935-6846

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A Cataloging-in-Publication Record is available at the Library of Congress. Printed in the United States of America

TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents ......................................................................... v Preface ........................................................................................ vii Introduction ................................................................................. 1 Jacob’s stanzaic poetry ......................................................... 1 Themes ................................................................................. 2 Metres ................................................................................... 3 Transmission ........................................................................ 5 Attributions .......................................................................... 9 The present edition ............................................................ 10 Texts and Translations ............................................................... 11 1. aw malko da-bnon(y) ................................................ 13 2. aw d-etho .................................................................. 23 3. aw napšo ṣurto .......................................................... 33 4. aw dayon(y) .............................................................. 45 5. aw osyo d-etho .......................................................... 55 6. aw da-qrony .............................................................. 65 7. manu kay hono ......................................................... 75 8. dowitho (hy) napšo d-ḥaṭoyo.................................... 85 9. b‘eldara ṣni‘a ............................................................. 97 10. qum(y) napš(y) d-neplat ....................................... 105 11. ‘uhdono nbah bi .................................................... 115 12. abo mraḥmono ...................................................... 125 13. aḥay ba-ktobe........................................................ 135 14. aw ‘umro d-zabno ................................................. 159 15. aw dayono d-dineh triṣ ......................................... 171 16. urhoy šelḥat la-mšiḥo ........................................... 183 17. b-rehṭo rabo .......................................................... 191 18. ḥawa ba-‘den ......................................................... 199 v

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JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

19. b-hono yawmo ...................................................... 217 20. qom men qabro yohubo d-nuḥomo ...................... 227 21. aw tagore .............................................................. 237 22. sleq la-ṣlibo ........................................................... 251 23. ‘al hwo la-šyul ....................................................... 265 24. ber(y) ḥabibo ........................................................ 279 25. aw ‘olmo šabro ...................................................... 287 Appendix: Textual Notes .......................................................... 305 Index of Incipits ....................................................................... 315 Index of Biblical References ..................................................... 317 Index of Names and Selected Topics ....................................... 319

PREFACE ܽ �ܰ ‫ܳܐܘ ܳܡܪܝ‬ ܳ ‫ܥܩܘܒ ̈ܶܡ ܰܠܝ ܳܩ ܳܠܟ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܰܒ ܺܣܝ̈ ܳܡܢ‬ ܰ ‫ܥܒ�ܝ ܰܥܠ ܳܕ ܶܪ ܐ ܰܘ ̈ܡ ܰܛܝ ܶ� ܰܕܢ̈ܝܢ ܰܘ‬ ܰ ‫ܐܬܗ�ܝ ܰܗ ̈ܘ ܢܰܝܢ܀‬ ‫ܟܘܢܫܐ ܗܢܐ ܕܣܘܓܝ̈ܬܐ ܘܕܡܕ�ܫܐ ܕܣܝܡܝܢ ܠܡ�ܦܢܐ ܒܚܝܪܐ ܡܪܝ ܝܥܩܘܒ‬ ‫ܐܦܝܣܩܘܦܐ ܕܒܛܢܢ ܕܣܪܘܓ ܒܐܬܪܐ ܕܒܝܬ ܢܗ�ܝܢܼ ܡܩܪܒ ܐܢܐ ܠܟܠܗܘܢ �ܚܡܝ‬ ‫܆‬.‫ܡ‬521 ‫ ܒܐܦܬܐ ܕ ܚܓܐ ܕܕܘܟܪܢܐ ܕܥܘܢܕܢܗ ܕܡܪܝ ܝܥܩܘܒ ܒܫܢܬ‬.‫ܣܘܪܝܝܘܬܐ‬ ‫ ܠܟ�ܢܫ ܓܝܪ ܝܕܝܥܝܢ ܡܐܡ�ܘܗܝ ܬܗܝ�ܐ ܕܝܠܗ‬.1500 ‫ܗܢܘ ܕܝܢ ܡܢ ܩܕܡ ܫܢ̈ܝܐ‬ ̈ ‫ܕܡܪܝ ܝܥܩܘܒ܆ ܐ� ܡܕ�ܫܘܗܝ ܘܣܘܓܝ̈ܬܗ ܡܬܚܦܝܢ ܐܢܘܢ‬ ̈ ‫ܒܢܘܣܟܐ‬ ‫ܚܕܚܕܢܐ‬ ‫ܥܬ�̈ܩܐ ܒܒܝܬ ܐ�ܟܐ ܕܠܘܢܕܘܢܼ ܘ� ܦܫܘ ܡܢܗܘܢ ܝܘܡܢܐ ܐ� ܐܢ ܫ�ܟܢܐ ܡܕܡ ܙܥܘ�ܐ‬ ̈ ‫ ܒ�ܘܩܛܐ ܗܢܐ ܓܝܪ ܗܘܐ ܠܝ ܢܝܫܐ ܕܐܬܩܢ ܘܐܘܫܛ‬.‫ܒܦܢܩܝܬܐ‬ ‫ܕܡܫܬܟܚܝܢ‬ ̈ ‫ܠܩ�ܘܝܐ ܣܘ�ܝܝܐ ܡ�ܓܢܝܬܐ ܗܠܝܢ ܫܦܝܪܬܐ ܕܢܬܒܣܡܘܢ ܡܢܕܪܝܫ ܒܪܝܚܗܝܢ‬ .‫ܚܠܝܐ‬

Although the wonderful Verse Homilies of Jacob of Serugh are well known to lovers of Syriac literature, his stanzaic poetry, in the form of madroshe and sughyotho, have been largely forgotten. The occasion of the 1500th anniversary of Jacob’s death in 521 seemed an appropriate time to remedy this situation by putting together this collection of twenty-five poems, all attributed to Jacob in old manuscripts of the sixth/seventh to ninth/tenth century preserved today in the British Library, but largely originating from Deir al-Surian in Egypt. In these manuscripts many of the poems are preserved in their complete form, rather than in just excerpted stanzas, which was their fate in most later manuscripts and, on occasion, in the two printed editions of the vii

viii

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

Fenqitho (Mosul and Pampakuda). Once again I am immensely grateful to Dr Melonie Schmierer-Lee of Gorgias Press for all her skills and efficiency. Sebastian P. Brock

‫ ܒܝܘܡ ܟܛ ܒܐܝܪܚ ܬܫܪܝܢ‬.‫ܒܕܘܟܪܢܐ ܕܡܪܝ ܝܥܩܘܒ ܡ�ܦܢܐ‬ .‫ܐܚܪܝ ܕܫܢܬ ܒܟܐ ܡ‬ Commemoration of St Jacob of Serugh, 29th November, 2021

INTRODUCTION JACOB’S STANZAIC POETRY

Jacob of Serugh’s reputation as ‘Flute of the Holy Spirit’ rests primarily on his imaginative mimre,or verse homilies, and it is often forgotten that he also wrote a certain amount of stanzaic poetry, classified as either sughyotho or madroshe. A few of these poems survive, usually in a greatly abbreviated form, in liturgical use, in one or other of the two printed editions of the Fenqitho, but the complete texts are only to be found in a small number of early manuscripts. The present selection of twenty five poems, in a number of different qole, or syllabic metres. offers readers for the first time reliable texts, based on the earliest available manuscripts. All the poems in the collection are attributed to Jacob in one or more manuscripts, but this does not mean that all the poems here are genuinely by Jacob, since attributions in manuscripts are quite often false. Until all Jacob’s stanzaic poetry has been published, it would be unwise to adjudicate in this matter and sort out what is, and what is not, genuine. Thus it is quite possible that some of the poems in the present collection will be shown one day not to have been composed by Jacob; this can in fact already be said with confidence to be the case for poem no. 13 (see the Introduction to this poem below). An indication of the uncertainties involved is provided by our earliest witness to Jacob’s stanzaic poems, Add. 14,592, of the sixth/seventh century – thus copied with only a century or so after Jacob’s death (521): the second and third of the collection of Jacob’s poems in this manuscript also happen to be attested in two stray folios of 1

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JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

a manuscript in the Library of the Monastery of St Catherine, Mount Sinai (Sinai Syr. 31), where they are attributed, not to Jacob, but to ‘Mar Isḥaq’; in fact, the didactic character of these two poems would seem more characteristic of the corpus of poems under Isaac’s name, and out of character with the other poems attributed to Jacob in this manuscript; in view of this, neither of these two poems has been included in the present collection. The specific attributions to Jacob in the manuscripts used here are listed below, in the section on Attributions.

THEMES

Most of the poems in the earlier part of the collection come under the popular category of penitential poems, sometimes described as being on maksonuto (‘rebuke’) or martyonuto (‘admonition’), though in most cases they involve self-rebuke (often with the soul as the envisaged speaker), rather than the author rebuking or admonishing others (as is indeed the case with poem 21, as well as 14 and 25, where it is the World who is being rebuked). Several take the form of complaints against Satan, made by the individual soul in the presence of the Judge. Particularly striking is the first poem where the individual person is portrayed as a city addressing its Sovereign: in the city is the Soverign’s statue (ṣalmo), which is none other than the Image (ṣalmo) of God in each individual. It is also conceivable that the imagined speaker in poem no. 6 was originally intended to be Bardaisan, lamenting his false teaching (according to a tradition already known to Eusebius, Bardaisan returned to the orthodox church before he died). Five poems are specifically on liturgical themes belonging to Holy Week: poem 13, on Peter’s denial of Christ and his subsequent repentance; the Crucifixion and the Lament of Mary (poem 22); the Descent into Sheol followed by the Resurrection (poem 23), and the Resurrection (poems 19 and 20). The second of the two poems on the Resurrection is concerned with providing an answer to the question why the risen Christ first appeared to women, and not to any of the Apostles. Relics of some of these poems survive in Fenqyotho for Holy Week.

INTRODUCTION

3

A single poem (no. 18) explores the theme of Mary’s repayment of the ‘document of debt’ (Colossians 2:14) incurred by Eve. Finally, there are two poems with a different character; one is a Lament of a mother over her departed child, written almost entirely in the voice of the mother (poem 24), where she is torn betwen her grief and her faith that her child has in fact gone to the ‘Region of Joys’ and the heavenly Wedding Banquet. The second is a poem (no. 16) addressed by the city Edessa, through its king Abgar the Black as her ambassador, to Christ requesting him to come and take her, the Daughter of the Peoples, as his bride in place of Sion who had rejected her Betrothed. The poem is notable for its use of imagery from the Song of Songs, a feature also found towards the end of Jacob’s sixth mimro against the Jews, and occasionally elsewhere.

METRES

Poetic metres can be based on a number of different principles such as vowel length, stress pattern, or syllable count. Syriac poetry functions by the last of these, each stanza (bayto), or verse, of a poem having the same pattern of groups of syllables. A group may exist of three, four, five syllables, and occasionally six, seven or eight syllables in cases where these are not regularly built up of a combination of two of the lower numbers. Thus, for example, a unit of eight syllables is usually built up with the regular use of 3+5, or 5+3, syllables, or (only rarely, it seems) 4+4. Unlike the case in modern usage where poetry is printed line by line, whatever the language, Syriac poetry is written out in manuscripts as if it were prose, with the breaks between syllabic units marked only by points, with the end of each stanza marked with a diamond-shape symbol. This means that the modern editor of Syriac poetry has two main tasks: the first is to identify the syllabic metre, especially where no qolo, or melody title, is provided; in cases where there is a complicated syllabic structure (as with some of Ephrem’s madroshe on the Fast) this task is by no means easy. Then, secondly, once the syllabic pattern has been identified, the editor needs to decide how to pre-

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JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

sent the syllabic structure in the form of lines on the page; often a number of different possibilities may be available, each equally acceptable. In making any decision the guiding principle needs to be the syntactic structure of the stanza; thus ideally each line should represent a syntactic unit. In the case of mimre, the number of syllabic metres in use is limited, the most common being the ‘metre of Mor Ephrem’ consisting of couplets of 7+7 syllables, and the ‘metre of Mor Ya‘qub’, consisting of couplets of 12 syllables (each line being built up out of three units of four syllables). By contrast, for madroshe and their sub-category sughyotho, the number of metres is very much greater, as can be seen from the fact that Ephrem already used around fifty different metres in his madroshe. Jacob’s metres are much more restricted in number, with just under ten different syllabic metres featuring in the present edition; significantly they are mostly quite simple, with the most common being 8+8+8 syllables (with or without an alphebetic acrostic), where each unit of 8 syllables is regularly built up of 5+3, or 3+5 syllables (very rarely 4+4); syntactically the eight-syllable units fall neatly into three lines to a stanza, and this arrangement can most conveniently be indicated by: (5+3) + (5+3) + (5+3), with the understanding that (3+5) may sometimes be the case instead of (5+3). How best to divide up syntactically the more complex metres (poems 20–25), and to allocate separate lines, is not always clear, and sometimes there are several possibilities, equally justifiable. For the different qole, or melody titles, which are given for Jacob’s poems, see below, in the section on Transmission. The poems with simpler metres (1–19) are normally transmitted as being sughyotho, while the more complex ones are described as madroshe. The boundary between the two categories, however, is by no means hard and fast, and poem no. 23, for example, is variously described in the manuscripts as a sughitho or as a madrosho, while all the 8+8+8 poems in the earliest manuscript (Add. 14,592) are described as madroshe, rather than sughyotho, as might have been expected. One further point needs to be mentioned at this stage: copyists of manuscripts evidently did not always pay attention to

INTRODUCTION

5

the metrical structure of the poem they were copying; most frequently this involves the addition or substraction of waw or some particle such as d- before a verb, which in certain cases will add or subtract a syllable, thus going against the metre. In such cases the metre can be readily restored. Things become much more complicated if some later copyist, who is attentive to the metre, notices that something has gone wrong in the text being copied, and as a result he sets out to re-compose the passage in question to fit the metre properly. In the case of poems with an alphabetic acrostic, a stanza can get accidentally lost (as stanza 8 in poem no. 15, and stanza 4 in poem no. 21), and if a later copyist notices this he may tried to remedy the situation by composing a new stanza of his own: in cases where the original stanza has been preserved in a different manuscript, the modern editor is faced with having to decide which of the two is the original, and which is the later substitute (three such duplicate stanzas will be found in poem no. 14).

TRANSMISSION

Only a few of Jacob’s stanzaic poems were subsequently taken up and used in the liturgical tradition; this means that most of the poems are only preserved in small number of older literary (as opposed to liturgical) manuscripts. Thus the four following manuscripts contain groups of poems specifically attributed to Jacob: British Library, Add. 14,592, ff.46v–54v, 88rv, of 6th/7th century (poems 1–3, 7–10, 24–5). British Library, Add. 17,173, ff.140r–144v, of 7th century (poems 4, 7–11). British Library, Add. 14,614, ff.122r–127v, of 8th century (poems 19–20, 23). Sinai Syriac 10, ff.75v–80r, 189r–190v, of 8th century (poems nos. (3), 4, 7–10, 12).

6

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

As will be noticed, there is some overlap between Add. 17,173 and Sinai Syr. 10, on the one hand, and the larger collection in Add. 14,592. It is interesting to find poems by Jacob transmitted in the Melkite manuscript, Sinai Syr. 10. 1 In fact, some further fragmentary poems feature on some isolated folios of Sinai Syr. 31, where probably two of them are attributed to Isaac (as noted above), rather than Jacob. For a number of reasons only one of these poems features amongst those edited here (see under poem no. 24). There are three further non-liturgical manuscripts, Add. 14,623, dated 823, with three poems (nos 5–6, 9), Add. 17,158, of the eighth century, which preserves a single poem (no. 16), and Add. 14,520, of the eighth/ninth century, with a single poem (no. 13). Seven of the poems edited here feature in a large collection of liturgical poetry, Add. 17,141, of the eighth/ninth century; this manuscript, however, has not been arranged according the liturgical year, as is the case with the majority of liturgical manuscripts. What can happen to Jacob’s poems in the course of transmission is dramatically illustrated by the situation for poem no. 21 (aw tagore), where the alphabetic acrostic has been preserved in most old liturgical manuscripts, but in Add. 17,141 the stanzas have become completely disordered, leaving no trace of the acrostic. A different situation is provided by poem no. 23 (‘al hwo), where the oldest manuscripts provide a poem of 23 stanzas, but stanzas 17–23 came to be treated as a separate poem which, being rather short, was subsequently added to; in the case of one printed text (in the Sheḥimo) this supplement makes use of quite a different poem, which happens to be the opening of poem no. 20!

Mimre by Jacob are in fact to be found in a few Melkite manuscripts. Sinai Syr. 10 also contains a number of poems by Ephrem, several of which are not attested elsewhere: see my “Ephremiana in Sinai Syr. 10”, Le Muséon 129 (2016), pp. 285–322.

1

INTRODUCTION

7

It is only in the case of those of Jacob’s poems which were taken up and used in the liturgical tradition that we have a good number of surviving potential witnesses. This advantage, however, is counterbalanced by the fact that in most cases the poem is not transmitted in its complete form, but only with a few random stanzas. Furthermore, because liturgical manuscripts were often destined for use by two choirs, or gude, it was economical to copy the texts for each gudo separately. This practice has meant that only very rarely does a pair of manuscripts for both gude survive; for the majority of manuscripts copied in this way only alternate verses of a poem are preserved, a situation particular unfortunate if the poem in question contains a dialogue with only one speaker left! As the body of liturgical poetry grew over the centuries, older material tended to be abbreviated or even to drop out of use altogether. This means that it is only in the oldest liturgical manuscripts, of the ninth/tenth centuries, that any poems by Jacob will be best transmitted. Thus the present edition draws on the following liturgical manuscripts: Add. 17,130, dated 877; (poem no. 14) Add. 17.190, dated 893; (poem no. 14) Add. 14,506, of 9th/10th century; (poems nos. 12, 21, 22). In the case of a few poems, there exists an earlier edition; this is sometimes to be found in the eighteenth-century Sancti Patris Nostri Ephraemi Syri Opera Omnia, edited by S.E. Assemani, or in the late nineteenth-century Sancti Ephraem Syri Hymni et Sermones, edited by T.J. Lamy. In some other cases a poem can be found in an abbreviated form in one or other of the two printed editions of the Fenqitho, that of Mosul (7 volumes, 1886–1896) and that of Pampakuda (3 volumes, 1962–1963). This applies in the following cases: In Assemani: poems 5, (9). 12, 14–15, 21, 24 In Lamy: poems 3, 13, 18 In the Mosul Fenqitho: 3, 13, 19, 22, 23 In the Pampakuda Fenqitho: 3, 19, 20, 23.

8

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

To these can be added: the Syrian Orthodox Sheḥimo (for Sunday, Lilyo), with stanzas from the second half of poem 22, and the opening stanza of poem 20; the Syrian Orthodox Beth Gazo Rabo (1992), with stanza 3 of poem 25; the Syrian Orthodox Burial for Children (Pampkuda, 1979), with stanza 1 of poem 24; and the East Syriac Ḥudra (ed. Darmo), with first three stanzas of poem 13. Almost always these earlier editions were based on manuscripts much later than those used here, and often in a greatly abbreviated form. Qole are not always given in the sources, and only the following are specified (in alphabetic order); where the poem itself is the source of the qolo, it is prefaced by ‘=’:

‫ܐܒܐ ܟܬܒ ܗܘܐ‬ ‫ܐܕܢܚ ܠܝ ܡܪܝ ܒܛܝܒܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܢܦܫܐ ܨܘܪܬܐ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܬܓ�ܐ‬ ̈ ̈ ‫ܒܟܬܒܐ‬ ‫ܐܚܝ‬ ‫ܚܝܠܗ ܕܐܒܐ‬ ‫ܟܠܬ ܡܠܟܐ‬ ‫ܢܒܝܘܬܐ‬ ‫ܦܪܕܝܣܐ‬ ̈ ‫ܨܘܬܘ‬ ‫ܐܚܝ ܒܙܚܗ ܕܙܩܝܦܐ‬ ‫ܩܡ ܒܝܬ ܕܝܢܐ‬

poem 19, according to Add. 14,614. poem 21, according to Add. 17,141. = poem 3, according to the Mosul and Pampakuda Fenqitho. = poem 21; poem 22, according to the Mosul Fenqitho. = poem 13, according to the Mosul Fenqitho. poem 15, according to Add. 17,141. poem 24, according to Add. 14,592. poem 4, according to Sinai Syr. 10. poem 25, according to Add. 14,592. poem 1–3, 7–10 according to Add. 14,592. poem 21, according to Add. 14,506.

As not infrequently happens, a single metre can have more than one qolo (e.g. for poem 21). ̈ Refrains (‫ )ܥܘܢܝܬܐ‬are only provided for the following poems, and in the witnesses specified: poems 4 (Add. 17,173); 7 (Add. 17,173), 8 (Add. 17,173 and a different one in Sinai Syr. 10), 10 and 11 (Add. 17,173), 14 (Add. 17,130), 21 and 22 (Add. 14,506).

INTRODUCTION

9

ATTRIBUTIONS

Many of the poems published here are also transmitted anonymously, without any specific attribution to Jacob. Specific attributions to Jacob for each poem are to be found in the following manuscripts: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Add. 14,592 Add. 14,592 Add. 14,592 Add. 17,173; Sinai Syr. 10 Add. 14,623 Add. 14,623 Add. 17,173 Add. 14,592; Add. 17,173; Sinai Syr. 10 Add. 14,592; Add. 17,173; Sinai Syr. 10 Add. 14,592; Add. 17,173; Sinai Syr. 10 Add. 17,173 Sinai Syr. 10 Add. 17,190 Add. 17,130 Add. 17,141 Add. 17,158 Add. 17,141 Add. 17,141 Add. 14,614 Add. 14,614 Add. 14,614 Add. 17,190 Add. 14,614 Add. 14,592 Add. 14,592.

Not included in this collection are any of the dialogue sughyotho which are sometimes attributed to Jacob, notably, those on Jo-

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JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

seph and Potiphar’s wife, the Sinful Woman and Satan, and the Church and Sion. 2

THE PRESENT EDITION

In the present edition, where more than a single surviving manuscript survives, I have normally selected one manuscript to serve as the basis for the edited text, and corrected orthographical features (such as missing, or redundant, -y) and removed metrical corruptions (such as added waw etc.). Only in a few cases, where the text of the selected manuscript is clearly secondary, the preferable reading of another early manuscript has been substituted; this is also the case where the text of the selected manuscript is damaged or illegible; details can be found in the Appendix, Textual notes. Since the principal aim has been to provide a readable text, vocalisation (absent from the manuscripts) has been added for the benefit of readers. The sequence of the poems is largely based on the increasingly complex metrical structures involved. Square brackets in the text denote damaged or missing text, and round brackets in the translation indicate wording added to help with the sense. Besides some basic textual notes, the Appendix also draws attention to several anomalies in the metres used. A separate critical edition of the poems which are published here, along with some others, is planned; in this, the many variant readings of other early manuscripts will be provided. These are edited, respectively, in “Joseph and Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39): two anonymous poems”, in W.J. van Bekkum, J.W. Drijvers and A.C. Klugkist (eds), Syriac Polemics. Studies in Honour of G.J. Reinink (Orientalia Lovaniensia Analecta 170; Leuven, 2007), pp. 41–57 (first poem); “The Sinful Woman and Satan: two Syriac dialogue poems”, Oriens Christianus 72 (1988), pp. 21–62 (first poem); and the second poem in The People and the Peoples: Dialogue Poems from Late Antiquity (Journal of Jewish Studies, Supplement 3; Oxford, 2019). Preliminary texts of them can also be found in Sughyotho mgabyotho (Monastery of St Ephrem NL, 1982).

2

1. aw malko da-bnon(y)

Quite often in Syriac poetry the Church is portrayed as a building (based on Matt. 16:18), and is presented as speaking in the first person. In the present poem, however, it is the individual Christian who is portrayed, not only as a building (e.g. stanza 2, ‘rational palace’) but even as a city (stanzas 1, 12–13, 17, 26) in which (playing on the two senses of ṣalmo) the divine Image, like a statue, is located. The poem is a plea, expressed in the first person, for protection against the Enemy (Satan). 1 One might speculate that in the background of the poem was the siege and fall of Amid in 503, an event which gave rise to Jacob’s mimre 5 and 106 in the recent collection edited by R-J. Akhrass and I. Syryany, 160 Unpublished Homilies of Jacob of Serugh, I–I (Damascus, 2017), the former being translated by M. Debié in the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchal Journal 56 (2018), 29– 89. Source of text and attribution: Add. 14,592 ff.50r–51r. Metre: 8 + 8 + 8; where normally the eight syllables are built up of 3+5 or 5+3, but with occasional 4+4. Alphabetic acrostic. Qolo: ṣut(w) aḥay bezḥeh da-zqipo.

The final stanza, ‘May my city, Lord, offer up a crown to Your name’, is remarkably similar to the words of the second Proemion to the famous Greek hymn known as the Akathist, attributed to the sixthcentury poet, Romanos. 1

13

14

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

1. aw malko da-bnon(y). Translation Another, with the qolo ‘Listen, brethren, to the outrage of the Cross’. 1

[olaph] O Sovereign who has built me so as to reside in me: I am Your city and Your Image is standing within me, let not the Plunderer come and sack me!

2

[beth] I am your rational Palace, O Sovereign, but the Plunderer has encamped against me; seal up my gates lest the Destroyer breach my walls.

3

[gomal] I was bent down and laid waste, and You brought me peace, but the Robber’s desire has waged war on me as he threatens to sack me and make his nest in me.

4

[dolath] Your word has shone out on me like daylight, but he is avid to subdue me and to pull down from me that fair Image which stands within me.

5

[he]

6

[waw] O You who adorned me, drive the Plunderer from me for he is laying ambush to capture your citadel. He is the one who has thundered against your image and established himself.

7

[zayn] You made me resplendent, grant me guardians to my prayer lest the Thief ruin my features; make the guardians numerous, in view of my wounds.

That ruler of the passions who resided within me You chased out at Your Epiphany, and caused me to prosper, but now he has returned to me: hold him back from me!

‫‪15‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܐܚܪܢܐ ܥܠ ܩ� ܕܨܘܬܘ ̈‬ ‫ܐܚܝ ܒܙܚܗ ܕܙܩܝܦܐ‪.‬‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫ܳܐܘ ܰܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܢܢܝ ܕܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫�ܟܐ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܡܪ ܺܒܝ‬ ‫̇ܶ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܢܬܟ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܡܟ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܓܘܝ ܳܩܐܡ‬ ‫ܡܕ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫� ܺܢܐܬ ܐ ܘܢܚܪܒܢܝ ܰܫܒܝܐ܀‬

‫ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܰܡ ܳ‬ ‫�ܟܐ‬ ‫ܒ ܺܒܝܪ ܴܬܟ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܡ�‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܫ ܳܒ ܳܝܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܬܘܡ ܰܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܥܝ‬ ‫ܥܠܝ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܡܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܕ� ܢܶܬܪܘܥ ܽ‬ ‫�ܫܘ�ܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܒ� ܳܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܝܶܢܬܢܝ‬ ‫ܓ ܓܦܝܦܐ ܗܘܝܬ ܚܪܒܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܓ ܳܝܣܐܳ‬ ‫ܓܬܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܐܬܓܪ�ܬ ܒܝ ܪ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܐ ܳܓ ̇ܙܶܡ ܕܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܚܪܒܢܝ ܘܢܩܢ ܒܝ܀‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪5‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪7‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫ܶ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬܟ ܰܐܝܟ ܻܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡ ܳܡܐ‬ ‫ܕܢܚܬ ܒܝ ܡ‬ ‫ܘܗܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܒܫܢܝ ܘܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܦܥܝܪ ܰܕܢܟ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܚܘܦ ܡܢܝ‬ ‫ܝܓܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܗ ̇ܘ ܰܨ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܪܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܒܝ ܳܩ ܷ ̇ܐܡ܀‬ ‫ܕܚ ̈ܶܫܐ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܗ ̇ܘ ܰܡ ܳ‬ ‫�ܟܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܪ ܐ ܺܒܝ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟ ܶܗܢܬܢܝ‬ ‫ܰܪܕܦܬܝ ̱ܗܝ ܒܕܢܚܟ‬ ‫ܙܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܢܐ ܶܠܗ ܶ� ܰܐܕܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܪܝ ̱ܗܝ ܶܡܢܝ܀‬ ‫ܘܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܫܦܪ ܴܬܢܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܛܪܘܕ ܶܡܢܝ ܰ‬ ‫�ܫ ܳܒ ܳܝܐ‬ ‫ܝܘܗܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܢܨ ܺ‬ ‫ܳܕܗܐ ܰܟ ܺܡܝܢ ܽ‬ ‫�ܡ ̇‬ ‫ܚܘ ܳܙܟ‬ ‫ܘܕ ̱‬ ‫ܰܗ ̇ܘ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܡ ܰ‬ ‫�ܡܟ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܒ܀‬ ‫ܐܬ� ܱ‬ ‫ܰܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܘ� ܐ ܰܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܨܠܘܬܝ‬ ‫ܙܗܝܬܢܝ ܗܒ ܢܛ‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܨ ܳܘ�ܬܝ ܰܓ ܳܢܒܐܳ‬ ‫ܣܪܘܚ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܘ� ܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܠܦܘܬ ܽܨ ̈ܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܦܬܝ܀‬ ‫ܐܣܓܐ ܠܝ ܢܛ‬

16

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

8

[ḥeth] I am enviable, with the treasure which You have committed to me, but the Thief has plotted against me and is wearing me out: will he ever go to sleep, so that I may have a little rest?

9

[ṭeth]

10

[yudh] You dwell (giving) a roof (or protection) in the uppermost height, in that exalted apartment of Your abode in the vicinity of Light and of Knowledge.

11

[kaph] You placed my senses under the yoke of Your word: when it had subdued them, 2 they acquired order, for (Your word) with its authority commands like a king.

12

[lomadh] May I not resemble a city that is in ruins or a palace that the Plunderer has sacked, spilling out into the dust its adornments.

13

[mim] What (other) king has built his city in his image? For You have built me in Your image, to (be to) Your honour. It is for this reason that the sons of darkness have envied me.

2

You have roofed me over with light and song and You have put the crowning touches on me with Your exalted word, build me up at Your head, as in a palace.

Lit. ‘trodden upon them’.

‫‪17‬‬ ‫‪8‬‬

‫ܺ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܠܝ ܐܓܥܶܠܬ‬ ‫ܚ ܚܣܝܡܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܒܓܙ ܐ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܓ ܳܢ ܳܒܐ ܳܣܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܥܠܝ ܘܡ ܷ�ܐ ܠܝ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܷܘ� ܰܡܬܝ ܰܟܝ ܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܡܟ ܰܕܬܪܘܚ ܺܠܝ܀‬

‫‪9‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫ܝ‬

‫‪11‬‬

‫ܟ‬

‫‪12‬‬

‫‪13‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܺ‬ ‫ܬܢܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܙܡܝܪ ܴܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܛ�‬ ‫ܰܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܟ�ܬܢܝ ܒܡܠܬܟ ܡܪ�ܡܬܐ‬ ‫ܒܢܝܢܝ ܰܐܝܟ ܳܒ ܰ‬ ‫ܳܕܗܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܫܟ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܦ ܳܕܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܒܬ ܶܓܝܪ ܛ ܶܠܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܪܝܫ ܰܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ‬ ‫�‬ ‫ܱ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܗ ̇ܘ ܕܘܡܣܐ ܡܪܝܡܐ ܕܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܕ��ܝܟ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܕܥܬܐ܀‬ ‫ܒܫܒܒܘܬ ܢܘܗܪ ܐ ܘܕ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܟ ܶܕܢܬ ܐ ̇ܢܘܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܓܫܝ ܶ‬ ‫�� ܰ‬ ‫ܬܚܝܬ ܶܡܠܬܟ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܰܕܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܟܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܩܢܘ ܛܟܣܐܳ‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܷܳ‬ ‫ܰܕܐܝܟ ܰܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܕ ܐ ܽ‬ ‫�ܟܐ ܳܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܫܘܠܛ ܳܢ ̇ܗ܀‬

‫ܰ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܢܬܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܒܬ‬ ‫ܠ ܴ� ܐ̱ܕܡܐ ܠܡܕ‬ ‫ܴ� ܰܦ ܳܕܢܐ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܚܪܒܗ ܰܫ ܳܒܝܐܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫�ܨ ܳܘ�ܬ ̇ܗ܀‬ ‫ܘܒܥܦܪ ܐ ܴܐܫܕ‬ ‫ܡ‬

‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܨ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܢܬܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܡܗ‬ ‫ܡܢ ܡ�ܟܐ ܡܕ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬܢܝ ܻ� ܳܝܩܪܟܳ‬ ‫ܒܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܠܝ ܰ‬ ‫�ܡܟ ܒܢ‬ ‫ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܢ̈ܝ ܶܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܥܠ ܳܗ ܶܕ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܟܐ܀‬ ‫ܚܣܡܘ ܒܝ‬

18

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

14

[nun]

Kings have come along and adorned cities with their deaf images, but they have not been like that image of Yours which You depicted in me, for it is endowed with speech.

15

[semkath] Medicines do not make waste land cultivated and images do not populate cities, but Your image has cultivated me who was just waste land.

16

[‘e]

Two sources of illumination did You cause to outpour, Lord, in the summit of Your citadel, pouring out in its midst (to illumine) what is outside.

17

[pe]

How fair is Your city – who has ever built one like it? But there is no quiet for its traveller to sleep for the Robber does not depart or keep away.

18

[ṣodhe] The Artist who has depicted me so skilfully is a Master Craftsman who has adorned me completely: You have created me as the very sanctuary for Your Name, O Lord!

19

[quph] The ears have become (recipients of) the supreme sounds while the lips have become gates for speech; those that come in do not hassle those who go out.

‫‪19‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܳ‬ ‫ܢܒܗܘ ܰ ̈ܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܟܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܨ ܶܒܬܘ ̈ܡ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܬܐ‬ ‫ܒܨ ܰ ̈‬ ‫�ܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ ܽܕ ̈ܘ ܶܓܐ ܴܘ� ܰܕ ܺܡܝܘ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫�ܗ ̇ܘ ܨ�ܡܟ ܕ�ܪܬ ܒܝ ܕܡ�� ̱ܗܘ܀‬

‫‪14‬‬

‫ܢܢ‬

‫‪15‬‬

‫ܣ ܰܣ ̈ܡ ܳܡܢܶܐ ܴ� ܰ‬ ‫ܡܫ ܺܝܢܝܢ ܰ� ܳܕ�ܐ‬ ‫ܰ ̈ܶ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܰܡ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܬܒܝܢ ܡܕܝܢܬܐ‬ ‫ܴܘ� ܨ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܠܝ ܨ�ܡܟ ܫܝ̱ܢܢܝ ܕ�ܕ�ܐ ܗܘܝܬ܀‬

‫‪16‬‬

‫‪17‬‬

‫‪18‬‬

‫‪19‬‬

‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܥ ܰ� ̈� ܳܢܬܐ ܬ ܷܪܬܝܢ ܰܕܢ ܺܗ ܶܝ� ܐ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܺܪܕܝܬ ܳܡܪܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܫܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܡ ̇‬ ‫ܚܘ ܳܙܟ‬ ‫ܒܓ ܶܘܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܟܕ ܴܐ ̈ܫ ܳܕܢ ܰ‬ ‫�ܒܪ ܶܡܢܶܗ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܦ ܶܦܐܐ ܰܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܢܐ ܳܕܕ ̇ܡܐ ܶܠܗ‬ ‫ܪܟܟ ܘܡܢ‬ ‫�ܝܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܪܕ�ܶܗ ܶ‬ ‫�ܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܠܝܬ ܶܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡܟ ܶܒܗ‬ ‫ܡܫܢܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܴܕ� ܰ‬ ‫ܪܚܩ ܰܓ ܳܝ ܳܣܐ܀‬ ‫ܨ‬

‫ܺ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܗ ܳܝܪܐܝܬ‬ ‫ܰܨ ܳ� ܳܪ ܐ ܳܕ� ܰܪܢܝ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܺ ܳܺ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܨܒܬܢܝ ܓܡܝܪܐܝܬ‬ ‫ܐ ܶܪܕܟ� ̱ܗܘ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܕܫܐ ܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܒܝܬ ܽܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪܝܬܢܝ ܳܡܪܝ܀‬ ‫ܫܡܟ‬

‫ܳ̈ ܰ ܽ ܳ̈ ܰ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܝ ܐ ̈ܕ ܢܶܐ‬ ‫ܩ ܩܠܝܗܘܢ ܕܩ ܷ�‬ ‫ܰ̈ ܶ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ̈ܶ‬ ‫ܘܬ �ܥܐ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܷ� ܗܘܝ ܣܦܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܴܘ� ܳܚܒܨܝܢ ܕܥܠܝܢ �ܢܦܘܩܐ܀‬

20

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

20

[rish]

What hears in me is higher than what speaks, for the ear is more exalted than the tongue – a symbol that the teacher is higher than the pupil.

21

[shin]

Sounds have never lost their way, for they travel straight to the ear without hindrance. May I not go astray from Your commandments!

22

[taw]

Two cries have fallen on the ear like a coin in the cup of the scales where it will be tested, (to see) how it is.

23

[taw]

A scent makes straight to the inhaling and does not turn aside, like silver going to a furnace to be assayed. May Your law be a path for my words!

24

[taw]

The ears are established as the road to hearing, for the sound falls on them to be weighed up and the (hearing) weighs up all the words.

25

[taw]

The Spirit weights out and places in good measure the word in the ear, and then it makes it heard to a person that wisdom consists in the fear of the Lord.

26

[taw]

My city, Lord, offers up a crown to Your name and continual praise as a royal diadem; stand on my behalf and preserve me from the Evil One.

‫‪21‬‬ ‫‪20‬‬

‫‪21‬‬

‫ܪ‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܕܫ ̇ ܰܡܥ ܶܡܢ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܳܪ ܽܡ ̱ܗܘ ܺܒܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܡ ܶܠܠ‬ ‫ܶܕܐ ܳܕܢܐ ܳܪ ܳܡܐ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܕ� ܳܫ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫�ܦ ܳܢܐ ܳܕܪ ܽܡ ܗܘ ܳܡܢ ܳ� ܽ� ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪܙ ܰܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܦܐ܀‬ ‫̱‬

‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܫܒܝ̈ ܰܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܛܥܘ ̈ܩ ܷ�‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ ܴ� ܡܬܘܡ‬ ‫ܫ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰܕ � ܶ ̈ܕ ܢܶܐ ܬ� ܺܝܨܝܢ ܴܕ� ܽܥܘܟܪܳ‬ ‫ܢܗܘܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܴ� ܶܐܛܥܶܐ ܶܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܕܦ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܘܩܕ ܢܰܝܟ܀‬

‫‪22‬‬

‫ܬ‬

‫‪23‬‬

‫ܬ‬

‫‪24‬‬

‫ܬ‬

‫‪25‬‬

‫ܬ‬

‫‪26‬‬

‫ܬ‬

‫ܶ‬ ‫ܬ�ܝܢ ܳ ̈ܩ ܷ� ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܦ�ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܓܘ ܷܐ ܳܕܢܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܐܝܟ ܺܕ ܳܝ� ܳܪ ܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܣܐܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܒܥܘܒ ܱܡ ܱ‬ ‫ܬܒܚܪ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܳܐܦ ܰܬ ܳܡܢ ܶܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܽܢ ̱ܗܘ܀‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܚܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܪܨ ܺܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩܐ ܴܘ� ܰܡܣܛܐ‬ ‫�ܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܐܝܟ ܶܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܦܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܕܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܚܪ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫̈ܶ‬ ‫ܘܣܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܢ ܽܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܗܐ ܽܐ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡ ܰܠܝ܀‬ ‫ܘܪܚܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ̈‬ ‫ܬܩܢܝ ܶܐ ̈ܕ ܢܶܐ ܽܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܡܥܬܐ‬ ‫ܘܪܚܐ �ܡ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܚܐ‬ ‫ܕܩ ܴ� ܒܗܝܢ ܢܦܠ ܢ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܒ ̇ܗ ܴܬ ܴܩ� ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ܦ ̈‬ ‫ܬܓܡܐ܀‬ ‫ܒܟ ܴܝ� ܰܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܚܐ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܬܩܠ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܡܝ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܕܢܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܕܝܢ ܴܐܦ ܐܱ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܬܐ ܶܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܡܥ‬ ‫ܡ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܒܪ ܐ̱ܢܫܐ ܕܚܟܡܬܐ ܕܚܠܬ ܡܪ�ܐ ̱ܗܝ܀‬ ‫ܳܬ ܳܓܐ ܳܡܪܝ ܰܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܕܝܢܬܝ ܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܩܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܫܡܟ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫�ܟܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܘܫܘܒܚܐ ܐ̱ܡܝܢܐ ܟܠܝ� �ܡ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܘܛ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܝܢܝ ܶܡܢ ܺܒܝܫܐ܀‬ ‫ܽܩܘܡ ܒܱܐܦܱܝ‬

2. aw d-etho

A supplication to Christ by the individual Christian, portrayed as an athlete (cf. stanzas 13, 17), asking for protection and help in the ‘contest’ against the wiles of Satan. In stanza 11 the Cross is evidently visualised as a vaulting pole. Source and attestation: Add. 14,592, f.51rv. Metre: 8 + 8 + 8; with alphabetic acrostic.

23

24

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

2. aw d-etho. Translation. 1

[olaph] You who came and will come again, come to my assistance and find me for I am astray: let Your right hand gather me up into Your fold.

2

[beth] O Royal Son who sits there to look on me as a spectacle in the fight with Satan, help me so that I may be made worthy of success!

3

[gomal] The Brazen One has fallen in with me in a contest: he fights out of his brazenness, and not with his strength; it is his persistence (in this) that overthrows the valiant.

4

[dolath] He has trodden me down, Lord, with his grievous cunning; in his impudence he has bespattered my wedding raiment; 1 O whiten my garments for me with your hyssop! 2

5

[he]

6

[waw] Do You, O God, measure out for me Your aid so that Your compassion may be perfected by victory, and Satan be despised by means of Your disciple.

You had faith in me that I would go down to the contest, (so) hold my hand so that I may vanquish the Rebel, lest he revile You, seeing that he has thrown down a member of Your house. 3

Mt. 22:11–12. Ps. 51:7. 3 Or: ‘thrown (me) out of Your house’. 1 2

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫‪25‬‬

‫ܒܪ ܩܠܗ‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫ܺ ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܶܕܐܬ ܐ ܰܘܥܬܝܕ ܕܬܘܒ ܺܢܐܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܴܬ ܐ ܻ� ܳ�ܠܝ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܦ ̇ܗܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܐܫܟܚܢܝ‬ ‫ܘ� ܺܡ ܳܝܢܟ ܬܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܚܡ�ܢܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܓܘ ܰܕ ܳܝܪܟ܀‬

‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܬܝܒ ܶܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܢܚܙ ܐ ܺܒܝ‬ ‫ܒ ܒܪ ܡ�ܟܐ ܕ�‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳܳ‬ ‫ܚܙܘ ܢܐ ܒܕ ܪܗ ܕܣܛܢܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐܫܬܘܐ �ܢܨܚܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܰ� ܰܕ ܰܪܝܢܝ ܶܕ‬ ‫ܘܡܕ ܳܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܓ ܽܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܦܠ ܰ�ܥܡܝ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܢܐ‬ ‫ܒܚ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܕܗ ܰܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܓ ܶ‬ ‫ܩܪܒ ܴܘ� ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܠܗ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܐ̱ ܺܡ ܽܝܢܘܬܗ ܳܣܚ̇ ܳܦܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܒ ܶ� ܐ܀‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪5‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫ܡܥ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܟ�ܘ̈ܗܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܩܢܶܐ‬ ‫ܳܕ ܰܫܢܝ ܳܡܪܝ ܒܢܶ ܰ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܚܬܝ ܰܚ ܽ‬ ‫ܬܢܘܬܝ‬ ‫ܘܒܚܘܨܦܗ ܦ�ܦܠ ܢ ܱ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܚ ܰܘܪ ܺܠܝ ܽ‬ ‫�ܒ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܘܫܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܝܕ ܽܙܘܦܟ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܬܢܝ ܶܕ ܽܐܚܘܬ ܰ� ܽܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܢܐ‬ ‫ܗܝܡ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܝܘܗܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫�ܡ ܽܪܘܕ ܐܳ‬ ‫ܐ ܽܚܘܕ ܒܐܝܕܝ ܕܐܙܟ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܣܕܟ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܪܡܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܴܕ� ܰܢܚ ܳ‬ ‫�ܒܪ ܰܒܝܬܟ܀‬ ‫ܘܚܝܢܝ ܽܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘܐܢ̱ܬ ܐܱ ܳܠܗܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܫ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܕܪ ܳܢܟ‬ ‫ܰ ܳܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܚ� ܳܢܟ ܢܶܬܓܡܪ ܒܙܟܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܬ ܺ‬ ‫�ܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܕܟ܀‬ ‫ܬܒܣܪ‬ ‫ܘܣܛ ܳܢܐ ܢܶ ܰ ܼ‬

26

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

7

[zayn] You have invited me to the fight with him, (a fight) that does not ease up; clothe me in Your armour so that I am not defeated; may I be girded with Your breastplate in the contest with him. 4

8

[ḥeth] See, Lord, how the Evil One who hates me hates You, and at the same time insults You. Between me and You, let us conquer the audacious one!

9

[ṭeth]

10

[yudh] You are seated in Your height, Lord, and You scrutinize Creation, that theatre of spectacles where Satan and humans fight with each other.

11

[kaph] I am in straits in the fight with him which does not ease up, bring an end to his attacks on me, for he is tiring me out: with Your Cross may I leap over his own nets. 5

12

[lomadh] The tale of Your love has captivated and seized me, (leading me) to enter into the contest with the mighty (Satan); 6 May I not be struck down, for I have taken refuge in You.

I am but young, and have thrown myself into the contest thanks to hearing of the blessed state You (promise), O Royal Son. Assist me, and may I be worthy of Your gift.

cf. Eph. 6:14. cf. Ps. 18:29. 6 cf. Mt. 12:29. 4 5

‫‪27‬‬ ‫‪7‬‬

‫‪8‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܬܢܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܙܡ‬ ‫�ܕ ܶܪܗ ܴܕ� ̇ ܶܩܛܥ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫�ܒ ܰܫܝܢܝ ܰܙ ܳܝܢܟ ܴܕ� ܳܚ ̇ܐܒ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ� ܳܢܟ ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܚ ܰܙܩ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܓܘܢܶܗ܀‬

‫ܶ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܚܙܝ ܰܐܢ̱ܬ ܳܡܪܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܕܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܠܝ ܳܣ ̇ܢܐ‬ ‫ܚ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܠܟ ̇ܣܢܐ ܘܫܘ�ܬ ܡܒܙܚ ܒܟ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶܒܝܬ ܺܠܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܘܗܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܪܚܐ܀‬ ‫ܘܠܟ ܢܶ ܶܙܟ ̱‬ ‫ܫܕܝܬ ܱ� ܽܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܛ ܳ‬ ‫�ܝܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܰܘܢܦܫܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܢܐ‬ ‫ܰܥܠ ܶܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒܟ ܰܒܪ ܰܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܥܐ ܽܕܛ ܳ‬ ‫�ܟܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܒܬܟ܀‬ ‫ܰ� ܰܕ ܰܪܝܢܝ ܶܘܐܫܬܘܐ �ܡ‬

‫‪9‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫ܝ‬

‫‪11‬‬

‫ܟ‬

‫‪12‬‬

‫ܘܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܒܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܠ ܺܠܝ ܰܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܒܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܒܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܛܦܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܥܡ ܰܚ ܺܣ ܰܝܢܐ ܐ̱ ܽܥܘܠ ܒܱ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܴ� ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܳܢ ̇ܦ ܴ� ܕܛ ܶ‬ ‫ܦܣܬ ܳܒܟ܀‬ ‫ܷ‬

‫ܬܒܬ ܳܡܪܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܬܒܱ ܶܩܝܬ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐܘܛܪܘܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܒ ܳ‬ ‫��ܬܐ ܬ ̇‬ ‫ܕܚܙ̈ ܳܘ ܢܶܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܣܛ ܳܢܐ ܘܐ̱ ܳܢ ̈ܫܐ ܟܬ�̈ ܺܫܝܢ ܳܒ ̇ܗ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܪ�ܬ ܺܠܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܟ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܕ ܶܪܗ ܴܕ� ̇ܩܛܥ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܛܠ ܶܡܢܝ ܺܩ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܷ�ܐ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܒ‬ ‫ܐ�ܣ ̱ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܒܨܠܝܒܟ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܘܪ ܡ ܺܨ ܳܝܕܬܗ܀‬

28

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

13

[mim] You are the Sovereign, and I am the athlete, while my adversary is Satan. You have lured me on (saying) that victory will come to me.

14

[nun]

15

[semkath] Your voice has set out a judgement for sinners, that they should rise up once again in the contest, and gain the crown of uprightness.

16

[‘e]

Your love for (us) human beings is overwhelming for You bent down to (seek) after the descendants of Adam, so that the victory might end up with them.

17

[pe]

The order given by You, O Sovereign, to Your athletes is that, if they fall, they should start again in the contest until they vanquish the Adversary.

18

[ṣodhe] He is crafty and full of deceit, whereas I am tranquil: clothe me with Your cunning, so that he will not deceive me, and may his ambushes come to nothing each time.

Your Law has turned around the fight (away) from me, so that he who fell yesterday will rise up (again) today. Listen to ‘today’ with its cry, and reign!

‫‪29‬‬ ‫‪13‬‬

‫ܡ‬

‫‪14‬‬

‫ܢܢ‬

‫‪15‬‬

‫‪16‬‬

‫‪17‬‬

‫‪18‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܠܝܛܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡ�ܟܐ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܘܐܢܐ ܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܣܛܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܕܪܝ ܐܝܬ‬ ‫ܘܒܥ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܳܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܕܠܬܢܝ ܕܐܬ�ܐ ܠܝ ܙܟܘܬ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܘܣܟ ܰܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܢ ܽܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܟܗ ܰ‬ ‫�ܕ ܳܪ ܐ ܶܡܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܕܡܢ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܡܠܝ ܽܢܩܘܡ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܢܦܠ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܡܥܘ ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܰܠܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܒܩ ܶܠܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܠܟܘ܀‬

‫ܣ ܳܣܡ ܳܩ ܳܠܟ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܚ ܳ ̈ܝ ܶܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܕ ܽܢܩ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܘܢ ܶܡܢ ܺܕܪܝܫ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܟܠܝ� ܺܕܟ ܽܐܢܘܬ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰܢܩ ܽܕܘܢ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܥ ̇ ܳܥ ܶܠ ܽܒ ̱ܗܘ ܽܚ ܳ‬ ‫�ܘܬ ܐ̱ܢ̈ ܳܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܒܟ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܨܠܝܬ ̱ܗܘ ܳܒܬܪ ܒܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܳܕܡ‪.‬‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܳܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܕ�ܘܬܗܘܢ ܬܫܪܟ ܙܟܘܬ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܕ ̱ܗܘ ܳܠܟ ܰܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܩ ܽ‬ ‫ܬ�ܝ̈ܛܝܟ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܟܐ ܱ�‬ ‫ܦ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕܐܢ ̇ܢܦܠܝܢ ܢܫܪܘܢ ܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܓܘܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܕܢܶ ܽܙܟܘܢ ܰܠܒܥܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܕ ܪܐ܀‬ ‫ܨ‬

‫ܺܨܢܝܥ ܳܢ ܽܟܘܠ ܶܘ ܳܐܢܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܗ ܴܝ� ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬܟ ܐܱ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܒܫܝܢܝ ܴܕ� ܰܢܛܥܶܝܢܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܪܝܡ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ̈‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܢܒܛ�ܘܢ ܒܟܠ �ܕܢ܀‬ ‫ܘܟܡܐ ܢ ̱‬

30

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

19

[quph] I listened to Your voice, Lord, and I was enflamed (with zeal): Your promise has enticed me on, and like someone drunk I have grabbed the Adversary by his loins.

20

[rish]

(With) his shoulder he throws me down, and is more skilled than me, for he has been (involved) in struggle for ever. Like Goliath, may he be overthrown in front of Your servant. 7

21

[shin]

The Ruler of the dark is fighting with me, in his deceit he has thrown (all sorts of) delights at me; by Your light, Lord, may I vanquish the audacious one.

22

[taw]

Thanksgiving to the Lord of those who are victorious, for He strengthens His true (followers) with His might so that they vanquish Satan in the battle.

7

cf. 1 Sam. 17:49.

‫‪31‬‬ ‫‪19‬‬

‫‪20‬‬

‫‪21‬‬

‫‪22‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܩ ܳܩ ܳܠܟ ܳܡܪܝ ܳܨܬܬ ܶܘܐܫܬܝܚܢܶܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ�ܟ ܳܢܟ ܰܫ ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܕܠܢܝ ܰܘܐܝܟ ܳܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ�ܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰܕܕ ܳܪ ܳܪ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܗܐ ܐܚܕܬ‬ ‫ܒܚܨ̈ ̱‬ ‫ܪ‬

‫ܳܪ ̇ ܶܡܐ ܺܠܝ ܰܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܦܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܢܝ ܽܐܘ ܳܡܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܟܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܕܡܡܬܘܡ ܶܓܝܪ ܶܒ ܽܗ ̱ܗܘ ܒܬ‬ ‫ܘ�ܝܕ ܢܶ‬ ‫ܰܐܝܟ ܽܓ ܰ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܰܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܬܚܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܒܕܟ܀‬

‫ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܟܐ ܰܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܛܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܩܪܒ ܰܥܡܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫ ܫܠ‬ ‫ܳ ܺ ܺ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘܒܢܶܟܠܗ ܫܕ ܐ ܒܝ �ܓܝܓܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܘܗܝ ܰ‬ ‫�ܡ ܳܪ ܳܚܐ܀‬ ‫ܒܢܘܗܪܟ ܳܡܪܝ ܐ ܶܙܟ ̱‬ ‫ܬ‬

‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܕܙ ̈ܟܝܶܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܬܘܕ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܰܕܒܚܝܠܗ ܡܚܝܠ �ܫ�ܝܪ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ܶ ܰܳ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫�ܣܛ ܳܢܐ܀‪.‬‬ ‫ܕܢܙܟܘܢܗ ܒܕ ܪ ܐ‬

3. aw napšo ṣurto

The poem falls into three parts:

stanzas 1–7 (olaph to zayin): the soul is reproved; stanzas 8–15 (ḥeth to semkath): the soul replies; stanzas 16–22 (‘e to taw): the soul is comforted.

The identity of the speaker in the first and third sections is left unspecified. Throughout the poem, the soul's experience is related in terms of the Fall of Adam/humanity, and the characteristically Syriac theme of the Robe of Glory – lost at the Fall, and then made available again thanks to the Incarnation 1 – is alluded to on several occasions. The poem was evidently well-known and is mentioned by Anton of Tagrit in Book V of his work on Rhetoric, who quotes the first two verses. 2 Source of text and attribution: Add. 14,592, f. 54r. The poem is rather widely attested and features in Sinai Syr. 10 (only stanza 1), Add. 17,173, f.143r–144r, as well as in Vatican Syr. 59, where it is provided with further stanzas in reverse alphabetic order, taw to lomadh. 3 It also features in abbreviated form in the Mosul Fenqitho (IV, 658, stanzas 1–8) and thence in Lamy, IV, cols.725–8. In the Pampakuda Fenqitho (II, 362–3) only alternate stanzas (1, 3, 5, etc.) are given. 4 Metre: 8 + 8 + 8; with alphabetic acrostic. See my ‘Clothing metaphors as a means of theological expression in Syriac tradition’, in my Studies in Syriac Christianity (Aldershot, 1992), ch. XI. 2 Ed. J.W. Watt, The Fifth Book of the Rhetoric of Anthony of Tagrit, CSCO 480 (1986), pp. 50–1. Instead of the last line of stanza 2 Anton gives the last line of stanza 7. 3 See E. Jamhoury, ‘Textes patristiques retrouvés dans le ms Vat Syr 59’, Parole de l’Orient 45 (2019), 239–260. 4 There is an earlier edition of the poem based on Add. 14,592 in G. Kiraz (ed.), Jacob of Serugh and his Times (Piscataway NJ, 2010), pp. 29–37. 1

33

34

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

Qolo: this is given in Add.14592 as the same as that for poem 1 (‘Listen, my brethren, to the mocking of the Crucified One’), whereas in the two printed editions it is stated to be the opening words of the poem, ‘O Soul, depiction’.

TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS

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35

36

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

3. aw napšo ṣurto. Translation. 1

[THE SOUL IS REBUKED] [olaph] O Soul, depiction of the Kingdom, who has stripped you of your beauty and mocked you? For look how ugly you are with your many evil deeds.

2

[beth]

You were left in Paradise (full) of blessings, reclining in glorious delights. Who is it who has cast you down into the land of the curses?5

3

[gomal] The King chose you and brought you into His chamber;6 He revealed His wealth, and showed you His treasure, so why is it you have shown hate for Him who is rich? 7

4

[dolath] It is a matter of astonishment that instead of living close to the glorious light of Paradise, of your own will you have loved darkness (instead).

5

[he]

6

[waw] Alas, O Soul, neighbour of the Luminous One, image of the Great One, how far has you fallen state reached!8 For now thorns are mingled for you in your bread.9

The halleluiahs and cries of ‘holy’ of those above and the glorious ministry of spiritual beings you have abandoned – and gone after wild animals!

Gen. 3:17. Cant. 1:3. 7 2 Cor. 8:9. 8 Gen. 1:26. 9 Gen. 3:18–19. 5 6

‫‪37‬‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܐܘ ܰܢ ܳ‬ ‫�ܟܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܦܫܐ ܽܨܘܪ ܴܬ ܐ ܕܡ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܫܠܚ ܽܫ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܡܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܦܪܟܝ ܘܐ ܶܗܠ ܶܒܟܝ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܒܝ̈ ܳܫܬܟܝ܀‬ ‫ܘܗܐ ܰܣ ܰܢܝܬܝ ܒܣܘܓܐܐ‬

‫ܰ‬ ‫ܫܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܣܐ ܽܕܛ ̈ܘ ܶܒܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܩܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܦ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬܝ‬ ‫ܒ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ̈ ܶ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒܦܘܢܩܐ ܓܐ�ܐ ܣܡܝܟܐ ܗܘܝܬܝ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܡܢ ܰܣ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܦܟܝ ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܕ� ̈ܘ ܴܛܬܐ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫�ܟܐ ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܓܒܟܝ ܰܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܩܝܛܘܢܶܗ‬ ‫ܐܥܠܟܝ‬ ‫ܓ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܓܙܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܓ� ܥܘܬܪܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚܘܝ ܠܟܝ‬ ‫ܴ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܥܠ ܡܢܐ ܣܢܝܬܝ ̱ܗܝ �ܥܬܝܪ ܐ܀‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪5‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܰܪ ܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܽܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܒ ܽܒܘܬܗ‬ ‫ܚܠܦ‬ ‫ܕܗ ̇ܘ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ܰܓ ܳܐ�ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕܦ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܣܐ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫�ܚ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܘܗܝ ܶ‬ ‫ܒ�ܢܶܟܝ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܨܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ܀‬ ‫ܪܚܡܬ ̱‬ ‫ܽ ̈ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܫܐ ܕܥ̈ ܳ�ܝܶܐ‬ ‫ܽܗ ̈ܘ ܳ� ܷ� ܘܩܘ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ܽܕ� ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܢܶܐ‬ ‫ܘܬܫܡܫܬܐ ܙܗ‬ ‫ܰ ̈ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܺ‬ ‫ܪܦܝܬܝ ̇ܗ ܰܘ ܶܢܩܦܬܝ �ܚ�ܘܬ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܒܒܬܗ ܰܕܢ ܺܗ ܳܝܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܘܝ ܢܦܫܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܰܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܨܠܡ ܪܒܐ ܕ�ܝܟܐ ܡܛܐ ܫܦܠܟܝ‬ ‫ܺ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳܕܗܐ ܽܟ ̈ܘ ܶܒܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܠ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܠܝܛܝܢ ܠܟܝ܀‬ ‫ܚܡܟܝ‬

38 7

8

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

[zayn] You were clothed in rays of light, you were sealed with the King's own necklace; who is it who has given you leaves (to cover your) nakedness? 10 (THE SOUL SPEAKS) [ḥeth] The basilisk laid ambush and has mocked me; he stole my clothes, and (so) I stood naked. 11 (Now), with the leaves he has clothed me in, I am scorned.

9

[ṭeth]

I went astray because I listened to the Evil One: 12 in his guile he led me into captivity and now my feet are entangled in stumbling blocks.

10

[yudh] I should have kept the commandment13 but I did not keep it; for that reason I am thrown down in the place of thorns, and my captor mocks me. 14

11

[kaph] He laid ambush and craftily set a snare, he made me suppose that he would give me greatness, but when I came close, he threw me into the pit.

12

[lomadh] He enticed me on, (saying) he would raise me to heaven, whereas he dug for me a grave – into which I fell, and now I lie in Sheol, (the home of) the dead.

Gen. 3:7. Gen. 3:7. 12 Gen. 3:13. 13 Gen. 2:16. 14 Gen. 3:18. 10 11

‫‪39‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܝܩܐ ܽܕܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܙ ܺܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬܝ‬ ‫ܛܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܢ ܳ‬ ‫�ܟܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܗ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܥܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܟܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬܝ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܰ� ̱ܗܒ ܶܠܟܝ ܛ�ܦܐ ܕܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪܣ ܳܝܐ܀‬

‫‪7‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪8‬‬

‫ܪܡ ܳܢܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܚ ]ܢܦܫܐ[ ܰܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܡܢ ܺܠܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܰܙܚ ܺܒܝ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ̈ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܩ ܶܡܬ ܽ‬ ‫ܬܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܣ ܳܝܐ‬ ‫ܓܢܒ ܢܚ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܛ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܦܐ ܕܐܠܒܫܢܝ ܒܣܝܪ ܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܺ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܬܗ ܺ‬ ‫�ܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ‬ ‫ܛܥܝܬ ܡܛܠ ܕܫܡ‬ ‫ܳ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘܒܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܟܠܗ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܪܢܝ ܒܓ�ܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܽ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܓܠܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܐ ܶ� ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܣ� ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩܠܬܐ܀‬ ‫ܝܓܢ ܒܬ‬

‫‪9‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫ܝ‬

‫‪11‬‬

‫ܟ‬

‫‪12‬‬

‫ܪܓܢܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܠ ܰܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܓ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܶܣܩ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ܱ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ܘܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܦܪ ܺܠܝ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܠܬ ܶܒܗ‬ ‫ܺ ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܥܓ ܳܝܢܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܘܗܐ ܰܒܫ ܽܝܘܠ ܕܡܝ‬

‫ܐܛܪܗ ܽ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܶܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ�ܐܶܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩܕ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܣܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܛܪܬܶܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܥܠ ܳܗ ̇ܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܦܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܴܘ�‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܒܝܬ ܟܘܒܐ ܘܫܒܝܝ ܡܒܙܚ ܒܝ܀‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳܺ‬ ‫ܝܥܐܝܬ‬ ‫ܟܡܢ ܘܨ� ܦܚܐ ܨܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܳ ̇ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܪܒܘ ܴܬ ܐ ܐܣܒܪܢܝ ܕ�ܗܒ ܠܝ‬ ‫ܪܒܬ ܰܣ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܕ ܶܩ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܦܢܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳ� ܐ܀‬

40

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

13

[mim] I went wrong because of the beauty of the Tree;15 (its) beauty was borrowed, and I did not realize, but when I tried it, how I shook and felt ashamed!

14

[nun]

15

[semkath] The Slayer of humanity has gone after me, jealous at my beauties which were many. Through his cunning he has destroyed me – what can I (now) do?

He made me a guardian for Paradise,16 but I failed to guard it – and so I am despised, for I stole the very fruit which has (now) killed me.

THE SOUL IS COMFORTED With you is the hope of all creation: O Soul, do not cut off (all) hope, for the Tree of Life is beside you.

16

[‘e]

17

[pe]

18

[ṣodhe] He has caught and slain the serpent which mocked you, He has crushed its head, seeing that it had deceived you. 17 Return, O Soul, to Eden which is gazing out for you.

There has flown down and come from Eden of the luminous ones that Fruit, the Lover of humanity. Rise up and eat of it: revive, you who were dead!

Gen. 3:6. Gen. 2:15. 17 Ps. 74:14. 15 16

‫‪41‬‬ ‫‪13‬‬

‫ܡ‬

‫‪14‬‬

‫ܢܢ‬

‫‪15‬‬

‫‪16‬‬

‫‪17‬‬

‫‪18‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܶܡܢ ܽܫ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܦܪܗ ܳܚ ܶܒܬ ܺܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝ� ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܘܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܦܪ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܐܝ� ܴܘ� �ܶܕܥܶܬ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܺܫ ܴ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟܕ ܰܢ ܺܣܝܬ ܳܙܥܶܬ ܟܡܐ ܒܗܬܬ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܕܢܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܦ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪܬ ܐ ܰܥ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܣܐ‬ ‫ܢܛ‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܛܪܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܥܠ ܳܗ ̇ܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ ܐ̱ܢܐܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܬܗ ܺ‬ ‫ܠܦ ܳܐܪ ܐ ܽܕܗܘ ܰܩ ܰ‬ ‫ܛ�ܢܝ܀‬ ‫ܕ ܓܢ‬

‫ܳ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܪܝ ܳܩ ̇ܛܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܒ� ̈� ܳܢ ܳܫܐ‬ ‫ܣ ܣܡ ܒ‬ ‫ܷ‬ ‫ܺ ̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܫܘܦ�ܝ ܚܣܡ ܗܘܐ ܕ ܱܣܓ ܻܝܐܝܢ‬ ‫ܰܘܒܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܟܠܗ ܰܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܒ�ܢܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܒܕ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܥ ܰܥ ܶܡ ܽ‬ ‫��ܬܐ‬ ‫ܟܝ ̱ܗܘ ܣܒܪ ܐ ܕܒ‬ ‫ܦܫܐ ܴ� ܷܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܦܣܩܝܢ ܰܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܢ ܱ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝ� ܳܢܐ ܕ ܱܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܳ‬ ‫�ܘܬ ܽ‬ ‫ܟܝ ̱ܗܘ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܬ ܐ ܶܡܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܕܝܢ ܰܕܢ ܺܗ ܶܝ� ܐ‬ ‫ܦ ܦܪܚ ܘ‬ ‫ܰܗ ̇ܘ ܺܦ ܳܐܪ ܐ ܳܪܚ̇ ܶ ܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܒ� ̈� ܳܢܫܐܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ ܺ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬܝ܀‬ ‫ܝܘܗܝ ܘܚܝܝ ܕܡ‬ ‫ܩܘܡܝ ܐܘܟܠ ̱‬ ‫ܨ‬

‫ܳ�ܕ ܰܩ ܶ‬ ‫ܘ�ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܛܠܗ ܶ‬ ‫�ܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܒ ܰܙܚ ܶܒܟܝ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪܨ ܺܪ ܶܫܗ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܛܥܝ ܶܒܟܝ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܦܢܝ ܰܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܫܐ ܰܠ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܕܝܢ ܕܚ̇ ܳ ܱܐܪ ܶܠܟܝ܀‬

42

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

19

[quph] The serpent is slain, the basilisk is crushed, broken is the sword of the guardian (cherub). 18 O Daughter of Light, come and enter into Paradise!

20

[rish]

Your greatness and your beauty which were lost – (all this) you have (now) found on the height of Golgotha. Arise, clothe yourself and return to your inheritance.

21

[shin]

Strip off your rags and the leaves (that cover) your nakedness; take and put on the glorious robe, enter into Eden which is opened up and awaits you.

22

[taw]

That garment which the serpent stole from you the King’s Son has brought and given to you. Praise be to Him who has returned you to your Father’s house.

18

Gen. 3:24.

‫‪43‬‬ ‫‪19‬‬

‫‪20‬‬

‫‪21‬‬

‫‪22‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘ�ܐ ܰܘ ܺܪܨܝܨ ܰܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܛܝܠ ܶܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܡ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܩ‬ ‫ܘܡܚܗ ܳܕܢ ܽܛܘܪ ܐܳ‬ ‫ܬܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ ܽܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܒܪܬ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ܴܬܝ ܽܥܘܠܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܦ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܣܐ܀‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܪ‬

‫ܘܫ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܦܪܟܝ ܰܕ ܺܐܒܝܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܪ ܽܒܘܬܶܟܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܘܗܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܓ ܽܓܘܠܬܐ‬ ‫ܫܟܚܬ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܬܟܝ܀‬ ‫ܩܘܡܝ ܘ�ܒܫܝ ܘܦܢܝ �ܝܪܬ ܷ‬

‫�ܦܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܩܥܶܐ ܘܛ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܠܚܝ ܽܪ ̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܣ ܳܝܐ‬ ‫ܫ‬ ‫ܱ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘ ܱܣܒܝ �ܒܘܫ ̇‬ ‫ܣܛ� ܡܫܒܚܬܐ‬ ‫ܝܗ ܷ� ܴ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܥܘܠܝ ܰܠ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܕܝܢ ܰܕܦܬܝܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܱ̇ܐܪ ܠܟܝ܀‬ ‫ܬ‬

‫ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ�ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܬܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܓܢܒ ܶܡܢܶܟܝ‬ ‫ܬ�ܒ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܡ�ܟܐ ܐܝܬ� ̇ܗ ܘ�ܗܒ ̇ܗ ܠܟܝ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫�ܒܝܬ ܐ ܽܒܘܟܝ܀‬ ‫ܘܒܚܐ ܶܠܗ ܳܕܐܦܢܝܶܟܝ‬

4. aw dayon(y)

The poem is variously described as being ‘Stanzas of admonition’, or ‘On repentance’. It takes the form of a plea addressed to ‘my Judge’ in the voice of a penitent soul 1 who is a victim of the aggression of Satan, variously described as ‘Robber’, ‘Wolf’, etc. Source of text and attribution: Add 17173, f.140rv. The poem is also found in Add. 17,141, f.12r , with many stanzas omitted), and Sinai Syr. 10, f.75v (‫)ܕܬܝܒܘܬܐ ܥܠ ܩ� ܕܢܒܝܘܬܐ‬, as well as a few other manuscripts, such as the Fenqitho Harvard Syr. 31. The first verse is quoted by Anton of Tagrit in Book V of his Rhetoric. 2 30F

Metre: 8 + 8 + 8; with alphabetic acrostic. Qolo: nbi’uto (according to Sinai Syr. 10).

1 2

Hence the feminine forms in stanza 14. Ed. J.W. Watt, CSCO 480 (1986), p. 40.

45

46 4.

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO aw dayon(y). Translatiom.

Stanzas of Admonition, composed by the blessed Mar Jacob the Teacher, Bishop of Batnan. 1

[olaph] O my Judge, I am greatly oppressed, the soul of a penitent supplicates You, O Saviour of the oppressed, look upon the injustice done to me. Refrain: Save me, Lord, for I have taken refuge in You.

2

[beth] I have been plundered by the Persecutor in his insolence, I am battered in the struggle with him (Satan) who causes trouble; O Judge of Truth, resolve my situation.

3

[gomal] He is a robber who daily plunders me, a thief who continually alarms me; O Guardian of my life, hold him back from me.

4

[dolath] The wicked judge rescued the widow 3 because she pestered him; how much more should You, the Upright, have compassion on my importunity.

5

[he]

6

[waw] Alas will I say, for how I have been plundered; alas, shall I keep silent, for how much I have been oppressed; O my Judge, since I have tired You out, look upon the injustice done to me. 3

She knocked at the door of a wicked man and he did not hold out and send her away empty; You, who love the penitent, answer me as well.

cf. Lk. 18:2–6.

‫‪47‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫̈ܒܬܐ ܕܡܪܬܝܢܘܬܐ ܕܣܝܡܝܢ ܠܛܘܒܢܐ ܡܪܝ ܝܥܩܘܒ ܡ�ܦܢܐ‪ :‬ܐܦܣܩܦܐ ܕܒܛܢܢ‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫ܳܐܘ ܰܕ ܳ�ܢܝ ܰܣ ܺܓܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܛܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܦܫܗ ܕܬ ܳ� ܳܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܦܝܣܐ ܠܟ ܢ‬ ‫ܳܐܘ ܳܦ ܶܪܩ ܺ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܛ�ܝ̈ܡܐ ܚܙܝ ܥܘ�ܒܢܝ܀‬

‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܕܛ ܶ‬ ‫ܦܣܬ ܳܒܟ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥܘܢܝܬܐ ܐ ܳܚܢܝ ܳܡܪܝ ܶܡܛܠ‬ ‫‪2‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫ܒܚ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܨܦܗ ܳܕܪ ܽܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܙ ܳܝܙ ܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܦܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܫܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܫ ܽܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܕ ܶܪܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܩܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܫܐ‬ ‫ܰܳܳ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܬܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܫܪܝ ܽܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܥܪܢܝ܀‬ ‫ܕ�ܢܐ ܕܩ‬ ‫ܓ ܰܓ ܳܝ ܰܣܐ ̱ܗܘ ܽܕܟ ܽ‬ ‫�ܝܘܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܚ ܶܠܨ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܓ ܳܢ ܰܒܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܝܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܘܗ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܙܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܢ ܽܛ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܰ ̈ܝܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܪܝ ̱ܗܝ ܶܡܢܝ܀‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪5‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܳ� ܳܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܡܠܬܐ‬ ‫ܕܥ ܴܘ� ܱ�‬ ‫ܰܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܩ ̇ܗ ܗܘܐ ܡܛܠ ܕܐܠܙܬܗ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫�ܚ ܺܨ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܺܟ ܳܐܢܐ ܬ ܽܚܘܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܦܘܬܝ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܺܗܝ ܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܕ� ܳܘ �‪.‬‬ ‫ܩܫܬ ܒܬܪܥܗ‬ ‫ܺ ܳܺ‬ ‫ܡܣܢ ܕܢܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܰܚ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܪ ̇ܝܗ ܣܦܝܩܐܝܬ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܥܢܝܢܝ ܐܦ ܺܠܝ ܳܪܚ̇ ܶ ܡ ܠܬ ܳ�̈ ܶܒܐ܀‬ ‫ܳܘܝ ܻܐ ܰܡܪ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܙ ܳܝܙ ܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܫ� ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܒܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܳܘܝ ܐ ܷ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܙܝ ܽܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܬܟ ܰܕ ܳ�ܢܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܘ�ܒܢܝ܀‬ ‫ܕܫܚ‬

48

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

7

[zayn] I have invited You to tears of supplication: invite for me mercy, for reconciliation: for if there is no mercy, then I am slain.

8

[ḥeth] You have indicated to me Your door to knock on, show me Your compassion, so that I may take hold of it, for compassion is an advocate for the guilty.

9

[ṭeth]

10

[yudh] I am handed over to the Wolf that is never sated, he never fails to tear me to pieces each day: drive him away from me, O Healer of the shattered.

11

[kaph] The Wolf lay in waiting and snatched me in his insolence, he threw me down and shattered me, for he is voracious; I beg You, bring me (back) to Your sheepfold.

12

[lomadh] I yearn for Your shoulders, O Shepherd: 4 it is Your custom to carry those who have got lost, so show Your concern with me (too).

4

The soul of the sinner is astray for it has got lost: instruct it carefully, O Shepherd of all, and gather in the errant soul.

cf. Lk 15:5.

‫‪49‬‬ ‫‪7‬‬

‫‪8‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫ܶ̈ ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܒ ܽܥܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܰܙ ܶܡܢܬܟ �ܕܡܥܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܙ ܶܡܢ ܺܠܝ ܰ� ܶ‬ ‫ܪܥܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܚܡܐ ܠܬ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܚܡܐ ܴ� ܐܝܬ ܩܛܝ� ܐ̱ ܰܢܐ ̱ܗܘ܀‬ ‫ܕܐܢ �‬

‫ܰܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܢܝ ܰܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܟ ܶܕ ܽܐܩܘܫ ܶܒܗ‬ ‫ܚ ܚܘ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰܚ ܳܘܐ ܠܝ ܚ�ܢܟ ܕܐܚܘܕ ܒܗ‬ ‫ܣܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܚ� ܳܢܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܓܪ ܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܳ ̈ܝ ܶܒܐ܀‬

‫‪9‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫ܝ‬

‫‪11‬‬

‫ܟ‬

‫‪12‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܚܛ ܳܝܐ‬ ‫ܛ ܺܥܝܬܐ ̱ܗܝ ܢܦܫܗ‬ ‫ܺ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܒܕܬ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܽ‬ ‫ܦܩ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܕ ̇ܝܗ ܒܛ ܴܝ�ܝܬ‬ ‫ܳ ̇ܶ ܽ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܗܝܬܐ܀‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ܟܠ ܟܢܫ ܠ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ� ܺܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܒܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܺ‬ ‫�ܕ ܳܐܒܐ ܴܕ� ܳܣ ̇ܒܥ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܝܘܡ ܳܘ� ܰܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܢܒ ܶ‬ ‫ܣܒܣ ܺܠܝ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܗܡܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܳܶ ܺ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܛܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܕܝ ̱ܗܝ ܡܢܝ ܥ ̇ܨܒ ܬܒܝ�ܬ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܚܨ ܰ‬ ‫ܟܡܢ ܺܕ ܳܐܒܐ ܰܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܛܦܢܝ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܦܐ ̱ܗܘ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܫܕ ܐ ܱܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪܢܝ ܶܡܛܠ ܕ ܳܣ ܽܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚܐ ̱ܗܘ‬ ‫ܰ ܳܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܢܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܣܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܠܛ�ܪܟ ܐ‬

‫ܰ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܟ ܳܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܝܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܪܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܓܐ ܐ̱ ܰܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܠ �ܟܬܦ‬ ‫ܥ� ܳܕ ܽܟ ̱ܗܘ ܕܬܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܛܥܢ ܰ� ܺ̈ܒܝܕ ܐܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰܳ ܺ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܝ ܡܕܝܢ ܚܘܐ ܒܛܝ�ܘܬܟ܀‬

50

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

13

[mim] Take me up from straying among (dangerous) obstacles, cause me to reside in Your meadow of delights, 5 in You may I pasture on the food of Your flock.

14

[nun]

15

[semkath] Many are the Persecutor’s arrows: he has transfixed me with them all, and I did not flee away; O Commander who has saved me, see to my wounds.

16

[‘e]

The blows I (have suffered) have doubled, and my Adversary adds to them as he tortures me; O You who visit everyone, heal me with Your forgiveness!

17

[pe]

I am bound by the Persecutor of my own volition, the Brazen One’s bonds are dear (to me); release me at once, even though I am not eager.

18

[ṣodhe] He is a cunning Hunter who devises how to strangle a bird by means of a bait; deliver me, Lord, from the Deceiver.

5

I knock at Your door which never dismisses empty-handed those who seek it; open it to me, Lord, so that I may enter, and protect me.

Ps. 23:2.

‫‪51‬‬ ‫‪13‬‬

‫ܡ‬

‫‪14‬‬

‫ܢܢ‬

‫‪15‬‬

‫‪16‬‬

‫‪17‬‬

‫‪18‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܽ ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ܶܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩ ܳܠܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗ�ܐ ܰܣ ܰܒܝܢܝ ܕܬ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܓܟ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܓܐ ܳܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܫܪܢܝ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܒܟ ܷܐܪܥܐ ܐܘܟ� ܕܡܪܥܝܬܗ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܟ ܕ� ܫ̇ ܳ ܶܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܢ ̇ܩܫܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܒܬ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܒ��ܘ ̱ܗܝ ܡܡܬܘܡ ܣܦܝܩ ܻܐܝܬ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܦܬܚ ܺܠܝ ܳܡܪܝ ܶܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܣܬ ܰܪܝܢܝ܀‬ ‫ܐܥܘܠ‬

‫ܣ ܰܣ ܺܓܝ̈ܐܝܢ ܶܓ ܰܐ�ܘܗܝ ܳܕܪ ܽܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܦܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܻ ܽ ܰ ̱ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܒܟ�ܗܘܢ ܫܦܕܢܝ ܘ� ܥܪܩܬ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܝ� ܰ‬ ‫ܕܦ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܩܢܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܚܙܝ ܽܫ ̈ܘ ܳܡܬܝ܀‬ ‫ܪܒ ܚ‬ ‫ܳܰ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡ ̈ܚ ܳܘܬ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܥ ܥܦܬ ܠܝ ܡܢܗܝܢ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫�ܕܪܝ ܰܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘܒܥܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܣܦ ܡܢܓܕ ܠܝ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܣ ̇ ܰܥܪ ܽܟܠ ܐ ܳܣܢܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܒܩ ܳܢܟ܀‬ ‫�ܪ ܽܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܒܝܢܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܒܨܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܦܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܦ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܺܨܝܦܐܳ‬ ‫ܦܟ�ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚܒܝܒܝܢ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܫܪܝܢܝ ܰܒ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܓܠ ܟܕ � ܚܦܝܛܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܨ‬

‫ܕܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܨ ܳܝ ܰܕ ܐ ̱ܗܘ ܺܨܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܥܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܦ ܰܪܣ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܛܐ ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܠܦ ܰܪܚܬܐ‬ ‫ܚܢܘܩ‬ ‫ܕܒ�‬ ‫ܶܶ ܳܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܦ ܳܨܢܝ ܡܪܝ ܡܢܗ ܕܢܟܘ�܀‬

52

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

19

[quph] He is quick and readier for conflict than I am, and he stirs up a battle against me; You who are Victor in all, rescue me, for my thoughts are on You.

20

[rish]

Great is the pain which is vexing me, Lord, the blow from the Wicked One is causing me pain; in Your great compassion, bind up my wounds.

21

[shin]

You have brought me low, O Evil One, hold back your battle, you have tired me out, O Crafty One, hold back your onslaught, be rebuked by the mercy that has had pity on me.

22

[taw]

May the soul of the penitent sing out praise to You, Lord, having been held worthy of Your forgiveness. Thanksgiving to You who have love for the repentant.

‫‪53‬‬ ‫‪19‬‬

‫‪20‬‬

‫‪21‬‬

‫‪22‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܟܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܐ‬ ‫ܩ ܰܩ ܺܠܝܠ ܽܗܘ ܰܘ ܺܙܪܝܙ ܠܬ‬ ‫ܘܕ ܳܪ ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܥܝܪ ܽܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܡܢܝ ܳܗ ̇ ܶܘܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܩܒܠܝ‬ ‫ܳܙ ̇ ܶܟܐ ܽܟܠ ܰܦ ܳܨܢܝ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܣܬ ܳܒܟ܀‬ ‫ܪ‬

‫ܰܪ ܽܒܘ ܳܡܪܝ ܺܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܒܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܫܚ̇ ܶ ܩ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܥ ܳܘ� ܺ‬ ‫ܝܡܐ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܕܡܚ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܚ�ܢܟ ܪܒܐ ܥܨܘܒ ܫܘܚܢܝ܀‬

‫ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬܢܝ ܺܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܙܓܘܪ ܰܕ ܳܪܟ‬ ‫ܫ ܫܦ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰܫ ܺܗܝܬܢܝ ܨܢܝܥܐ ܟܠܝ ܺܚܐܦܟ‬ ‫ܶ ܰܰ ܰ ܶ ܳܺ‬ ‫ܕܚ ̇ܢܝܢ ܺܠܝ܀‬ ‫ܬܬܟܐܪ ܒ�ܚܡܐ‬ ‫ܬ‬

‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܦܫܗ ܕܬ ܳ� ܳܒܐ‬ ‫ܬܙܡܪ ܠܟ ܢ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒܚܐ ܳܡܪܝ ܕܫܘܬ �ܫܘܒܩܢܟ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܕܝ ܳܠܟ ܳܪܚ̇ ܶ ܡ ܠܬ ܳ�̈ ܶܒܐ܀‬

5. aw osyo d-etho

A request for healing, addressed to Christ the Physician. Source of text: Add. 14623, f.88b. Also found (with a number of variants) in Add. 17,141, f. 12, and in Assemani, III, pp. 422–3 (with a text very similar to that in Add. 17,141). Metre: 8 + 8 + 8; with alphabetic acrostic.

55

56

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

5. aw osyo d-etho. Translation. 1

[olaph] O Physician who has come for our salvation, heal for me my diseases for they are many, lest I become an object of reproach to those who know me.

2

[beth] It is in You that I have taken refuge, O Guardian of all, sprinkle upon me the dew of Your grace and wash me (clean) for I am greatly bespattered. 1

3

[gomal] The waves of sins surround me, Lord, and I am sunk in the multitude of my faults; in Your mercy draw me up lest I perish.

4

[dolath] The world with its enticements has disturbed me, Lord; in (my) love for it it has tied me up in its bonds and not let me travel on the straight path.

5

[he]

6

[waw] Alas, my brothers, shed tears for me for I have been a worker (who deserves) no wage, 2 and the Thief has seized and taken away my garments.

1 2

All my days have been wasted and I have not cared a single moment for my (true) self; this is why (hell’s) fire is kept in readiness for me.

Ps. 51:1. cf. Mt. 20:1–16.

‫‪57‬‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܬ ܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܠܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܩ ܰܢܢ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܐܣܝܐ ܕ‬ ‫ܰܳ ܺ ܺ ̈‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܐܣܐ ܠܝ ܟܐܒܝ ܕܣܓܝ ܻܐܝܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܴܕ� ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܶܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܕ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫�� ܽܕ ̈ܘ ܰܥܝ܀‬

‫ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܢܛܪ ܽܟܠ‬ ‫ܒ ܒܟ ܐܚܕܬ ܓܘܣܐ‬ ‫ܰܰ ܰܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܽܪܘܣ ܥܠܝ ܛ� ܕܛܝܒܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܓܝܢܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܫ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܟܬܡ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܕܣ ܺܓܝ‬ ‫ܟܪ ܺ‬ ‫ܕܚ ̈ܘ ܶܒܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܓ ܰܓ �� ܶ� ܳܡܪܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܟܝܢ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܓܐܐ ܕ ܱܣ ܶܟ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܡܛ ܰܒܥ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܣ ܳ‬ ‫�ܘܬܝ‬ ‫ܒܝܕ ܰ� ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܚܡܝܟ ܰܕ ܳܠܢܝ ܴܕ� ܻܐ ܰܒܕ܀‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪5‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫ܘܕܢܝ ܳܡܪܝ ܳܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܘܕ � ܱܠ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܣܪܢܝ ܒܪܚܡܬܗ‬ ‫ܐܣܘ� ̱‬ ‫ܐܪܕ ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܰܫ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܩܢܝ ܶܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܪ ܳܝ� ܻܐܝܬ܀‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ܰ� ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܗܘܘ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܝ ܰܒܛܝ̈ ܷ�‬ ‫ܳܘ� �ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܨܦܬ ܰܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܩܢܘܡܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܕ ܐ ܳܫ ܳܥܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܳܶ ܽ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܢܛ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ ܺܠܝ܀‬ ‫ܘܥܠ ܗܕ ܐ ܢܘܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܳܘܝ ܰܐ ܰ ̈ܚܝ ܰܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܦܥܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܠܝ ܶܕ ̈ܡܥܶܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܺ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܥ� ܳܕ� ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܓܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܕܗܘܝܬ ܠܝ ܦ‬ ‫ܰ ܳܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ̈ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܓܢܒܐ ܚܠܨ ܫܩܠ ܢܚܬܝ܀‬

58

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

7

[zayn] What has happened to me, Lord, is (a source of) shock and amazement, for although I am an heir to the Kingdom, the Evil One has managed to ruin me, preventing me from entering.

8

[ḥeth] Have pity, Lord, on what Your hands have fashioned for it lies prostrate in sickness. O Lord, bid (this) dead person to be resuscitated!

9

[ṭeth]

10

[yudh] I know that close at hand is the day when You will give wages to the saints; remember me, Lord, and forget me not.

11

[kaph] Lugubrious gloom without end shrouds all sinners when You close Your door in their face.

12

[lomadh] There is no place there for anyone to cry out for the time of pleading is past. Alas for me, O my soul, for all hope for you has been cut off.

3

May Your dew assuage my tongue, 3 sprinkle (some of it) on me, for I am greatly buffeted since the Rebel has caused me to totter and so brought me to ruin.

cf. Lk. 16:24.

‫‪59‬‬ ‫‪7‬‬

‫‪8‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫ܰܙ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܗܐ ̱ܗܘ ܳܡܢ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܥܐ ̱ܗܘ ܳܡܪܝ ܘܬܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܢܝ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫�ܟܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܰܕܟܕ ܻܐܝܬܝ �ܪܬ ܐ ܕܡ‬ ‫ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܦܢܝ ܕ� ܐ ܽܥܘܠ܀‬ ‫ܩܡ ܒܝܫܐ ܘܣ‬

‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ‬ ‫�ܓܒܝܠܬܐ ܺܕ ̈ܐܝ ܰܕܝܟ‬ ‫ܚ ܽܚܘܣ ܐܘ ܳܡܪܝ ܰܥܠ‬ ‫ܥܓ ܳܝܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܝܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܕܗܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܪܗ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܦܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ܕܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܢ ܰܚܡ܀‬ ‫ܘܕܝ ̱ܗܝ ܳܡܪܝ �ܡ‬

‫‪9‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫ܝ‬

‫‪11‬‬

‫ܟ‬

‫‪12‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܛ ܳܠܟ ܳܡܪܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܦܝܶܓ � ܳܫܢܝ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽܪܘܣ ܰܥ ܰܠܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܣ ܺܓܝ ܡܛ ܰܪܦ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܽܪ ܳܘܕ ܐ ܰܣ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܚܦܢܝ ܰܘܐܪܥܶ ܰ�ܢܝ܀‬ ‫̇ܝܳ ܰܕܥ ܐ ܳܢܐ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܩܪܒ ܶܠܗ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ̇ܰ‬ ‫ܗܒܬ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܓܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܩ ܺܕ�̈ܫܐܶ‬ ‫ܕܒܗ �‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬܕܟ ܱܪܝܢـܝ ܘ� ܬܛܥܝܢܝ ܡܪܢ܀‬ ‫ܐ ܱ‬ ‫ܺ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܓܬܐ ܳܕ� ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܠܡ‬ ‫ܟܡܝܪܘܬ ܐ ܚܢ‬ ‫ܬܟ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܪܝـܢ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܶܡ ܰ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ܰ ̈ܚܛܝܐܶ‬ ‫ܰ̈ ܴ‬ ‫ܬܬܚܕ ܰܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܟ ܰܒܐܦ ܽ‬ ‫ܳܡܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ܀‬

‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ̇ܳ‬ ‫ܠ ܰܠܝܬ ܬܡܢ ܐܬܪ ܐ ܠ‬ ‫ܕܩ ܶܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܥܒܪ ܶܠܗ ܰܙ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܢܐ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܝ ܳܣܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܦܣܩ ܶܠܗ ܰܣ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܘܝ ܺܠܝ ܰܢܦܫܝ ܶܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܪܟܝ܀‬

60

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

13

[mim] What shall I do on that day when all the foul deeds with be revealed that I have committed in the world, (thus) defiling it.

14

[nun]

15

[semkath] I have laid up for myself a store full of wrath, and because of this, torment is reserved for me. Alas for me, for I have greatly provoked You.

16

[‘e]

I am Your servant, Lord, and I worship You; in Your grace act with mercy on me for I have utterly perished, and You have finished me off.

17

[pe]

Open up the treasury of Your mercy, O Compassionate One, Drive from me the ills (caused by) the blows (of sin): for a long while You have disciplined me: spare me!

18

[ṣodhe] Let Your cross be a source of propitiation for the many wounds on my limbs, for it is capable of healing the wounded.

Stir yourself and wake up from sleep, you soul of a sinner, at this time for service; recollect yourself while there is still an opportunity (for this).

‫‪61‬‬ ‫‪13‬‬

‫ܡ‬

‫‪14‬‬

‫ܢܢ‬

‫‪15‬‬

‫‪16‬‬

‫‪17‬‬

‫‪18‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܒܗ ̇ܘ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܰܟܝ ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܒܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ‬ ‫�ܝܢ ܽܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܬܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܟ ܳܝ�ܬ ܐ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ‬ ‫ܕܡ ̈ ܱ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܛ ܶܡ ܷܐܬܗ܀‬ ‫ܕܦ�ܚܬ ܒܗ ܒܥ�ܡܐ ܱ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܽܢܘܕܝ ܶܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܕܚܛ ܳܝܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܬܥܝܪܝ ܢܱܦܫܗ‬ ‫ܒܢܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ܶܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܙ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܟܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ�ܚ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܟܝ ܰܥܕ ܐܝܬ ܶܠܟܝ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܪ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܥܗܕܝ �‬

‫ܺ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܽܕܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܓܙ ܐ ܳܣ ܶܡܬ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܣ ܣܝܡ‬ ‫ܽ ܳܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܘܫܘܢܩܐ ܢܛܝܪ ܠܝ ܚ�ܦܝܗܝܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܘܝ ܺܠܝ ܶܓܝܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܡܪܬܟ܀‬ ‫ܕܣ ܺܓܝ ܱܡ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܣ ܽܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܕܟ‬ ‫ܥ ܥܒܕܟ ܡܪܝ ܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܥܒܕ ܰܥ ܰܠܝ ܰ�ܚܡܐ ܒܛܝܒܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܗܐ ܣܦܬ ܘܐܒܕܬ ܘܓܡܪܬܢܝ܀‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܦܬܚ ܰܓ ܳܙ ܐ ܰܕ� ܰ‬ ‫ܚܡܝܟ ܰܚ ܳ� ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܦ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܶ ܺ ̈ܶ ܰ ݁ ̈ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܛܪܘܕ ܡܢܝ ܟܐܒܐ ܕܡܚܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳܕܗܐ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܓܪ ܐ ܰܪܕܝܬܢܝ ܽܚܘܣ ܥܠܝ܀‬ ‫ܨ‬

‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܒܟ ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܨܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܣ� ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܽ̈ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܰܕ ܺ̈‬ ‫ܒܗ ܳܕ ̈ܡܝ‬ ‫ܣܓܝ‬ ‫�ܫܘܡ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽܕܗܘ ܶܡܫܟܚ ܡܐܣܐ ܡܡܚܝܐ܀‬

62

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

19

[qoph] The fateful day is close at hand when I shall descend into Sheol’s chasm; have pity on me, Lord, and revive me so that I give thanks to You.

20

[rish]

My bones shake, and my thoughts are (greatly) perturbed for I am now close to death. Your discipline weighs very heavily upon me.

21

[shin]

Hear my request, O You who have pity on sinners, stretch out to me the hand of assistance; do not abandon me to become an object of fright.

22

[taw]

It is a great wonder that You have performed with me, reviving me when my source of confidence was cut off. Praise to You, O Eternal Being!

‫‪63‬‬ ‫‪19‬‬

‫‪20‬‬

‫‪21‬‬

‫‪22‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܩܪܒ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܡܛܐ ܶܠܗ ܶܩ ܳ� ܐ‬ ‫ܩ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܝܘܠ ܳܢܚ̇ ܶ ܬ ܐ̱ܢܐܳ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܰܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܕ�ܗ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܢܝܢܝ ܡܪܝ ܘܐܚܢܝ ܕܐܘܕ ܐ ܠܟ܀‬ ‫ܪ‬

‫ܐܫܬܓܫܘ ܽܚ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܪܥܶ�ܘ ܰܓ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫�ܡܝ ܶܘ‬ ‫ܘܫ ܰܒܝ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܘܬ ܐ ܶܡ ܺܟܝܠ ܰܩ ܺܪܝܒ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܳܕܗܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܫܢܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܡ ܽܪܕܘܬܟ ܥܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܠܝ ܰܣ ܺܓܝ܀‬

‫ܳ ̇ ܰ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܚܛܝܶܐ‬ ‫ܫܡܥ ܳܒ ܽܥܘܬܝ ܚ ܷܐܢ‬ ‫ܫ‬ ‫ܕܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܘܫܛ ܺܠܝ ܻܐ ܳܝܕ ܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܕ� ܢܐܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܫܒܩܢܝ ܶܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܬܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܗܘܐ ܽ‬ ‫�ܣܘܪ ܳܕ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܬ‬

‫ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܬܐ ܳܣ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܪܬ ܳ‬ ‫�ܘܬܝ‬ ‫ܬܕܡܘܪܬ ܐ ܪ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܚܝܬܢܝ ܕܦܣܝܩ ̱ܗܘ ܬܘܟ�ܢܝ‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܫܘܒܚܐ ܠܟ ܻܐܝܬ�ܐ ܡܬܘܡܝܐ܀‬

6. aw da-qrony

Described as being the first of a group of sughyotho ‘On contrition of soul’, the poem seems to take the form of a request ro God by an individual representative of humanity over the course of history; the speaker had been invited to God’s Kingdom, but due to slackness and backsliding he had rendered himself a stranger. Alternatively, in view of the mention of ‫ ܐ�̈ܬܝܐ‬in stanzas 8 and 10, and of ‘my teaching’ in stanzas 12 and 19, it is conceivable that Bardaisan is the intended speaker, and that the scenario imagined is his death-bed penitential lament. This would follow the tradition, found in Eusebius (Ecclesiastical History IV.30) and elsewhere that he returned to the orthodox Church. Source of text and attribution: Add. 14623, f. 87b. Metre: 8 8 8; with alphabetic acrostic.

65

66

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

6. aw da-qrony. Translation. Next, sughyotho on contrition of soul composed by Mar Jacob. 1

[olaph] You who have called out to me, inviting me to Your Kingdom without being asked, just out of Your eternal love, do not let go of me amidst a multitude of ills!

2

[beth] In grace You created me at the very beginning, holding me in especial honour amid all that You have created, above the rest of all Your handiwork.

3

[gomal] Mighty are You in all Your works, O Lord, but I in my slackness have held the power of Your greatness to be weak.

4

[dolath] Wonder took hold of the spiritual beings who are put to service for the working out of Your grace, whereas I have angered and grieved Your majesty.

5

[he]

6

[waw] Let the heavens and all that is within them cry ‘Alas for the wickedness to which my thoughts have given birth’, for I have angered Him who has loved me so much.

Pains and torments are prepared in readiness for my pleasure-loving limbs, and (as a result) my features are disfigured (here) on earth.

‫‪67‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܬܘܒ ܣܘܓܝ̈ܬܐ ܕܥܠ�ܬܘܬ ܢܦܫܐ ܕܣܝܡܢ ܠܡܪܝ ܝܥܩܘܒ‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫ܰ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܐܘ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܪܢܝ ܰܘܙ ܰ‬ ‫�ܟܘܬܗ‬ ‫ܡܢܢܝ �ܡ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܡܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܚ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܕ� ܳ‬ ‫ܦܝ ܳܣܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܒܗ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ� ܰܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܒܝ̈ ܳܫܬܐ܀‬ ‫ܪܦܝܢܝ ܒܣܘܓܐܐ‬

‫ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܢܝ ܶܡܢ ܽܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܩܕܡ‬ ‫ܒ ܒܛܝܒܘܬ ܐ ܒܪ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ ܽ ܽ ܰܳ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܘ� ܰܩܪܬܢܝ ܒܟ�ܗܘܢ ܬܘܩܢܝܟ‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ܰܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܟܐ ܽܕܟ ܶܠܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܒܕ ܻܐ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܝܕܝܟ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܽ ݁ܳ‬ ‫ܘܥܪ̈ ܢܰܝܟ‬ ‫ܓ ܓܢܒܪ ܐ ܒܟ�ܗܘܢ ܣ‬ ‫ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܝܬܝܟ ܳܡܪܝ ܶܘ ܳܐܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܝܕ ܪܦܝܘܬܝ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܰܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܡܚܠܬܗ ܠ ܱܚܝ� ܕܪܒܘܬܟ܀‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪5‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫ܘܡ ܳܪ ܐ ܶܐ ܰܚܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܽܕ ܳ‬ ‫�� ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܢܶܐ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܫܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒܕܘ ܠܦܘ�ܚܢ ܛܝܒܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܐ̱ܢܐ ܐܪܓܙܬ ܘܡܪܡܪܬ �ܪܒܘܬܟ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܺ ̈ܶ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܘܢ̈ ܶܩܐ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܡܛܝܒܝܢ ܟܐܒܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ̈ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܓܬܐ‬ ‫�ܗܕܡܝ �ܚܡܝ �ܓ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܥܠ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ܶܡܬ ܱܚܒܠܢ ܕܡܘܬܝ܀‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܳܘܝ ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܟܠ ܰܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܩܪܘܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܘܫܥܐ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܥܠ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܘܠܕܘ ܽܚ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܘܫ ܰܒܝ‬ ‫ܐܪܓܙܬܶܗ ܰ‬ ‫�ܗ ̇ܘ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܚܒܢܝ ܰܣ ܺܓܝ܀‬

68

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

7

[zayn] I was a chosen guest for the Kingdom but through the multitude of my faults I became a stranger to that blessed state in which the Watchers delight.

8

[ḥeth] I beheld the great variety of the resplendent objects that You have created without number, and I supposed that they were other (divine) beings.

9

[ṭeth]

10

[yudh] It is an inheritance of toils and vexation that I have caused the world to inherit through my embitteredness, having sown in it countless deities.

11

[kaph] How He held me in honour above all that He created, exalting me above the spiritual beings, but I failed to honour Him who has loved me so greatly.

12

[lomadh] Alas for me when He is revealed in His glory and makes it known to me that He alone is the (true) Being, thus refuting what I have taught that has brought on so many woes.

Falsehood, that perturbs those who hold to it, have I sown in the world through my slackness. Alas for me, for my wrongdoings cannot be counted.

‫‪69‬‬ ‫‪7‬‬

‫‪8‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫ܺ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܺܙܡ ܳܝܢܐ ܺ‬ ‫�ܟܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ ܒܚܝܪ ܐ ܕܡ‬ ‫ܐܬ� ܺ‬ ‫ܘܓܐܐ ܕ ܱܣ ܶܟ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܟܪܝܬ ܽ‬ ‫ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܣ ܳ‬ ‫�ܘܬܝ‬ ‫ܕܥ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܒܐ ܺ‬ ‫�ܗ ̇ܘ ܽܛ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܪܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܝ� ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܓܝܢ ܶܠܗ܀‬

‫ܚܙܝܬ ܶܒܗ ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܕܫ ̈‬ ‫ܘܓܐܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳ� ܶܦܐ‬ ‫ܚ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܬ ̈‬ ‫ܘܩ ܰܢܝܟ ܺ‬ ‫ܗܕ ܶܝ� ܐ ܕ� ܶܡܢܝܢܳ‬ ‫ܒܪܬ ܺܠܝ ܕܐ�̈ܬ�ܶܐ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܣ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܚ� ܢܶܐ ܻܐܝܬ܀‬ ‫ܻ‬ ‫̱‬

‫‪9‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫ܝ‬

‫‪11‬‬

‫ܟ‬

‫‪12‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܳ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܩ ̈� ܶܝ ̇‬ ‫ܝܗ‬ ‫ܘܕܬ‬ ‫ܛܥܝ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܬܒܝܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܝܕ ܪܦܝܘܬܝ‬ ‫ܙܶܪܥܶܬ ܒ ̇ܗ ܻܳ‬ ‫ܺܠܝ ܳܘܝ ܺܠܝ ܕ� ܶܡܬܡܢܶܝܢ ܰܚ ̈ܘ ܰܒܝ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܕ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܕܥ ̈ܡ ܷ� ܰ‬ ‫ܫܚ ܶܩܐ‬ ‫�ܪܬ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܘܪܬܬܗ �ܥ�ܡܐ ܒܡܪܝܪܘܬܝ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘܙܪܥܶܬ ܶܒܗ ܻܐܝܬ�̈ܶܐ ܕ� ܶܡ ܳܢܝܢ܀‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܰ� ܰ‬ ‫ܩܪܢܝ ܶܡܢ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܱ‬ ‫ܝܡܢܝ ܶܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺܐܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܗܘܢ ܽܕ� ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܢܶܐ‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܰ� ܶ‬ ‫ܩܪܬ ܰ‬ ‫�ܗ ̇ܘ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܚܒܢܝ ܰܣ ܺܓܝ܀‬

‫ܶ‬ ‫ܠ ܺܠܝ ܳܘܝ ܺܠܝ ܳܡܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܓ� ܽ‬ ‫ܒܫ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܒܚܗ‬ ‫ܕܡ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬ�ܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܕܥ ܺܠܝ ܽܕܗܘ ܻܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܚܘܕ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܣܬܪ ܶܠܗ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܡ� ܳܘ�̈ܐ܀‬ ‫�ܝܘܠܦܢܝ ܷ‬

70

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

13

[mim] What shall I do on that day when the upright receive their crowns, and when He will drive me out of His banquet for His elect?

14

[nun]

15

[semkath] I have laid up for myself a store of miseries, the woes that perturb me will not come to an end in that world whose blessings do not pass away.

16

[‘e]

The clouds will convey Your saints, O Lord, when You shine out at Your glorious (Second) Coming. Alas for me, for how my sins have multiplied.

17

[pe]

Retribution that has no end is reserved for me: the magnitude of my audacious action(s) deserves it, for I have felt no shame in acting so wickedly in Your presence.

18

[ṣodhe] My wrongdoings are bundled up in Your presence, my faults are not hidden from You, and for this reason Your mercy will reject me.

The fire, Lord, will judge my thoughts, separating out the falsehood of my audacious action(s) in the presence of all the assembled spiritual beings.

‫‪71‬‬ ‫‪13‬‬

‫ܡ‬

‫‪14‬‬

‫ܢܢ‬

‫‪15‬‬

‫‪16‬‬

‫‪17‬‬

‫‪18‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܒܗ ̇ܘ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܰܟܝ ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܒܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ‬ ‫ܩܠܝܢ ܺܟܐ̈ܢܶܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܕܒܗ ܳܫ ܺ‬ ‫ܟ�ܝ̈ ܰܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܫܬ�ܐ ܰܕ ܰ ̈‬ ‫̇‬ ‫ܘܛ ܶܪܕ ܺܠܝ ܶܡܢ ܶܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ܀‬ ‫ܓܒ ̱‬ ‫ܴ‬ ‫ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫�ܚ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ܳܡܪܝ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܫ ܰܒܝ‬ ‫ܡܦ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܳܪ ܽܚܘܬܝ‬ ‫ܪܫܐ ܺܙ ܐܦܐ ܱ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܶܟܢ̈ ܶܫܐ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ܽܕ� ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܢܶܐ܀‬

‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡܬܐ ܽܕܕ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܣ ܳܣ ܶܡܬ ܺܠܝ ܺܣ‬ ‫ܘܘ ܢܶܐ‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܳܒ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܛܠܝܢ ܳܘ�̈ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܕܝܢ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܳܕ� ܳܦ ܺ‬ ‫ܛܪܝܢ ܽܛ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܒܗ ̇ܘ ܳܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ܀‬ ‫ܘܒ ̱‬ ‫ܳ̈‬ ‫ܥܢܢ ܰ‬ ‫�ܩ ܺܕ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܥ�ܢܶܐ ܳܡܪܝ ܳܛ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܝܟ‬ ‫ܥ‬ ‫ܐܬ�ܟ ܺ‬ ‫ܳܡܐ ܳܕܕ ܰܢܚܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܒܝܚܐܳ‬ ‫ܒܗ ̇ܘ ܶܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܓܝܘ ܰܚ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܺܠܝ ܳܘܝ ܽܠܝ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܒܝ܀‬ ‫ܽ ܳܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܢܛܝܪ ܺܠܝ ܳܕ� ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܠܡ‬ ‫ܦ ܦܘܪ�ܢܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܕܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ�ܐ ܠܗ ܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܓܐܐ ܕܡܪܚܘܬܝ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ̈ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܕ� ܶܒܗܬܬ ܰܘܐܪܫܥܶܬ ܩܕܡ ܐܦܝܟ܀‬ ‫ܨ‬

‫ܺ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ̈ ܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܐ ̈ܦܝܟ‬ ‫�ܪܝܪܝܢ ܡܪܝ ܚܘܒܝ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ̈ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ܛܫܝܢ ܡܢܟ ܣܟ�ܘܬܝ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܥܠ ܳܗ ܶܕ ܐ ܳܕ ̈ܚ ܳܩܢ ܺܠܝ ܰ� ܰ‬ ‫ܚܡܝܟ܀‬

72

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

19

[quph] You summon me to depart and receive the retribution for the hateful character of my thoughts. Alas for me, how befouled has been my teaching!

20

[rish]

The spiritual beings stand in awe while those in the body are ashamed to look on at that glory, the sight of which cannot be attained.

21

[shin]

(Sunk) in my wickedness I hear that voice (saying) ‘Go off, accursed one, to the hateful things that you have loved and be tormented there without mercy’.

22

[taw]

Come to my rescue, O Power that establishes all; save me, out of the multitude of Your grace, do not turn away, otherwise I will perish without mercy.

‫‪73‬‬ ‫‪19‬‬

‫‪20‬‬

‫‪21‬‬

‫‪22‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܩ ̇ ܳܩ ܶܪ ܐ ܐܢܬ ܺܠܝ ܶܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܦܘܩ ܶܘ ܰܐܩ ܶܒܠ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܽܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫ ܱܒܝ̈‬ ‫ܘܪ� ܳܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܣ ܽܢܝܘܬ ܽܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܟܝܪ ܽ� ܳ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܺܠܝ ܳܘܝ ܺܠܝ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܠܦܢܝ܀‬ ‫ܪ‬

‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܢܶܐ ܳܩ ܺ‬ ‫ܽ� ܳ‬ ‫ܒܕܚ�‬ ‫ܝܡܝܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܳܶ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܗܬܝܢ ܰܕ ܽܢܚ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܪܘܢ‬ ‫ܘܦܓ� ܢܐ ܒ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܒܗ ̇ܘ ܫܘܒܚܐ ܕ� ܡܬܕܪܟ ܚܙܘܗ܀‬

‫ܳ‬ ‫ܫ ܳܫ ̇ ܰܡܥ ܐ ܳܢ ̱ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܫܘܬܝ ܰܗ ̇ܘ ܳܩ�‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ̈ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܚܒܬ‬ ‫ܕܙܶܠ ܺ�ܠܝܛܐ �ܣ�ܝ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܫܬ ܰܢܩ ܰܬ ܳܡܢ ܳܕ� ܰ� ܶ‬ ‫ܚܡܐ܀‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܬ‬

‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܝ� ܰ‬ ‫ܬܩܢ ܽܟܠ‬ ‫ܬ ܐ ܻ� ܳ�ܠܝ ܚ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܦܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܒܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܘܩܝܢܝ ܒܣܘܓܐܐ ܕܛ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܡܐ ܺܘ ܰܐܒܕ ܕ� ܰܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܣܢ܀‬

7. manu kay hono

Again, like poem 4, this is addressed by the individual to ‘my Judge’, requesting assistance in dealing with the battle of the thoughts in discerning between right and wrong action. Source of text and attribution: Add. 14,592, ff. 51v–52r. Also found in Add. 17,173, f. 141rv, (which also provide an ‘unitho: ‫)ܥܘܢܝܬܐ ܫܘܒܚܐ ܠܟ ܡܫܟܚ �ܒܝ̈ܕܐ‬, Add. 14,506, and Sinai Syr. 10 (but damaged), while stanza 19 (alone) features in Add. 17,141. Metre: 8 8 8.

75

76

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

7. manu kay hono. Translation. 1

Who is this who dwells within me so that he might carry out in me the many things that he wills? O my Judge, bring me to Your will.

2

Maybe I have become (divided) between two wills, one opposed to the other. O make me one, in harmony with Your will!

3

I see battles (going on) in my thoughts, like two sides set out in combat. Be the victor in me, O Lord of triumphs!

4

I had an adversary that (came) from myself, and not one standing facing me to fight with me: between me and him, Lord, ascribe the victory to Yourself.

5

He resides in the movements of my thoughts and bursts forth feom me with barbs to strike me: O Hidden Onlooker, drive him from me!

6

He is well established and settled in my mind, causing my thoughts to rebel against me at every moment. May Your yoke, Lord, subject the rebellious one.

‫‪77‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܐܚܪܢܐ ܒܪ ܩܠܗ‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫‪5‬‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܰܟܝ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ܳܕܕ ̇ܐܱܪ ܺܒܝ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ̈ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܳܕܢܣܥܘܪ ܒܝ ܣܘܓܐܐ ܕܨܒ�ܢ ̱‬ ‫ܰܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܢܝ �ܨܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ� ܳܢܟ܀‬ ‫ܐܘ ܕ�ܢܝ ܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܰܟܝ ܶܐ ܳܢܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ ܰܠܬ�ܝܢ‬ ‫ܒ� ܺܢܝܢ ܳܕܩܝ̈ ܺܡܝܢ ܰܚܕ ܽܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܨ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܘܩܒܠ ܰܚܕ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܥܒ ܰܕܝܢܝ ܰܚܕ ܕܫ̇ ܳ ܶܠܡ �ܨܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ� ܳܢܟ܀‬ ‫ܳܚ ̇ܙܶܐ ܐ ܳܢܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܚ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܩ� ܶܒܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܫ ܰܒܝ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ̈ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܕܐܝܟ ܓܒܐ ܣܕܪܝܢ ܒܬܟܬܘܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺܙܟܝ ܺܒܝ ܰܐܢ̱ܬ ܳܡ ܳܪ ܐ ܕܢܶ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܨܚܢܶܐ܀‬ ‫�ܕ ܳܪ ܐ ܺܨܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܥܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܥܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܶ ܺܠܝ ܶܡܢܝ‬ ‫ܘܩܒܠܝ ܳܩ ̇ܐܡ ܰܕܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܠܘ ܽܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܩܪܒ ܰܥܡܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶܒܝܬ ܺܠܝ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܠܗ ܳܠܟ ܳܡܪܝ ܟܬܘܒ ܳܙ ܽܟܘܬܝ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܦܬܐ ܳܥ ̇ ܰܡܪ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܫ ܰܒܝ‬ ‫ܥܡ �‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܢܝ ܡܒܥ ܫܦܝܐ ܕܠܝ ܢܡܚܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܣܝܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܚ ܳܙ ܳ�ܐ ܰܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܛܪ ܳܘܕܝ ̱ܗܝ ܶܡܢܝ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܓܘ ܶܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܝܒ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܝܢܝ‬ ‫ܬܩܢ ܛܒ ܘ�‬ ‫ܡ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡܡܪܕ ܥܠܝ ܟ�ܫܥ �ܚܘܫܒܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܪܟ ܳܡܪܝ ܰܢܫ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܒܕ ܰ‬ ‫�ܡ ܺܪ ܳܝܕ ܐ܀‬

78

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

7

He devises cunning traps that lead to loss, he calls on (various) pretexts for some benefit (that seems) sweet but it then strangles: O rescue me lest I die!

8

Dear are his fetters, and subtle, and he fetters a person with something of his own. O release me from him, O my Helper, now that I have found You!

9

With a feeble cobweb he fetters people and brings low the might of heroes: his fetters are pleasing to (our) freewill!

10

There exists in the will the strength to cut away the fetters of this Persecutor. Clothe me, Lord, with Your strength (to do) Your will.

11

Our freewill possesses the power not to give way to the Captor. O Freeborn One, assist our free will!

12

He is a cunning craftsman who is fighting (in us) and he does not wish to make it known that he is alien (to us). Separate Satan out from us, Lord!

‫‪79‬‬ ‫‪7‬‬

‫‪8‬‬

‫‪9‬‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫‪11‬‬

‫‪12‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܶ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܪ ܶܟܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܣܪ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܨܢܥ‬ ‫ܶ ̈ ܳ ̇ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܥ ܴ�ܬܐ ܩܪ ܐ �ܝܘܬܪ ܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܚ� ܘܚ̇ ܳ ܢܶܩ ܰܦ ܳܨܢܝ ܕ� ܐ ܽܡܘܬ܀‬ ‫ܼܷ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܒܝܢ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܚ ܺܒ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܩܛ ̈� ܺܢܝܢ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܦܟ� ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܠܗ ܳܦ ̇ܟܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫�ܒܪ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܺ ܶܶ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܫܟܚܬܟ܀‬ ‫ܫܪܝܢܝ ܡܢܗ �ܕܘܪܝ ܕ‬ ‫ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܓܘ ܰܓܝ ܳܦ ̇ ܰܟܪ ܺ‬ ‫ܝ�ܝܬ‬ ‫ܡܚ ܴ ܻ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܫ ܶܦܠ ܰ‬ ‫�ܚܝ� ܰ‬ ‫ܢܒ ܶ� ܐ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡܝܢ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܺܣ ܺ̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܚ ܽܐܪܘܬ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܦܟ� ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܝ� ܒܨܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ� ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܻܐܝܬ ̱ܗܘ ܒܗ ܚ‬ ‫ܦܟ ܰ�ܘܗܝ ܳܕܪ ܽܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܦܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰܕܢܦ ܶܣܩ ܳ ̱‬ ‫�ܒܫ ܳܡܪܝ ܰܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܠܟ �ܨܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ� ܰܢܢ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫�ܚ ܽܐܪܘܬܢ‬ ‫ܻܐܝܬ ̱ܗܘ ܠ ̇ܗ ܥܘܫܢܐ‬ ‫ܳܕ� ܬܶܬܶܠ ܻܐ ܳܝܕ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܫ ܳܒ ܳܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܰ‬ ‫�ܚ ܽܐܪܘܬܢ܀‬ ‫ܒܪ ܚܐ� ܐ �ܕܪ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܽܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܟܬܫ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܰܢܐ ̱ܗܘ ܨܢܝܥܐ ܕܡ‬ ‫ܘܕܥ ܽܕܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܳܨ ̇ ܶܒܐ ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟܪ ܰ�ܐ ̱ܗܘ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܦܪ ܳ‬ ‫�ܣܛ ܳܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܘܫܝ ̱ܗܝ ܳܡܪܝ ܶܡ ܰܢܢ‬

80

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

13

Without a weapon he (acts) in us and brings us low: he takes from us and vanquishes us. Grant us, Lord, to vanquish him with what belongs to You.

14

Brazenly he renews each day the battle with me, using skill, so that I may be defeated. O our Saviour, rebuke the Insolent One!

15

I approached prayer, but found him there, dwelling in my thoughts. Cause him to cease, for he disturbs me so greatly!

16

He lurks in my mind, full of guile, he confuses my words when I make supplication. Make firm my will, Lord, so that it is in conformity with You.

17

How is it that he has introduced and set out there evil thoughts inside my heart? O Liberator of all, purify me through conversing with You!

18

When my prayer is serene, he disturbs me with the turbulent thoughts that he throws at me. O Serene One, make me serene as I meditate upon You!

‫‪81‬‬ ‫‪13‬‬

‫‪14‬‬

‫‪15‬‬

‫‪16‬‬

‫‪17‬‬

‫‪18‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܳܕ� ܰܙ ܳܝܢܐ ܰܒ ܽܢ ̱ܗܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܫ ܶܦܠ ܰ�ܠܢ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܰܢ ܽܢ ̱ܗܘ ܳܫ ̇ܩܠ ܳܘܙ ̇ܟܐ ܰܠܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܒܗ ̇ܝ ܺܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܘܗܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܠܟ܀‬ ‫ܰܗܒ ܰܠܢ ܳܡܪܝ ܕܢܶ ܶܙܟ ̱‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܝܦ ܗܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܟ ܽ‬ ‫�ܝܘܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܚ ܶܕܬ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܰܰܚ ܺܨ ̱‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܫܐ ܶܕ ܽܐܚܘܒ ܺ‬ ‫ܟܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܗ ܳܝܪ ܻܐܝܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳܦܪܘܩܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܙܓܘܪܝ ̱ܗܝ �ܚܨܝܦܐ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܫܟܚܬܗ‬ ‫ܠܨܠܘܬ ܐ ܩܪܒܬ ܘ‬ ‫ܰ ܰܰ ܰܳ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕܡܕ�ܪ ܬܡܢ ܒܚܘܫܒܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܛ ܳܠܝ ̱ܗܝ ܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܕ ܶܘܕ ܠܝ܀‬ ‫ܒ‬ ‫ܱ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒܓܘ ܶܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܡ� ܢܶܟ�‬ ‫ܥܝܢܝ ܰܟ ܺܡܝܢ ܷ‬ ‫ܳ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫̈ ܰܶ‬ ‫ܡܥ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܩܠ ܡܠܝ ܒܒܥܘܬ ܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܱ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܝܢܝ ܕܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܩܢ ܳܡܪܝ ܶܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܠܡ ܳܠܟ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܕܪ ܬ ܳܡܢ‬ ‫ܝܟܢ ܰܟܝ ܐܥܶܠ‬ ‫ܽܚ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܘܫ ܶܒܐ ܺܒܝ̈ ܶܫܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܓܘ ܶ� ܳܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܡܚ ܰܪܪ ܽܟܠ ܰܕ ܳܟܢܝ ܒܥܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܢ� ܳܢܟ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܦܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܘܕ̇ ܰܠܚ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܒܨܠ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ̈ ܶ ܺ ̈ ܶ ܳ ̇ ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܒܚܘܫܒܐ ܫܓܝܫܐ ܕܪܡܐ ܒܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܦܝܐ ܰܫ ܳܦܢܝ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܐܘ ܰܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܓ� ܳܢܟ܀‬

82

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

19

He is a farmer who each day carries thorns intending to scatter in me the seeds of his tares. O my Worker, weed out the Embittered One!

20

May the stirrings of my mind, Lord, be according to Your will each day in everything, so that it may become serene in love of You, O Liberator of all!

21

Any victory on my part, O Lord, is ascribed to Your grace, for in assisting me it will achieve success: to You belongs the crown of victory.

22

Freewill was defeated in the struggle, but grace will attain success. O Vanquisher of all, vanquish me in Your grace!

‫‪83‬‬ ‫‪19‬‬

‫‪20‬‬

‫‪21‬‬

‫‪22‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫�ܝܘܡ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܳܟ ܰܪ ܐ ̱ܗܘ ܽܕܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܛܥܝܢ ܽܟ ̈ܘ ܶܒܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܕܢܒܕܘܪ ܒܝ ܙ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ܺܕܙܝܙ̈ ܢܰ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܳܦ ܽ�ܘܚܝ ܥܘܕܝ ̱ܗܝ �ܡܪܝܪ ܐ܀‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܶܕܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܥ� ܰܢܢ‬ ‫ܗܘܘܢ ܳܡܪܝ ܙܱܘܥ ܱ ̱‬ ‫�ܝܘܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܒ� ܳܢܟ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫�ܨܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܟܠ ܶܡ ܶܕܡ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܬ ܶܦܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܒܟ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܚ ܰܪܪ ܽܟܠ܀‬ ‫ܕܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ� ̱ܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܒܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܝܒܐ ܳܡܪܝ ܳܙ ܽܟܘܬܝ ܠܛ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܒܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܕܪܢܝ ܬ ܰܣܒ �ܢܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܨܚ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܟܠܝ� ܳܕܙ ܽܟܘܬ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܕܠܟ � ܷܐܐ‬ ‫ܺ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܳܚ ܰܒܬ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܢܐ‬ ‫ܚܐܪ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܘܗܝ �ܢܨܚܢܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܛܝܒܘܬ ܐ ܬܩܕ‬ ‫ܳܶ ܽ ܰܳ ̱ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܙ ̇ܟܐ ܟܠ ܙܟܢܝ ܒܛܝܒܘܬܟ܀‬

8. dowitho (hy) napšo d-ḥaṭoyo

A sinner’s lament, addressed to the Judge. As the feminine forms in stanzas 15 and 25 indicates, the speaker from stanza 2 onwards is the soul. Source of text and attribution: Add. 14.592, f.52r–53r; also found in Add. 17,173, f.142v–143r, and Sinai Syr. 10, f.79r (in ̈ both of which an ‘unitho is also provided: ‫ܥܘܢܝܬܐ ܚܣܐ ܠܝ ܚܛܗܝ‬ ‫ ;)ܒܛܝܒܘܬܟ‬Add. 17,173 omits stanza 14 and places stanza 20 after stanza 22, while Sinai Syr. 10 omits stanzas 3–17 and 19– 29. Metre: 8 + 8 + 8.

85

86

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

8. dowitho (h)i napšo. Translation. 1

Wretched is the soul of the sinner as it begs the Judge with suffering to bind up its wounds, out of His compassion.

2

In the compassion that belongs to You eternally heal my ulcers, for they are many, seeing that Your treasury is rich in healing medicaments.

3

I have no fee to give You – not that You need to receive one, seeing Your riches! Just meet my need out of Your grace!

4

Your Father gave You to humanity for free so that You might bandage up (us) sinners: bandage me with Yourself, O Ocean of healing!

5

I calmly flew from Your nest but fell into a trap that strangles me: cause me to fly off to meet with Your luminary!

6

I am befouled with the mud of iniquity, and I am oppressed by (its) foul stench; O make me fragrant (once more) with Your unction which sanctifies all!

‫‪87‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܐܚܪܢܐ ܒܪ ܩܠܗ‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫‪5‬‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܚܛ ܳܝܐ‬ ‫ܳܕ ܺܘܝܬܐ ̱ܗܝ ܢܦܫܐ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܚ ܳܫܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܣܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܕ ܳ� ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܚ�ܢܶܗ ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܥܨܘܒ �ܡܚܘܬ ̇ܗ܀‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܻܐܝܬ‬ ‫ܚ� ܳܢܐ ܺܕܐܝܬ ܳܒܟ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܰܢܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܠܡ ܺܠܝ ܽܫ ̈‬ ‫ܕܣ ܺܓܝ̈ ܻܐܝܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܚ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܬ ܽܝܪ ̱ܗܘ ܰܓ ܳܙܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܕܥ‬ ‫ܘ�ܡܢܶܐ܀‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܠܘ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܓܪ ܐ ܻܐܝܬ ܺܠܝ ܶܕܐܬܠ ܳ�ܠܟ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܕܥܬ ܰܝܪ ܐ ܐܢ̱ܬ‬ ‫ܣܢܝܩ ܐܢ̱ܬ‬ ‫ܘܠܘ ܕܬ ܰܣܒ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܡ ܳ� ܺܠܝ ܽܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܒܘܬܟ܀‬ ‫ܘܢܩܢܝ ܒܛ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐ̱ ܽܒܘܟ ܰܡ ܳܓܢ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܗܒܟ �� ܳܢ ܽܫܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܰ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܬܶ ܶܗܘܐ ܳܡܪܝ ܳ‬ ‫�ܚܛܝܶܐ‬ ‫ܥܨ ܳܒܐ‬ ‫ܕܚ ̈ܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܥܨ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܒܝܢܝ ܳܒܟ ܰ� ܳܡܐ ܽ‬ ‫�ܡܢܶܐ܀‬ ‫ܪܚܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ܰܪ ܳܦܟ ܶܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܝ�ܝܬ‬ ‫ܒܗ ܴ ܻ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳܶ‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܚ ̇ܢܩ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܦܠܬ ܺܠܝ ܒܦܚܐ‬ ‫ܦܪܚܝܢܝ ܰ‬ ‫�ܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܕܗ ܰܕܢ ܺܗ ܳܝܪܟ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܣ� ܳܢܐ ܕ ܰܥܘ� ܺܦܝ� ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܫܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܚܐ ܰܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܩܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܫܚܟ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܡܝܢܝ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܒ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܩ ܶܕܫ ܽܟܠ܀‬

88

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

7

You washed me clean, Lord, in the waters of baptism, but I turned back to a multitude of evil deeds. Return to me the beauty of my baptism!

8

It is Your will to have compassion on sinners, it is Your will to hear (from) the lost: may Your will find me so that I do not perish!

9

Who forced You to come to a lowly state? Who urged You to endure being crucified? It is from Your sufferings that I have learnt that You love me.

10

At this I am greatly grieved that I have been ungrateful to Your love by causing You anger. O pay back on my behalf what I owe to You!

11

You have torn up the document of debt that applies to all 1 the one that the primordial serpent wrote out. By myself I have fallen into debt, O pay back my debts!

12

In order to save me, You were pierced with nails, to save me, You were crowned with those thorns. You have found me: guard me lest I perish!

1

Col. 2:14.

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‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ̈ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܪܩܬܢܝ ܳܡܪܝ‬ ‫ܒܣܚܬܐ ܕܡܝܐ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܺ̈ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܦܟܬ ܺܠܝ �ܣܘܓܐܐ ܕܒܝܫܬܐ‬ ‫ܰܦ ܳܢܐ ܺܠܝ ܽܫ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܥܡ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܦ� ̇ܝܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܕܝܬܝ܀‬ ‫ܰ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܬ ̱ܗܘ ܰܕ ܽ‬ ‫�ܚܛܝܶܐ‬ ‫ܬܚܘܢ‬ ‫ܨܒ‬ ‫ܳܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܬ ̱ܗܘ ܕܬܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡܥ ܰ� ܺ̈ܒܝܕ ܐܶ‬ ‫ܨ ̇ܒ‬ ‫ܶ ܳܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܨܒ�ܢܟ ܢܫܟܚܢܝ ܕ� ܻܐܒܕ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܺ‬ ‫�ܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܬ ܐܬܶ ܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܟ ܳܟܐ‬ ‫ܰܡܢ ܐܱ�ܨܟ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܐܱ ܺܦܝܣ ܬܣܝܒܪ ܙܩܝܦܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܰ̈ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܚܒܬܢܝ܀‬ ‫ܕܡܢ ܚܫܝܟ ��ܦܬ ܕ‬ ‫ܰܥܠ ܳܗ ܶܕ ܐ ܰܣ ܺܓܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܥ ܳܩܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܪܓܙܬܟ‬ ‫ܛܠܡܬܗ �ܚܘܒܟ ܕ‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܦܪܘܥ ܚܘܠܦܝ ܡܕܡ ܕܚܒܬ ܠܟ܀‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܓ ܳܘܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܬܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܛ ܳܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܚ ̱ܗܘ ܳܠܟ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܰ̇ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܘ�ܐ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡܝܐܳ‬ ‫ܟܬܒ ܶܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘ ܕ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫�ܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܕܝ ܳܚܒܬ ܦܪܘܥ ܚܘܒܬܝ܀‬ ‫ܺ ܰܶ ̈‬ ‫ܒܨܶ ܶ� ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܩ ܰܒܥ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ‬ ‫ܕܠܝ ܬܚܐ‬ ‫ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕܠܝ ܬܦܪܘܩ ܒܟܘܒܐ ܡܟܠܠ ܗܘܝܬ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܟܚܬܢܝ ܛ ܰܪܝܢܝ ܕ� ܻܐ ܰܒܕ܀‬ ‫ܐ‬

90

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

13

It is no new compassion that the supplication of the befouled soul arouses in You, for Your compassion is ages old in forgiveness.

14

It is Your practice to make the unclean holy, You submit Yourself so as to forgive sins; visit me with forgiveness, as You are wont!

15

It is not that I am the first that You have begun with me to have compassion on sinners: as with all (the other) fractures, bind up mine as well!

16

Very many things of this sort have been performed by You, many such glorious things exist in You; heal me of my ulcers, for I have meditated on You.

17

Receive the present I have brought along to give to You, for a present inclines the judge to forgive the wrongdoing of the person who is guilty!

18

Look, my tears are the present for Your grace. See, my supplication urges Your Uprightness, O Merciful One, accept (my) repentance.

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‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܚܡܐ ܰܚ ̈ܕܬܶ ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܠܘ ܰ� ܶ‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ ܳܒܟ‬ ‫ܳ ܽ ܳ̇ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܟܬܡܬܐ‬ ‫ܒܥܘܬܗ ܕܢܦܫܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰܕܐܥܬܩ ܶܠܗ ܚ�ܢܟ ܒܫܘܒܩܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܡ� ܰܕܬ ̱ܗܘ‬ ‫ܬܩ ܶܕܫ ܛ ̈ܡܐܐ‬ ‫̈ܶ ܺ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܛܗܐ ܟܒܝܫܬ ̱ܗܘ‬ ‫ܕܬܚܣܐ ܴ‬ ‫ܣܥ ܰ‬ ‫ܥ� ܳܕܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܝܢܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒܩ ܳܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܡܝܬܐ ܻܐܝܬܝ‬ ‫� ܗܘܐ ܓܝܪ ܩ‬ ‫ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܛܝܐܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰܺ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܕܡܢܝ ܫܪܝܬ ܕܬܚܘܢ �ܚ ܴܰ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܒ ܶ� ܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܥܨܘܒ ܐܦ ܺܕܝܠܝ܀‬ ‫ܰܐܝܟ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܰܣ ܺܓܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܣܥ ܳܝ�ܢ ܳܠܟ‬ ‫ܘܕܐܝܟ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܰܣ ܺܓܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܫܟ ̈ܝ ܳܚܢ ܳܒܟ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܢܝ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܠܡ ܺܠܝ ܽܫ ̈ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܣܬ ܳܒܟ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܚܕ ܐ ܕܐܝܬܝܬ ܶܕ ܷܐܬܠ ܳ�ܠܟ‬ ‫ܣܒ ܫ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܶ‬ ‫�ܕ ܳ�ܢܐܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܪܟ ܽܢ ̱ܗܘ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܕ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܕܣ ܽ‬ ‫ܟ�ܘܬܗ ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܫܒܘܩ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܳܝ ܳܒܐ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܶ̈ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܒܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܗܐ ܕܡܥܝ ܫܘܚܕ ܐ ܠܛ‬ ‫ܺ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܐ ܳܒ ܽܥܘܬܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܝ ܳܣܐ �ܟܐܢܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܳܽ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܡ ܳܢܐ ܰܩ ܶܒܠ�ܬ�ܒܘܬ ܐ܀‬

92

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

19

I have learnt what is Your will from Mary who gave only tears, 2 yet You wrote down the memory of her in Your book. 3

20

I am encouraged and am greatly confident, seeing who is my Lord, and the Son of my Lord, for He is compassionate, and His Child is full of mercy.

21

Let not my supplication come back without receiving remedies for my misdeeds from Your treasury, for when have You ever turned back supplication?

22

Let not the Adversary who hates me say ‘What have you gained, seeing that you have offended the Judge?’. Let him feel shame at my case, because You have forgiven me!

23

Your Father purchased me with Your blood and gave me to You. You rescued me from the Captor, and I have grown up in You: forgive me my sins so that I may be pleasing to You.

24

It is not that I am confident in my prayer that it has any power to heal my iniquities, for it is You who prayed on my behalf in the agony. 4

Jn 12:3. Mt. 26:13. She is without name in Mt. 26:13 and Mk 14:9, but ‘Mary’ is derived from the parallel account in John 12:3. 4 cf. Lk. 22:32. 2 3

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‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܺ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܦܬܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܰܢܐ ̱ܗܘ ܶܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ� ܳܢܟ‬ ‫ܐܝ�‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ܡܪ�ܡ ܕܕܡܥܐ �ܚܘܕ �ܗܒܬ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫�ܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܬܝ ̱ܗܝ ܶ‬ ‫ܦܪܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܟܪ ܳܢ ̇ܗ܀‬ ‫ܘܟܬ‬ ‫ܺ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܟܝ� ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫�ܒܝܒܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܘܣܓܝ‬ ‫ܘܒܪ ܳܡܪ ܐܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܽܢܘ ܺܠܝ ܳܡ ܳܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫�ܕܗ ܰܕܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ܶ‬ ‫ܚ� ܰܢܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܡ ܳܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܳ� ܬܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܗܦܘܟ ܳܒ ܽܥܘܬܝ ܴܕ� ܶܫ ܰ‬ ‫ܩܠܬ‬ ‫ܥܨ ܳܒܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ܰܓ ܳܙܟ ܳ‬ ‫�ܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ�ܚ ܰܢܝ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫�ܒ ܽܥܘܬ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܛܠܡܬ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܐ ܰܡܬܝ ܶܓܝܪ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܒܥܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ� ܢܻ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܣ ̇ܢܐ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܠܕܒܒܝ‬ ‫ܳ ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܚܩܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܪܬ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫�ܕ ܳ� ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܕܡܢ � ܼ‬ ‫ܺ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܝ ܢܒܗܬ ܡܛܠ ܕܚܣܝܬܢܝ܀‬ ‫ܐ̱ ܽܒܘܟ ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ܰ‬ ‫ܕܡܟ ܰܙ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܢܢܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܒܢܝ ܳܠܟ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܬܢܝ ܘ�ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܒܬ ܳܒܟ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܫܒܝܐ ܦܪ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܚܛ ܰܗܝ ܕܠܟ ܐܫܦܪ܀‬ ‫ܚܣܐ ܠܝ ܴ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܠܘ ܶܐ ܳܢܐ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܬܟܝ� ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܨܠܘܬܝ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܝ� ܰܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܠܡ ܽ‬ ‫�ܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ�ܚ ܰܢܝ‬ ‫ܺܕܐܝܬ ܚ‬ ‫ܰܕܐܢ̱ܬ ܰܨ ܺܠܝܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܚ� ܰܦܝ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܢܐ܀‬

94

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

25

By means of what belongs to You do I pray that I may vanquish, for by my own means I will certainly be defeated: to You befits the crown and victory!

26

Behold, Your sweat on my behalf in the agony 5 – and my Adversary is fettered by Your victory: do not let him return to mock at me.

27

Do not allow me to enter into temptation and distance Yourself to be (just) a spectator: do You fight and show me the victory!

28

Your fight and Your victory are sufficient, let it give victory to the feeble, such as me: may I not be defeated seeing that You are the victor!

29

I have accredited the battle and the victory to You, to You befits the victor’s crown; in You may I vanquish, for I myself am (now) worsted!

30

Return my requests, Lord, in Your grace, and forgive me my sins in Your Uprightness; be my Guardian, and save me, for I have taken refuge in You.

5

Lk. 22:44.

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‫‪30‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܝܠܟ ܶܐ ܶܙܟܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܗ ̇ܝ ܺܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܡܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܣܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܕܡܢ ܳܗ ̇ܝ ܺܕܝܠܝ ܐ ܽܚܘܒ ܥܬ ܳܝܕ ܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝ� ܘܢܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܨܚ ܳܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܳܠܟ ܰܫ ܺܦܝܪ ܟܠ‬ ‫ܳ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܥܬܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܚ� ܰܦܝ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܢܐ‬ ‫ܗܐ ܕ‬ ‫ܳܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘܒܥ�ܕܪܝ ܦܟܝܪ ̱ܗܘ ܒܙܟܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܫܪܝܘܗܝ ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ� ܬܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܦܘܟ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܒ ܰܙܚ ܺܒܝ܀‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܰ� ܰܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܦܝܢܝ ܶܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܣܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܥܘܠ �ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܢܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܪܚܩ ܰܐܢ̱ܬ ܬܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܰܚ ܳܙ ܳ�ܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܐܢܬ ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܪܒ ܰ‬ ‫�ܙ ܽܟܘܬ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܘ�ܢܝ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳܣ ̇ܦ ܽܩ ̱ܗܘ ܰܕ ܳܪܟ ܳܘܙ ܽܟܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܰ̈ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫�ܫܦ� ܳܕ ̇ܡܝܢ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܰܢܙ ܶܟܐ ܳܡܪܝ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫� ܐ ܽܚܘܒ ܶܡܛܠ ܰܕܙ ܳܟ ܰܝܐ ܐܢ̱ܬ܀‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܗܒܬ ܳܠܟ ܳ‬ ‫�ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܩܪ ܳܒܐ ܳܘܙ ܽܟܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܠܟ ܰܫ ܺܦܝܪ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܟܠܝ� ܘܢܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܨܚ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳܒܟ ܐ ܶܙܟܐ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܶܒܬ ܺܠܝ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܦ ܳܢܐ ܳܡܪܝ ܶܫ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܒܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܐܠܬܝ ܒܛ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܟ ܽܐܢܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܚܛ ܰܗܝ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳܣܐ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܴ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܗܘܝ ܳܢܛܘܪܝ ܰܘ ܳܐܚܢܝ ܕܛ ܶ‬ ‫ܦܣܬ ܳܒܟ܀‬

9. b‘eldara ṣni‘a

A request for help against the snares of the Adversary. Source of text and attribution: Add 14,592, f.53rv. Also attested in Add. 17,173, f. 140v–141r, Add. 14,623, f.87v–88r, and Sinai Syr. 10, f.77r. A corrupted form is found in Add. 17,141, f.12r. Stanzas 1 and 3 feature in Assemani III, pp. 420–1 at the beginning of what is otherwise a completely different poem. Metre: 8 8 8.

97

98

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

9. b‘eldaro ṣni‘o. Translation. 1

The cunning Adversary is luring me on, come to my aid, O Lord of the victorious: I have been defeated – help my guilty state!

2

He is evil and a warrior who fights without ceasing, cunning and persistent, skilled in battle; (only) Your grace will destroy his artifices.

3

Each day he is wakeful and ready for the contest: he does not sleep, but I am all weakened; in You, O Wakeful One, will I vanquish the Insolent One.

4

He craftily sits with me in (his) deceit and takes away from me a weapon with which to vanquish me; with Your help, Lord, let the Adversary be defeated!

5

What shall I do? For he fights and never wearies; he is addicted to battle, and he is spreading out (his) nets: may Your compassion, Lord, make me the victor, for I am so weak.

6

Many are the traps of the Crafty One, his hunting nets are stretched out; O merciful Guide, guard my footsteps!

7

He resides within me: where can I escape from him? he is dwelling in me: where can I hide from him? O Lord, be for me a place (to hide), and protect me!

‫‪99‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܐܚܪܢܐ ܒܪ ܩܠܗ‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫‪5‬‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫‪7‬‬

‫ܶ ܰܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܢܬܦ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܒܥ�ܕ ܪ ܐ ܨܢܝܥܐ‬ ‫ܳܬ ܐ ܻ� ܳ�ܠܝ ܳܡ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܕܙ ܳ ̈ܟܝܐܶ‬ ‫ܳܚ ܶܒܬ ܺܠܝ ܰ� ܰܕܪ ܰ‬ ‫�ܚ ܳܝ ܽܒܘܬܝ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܺܒܝܫ ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܩܪܒ ܘ� ܫ̇ ܳ ܷ�‬ ‫�ܒܝܒ ܡ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܺܨܢܝܥ ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܚܦܝܛ ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܟܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܐ‬ ‫ܡܗܝܪ ܠܬ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܬܟ ܰܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܒܕ �ܨܶ�̈ ܳܥܬܗ܀‬ ‫ܛܝܒ‬ ‫ܺ ܽ ܽ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܥܬܝܕ ܰ� ܽܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܢܐ‬ ‫ܥܝܪ ܟ�ܝܘܡ ܘ‬ ‫ܡܫ ܰܗܝ ܐ̱ܢܐܳ‬ ‫ܳ� ܳܕ ̇ ܶܡܟ ܶܘ ܳܐܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܺ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫�ܚ ܺܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܘܗܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܦܐ܀‬ ‫ܒܟ ܥ‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ ܐ ܶܙܟ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܟ� ܺܨܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܥ ܻܐܝܬ‬ ‫̇ܝܬܒ ܰܥܡܝ ܒܢ‬ ‫ܘܫ ̇ ܶܩܠ ܶܡܢܝ ܰܙ ܳܝܢܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܒܗ ܢܶ ܶܙܟܝܢܝ‬ ‫ܒܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܠܟ ܳܡܪܝ ܢܶ ܽܚܘܒ ܒܥܶ ܰ‬ ‫�ܕ ܳܪ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܪܒ ܘ� ܰܡ ܶܡܐܢ‬ ‫ܡܢ ܐܥܒܕ ܕܡ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ̇ܳ‬ ‫ܺ̈ܳܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܢܩܐ �ܕ ܪ ܐ ܘܦܪܣ ܡܨܝܕܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܳܳ ܳ ܰܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܚ�ܢܟ ܡܪܝ ܢܙܟܝܢܝ ܕܡܚܝ� ܐ̱ܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܣ ܺܓܝ̈ ܻܐܝܢ ܰܦ ܰ ̈ܚܘܗܝ ܳܕܢ ܽܟܘ�‬ ‫ܰܐ ܺ� ܺ‬ ‫ܝܟܝܢ ܢܶ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰܕܨ ܳܝ ܳܕ ܐ‬ ‫ܫܒ ̱ܰ‬ ‫ܚܡܐ ܛܪ ܰܗ ܳ ̈‬ ‫̇ ܰܗ ܳܕ ܳ�ܐ ܰܕ� ܶ‬ ‫�ܟܬܝ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܟܐ ܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܥܪܘܩ ܶܡܢܶܗ‬ ‫ܰܥܡܝ ܳܥ ܰ ̇ܡܪ � ܳ ̱‬ ‫ܺܒܝ ܳܕ ̇ܐܱܪ � ܳ‬ ‫ܝܟܐ ܐ̱ ܶ‬ ‫ܛܫܐ ܶܡܢܶܗ‬ ‫ܺ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܣܬ ܰܪܝܢܝ܀‬ ‫ܗܘܝ ܠܝ ܡܪܝ ܐܬܪ ܐ‬

100

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

8

His traps keep pace with my feet, his nets are spread out in my path; O Lord, be for me a road that is at peace!

9

Had there been a place where he was not present I would have fled there from him who causes (me) trouble. May Your compassion stand before me on my behalf!

10

Maybe it would be easier for my shadow to separate from me, were it a disadvantage, and my Adversary would not remain, as he is does not belong. 1

11

I entered into my thoughts – and he is there, for he is even more interior than one’s thoughts. Drive him away, Lord, let us remove the Disturber.

12

Where can I enter so as not to see him? I entered into my mind – and found him there. O Lord, be for me the gateway to Your Father.

13

He is more diligent than the diligent: it is not that he is sometimes running alongside (me) and sometimes not; show me what I should do so as not to be defeated.

14

A servant waits expectantly for the shade, a hired workman reckons his days, (but) where can I rest in this struggle that never lets up?

The exact sense is unclear but the basic contrast is between the presence of ‘my shadow’, which belongs, and of the adversary, who does not belong (lit. ‘is an alien’). 1

‫‪101‬‬ ‫‪8‬‬

‫‪9‬‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫‪11‬‬

‫‪12‬‬

‫‪13‬‬

‫‪14‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܳ ܺ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܥܡ ܶ� ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܓܠܝ ܳܗܐ �ܗܛܝܢ ܦ ̈ܚ ܶ ̱‬ ‫ܝܠܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܺ̈‬ ‫ܫܒ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܣܢ ܺ‬ ‫ܦ� ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܡܨ ̈ܝ ܳܕܬܗ‬ ‫ܺ ܺ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܝ ܠܝ ܡܪܝ ܐܘܪܚܐ ܡܫܝܢܬܐ܀‬ ‫ܶܐ ܽܠܘ ܺܐܝܬ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܠܘ ܶܒ ܽܗ ̱ܗܘ‬ ‫̇ ܳܥ ܶܪܩ ܺ‬ ‫ܕܫ ܽܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܐ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡܝ ܳܗܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܚ� ܳܢܟ ܽܢܩܘܡ ܰܒܐ ܰܦܝ܀‬ ‫ܦܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܩܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܛ ܳ� ܺܢܝܬܝ ܰܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܟܒܪ ܺ‬ ‫ܗܘܬ‬ ‫ܕܡܢܝ ܬܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܦܪܘܫ ܶܐ ܽܠܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܣܪ ܳܢܐ ̱ܗܝ‬ ‫�ܕ ܳܪ ܐ ܽܕܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܳܦ ܷ ̇ܐܫ ܒܥܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟܪ ܰ�ܐ ̱ܗܘ܀‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫�ܚ ̈ܘ ܳܫ ܰܒܝ ܥܶ ܶܠܬ ܘܬ ܳܡܢ ܽܗܘ‬ ‫ܕܓ ܳܘ ܽܝ ̱ܗܘ ܶܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܢܗܘܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕܚ ̈ܘ ܳܫ ܶܒܐ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܛܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܕܝ ̱ܗܝ ܳܡܪܝ ܰܢ ܶܦܩ ܳ‬ ‫�ܕ ܽܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܐ܀‬ ‫ܱ� ܳ‬ ‫ܝܟܐ ܽܬܘܒ ܶܐ ܽܥܘܠ ܴܕ� ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܚܙ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳ ܶܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܫܟܚܬܗ‬ ‫ܕ�ܪܥܝܢܝ ܥܠܬ ܘ‬ ‫ܺ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܗܘܝ ܠܝ ܡܪܝ ܬܪܥܐ �ܘܬ ܐܒܘܟ܀‬ ‫ܢܗܘܢ ܰܕܟ ܽܫ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܟ ܺܫ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܪ ̱ܗܘ ܶܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܝ� ܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܰܙܒܢ �‬ ‫ܕܠܘ ܒܙܒܢ ܪ ̇ܗܛ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰܳ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܐܥܒܕ ܚܘܢܝ ܕ� ܐܚܘܒ܀‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܕ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܣ ܶܟܐ ܠܛ ܳ��‬ ‫ܰ̈ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ ܳܚܫ̇ ܒ ��ܘܡܬܐ‬ ‫ܘܐܓ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܟܐ ܐ̱ܢܘܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܕ ܪ ܐ ܕ� ܡܘܦܐ܀‬

102

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

15

He does not wage war with me from outside, he comes at it from myself, and brings me down by means of myself. Grant me, Lord the (help) that is Yours, so that by it I may overcome him.

16

He set me up in the battle he has waged with me in order that I might be worsted by him in the struggle. O help me, Lover of humankind.

17

He has entered in and spied out the strength of free will, for he is stronger than it in the contest: with freewill’s help he has subjected freewill! Restrain him from me!

18

He has entered and stolen away all my will power, getting it to consent to him, so that of my own will I am defeated so that he mocks me. May Your will (prevail) in my weakness!

19

When someone strikes himself, why should he cry? Because I have been defeated out of my own volition, why should I complain? Blame belongs to the Evil One, but for me there is hope.

20

His compulsion has not led me away, for it is something alien, for in all things my freewill has authority. I was willingly worsted, may it be Your will, Lord, that I overcome him again!

‫‪103‬‬ ‫‪15‬‬

‫‪16‬‬

‫‪17‬‬

‫‪18‬‬

‫‪19‬‬

‫‪20‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܰܠܘ ܰܓ ܳܒܐ ܳܣ ̇ ܰܕܪ ܰܕܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܩܪܒ ܰܥܡܝ‬ ‫ܒܕܝܠܝ ܰܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܡܢܝ ܳܗ ̇ ܶܘܐ ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܫܦܠ ܺ�ܠܝ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܗܒ ܺܠܝ ܳܡܪܝ ܺܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܘܗܝ܀‬ ‫ܝܠܟ‬ ‫ܕܒܗ ܐ ܶܙܟ ̱‬ ‫ܒܕ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܺܠܝ ܰܐ ܺܩܝܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܩܪܒ ܰܥܡܝ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܟܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܐ‬ ‫ܕܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܐ ܽܚܘܒ ܒܬ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ� ܰܕ ܰܪܝܢܝ ܳܪܚ̇ ܶ ܡ ܒܢ̈ܝ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܽܐܪܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܰܥܠ ܰ�ܓ ܶܫܗ �ܚܝܠ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܐܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܺܣ ܽܝܢ ̱ܗܘ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܢܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܠ ̇ܗ ܰܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܒܕ ̇ܗ ܽ‬ ‫ܙܓܘܪܝ ̱ܗܝ ܶܡܢܝ܀‬ ‫ܒܝܢܝ ܕܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܥܠ ܰ�ܓ ܶ‬ ‫ܢܒܗ �ܨܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܠܡ ܶܠܗ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܝܢܝ ܐ ܽܚܘܒ ܰܘܢ ܶܗܠ ܺܒܝ‬ ‫ܕܒܨ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܨܒ�ܢܟ ܢܗܘܐ ܒܚ�ܫܘܬܝ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ̇ܳ‬ ‫�ܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܶܚܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܡܢ ̇ܒ ܶܟܐ‬ ‫ܦܫܗ‬ ‫ܡܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܕܒܨܒܝܢܝ ܚܒܬ �ܡܢ ܐܥܕܘܠ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܠܝ ܰܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܕ� ܳܝܐ ܺ‬ ‫�ܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܩܛ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܪܗ ܽܕܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ� ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟܪ ܳ�ܐ‬ ‫ܒܪܢܝ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܫܠܛܐ ̱ܗܝ‬ ‫ܒܟ �� ܶܗܝܢ ܺܚ ܽܐܪܘܬܝ‬ ‫ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܨܒܝܬ ܺܚ ܶܒܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܘܗܝ܀‬ ‫ܨܒܝ ܳܡܪܝ ܕܬܘܒ ܐ ܶܙܟ ̱‬

10. qum(y) napš(y) d-neplat

The soul is addressed and urged to repent (stanzas 1–20), drawing on the parables of Matthew 25 (the Wise and Foolish Virgins) and Matthew 22 (the Wedding Banquet). In the final stanzas it is ‘the sinner’, as opposed to the soul, who is addressed, urging him not to be afraid of making supplication to the divine Judge. Source of text and attribution: Add. 14,592, f.53v–54r. Also in Add. 17,173, f.144r (with attribution to Jacob, and providing an ‘unitho, ‫)ܐܚܢܝ ܡܪܝ ܡܛܠ ܕܛܦܣܬ ܒܟ‬. In Sinai Syr. 10 the poem appears as a continuation of poem 3 verse 1(!), and omits stanzas 4–13, 22–23. Metre: 8 + 8 + 8.

105

106

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

10. qum(y) napšo d-neplat. Translation. 1

Rise up, Soul, that has fallen into evil (ways), tremble in fear, and arouse (yourself) to repentance, so that you may be delivered by Righteousness.

2

Look how the fire of Judgement threatens you, pound at the Judge’s door so that He may deliver you from the flame.

3

He will be closing the door of the Judgement Hall and going in to minister to the saints, He will not be opening it (again) for anyone who knocks.

4

The door is (still) open and He is standing there calling out to you: listen in fear, and return to your Father’s house, O Daughter of Light, and abhor the dark.

5

Light up your lamp with your conduct of life, 1 take some oil, (that is,) your good works so that, with the Bridegroom, you may enter His chamber. 2

6

Let not your lamp go out in the Wedding Feast, 3 for they abhor the darkness there: clothe yourself in light, for the Bridegroom is expecting you.

cf. Mt. 25:5. Mt. 25:10. 3 Mt. 25:8. 1 2

‫‪107‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܐܚܪܢܐ ܒܪ ܩܠܗ‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫‪5‬‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܫܐ ܕܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܽܩܘܡܝ ܰܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܒܝ̈ ܳܫܬܐ‬ ‫ܦܠܬ‬ ‫ܳ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܚܠܝ ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܽܘܙܘܥܝ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܥܝܪܝ ܬܝܒܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܰܶ ܶܳ ܺ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܬܬܦܨܝܢ ܡܢ ̇ܗ ܕܟܐܢܘܬ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫�ܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ܺܕܕ ܳܝܢܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܡܐ ܶܠܟܝ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܝܘܗܝ ܠܬܪܥܶܗ ܰܕܕ ܳ� ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܩܘܡܝ ܽܫܘܚܩ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܦܨܶܝܟܝ ܶܡ ܳܢ ̇ܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܓ ܰܘܙܠܬܐ܀‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܠܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܒܝܬ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ‬ ‫ܐܚ̇ ܶ ܕ ܶܠܗ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܥܐܶܠ ܰܢܫ ܶܡܫ ܰ‬ ‫�ܩ ܺܕ�̈ ܶܫܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘ� ܳܦ ̇ܬܚ � ܳܝܢܐ ܳܕܢ ̇ܩܫ ܶܒܗ܀‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܩ ̇ܐܶܡ ̇ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܬܝܚ ܰܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩ ܶܪ ܐ ܶܠܟܝ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܚܠܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡܥܝ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫�ܒܝܬ ܐ ܽܒܘܟܝ‬ ‫ܘܦ ܳܢܝ‬ ‫ܰܒܪܬ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫�ܚ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ܀‬ ‫ܣ� ܺܝ ̱‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܰܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܕܟܝ ܰܐ ܰܢܗܪܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܰ�ܝܟܝ‬ ‫ܫܚܐ ̇ܥ ܳܒ ܰ ̈ܕܝܟܝ ܰܫ ܺܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܣܒܝ ܶܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܝ� ܐ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܬܢܐ ܷܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܥܠܝܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕܥܡ ܰܚ ܳ‬ ‫�ܩܝܛܘܢܶܗ܀‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܥܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ� ܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܡܫܬܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܫܪ ܶܓܟܝ‬ ‫̇ܳ‬ ‫�ܚ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܣܢܶܝܢ ܶܠܗ ܰܬ ܳܡܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ‬ ‫�ܒܫܝ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܬܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܣ ܶܟܐ ܶܠܟܝ܀‬

108

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

7

That person who is wearing garments that are soiled 4 they will cast out in fetters into the dark, lest he cause outrage to the banquet of the beautiful.

8

If your garments are soiled, it is easy for you, for they will be made clean again by the tears of your eyes; arise and wash your clothing clean with your supplication.

9

It was from the baptismal water that the Bridegroom provided the garments that are white, for the world and the guests; (so) from where does the filth come at the banquet?

10

Lust for transient money had bespattered with mud that person who departed so that he would not find joy with the saints.

11

The Bridegroom is angry for he well knows that He has clothed the members of the Wedding Feast with garments that are glorious and of beauty.

12

But as for that man who is wearing garments that are soiled, it was he himself who soiled his garments of his own will, and it was for that reason that they cast him out into the darkness.

4

cf. Mt. 22:12.

‫‪109‬‬ ‫‪7‬‬

‫‪8‬‬

‫‪9‬‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫‪11‬‬

‫‪12‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܰܗ ̇ܘ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫�ܒܫ ܳܡܐ̈ܢܶܐ ܳܕ� ܷܐ̈ܝܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܘ‬ ‫ܰܒ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫�ܚ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ‬ ‫ܦܟ� ܐ ܐܦܩ ̱‬ ‫ܕܫ ܺܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܕ� ܰܢܨ ܰܥܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܡ ܳܟܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܝ� ܐ܀‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܦܫ ܽ‬ ‫ܶܐܢ ܳ� ܷܐ̈ܝܢ ܳܡܐ̈ ܰܢܝܟܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܩ ̱ܗܘ ܶܠܟܝ‬ ‫ܶ̈ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܕܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܒ ̈ܒܬܟܝ‬ ‫ܪܩܘܢ ܒܕܡܥܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽܩܘܡܝ ܰܚ ܶܠܝ ܰܢ ̈ܚܬܝܟܝ ܒܒܥܘܬܟܝ܀‬ ‫ܶ ܰ̈ ܳ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܳܘ�ܝܢ‬ ‫ܡܢ ܡܝܐ ܢܚܬܐ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ� ̱ܗܒ ܰܚ ܳ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܬܢܐ �ܥ�ܡܐ ܘܠܚܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܓܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܡܫܬܘܬ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܡܢ ܐܝܟܐ � ܐܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܪ ܓܬܐ ܶܕܝܢ ܕܢܶ ̈ܟ ܶܣܐ ܳܥ ܽܒܘ� ܐ‬ ‫�ܗ ̇ܘ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܣ� ܳܢܐ ܰܦ ܰ‬ ‫�ܦܠܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܦܩ‬ ‫ܡܗܘܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܣܡ ܰܥ ܽ‬ ‫ܕܩ ܺ̈ܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܕ� ܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ܀‬ ‫ܬܢܐ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ܕ ̇ܝܳ ܰܕܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܓܙ ܰܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܕܫ ܺܦ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܓܐ ܳ�ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܝ�ܝܢ‬ ‫�ܒ ̈ܘ ܶܫܐ ܱ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫�ܒܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܰܠܒܢ̈ܶ ̇‬ ‫ܕܡܫܬܘܬ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܝܗ‬ ‫ܘܗ ̇ܘ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫�ܒܫ ܳܡܐܢ̈ܶܐ ܳܕ� ܷܐ̈ܝܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܘ‬ ‫ܽܗ ܽ‬ ‫ܘ�ܘ ܳ� ܐܐ ܳܡܐ̈ ܰܢܘܗܝ ܒܨܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ�ܢܶܗ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫�ܚ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ܀‬ ‫ܘܡܛܠ ܳܗ ̇ܝ ܐܦܩ ̱‬

110

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

13

Because he mistreated the Kingdom’s robe which consists of light, spoiling it with his own filth, the Bridegroom was angry and drove him out into the darkness.

14

Rise up, O soul, possessor of a good name: freeborn, you are worthy of the Kingdom; supplicate for mercy so that you may enter the Wedding Feast.

15

Repentance is a mother for sinners, and by means of tears she bandages up wounds, and brings about healing, for she is a physician.

16

A sinner who is lazy in supplication has loved the abscess which will kill him: (as a result) he will not make the effort to find healing.

17

With his sins he has kindled the flame, but if he so wishes, he can extinguish it with his tears. Supplicate for mercy, and the sentence will abate!

18

A person can extinguish that sea of fire with drops of ordinary tears: so that you do not burn, arouse (yourself in) repentance.

‫‪111‬‬ ‫‪13‬‬

‫‪14‬‬

‫‪15‬‬

‫‪16‬‬

‫‪17‬‬

‫‪18‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫�ܟܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܥܠ ܕܣܪܚ ܐܣܛ� ܕܡ‬ ‫ܒܠ ̇ܗ ܽܕܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ� ܐܘܬܶܗ ܰܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ܗܘܬܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܚ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܢܐ ܘܛ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܓܙ ܰܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܕܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܡܐ ܛ ܳܒܐ‬ ‫ܽܩܘܡܝ ܢܦܫܐ ܡܪܬ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܒ ̱ܪܬ ܺܚ ܶܐ� ܐ ܳܫ ܰ‬ ‫ܘ�ܬܝ �ܡ�ܟܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܡܐ ܕܬܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒܥܝ ܰ� ܶ‬ ‫�ܡܫܬܘܬ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܥܠܝܢ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܕܚ ܴܛܝܶܐ‬ ‫ܬ� ܽܒܘܬ ܐ ܐ ܳܡܐ ̱ܗܝ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ̈ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܒ ܳ�ܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܘܒܕܡܥܐ ܥܨ̇ܒܐ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ̇ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܘ�ܡܢܐ ܥܒܕ ܐ ܕܐܣܝܬܐ ̱ܗܝ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܚ ܳܛ ܳܝܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܒ ܽܥܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܶܡܐܢ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܽܗܘ ܰܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܚܢܐ ̇ܕܩܛܠ ܶ�ܠܗ‬ ‫ܚܡܗ �ܫ‬ ‫�ܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܟܚܗ ܽ‬ ‫ܳܕ� ܢܶ ܷ�ܐ ܘܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܘ�ܡ ܳܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܓܪ ̇ܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܰܘܙܠܬܐ‬ ‫ܰܒ ̈ܚܛ ܰܗ ̱‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ̇ ܳܒܥܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܕܥܶܟ ܳܠ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܒܕ ̈ܡ ܰܥ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒܥܝ ܰ� ܶ‬ ‫ܘܫ ܶܗܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܡܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܓܙܪ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ܰܛ ̈ܘ ܶܦܐ ܶܕܕ ̈ܡܥܶܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܫܚ ̈ܝ ܳܡܬܐ‬ ‫�ܗ ̇ܘ ܰ� ܳܡܐ ܽܕܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܕܥܶܟ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܰܺ ܳܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܕ� ܻܬ ܐܩܕ ܐܥܝܪ ܬ�ܒܘܬ ܐ܀‬

112

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

19

How can I approach repentance seeing that my mouth has been closed tight by the wicked actions of my hands, and that a sinner’s prayer is rejected?

20

The evil deeds that I have done so terrify me that I will not arouse the Judge with my petition lest he receive me with a rod of his punishment.

21

O sinner, it is the Evil One who is frightening you is the one who got you to sin and led you astray, mocking at you: it is he who has counselled you to be afraid of approaching.

22

Have no fear of supplication for the Judge indeed possesses mercy: who will abhor what He possesses?

23

His oaths serve you as a pledge that He does not desire the death of a sinner: 5 hold Him to be true, and approach supplication.

24

Simply acquire a good will and despise the bad things that you used to carry out, and He, who can do everything, will rejoice at your return.

5

Ezek. 18:23.

‫‪113‬‬ ‫‪19‬‬

‫‪20‬‬

‫‪21‬‬

‫‪22‬‬

‫‪23‬‬

‫‪24‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܟ ܳܢܐ ܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܬ� ܽܒܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܩܪܘܒ ܠ‬ ‫ܐ ܰ ̱ܳ‬ ‫ܣܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܥܘ� ܺܕ ̈ܐܝ ܰܕܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܪ ̱ܗܘ ܽܦܘܡܝ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܚܛ ܳܝܐ܀‬ ‫ܣ�ܝܐ ̱ܗܝ‬ ‫ܨܠܘܬܗ ܰܡ‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܙ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܕܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܕܥܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܥܢ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܒܝܫ‬ ‫ܳܕ� ܰܐ ܺܥܝܪ ܳ‬ ‫�ܕ ܳ�ܢܐܳ‬ ‫ܒܒ ܽܥܘܬܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܕ� ܰܢܩ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܽܪܕܘܬܗ܀‬ ‫ܒ�ܢܝ ܒܫܒܛܐ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܚ ܳܛ ܳܝܐ ܺܒ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܚܠ ܳ�ܠܟ‬ ‫ܚܛܝܟ ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܐܛܥܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܘ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܰܙܚ ܳܒܟ‬ ‫ܕܚܠ ܘ ܳ� ܬܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܽܗܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܠܟ ܳܠܟ ܕܬܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܩܪܘܒ܀‬ ‫ܶܳ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ� ܬܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܒ ܽܥܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܕܚܠ ܡܢ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܺ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܝܬ ̱ܗܘ ܶܠܗ ܰ� ܶ‬ ‫ܚܡܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܕ ܳ� ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܶ ̇ܳ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܘܗܝ܀‬ ‫ܡܢܘ ܓܝܪ ܣܢܐ �ܩܢ�ܢ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܳ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܗ ܻܐܝܬ ܳܠܟ ܶܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܘܡ‬ ‫ܫܟ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܳܕ� ܳܨ ̇ ܶܒܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܚܛܝܐܳ‬ ‫ܒܡܘܬܶܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܴܳ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܰܫ ܳܪܝܗܝ ܰܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܩܪܘܒ �ܒܥܘܬ ܐ܀‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܒ� ܳܢܐ ܳܛ ܳܒܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܩܢܝ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܶܨ ܳ‬ ‫�ܚܘܕ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ̇ܳ‬ ‫ܒܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܕܦ ܰܠܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ‬ ‫ܘܪܝ ̱ܗܝ �ܥܘ�‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܫܟܚ ܽܟܠ ܚ̇ ܶܕ ܐ ܗܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܒܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ܳܝܟ܀‬ ‫̱‬

11. ‘uhdono nbah bi

Time is fleeting past and the speaker (the soul) is reminded of the need to make supplication for past wrongdoings. Source of text and attribution: Add 17173, f.142r. Also in Add. 17,141, f.11v, but omitting stanzas 8, 12–13, 15–22. Metre: 8 8 8. ‘unitho provided after stanza 1.

115

116

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

11. ‘uhdono nbah bi. Translation. 1

I am reminded of petition, and shamefacedly I make supplication: how much have I abused! May Your grace have pity on my guilty state. Refrain: May Your grace have pity on my guilty state!

2

My ulcers are many – what doctor will act mercifully with a body filled with sores? O heal me, You who bind up the wounded.

3

My thoughts have caught me unawares with excuses: day after day I will sin, but (then) I repent. Grant me, Lord , that I may put into practice what I say (that I will do).

4

See how evening conveys me to morning, and my life is stolen away in the times that I have failed to repent. Have mercy on me: how much have I done wrong!

5

Daytime has snatched me away from night, my days have grown few, but my sins have not become any less. Grant to me, Lord, a life that is beneficial.

6

I promised yesterday that I would repent, but the day has passed, and there has been no repentance. Grant me, Lord, to turn to supplication.

‫‪117‬‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܽ ܳܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܒ ܽܥܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܥܘܗܕ ܢܐ ܢܒܗ ܒܝ‬ ‫ܳܘܢ ̇ ܶܟܦ ܐ ܳܢܐ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐܦܝܣ ܟܡܐ ܣܪܚܬ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ̱ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܛܝܒܘܬܟ ܬܚܘܢ �ܚܝܒܘܬܝ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬܟ ܬܶ ܽܚܘܢ ܰ‬ ‫�ܚ ܳܝ ܽܒܘܬܝ‬ ‫ܥܘܢܝܬܐ ܛܝܒ‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫‪5‬‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫ܚܢܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܔܝܘ ܽܫ ̈ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܳܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܣܝܐ ܳܚ ܷ ̇ܐܣ‬ ‫ܳܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܡ� ܚܒ�ܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܰܥܠ ܽ�ܓܘܫܡܐ ܰܕ ܷ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܳܣܢܝ ܰܐܢ̱ܬ ܳܥ ̇ܨܶܒ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܡ ܰ ̈ܚ ܳܝܐ܀‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫ ܰܒܝ ܰܓ ܽ‬ ‫ܽܚ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܢܒܘܢܝ ܒܥ̈ ܳ�ܬܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ�ܘܡ ܶܡܢ ܽ�ܘܡ ̇ ܷܐܚܛܐ ܘܬ ̇ ܷܐܒ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܰܗܒ ܺܠܝ ܳܡܪܝ ܶܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܣܥܘܪ ܳܕ ̇ܐܡ ܳܪ ܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ܀‬ ‫�ܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܫܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܰܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܝ ܶܒܠ ܺ�ܠܝ‬ ‫ܢܒܝܢ ܰܚ ܰ ̈ܝܝ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܬܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܒ� ܳ ̈ܕ ܢܶܐ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܛ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܳܬ ܶܒܬ ܰܚ ܳܣܢܝ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܬ܀‬ ‫ܷ‬ ‫ܝܡ ܳܡܐ ܶܡܢ ܺܠ� ܳܝܐ ܰܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܻܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܛܦܢܝ‬ ‫ܰܙܥܪܘ ܰ� ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܘܡܝ ܳܘ� ܷܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܒ�ܪܘ ܰܚ ̈ܘ ܰܒܝ‬ ‫ܰܗܒ ܺܠܝ ܳܡܪܝ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܽܕ� ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬܪ ܳܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܕܝܬ ܶܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܬܡܠܝ ܕܬ ̇ ܷܐܒ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܳܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܥܒܪ �ܘܡܐ ܘܠܝܬ ̱ܗܝ ܬ�ܒܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫�ܒ ܽܥܘܬ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܗܒ ܠܝ ܡܪܝ ܐܦܢܐ‬

118

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

7

The days come along hurriedly, but sins are like stumbling blocks: make smooth the road for me to travel on!

8

My life has reached its fill, but my sins stretch on; what shall I do with the time that has become short, for it is not enough to make supplication. Answer me quickly!

9

(My) life which has passed has been (nothing but) loss: what shall I do for what still remains? I beg You, Lord, may it prove beneficial.

10

I am ashamed each day at my promises, for they never come to completion. O Compassionate One, have compassion on one so ashamed!

11

O (my) life, whither are you hastening? Wait for me to repair the damage which I have done. You who are aware of all things, search out what is to my benefit.

12

Like buildings which have been torn down are my days, so that the walls of the edifice are destroyed. O Architect of mine, may repentance rebuild me!

‫‪119‬‬ ‫‪7‬‬

‫‪8‬‬

‫‪9‬‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫‪11‬‬

‫‪12‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ̈ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܒܝܢ ܺ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܺ‬ ‫�ܗ ܺ‬ ‫�ܡ ܰܐܙܠܬܐ‬ ‫ܝܘܡ‬ ‫ܰ ̈ ܶ ܳ ̇ܶ‬ ‫ܽ̈ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܛܗܐ ܕܡܝܢ ܠܬܘܩܠܬܐ‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܴ ܺ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܫܦܐ ܠܝ ܐܘܪܚܐ ܕܐܪܕ ܐ ܒ ̇ܗ܀‬ ‫ܘܗܐ ܳ� ܺ‬ ‫ܓܡܪܘ ܰܚ ܰ ̈ܝܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܪܟܝܢ ܰܚ ̈ܘ ܰܒܝ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐܙܕ ܰ‬ ‫�ܙ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܢܐ ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒܕ ܰ‬ ‫�ܗܙ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܽܙܥ ܽ‬ ‫�ܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ ̱ܗܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܥܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܥܢܝܢܝ ܰܒ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܓܠ܀‬ ‫�ܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܘ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒܪܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܣܪ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫�ܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒܕ ܳ‬ ‫̇ ܳܡܢ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܩ ܳܝ ܺܡܝܢ‬ ‫�ܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܒ ܽܥܘ ܳܡܪܝ ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܘܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܬܪ ܳܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܒܫ ̈‬ ‫ܶܒ ܶܗܬܬ ܺܠܝ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫�ܝܘܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܘ ܳܕ ܰ�ܝ‬ ‫�ܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕܠܝܬ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܳܕ ̇ܐܬܶܝܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡ� ܳܝܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܳܳ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܚ�ܢܐ ܚܘܢܝܢܝ ܠܒܗܝܬܐ܀‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳܐܘ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܝܟܐ ܺ‬ ‫�ܗ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܒܝܢ ܐܢ̱ܬܘܢ‬ ‫ܥܨܘܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܩ ܰܘܘ ܺܠܝ ̇ܐܶ ܽ‬ ‫�ܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ�ܚ ܰܢܝ‬ ‫ܒܥܝ ܽ� ܳ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ ܺ‬ ‫ܳܝ ܽܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܥܐ ܽܕܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܬܪܢܝ܀‬ ‫ܬܥܩܪܘ ܰ� ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܰܐܝܟ ܽܕ ̈‬ ‫ܘܡ ܶܣܐ ܳܗܐ ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܝ‬ ‫ܰ ܶܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܢ� ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܕܢܶܫܬ ܳܪ�ܢ ܐ ̈ܣ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܬ� ܽܒܘܬ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܐܘ ܐ ܺܪܕܝܟܠܝ ܷܬܒܢܶܝܢܝ‬

120

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

13

See how my days hasten to (my) passing on, and the morning is not willing to wait for me. O my Saviour, forgive me, for I have meditated on You.

14

Grant me, Lord, bursts of tears to wash away the filth of my limbs. I beg You have pity on me for I have taken refuge in You.

15

The Evil One has taken me captive, for he is deceitful; he has drawn me into error, for he is destructive. Take me captive, (Lord), away from my captor, for my gaze is on You.

16

May my supplication, Lord, be according to Your will; may my tears be accepted in reconciliation with You. I beseech You, revive (me) with Your grace.

17

Little by little [e.g. my days have crept on;] they have departed and are no longer. Save me, Lord, on that day which does not pass away.

18

It is proper that I should weep with discernment for my life that has passed on and is no longer. Grant me, Lord, repentance this very day!

‫‪121‬‬ ‫‪13‬‬

‫‪14‬‬

‫‪15‬‬

‫‪16‬‬

‫‪17‬‬

‫‪18‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܺ‬ ‫�ܗ ܺ‬ ‫ܥܒܪܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܝܒܝܢ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܶܡܐ �ܡ‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܳܨ ̇ ܶܒܐ ܰܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܩ ܶܘܐ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܳܐܘ ܳܦ ܽܪܘܩܝ ܰܚ ܳܣܢܝ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܣܬ ܳܒܟ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ̈ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܥܬܐ‬ ‫ܗܒ ܠܝ ܡܪܝ ܕܡܥܐ ܬ�‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܺ̈‬ ‫ܢܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܗ ܳܕ ̈ܡܝ‬ ‫ܝܓܢ �� ܐܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܕܛ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܒܥܶܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܽܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܦܣܬ ܳܒܟ܀‬ ‫ܘܢܝܢܝ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܫܒܢܝ ܺܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ ܶܡܛܠ ܳܕܢ ܽܟܘ� ̱ܗܘ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܓܕܢܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܐ ܰܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܣ ܽܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚܐ ̱ܗܘ‬ ‫ܱܘ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܫܒܝܢܝ ܡܢܗ ܕܫܒܝܝ ܕܚܪܬ ܠܟ܀‬ ‫ܬܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܳܡܪܝ ܳܒ ܽܥܘܬܝ �ܨܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ� ܳܢܟ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܥܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܒܠܢ ܶܕ ̈ܡ ܰܥܝ ܠܬ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܳ ̇ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫̇ܒܥܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܐܚܐ ܒܛܝܒܘܬܟ܀‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܩ ܺܠܝܠ ܰܩ ܺܠܝܠ ܳܗܐ ܐܬܓ] [‬ ‫ܽܶ‬ ‫[ ܰܕܐܒܥܶܕܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܠܝܬ ܐܢܘܢ‬ ‫]‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ̇ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐ ܳܚܢܝ ܡܪܝ ܒܝܘܡܐ ܕ� ܥܒܪ܀‬ ‫ܐܒܟܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܳܙ ܶܕܩ ܺܠܝ ܶܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܫ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐܬܥܒܪܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܥܠ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܠܝܬ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܬ� ܽܒܘܬ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܗܒ ܠܝ ܡܪܝ �ܘܡܢ‬

122

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

19

To-day is hastening to move on, threatening me to shorten my life. Make short, O Lord, (the list of) my sins, for it is very long.

20

Daytime and the light have plundered me: I have been unaware that they have vanished from my sight. O Sun, shine out in me, so that I may give light in You.

21

The morning deceives me, [evening has become da]rk for me, plundering my hours as it proceeds. O Lord, be my Morning that does not [pass away].

22

The evening spreads out (a bed) for me and causes me to sleep, so that in my sleep I may travel on to (my) departure. In You may I rest, O Hope of Your Creation.

‫‪123‬‬ ‫‪19‬‬

‫‪20‬‬

‫‪21‬‬

‫‪22‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܘܡܢ ܽܬܘܒ ܳܗܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܪܗܝܒ ܕܢܻܐ ܙܱܠ ܶ�ܠܗ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰܕܢ ܳ‬ ‫�ܚ ܰ ̈ܝܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܟܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܚܝܡ ܰܥ ܰܠܝ‬ ‫�ܚ ̈ܘ ܰܒܝ ܰܕ ܺܐܪ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܟ ܳܪ ܐ ܳܡܪܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܟܝܢ܀‬ ‫ܻܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡ ܳܡܐ ܰܥܡ ܺܠ� ܳܝܐ ܒܱ ܳܙܢܝ‬ ‫ܓܫܬ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܘܦܝܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܶܪ ܶ‬ ‫�� ̈� ܰܢܝ‬ ‫ܡܫܐ ܰܕܢܚ ܺܒܝ ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܢܗܪ ܳܒܟ܀‬ ‫ܦܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܺܢܟܝܠ ܰ�ܥ ܰܠܝ ܰܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫]ܘܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܚـ[ܫܟ‬ ‫ܡܫܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܚ ܶܠܨ ܳܫܥ̈ܝ ܕܢܻ ܰܐܙܠ ܶ�ܠܗ‬ ‫ܺ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ̇ܳ‬ ‫]ܩ ܶܦ[ܠ܀‬ ‫ܗܘܝ ܠܝ ܡܪܝ ܨܦܪ ܐ ܕ�‬ ‫ܘܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܫܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܘܐ ܺܠܝ ܰܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡܟ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒܫ ܰܢܬܝ ܶܐ ܶܪܕ ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܕ ܶ‬ ‫�ܡ ܰܐܙܠܬܐ‬ ‫ܱ ܳ ܽܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܟ ܐܢܘܚ ܱܣܒܪ ܐ ܕܒ��ܬܗ܀‬

12. abo mraḥmono

A request to the ‘Compassion Father’ for forgiveness, with a reflection on past wrongdoings and on the awesome nature of the Day of Judgement. Source of text and attribution: Sinai syr. 10, f.189r. Also found in Add. 17,141, f. 19v, Add. 14,506 f.74r and Assemani III, p. 447. Metre: (5+5) + (5+5) + (5+5); with alphabetic acrostic.

125

126

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

12. abo mraḥmono. Translation 1

[olaph] Compassionate Father, forgive me in Your Grace and cleanse my stains with Your hyssop that makes all white (again) 1 and heal me of my wounds so that I may confess Your Grace.

2

[beth] In You, Lord, may I be lifted up and stand, for I have fallen; for Your are the one who are the raiser up of all who have fallen. Stretch out Your hand to me so that I may live through Your mercy.

3

[gomal] The enemy has stripped me bare furtively, removing my beauty: he has left me without any fruit, and I have gone forth stripped of everything. May Your compassion become for me, on that day of judgement, raiment.

4

[dolath] It is a matter of awe on the judgement day when everyone will be called to account for their actions and thoughts and the glance of their eyes: O my Judge, on that day cause me to win through, though I am guilty.

5

[he]

6

[waw] Alas for whoever has multiplied his misdeeds, taking care when they sinned to cover up, lest they feel shame down here, for there, on judgement day, fingers will be pointed to them. 1

This is what breaks the heart, the horror that has no end, when all that we delight in separated from us, and everyone stands uncovered, and enters to be examined.

cf. Ps. 51:7

‫‪127‬‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܳܒܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܒܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܚܡ ܳܢܐ ܰܚ ܳܣܢܝ ܒܛ‬ ‫ܒܙ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܪܘܩ ܺܠܝ ܽܟ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܬܡܬܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܦܟ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܚ ܰܘܪ ܽܟܠ‬ ‫ܳܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܒܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܐܚܠܡ ܺܠܝ ܚܒ�ܬܝ ܕܐܘܕ ܐ ܠܛ‬

‫ܬܕ ܶ� ܶܘ ܽܐܩܘܡ ܕܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܒ ܳܒܟ ܳܡܪܝ ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܦܠܬ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ܰܕܢ ܺܦ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܕܐܢ ܽܬ ܗܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܡ ܳܢܐ ܽܕܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܠܝܢ‬ ‫̱ ̱‬ ‫ܒܝܕ ܰ� ܰ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܚܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܫܛ ܺܠܝ ܻܐ ܳܝܕܟ ܺܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܡܝܟ܀‬ ‫ܽ ݁ܰ‬ ‫�ܕ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܠܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܓ ܰܓ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܒܢܝ ܒܥܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܦܪ̈ܝ‬ ‫ܫܩܠ ܫ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܦܩܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܩܢܝ ܕ� ܺܦ ܶܐ� ܐ ܘܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܫ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܫܠܝܚ ܶܡܢ ܽܟܠ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܚ� ܳܢܟ ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܣܛ� ܽ‬ ‫ܒܝܘܡ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܠܝ ܷܐ ܴ‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪5‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܝܘܡ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ ܳܡܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܬܒܥ ܽܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܚ� ̱ܗܘ ܽ‬ ‫�ܢܫ‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܳ̈ ܶ ܽ ܳ̈ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܿ ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܒܕ ܐ ܘܚܘܫܒܐ ܘܪܡܙ ܐ ܕܒܒܬܐ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܒܗܘ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܳ�ܢܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܰܙ ܳܟܢܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܶܒܬ ܠܝ܀‬ ‫ܳܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܢܚܐ ܕ� ܳܣ ܳܟܐ‬ ‫ܗܢܘ ܬܒܪ �ܒܐ ܘܓ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܳܡܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܕܦ ܺ‬ ‫ܪܫܝܢ ܶܡ ܰܢܢ ܽܟ�ܗܝܢ �ܓܝܓܬܢ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܓ� ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩ ܷܐܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܥ ܷܐܠ ܕܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܥ ܰܩܒ܀‬ ‫�ܢܫ ܷ‬ ‫ܐܣܓܝ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܘܝ ܶܠܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܟܘܬܝ ܽܣ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܢ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܘ�ܚ ܰܢ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܛ ܺܫܝ ܳܕ� ܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܗܬ ܳܗ ܳܪܟܐ‬ ‫ܺܘܝܨܶܦ ܚܛܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܝܘܡ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ ܒܨܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܬ ܳܡܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܥܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܚ ܶܘܝܢ ܶܠܗ܀‬

128

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

7

[zayn] On that day human beings will quake, when each is judged by his own deeds, and everyone is pronounced by himself to be either innocent or guilty.

8

[ḥeth] My sins have greatly multiplied, while my days have faded and disappeared: the fateful time has arrived, and there is no repentance (any longer), and if there is no compassion, alas for me on judgement day!

9

[ṭeth]

10

[yudh] The day of departure is a bitter day for on it the body and soul separate each from the other with sadness and suffering and grievous tears.

11

[kaph] Everyone will be clothed in contrition when they see that these things that we have loved are no (longer), for all that we delight in has fled off like a dream.

12

[lomadh] O Lord, in Your judgement no special favours are shown, for it is according to a person’s actions that he is repaid if he has acted well, with the Kingdom, but if in a hateful way, with Gehenna.

Blessed is the person who has laboured a little in this world and he will inherit the Kingdom in the world that does not pass away; for if a person has toiled a little, he will have inherited and gained a great deal.

‫‪129‬‬ ‫‪7‬‬

‫‪8‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܳܙ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܗܘ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܥܝܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܒ� ̈� ܳܢ ܳܫܐ‬ ‫ܢܗܘܢ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܬܕܝܢ ܽܟܠ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ ܶܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܳܡܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܕܣܘܥ� ܢܰ ̱‬ ‫ܳܘܙ ܶܟܝܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܬܚ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܒܝܢ ܽܟ ܳ‬ ‫�ܢܫ ܶܡܢ ܰܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܦܫܗ܀‬

‫ܛ�ܩܘ ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܘ� ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܚ ܰܚ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܘܡܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܒܝ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܫܢܘ ܰܪ ܰܒܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܘܦܝܘ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܰ ܶܳ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܬ� ܽܒܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܘܠܝܬ ̇ܝܗ‬ ‫ܘܡܛܝ ܙܒܢ ܩ� ܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܘܐ ܽܢ ̱ܗܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܕܠܝܬ �ܚܡܐ ܘܝ ܠܗ ܒܝܘܡ ܕܝܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܒܗܢ ܳܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܡܠ ܰܩ ܺܠܝܠ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܢ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܽܛ ܰ‬ ‫�ܡܐ‬ ‫ܘܒ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܳܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܥ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܴܕ� ܳܥ ܰܒܪ‬ ‫ܘ ̇ܝܪܬ ܡ�ܟ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶܕܐܢ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܦܠܚ ܩܠܝܠ ܐܝܪܬ ܩܢܐ ܣܓܝ܀‬

‫‪9‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫ܝ‬

‫ܘܡܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܘܢܕ ܳܢܐ ܰ� ܰ‬ ‫ܕܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܡ ܺܪ ܳܝܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܫܐ ܶܒܗ ܳܦ ܺ‬ ‫ܓܪ ܐ ܰܘܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܫܝܢ ܰܚܕ ܶܡܢ ܰܚܕ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܶ̈ ܶ ܺ̈ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܚܫܐ ܘܟܪ�ܘܬ ܐ ܘܕܡܥܐ ܚ�ܝܓܬܐ܀‬

‫‪11‬‬

‫ܟ‬

‫ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܫܝܢ ܳ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܒ� ̈� ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ܳܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܬܘܬ ܰܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܫܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܕܚ̇ ܳ ܶܙܝܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܠܝܬ ܐܢܶܝܢ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܢܢ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܽܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܦܪܚ ܰܐܝܟ ܶܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܓܬܐ܀‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ �ܓ‬

‫‪12‬‬

‫ܶ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ̈ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐܦܐ‬ ‫ܠ � ܻܐܝܬ ܒܗ ܡܪܢ ܒܕܝܢܟ ܡܣܒ ܒ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܥܒ ܰܕܘܗܝ ܐ ܳܢܫ ܶܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܦܪܥ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܝܘܡ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ‬ ‫ܰܕܠܦܘܬ ̈ ̱ ̱ܳ‬ ‫ܶܕܐܢ ܰ‬ ‫�ܡ ܽ‬ ‫�ܟܘܬ ܐ ܶܘܐܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܦܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܢܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܰܗ ܳܢܐ܀‬

130

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

13

[mim] Who will not be astounded and groan when they see the two sides being separated out and receiving their final ends, some to the Kingdom and some to Gehenna.

14

[nun]

15

[semkath] O Hope of the repentant, open up for me the door of Your compassion, stretch out to me Your hand which is full of compassion, so that it may bind up my wounds and heal my scars.

16

[‘e]

Against me, very fittingly, is Your Justice, Lord, made angry, for I have not pleased her sister, Grace. O Lord of the two of them, save me by the two of them.

17

[pe]

Your treasury is open, Lord, to all who seek for You, and whoever wished to be enriched has acquired beautiful deeds. Because in my slackness my blemishes are so many, save me by Your Grace.

18

[ṣodhe] My will does not wish to come to Your will: bring me to Your will, in accordance with Your will, and I will give thanks to You who wishes for those who repent.

Let us acknowledge Your Grace which has pity on sinners let us worship Your Justice which chastises the rebellious, let us give praise to both of them so that we may live with both of them.

‫‪131‬‬ ‫‪13‬‬

‫ܡ‬

‫‪14‬‬

‫ܢܢ‬

‫‪15‬‬

‫‪16‬‬

‫‪17‬‬

‫‪18‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܳܕ� ܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܡܗ ܘܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܓܢܚ ܳܡܐ ܕܚ̇ ܳ ܶܙ ܐ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܓ ̈ܶܒܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܦ ܺ‬ ‫ܪܫܝܢ ܳܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܚܕܝܢ ܳܣ ܰܟܝ̈ ܽܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܽ‬ ‫�ܟܘܬ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܢܗܘܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܗܘܢ ܺ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܰܗ ܳܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܝܒܘܬܟ ܕܚ̇ ܳ ܢܶܐ ܠܚܱ ܴܛܝܶܐ‬ ‫ܢܘܕ ܐ ܠܛ‬ ‫ܺ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬܟ ܳܕܪ ܳܕ�ܐ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡ ܽ�ܘܕ ܐܶ‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܣܓܘܕ �ܟܐܢ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܬܪܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܬ�ܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܗܝܢ ܺܕܢ ܶܚܐ ܰ ݁‬ ‫ܝܗܝܢ܀‬ ‫ܰܢܫ ܰܒܚ‬

‫ܰ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܦܬܚ ܺܠܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܪܥ ܰ� ܰ‬ ‫ܚܡܝܟ‬ ‫ܕܬ ܳ� ܶܒܐ‬ ‫ܣ ܣܒܪ ܐ ܱ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫�ܝܬ ܰ�ܚܡܐܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܘܫܛ ܠܝ ܻܐ ܳܝܕܟ ܗ ̇ܝ ܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܺ ܽ̈ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܠܡ ܺܠܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܬܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܚܒ ܳ�ܬܝ܀‬ ‫ܥܨܘܒ ܠܝ ܫܘܚܢܝ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܪܓ ܳܝܙ ܐ ̱ܗܝ ܺܟ ܽܐܢܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܥܠܝ ܳܡܪܝ ܒܘܠ‬ ‫ܥ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܡܛܠ ܕ� ܪܥܝܬ �ܚܬ ̇ܗ ܛܝܒܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫�ܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܗܝܢ܀‬ ‫ܝܗܝܢ ܐ ܳܚܢܝ ܒܬ‬ ‫ܡܪ ܐ ܕܬ�ܬ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܦܬܝܚ ܳܡܪܝ ܶܒܝܬ ܰܓ ܳܙܟ ܽ‬ ‫�ܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܕܒ ̇ܥܝܢ ܳܠܟ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܦ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܩܢܐ ܽܫܘܦ� ܐܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܣܓܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܐܝܢܐ ܨܒܐ ܕܢܥܬܪ ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܰ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܣܓܝܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܦܝܘܬܝ ܐܚܢܝ ܒܛܝܒܘܬܟ܀‬ ‫ܨ‬

‫ܶܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܝܢܝ ܳ� ܳܨ ̇ ܶܒܐ ܺܕܢܐܬܶ ܐ �ܨܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ� ܳܢܟ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܒ� ܳܢܟ ܕ ܻܐ ܶܚܐ ܰܐܝܟ ܶܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܝܢܝ �ܨܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ� ܳܢܟ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ̇ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܘܐܘܕ ܐ �ܨܒ�ܢܟ ܕܨܒܐ ܒܬ�ܒܐ܀‬

132

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

19

[quph] Receive in Your Grace my request for Your reconciliation and grant me on the Day of Judgement life in Your Kingdom, and let the Adversary be ashamed seeing that You have pitied me in Your Grace.

20

[rish]

It is a matter of great importance for sinners that they have this: if someone who has sinned has repented, the document of his debts is wiped out 2 Because I do not possess any repentance, save me by Your Grace!

21

[shin]

Praise to the Living One who shone forth from us and healed our wounds with His Body that sanctifies all and with His Blood that forgives all: to You be praises from all!

22

[taw]

Thanks be to the Gentle One who each day carries our burden and knows that we are wicked, yet He creates and provides for us, and causes His sun to shine over us: praises to Your Grace!

2

Col. 2:14.

‫‪133‬‬ ‫‪19‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܝܒܘܬܟ ܳܒ ܽܥܘܬܝ ܠܬ‬ ‫ܩ ܰܩ ܶܒܠ ܒܛ‬ ‫ܽ ܺ ܳ ܰ ̈ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܟܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܘܗܒ ܺܠܝ ܒܝܘܡ ܕܝܢܐ ܚܝܐ ܒܡ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܰܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܗܬ ܒܥ�ܕ ܪ ܐ ܕܚܢܬܢܝ ܒܛܝܒܘܬܟ܀‬ ‫ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܛܝܶܐ ܳܗ ܶܕ ܐ ܺܕܐܝܬ ܽ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ̱ܗܝ �ܚ‬ ‫ܴ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܶܕ ܳܐܢ ܺ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ ܴܬܒ ܰܕܚܛܐ ܳ ܐܬܥܛܝ ܫܛܪ ܰܚ ܳ ̈ܘ ܰܒ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܛ ܽ‬ ‫ܕ� ܐܝܬ ܺܠܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܒܘܬܟ܀‬ ‫ܬ� ܽܒܘܬ ܐ ܐ ܳܚܢܝ‬

‫‪20‬‬

‫ܪ‬

‫‪21‬‬

‫�ܗ ̇ܘ ܰܚ ܳܝܐ ܰܕ ܰܕܢܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒܚܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܫ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܶܡ ܰܢܢ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܚܒ ܳ�ܬܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܩ ܶܕܫ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܓܪܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܣܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܟܠ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܡܚ ܶܣܐ ܽܟܠ� ܳܠܟ ܬܶ ̈ܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܚܢ ܶܡܢ ܽܟܠ܀‬

‫‪22‬‬

‫ܬ‬

‫ܝܡܐ ܽܕܟܠ ܽ�ܘܡ ܺ‬ ‫ܛܥܝܢ ܽ� ܰ‬ ‫�ܒ ܺܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܕܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܩܪܢ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܺ ܺ ܰ ̇ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܶܪ ܐ ܳܘܙ ̇ܐܢ ܰܠܢ‬ ‫ܘ ̇ܝܕܥ ܕܒܝܫܝܢܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܰܕܢܚ ܥܠܝܢ ܫܡܫܗ ܬܫܒܚܢ ܠܛܝܒܘܬܟ܀‬

13. aḥay ba-ktobe

Peter’s repentance following his denial of Christ. Peter is the speaker for almost all the poem, from the end of stanza 1 to the end of stanza 34; he describes his shifting thoughts, as he asks himself what he should do. In the final stanzas Grace intervenes and provides a reason why his denial was in fact part of Providence. Source of text: Add. 14,520, f.87r–90r, with some use of Add. 14,506, f.211v–215r. Much of the poem is to be found in Lamy, IV, 737–46, based on the Mosul Fenqitho (V, 212–3) and Paris Syr. 161, but with the stanzas in a different sequence. The first three stanzas also feature in the East Syriac Ḥudra (ed. T. Darmo, II, p. 501; Friday of Holy Week). Attribution to Jacob is found in Add. 17,190. The attribution is in fact not likely to be correct since in one of his mimre (Bedjan, Homily 21) Jacob explicitly polemicises against the suggestion in the present poem (cf. stanzas 20–21, 35–6) that Peter’s denial was predestined by Christ’s foretelling of it: foreknowledge does not imply predestination. Thus Jacob writes: Never say that is was going to happen that Simon would deny, seeing that our Lord himself had foretold it just as it turned out: (Christ) foreknew what would happen before it took place; it is not the case that Simon was blameless when he denied. If his denial had in reality not been hateful, then neither would his repentance have been beautiful! (ed. Bedjan, I, p. 518).

This sounds like a direct criticism of the present poem, whose fairly early date is also made likely by its being known also in the East Syriac tradition. Metre: (5+6) + (5+6) + (5+5) + (5+5) + 5; the first two lines are sometimes (5+5). Qolo: aḥay ba-ktobe. 135

136

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

13. aḥay ba-ktobe. Translation. 1

I gazed at the scriptures, my brothers, and was filled with suffering at the Passion of our Saviour: Kephas wept with suffering, first, because his Master had been betrayed and then again, because he had denied Him. As he wept he said, ‘I have lost what I had toiled for because I have denied my Lord.

2

‘Alas for me’, he cried out in the forecourt of Caiaphas’ house, 1 ‘for I have become estranged from the Son seeing that I have denied Him. He named me ‘Kepha’ [stone] 2 but I have become sand, and He is not going to build His Church upon sand any more, 3 seeing that I have destroyed my own self.

3

‘Blessed was I when, having learnt from the Father, I said to Him, You are the Christ, the Son of God, 4 – and He knew that He had shown me how to make supplication to His Father; He will no longer accept me without His Child: and I have been eternally condemned.

cf. Mt. 26:57. Mt. 16:18. 3 cf. Mt. 7:26. 4 Mt. 16:16. 1 2

‫‪137‬‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܰ ܰ̈ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܬ ̈ܶܒܐ ܳܚ ܶܪܬ ܶܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܬܡܠܝܬ ܰܚ ܳܫܐ‬ ‫ܐܚܝ ܒ‬ ‫ܘܩܢ ܺܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܚ ܳܫܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܟܕ ܰܚܫ ܳܦ ܽܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܟܐ ܗܘܐܳ‬ ‫ܐܦܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܪ ܳܬ ܐ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܫܬܠܡ ܰܪ ܶܒܗ ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܟܦܪ ܶܒܗ‬ ‫ܚܕ ܐ ܶܕ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܽ ̱ ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܕ ܒ ̇ܟܐ ܒܚܫܐ ܷܕ�ܘܬܝ ܐܘܒܕܬ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܒܡܪܝ ܳܗܐ ܶܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܪܬ ܀‬ ‫ܒܕܪܬܶܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܘܝ ܺܠܝ ܳܩܥܶܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܒܝܬ ܰܩ ܳܝ ܳܦܐ‬ ‫ܕܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܟܪ ܳ�ܐ ܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܦܪܬ ܶܒܗ‬ ‫ܺܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܗܢܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܦܐ ܰܫ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ ܺܠܝ ܳܚ ܴ�‬ ‫ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܥܕܬܗ ܰܥܠ ܳܚ ܴ� � ܬܘܒ ܳܒ ̇ܢܐ ܳܠ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܩܢܘܡܝ ܶܣ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܐ ܳܢܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܬܪܬ܀‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܺܠܝ ܰܟܕ ܶܡܢ ܰܐ ܽܒܘܗܝ �ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܒܐ ܰ� ̱ܗܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܽܛ ܳ‬ ‫�ܦܬ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܝܚܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܪܗ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܪܬ ܶܠܗ ܰܕܐܢ ̱ ܽܬ ̱ܗܘ ܳܡܪܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܐ� ܳܗܐ‬ ‫�ܝ ܽ� ܶ‬ ‫ܘ�ܢܝ ܰܐ ܺܦܝܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܺܘ ܰܝܕܥ ܽܕܗܘ ܰܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܕܗ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܡܩ ܶܒܠ ܺ�ܠܝ ܶܒ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܬܘܒ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫�ܥܕ ܶܡܢ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫�ܕ ܐ‬ ‫ܳܚ ܶܒܬ ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫�ܥ ܰܠܡ܀‬

138

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

4

‘He called out to me and I walked upon the waters 5 as if on a plank (of wood): the deep depths bowed their neck before me! The fish proffered the tribute money for us to give to Caesar’s men 6 – yet after this wonder of His I denied Him with an oath and have perished from Life.

5

‘Hot with anger, I cut off a man’s ear with a sword 7 – and because the man was not to blame He took it and put it back in its place: He preserved me, being Himself Good, but then I denied Him. What shall I now do for I have become a stranger (to Him) as grief (weighs down) my old age?

6

‘He promised His twelve (disciples) thrones, as well; 8 who will (now) sit on the one which I have lost? For I have lost my throne and He will no longer accept me, for a love that lacks faith will not have a seat upon it: darkness is my portion henceforth.

7

‘Foreseeing my deceitfulness ahead of time He said this with regard to me, “He who denies me before people, him will I deny; and he who confesses me, him will I confess before the Father”. 9 Should I say ‘I have not denied?’ – but I have denied along with oaths! Alas for me, for He will deny me. Mt. 14:19. Mt. 17:26. 7 Jn 18:10. In the Synoptic Gospels (Mt. 26:51 and parallels) Peter is not specified. 8 Lk. 20:30. 9 Mt. 10:23. 5 6

‫‪139‬‬ ‫‪4‬‬

‫‪5‬‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫‪7‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܘܥܠ ܰܡ ܳܝ̈ܐ ܶܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܟܬ ܰܐܝܟ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܩܪܢܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܥܠ ܰܕ ܳܦܐ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܰܨ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܥ ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡܩܗ ܰܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܬܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܗ ܰܟ ܶܦܦ ܽܩ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܕܡܝ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܠ ܶ‬ ‫�ܒܝܬ ܶܩ ܰܣܪ‬ ‫ܢܘܢܐ ܐܘܫܛ ܟܣܦܐ ܕܢ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܕܡܘܪܬܗ ܺ� ܺܡܝܬ ܘܟܦܪܬ ܒܗ‬ ‫ܘܒܬܪ ܷܬ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܕܬ ܶܡܢ ܰܚܝܐ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܶܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܣܩܬ ܶܐ ܳܕܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܦܐ‬ ‫ܐ̱ܢܐ ܒܚܡܝܡ‬ ‫̇ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬܩ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳܕ� ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܛܪܓ ܫܩܠ ̇ܗ ܘܩܒܥ ̇ܗ ܒܕܘܟܬܗ‬ ‫ܛܪܢܝ ܽܗܘ ܰܐܝܟ ܳܛ ܳܒܐ ܶܘ ܳܐܢܐ ܶܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܦܪܬ ܶܒܗ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܒܕ ܶܡ ܺܟܝܠ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܳܡܢ ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܟܪ ܳ�ܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ� ܰܥܠ ܰܣ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܒܘܬܝ܀‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܘ�ܣ ܳܘ ܳܬ ܐ ܰܠ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܣܪܬܶܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܠܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܳܐܦ ܽܟ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ‬ ‫ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܰܟܝ ܰܡܘܬܶܒ ܰܥܠ ܰܗܘ ܶܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܒܕܬ ܶܡܢܶܗ‬ ‫ܘܒܕܬܶܗ ܳܘ� ܽܬܘܒ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪܣܝ ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܽܕܟ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܩ ܶܒ ܶܠ ܺ�ܠܝ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܒܐ ܳܕ� ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ � ܳ� ̇ܬܒ‬ ‫ܝܡܢ ܰܥ ܰ� ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܟܐ ܡܛܢܝ ܶܡ ܺܟܝܠ܀‬ ‫ܺܢܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܝ�ܘܬܝ ܰܩ ܶܕܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܙ ܐ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܽܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩܒܠܝ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܐܢ̈ ܳܫܐ ܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܟܦܘܪ ܶܒܗ‬ ‫ܐܝܢܐ ̇ܕܟܦܪ ܺܒܝ ܳ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳܰ‬ ‫ܘܐܝܢܐ ܕܡܘܕ ܐ ܒܝ ܐܘܕ ܐ ܒܗ ܩܕܡ ܐܒܐ‬ ‫ܺ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ̈ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܶܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܦܪܬ‬ ‫ܕܐܡܪ ܕ� ܟܦܪܬ ܡܘܡ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳܘܝ ܺܠܝ ̇ܕܟ ܰܦܪ ܺܒܝ܀‬

140

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

8

‘The lot has fallen to two of us, to Iscariot and also to me, that we should leave the ranks (of the disciples) and become a portion for the fire. He sold Him for thirty pieces of silver, I (did so) with (my) oaths. 10 A rope made demands on him: should I do likewise? 11 (The Lord) thirsts to pour forth mercy.

9

‘Should I beg John who lay upon his Lord’s chest? 12 The people who have gone in to judge Him will not let me go in and prostrate before Him: the people are aware that I have proved false in two ways: I have denied Him in their presence, and now I am supplicating Him.

10

‘Let my eyes have no rest from weeping a fountain of tears: it was not because I was young (and inexperienced) that I denied Him who fashioned me, (bringing) shame on my old age, seeing that I, who used to reprove young people, have now transgressed myself. I have I fallen into the fire, becoming an object of shame for the young.

11

‘My weighty reputation has proved light, who will not weep for it? (its) good sense has been dissipated, who will not bewail it? It is cast outside, and trodden on by people – by a band of youths: my old age has become despicable. The dust will be my portion.

Mt. 26:15. Mt. 27:5. 12 Jn 13:23. 10 11

‫‪141‬‬ ‫‪8‬‬

‫‪9‬‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫‪11‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܘܛܐ ܐܦ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܶܦ ܳܣܐ ܡܛܐ ܠܬܪܝܢ ܠܣܟ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫�ܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܕܢܶ ܽܦܘܩ ܡܢ ܣܕܪ ܐ ܘܢܗܘܐ ܡܢ‬ ‫ܽ ܰ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܡ‬ ‫ܘܡܬܐ‬ ‫ܗܘ ܒ‬ ‫ܬܠܬܝܢ ܰܙܒܢܶܗ ܶܘ ܳܐܢܐ ܱ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܒ� �ܗ ̇ܘ ܬܒܥܗ ܐܥܒܕ ܐܟܘܬܗ‬ ‫ܨܗܐ ܕܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܡܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ� ܶ‬ ‫ܫܦܥ܀‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳܢܢ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܺܦܝܣ ܽ‬ ‫�ܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܦܠ �ܥܶܠ ܶܡܢ ܰܚܕ�ܶܗ‬ ‫ܳ� ܳܫ ̇ ܶܒܩ ܺܠܝ ܰܥ ܳܡܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܥ ܺܠܝܠ ܰܕ ܽܢܕ ܳܘܢܝ ̱ܗܝ‬ ‫ܶܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܥܘܠ ܶܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܣܓܘܕ ܶܠܗ ܳܝ ܰܕܥ ܺܠܝ ܰܥ ܳܡܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܕܡܘܗܝ ܶܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܓܠܬ ܒܬܪܬ ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܕܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܦܪܬ ܶܒܗ‬ ‫ܝܗܝܢ ܩ ܰ ̱‬ ‫ܘܗ ܳܫܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܡܦܝܣ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܶܠܗ܀‬ ‫ܘܚܢ ܶܡܢ ܰܡ ܽܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܒ ܳ ̈ܒܬܝ ܳ� ܽ‬ ‫ܬ� ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܘܥܐ ܶܕܕ ̈ܡܥܶܐ‬ ‫ܕܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܡܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܓ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܕ� ܳ‬ ‫ܦܪܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܡܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܒ�ܢܝ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܣ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܒܘܬܝ ܽܟܘܐ ܳܪ ܐ ܳܗ ܳܫܐ ܶܕܐܫܬܪܥܶܬ‬ ‫ܒܓܘ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܟ ܶܘܢ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܥ�ܝ̈ ܶܡܐ ܶܫܪܥܶܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ‬ ‫�ܫ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܣܕ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ ܶܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ� ܐ܀‬ ‫ܰ� ܺܩ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܪܘܬܝ ܙܶ ܰܠܬ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܳܕ� ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܟ ̇‬ ‫ܝܗ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܗܬ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܕ� ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ܶܦ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܠ ̇‬ ‫ܝܗ‬ ‫ܛܥܡܘܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܬ ܳܕ�ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ܶܡ ܺ‬ ‫ܬܬܕܝܫܐܳ‬ ‫�ܒܪ ܡ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ܽܓ ̈ܘ ܕ ܐ ܕܥ�ܝܡܐ ܣܝܒܘܬܝ ܐܬܒܙܚܬ‬ ‫ܰܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܢܬܝ ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܦܪ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ܀‬

142

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

12

‘My brother disciples, weep for your fellow disciple, for I have become a stranger, an object of shame among the disciples, and no longer a disciple; for if He will not accept me, once He has risen I will supplicate Him, that the person whom He seats upon my throne on the Day of Judgement, will not judge me in His presence!

13

‘Blessed are you, the Ten who have escaped the contest. Alas for Judas, who gave up, having sinned, and no further supplication for him will profit. But for me, fellow members, offer supplication that He will accept me, for He is the one who loves the penitent.

14

‘Old age is something good, and a jewel in the crown: advanced years are (a source of) light in the band of the young. The jewel of the crown has fallen away, having grown dim, its light has gone out and it has become something to be trampled on, having lost its beauty.

15

‘With just a few tears He forgave the Sinful Woman her wrongdoing 13 and because she took hold of His feet, He gave her the document of forgiveness. How will He refuse the flood (lit. river) of tears from my eyes? Shall I say that He who knows hidden things is not close at hand? He will have pity on me, as He did with her.

13

Lk. 7:47.

‫‪143‬‬ ‫‪12‬‬

‫‪13‬‬

‫‪14‬‬

‫‪15‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܰ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܺ̈ ܶ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܠܬ ܺ‬ ‫�ܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܕ ܐ‬ ‫ܒܟܐܘܢܝ‬ ‫ܐܚܝ ܬ�ܡܝܕ ܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܟܪ ܳ�ܐ ܘܒܗܬܬ ܐ ܒܝܬ ܬ�ܡ ̈� ܶܕ ܐ‬ ‫ܝܕ ܐ ܶܐ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܽܬܘܒ ܰܬ ܺ‬ ‫�ܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܩ ܶܒܠ ܺ�ܠܝ‬ ‫ܳܡܐ ܳܕܩܡ ܰܐ ܺܦ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܘܗܝ ܰܡܘܬܶܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܝܘܡ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ‬ ‫ܝܣ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ � ܽܢܕ ܰܘܢܢܝ܀‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܥܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܪ ܐ ܽܛ ܰ‬ ‫ܓܗܝܬܘܢ‬ ‫ܝܟܘܢ ܕܡܢ ܩܐܪܣܐ ܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܛܐ ܰܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܦܝ ܶܠܗ‬ ‫ܘܝ ܕܝܢ ܠܝܗܘܕ ܐ ܕܡܢ ܕ‬ ‫ܦܝ ܳܣܐ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܶܡ ܶܕܡ ܳ� ܰܡܗܢܐܶ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܚ�ܦ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܚ� ܰܦܝ ܰܗ ܳܕ ̈ܡܝ ܐ ܺܦܝܣܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܩ ܶܒܠ ܽܗܘ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳܕܪܚ̇ ܶ ܡ ܬ ܳ�̈ ܶܒܐ ̱ܗܘ܀‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܥܐ ܗܝ ܰܒ ܺ‬ ‫ܟܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܶܛ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܠ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܛ ܺܒ ̱ܗܝ ܣܝܒ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܽܘܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ̱ܗܝ ܩܫܝܫܘܬ ܐ ܒܓܘܕ ܐ ܕܥܠ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܬܪ ܶܠܗ ܰܥܠ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܡܛ‬ ‫ܛܒܥܐ ܕܟܠܝ�‬ ‫ܗ� ܶܪܗ ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܕ�ܫܐܳ‬ ‫ܰܘܕܥܶܟ ܰܢ ܺ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܘܒ ܽܕ ܗܘ ܽܫ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܦܪܗ܀‬ ‫ܰܕ ܶ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ̈ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ̈ܶ‬ ‫ܘܒ ̇‬ ‫ܝܗ‬ ‫ܒܕܡܥܐ ܙܥܘ��ܬܐ �ܚܛܝܬܐ ܫܒܩ ܚ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܛܪ ̇ܗܳ‬ ‫ܒܟܬ ܶ� ܰ‬ ‫ܕܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰ� ̱ܗܒ ܠ ̇ܗ ܐ‬ ‫ܓ� ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܡܢ ܳܒ ̈ܒܬܝ‬ ‫ܝܟܢ ܰܟܝ ܛ ܷܠܡ ܢܗܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܻܐ ܰܡܪ ܕ� ܰܩ ܺܪܝܒ ܳ� ̇ ܰܕܥ ܰܟܣܝ̈ܬܐ‬ ‫ܚܢܢܝ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܽܗܘ ܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫�ܗ ̇ܝ܀‬

144

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

16

‘I used to commit others into His presence, but I have become so that I need to supplicate others to supplicate Him. Alas for the person who does not offer himself, for if he is a sinner and does not offer himself up, he is marred by own scars.

17

‘Today all regions are clothed in mourning, just like me, not that they have sinned as I have, but because of the First Born. In a little while the world will have been clothed in light at the Resurrection of the Son, but I will have remained in darkness, to look on and groan.

18

‘My fellow disciples will come out from the dark for their Lord will be resurrected out from the dark, but as for myself, with a mantle of darkness am I clothed. My companions will be in the light, but I will be in the gloom if He rejects my tears.

19

‘“Get behind me, Satan”, is what He said to me. Does that ‘behind Him’ indicate that ‘You are going to deny Him’? “You are a stumbling block to me”, a short while ago He said to me, for had I been diligent, He would not have said this to me, for He never proves false.

‫‪145‬‬ ‫‪16‬‬

‫‪17‬‬

‫‪18‬‬

‫‪19‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܶܐ ܳܢ ̇ܐ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܶܠܗ ܰܡܓܥܶܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܚ� ܢܶܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܩܕܰ ܰܡ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ ܠܝ ܕ�̱ܚ� ܢܐ ܡܦܝܣ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܕܢܦܝܣܘܢܝ ̱ܗܝ‬ ‫ܘܡܗ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܩܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܘܝ ܶܠܗ ܶܕܝܢ ܰ� ܳܝܢܐ ܽܕܗܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܩ ܶܪܒ‬ ‫ܦܫܗ ܰ� ܰ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܳܛ ܳܝܐ ܰܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܕܐ ܽܢ ̱ܗܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܩ ܶܪܒ‬ ‫ܽ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܟܬܡ܀‬ ‫ܒܫܘܚܬܗ ܡ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ̈ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܢ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ� ܺ‬ ‫ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫�ܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܘܬܝ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܽܟܠ ܦܢܝܢ ܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܟܘܬܝ ܶܐ � ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ܽܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܛܝ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܠܘ ܕ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܽܢܘܗܪ ܐܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܒܫ ܰܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܥܕ ܳܗܐ ܰܙܒܢ ܰܩ ܺܠܝܠ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܝܡܬܗ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܚ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܦ ܶܫܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰܰ‬ ‫ܕܐܚܙ ܐ ܘܐܬܬ�ܚ܀‬ ‫ܰܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܕ ܐ ܳܢ ܺ‬ ‫ܒ�ܝ ܰܬ ܺ̈‬ ‫ܦܩܝܢ ܶܡܢ ܶܚ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܪܗܘܢ ܶܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܢ ܰܚܡ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܘ ܳܐܢܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܦܪܝܣ ܶܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܟܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܥܛܦ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܩܢܘܡܝ‬ ‫ܰܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܒ�ܝ ܰܢ ܺܗ ܺܝ�ܝܢ ܶܘ ܳܐܢܐ ܰܥ ܽܡܘܛ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܣ�܀‬ ‫ܐܢ ܶܕ ̈ܡ ܰܥܝ ܰܡ ܷ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳܳ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܬܪܝ ܶܐ ܰܡܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܥܒܪ ܠܟ ܣܛܢܐ �ܒ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܰܟܝ ܳܗ ܰܢܘ ܶܒܣܬܪܗ ܕܟܦܪܬ ܒܗ‬ ‫ܽ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܰܩ ܺܠܝܠ ܶܐ ܰܡܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬܐ ܰܐܢ̱ܬ ܺܠܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܬܘܩ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕܐܠܘ ܟܫ̇ ܪ ܗܘܝܬ ܗܕ ܐ � ܐ̱ܡܪ ܠܝ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܬܘܡ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܡܕ ܶܓܠ܀‬ ‫ܕܡ‬

146

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

20

‘Maybe it was because He does not prove wrong that I denied Him against my will, for after I had denied Him the cock crowed and while they were laying hold of Him He turned round and looked at me – and then I recalled what He had said: “You will deny me with oaths.” He look at me, and I remembered.

21

‘Where is His mother? I will go and beg her to supplicate her Beloved in case she will be heard; let her say to Him “If he had not denied You, Your words that You decreed would have proved false. See, he has denied, (to be) just as You have said!”

22

‘It is written that I will smite the shepherd, and his sheep will be scattered. 14 See how the shepherd is wounded, and the sheep of His flock have fled while I, who did not flee, have indeed denied Him. If only I had fled with my companions and hidden, and not remained and perished!

23

‘I wanted to show my love, more than my companions; I was blaming them for having abandoned Him and fled, and because I rejected what was written, I did not flee too. Now I have become a stranger to His Passion and to His Resurrection, Alas for me, for He will judge me.

14

Mt. 26:31.

‫‪147‬‬ ‫‪20‬‬

‫‪21‬‬

‫‪22‬‬

‫‪23‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫�ܡܐ ܰܟܝ ܳܕ� ܰܢܕ ܶܓܠ ܶܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܦܪܬ ܳܕ� ܒܨܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܝܢܝ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܦܪܬ ܶܒܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܩܪ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܓ�‬ ‫ܕܒ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܬ ܳܪܢ ܴ‬ ‫ܰ ܰܺ ܺ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܕ ܐܚܝܕܝܢ ܠܗ ܐܬܦܢܝ ܘܚܪ ܗܘܐ ܒܝ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܶܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܕܝܢ ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬܥ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܕܬ ܰܕܐܝܟ ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܦܪܬ‬ ‫ܘܚܪ ܺܒܝ ܶܘܐܬܥ ܱ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܗܕܬ܀‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܟܐ ̱ܗܝ ܰܟܝ ܐ ܶܡܗ ܻܐ ܰܙܠ ܐܒܥܶܐ ܶܡ ܳܢ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܒ ̇ܗ ܶܐ ܽܢ ̱ܗܘ ܶ‬ ‫�ܚ ܺܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܦܝܣ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܥܐ‬ ‫ܕܡܫ ܱ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܶܠܗ ܳܗ ܰܟܢ ܶܕ ܽܐܠ ܳܘ� ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܟܦܪ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ̇ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬܟ ܳܗ ̇ܝ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܓܙܪܬ‬ ‫ܡܬܕ ܓ� ܗܘܬ ܠܗ ܡ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܟܦܪ ܰܐܝܟ ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪܬ܀‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܐܡܚܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰܠܡ ܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܝܐ ܘܥܶ ܰ‬ ‫�ܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܬܝܒ ܶܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܒ ܽܕܪܘܢ‬ ‫�ܒ ̱‬ ‫�ܒܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܝܐ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܗܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܪܩܘ ܥܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܠܥ ܶܠܗ ܳܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܕ�ܢܶܗ‬ ‫ܦܪܬ ܺܠܝ ܶܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܩܬ ܶܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܘ ܳܐܢܐ ܳܕ� ܥܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܟܦܪ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܘܝ ܶܕܝܢ ܰܥܡ ܰܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܒ�ܝ ܥܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܪܩܬ ܶܘܐܬܛ ܺܫܝܬ‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܳ‬ ‫ܕܦ ܶܫܬ ܶܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܒܕܬ܀‬ ‫ܶ ܰܶ ܺ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܬܝܪ ܶܡܢ ܰܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܒ�ܝ‬ ‫ܚܡܬܝ ܕܐܚܘܐ ܒܥܝܬ �‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ̇ ܳܥ ܶܕܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܥܪܩܘ‬ ‫ܐܝܟܢ ܰܫ ܳܒܩ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܒܐ ܳܘ� ܥܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܟܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܪܩܬ ܐܦ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܐܣܠܝܬ ܕ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܺ‬ ‫�ܚ ܶܫܗ ܽܘܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ ܰܒ ܳܪ ܳ�ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܶܡܗ‬ ‫ܳܘܝ ܺܠܝ ܳܕܕ ̇ ܷܐܢ ܺܠܝ܀‬

148

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

24

‘Even though my companions took to flight, at least they did not deny Him. For suppose that they had not taken flight, how would they have benefited Him? For He had no need of human assistance, only of His Father, for it was He who begat Him and it is He who will resurrect Him. After He is risen, what shall I do?

25

‘At the time when my companions go forth with confidence, grasping the sword of the Spirit and going out to the (whole) earth, openly crying out “He has arisen from the tomb”, what will I have to say? Shall I say ‘My Master has arisen?’ I will have denied because He was not seen by me.

26

‘If henceforth I proclaim His name on earth how will the person who hears me accept me? How will they believe what is preached by someone who has denied? Someone who earlier was denying and rejecting Him is now proclaiming Him!

27

‘When my companions rebuke the demons and they take flight before them, when they breathe out against Satan and he departs from their presence, what shall I do? For He has removed His mark from me: for the Crafty One’s (mark) is different from His, and now he is mocking me.

‫‪149‬‬ ‫‪24‬‬

‫‪25‬‬

‫‪26‬‬

‫‪27‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܥܪܩܘ ܰܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܒ�ܝ ܶܐ ܳ� ܶܒܗ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܳܐ ܶܦܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܟܦܪܘ‬ ‫ܶܘ ܽܐܠܘ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܥܪܩܘ ܶܓܝܪ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܰܡܗܢܶܝܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܘ ܶܠܗ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܶܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܕܥܠ�ܥܘܕܪܢ ܕܐܢܫ �‬ ‫ܣܢܝܩ ܐ � ܰܕ ܽܐܒ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰ ̱ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܗ ̇ܘ ܕܠܗ ܐܘܠܕ ܗܘܐ ܐܦ ܗܘ ܠܗ ܡܢܚܡ‬ ‫ܳܡܐ ܳܕܩܡ ܽܡܘܢ ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܒܕ܀‬ ‫ܶܳܳ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫�ܝܘܬ ܐ ̈ܦܐ‬ ‫ܒ�ܕ ܢܐ ܕܢܦܩܝܢ ܚܒ�ܝ ܒܓ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫�ܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܐ ܳܘܢ ܺ‬ ‫�ܒ ܺ‬ ‫ܦܩܝܢ ܰ�ܪܥܐܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܟܝܢ ܶܠܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܦܐ ܕܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫�ܝ ܻܐܝܬ ܳܕܩܡ ܶܠܗ ܶܡܢ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܘܩܥܝܢ ܱ‬ ‫ܽܡܘܢ ܻܐܝܬ ܺܠܝ ܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܻܐ ܰܡܪ ܶܠܗ ܳܕܩܡ ܰܪܒܝ‬ ‫ܻ‬ ‫ܶܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܦܪܬ ܳܕ� ܶ‬ ‫ܚܙ ܐ ܺܠܝ܀‬ ‫ܕܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܡܗ ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܪܙ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܶܡ ܺܟܝܠ ܰ�ܠ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܐ ܽܢ ̱ܗܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܫ ̇ܡܥ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܐܝܟܢ ܡܩܒܠ�ܠܝ ܐܝܢܐ‬ ‫�ܟ ܽܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܝܡܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܟ ܳܢܐ ܰܢܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ܕܡܟܪܙ ܠܗ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܶ� ܳܕ ܳܢܐ ܳܟ ̇ ܰܦܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܳܕܗܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܣ� ܶܠܗ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܷ‬ ‫ܘܗ ܳܫܐ ܰܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܟܪܙ ܶܠܗ܀‬ ‫ܳܡܐ ܳܕܟ ̇ܐܝܢ ܰܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܥ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܫܐ̈ ܶܕ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܩܝܢ ܶܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܒ�ܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܢܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܷ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳܘܢ ܺ‬ ‫ܦܚܝܢ ܒܣܛܢܐ ܘܡܫܩܠ ܡܢ ܩܘܕܡܝܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܥܒܕ ܶܐ ܳܢܐ ܽܕܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܫܡܗ ܰܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܽܡܘܢ ܷܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܣܒܗ ܶܡܢܝ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܦܪ ܽܝܫ ܗܘ ܺܢܟܝ� ܺܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܠܗ ܶܡܢ ܺܕܝܠܗ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗ ܳܫܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܒ ܰܙܚ ܺܒܝ܀‬

150

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

28

‘Alas for me if He shuts the door of His mercy in my face: then Satan will see that I have left the ranks (of the disciples): he will never have enough of paying me back for what I owe him; for just as I gave him torment, so he will torment me. O Lord, do not let him mock at me!

29

‘O my tongue, sculpt the sounds and sighs that are needed for grief, for it was with you that I once sang, (and with you I uttered) the words of denial. With you may I strike out and utter words of confession, for it was your looseness that broke me down: let it in turn bring me healing, for your Lord is merciful.

30

‘If you should open up for me a door for repentance I will enter and approach, and my sins will be cleansed and I will cry out in the world, Come running, and enter the Kingdom, for its door is not closed in your faces, seeing that it was not closed in mine.

31

‘Fly from all quarters (of the earth), for the doors to mercy are open, and the person whose sins are many should not be in dread, for just as I have received forgiveness, everyone who cries out shall enter, for no one has done wrong as much as I have, yet our Saviour has had pity on me.

‫‪151‬‬ ‫‪28‬‬

‫‪29‬‬

‫‪30‬‬

‫‪31‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܚܡܐ ܰܒ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܳܘܝ ܺܠܝ ܶܐܢ ܳܐܚ̇ ܶ ܕ ܰܬ�ܥܶܐ ܰܕ� ܶ‬ ‫ܐܦܝ‬ ‫ܘܚ̇ ܳ ܶܙ ܐ ܳܣ ܳܛ ܳܢܐ ܕܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܦܩܬ ܶܡܢ ܶܣ ܳܕܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘ� ܬܘܒ ܳܣ ̇ܒܥ ܶܡܢܝ ܰܟܕ ̇ܦ ܰܪܥ ܺܠܝ ܽܚܘܒܠܝ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܩܬܗ ܳܗ ܳܫܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܫܢܶܩ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܕܟܡܐ ܕܫܢ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫� ܳܡܪܝ ܰܢ ܶܗܠ ܒܝ܀‬ ‫ܳ̈ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ� ܳܫܢܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܚ ̈ܫ ܺܚܝܢ‬ ‫ܓ�ܘܦ ܩ ܷ� ܕܟܪ�‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܘܕܒܟ ܙܡܪܬ ܗܘܝܬ ܩ ܷ� ܕܟܦ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ̈ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫�ܥܘܙ ܘܐ ܽܩܘܫ ܩ ܷ� ܕܬ�ܒܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܒܟ ܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܽ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܕܫܪ�ܘܬܟ ܬܒܪܬܢܝ ܗܝ ܬܗܦܘܟ ܬ ܐܣܝܢܝ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܳܪܟ ܰܚ ܳ� ܰܢܐ ̱ܗܘ܀‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ̇ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܬ� ܽܒܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܐ ܽܢ ̱ܗܘ ܬܦܬܚ ܠܝ ܬܪܥܐ ܠ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܶܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܚܛ ܰ ̈ܗܝ ܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܩܘܢ‬ ‫ܐܥܘܠ ܘܐܬ ܱܩܒܠ ܘ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܟܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܒܓܘ ܬ ܶܒܝܠ ܰܕܪ ̱ܗܛܘ ܘܬܘ ܽܥܘܠܘ �ܡ‬ ‫ܘܐܩܥܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܕ� ܓܝܪ ܐܚܝܕ ܠܗ ܬܪܥܗ ܒܐܦܝܟܘܢ‬ ‫ܽܕܩ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܕܡܝ ܰ� ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܬܚܕ܀‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ̈ܳ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܕܬ �ܥܶܐ ܰܕ� ܶ‬ ‫ܦܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܚܝܢ‬ ‫ܚܡܐ‬ ‫ܛܘܣܘ ܡܢ ܦ�ܝܬܐ‬ ‫ܳ ̈ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܩܛܥ‬ ‫ܕܣ ܺܓܝ̈ ܻܐܝܢ ܚܛܗܐ � ܢ‬ ‫ܣܒܬ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܳܢܐ ܶܕ ܳܐܢܐ ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܒܩ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐܟܘܬܝ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ � ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܽܕܟܠ ̇ܕܩ ܶܪ ܐ ܳܥ ܷ ̇ܐܠ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܟܠ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܰܢܢܝ ܳܦ ܽܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܩܢ܀‬

152

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

32

‘With my gestures and with my tongue I will call out and sing to (the world): Come, knock just a little at the Creator’s door: 15 He will open the door at once for it is not locked, seeing that He has hungered and thirsted for sinners freely so as to give life to our human condition; so come, enter and be forgiven.

33

‘If He allows me to return, I will have become the chief for all penitents, but if He keeps His distance from me, corresponding to my fault, will He let me die at His door? – for I will not depart from it. If He is going to kill me, I will not keep away, for this is my Master’s House.

34

‘A servant who does not run away when he sins is not treated as badly or as much as one who, not having sinned, runs away from the house of his masters; and if he does wrong again, he will remain in the house of his masters: the Good One will spare the one who has caused harm because he does not go off to somewhere else’.

35

Then Grace, through the mouth of the apostolate called out, saying, ‘Kephas, don’t be afraid, for you are Kephas, and upon you His Church is being built. 16 It was not your fault that you denied: His word settled upon you and you denied, as He had bidden.

15 16

cf. Mt. 7:7; Lk. 11:10. Mt. 16:18.

‫‪153‬‬ ‫‪32‬‬

‫‪33‬‬

‫‪34‬‬

‫‪35‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐܝܕܝ ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܺܒ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܒ� ܳܫܢܝ ܐܩܥܶܐ ܶܘ ܰܐܙ ܰܡܪ ܶܠܗ‬ ‫ܘܫܘܢ ܽܬܘܒ ܰܒ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܩ ܺܠܝܠ ܰ�ܬܘ ܽܩ ܽ‬ ‫ܬܪܥ ܳܒ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ�ܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܕ ܐ ̇ܦܬܚ ܶܠܗ ܠܬܪܥܶܗ ܕ� ܐ ܺܚܝܕ‬ ‫ܘܡ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܺ ܰܶ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܛܝܐܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܕܡܓܢ ܟܦܢ ܘܨܗܝ ܕܢܚܐ �ܚ ܴ‬ ‫ܬܘ ܽܥܘܠܘ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܬܚ ܰܣܘ܀‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܐ ܽܢ ̱ܗܘ ܰܕܢܦܢܶܝܢܝ ܶܠܗ ܺ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ ܺܪ ܳܫܐ ܠܬ ܳ�̈ ܶܒܐ‬ ‫ܟ�ܘܬܝ ܰܡ ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܶܘܐ ܽܢ ܗܘ ܰܕܐܝܟ ܰܣ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܪܚܩ ܠܝ ܶܡܢ ܺ� ܰܐܕ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ̱ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܬܢܝ ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܡܫܢܶܐ ܐ̱ܢܐܳ‬ ‫ܕܡܢܶܗ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܥܠ�ܬܪܥܗ ܢܡܝ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܱܺ ܶ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐ ܽܢ ̱ܗܘ ̇ܕܩܛܠ�ܠܝ ܡܢܗ � ܡܪܚܩ ܠܝ‬ ‫ܽܕܗ ܽ‬ ‫ܘ�ܘ ܶܒܝܬ ܳܡܪܝ ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܛܐ ܳܘ� ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܥܪܘܩ‬ ‫� ܡܬܛܠܡ ܥܒܕ ܐ ܟܕ ܢ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܰܗܘ ܽܕ� ܚ̇ ܛܐ ܘ ̇ܥܪܩ ܡܢ ܒܝܬ ܡ� ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܘܐ ܽܢ ̱ܗܘ ܕܬܘܒ ܰܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܟܬܪ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܣܟܠ ܶܒܝܬ ܳܡ� ̱‬ ‫ܳܚ ܷܐܣ ܰܗܘ ܳܛ ܳܒܐ ܰܥܠ ܰܗܘ ܳܣ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܐ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܽ‬ ‫�ܕܘܟ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܡܫܢܶܐ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܚܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܗܝܕܝܢ ܛܝܒܘܬ ܐ ܒܦܘܡ ̇ܗ ܕܫܠ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐܡܪܬ ܺܕܟ ܳ‬ ‫�ܫ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܥܘܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܪܬ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐܦܐ � ܬܬܩ ܰܢܛ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܐܢ ̱ ܽܬ ̱ܗܘ ܶܓܝܪ ܺܟܐܦܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܥܕܬܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܠܝܟ ܰܒ ܳܢܝܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܝܠ ܺܟ ܗܝ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܟܦܪܬ ܶܡܠܬܗ ܰܫ ܰܪܬ ܳܒܟ‬ ‫ܰܠܘ ܺܕ ܳ ̱‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܟܦܪܬ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܦܩܕ܀‬

154

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

36

‘What should you have chosen between these two: to deny before the People, or to show Christ to be untrue? So that He should not prove false, you denied Him with your lips, but in your heart you did not deny, while He hastened to forgive and wipe out your wrongdoing.

37

‘Had you not denied, and the People would have arrested you because of Him taking you off and crucifying you with Him, and there would have been a division in the world, and a stumbling block would have entered, for no one would have known who was the Saviour of the worlds. Praise too Him who gives Life to all!

38

‘But because this did not happen, and they did not crucify Kephas doubt (still) entered into the world, and it invoked many (different) Saviours, one saying ‘I believe in Paul’, another ‘in Kephas’, and another ‘in Apollos’. 17 For this reason only the One has saved us’.

39

‘O body of sinfulness, do not be terrified for your Lord has mounted the Cross, and has drunk the vinegar with bitter herbs; 18 the lance has pierced His side in order that He might heal your wounds. 19 Take Him into your hands, whisper to Him in stillness, and He will have removed your iniquity.

I Cor. 1:12. Jn 19:29. 19 Jn 19:34. 17 18

‫‪155‬‬ ‫‪36‬‬

‫‪37‬‬

‫‪38‬‬

‫‪39‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܳܝܕ ܐ ܳܓ ̇ ܶܒܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܗܝܢ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ ܡܢ ܗܠܝܢ ܬ‬ ‫ܕܬܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܰܥ ܳܡܐ ܰܐܘ ܰܕܢܕ ܶܓܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܟܦܘܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܚܐ‬ ‫ܱ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳܕ� ܰܢܕ ܶܓܠ ܽܗܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܟܦܪܬ ܶܒܗ ܒܣ‬ ‫ܦܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܒ� ܳܒܟ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܟܦܪܬ ܳܐܦ ܽܗܘ ܰܣ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܗܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘܥܛ ̇ܗ �ܣܟ�ܘܬܟ܀‬ ‫ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܐ ܽܠܘ ܳ� ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܟܦܪܬ ܰܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܚܕܘܟ ܶܡܛ ܳܠܬܗ‬ ‫ܗܘܘ ܳܠܟ ܶܓܝܪ ܳܘܙ ܺ‬ ‫ܳܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܩܦܝܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܪܝܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܘ ܳܠܟ ܰܥ ܶܡܗ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܫ� ܳܥ ܷܐܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ‬ ‫ܘܣܕܩܐ ܗ ̇ܘܐ ܒܥ�ܡܐ ܘܟ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܽܢܘ ̇ ܳܦ ܶܪܩ ܰ‬ ‫�ܥ ̈ܡܡܐܶ‬ ‫ܳܕ� ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ ̇ܝܳ ܰܕܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܒܚܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡ ܶܚܐ ܽܟܠ܀‬ ‫�ܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܬ ܳܗ ܶܕ ܐ ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟܕ ܳ� ܳ‬ ‫ܐܦܐ ܳ� ܰܙܩܦܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܘ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܦ ܽ� ܶ‬ ‫ܘܠ ܳܓܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܥܠ ܽܦ ܳ‬ ‫�ܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܣ ܺ̈ܓܝܶܐܐ‬ ‫ܰܚܕ ܳܐ ̇ ܰܡܪ ܶܕ ܳܐܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܠܘܣ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܦ ̇‬ ‫ܝܡܢ‬ ‫ܚܪ ܳܢܐ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܺ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܦܐ ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܦ ܽ�ܘ‬ ‫ܰܘܐ̱ܚܪ ܳܢܐ ܒܟ ̱‬ ‫ܘܥܠ ̇ ܳܗܝ ܰܚܕ ܰܦ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܪܩܢ܀‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ܳ� ܬܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܩܢܛ ܶܡܢ ܳܡ ܳܪܟ‬ ‫ܓܘܫܡܐ ܕܚܛ‬ ‫ܳܳ ܰܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܚ� ܰܦܝܟ ܪܟܒ ܩܝܣܐ ܘܐܫܬܝ ܡܪ ܪ ܐ ܘܚ�‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܒ ܳ�ܬܟ‬ ‫ܘܠܘܟܝܬܐ ܬܪܥܬܗ ܕܢܐܣܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܚܘܫ ܶܠܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܫ�ܝܐܳ‬ ‫ܣܒܝܗܝ ܰܒ ܳܙܘ ܳܪܟ ܰܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒܪ ܰܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܐ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܠܟ܀‬

156 40

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

‘If you find yourself wounded by the arrow of sin, do not say How can I approach Him, seeing that I am unclean, For Fire is cleansing and it will consume the sin. Approach Him, and see how He has bandaged up and is healing you for free, for He rejoices to forgive’.

‫‪157‬‬ ‫‪40‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܐ ܽܢ ̱ܗܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܒ ܰܠܥ ܰܐܢ̱ܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܓ ܳܐܪ ̇ܗ ܰܕܚܛܝܬܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܝܟܢ ܶܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ� ܻܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܩܪܘܒ ܶܠܗ ܕܛ ܳܡܐܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܽܕܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܚ�� ܳܘܐܟ� ܰܠܚܛܝܬܐ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ̱ܗܘ ܕ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܩܪܘܒ ܶܠܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܐ ܰܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܳܓܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܨܒܟ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܣܐ ܳܠܟ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܚ ̇ ܶܕܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܕ ܰܢܚ ܶܣܐ܀‬

14. aw ‘umro d-zabno

A complaint addressed to the World concerning all its incitements that only lead astray over the course of life. The poem ends with the author lamenting the undisciplined character of his life which contrasts with his well-structured sermons. The stanzas for nun to rish (14–20) are unfortunately lost. Source of text and attribution: Add. 17130 f.52v (olaph-lomadh), and Add. 17,190 (mim, shin, tau); also found in Add. 17,190, 116rv (omitting 9, 10, 12), Harvard Syr. 140 (omitting 2, 11– end; and with alternative stanzas for d, z , y), and Assemani (VI, p. 296; among the Necrosima, no. 40), omitting 7–9 and 13–20. Metre: (5+7) + (5+7) + (5+7) + (5+7); with alphabetic acrostic.

159

160

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

14. aw ‘umro d-zabno. Translation. By Mar Jacob, 1

[olaph] O temporal abode, why did you make me confident in life? O sea of sins, why did you sink me in the depth? O evil world, why did you cast me into the wilderness? – and so I will be going to where the Creditor is awaiting me. Refrain: Praise to You, O Christ, the hope of all the departed.

2

[beth] With raiment you incited me, with possessions you enticed me, with a bait that strangles me like a bird you have bound me; you have caused me to grasp at a passing shadow with my ten fingers and like a man stirring from his dream, I arose and lost hold of it.

3

[gomal] A thief steals wealth that is visible and makes off, you have been a crafty burglar plundering me of everything; openly you have stolen, plundering my inmost recesses in secret. I go to my Lord stripped, wretched and laid bare.

4

[dolath] I saw all sorts of forms and I went astray after them; I was proud, as though I was grasping something that lasts, but when I wanted to rejoice at the fair beauty of youth, all of a sudden death entered, and my joy was a withered flower.

‫‪161‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܕܡܪܝ ܝܥܩܘܒ ܥܘܢܝܬܐ ܠܟ ܫܘܒܚܐ ܡܫܝܚܐ ܣܒܪܐ ܕܟܠܗܘܢ ܥܢ̈ܝܕܐ‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܟܠܬܢܝ ܰܥܠ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܐܘ ܥܘܡܪ ܐ ܕܙܒܢܐ �ܡܢ ܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳܐܘ ܰ� ܳܡܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܚ ̈ܘ ܶܒܐ �ܡܢ ܛܒܥܬܢܝ ܒܬܗܘܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܢܝ ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܐܘ ܳܥ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܺܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܥ ܳܫܐ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ �ܡܢ ܐܪܡ‬ ‫ܳܘ ̇ܐܙܶܠ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܝܟܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܶܪ ܐ ܰܚ ̈ܘ ܶܒܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܣ ܶܟܐ ܺܠܝ܀‬

‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ̈ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܓܬܢܝ ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܩ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܢ�ܢܶܐ ܰܫ ܶܕܠܬܢܝ‬ ‫ܒ ܒܢܚܬܐ ܓܪ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳܶ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ�ܩܛܐ ܕܚ ̇ܢܩ ܠܝ ܐܝܟ ܕ�ܥܘܦܐ ܦܟܪܬܢܝ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ̈ ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫�ܒܟܬܢܝ‬ ‫ܠܛ�� ܕܥܒܪ ܒܥܣܪ ܨܒܥܬܝ ܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܳܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘܐܝܟ ܓܒܪ ܐ ܒܚ�ܡܗ ܢ ̇ܕܐ ܩܡܬ ܘܐܘܒܕܬܗ܀‬ ‫ܓ ܰܓ ܳܢ ܳܒܐ ܳܓ ̇ܢܶܒ ܽܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬܪ ܐ ܰܓ ܳ‬ ‫�ܝܐ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܫܢܶܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܳܝܣܐ ܺܨܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ ܺܠܝ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܥܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܽܟܠ ܚܠܨܬܢܝ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫�ܝ ܻܐܝܬ ܰܚ ܶܠܨܬ ܶܩ ܰܦܠܝ ܰܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܬܢܝ ܰܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܝ ܻܐܝܬ‬ ‫ܓܢ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳܘܐ ̇ܙܠ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܨܝܕ ܡܪܝ ܟܕ ܫܠܝܚ ܡܕ ܘܝ ܘܡܦܪܣܝ܀‬ ‫ܕ‬

‫ܶ ܳ̈ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܗܝܢ‬ ‫ܕܡܘܬ ܐ ܚܙܝܬ ܒܟ ܥ�ܡܐ ܘܛܥܝܬ ܒ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܩܘܐܶ‬ ‫�ܒܝܟ ܶܡ ܶܕܡ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܬܝܪ ܺ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܗܘ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒܫܘܦܪ ܐ ܦ ܳܐ�ܐ ܕܛ ܽ‬ ‫ܚܕ ܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܰܕܒܥܝܬ ܷܐ ܶ‬ ‫�ܝܘܬܝ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ܶܫܠܝ ܰܥܠ ܰܡܘܬ ܐ ܰܘܐܝܟ ܰܗ ܳܒ ܳܒܐ ܳܢܬܪ ܰܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܘܬܝ܀‬

162

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

5

[he]

6

[waw] The attention of my thoughts was bound up with (the spread) of Time’s table: my mind was on sparkling wines and food. When I toiled, I set (as my motto) ‘Eat, drink and enjoy’. 1 All of sudden Death entered in and stopped up the mouths of those at the table.

7

[zayn] My youth was diligent in gathering up for me a blaze, feeding it with the wood of adultery, fraud and swearing. Terror is cast upon me: You have kindled (the fire) as with the (Three Children) in Babylon. O Dew in the Furnace, in You may I be delivered from its midst! 2

8

[ḥeth] Who is able to endure the wrath of Justice? You taught me, but I failed to listen to You. Who will now help me? You set out fire and water, so that I might stretch forth my hand where I wish. Spare me, Lord, the wretch who does not want to choose what is beneficial for him.

1 2

See how all my senses bear reproach from the world, my eyes (lit. mouth] are full of weeping, my mind gives birth to lamentation; see how tears are in my eyes, and bonds on my hands and feet. May Your promise, Jesus, undo my bonds so that I may give thanks to You.

Lk. 12:19. Dan. 3.

‫‪163‬‬ ‫‪5‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪7‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪8‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܳ ܽ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܛܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܛܥ ܺܝܢܝܢ ܶܡܢ ܳܥ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܐ‬ ‫ܗܐ ܟ�ܗܘܢ �ܓܫܝ ܥ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܶ ̈ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܡ� ܽܦܘܡܝ ܒܟܝܐ ܘܪܥܝܢܝ ܡܘܠܕ ܬ ܐܢܚܬܐ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ‬ ‫ܷ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ̈ ܶ ܰ ̈ܰ ܽ ̈‬ ‫ܐܝ ܰܕܝ ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܒ� ܰ‬ ‫ܘܛ ܶܡܐ ܺܒ ̈‬ ‫ܓܠܝ‬ ‫ܗܐ ܕܡܥܐ ܒ��ܢܝ ܘܣ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܘܕ ܳ�ܟ �ܶ ܽܫܘܥ ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܪ ܐ ܦܟ�ܝ ܘܐܘܕ ܐ ܠܟ܀‬ ‫ܕܚ ̈ܘ ܳܫ ܰܒܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܢܐ ܰܐ ܺܣܝܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܦ ܽܬܘܪ ܰܙ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܕ ܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܰ ܳܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܳܪ ܢܶܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ‬ ‫ܘܠܠ ܚܡ� ܢܐ ܘܒܡܐܟܠ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܥ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐܫܬܐ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܬܒ ܰܣܡ‬ ‫ܡܠܬ ܳܣ ܶܡܬ ܶܕ ܽܐܟܘܠ ܘ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܪܗ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܣ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܳܕܛ ܽܥ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ܀‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ܶܫܠܝ ܥܠ ܡ‬ ‫ܰ ܰܶ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܺܙܪ ܳܝܙ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܬ ܰܛ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܪܫܬܐ‬ ‫�ܝܘܬܝ ܕܬܟܢܫ ܠܝ ܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ ̇ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ̈ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܬܐ‬ ‫ܘܬܪܣܝܬܗ ܒܩܝܣܐ ܕܓܘܪ ܐ ܘܢܟ� ܘܡ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܪܡܐ ܺܒܝ ܰܙ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܥܐ ܰܕܐܝܟ ܒܒ�ܝܐ ܫܓܪܬ ̇ܗ ܠܝ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܕܒܐܬ ܳܘܢܐ ܳܒܟ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܛ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܬܦ ܶ� ܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܓ ܳܘ ̇ܗ܀‬

‫ܶ ܳ ܺ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܶܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܣ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܟܚ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܒܪ‬ ‫ܚ ܚܡܬܐ ܕܟܐܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܐܠܦܬܢܝ ܡܟܐ ܡܢ �ܕܪ ܠܝ ܘ� ܫܡܥܬܟ‬ ‫ܳܣܡܬ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳܝ̈ܐ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܝܟܐ ܳܕܨ ܶܒܝܢ ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܫܛ ܻܐܝܕܝ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܓܒܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܦ� ܳܕ� ܳܨ ̇ ܶܒܐ ܕܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܥ ܳܕܪ ܐ ܶܠܗ܀‬ ‫ܽܚܘܣ ܳܡܪܝ ܰܥܠ ܫ‬

164

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

9

[ṭeth]

I stood to lift up the load You had prepared for me, and I was struck with remorse, for each day I was adding to the grievous weight over my head; I am not capable of flying over the sea of fire; wickedness is drowning me: may Your Cross draw me up to the height.

10

[yudh] I set off to sea in order to do trade for gain, but its storms arose and all my money sank to the bottom. If only my possessions had survived and I had escaped from its midst! For this is the (source of) grief: I have not been capable of benefitting myself.

11

[kaph] When my parents gave me birth and I made my entry into Creation, the world – that abode of sorrows – put lamentation into my mouth; as I set out to travel, it provisioned me with lamentation and groans. (In the past) I wept as (human) nature does, (but now) I weep (as a result) of my own freewill.

12

[lomadh] The night with its frightening visions of death terrifies me: (my) fate has approached and they will (soon) be casting me into the grave. My thoughts of the fire that is reserved for my limbs (greatly) perturb me; O Medicine of Life whom I have received, in You may I be delivered from (the fire’s) midst!

‫‪165‬‬ ‫‪9‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫ܝ‬

‫‪11‬‬

‫ܟ‬

‫‪12‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܺ‬ ‫ܥܢܐ ܰ ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܛ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܬܓ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܘܗܝ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܚܬ‬ ‫ܕܥܬܕܬ ܠܝ ܳܩ ܶܡܬ ܶܕܐܬܠ ̱‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ ܽ� ܳ‬ ‫ܘܣܦ ܺ‬ ‫�ܝܘܡ ܰܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܽܕܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܩܪ ܐ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܩܫܐ �ܥܶܠ ܶܡܢ ܺܪܝܫܝ‬ ‫ܒܝ ܳܡܐ ܽܕܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܒܪ ܳ� ܶ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ܶܐ ܽܛܘܣ ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܡ� ܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕܥܘ� ܡܛ ܰܒܥ ܺܠܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܒܟ ܰܢܕ ܶܠܝܢܝ ܰܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܡܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܨܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ܀‬ ‫ܰܳ ܶܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܬ ܰܓܪ ܶܒܗ ܽ� ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬܪ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܕܥܠܬ ܠܗ ܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܺܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰܙܩܦܘ ܒܗ ܘܛܒܥܘ ܟ�ܗܘܢ ܡ�ܗܛܝ‬ ‫ܝܡ ̈ܘ ܢܰ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܘܝ ܶܕܝܢ ܳܦܫ ܶܩ ܳܢܝܢܝ ܶܘ ܳܐܢܐ ܶܦܠܛܬ ܶܡܢ ܰܓ ܶܘܗ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܩܢܘܡܝ � ܶܣ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܢܚܐ ܰܕܐܘܬܪ ܰܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܳܗ ܰܢܘ ܶܓܝܪ ܽܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܩܬ܀‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܟܕ ܰ� ܽ‬ ‫�ܕܘܢܝ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܰ ̈ܫܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܪܝܬܐ‬ ‫ܘܫ ܺܪܝܬ ܐ ܽܥܘܠ�ܠ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܝܐ ܳܣܡ ܺܠܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܶܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܦܘܡܝ ܥ�ܡܐ ܥܘܡܪ ܐ ܕܥܩܬܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܓܬܐ‬ ‫ܘܟܕ ܩܡܬ ܕܐܚܙܘܩ ܙܘܕܢܝ ܒܟܝܐ ܘܚ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܒܟܝܬ ܡܢ ܕܟ�ܢܐ ܘܗܐ ܒ ̇ܟܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܕܚܐܪܘܬ ܐ܀‬

‫ܺ ܳ ܶ ̈ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܣ ܶܪܕ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܠ ܠ�ܝܐ ܕܚܙܘ ܢܐ ܘܩܢܛܗ ܕܡ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳܕܗܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܩܪܒ ܶܠܗ ܶܩ ܳ� ܐ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܓܘ ܩܒܪ ܐ ܫܕܝܢ ܠܝ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ̈ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܫ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܗ ܳܕ ̈ܡܝ‬ ‫ܓܫܘܢܝ ܚܘܫܒܝ ܕܢܘܪ ܐ ܢܛܝܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܩܠܬ ܳܒܟ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܫ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܣܡ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܦ ܶ� ܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܓ ܳܘ ̇ܗ܀‬

166 13

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

[mim] All of a sudden the birth-pangs of Sheol surrounded me, and I groaned. Sickness ensnared me, and at its heel was departure (from this world). What lies revealed passed on from me, and terror of things hidden clung to me. May my sins be forgiven by (means of) Your Body, and may I give thanks to Your grace!

21

[shin]

The hour of death has brought me close to repentance: for a single hour I have toiled with You: number me among the last labourers. 3 Because I have praised Your Grace, my Your Righteousness spare me; I have asked for forgiveness: rescue my life from the fire!

22

[taw]

My sermons are structured, my mode of life is far from it; my disciples have fared better than me, I have not proved capable of improving myself. Come, O my repentance! May I be pleasing to You, (Lord), may You open up before me Your Kingdom! Do not close Your door, for I know of none other apart from You.

3

Mt. 20:6.

‫‪167‬‬

‫‪13‬‬

‫‪Add. 17,190‬‬

‫ܡ‬

‫‪ 20–14‬ܢܢ‬ ‫‪21‬‬

‫‪22‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫�ܝܐ ܰܚ ܽܕܪܘܢܝ ܶܚ ̈ܒ ܶ� ܰܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ܶܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܬܓ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܝܘܠ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܚܬ‬ ‫ܳܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܪ ܥܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܩܒܗ ܽܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܢܕ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܘ�ܕܢܝ ܟܘܪܗܢܐ ܘܒ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ̈ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ݁ ̈ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܒܪ ܡܢ ܓ�ܝܬܐ ܘܢܩܦܢܝ ܩܢܛܐ ܕܟܣܝܬܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܰ̈ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܒܘܬܟ܀‬ ‫ܒܦܓܪܟ ܢܬܚܣܘܢ ܚܘܒܝ ܘܐܘܕ ܐ ܠܛ‬

‫– ܪ ‪lost‬‬

‫ܳ ܳ ܽ ܳܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܬ� ܽܒܘܬ ܐ ܰܩ ܶܪܒܬܢܝ‬ ‫ܫ ܫܥܬܐ ܕܥܘܢܕ ܢܐ ܠ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܡܢܝܢܝ ܰܥܡ ܳܦܥ̈ ܶ� ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܚ��ܐܶ‬ ‫ܳܫܥܬܐ ܻ�ܝܬ ܰܥ ܳܡܟ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܫ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܒܘܬܟ ܬ ܽܚܘܣ ܰܥ ܰܠܝ ܺܟ ܽܐܢܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܒܚܬ ܠܛ‬ ‫ܐܠܬ ܰܫܘܙܶܒ ܰܚ ܰ ̈ܝܝ ܶܡܢ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒܩ ܳܢܐ ܶܫ ܶ‬ ‫ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܬ‬

‫ܩܢܝܢ ܽܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ�ܓ ܰܡܝ ܳ� ܶܕܝܢ ܳܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܳܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܩܢܝܢ ܽܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܰ�ܝ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܩܢܘܡܝ ܳ� ܶܣ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬܪܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܬܪ ܰܠ ܽ‬ ‫�ܡ ̈� ܰ‬ ‫ܦܩܬ‬ ‫ܘܕ‬ ‫ܢܝ‬ ‫ܡ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܝ‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܻ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܻܶ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܬܝ ܳ‬ ‫�ܟܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܬ� ܽܒܘܬܝ ܐܫܦܪ ܠܟ ܘܬܦܬܚ ܩܘܕܡܝ ܡ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܟ ܳ� ܬܶ ܽܐܚܘܕ ܰܕܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܪܝܢ ܰܥ ܳܡܟ � �ܶܕܥܶܬ܀‬ ‫̱‬

168

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

Alternative stanzas for stanzas 4, 7 and 10 (d, z, y) in Harvard Syr. 140: 4

[dolath] O upright Judge, cause me to stand with great trembling for now news of it has fallen on my ears and my thoughts have got lost; how can I give any reply there in the place where hidden things are revealed by the awesome Will?.

7

[zayn] The angels tremble when the Judge utters, the ranks of fire and spirit stand in terror; what have I to give reply there when they question me about hidden things that are being revealed?

10

[yudh] The ocean of (my) thoughts has already come to an end and given up; the fountain of words has dried up from now on and for ever. Who is there who will give answer on my behalf at that time when the Upright One takes a seat and the books are opened before Him?

‫‪169‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫‪Alternative stanzas in H140 for d, z, y‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫ܙ‬

‫ܝ‬

‫ܰܳܳ ܺ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܙ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܥܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ܰܐ ܺܩ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܡܝܢܝ‬ ‫ܕ�ܢܐ ܕܟܐܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܶ ̈ܰ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܕܗ ܳܫܐ ܰ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܢܦܠ ܛܐܒܗ ܒܐܕ ܢܝ ܘܐܒܕܘ ܚܘܫܒܝ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܝܟܢ ܶܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܟܚ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܐܬܠ�ܬ ܳܡܢ ܶܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܓ ܳܡܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ̈ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝ� ܶܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܓ �� ܳܝܢ܀‬ ‫ܒܐܬܪ ܐ ܕܟܣܝܬܐ ܒܪܡܙ ܐ ܕܚ‬ ‫ܳܙ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܥܝܢ ܰ ̈ܡ ܱ� ܶܟܐ ܳܡܐ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܡ ܶܠܠ ܰܕ ܳ� ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ܬ ̈ܓ ܶܡܐ ܽܕܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ܰܘ ܽܕܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܐ‬ ‫ܝܡܝܢ ܰܒܐܪܬ‬ ‫ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܰܟܝ ܻܐܝܬ ܺܠܝ ܶܐܬܶܠ ܰ�ܬ ܳܡܢ ܶܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܓ ܳܡܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܺ ܰ ܰ ̈ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܓ�ܝ̈ܢ܀‬ ‫ܡܐ ܕܡܫܐܠܝܢ ܠܝ ܥܠ ܟܣܝܬܐ ܕܡ‬ ‫ܕܚ ̈ܘ ܳܫ ܶܒܐ ܳܗܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܟ ܽܕܘ ܳܣܦ ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ� ܳܡܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܘܦܝ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܕܡ� ܳܓܙ ܶܠܗ ܶܡ ܺܟܝܠ ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܥܐ ̈‬ ‫ܘܡ ܽܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܥ ܰܠܡ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܽܢܘ ܡܬܝܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܚ� ܰܦܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܗ ̇ܘ ܶ� ܳܕ ܳܢܐ ܶܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܓ ܳܡܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܒ ܺܟ ܳܐܢܐ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡܘܗܝ ܶܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܦ ܺ‬ ‫ܬܚܝܢ܀‬ ‫ܡܐ ܕ ̇ܝ‬ ‫ܘܣܦ� ܐ ܳ ̱‬

15. aw dayono d-dineh triṣ

‘On repentance’. The poet addresses the upright Judge, and while making an offering of tears, he asks the Judge to demand exaction from Satan, whose victim he has become, and to rescue him from the turbulent waves of the world. The eighth stanza (ḥeth) is lost in all the manuscripts. Source of text and attribution: Add. 17141, f.25r–v; also found in Add. 14,506, f.76rv, and Assemani III, 451. Metre: 7 + 7 + 7 + 7; with alphabetic acrostic. Qolo: ḥayleh d-abo.

171

172

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

15. aw dayono d-dineh triṣ Translation. Another soghitha to the qolo The Power of the Father; for repentance. 1

[olaph] O Judge whose judgement is upright, to whom all things hidden are revealed, at Your upright Judgement do not condemn me when hidden secrets are revealed.

2

[beth] (At) the tears which the Sinful Woman offered 1 You wiped clean the document of her debt; 2 see, my tears are offered to You, accept them from me as You did from her.

3

[gomal] The Evil One stole me away with his blandishments and with his enticement he captivated my mind. Ban him, Lord, from my wretched person and remove me from him lest he tear me to pieces.

4

[dalat] Adjudicate my case, O Lord, and demand exaction for me from the Enemy who has no mercy: he has made me the target of his arrows – at Your bidding, let his arrows not pierce me.

1 2

Lk. 7:38, 44. Col. 2:14.

‫‪173‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫̇‬ ‫ܕܐܝܬܝܗ ܕܬܝܒܘܬܐ‬ ‫ܣܘܓܝܬܐ ܐܚܪܝܬܐ ܥܠ ܩ� ܚܝܠܗ ܕܐܒܐ‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫ܳܐܘ ܰܕ ܳ� ܳܢܐ ܺܕܕܝܢܶܗ ܺ‬ ‫ܬܪܝܨ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܟܠ ܰܟܣܝ̈ܬܐ ܰܓ �� ܳܝܢ ܶܠܗ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܒܕ ܳܝܢܟ ܺܟ ܳܐܢܐ � ܰ‬ ‫ܝܒܢܝ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳܡܐ ܰܕܟ ̈ܣ ܳܝܬܐ ܶܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܓ �� ܳܝܢ܀‬

‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܕܡܥ̈ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܩ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܪܒܬ ܰܚܛܝܬܐ‬ ‫ܒ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰܰ‬ ‫ܷ�ܫܛܪ ܐ ܕܚܘܒܬ ̇ܗ ܬܠܚܬ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܶܕ ̈ܡ ܰܥܝ ܳܠܟ ܶܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܩ ܳ‬ ‫�ܒܢ‬ ‫ܰܩ ܶܒܠ ܶܡܢܝ ܳܡܪܝ ܰܐܝܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܡܢ ܳܗ ̇ܝ܀‬ ‫ܒܝܕ ܽܫ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܓ ܰܓ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܒܢܝ ܺܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܘܕ ܰܠ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܝܢܝ ܳ‬ ‫�ܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܒܐ‬ ‫ܘܒܚܘܬܚ‬ ‫ܙܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܪܝ ̱ܗܝ ܡܪܢ ܡܢ ܕܘ�ܘܬܝ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐܥܕܢܝ ܶܡܢܶܗ � ܰ‬ ‫ܢܒ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܒܣܢܝ܀‬ ‫ܕ‬

‫ܬܒܥ ܰ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ ܺܕܝܢܝ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܽܕܘܢ ܳܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܒܥܬܝ‬ ‫ܠܕܒܒܝ ܰܕ� ܶ‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ܒܥܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܡܐ ܰܠܝܬ ܶܒܗ‬ ‫ܺܕܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܳܣ ܰܡܢܝ ܶܠܗ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܰܐ�‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܳ� ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܙܥܘܢܝ܀‬ ‫ܡܙܟ ܺܓܐ� ̱‬

174

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

5

[he]

Be a helper to my wretched self for I have no other helper at hand; and may he not mock me when I am defeated, like (Eve) the first mother.

6

[waw] Alas for me if all my hidden (faults) are disclosed and have to be repaid in a place where excuse(s) are scorned and not listened to when they come from the guilty.

7

[zayn] My mind trembled when I heard, Lord, that fire will refine the wicked: I am (mere) grass, Lord, and if (the fire) comes near my feeble self, that is the end of me.

8

9

[ṭeth]

Your grace which hung suspended in You so as to create our race, Lord, of old, may it urge You on behalf of my wretched self that I be held worthy of remission of debts.

‫‪175‬‬ ‫‪5‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪7‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪8‬‬

‫ܚ‬

‫‪9‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܗܘܝ ܳ� ܽܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫�ܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ�ܘܬܝ ܳܡܪܝ‬ ‫ܕ� ܽܕ ܳܘܪ ܐ ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܚܪ ܳܢܐ ܰܠܝܬ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܰܢ ܶܗܠ ܺܒܝ ܰܟܕ ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܙܕܟܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܶܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡܝܬܐ܀‬ ‫ܒܕܡܘܬ ܐܡܐ ܩ‬ ‫ܳܘܝ ܺܠܝ ܶܐ ܽܢ ̱ܗܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܒܥܬܐ‬ ‫ܽ ܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܝ̈ܬܝ ܶܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܓ �� ܳܝܢ‬ ‫ܟ�ܗܝܢ ܟ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܟܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܰܦܩ ܒܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܣܝܪ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܰܚ ܳ ̈ܝ ܶܒܐ ܳ� ܶܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܬܡܥ܀‬ ‫ܥܝܢܝ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܙܥ ܶܠܗ ܶܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܫܡܥܶܬ ܳܡܪܝ‬ ‫ܽܕܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫�� ܺܫܝܥܶܐ ܳܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܥܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܳܡܪܝ ܶܘܐܢ ܳܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܒܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒܘܬܝ ܰܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܶܨܝܕ ܬ ܽܚ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܦܝܬ ܺܠܝ܀‬ ‫]‪[lost‬‬

‫ܰ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ܰ‬ ‫�ܝܬ ܳܒܟ‬ ‫ܛܝܒܘܬܟ ܕ‬ ‫ܕܬܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܣܢ ܡܪܝ ܡܢ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܩܕܝܡ‬ ‫ܺܗܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܣܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܠܦ ܳܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܘ�ܘܬܝ‬ ‫�ܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒܩܢ ܰܚ ̈ܘ ܶܒܐ ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܬܘܐ܀‬

176

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

10

[yudh] O Jesus who has redeemed all with Your blood and has bound the Strong One at Your death: sever the Evil One’s bonds from me, break his shackles along with his fetters.

11

[kaph] Rebuke him, so that he keep away from my wretched self: let him not carry out his will on me. Join my will to Yours, O Lord, and make my thoughts firm with Your love.

12

[lomadh] Do not abandon me into the hands of the Hater, do not give him an opportunity against me, for You have mingled in me Your Body and Your Blood, while Your Cross is marked on my forehead.

13

[mim] O Lord, help me, for I am weak, remit my debts for I have greatly sinned; make chaste my senses, so that they are kept under control so as to travel on the Royal Road.

14

[nun]

May Your light shine over my thoughts and may they rejoice in Your rays; may they behold Your glorious brightness, for You are the Sun that illumines all.

‫‪177‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫ܝ‬

‫�ܶ ܽܫܘܥ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܦܪܩ ܰܒ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܡܗ ܽܟܠ‬ ‫�ܚ ܺܣ ܳܝܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܡܘܬܶܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܦܟܪ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܦܟ ܰ�ܝ ܺܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ ܰܦ ܶܣܩ ܶܡܢܝ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ̈ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ܀‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܥܡ ܣܘܛܡ ̱‬ ‫ܘܬ ܰܒܪ ܶܟ ̈ܒ ܰ� ̱‬

‫‪11‬‬

‫ܟ‬

‫ܪܚܩ ܶܡܢ ܳܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܺܟܐܝ ܶܒܗ ܰܕܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܘ�ܘܬܝ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܡ�‬ ‫ܒ�ܢܶܗ ܺܒܝ � ܰܢܫ ܷ‬ ‫�ܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܶܐܩܦ ܶܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܝܢܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܠܟ ܳܡܪܝ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ̈ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪܚܡܬܟ܀‬ ‫ܘܚܘܫܒܝ ܣܬܬ‬

‫‪12‬‬

‫ܠ ܳ� ܰܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܦܝܢܝ ܺܒ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܐܝܕܝ ܳܣ ܳܢܐܐ‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܬܶܬܶܠ ܶ�ܠܗ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܠܝ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܓܪܟ ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡܟ ܰܡ ܶܙ ܓܬ ܺܒܝ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܨܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܒܟ ܶܒܝܬ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܪܫܝܡ܀‬

‫‪13‬‬

‫ܡ‬

‫ܳܡܪܝ ܰ� ܰܕ ܰܪܝܢܝ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܚܝܠ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳܣܐ ܰܚ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܘܒܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕܣ ܺܓܝ ܚܛܝܬ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܓܫܝ ܕܢܶܫܬ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܘܢ ܶܟܦ � ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒܕܘܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܪܕ ܐ ܒܐܘܪܚܐ ܡ�ܟܝܬܐ܀‬

‫‪14‬‬

‫ܢܢ‬

‫ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪܟ ܢܶ ܰܕܢܚ ܰܥܠ ܰܡ ̈‬ ‫ܚܫ ܳܒܬܝ‬ ‫ܝܩܝܟ ܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܙ ܺܠ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܬܦ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܨܚܢ‬ ‫ܡܚܟ ܺ‬ ‫ܫܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘܒܨܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܚܐ ܢܶܚܙ̈ ܳ�ܢ‬ ‫ܡܫܐ ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܕܐܢ ̱ ܽܬ ̱ܗܘ ܶܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܗܪ ܽܟܠ܀‬

178

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

15

[semkath] May my hateful deeds be whitened with Your hyssop, 3 may my stains be wiped away by Your Blood, and may the hidden stirrings in my thoughts be made holy through Your Body.

16

[‘e]

The world passes by as though it were nothing, but Judgement remains and is not set aside. Do not bring me to Your upright Judgement, for no living person proves to be innocent before You. 4

17

[pe]

Your very mouth gave me the promise that You will answer everyone who calls out to You; 5 look, Lord, I have called out to You, as You instructed, give a reply to my feeble self in accordance with Your word.

18

[ṣodhe] Incline Your ear and hear my voice, 6 O Son who, in Your love, put on our body, accept my supplication that is offered on behalf of (all) the foul actions that have been performed by me.

19

[quph] Summon my thoughts from (their) distraction and (from) the vanities of this world: cause them to be rejoicing in that next world which is never dissolved.

Ps. 51:7. cf. Ps. 143(142):2. 5 cf. Zech. 13:9. 6 cf. Ps. 86:1. 3 4

‫‪179‬‬ ‫‪15‬‬

‫‪16‬‬

‫‪17‬‬

‫‪18‬‬

‫‪19‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܬܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܙ ܳ‬ ‫ܣ ܰܣ ̈� ܳܝܬܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܦܟ ܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܘ�ܢ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܕܡܟ ܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܡܬܝ ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟ ̈ܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܬ� ̈ܚ ܳܝܢ‬ ‫ܒܝܕ ܰܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܓܪܟ ܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܩ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܫܘܢ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܙ ̈ܘܥܶܐ ̈‬ ‫ܒܡ ̈‬ ‫ܟܣ ܳܝܐ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܫ ܳܒܬܝ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܳܥ ̇ܒܪ ܐܝܟ‬ ‫ܥ ܥ‬ ‫ܕܠܝܬ ̱‬ ‫ܘܕ ܳܝܢܐ ܰܩ ܳܝܡ ܳܘ� ܶܡܫܬܪ ܐܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫�ܕ ܳܝܢܟ ܺܟ ܳܐܢܐ ܳ� ܰܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܥܠܝܢܝ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳܕ� ܳܙ ̇ܟܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܕ ܰܡܝܟ ܽܟܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܚܝ܀‬ ‫ܦ ܽܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܟ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܘܕ ܳ�ܐ ܰ� ̱ܗܒ ܰܠܢ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽܕܟܠ ̇ܕܩ ܶܪ ܐ ܳܠܟ ̇ܥܢܶܝܬ ܶܠܗ‬ ‫ܳ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܟ ܳܡܪܝ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܕܐ̱ܢܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܦܩܕܬ‬ ‫ܗܐ ܩܪ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܽܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܥܢܝ ܠܬܚܘܒܘܬܝ ܐܝܟ ܡܠܬܟ܀‬ ‫ܨ‬

‫ܺ‬ ‫ܨܠܝ ܺܠܝ ܶܐ ܳܕܢܟ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡܥ ܳܩܠܝ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒܗ ܰܦ ܰ‬ ‫ܓܪܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܚ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ܰܕ ܽ‬ ‫�ܒܫ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܢܢܬܝ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܬܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩ ܶܒܠ� ܰܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܒܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡܢܝ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܨܥܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܠܦ ܽܨ ̈ܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܬܥܪܘ܀‬

‫ܺ‬ ‫�ܚ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܩܪܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܫ ܰܒܝ ܶܡܢ ܶܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܗ�ܐ‬ ‫ܩ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܗ ܳܕܗܢ ܳܥ�ܡܐܳ‬ ‫ܘܣ�ܝܩ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܥܒܕ ܕܢܗܘܘܢ ܚ̇ ܕܝܢ ܒܗ ̇ܘ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܚܪ ܳܢܐ ܕ� ܶܡܫܬܪ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܳܥ ܳ ̱‬

180

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

20

[rish]

Chasten me in Your mercy, Lord: let me be chastened, and (then) acquire me in the multitude of Your compassion. Call me back from the backsliding of sins and number me with the lambs on Your right. 7

21

[shin]

You gave assistance to Simon when he called out to you, and the waves of the sea did not drown him; draw me up, as You did with Simon, 8 from the turbulent waves of the world.

22

[taw]

Thanksgiving to You who have saved the race of Adam that was lost; on Your shoulders You escorted it 9 and brought it into Your Father’s House.

cf. Mt. 25:33. cf. Mt. 14:31. 9 cf. Lk. 15:5. 7 8

‫‪181‬‬ ‫‪20‬‬

‫‪21‬‬

‫‪22‬‬

‫ܪ‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܺܪܕܝܢܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܡܝܟ ܳܡܪܝ ܶܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܒ� ܰ‬ ‫ܐܬܪܕ ܐ‬ ‫ܘܓܐܐ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܚ� ܳܢܟ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܢܝܢܝ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܘܫܐ ܰܕܚܛ ܶܗܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܪܝܢܝ‬ ‫ܴ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܡ� ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܕܡܢ ܰ� ܺܡ ܳܝܢܟ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܢܝܢܝ܀‬

‫ܳ‬ ‫ܫ ܶܫ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܥܘܢ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܪܟ ܰ� ܰܕܪܬܝ ̱ܗܝ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ̈‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܘܓ�� ܰܕ� ܳܡܐ � ܛܒܥ ̱‬ ‫�ܫ ܽ‬ ‫ܳܘܐܦ ܺܠܝ ܰܕ ܳܠܢܝ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܥܘܢ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܫܓܝ̈ ܶܫܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܥ ܳ‬ ‫�� ܺ‬ ‫�ܡܐ܀‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ̈ܓ ܷ‬ ‫ܬ‬

‫ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܪܩܬܝ ̱ܗܝ‬ ‫ܬܘܕܝܬܐ ܠܟ ܕ‬ ‫ܐܒܝܕ ܗܘܐܳ‬ ‫ܢܣܐ ܳܕ ܳܐܕܡ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܦܬܟ ܰܙ�ܶܚܬܝ ̱ܗܝ‬ ‫ܥܠ ܟ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰܽ ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ�ܒܝܬ ܐܒܘܟ ܐܥܠܬܝ ̱ܗܝ܀‬

16. urhoy šelḥat la-mšiḥo

The opening of the poem tells how Edessa, on behalf of the ‘Peoples’, sent a written message to Christ that he come and enlighten her, seeing that the ‘People’ had rejected him. Having found a ‘wise king’ (that is, Abgar), Edessa, now speaking in the first person (stanza 6), addresses Christ ‘the Bridegroom’, using imagery from the Song of Songs; for this, compare Mimro 29, lines 337–8, on the same subject, in R-Y. Akhrass and I. Syryany, 160 Unpublished Homilies of Jacob of Serugh, I (Damascus, 2017). Source of text and attribution: Add. 17,158, f.56. 1 Metre: (7+8) + (5+5) + (7+8); with some cases of (7+7) in instead of (7+8).

Cf. W. Cureton, Ancient Syriac Documents (London, 1864; repr. Amsterdam, 1967), pp. 107*–108*.

1

183

184

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

16. urhoy šelḥat la-mšiḥo. Translation. Sughitho of Mar Jacob the Teacher on Edessa when she sent message to our Lord that he should come to her. 1

Edessa sent message to Christ in a letter, that He should come and illumine her; on behalf of all the Peoples she made request to Him that He should abandon Sion who hated Him, and come to the Peoples who showed Him love.

2

She sent to Him requesting that He enter into a loving relationship with her: through an upright king she made her request to Him that He depart from the People and direct His attention 2 to the Peoples.

3

Out of all kings the Daughter of the Peoples found a wise king: she made him her ambassador, sending message by him to her Lord, ‘Come to me; with You I will forget about idols and all the graven images’.

4

Standing in the market place, the harlot heard report of Him from afar: she had gone astray with idols, (like) a child with the graven images. Though he was far away, she lovingly desired Him, asking Him to bring her into his Bridal Chamber. 3

2 3

Lit. ‘load’. cf. Mt. 25:10.

‫‪185‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܣܘܓܝܬܐ ܕܡܪܝ ܝܥܩܘܒ ܡ�ܦܢܐ ܥܠ ܐܘܪܗܝ ܟܕ ܫܠܚܬ ܠܡܪܢ ܕܢܐܬܐ ̇‬ ‫ܠܗ‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫ܽ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܬ ܐ ܺܕܢܐܬܶ ܐ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܰܢܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܪ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܐܘܪܗܝ ܫ�ܚܬ ܠܡܫܝܚܐ ܒܐܓ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܚܠܦ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ܰܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܦܝ ܳܣܐ ܥܶܒܕܬ ܠܗ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܕܢ ܶ‬ ‫�ܘܬ ܰܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܰܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܬܗ ܺܘܢ ܷܐܬ ܐ ܶܠܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ܀‬ ‫ܪܦܐ �ܨܗ�ܘܢ ܕܣܢ‬ ‫ܐܚܒ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰܰ ܰܳ ̇ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܶܚܡܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܘܒܥܬܗ ܕܢܬܥܠܠ�ܥܡܗ‬ ‫ܰܫܕܪܬ ܶ� ܰܐܕ ̱‬ ‫ܒܝܕ ܰܡ ܳ‬ ‫�ܟܐ ܺܟ ܳܐܢܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܦܝ ܳܣܐ ܥܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܕܬ ܶܠܗ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܰܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܘ� ܐܕ ܰܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܢܶܬܪܘܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܰܢܫܢܶܐ ܶܠܗ ܶܡܢ ܰܥ ܳܡܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܒܠܗ܀‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ܽܟܠ ܰ ̈ܡ ܺ‬ ‫�ܟܝܢ ܰܚܕ ܰܡ ܳ‬ ‫�ܟܐ ܰܚ ܺܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡܐ ܰܒ ̱ܪܬ ܰܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܟܚܬ‬ ‫ܥܒܕܬܶܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܙܓ ܳܕ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܡ ܳܪ ̇ܗ ܶܫ ܰ‬ ‫ܻܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܚܬ ܶܒܗ‪.‬‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܟܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܓ�ܝ̈ ܶܦܐ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ܀‬ ‫ܬ ܐ ܳܠܟ ܶ� ܐܕܝ ܐܛܥܶܐ ܳܒܟ ܰܠܦ ܱ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩܐ ܳܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ܰܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܡܐ‬ ‫ܫܡܥܬ ܛܒܗ ܡܢ ܪܘܚܩܐ ܱܙܢ‬ ‫ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ̈ܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܓ�ܝ̈ܦܐܶ‬ ‫ܪܬ ܐ ܰܒ ܺ‬ ‫ܛܥܝܬܐ ܒܨ�ܡܐ ܫܒ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܚܡܬ ܰܪ ܓܬܗ ܰܟܕ ܪܚܝܩ ܘܫܐܠܬܗ ܕܠܓܢܘܢܗ ܢܥܠ ̇ܗ܀‬

186

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

5

‘Let the lovely Bridegroom kiss me with the kisses of the mouth of the Blessed One; 4 I heard of Him from afar, but let me see Him close at hand: I will place my lips on His, and delight in seeing Him with my eyes.

6

‘Your breasts are better than wine for me, the scent of Your fragrance is Life for the world; 5 let me be brought up on Your milk, let me become fragrant with the scent of You, away from the smoke of idols whose foul stench has made me stink.

7

‘Draw me along after You into Your fold, for I am a lamb, lost in the world: I am running after You, in search of Your voice, so that in me, the lost one who has been found, the number of a hundred may be completed. 6

8

‘Let Gabriel, with the assembly of all the angels, rejoice and exult at You, the Good Shepherd, who escorted on Your shoulders the battered sheep so that the number of one hundred might be preserved. 7

Song 1:2. Cureton’s ‘with the kisses of his mouth I shall be blessed’, seems a less likely way of taking the syntax (see also Textual notes). 5 cf. Song 1:2. 6 Mt. 18:12. 7 Luke 15:3, 5. 4

‫‪187‬‬ ‫‪5‬‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫‪7‬‬

‫‪8‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܽ̈ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܗ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܟܐ‬ ‫ܢܢܫܩܢܝ ܚܬܢܐ ܪܓܝܓܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܒ�ܘܫܩ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܬܗ ܶܡܢ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܙܝܘܗܝ ܶܡܢ ܽܩܘܪܒܐܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܩܐ ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܡ‬ ‫̈ܶ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܘܐ ܺܣܝܡ ܣܦܘܬܝ ܥܠ ܕܝܠܗ ܘܐܬܒܣܡ ܒܚܙܬܗ ܒ��ܢܝ܀‬ ‫ܘܣ ܳܡܟ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ̱ܗܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܬ ܰ ̈ܕܝܟ ܳܛ ܺܒܝܢ ܺܠܝ ܶܡܢ ܰܚ ܳ‬ ‫�ܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܪ ܐ ܺܕܪܝܚ ܽܒ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܐ‬ ‫�ܒܟ ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܪ ܶܒܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܚܟ ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܬܒ ܰܣܡ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܳܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܦܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܟ� ܐ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܚܗ ܰܙ ܽܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܪ�ܢܝ܀‬ ‫ܡܢ ܬ�ܢܐ ܕ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܥ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܐ‬ ‫ܓܕܝܢܝ ܒܬܪܟ ܠܛ�ܪܟ ܕܢܩܝܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܛܥ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬܟ ܳܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܝܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܒܬܪܟ ܪܗܛܐ ܐܢܐ ܘܨ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܰ ܺ ̱ ܶ ܳܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܢܫܬܠܡ ܒܝ ܡܢ�ܢܐ ܗ ̇ܘ ܕܡܐܐ ܒܐܒܝܕ ܐ ܕܐܫܬܟܚ܀‬ ‫ܚܕ ܐ ܰܘ ܽܢܕܘܨ ܰܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܱ ̈� ܶܟܐ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܪܝܐܶܝܠ� ܰܥܡ ܶܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܢܫܐ ܱ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܒܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܥܝܐ ܛ ܳܒܐ ܰܕ�ܥܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܒܟ ܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܳܳ ܰ̇ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ̈ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܠ ܟܬܦܬܟ ܙ�ܚܬܝ ̱ܗܝ ܕܡܢ�ܢܐ ܗܘ ܕܡܐܐ ܢܬܢܛܪ܀‬

188

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

9

‘Your love is better than wine, Your affection than the faces of the upright: 8 with the wine in the chalice of Your blood we will remember You. You have caused us to acquire New Life, and the upright have given praise for Your love,

10

‘I am the Church, coming from the Peoples; I have shown love to the Only-Begotten who was sent; because His betrothed has shown Him hate, I have shown Him love. Through Abgar the Black I am making request that He come and visit me.

11

‘I am black, and I am beautiful, O Daughters of Sion, He is pure despite your envy. 9 For the Son of the Glorious One has betrothed me, in order to bring me into His Bridal Chamber: 10 though I am ugly, He loves me, for He is able to make me beautiful from the water (of baptism).

12

‘I am black with my sins, but fair because I have repented and turned around; I have cast off in baptism that ugly colour, for the Saviour of all Creation has cleansed me with His innocent blood’

Song 1:2. Song 1:5. 10 Mt. 25:10. 8 9

‫‪189‬‬ ‫‪9‬‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫‪11‬‬

‫‪12‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ̈ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܚܡܬܟ‬ ‫ܛ ܽܒ ̱ܗܘ ܚܘܒܟ ܡܢ ܚܡܪ ܐ ܘܡܢ ܐܦܐ ܕܬܪܝ� ܐ‬ ‫ܬܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܪܟ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܟ ܳܣܐ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܪ ܐ ܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕܡܟ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܚ ̈ܝܐ ܰܚ ̈ܕܬ ܐ ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܩܢܝܬܢ ܰܘܬ� ܶܝ� ܐ ܰܫ ܰܒܚܘ �ܪܚܡܬܟ܀‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܬܗ ܺܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܫܬܠܚ‬ ‫ܝܕ ܐ ܶܕ‬ ‫ܥܕܬ ܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܕܡܢ ܥܡܡܐ ܘܪܚ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܶܳ ܰ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܡܟܝܪܬܗ ܣܢܬܗ ܐܢܐ ܚܒܒܬܗ‬ ‫ܺ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܒܓܪ ܽܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܒ ̈‬ ‫ܐܝ ܰܕܝ ܰܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟ ܳܡܐ ܡܦܝܣܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܕܢܐܬ ܐ ܠܝ ܘܢܣܥܪܢܝ܀‬ ‫ܚܣ ܶ‬ ‫ܽܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܝܐ ̱ܗܘ ܶܡܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܗ�ܘܢ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܘ� ܳܐ�ܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ̈ܒ ܳܢܬ ܶܨ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܟ ܳܡܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܟܝܢ‬ ‫ܟܪܢܝ ܰܒܪ ܰܓ ܳܐ�ܐ ܰܕܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܥ�ܢܝ ܰܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܓܢܘܢܶܗ‬ ‫ܕܡܢ ܰܡ ܳܝ̈ܐ ܰܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܟܚ ܽܗܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟܕ ܰܣ ܳܢܝܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܳܪ ܶܚܡ ܺܠܝ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܫܦܪܢܝ܀‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ̈ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܬ ܶܒܬ ܶܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܬܦܢܝܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܚܛܗܝ ܘ�ܐ�ܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ‬ ‫ܐܘܟܡܐ ܶܐ̱ܢܐ ܒ ܴ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܫܠܚܬܗ ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫�ܗ ̇ܘ ܰܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܡ ܳܕ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܢܐ ܰܣܢܝܐܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡܗ ܰܙ ܳܟ ܳܝܐ ܳܦ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫��ܬܐ ܽܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܩܢܝ ܰܒ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܩܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕܒ ܳ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ‪.‬‬

17. b-rehṭo rabo

On the transient nature of daytime – and of life. Source of text and attribution: Add. 17,141 f.107a–b. Metre: (7+8) + (5+5) + (7+8), with irregularities (7+7 for 7+8). In stanza 14 some words must have fallen out, probably both in line 1 and line 3.

191

192

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

17. b-rehṭo rabo. Translation. 1

When I gazed upon the mighty course of Creation I was filled with wonder for I saw the change of seasons as they went round ceaselessly with a single impetus, riding on the Zodiac as they coursed.

2

I saw the bright daytime: it gladdened me with its fair colour(s). I gazed at it for a while, but it spluttered out and came to an end: the time of daylight has passed on and darkness has entered and is set in its place.

3

I saw the morning as it travelled in, joyful and lovely, fair in every way,. but it had (only) been resplendent for a brief while when down came the evening, pushing it away: all its light was destroyed and it was turned into the time of darkness.

4

I gazed on the light of daytime, how gloriously it shines out on the world, but while it wants to be light, it turns round and becomes dark: the deep shadows incline, covering over the daytime’s light.

5

I saw the sun issuing forth, riding the height as its rays race on. The East gave birth to it, the South received it, but while it was still glorious in these regions, the West enshrouded and buried it.

‫‪193‬‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫‪5‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܶ ܳ ܰܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳܪ ܐ ܶܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܰܟܕ ܳܚ ܶܪܬ ܽܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܡܠܝܬ‬ ‫ܒܪܗܛܐ ܪܒܐ ܕܒ��‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܚܙܝܬ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚ� ܳܦܐ ܕܙܒܢܐ ܕܡܬܟܪܟܝܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܺ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܕ� ܫ�ܝܐ ܒܚܕ ܚܐܦܐ‪ .‬ܡܘܙܠܬܐ �ܟܝܒܝܢ ܘܪܗܛܝܢ܀‬ ‫ܒܓܘܢܶܗ ܫܱ ܺܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܙܝܬ ܻܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ ܰܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܡ ܳܡܐ ܰܢ ܺܗ ܳ�ܪܐ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܦܨܚܢܝ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܩ ܺܠܝܠ ܳܚ ܶܪܬ ܶܒܗ‪ .‬ܘܛܦܛܦ ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܘܦܝ ܶܠܗ‬ ‫ܶܽ ܳ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܢܐ ܰܕܢ ܺܗ ܶܝ� ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܥܠ ܷܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܥܒܪ ܰܙ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܕܘܟܬܗ܀‬ ‫ܬܬܣܝܡ ܚܫܘܟܐ‬ ‫ܽ ̈ܶ‬ ‫ܺ ܶ‬ ‫�ܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܪ ܐ ܰܟܕ ܳܪ ܶܕ ܐ‪ܺ .‬‬ ‫ܝܬܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܦܨܝܚ ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ‬ ‫ܪܚܝܡ ܰܘܦ ܷܐܐ ܒܟ‬ ‫ܚܙ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܥܕ ܩܠܝܠ ܡܦܪܓ‪ .‬ܪܟܢ ܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܫܐ ܰܨ ܶ‬ ‫ܦܚܗ‬ ‫ܽ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶܽ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܟܠܗ ܢܘܗܪܗ ܐܬܚܒܠ ܘ�ܙܒܢܐ ܕܚܫܘܟܬܐ ܐܬܗܦܟ܀‬ ‫ܒܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܡ ܳܡܐ‪ܰ .‬‬ ‫ܕܦ ܳܐ� ܻܐܝܬ ܳܕ ̇ܢܰܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ܳܚ ܶܪܬ ܺܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫�ܡܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܦܟܬ ܶܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܥܕ ܳܒ ̇ܥ ܳܝܐ ܕܬ ܰܢܗܪ‪ܶ .‬ܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܫܟܬ ܳܠ ̇ܗ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫�ܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܪܗ ܺܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܟܢܘ ܛ ܳ� ܷ� ܰܥ ̈ܡܘܛܐ‪ܰ .‬ܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܝܡ ܳܡܐ ܰܚ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ܀‬ ‫ܦܝ ̱‬ ‫ܷ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܺܪܟܝܒ ܰܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܫܐ ̇ ܳܕܢ ܶܦܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܗ ܶ‬ ‫�ܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܳܪܗܛܝܢ‬ ‫ܚܙ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܰܘܙ�ܝ̈ ܰܩ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܕܢܚܐ ܻܐܝܠܕܬܗ‪ .‬ܘܬܝܡܢܐ ܩܒܠܬܗ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ̈ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬܗ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܩܒܪܬܗ ܰܡܥܪܒܐ܀‬ ‫ܘܥܕ ܡܬܓܐ�ܐ ܒܦܢܝܬܐ‪ .‬ܥܦܝ‬

194

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

6

O bright daytime, who has plundered your light and turned it into darkness? ‘Night, the thief, lay in wait for me, and cast gloom on me: he has taken away my bright clothing, and dark has enveloped me and made me blind’.

7

Life is like the daytime, and Death resembles the night: how dear is the light, how dear is life, how hateful is death and darkness, how full of gloom is decease and eventide.

8

The time of childhood is like the moment of excellent morning, youth (is) the noontime, and old age the evening. Night depicts for me death: at Your resurrection bring me back to life so that I do not perish!

9

The morning is dear and (most) excellent – if it does not have evening as its opposite, destroying its light, stripping off its beauty, clothing it in ugliness, as if it did not exist, being swallowed up in darkness.

10

Thus childhood would be fair – if old age was not coming, filling it with infirmities, hanging heaviness upon it, bringing it ever closer to departure, with it ending up in death and corruption.

11

You are not as beautiful as the morn, O youth, gaze upon it, how fair it is, how beautiful its light, how excellent as it shines forth; but evening is on its way and will cover it over; O child, ponder on death, and sit down and weep.

‫‪195‬‬ ‫‪6‬‬

‫‪7‬‬

‫‪8‬‬

‫‪9‬‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫‪11‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܝܡ ܳܡܐ ܰܢ ܺܗ ܳܝܪ ܐ‪ܰ .‬ܡܢ ܰܚ ̇ ܶܠܨ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪܟ ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܐܘ ܻܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܚܫܟܗ‬ ‫ܟܒܢ ܺܠܝ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܺܠ� ܳܝܐ ܰܓ ܳܝ ܳܣܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܟܡܪ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܰ̈ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܕܢ ܺܠܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܝ ܰܢ ܺܗ ܶܝ� ܐ‪ܶ .‬‬ ‫ܘܟܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܗܢܝ܀‬ ‫ܘܫܩܠ ܢܚ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܰ ̈ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܠ ܳܝܐ‬ ‫ܕ ̇ܡܝܢ ܚܝܐ ܻ�‬ ‫ܝܡ ܳܡܐ ܐܦ ܰܡܘܬ ܐ ܳܕ ̇ܡܐ ܻ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܰܚ ܺܒܝ̈ ܺܒܝܢ ܰܚ ̈ܝܐܶ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܰܚ ܺܒܝܒ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ‪ܳ .‬‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܢܕ ܳܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ‪ܽ .‬‬ ‫ܘܚ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܫܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܣܢܶܐ ܰܡܘܬ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܰܟ ܺܡܝܪ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫�� ܳܕ ܳܢܐ ܰܕܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܪܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܕ ̇ܡܐ ܙܒܢܐ ܕܛ�ܝ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܠܛܗܪ ܐ ܘܣܝܒܘܬ ܐ �ܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܫܐ‬ ‫ܥܠܝܡܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܠ�ܝܐ ܡܘܬ ܐ � ܐܪ ܠܝ‪ .‬ܒܢܘܚܡܟ ܻܐܚܐ ܕ� ܐܚܒܠ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܚ ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫�ܩܘܒ� ܰܠܝܬ ܶܠܗ‬ ‫ܝܡ ̱ܗܘ ܨܦܪ ܐ ܘܡܝܬܪ‪ .‬ܐܢ ܪܡܫܐ ܕ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܫܠܚ ܽܫ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܚ ܶܒܠ ܽܢܘܗܪܗ‪ܰ .‬‬ ‫ܽܕܗܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܦܪܗ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܚ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܛܦ ܶܠܗ ܰܣ ܽܢܝܘܬ ܐ ܰܘܐܝܟ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪ܰ .‬ܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܒܠܥ܀‬ ‫ܘܡܥ‬ ‫ܕܠܝܬ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܳ� ܳܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܬ�ܐ‬ ‫ܗܟܢ ܦܐ�ܐ ܛ�ܝܘܬ ܐ‪ܷ .‬ܐܠ ܳܘ ܣܝܒ‬ ‫�ܝܐ ܳܒ ̇ܗ ܽ�ܘܩܪ ܐܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܝܐ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܽܡ ̈ܘ ܶܡܐ‪̇ .‬‬ ‫ܘܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ ܳܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܰܘܚ̇ ܳܒ� ܫ̇ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܟܐ܀‬ ‫ܪܒܐ ܳܠ ̇ܗ �ܥܘܢܕ ܢܐ‪ .‬ܘ�ܡ‬ ‫ܳ� ܰܫ ܺܦܝܪ ܰܐܢ̱ܬ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܪ ܐ‪ܳ .‬ܐܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܡܐ ܽܚܘܪ ܶܒܗ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܶܦܐܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܰܫ ܺܦܝܪ ܽܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬܪ ܶܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܢܚܗ‬ ‫ܘܗܪܗ‪ .‬ܟܡܐ ܡܝ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܡܘܬ ܐ ܘܬܒ ܳܠܟ ܺ‬ ‫�ܝܐ ܺܪܢܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܚ ܶܦܐ ܶܠܗ‪ .‬ܛ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܘ ̇ܐ ܷܬ ܐ ܰܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܫܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܟܝ܀‬

196

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

12

If you resemble the light, then you have darkness as its opposite; if you are the daytime, light will cover you over; if you are handsome like the morning, evening will be facing you, so approach it.

13

Who among all children and the young is handsome as the moon? But its fullness grows less, and its light is emptied out. O child, look at yourself in (the moon) and remember old age – and feel contrite.

14

You were passing by the days, [ ] yesterday a small child, today a young person, and if you live on [ ], then tomorrow you are an old man: be fearful and repent.

15

Like transient shadows the world’s seasons revolve, morning is the ascent, evening the decline; thus childhood climbs up but at the time of old age it descends.

16

How many degrees have you climbed up? Now, O man, sit down and reckon: conceived, an infant, a child and a young man, a grown adult, and in a little an old man too – and (then) dead and corrupted.

17

What time or day does not pass you by in haste and with a rush, time has seized you from the womb at a run, not permitting you to stand still, as it conveys you and brings you to the grave.

‫‪197‬‬ ‫‪12‬‬

‫‪13‬‬

‫‪14‬‬

‫‪15‬‬

‫‪16‬‬

‫‪17‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܶܽ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫�ܩܘܒ� ܻܐܝܬ ܳܠܟ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ܐ ܽܢ ̱ܗܘ ܳܕܕ ̇ܡܐ ܐܢ̱ܬ‪ .‬ܚܫܘܟܐ ܕ‬ ‫�ܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܢ ܻܐܝܡܡܐ ܐܢ̱ܬ‪ .‬ܠ�ܝܐ ܡܚܦܐ ܠܟ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܰܫ ܺܦܝܪ ܰܐܢ̱ܬ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܦܪ ܐ‪ܳ .‬ܗܐ ܰܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܫܐ ܕ�ܩܘܒܠܟ ܩܪܘܒ ܠܗ܀‬ ‫ܰܽ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܛ ܳ�ܝܶܐ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܥ�ܝ̈ ܶܡܐ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܡܢܘ ܫܦܝܪ ܐܝܟ ܣܗܪ ܐ‪ .‬ܒ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܬ ܰܦܩ ܽܢܘܗܪܗܶ‬ ‫ܘܚܣܪ ܐ ܡ�ܝܘܬܗ ܘܡ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܚܙܝ ܶܒܗ ܰܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܝܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܛ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܢܘܡܟ ܘܐܬܕܟܪ ̇ܝܗ �ܣܝܒܘܬ ܐ ܘܐܬܬܘܝ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܰ̈ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܳܥ ̇ ܰܒܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ ]‬ ‫ܥܠ ܝܘܡ‬ ‫ܘܕ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܡܐ ܰ�ܘܡܢܳ‬ ‫ܥܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܬܡܠܝ ܰ� ܽ� ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܺܬ ܶ‬ ‫[ ܳܗܐ ܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܚܠ�ܬܘܒ܀‬ ‫ܡܚܪ ܳܣ ܳܒܐ ܐܢ̱ܬ‬ ‫ܐܚܐ ]‬ ‫[‬

‫ܰܐܝܟ ̈ܶܛ ܳ� ܶ� ܳܥ ܽܒ ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ‪ܶ .‬ܡ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܥ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܐ‬ ‫ܬܟܪܟܝܢ ܳ ܰܙ ̈ܒ ܰܢ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ̇ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܬܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܫܐ ܰܡ ܰܚܬܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܨܦܪ ܐ ܡܣ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ̇ܳ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܟܢ ܣ�ܩܐ ܛ�ܝܘܬ ܐ ܘܒܙܒܢܐ ܕܣܝܒܘܬ ܐ ܢܚܬܐ܀‬ ‫�ܓܝܢ ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܥ ܺܠܝܬ ܰܟܕ ܳܗ ܳܫܐ ܰܒ ܳܪܢ ܳܫܐ ܬܶܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܚܫܘܒ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫�ܝܐ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ܽ� ܳ‬ ‫ܘܕ ܐ ܛ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܛ ܼܝ ܳܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܡܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܓܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܚܒ�܀‬ ‫ܘܥܕ ܰܩ ܺܠܝܠ ܐܦ ܣܒܐ ܘܡܝܬܐ‬ ‫ܒܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܒܪ ܶܡ ܳܢܟ ܰܟܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܢܐ ܰܐܘ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܰܝܢܘ ܰܙ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܦܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ‪ܳ .‬ܕ� ܺ‬ ‫ܪܗܝܒ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܛܐ ܰܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܛܦܟ ܶ� ܳܕ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܡܢ ܟܪܣܐ ܒܪ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܫ� � ܡܪܦܝܢ‪ .‬ܕ� ܣܒ�ܘܟ ܘ�ܩܒܪ ܐ ܐܘܒ�ܘܟ܀‬ ‫ܬܩܘܡ ܬ ܷ‬

18. ḥawa ba-‘den

The poem opens with the theme of the document of debt incurred by Adam and Eve, and how it was repaid. Since Eve listened to the serpent (who was thus enabled to pour poison into her ear), it was appropriate that in the case of Mary who listened to the angel’s message, the divine Word of the Father should also be described as entering by her ear. Unlike Eve, Mary did not accept the angel’s words unthinkingly, and it is only with the angel’s mention of the Holy Spirit that she is finally reassured. Thus, thanks to Mary, Paradise is opened up – this time with access to the Tree of Life which, in its desire to give itself to humanity, has now sprung up from her on earth. In this way the cherub’s sword, which had hitherto kept humanity away from Paradise, is now removed. Source of text and attribution: Add. 17,141, ff. 105v–107r. The text was also published, from a Mosul manuscript, by Lamy (III, 979–90; omitting stanzas 12, 28 and 29). 1 The first seven stanzas are also found in the Mosul Fenqitho (II, 109). Metre: (7+8) + (5+5) + (7+8)

A translation of Lamy’s edition is given in my Bride of Light: Hymns on Mary from the Syriac Churches (Piscataway NJ, 2010), no. 27. 1

199

200

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

18. ḥawa ba-‘den. Translation. 1

In Eden Eve wrote out a mighty document of debt, 2 that would be required from her children, for it brought death to generation after generation. The serpent, that perverse scribe, in his guile wrote, signed and sealed it.

2

That primordial Dragon by his counsel made the debt vast for the captives who had fallen in love with their Captor’s company: by listening to the Dragon it brought Adam down from his (exalted) rank.

3

Eve’s sin contracted the debt which was held in reserve for Mary, so that the young girl might repay her mother’s debt, and thanks to her that document would be torn up which had cried out against all generations. 3

4

The serpent, with venomous intention, breathed poison into the ears of weak Eve – this passed on, with murderous effect, flying from generation to generation, until there came forth the Son of Mary the Infant who slew that snake.

2 3

Col. 2:14. Col. 2:14.

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‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܬܘܒ ܣܘܓܝܬܐ ܕܡܪܝ ܝܥܩܘܒ ܡ�ܦܢܐ ܕܥܠ ܚܘܐ ܘܡܪܝܡ‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܕܢ ܶܟ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܚ ܳܘܐ ܰܒ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܚ ̈ܘ ܳܒܬܐ‬ ‫ܫܛܪ ܐ ܪܒܐ‬ ‫ܬܒܬ ܗܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܴ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܬ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܥܘܢ ܰ� ̈‬ ‫�ܕܶ ̇ܝܗ ܰܡܘܬ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫�ܕ ܰ� ܽܝܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܕܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܚܘ�ܐ ܣܦܪ ܐ ܗܦܟܝܐ ܟܬܒ ܚܬܡܗ ܘܒܢܟܠܗ ܛܒܥܗ܀‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܗ ̇ܘ ܰܬ ܺ� ܳܝܢܐ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܳܝܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܝܕ ܶܡ ܶܠܟܗ ܰܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܣܓܝ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܰܚܘܒܬܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܡܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ܶܕܪ ܰ‬ ‫�ܘ�ܶܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܫ ܳܒ ܳܝ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܕܫܒ‬ ‫ܰ ܰܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܠܬܢܝܢܐ ܐܫܬܡܥܬ ܘ� ܕܡ ܓܝܪ ܡܢ ܕܪܓܗ ܐܦܠܬ܀‬ ‫ܰܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬ� ܰ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܪ�ܡ ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܛܪܬ ܰܚܘܒܬܐ‬ ‫ܚܘܐ ܚܒܬ ܣܟ�‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ܬܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܦܪܘܥ ܚܘܒܬܐ ܕܐܡ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܕܛܠ‬ ‫ܳ ̇ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ̇ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܒܗ ܢܬܩܕܕ ܐܫܛܪ ܐ ܕܢܗܡ ܗܘܐ ܥܠ ܕ � ܐ ܟ�ܗܘܢ ܀‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ̈ ܶ ܰ ܶ ̈ ܶ ̇ ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܦܝܬܐ ܶܡܪܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܚܘ�ܐ ܡܪܝܪ ܚܘܫܒܐ ܢܦܚ ܒܐܕ ܢܝܗ ܕ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫�ܒܬܐ‬ ‫ܘܦܪܚܬ ܥܠ ܕ � ܐ ܘܩܛܠܬ ܫ‬ ‫ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܪ�ܡ ܰ� ܽ� ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܢܦܩ ܰܒܪ ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܕ ܐ ܼܕܗܘ ܩܛܠܗ ܠܓܪܣܐ܀‬

202

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

5

The Word of the Father made His descent down to the ear by which misfortune had entered in: He had watched the serpent’s tracks, and following up its traces, washed away its bitter poison from the ear of the chaste Virgin by His hovering descent.

6

For the snake’s insinuation which had wrought destruction had entered in by the ear; thus by the gate through which death had come, Life should enter in, and there in the very place of the sin, grace which has come to reign should abound. 4

7

The Father has sent Gabriel as trusty messenger for the Word: 5 His purpose was to bring the young girl a greeting that would give joy to all, and bring to an end that contentious state which the Basilisk had introduced in the Garden.

8

Down flew that spiritual being: on reaching Mary, he bowed down and made his announcement; he opened his mouth and sowed the salutation in her ear, to her joy; 6 he brought out and gave to her the missive which God had sent her along with His Son.

cf. Rom. 5:20. Luke 1:26. 6 Luke 1:28. 4 5

‫‪203‬‬ ‫‪5‬‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫‪7‬‬

‫‪8‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܒܝܫܬܐ‬ ‫ܡܠܬܗ ܕܐܒܐ ܕܠ ܘܢܚܬ ܨܝܕ ܐܕܢܐ ܡܥ�ܢܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܘ�ܟܬܗ‬ ‫ܢܛܪ ܥܩܒܗ ܕܚܘ�ܐ ܘ�ܩܛ ܕ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܐ ܺܫܝܓ ܡܪܬܗ ܕܡܪܝܪ ܐ ܒܪܘܚܦܗ ܡܢ ܐܕܢܐ ܕܢܟܦܬܐ܀‬ ‫ܡܚ ܶܒܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܟܕ ܳܥܐܶܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܶܡܢ ܶܐ ܳܕܢܐ ܰܗ ̇ܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܫ ܶܦܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܣܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܥ�ܘܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܘ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ‬ ‫ܕܡܢ ܬܪܥܐ ܕܡ‬ ‫ܰܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܬܡܢ ܒܐܬܪ ܐ ܕܚܛܝܬܐ ܬܬ�ܬܪ ܛܝܒܘܬ ܐ ܕܐܡ�ܟܬ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰܺ ܳ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܫ ܶ‬ ‫�ܚܗ ܰܐ ܳܒܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܡܠܬܐ‬ ‫ܒܪܐ�ܶܠ ܻܐܝܙܓܕ ܐ ܫܪܝܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܫ� ܳܡܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܚ ܶܕ ܐ ܽܟܠ‬ ‫ܕܢܝܬܐ ܠܛܠ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܶܰ ܶܳܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬܒܛܠ ܗܪܬ ܗ�ܬ ܐ ܕܐܪܡܝ ܗܘܐ ܚܪܡܢܐ ܒܓܢܬܐ܀‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܦܪܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܛܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܓܕ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܢܚܬ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܪ�ܡ ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܪ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐܕܢ ̇ܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܡ� ܽܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܫ� ܳܡܐ ܰܙܪܥ ܶܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܰܘܙܬ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐ� ܳܗܐ ܰܫ ܰܕܪ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܰܥܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܬ ܐ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪܗ܀‬ ‫ܐ ܶܦܩ ܰ� ̱ܗܒ ܠ ̇ܗ ܐܓ‬

204

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

9

A hidden mystery belonging to God came out into the open by means of the Watcher who had been sent: in the New Proclamation, through the mouth of the fiery being; through the tongue of flame, hidden things were uttered.

10

That chief of all the angels gave salutation to the young girl, 7 for the Father, reconciled with the race of Adam, had sent His beloved Son to appear from a womb, in human form.

11

‘Peace be with you, O Daughter of humanity, for you have been chosen by God as a bride, so that you may become, in your virginity, mother to His beloved, and give birth to the Ancient of Days who will repair the damage done to the world. 8

12

Peace be with you, mother of the Painter who portrayed Adam and Eve of old, who depicts infants in the womb of their mothers; He has come to depict Himself in you, as an infant companion in the womb.

13

‘Salutation to you, filled with grace, my Lord is with you, O Palace of the Most High, 9 in you shall the King, the Lord of angels, reside, and from you there shall shine forth the Saviour for all creation and all generations’.

Lk. 1:28. Dan. 7:13. 9 Luke 1:28. 7 8

‫‪205‬‬ ‫‪9‬‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫‪11‬‬

‫‪12‬‬

‫‪13‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܒܝܕ ܺܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܝܐ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܪܐܙܶܗ ܰܟ ܳ‬ ‫�ܝܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܐ� ܳܗܐ ܐ̱ ܳܬ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܫܬܠܚ‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ ܶܕ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܗ ܽܕܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܬ ܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܒܣܒܪܬ ܐ ܚܕ‬ ‫ܰ̇ ܶ ܳܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܒܗܘ �ܫܢܐ ܕܓܘܙܠܬܐ ܐܬܡܠܝ ܟܣܝܬܐ ܟ�ܗܝܢ܀‬ ‫ܳ ̇ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܕܡ ܱ� ܶܟܐ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ܰܗ ̇ܘ ܺܪ ܳ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܰ� ̱ܗܒ ܠܗ ܫ�ܡܐ ܠܛܠ‬ ‫ܳܳ‬ ‫ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܣܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܬܪ ܺܥܝ ܰܐ ܳܒܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܒܝܬ ܐܕܡ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܫ ܰܕܪ ܰܠ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܒܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܪܗ ܰܚ ܺܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡܢ ܰܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܣܐ ܐܝܟ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܬܚܙ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܫ� ܳܡܐ ܰܥ ܶܡܟܝ ܰܒܪܬ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ܰܕ �ܰ ܳ� ܳܗܐ ܶܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܟܝܪܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܬܓܒܝܬܝ‬ ‫ܽ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܕܬܶ ܺ‬ ‫�ܚ ܺܒ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܢ ܰܒܒܬ ̈ܘ ܰܠܝܟܝ ܐ ܳܡܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܒܗ‬ ‫ܺ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ̈ ܳ ܽ ܳ ̇ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܥ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܐ܀‬ ‫ܘ ܻܬ ܐ�ܕܝܢ ܥܬܝܩ �ܘܡܬܐ ܕܗܘ ܣܐܓ ܬܘ�ܥ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܚ ܳܘܐ ܶܡܢ ܺ‬ ‫ܫܠܡ ܶܠܟܝ ܶܐ ܳܡܐ ܰܕܨ ܳ� ܳܪ ܐ ܳܕ� ܐܱܪ ܴ� ܳܕܡ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܩܕܝܡ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܽ ̈ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡ ܳܗܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܗ ̇ܘ � ܐܱܪ �ܘ � ܒܟܪܣܐ ܕ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐ ܴܬ ܐ ܕܢܨܘܪ ܒܟܝ ܗܘ ܠܗ ܐܝܟ ܢܩܦܐ ܐܝܟ ܥܘ� ܒܡܪܒܥܐ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܳܡܪܝ ܰܥ ܶܡܟܝ ܺܒܝܪܬܶܗ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡܐ‬ ‫ܫܠܡ ܶܠܟܝ ܡ�ܝܬ ܛܝܒ‬ ‫ܶܒܟܝ ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳܪ ܐ ݁ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܫܪ ܐ ܰܡ ܳ‬ ‫�ܟܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܱ� ܶܟܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܳ ̇ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܽܟ ܶ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ܀‬ ‫ܘܡܢܟܝ ܕ ܢܚ ܦܪܘܩܐ ܠܒܪܝܬܐ ܘܫ�ܒ‬

206

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

14

To which Mary then says, ‘How can his birth take place without a man on the scene? 10 You have announced to me a child, show me his father. I am a virgin, and without blame: no man has ever known me.

15

‘How can a field that has never been sown look to piles of corn? 11 You have announced to me produce but who is the husbandman? Without any seed or a husbandman how can I expect any produce to come?’

16

The Watcher replied, ‘Mary, keep silent, for your Husbandman needs no seed: He will come down and sow Himself in your pure self; He will sprout forth from you like grass, and assuage the whole world’s hunger. 12

17

‘The great book of Genesis can teach you how you will give birth: just as Adam gave birth to Eve without any intercourse, 13 so too from you there shall appear a Saviour for creation, without there being any man.

18

‘The Holy Spirit who perfects all will hover over your womb and sanctify it; then the Power of the Most High will descend and tabernacle in you 14 – and a Child shall come forth from you who will trample down the heads of the snake’. 15 Luke 1:34. cf. Job 5:26. 12 Ps. 72:16. 13 Gen. 2:22. 14 Luke 1:35. 15 Ps. 74:14. 10 11

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‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܘ� ܳܕ ܐ ܳܕ� ܰܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܟ ܳܢܐ ܰܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܪ�ܡ ܰܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ܶܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܪܬ ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܚܙ ܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰܚ ܳܘܐ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫�ܕ ܐ ܰܣܒܱܪ ܴܬܢܝ ܐ ܽܒ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ � ܺ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܠܝ ܶܡܡܬܘܡ ܰܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܬܘܠܬܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܕ� ܽܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܟܝܡ ܺܠܝ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ ܳܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܬܘܡ ܰ� ܰܙ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗ ܰܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܓܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܟ ܳܢܐ ܰܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܪܥ ̇‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܚܩ� ܕܡ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܬܢܝ ܰܐ ܳܟ ܳܪ ̇ܗ ܰܡܢܘܽ‬ ‫ܥ�ܬܐ ܣܒ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶܽ ܳ ̇ ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܕ� ܙܪܥܐ ܘܐܟܪ ܐ ܐܚܘܪ ܠܗ ܠܥ�ܬܐ ܕܐܬ�ܐ܀‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܐ ܰܡܪ ܺܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܡ ܰܐ ܳܟ ܶܪܟܝ ܰܥܠ ܙ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ܳ� ܺ‬ ‫ܫܠܝ ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܢܝܩ‬ ‫ܱ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ̇ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܟܝܘܬܟܝ‬ ‫ܗܘ ܕܢܚ̇ ܬ ܙܪܥ ܢܦܫܗ ܒܕ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܘܥܶܐ ܶܡܢܶܟܝ ܰܐܝܟ ܥܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܣܒܐ ܘܡܣܒܥ ܟܦܢܘܬܗ ܕܥ�ܡܐ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܰܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܕܬܝ‬ ‫ܰܟܬܒܐ ܪܒܐ ܳܕܒܪܝܬܐ ܡܠ ܳܦ ܠܟܝ ܐܝܟܢܐ ̇ܝ ܱ‬ ‫�ܚ ܳܘܐ ܕ� ܢܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܘܠܕ ܐ ܳܕܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܩܦܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩܐ ܰܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܪܝܬܐ ܕ� ܰܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܗ ܰܟܢ ܶܡܢܶܟܝ ܳܦ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ܶܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܚܙ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܘܕܫܐ ܳܓ ̇ ܰܡܪ ܽܟܠ ܽܗܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܪ ܶܚܦ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚܐ ܽܕܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܩ ܶܕܫ ܰܡܪܒܥܶܟܝ‬ ‫ܳܘܢܚ̇ ܶ ܬ ܰܡ ܶܓܢ ܶܒܟܝ ܰܚ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܠܗ ܕܥܶ ܳ� ܳܝܐ‬ ‫ܕܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ ̇ ܳܢ ܶܦܩ ܶܡܢܶܟܝ ܰ� ܽ� ܳ‬ ‫ܘܕ ܐ ܽܕܗܘ ܡ ܱܪ ܶܨܨ ܺ� ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܣܐ܀‬ ‫ܝܫ ̱‬

208

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

19

The young girl said to the angel, ‘Here I am, the handmaid of the Lord: 16 the Creator has authority to reside in His creation, and it seems good for the Fashioner, in His compassion to visit what He has fashioned’.

20

It was appropriate for Gabriel to stand there between the Father and the World, undoing the words of that cruel serpent and revealing His true mystery to a woman in place of the Liar’s cunning. 17

21

The serpent and Eve had dug a grave for Adam, confining him in Sheol. Along came Gabriel, speaking with Mary, and from this a mystery shone forth that brings to life all revelations.

22

Adam’s virgin wife accepted the Liar who deceived her by his guile: 18 she listened, perversely; she believed, stupidly; and she provided Adam with nakedness by means of that fair fruit (subject to) desire.

23

Along came Mary, the daughter of David, and she accepted the Watcher’s salutation. She wove a robe of glory for Adam’s naked state: she wove it and gave it to him as clothing: the bridegroom now stood resplendent in his Bridal Chamber.

Lk. 1:38. Gen. 3:1–6. 18 Gen. 3:1–7. 16 17

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‫‪20‬‬

‫‪21‬‬

‫‪22‬‬

‫‪23‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܳ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶܳ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܬܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܐ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܐ ܛܠܝܬܐ �ܡ ܱ�ܟܐ ܕܗܐ ܐܢܐ ܐ‬ ‫ܳܽ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܪܝܬܗ‬ ‫ܰܫ ܺܠܝܛ ܒܪܘ�ܐ ܕܢܫܪ ܐ ܒ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܚܡܘܗܝ ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܫ ܺܦܝܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܓܒܝܠܬܗ܀‬ ‫ܣܥܘܪ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܽܒܘ� ܰܕܐܝܟ � ܰ ̱‬ ‫ܠܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܪܐ�ܶܠ ܰܟܕ ܳܩ ̇ܐܶܡ ܶܒܝܬ ܰܐ ܳܒܐ ܳ‬ ‫�ܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ� ܳܐ�ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܰ‬ ‫�ܡܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ�ܐ ܰܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܪ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ̈ܡ ܰ�ܘܗܝ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܡ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ ̱ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܓ� ܪܐܙܗ ܕܫܪܝܪ ܐ ܚܠܦ ܢܟܠܗ ܕܕ ܓ� � ܢ̱ܬܬ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳܘܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܦܪܘ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܓܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ܰܘ ܴ� ܳܕܡ ܽܬܘܒ ܰܚ ܽ‬ ‫ܶܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ�ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܝܘܠ‬ ‫ܒܫ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܬ ܐ ܰܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܪܐ�ܶܠ ܰܡ ܶܠܠ ܰ�ܥܡ ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܪ�ܡ‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܕܢܚ ܪܐܙ ܐ ܡܢ ܬܡܢ ܕܡܢܚܡ ܠܓ��ܢܐ ܟ�ܗܘܢ܀‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫�ܕ ܳܓ ܳ� ܰܕܒܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܟܠܗ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܛܥܝ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܒܬܘܠܬܗ ܳܕ ܳܐܕܡ ܱܩܒ‬ ‫ܡܥܬ ܶܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܟ ܻܐܝܬ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܫ ܰ‬ ‫ܟ�ܝܬ‬ ‫ܐܫܪܬ ܰܣ ܴ ܻ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ̇ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܝܗܒܬ �ܕܡ ܦܘܪܣܝܐ ܒܗܘ ܦܐܪ ܐ ܫܦܝܪ ܐ ܕܪ ܓܬܐ܀‬ ‫ܫ� ܳܡܐ ܶܡܢ ܺܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܡ ܰܒܪܬ ܳܕ ܺܘܝܕ ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ ܰܩ ܰ‬ ‫ܳܩ ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܠܬ‬ ‫ܬ ܡ ܰܶ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܬܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܠܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܣ ܳܝܗ ܳܕ ܳܐܕܡ‬ ‫ܶܘܐܣܛܠ�ܬܫܒ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܬܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܢܐ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܩܡ ܰܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܓܢܘܢܶܗ ܰܟܕ ܶܓܐܐ܀‬ ‫ܙܩܪܬ ܘ�ܗܒܬ ܘܐ�ܒ‬

210

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

24

There were two virgins, but the action of the two was quite different: the one brought down her husband, the other gave support to her father for in Eve Adam found a grave, but in Mary he was invited to heaven!

25

Satan and God sent two messengers to the world, the serpent to Eve, and Gabriel to Mary. In the messages to the two of them the possibility of both death and life was to be found.

26

That wise Planter of the Garden placed two Trees in Eden, 19 hanging Death on the one, hiding Life in the other. He thus brought Adam to a contest, so that from the struggle he might cause him to emerge with a crown.

27

God imposed on him there a law, bidding him not to eat of the fruit of knowledge, for in it death resided. 20 The serpent and Eve forged a secret pact together and so caused the warrior to slip and fall in the struggle.

28

The Tree of Life was concealed, but the Tree of Knowledge was revealed: if he should guard the latter, he would eat from the former; But Adam transgressed the commandment: he tasted death and was deprived of life.

19 20

Gen. 2:9. Gen. 3:3.

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‫‪26‬‬

‫‪27‬‬

‫‪28‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܽ ܳܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܽ̈ܳ ܳ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܗܝܢ ܳ� ܶ‬ ‫�ܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܘܐ‬ ‫ܝܗܝܢ ܘܣܘܥܪ ܢܐ ܕܬ‬ ‫ܒܬܘܠܬܐ ܗܘܝ ܬ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܚܕ ܐ ܶܣ ܰ‬ ‫ܓܒܪ ̇ܗ ܚܕ ܐ ܣܡܟܬ ܱ�ܒ ̇‬ ‫ܘܗ‬ ‫ܦܚܬ ܶ ܱ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܚ ܳܘܐ ܱܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܪ�ܡ ܰܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܟܚ ܶܠܗ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܬܩܪܝ܀‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܳܣ ܳܛ ܳܢܐ ܰܘ ܳܐ� ܳܗܐ ܳ‬ ‫�ܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܙܓ ܶܕ ܐ ܰܫ ܰܕܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܪܝܢ ܻܐ ܰ ̈‬ ‫�ܡܐ‬ ‫ܘܓ ܺ‬ ‫�ܚ ܳܘܐ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܚ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܪܐ�ܶܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܘ�ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܪ�ܡ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܗܝܢ ܐܦ ܰܡܘܬ ܐ ܐܦ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒ�ܬ ܐ ܕܬܪܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܬܟܚܘ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܺ̈ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܳ ̇ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܕܓܢܬܐ‬ ‫ܬܪܝܢ ܻܐܝ�ܢܝܢ ܣܡ ܒܥܕܢ �ܨܘܒܗ ܚܟܝܡܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒܚܕ ܰܡܘܬ ܐ ܘܛ ܺܫܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܴܬ� ܰ‬ ‫ܒܚܕ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܰܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝ� ܰܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܣܩܗ܀‬ ‫ܘܐܚܬܗ ܴ� ܕܡ ܒܐܓܘܢܐ ܕܡܢ ܕ ܪ ܐ ܒܟܠ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܰܳ ܳܽ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܬܐ ܰܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܓܠܗ‬ ‫ܣܡ ܠܗ ܬܡܢ ܢܡܘܣܐ ܘܡܢ ܦܐܪ ܐ ܕܝܕ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܓ ܶܘܗ‬ ‫ܕ� ܢܶ ܽܐܟܘܠ ܡܢܗ ܕܡ‬ ‫ܢܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ�ܐ ܘ ܱܚ ܳܘܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܫ�ܘ ܳܪ ܳܐܙ ܐ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܕ ܳܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ܀‬ ‫ܫܪܥ ̱‬ ‫ܰܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܬܐ ܶܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܻܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܓܠܝ‬ ‫ܝܠܢ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܡܛܫܝ ܗܘܐ ܘܐܝ�ܢܐ ܕܝܕ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܕܐܢ ̇ܢܛܪ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ܢܶ ܽܐܟܘܠ ܶܡܢ ܳܗ ܳܢ ̇ܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܓ�ܙ܀‬ ‫ܘܕܥܒܪ ܴܐܕܡ ܦܘܩܕ ܢܐ ܛܥܡ ܡ‬

212

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

29

The beloved inhabitants of the Garden did not taste the Fruit of Life, the servant did not allow them to acquire their lives, but the Lord of Paradise took pity and sent the very same Fruit to Mary.

30

An offshoot appeared, Mary the Virgin, and in her the Fruit of God came down and hung (there): in Eden they never tasted it, but from Mary they plucked it – that Fruit which cherishes those who eat of it as it offers itself to them in its love.

31

The Tree was fervent in its love for those who should have eaten of it, but they abandoned it in Eden. In order to put to shame the serpent who had deprived them of it (the Tree) left and followed them in its great concern, so that they might eat of it from the blessed Garden. 21

32

Lust and desire for power were in the Tree of Knowledge, but the Virgin conceived its Fruit without lust so that the lust, which had led to death for Adam’s race, might in her be rendered ineffective for all generations.

33

Mary is God’s very Eden: the Tree of Knowledge is in her, with no serpent to deceive, or a fruit which brings death. From her the Tree of Life has shone forth which will bring back the banished exiles to their (true) place.

21

That is, Mary.

‫‪213‬‬ ‫‪29‬‬

‫‪30‬‬

‫‪31‬‬

‫‪32‬‬

‫‪33‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ̇ ܰ ܺ ̈݀ ܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܕܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܳ� ܰܛ ܽ‬ ‫ܠܦ ܳܐܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܓܢܬܐ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܕ��ܝܗ ܚܒܝܒܐ‬ ‫ܥܡ ̱‬ ‫ܳܕ� ܰܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܩܕܘܢ ܰܚ ܰ ̈ܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܘ�ܐ ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܪܦܝ ܶܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܪ�ܡ ܰܫ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܠܗ ܺ‬ ‫ܳܚܣ ܶܕܝܢ ܳܡ ܶܪܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܣܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܦ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܦ ܳܐܪ ܐ ܶܨܝܕ ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܪܗ܀‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܢܚܬ ܬ�‬ ‫ܥܢ ܳܩܐ ܒܬܘܠܬܐ ܗܘܬ ܡܪ�ܡ ܘܒ ̇ܗ ܦܐܪ ܐ ܕܐ�ܗܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܥܕܢ � ܛ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕܒ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܶܡܢ ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܪ�ܡ ܰܩܛܦ ̱‬ ‫ܥܡ ܳ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܦܫܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܕ ܐ ܰܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܦ ܳܐܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܶܚܡܬܐ܀‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܡܚ ܶܒܒ �ܟ ̈ܘ ܰܠ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܒܗ ܻܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܚ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܬܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܓܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܕܢ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰܫܒܩ ̱‬ ‫ܝ� ܳܢܐ ܳܶܕܐܟ ̈ܘ ܰܠ ̱‬ ‫ܘ�ܐ ܰܗ ̇ܘ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܒܗܬ ܶܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܓ�ܙ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܛ� ܳܢܐ ܕܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܬ ܽܪܗܘܢ ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܟ� ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪܝܟܬܐ܀‬ ‫ܘܢܝ ̱ܗܝ ܡܢ ܓܢܬܐ‬ ‫ܢܦܩ ܒ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳܳ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܬܐ ܻܐܝܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ‬ ‫ܪ ܓܬܐ ܘܪܚܡܬ ܫܘܠܛܢܐ ܒܐܝ�ܢܐ ܕܝܕ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܪܗ ܕ� ܶܪ ܓܬܐ ܒܛܢܬܗ‬ ‫ܘܒܬܘܠܬܐ ܠܦ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ̇ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܳܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶܕܪ ܰܓܬ ܰܡܘܬ ܐ ܕܒܝܬ ܴܐܕܡ ܒܗ ܬܒܛܠ ܡܢ ܕ � ܐ ܟ�ܗܘܢ܀‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܪ� ܺܡ ̱ܗܝ ܺܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܕܝܢ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐ� ܳܗܐ ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܝ� ܳܢܐ ܺܕ ܰܝܕܥܬܐ ܻܐܝܬ ܶܒܗ‬ ‫ܳ ܺ ܳ ̇ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ̇ܶ‬ ‫ܘ� ܚܘ�ܐ ܕܢܟܠ ܘ� ܦܐܪ ܐ ܕܩܛܠ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܻܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܝܠܢ ܱܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܰܕܢܚ ܶܡ ܳܢ ̇ܗ ܽܕܗܘ ܰܡܦܢܶܐ ܠܛ� ܶ‬ ‫ܝܕ ܐ ܱ�ܬܪܗܘܢ܀‬

214

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

34

That Tree, which had been guarded by the Cherub and the sharp sword of flame, 22 has now resided in the Pure Girl, and it is Joseph who guards her, (protecting) the young girl from the calumnies of those Jews who falsely claim that (Joseph) himself was the (Tree’s) father.

35

The guardian Cherub has laid down his sword, for that Fruit he was guarding has been sent from the great height to the depth of those cast out: the dead have eaten of it and found life. Blessed is that Fruit to which the Virgin has given birth!

22

Gen. 3:24.

‫‪215‬‬ ‫‪34‬‬

‫‪35‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܗ ̇ܘ ܻܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܝ� ܳܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܫ� ܳܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܓ ܰܘܙܠܬܐ ܶܡܬܢܛܪ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ܘ ̇ ܳܢ ܰܛܪ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܰ� ܶ‬ ‫ܘܣܦ‬ ‫ܗܐ ܫܪ ܐ ܒܕܟ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܽܨ ̈‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳܝܬܐ ܠܛܠܝܬܐ ܘܝܗܘ ܕ�ܐ ܕܐܒ ̇ܘ ̱ܗܝ ̱ܗ ܼܘ ܣܪܒܝܢ܀‬ ‫ܘܡܚܗ ܳܢ ܽܛ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܗ ̇ܘ ܺܦ ܳܐܪ ܐ ܳܕܢ ̇ ܰܛܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܦܝ ܽܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܬܠܚ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ܽ‬ ‫�ܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ܰܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܩܐ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܣܚ ̈ܝ ܶܦܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪܝܟ ܺܦ ܳܐܪ ܐ ܺܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܝܘ ܶܒܗ ܺ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܠܕܬܗ ܒܬܘܠܬܐ܀‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܡܝ‬ ‫ܰܘܐܟ� ̱‬

19. b-hono yawmo

Exultation at the Resurrection.

Source of text and attribution: Add. 14,614, f.122r–123v. Stanzas 5–7, 13–16 feature in the Mosul Fenqitho (VI, p. 404), and (8), 10, 18–20 in the Pampakuda edition (III, p. 7). Metre: (7+8) + (5+5) + (7+8) Qolo: abo ktab hwo.

217

218

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

19. b-hono yawmo. Translation. 1

On this day creation and all (its) peoples exult: the supernal beings on high, heaven and earth and all that they contain, leap with joy at the Resurrection of the Son of the living (God).

2

On this day in all the tombs the departed have seen the Light for the Lord of luminaries has shone forth like the sun: all those in the dark have come and rejoice at His powerful radiance.

3

On this day the angels descend with exultation to the abode of the dead, for the Immortal One has willed to become dead, and at His resurrection the supernal beings flew down to escort His Resurrection.

4

On this day the crucifiers have all been scattered in shame: the guards have fled, the disciples are gathered; those with hate for Him are downcast and lamenting; those with love for Him exult at His resurrection.

5

On this dear morning good tidings have come to the disciples; on it Mary exults, on it Martha rejoices, Kephas along with the disciples has joy, whereas Caiaphas and the crucifiers feel shame.

‫‪219‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܣܘܓܝܬܐ ܕܥܠ ܩܝܡܬܐ ܕܡܪܢ ܕܡܪܝ ܝܥܩܘܒ ܐܒܐ ܟܬܒ ܗܘܐ‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫‪5‬‬

‫ܳܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܺ̈ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܽܟ ܶ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ‬ ‫ܒܗܢܐ �ܘܡܐ ܗܐ ܦܨ�ܚܢ ܒ��ܬܐ ܘܫ�ܒ‬ ‫̈ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܚܬ�ܶܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܩܐ‬ ‫ܥ�ܝܐ ܒܪܘܡܐ ܘܬ ܴ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐܪܥܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܠ ܰܕܒܗܘܢ ܒܩܝܡܬܐ ܕܒܪ ܰܚ ܳܝܐ ܕܝܨܝܢ܀‬ ‫ܚܙܘ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܓܘ ܰܩ ܶ‬ ‫ܒ� ܐ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܗ ܳܢܐ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ܰ� ܺܢ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܕ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܰܕܢܚ ܰܐܝܟ ܶܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܫܐ ܳܡ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܕܢ ܺܗ ܶܝ� ܐ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ܶܚ ܽ ̈ܫ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܬܘ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܙ ܺܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰ� ܺܙ̈ ܶܝܙ ܐ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܬܦܨܚܘ܀‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܝܩ ̱‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܕ� ܳ� ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܗ ܳܢܐ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܰ ̈ܡ ܱ� ܶܟܐ ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫�ܒܝܬ ܺܡܝ̈ܬܐ ܳܢܚܬܝܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܗܘ � ܡܝܘܬ ܐ ܨܒܐ ܕܢܗܘܐ ܡܝܬܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܶܡܗ ܥܶ ܳ�ܝ̈ܶܐ ܳܙܚܘ ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܢܚܬܘ ܘܙ�ܚܘ ܩܝܡܬܗ܀‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܒ ܰܕܪܘ ܳܙ ܽܩ ̈ܘ ܶܦܐ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܗ ܳܢܐ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܒܗܬܬ ܐ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܟܢܫܘ ܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܘ� ܐ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫�ܡ ̈� ܶܕ ܐ‬ ‫ܘܥܪܩܘ ܢܛ‬ ‫ܳ ̈ ܺ ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܣܢ ܷܐܐ ܟܡܝܪܝܢ ܐܒܝܠܝܢ ܘܚܒܝܒܐ ܒܢܘܚܡܐ ܕܝܨܝܢ܀‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܠܬ ܺ‬ ‫�ܡ ̈� ܶܕ ܐ ܐ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܬ�ܢ‬ ‫ܒ�ܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܒܗܢܐ ܨܦܪ ܐ ܚܒܝܒܐ ܣ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܬ ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܦܨܝܚܐܳ‬ ‫ܒܗ ܪܘܙ ܐ ܡܪ�ܡ ܘܒܗ ܡ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܺ ̈ ܶ ܰܳ ܳ ܳܽ ̈ ܶ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܚ ̇ܕܐ ܟܐܦܐ ܘܬ�ܡ�ܕ ܐ ܘܩܝܦܐ ܘܙܩܘܦܐ ܒܗܬܝܢ܀‬

220

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

6

On this day of joys there is grief for all the Jews: Hannan is muzzled and silent, Judas hangs suspended, Caiaphas’ head is covered as all kinds of grief surround them all.

7

On this day the evil intentions of the crucifiers have been reproved: they kept vigil guarding the Lion, but He has arisen and scattered them; they set up guards for the Sun, so that He should not rise – but He shone out, to their grief.

8

On this day those guarding the Mighty One shook in fear and trembling: thorns buried the Fire, keeping guard so that it should not burn, but when Its flame appeared, all the weeds were in terror.

9

On this day supernal beings clothed in white have been seen in the Bridal Chamber of the Groom by the women, His bride’s maids 1 who had gathered by the tomb to seek for the Living One among the dead.

10

On this day the disciples’ grief has been turned to joy: yesterday they were scattered, today they are gathered; the cycle of suffering has been reversed, and all sorts of benefits have been effected.

1

cf. Mt. 25:10.

‫‪221‬‬ ‫‪6‬‬

‫‪7‬‬

‫‪8‬‬

‫‪9‬‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܕ�̈ܶܐ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫�ܝ ̱ܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܽ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܒܗܢܐ �ܘܡܐ ܕܚܕ ܘܬ ܐ ܥܩ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܫ� ܽ� ̱ܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܕ ܐ ܚܢܝܩ ܘ ܷܬ�‬ ‫ܒܠܝܡ ܰܚ ܳܢܢ ܰܘ ܷ‬ ‫ܘܟܠ ܳ�ܥ ܳ ̈ܩܢ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܟܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܕܩ ܳܝ ܳܦܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܟ� ܳ‬ ‫�ܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܫܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܚ ܰܦܝ ܺܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ܀‬ ‫ܒܗ ܳܢܐ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܽܚ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܘܫ ܶܒܐ ܰ� ܺܫܝܥܶܐ ܳܕܙ ܽܩ ̈ܘ ܶܦܐ ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܒܣܪܘ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܽܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܱ�ܪ�ܐ ܘܩܡ ܒܕܪ ܐܢܘܢ‬ ‫ܫܗܪܘ ܰܢܛܪ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܘ� ܐ ܕ� ܢܶ ܰܕܢܚ ܰܘ ܰܕܢܚ ܶܠܗ ܳܘܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫�ܫ ܳ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ܀‬ ‫ܡܫܐ ܐ ܺܩܝܡܘ ܢܛ‬ ‫ܳܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܢܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܶܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܬܪܗܒܘ‬ ‫ܒܗܢܐ �ܘܡܐ ܙܥܘ ܘܕܚ�ܘ ܢܛ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܩܒܪܘ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܽܟ ̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܒܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ܘܢܱܛܪ ̇‬ ‫ܘܗ ܕ� ܬܕܠܩ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟܕ ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܚ ܰܙ�ܬ ܰܓ ܰܘܙܠܬ ̇ܗ ܐܣܬ ܰܪܕܘ ܺܙܝܙ̈ ܢܶܐ ܽܟ� ܽܗܘܢ܀‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܥܶ ܳ�ܝ̈ܶܐ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܗ ܳܢܐ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܒ ̈ܘ ܶܫܐ ܶܚ ܳܘ ܶ� ܐ ܶܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܬܚܙܝܘ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ̈ܶ ܽ ܳ ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܓܬܗ‬ ‫ܒܓܢܘܢܗ ܕܚܬܢܐ �ܢܫܐ ܚܕ‬ ‫ܺ ̈ ܶ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܗܘܝ ܶܨܝܕ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܐܬܟ ܰܢܫ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ܰܕ�ܚܝܐ ܒܝܬ ܡܝܬܐ ܢܒ�ܝܢ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ̈ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܘ ܳܬ ܐ ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܬ ܺ̈‬ ‫�ܚ ܳ ̈‬ ‫�ܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܕ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܗܦܟ‬ ‫ܒܗܢܐ �ܘܡܐ ܥܩܬܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܰܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܡܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܬܡܠܝ ܐܬܒܕܪܘ ܘ�ܘܡܢ ܐܬܟܢܫܘ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܦܟܬ ܰܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܬܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܚ ̈ܶܫܐ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܺܓܝܓ� ܰ‬ ‫ܒܟܠ ܛ ̈ܒܢ ܐܣܬ ܰܥܪ܀‬

222

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

11

On this beauteous morning all that was bad has been changed: instead of the lance, vinegar, pole and sponge, 2 consolation is here as the glad tidings of the Resurrection shine out.

12

On this day even Death, at Sheol’s very gate, is overthrown: our Sovereign has entered and struck the tyrant on his own ground: He has overthrown him and laid him on his own doorstep before the crowds, 3 so that they may trample on him as they come out.

13

On this day the kiss of peace triumphs among the nations; like people renewed on seeing one another (again), – renewed by Second Birth, and full of joy at the Resurrection.

14

On this beauteous day the hills too blossom with flowers, for the earth – Nisan, for the Church – Christ, as all creation is adorned by this joyous month and by its Lord.

15

At this feast young boys and girls glisten out in white, the hills (are bright) with flowers, the steppe with lilies. The dead exult at the Resurrection, as do the blossoms on the various flowers.

2 3

Jn 19:34, 29. That is, of the dead (cf. Matt. 27:52–3).

‫‪223‬‬ ‫‪11‬‬

‫‪12‬‬

‫‪13‬‬

‫‪14‬‬

‫‪15‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܳܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܺ̈ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܽܟ ܶ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ‬ ‫ܒܗܢܐ ܨܦܪ ܐ ܫܦܝܪ ܐ ܐܫܬܚܠܦ ܒܝܫ‬ ‫ܘܩ ܳܢܝܐ ܶܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܚܠܦ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܚܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐܣܦܘܓܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܬܐ ܘܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ� ܳܬ ܐ ܳܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܨܚܢ܀‬ ‫ܗܐ ܢܘܚܡܐ ܘܒܘ� ܴܐܐ ܘܩܝ‬ ‫ܱ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܰܥܠ ܰ�ܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܚܝܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ܰܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܝܘܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ‬ ‫ܒܗܢ �ܘܡܐ ܐܦ ܡ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܟܢ ܰܒܐܬܪܗܶ‬ ‫ܓܫܗ ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܛ ܽܪܘܢܐܳ‬ ‫ܰܥܠ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܫܘܢ ܘܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܶܟܢ̈ ܶܫܐ ܰܕ ܽܢܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܣܚܦ ܳܣ ܶܡܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܦܬܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܦܩܘܢ܀‬ ‫ܘܥܠ ܐܣܟ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܫ� ܳܡܐ ܶܒܝܬ ܰܥ ̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܳܢ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܨܚܢ‬ ‫ܒܗܢ �ܘܡܐ ܢܘܫܩ‬ ‫ܚܕ ܕ ܐܶ‬ ‫ܚܙܘ ܰܠ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܰܐܝܟ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ܰܚ ̈ܕܬܶ ܐ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ܳܕ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ܰܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܬܐ ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܪ ܳ� ܳܢܐ ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܦܨܚܘ܀‬ ‫ܬܚ ܰܕܬܘ ܘܒܩܝ‬ ‫ܳܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܘ� ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܗ ܳ ̈ܒ ܶܒܐ ܰܡ ܺ‬ ‫ܦܪܓܝܢ‬ ‫ܒܗܢܐ �ܘܡܐ ܫܦܝܪ ܐ ܐܦ ܛ‬ ‫ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܬ ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܫܝܚܐܳ‬ ‫ܗܐ ܢܝܣܢ �ܪܥܐ ܘ�ܥ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܒܝܪܚܐ ܦܨܝܚܐ ܘܒܡܪܗ ܐ�ܛܒܬ ܒ��ܬܐ ܟ�ܗܝܢ܀‬ ‫ܳܳ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܚ ܳܘ ܶ� ܐ ܰܡ ܺ‬ ‫ܦܪܓܝܢ‬ ‫ܒܗܢܐ ܥܐܕ ܐ ܐܦ ܫܒ� ܐ ܘܫ�ܒ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܽ ̈ܶ‬ ‫�ܡܬܐ ܒܦܩܚܐ ܘܕܒܪ ܐ ܒܫܘ ܱܫܢܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܺ ܺ ̈ ܶ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳܡܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗ ܳ ̈ܒ ܶܒܐ ܒܥܩ� ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܚ�ܦܐ܀‬ ‫ܕܝܨܝܢ ܡܝ‬ ‫ܡܫ ܷ‬

224

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

16

On this bright day our Sovereign has returned from the mighty battle, His bow is slung, his victory resounds, He brings with Him the captivity whom He has brought out of the place of darkness. 4

17

On this day which causes everything to sprout it was in the appearance of a gardener that He appeared; Eden He has opened up, while Sheol He has closed shut. For this reason He manifested Himself in the likeness of a gardener, as He so wished.

18

On this day there approached His feet that Mary who had acted boldly; He did not permit her (to touch Him), for she held on to older customs: 5 she had anointed him with oil before the Sufferings; the Sufferings had passed – and so had their custom. 6

19

On this day of festivity a crown of light has been given to the Sovereign’s household at the novel announcement, at the fair tidings: with her head that had been lifted up by her Betrothed she laughs at the Jews, her foes.

20

On this feast that gives joy to all, grant us every benefit at Your word to those close at hand, peace, to those afar off, well-being, to the shepherd, 7 peace in his flock; and to You be praise from all, blessed is Your name!

cf. Ps. 14:7; 107:14 etc. Jn 20:17. 6 Jn 11:2, 12:3. 7 That is, the bishop. 4 5

‫‪225‬‬ ‫‪16‬‬

‫‪17‬‬

‫‪18‬‬

‫‪19‬‬

‫‪20‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳܳ ܰܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܬܐ ܰܟܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܡܐ ܶܩܫܬܗ‬ ‫ܒܗܢܐ ܢܗܝܪ ܐ ܗܦܟ ܡ�ܟܢ ܡܢ ܚܪܒܗ ܪ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܨܚܐ ܳܙ ܽܟܘܬܶܗ ܺ‬ ‫ܳܘܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܒܝܪ ܰܥ ܶܡܗ ܳܓ ܽ�ܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܡܢ ܐܬܪ ܐ ܶܚ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܦܩܗ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܗ ܳܢܐ ܝ ܱ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܓ ܳ� ܳܢܐ ܶܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܚܙܝ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܰܡܘܥܶܐ ܽܟܠ ܒܕܡ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܝܘܠ ܐ ܰܚܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܕܝܢ ܦܬܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܠ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬܚ ܺܘܝ ܰܟܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܕܓ ܳ� ܳܢܐ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܡܘܬ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܥܐ܀‬ ‫ܗܘܬ ܶܨܝܕ ܶ� ܰ‬ ‫ܪܒܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܗ ܳܢܐ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܶܩ ܰ‬ ‫ܪ�ܡ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܪܚܬ‬ ‫ܓ� ̱‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳܕ� ܰܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܕܬ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܒܩ ̇ܗ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܥ� ܶܕ ܐ ܰܥܬ�̈ ܶܩܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܥ ܽ‬ ‫ܥܒܪܘ ܰܚ ̈ܶܫܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܬܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܰܚ ̈ܶܫܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܗܘܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܡܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܗܘܢ܀‬ ‫ܡܫ‬ ‫ܟܠܝܠ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܕ� ܳܕ ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܕܥ ܺ‬ ‫�ܒܝܬ ܰܡ ܳ‬ ‫�ܟܐ ܐ̱ ܻܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܗ ܳܢܐ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܗܒ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܛ ̈ܶܒܐ ܰܫ ܺܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܝ� ܐ‬ ‫ܒܣܒܪܬ ܐ ܚܕܬܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܒܪܝܫ ̇ܗ ܕܐܬܬܪܝܡ ܒܡܟܝܪ ̇ܗ ܗܐ ܡܗ� ܒܝ ̱ܗܘܕ�ܐ ܣܢ ̇‬ ‫ܐܝܗ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒܗܢ ܺܥ ܳܐܕܟ ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܡܠܬܟ‬ ‫ܦܨܚ ܽܟܠ ܽܟܠ ܛ ̈ܒܝܢ ܰܗܒ ܰܠܢ‬ ‫ܰܺ‬ ‫ܝܒܐ ܫ ܳܝܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܩܐ ܳ‬ ‫�� ܺܚ ܶ‬ ‫ܫ� ܳܡܐ‬ ‫�ܩ� ܶ ܱ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܒܚܐ ܶܡܢ ܽܟܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܬܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪܝܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܠܟ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܡܟ܀‬ ‫�ܪܥܝܐ ܫܝܢܐ ܒܡܪܥ‬

20. qom men qabro yohubo d-nuḥomo

On the Resurrection, and the reasons why it was women who were the first to announce it. Source of text and attribution: Add. 14,614, f.126r–127v. For a relic, with the first and seventh stanza, in the Sheḥimo, see under poem 22. Stanzas 4 and 7 are to be found in the Pampakuda Fenqitho (III, p. 54). Metre: (4+6) + (4+6) + (5+3) + (5+3) + (6+6), set out as 5 lines. The third and fourth lines are often 3+5 rather than 5+3; the final line is sometimes 6+4.

227

228

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

20. qom men qabro yohubo d-nuḥomo. Translation. 1

He who gives Resurrection has arisen from the tomb without having seen corruption in that place of the departed. He went and took the Captor’s captivity captive. having uprooted Sheol, he returned to His Father’s house Through His wounds He delivered His people and now His workers rejoice.

2

He entered – and brought out the exiled descendants of Adam from the deep and dark abodes. He laid down His life on behalf of the exiles: He was smitten – but delivered and came in glory; from the height of victory the heights bent down and were brought low.

3

He ascended after He had been killed – and put on victory! Being dead, He went and effected hope for the departed; He slept in Sheol – and subdued His wounds. On the third day the Sleeper stirred, and unaffected by the sufferings He was robed in glory.

4

The disciples were overjoyed, once aware of the Resurrection; they collected together to see the Luminous One. The women had anticipated the disciples with the good tidings, for it was they who had seen Him first of all. Why was it, you may ask, that it was not men who saw His resurrection first?

‫‪229‬‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܳܩܡ ܶܡܢ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ܳ� ܽܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒܐ ܽܕܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳܡܐ‬ ‫ܒܗ ̇ܘ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܙ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܒ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܳ‬ ‫ܕ� ܺܢ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܕ ܐ‬ ‫ܶܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܬܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܫ ܳܒ ܳܝܐ‬ ‫ܐ ܙܠ ܘܫܒܐ ܫܒ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܥܩܪ ܰܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܫܝܘܠ ܘܦܢܐܶ �ܒܝܬ ܐܒ ̱ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܡ ̈ܚ ܳܘܬܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܪܩ ܰܥ ܶܡܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܐ ܳܪ ܺܘܙܝܢ ̇ܦ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܘܗܝ܀‬ ‫�ܚ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܒܝܬ ܐ ܳܕܡ‬ ‫ܰܥܠ ܗܘܐ ܘܐܦܩ ܓ�ܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܘܥ ܺ̈ܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ܰܐ ܳ ̈ܘ ܢܶܐ ܶܚ ܽܫ ̈ܘ ܶܟܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܩܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܦܫܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܣܡ ܰܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܚ� ܶܦ ̇‬ ‫ܕܓ ܽ�ܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܠܥ ܘܦܪܩ ܘܐܬ ܐ ܒܬܫܒܘܚܬܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳܽ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܝܢ ܐܬܡܟܟܘ܀‬ ‫ܡܢ ܪܘܡܐ ܕܙܟܘܬ ܐ ܪܟܢܘ �‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܛ� ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫�ܙ ܽܟܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫�ܒܝܫ ܳܠ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܣܠܩ ܡܢ ܩ‬ ‫ܶܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒܕ ܰܣܒܪ ܐ �ܥ� ̈� ܶܕ ܐ‬ ‫ܐ ܙܠ ܡ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܰ ̈ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܕܡܟ ܰܒܫܝܘܠ ܘܟܒܫ ܡܚܘܬܗ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳܳ‬ ‫ܢܕ ܕܡܟܐ ܒܝܘܡܐ ܬܠܝܬ�ܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ̈ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܨ ܰܠܠ ܡܢ ܚܫܐ ܘܡܥܛܦ ܬܫܒܘܚܬܐ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܺ̈ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܬܗ ܽܕܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳܡܐ‬ ‫ܕܨܘ ܬ�ܡܝܕ ܐ ܒܪܓ‬ ‫ܚܙܬܶܗ ܰܕܢ ܺܗܝܪ ܐܳ‬ ‫ܳܨܒܘ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܬܟ ܰܢܫܘ ܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ� ܳܬ ܐ ܰܩ ܶܕܡ ܰܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܡ ̈� ܶܕ ܐ‬ ‫ܚܙ ܳ�ܝܗܝ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܶ ̈ܶܫܐ ܶܓܝܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܻܐܝܬ‬ ‫�ܡܢ ܰܟܝ ܳ� ܰܓ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ� ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܩܕܡ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܙܘ ܽܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܶܡܗ܀‬

230

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

5

It was not by the path of marriage that our Lord came forth (into the world), for where there is marriage, the beginning comes from the man; but it was without any man that the Virgin gave birth when He came into our world from His own place, and when He arises from the tomb it is women who saw His Resurrection.

6

It was not from a man the He commenced to shine out for us, as Mary testifies when she says to the angel 1 that no man had known her, pure woman that she was. Without any man He shone out in her and she received Him: both in His Nativity and at His Resurrection He directed His path straight to women.

7

He sent message to the apostles through women that He had arisen: it was not from Simon that the chaste women received the good tidings, for it was they themselves who gave the tidings to Simon, so that the beginning should be from women, both of the course of His Nativity and of the good news of His Resurrection.

8

Simeon did not see Him first, for He was seen by the women It was not from a man that His revelation had commenced: at His beginning it was in a woman that He tabernacled, and it was she who saw His Resurrection first of all – for by the door through which death had entered in, through it Resurrection should enter too.

1

Luke 1:34.

‫‪231‬‬ ‫‪5‬‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫‪7‬‬

‫‪8‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܘܘ ܳܓܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܘܪܚܐ ܽܕܙ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ� ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܽܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܦܩ ܳܡ ܰܪܢ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ܗܘ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܟܐ ܺܕܐܝܬ ܽܙ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܳ�ܐ‬ ‫ܘܘ ܳܓܐ ܶܡ ܺܢ ܰܓ ܶ ܰ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܠܬܐ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܠܕܬܗ‬ ‫ܕ� ܓܒܪ ܐ ܒܬ‬ ‫�ܡܢ ܶܡܢ ܰܐܬܪܗܶ‬ ‫ܰܟܕ ܶܐ ܳܬ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫�ܥ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟܕ ܶܡܢ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ܢܶ ̈ܶܫܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܙܝ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܶܡܗ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ܐܫܬ ܺܪܝ ܕܢܶ ܰܕܢܚ ܰܠܢ‬ ‫ܠܘ ܡܢ ܓ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܡ ܱ�ܟܐܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܪ�ܡ ܟܕ ܐܡܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܗܕ ܐ ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ̇ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܕ� ܚܟܝܡ ܠܗ ܓܒܪ ܐ ܠܕܟܝܬܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳܕ� ܰܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ܰܕܢܚ ܳܒ ̇ܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܩ ܶܒܠܬܗ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܶܡܗ ܶܨܝܕ ܢܶ ̈ܶܫܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܬܪܨ ܽܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܘ� ܶܕܗ ܽܘܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܚܗ܀‬ ‫ܫܠ ̈ܶ‬ ‫ܫܠܚ ܰܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܝܕ ܢܶ ̈ܶܫܐ ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܚܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܬ� ܰܚܡ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܠܘ ܶܡܢ ܶܫ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܡܥܘܢ ܐܣܬ ܰܒܪ ܰܢ ̈ܟ ܳܦܬܐ‬ ‫�ܫ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܥܘܢ ܶܓܝܪ ܳܗܢܶܝܢ ܰܣ ܰܒܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܝ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܗܝܢ ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܐܝܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܳ�ܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܬ ܐ ܽܕܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܶܡܗ܀‬ ‫ܘܕܐܘܪܚܐ ܕܡܘ�ܕܗ ܘܣܒ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܚܙܝܗܝ ܶܫ ܽ‬ ‫ܡܥܘܢ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܻܐܝܬ ܶܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܬܚܙܝ �ܢܶ ̈ܫܐ‬ ‫� ܳ ̱‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ܗܘ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܳ�ܐ ܶ‬ ‫��ܢܶܗ‬ ‫ܰܠܘ ܶܡ ܳܢ ܰܓ ܰ ̱‬ ‫ܰܒܐ ܢܬܬ ܐ ܶܓܝܪ ܰܐ ܶܓܢ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ�ܶܗ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܚܙܬ ܠܘܩܕܡ ܢܘܚܡܗ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܥܠ ܰܡܘܬ ܐ ܶܒܗ �ܶ ܽܥܘܠ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳܡܐ܀‬ ‫ܕ‬

232

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

9

Angels saw His Resurrection first of all, and after the angels it was the turn of the women; (only) then did men receive it from the women, and they shone out at His Gospel tidings, for His entry into creation had first been from a woman.

10

A secret was concocted between Eve and the serpent, and Adam was not aware as perdition entered in. Without a man, Death entered on earth and because its beginning was with a woman, it was right that from a woman good things too should have their beginning.

11

Women saw His Resurrection, just as they saw His birth, for it was His will that a group of women should come so that from them He might start on that journey to heaven which had turned aside to Sheol. It was for this reason they were sent to announce the good tidings of His Resurrection.

12

Women were the first to see the revelation of His Resurrection, but they were not allowed to hold Him in their hands: He did not permit Mary to touch Him, 2 for a lay person does not touch the altar. Before His sacrifice she had grasped Him, but once they had sacrificed Him, He did not permit her.

2

Jn 20:17.

‫‪233‬‬ ‫‪9‬‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫‪11‬‬

‫‪12‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܚܙܘ ܰ ̈ܡ ܱ� ܶܟܐ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܻܐܝܬ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܶܡܗ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܰ ̈ܡ ܱ� ܶܟܐ ܶܨܝܕ ܢܶ ̈ܶܫܐ ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܬ� ܰܒܠ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܝܕܝܢ ܰܓ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܒ� ܐ ܶܡܢ ܢܶ ̈ܫܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܘܢܗܪܘ ܒܣܒܪܬܗ‬ ‫ܰܩܒ� ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ܶܡܢ ܐܢ̱ܬܬ ܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܻܐܝܬ܀‬ ‫ܕܡܥ�ܢܗ ܠܒܪ‬ ‫�ܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܫܝܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܐ̱ ܳܪ ܳܙ ܐ ܶܒܝܬ ܰܚ ܳܘܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܡ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܪܓܝܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܴܐ ܳܕܡ ܰܟܕ ܳܥ ܷܐܠ ܶܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܺ‬ ‫ܒܕ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ‬ ‫ܕ� ܓܒܪ ܐ ܥܠ ܡ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܬ ܐ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ�ܐܳ‬ ‫ܘܥܠ ܕܗܘܐ ܒܐ ܢ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ̇ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܙ ܶܕܩ ܗܘܐ ܕܐܦ ܡܢܗ ܢܫܬ��ܢ ܛܒܬܐ܀‬ ‫ܚܙܝ ܰܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܶܡܗ ܰܐܝܟ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܚܙܝ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ܶܕܗ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܶ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܽܕܗܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܒܬܐ‬ ‫ܨܒܐ ܺܢܐܬ ܐ ܟܢܘܫܝܐ ܕܢ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܦܫܘܛ ܰܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܗܝܢ ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳܝܐ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܪܚܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܝܘܠ ܳܦ ܳܢܝܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܳܗ ̇ܝ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܬ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܢܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܬ ܰܕܪ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܪܢ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳܡܐ܀‬ ‫ܶܡܛܠ ܳܗ ̇ܝ ܐ‬ ‫ܚܙܝ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�� ܳܢܐ ܽܕܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܻܐܝܬ ܶܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܶܡܗ‬ ‫ܐܝܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ� ܶܕܝܢ ܺ� ̱ܗܝܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܚܕ ܳܢܝ ̱ܗܝ ܺܒ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܕܢܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܗܝܢ‬ ‫ܪ�ܡ ܬܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ� ܰܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܩ ̇ܗ ܰ‬ ‫�ܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܩܪܘܒ ܶܠܗ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܡܐ �ܡ‬ ‫ܕܒܚܐ � ̇ܩ ܶܪܒ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ � ܰܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܟܬܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܕ ܰܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܶܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒܩ ̇ܗ܀‬ ‫ܒܚܗ �ܒ‬ ‫ܒܚ ̱‬

234

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

13

It was women whom He sent to the band of the disciples, and the chaste women were overjoyed, having seen His Resurrection: carrying the good news in their mouth they ran off to Peter: joy for the disciples but grief for those who had crucified Him.

14

The disciples, who had been scattered, gathered together; mourning was brought to an end by the news of the Resurrection: the gloom of sufferings was vanquished, Resurrection dawned bearing all sorts of good tidings on that luminous morn.

15

Daylight has conquered, the Luminary has stirred and gone up, shadows are at an end, darkness has fled and has perished; the Sun has shone out on the third day, the long night is gone and now all creation is filled with the light of Daylight.

‫‪235‬‬ ‫‪13‬‬

‫‪14‬‬

‫‪15‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܶ ܰܰ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܬ ܺ̈‬ ‫�ܡ ܶ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ ܫܕܪ ܗܘܐ ܨܝܕ ܓܘܕ ܐ‬ ‫ܝܕ ܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ̈ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܙܝ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܶܡܗ‬ ‫ܘܕܨ ܢܟܦ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܺ ̈ܳܳ‬ ‫ܨܝܕ ܫܡܥܘܢ ܪܗܛ ܬ�ܡ�ܕܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܛܥ ܳܝܢܢ ܰܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ� ܳܬ ܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܒܦ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܘܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܗܝܢ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ̈ ܶ ܳ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܳ‬ ‫�ܙ ܽܩ ̈ܘ ܶܦܐ܀‬ ‫ܰܚ ܽܕܘܬ ܐ ܠܬ�ܡ�ܕ ܐ ܘܥܩ‬ ‫ܐܬܟ ܰܢܫܘ ܰܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܳܨܒܘ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫�ܡ ̈� ܶܕ ܐ ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܬܒ ܰܕܪܘ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܥܪܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܶܐܒ� ܶܡܢ ܛ ܶܒܗ ܽܕܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳܡܐ‬ ‫ܺ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܚ ̈ܶܫܐ ܶܐ ܰܙܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܟܝܬ‬ ‫ܟܡܝܪ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܬܐ ܶܕ ܰܢܚܬ ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܛܥܝܢܐܳ‬ ‫ܘܩܝ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽܟܠ ܣܒ�ܢ ܛܒܬܐ ܒܗ ̇ܘ ܨܦܪ ܐ ܢܗܝܪ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܝܡ ܳܡܐ ܳܕܠ ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܙܟܐ ܻܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܠܩ ܰܢ ܺܗ ܳܝܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܒܕ ܶܚ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܣܦܘ ܛ ܴ �̈� ܷ� ܰ‬ ‫ܥܪܩ ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܠܝܬ ܳ�ܐ‬ ‫ܕܢܚ ܫܡܫܐ ܒܝܘܡܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܬܛ ܰܠܩ ܺܠ� ܳܝܐ ܰܢ ܺܓܝܪ ܐܳ‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܐ ܡܠܝ ܒ��ܬܐ ܡܢ ܢܘܗܪܗ ܕܐܝܡܡܐ܀‬

21. aw tagore

Life on earth is a voyage, of whose dangers and storms merchants are urged to take due care, seeing that ‘the ships of our souls’ are all too likely to be drowned in sins. From stanza 10 onwards the poet turns to lament his own past life, while he ponders on what the resurrection and judgment will be like. Although the poem is quite widely attested, no manuscript with the acrostic preserved complete seems to have survived. Source of text: Add. 14,506, f.80r–81r, incomplete, with fills for missing or damaged stanzas (4–8, 11, 14, 19) from Add. 17,141, f.78v (where, however, the stanzas are disordered); stanza 21 is also taken from Add. 17,141 to avoid a duplication. The poem features in a number of manuscripts, usually in a shortened form; a variant form of the whole poem is to be found in Assemani, III, 460–63 (whose text has also been used to restore the badly corrupted stanzas 4 and 8).

Attribution to Jacob: Add. 14, 614, f.127v ( ‫ܬܘܒ ܣܘܓܝܬܐ ܕܬܝܒܘܬܐ‬ ‫)ܕܡܪܝ ܝܥܩܘܒ‬, but only the first two stanzas survive, the rest being on a lost folio; also Harvard Syr. 30. In Add. 17,141 the poem is attributed to Ephrem.

Metre: (4+6) + (4+6) + (3+5) + (3+5) + (6+6), set out as five lines. Alphabetic acrostic. Qolo: qom beth dino.

237

238 21.

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO aw tagore. Translation.

Refrain: Grant us, Lord, that in love for You we may despise the world that is transient and gives no joy to those who possess it. 1

[olaph] O merchants, take care of your treasures (guarding them) against the world’s robbers: it is full of snares, and its traps are subtle, its paths are filled with stumbling blocks. Blessed is the person who travels through it uprightly, in the light.

2

[beth] In the world, my brethren, the ships of our souls are submerged in sins, as if in the sea: there is hope for those drowned in the sea, for the Resurrection will summon them from it; for the person drowned in sins – he has his own resurrection!

3

[gomal] This is clear, that we entered it naked, but it is not naked that we depart from it: we entered it pure and sparkling, but we depart from it dirty and befouled, carrying all sorts of sins as (we) travel to the place of judgement.

4

[dolath] For we have loved it as though it was steadfast, whereas it deceives us throughout our course upon it. While fate stands at our pillow, our minds are occupied with filth. Blessed is the Good One who releases us from life forcefully.

‫‪239‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܩ�‪ .‬ܩܡ ܒܝܬ ܕܝܢܐ‬ ‫ܒܣܪ ܶܒܗ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒܟ ܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܚܕ ܐܶ‬ ‫ܥܘܢܝܐ ܰܗܒ ܰܠܢ ܳܡܪܝ ܰܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܕܥ ̇ ܰܒܪ ܳܘ� ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ̣ܳ ܰ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܝ‬ ‫�ܩ� ̱‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫ܳܐܘ ܰܬ ܳܓ ܶ� ܐ ܶܐ ܰܙܕ ܰܗܪܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܓ ܰܙ�̈ ܽܟܘܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܥ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܡ� ܬ ̈ܘ ܶܟܐ‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ܰܓ ܳܝ ̈ܣ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ̈‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰܩܛ ܺܝܢܝܢ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܰܢ‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܶ ܽ̈ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫�ܝܢ̈‬ ‫ܘܐܘ�ܚܬܗ ܬ ܘܩܠܬܐ ܡ‬ ‫ܽ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ܳܪܕ̇ ܐ ܒܗ ܬܪܝ� ܻܐܝܬ܀‬ ‫ܛܘܒ �ܝܢܐ ܕܒܢ‬

‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܰܐ ܰ ̈ܚܝ ܐ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܦܐ ܰܕܢ ̈ܦ ܳܫܬܐ‬ ‫ܒ‬ ‫ܷ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ̈ ܰ ܶ̈‬ ‫ܚܛܗܐ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܕܒܝܡܐ ܛܒܝܥܢ ܒ ܴ‬ ‫ܒܝ ܳܡܐ ܻܐܝܬ ܰܣܒܪ ܐܳ‬ ‫ܰܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܚ�ܝ̈ ܰܩܝ ܰ‬ ‫̇ܳ‬ ‫ܕܩ ܶܪ ܐ ܽ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܚܢܝܩ ܰܒ ̈ܚ ܳܛ ܶܗܐ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܢ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܗ ܰܢܐ ̱ܗܘ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܶܡܗ܀‬ ‫ܳܶ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܛܠ ܰ�ܥ ܰ‬ ‫ܓ ܰܓ ܳ‬ ‫�ܢܢ ܶܠܗ‬ ‫�ܝܐ ̱ܗܝ ܗܕ ܐ ܕܥ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܶܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܘ ܕܝܢ ܥܪܛܠ ܗܘܬ ܡܢܗ ܡܦܩܬܢ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܢܢ ܶܠܗ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܰܥ ܰ‬ ‫��‬ ‫ܕܟ ܳܝܐ ܰܘܡܨ̈ ܷ‬ ‫ܳ ܺ ܰ ܳ̈ ܰ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܡܟܬ ܶܡܐ‬ ‫ܘܢܦܩܝܢܢ � ܷܐܐ ܘ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܛܥ ܰܝܢܝ ܽܟܠ ܰܚܘܒܝܢ ܘܪ ܕ�ܝ �ܒܝܬ ܕܝܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܕ‬

‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܳܕܪ ܺ‬ ‫ܕܚܬܝܬܐ ̱ܗܘ‬ ‫ܚܡ ܰܝܢܢ ܶܠܗ ܐ ܽܝܟ ̱ܗܘ ܡܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܗ�ܢ ܰ ܰ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܟܕ ܡܛܥܐ ܠܢ ܒܝܕ ܪ‬ ‫ܕܥܠ ܐܦ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܟܕ ܶܩ ܳ� ܐ ܳܩ ܷܐܡ ܐ ܳܣ ܰ ̈ܕܝܢ‬ ‫ܥ� ܰܢܢ ̇ܝܳܨܶܦ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܣ� ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ̈ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܩܛ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܪܐܻܝܬ܀‬ ‫ܒܪܝܟ ܛܒܐ ܕܫ̇ ܪ ܐ ܠܢ ܡܢ ܚܝܐ‬

240

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

5

[he]

See how it hastens to pass by: it is us it hurries on as well so that the next world which does not pass away may come. It may be that each day steals from us in its course, increasingly captivating us with its blandishments, deceiving us into thinking it would never pass away.

6

[waw] Its end accords ‘woe’ to those who enter it: when all of a sudden they look for it, it is not there; the delights that were (once) are no longer, but the retribution which did not exist (before) has arrived. Love for (the world) been turned around and become remorse.

7

[zayn] The wretched provisions which are suitable for Gehenna it sets out and displays before everyone (in turn). Blessed is the person who has chosen from them for himself and taken off the good instead of the bad, for it is a journey on which the traveller does not turn back!

8

[ḥeth] The world is a fair, full of things good and bad, and everyone buys the object he delights in for the person who seeks after truth, it is not lacking, for the one who wishes for evil, it is easy for him; both (good and evil) exist within a person.

‫‪241‬‬ ‫‪5‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪7‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪8‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܡܣ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܪܗܝܒ ܕܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒܪ ܳܘܐܦ ܰܠܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܗܒ ܰܠܢ‬ ‫ܺ ܶ ܺܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܕ� ܳܥ ̇ܒܪ‬ ‫ܕܢܐܬ ܐ ܐ̱ܚܪ ܢܐ ܥ‬ ‫ܶ̈ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ̇ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟܝ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܓܢܒ ܠܢ‬ ‫�ܝܘܡ ܒܪܗܛ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܚ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܣܓܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܫ ̇ܒܐ ܰܠܢ‬ ‫ܘܬܚܬ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܛܥܶܐ ܰܠܢ ܕܢܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܘܗܝ ܐ ܽܝܟ ̱ܗܘ ܕ� ܳܥ ̇ܒܱܪ܀‬ ‫ܚܫܒ ̱‬ ‫ܳܘ ܳ�ܐ ܳ� ̇ܗ ܳܒܐ ܰܚܪܬܶܗ ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫�ܥ� ̈ܘ ܰܠ ܳ ̱ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕܡܢ ܶܫ ܳ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܡܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫�ܝܐ ܳܒ ̇ܥܝܢ ܠܗ ܘ� ܶ ܐܝܬ ̱‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܺܕܐܝܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܠܝܬ ܐܢܶܝܢ‬ ‫�ܓܝܓ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܽ ܳܳ ܳ ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܘܡܛܐ‬ ‫ܘܦܘܪ�ܢܐ ܶܕ� ܐܝܬ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܚܡܬܗ ܕܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܦܟܬ ܘܗܘܬ ܠ ̇ܗ ܬܘܬ ܢܦܫܐ܀‬ ‫ܶܪ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ̈ܙܘ ܶܕ ܐ ܺܒܝ̈ ܶܫܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܚܝܢ ܺ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܰܗ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܽܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܣ ܰܕܪ ܳܣܐܶܡ ܽܟ ܽ‬ ‫�ܝܘܡ ܳ‬ ‫�ܢܫ‬ ‫ܓܒܐ ܶܠܗ ܶܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܽܛܘܒ ܰ� ܳܝܢܐ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܫܩܠ ܶ�ܠܗ ܳܛ ̈ܶܒܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܠܦ ܺܒܝ̈ ܶܫܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܒ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܘܪܚܐ ̱ܗܝ ܕ� ̇ܦܢܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܽܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܬܪܗ ܳܕܪ ܶܕ ܐ ܳܒ ̇ܗ܀‬

‫ܳ ܳ̈ ܳ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒܝ̈ ܳܫܬܐ‬ ‫ܡ� ܛܒܬܐ‬ ‫ܚ ܰܚ ܰܓܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܕ ܷ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܟ ܳ‬ ‫�ܢܫ ܰܗ ̇ܘ ܳܡܐ ܳܕܪ ̇ ܶܓܐ ܶܠܗ ܳܙ ̇ܒܢ ܳܠ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ̇ܳ‬ ‫ܕܒܥܶܐ ܽܩܘܫܬܐ � ܳܚ ܰܣܪ‬ ‫ܠ‬ ‫ܰ ܳܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܠܕܨܒܐ ܒܥܘ� ܦܫܝܩ ܗܘ ܠܗ‬ ‫̱ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܠܓܘ ܶܡܢܶܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕܒ ܳܪܢ ܳܫܐ ܻܐܝܬܝܗܝܢ ܬ �ܬܝܗܝܢ܀‬

242

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

9

[ṭeth]

10

[yudh] The days of my life have passed from me without my being aware; like smoke have they vanished, and I have felt no shame, yet my sins are more (numerous) than my days! My days have passed, but my sins remain, and are reserved for retribution: in Your mercy, Lord, may they be forgiven!

11

[kaph] How short is our time, how fast it passes on; our course dashes by, our journey is swift: (just) a day long from the womb to Sheol. (then) a night long, the sleep in the grave, (while) a morning long is the Resurrection – and the Judgement that does not pass away.

12

[lomadh] There is none there who is not clothed in contrition apart from the ranks of the perfect alone. The wicked who failed to be mindful and live, and the guilty who failed to repent and be delivered; the repentant who did not repent sooner, the just who did not add anything more.

1

Good is the place where Adam dwelt, but evil and bitter the one where Lot resided. 1 Adam died in a place of life, because he so willed it; it was in the place of the dead that Lot lived, because that was pleasing to him, for our freewill vanquishes, or is vanquished, of its own volition.

cf. Gen. 13:12.

‫‪243‬‬ ‫‪9‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫ܝ‬

‫‪11‬‬

‫ܟ‬

‫‪12‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܳܛ ܽܒ ܗܘ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܪ ܐ ܳܕ ܳܐܕܡ ܫ̇ ܳ ܶܪ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܶܒܗ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܒܝܫ ܗܘܐ ܘܡܪܝܪ ܐܝܟܐ ܕܠܘܛ ܥܡܪ ܗܘܐ ܒܗ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܒܝܬ ܰܚ ̈ܶܝܐ ܺܡܝܬ ܴܐ ܳܕܡ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܨܒܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܚܝܐ ܽܠܘܛ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܒܝܬ ܺܡܝ̈ܬܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܦܪ ܶܠܗ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܟܝܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܰܙܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ� ܳܢ ̇ܗ ܳܙ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܽܐܪܘܬܢ ܒܨܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܝܐ܀‬ ‫ܰ� ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܘܡܝ ܰܚ ܰ ̈ܝܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒܪܘ ܶܡܢܝ ܳܘ� ܶܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܓܫܬ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘܐܝܟ ܬ ܳ� ܳܢܐ ܦܛܪܘ ܶܡܢܝ ܘ� ܶܒܗܬܬ‬ ‫ܘܣ ܺܓܝ ܻܐ̈ܝܢ ܰܚ ̈ܘ ܰܒܝ ܶܡܢ ܰ� ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܝ‬ ‫ܘܚ ̈ܘ ܰܒܝ ܳܩ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܥܒܪܘ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܰܡܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܡܝܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܬܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒ� ܰ‬ ‫ܚܡܝܟ ܳܡܪܝ ܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܚ ܽܣܘܢ܀‬ ‫ܘܢܛܝܪܝܢ ܠܬܒ‬ ‫ܳܰ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܽܙܥ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܢܢ ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ ̱ܗܘ ܰܙ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܥ ̇ܒܪ ܶܠܗ‬ ‫ܪܗܝܒ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܗܛܐ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܕܝܬܢ‬ ‫ܘܪܚܢ ܰܩ ܺܠܝ� ܡ‬ ‫ܡ� ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܣܐ ܰܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܝܘܠ‬ ‫ܷ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒܓܘ ܰܩܒܪ ܐܳ‬ ‫ܡ� ܺܠ� ܳܝܐ ܶܫܢܬܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܷ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܳ ̇ܰ‬ ‫ܡ� ܨܦܪ ܐ ܢܘܚܡܐ ܘܗܐ ܕܝܢܐ ܕ� ܥܒܪ܀‬ ‫ܷ‬

‫�ܒܝܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܠ ܰܠܝܬ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ ܰܬ ܳܡܢ ܳܕ� ܺ‬ ‫ܬܘܬ ܰܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܫܐ‬ ‫ܓܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܓܡܐ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫�ܚܘܕ ܰܗ ̇ܘ ܬܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܐ ܳ� ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܝ� ܐ‬ ‫ܰ� ܺܫܝܥܶܐ ܳܕ� ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܗܕܘ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܝܘ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܬܦ ܺܨܝܘ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳ ̈ܝ ܶܒܐ ܕ� ܬܒܘ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܘ ܰܘܙ ܺܕ�̈ ܶܩܐ ܕ� ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܬ ܳ�̈ ܶܒܐ ܕ� ܰܩ ܶܕܡܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܣܦܘ܀‬

244

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

13

[mim] When they behold the crowns of the resplendent ten thousand times over they remember their sufferings, and (as for) the blessed state of those who laboured and grew weary, how much better than what they had decided upon! And they learn how great is the good that God performs for those who worship Him.

14

[nun]

15

[semkath] The good ascend and inherit their (allotted) places, so as to become brothers (and sisters) related to the spiritual beings, seeing that they did not turn back and commit evil deeds, for they became spiritual, even though in the body, and with the spiritual beings they will inherit the Kingdom.

16

[‘e]

The wicked go down and find their turn in Sheol, their sorrow is redoubled when they see that great glory of the perfect who have inherited it by means of only a little struggle, whereas they, with nothing, (have inherited) torment that is eternal.

The two worlds give birth to a person, one from the womb, the other from the tomb: from the womb, into the world and wretchedness, and from the tomb, into judgement and repayment. The one is transient, the other lasting: blessed is the person who has acted wisely!

‫‪245‬‬ ‫‪13‬‬

‫ܡ‬

‫‪14‬‬

‫ܢܢ‬

‫‪15‬‬

‫‪16‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܳܡܐ ܕܚ̇ ܳ ܶܙܝܢ ܶܓܝܪ ܰܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܟ�ܝ̈ ܶ� ܰ‬ ‫ܕ� ܺܨ�̈ ܶܚܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܗܕܝܢ ܰܚ ܰ ̈ܫ ܽ‬ ‫ܡ� ܳ ̈ܘܢ ܳܥ ܺ‬ ‫ܒ� ܽܒܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ̈ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܕܥ ̈ܡ� ܰܘܕ� ܳ�ܐ‬ ‫ܘܠܛܘܒܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܡܝܬܪ ܡܢ ܦܘ�ܫܢܝܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܘ� ܺ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫�ܦܝܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ܀‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܰܡܐܛܒ ܐ ܳ� ܳܗܐ �ܣ ܽܓܘ ܕ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗ ܺ‬ ‫ܚܬܝܢ ܺܒܝ̈ ܶܫܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܓܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܦܟܝܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܝܘܠ‬ ‫ܢ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܘܬ ܐ ܡܐ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܥܦܐ ܥܠܝܗܘܢ ܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܚܙܘ‬ ‫ܓܡܝ� ܐܶ‬ ‫ܘܒܚܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܗ ̇ܘ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܒܩ ܺܠ‬ ‫ܝܠ ܐܓܘܢܐ �ܪܬ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܢ ܳܩܐ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗ ܽܢܘܢ ܒ� ܶܡ ܶܕܡ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫�ܥ ܰܠܡ܀‬

‫ܳ ܺ ̈ ܶ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫�ܓ ܽ‬ ‫ܪܬܝܢ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܣ ܣ�ܩܝܢ ܴܛܒܐ ܘ�‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܕܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܚܢܐܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܘܢ ܐܱ ̈ܶܚܐ ܰܘ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܐܚ�ܢܐ �� ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܕ� ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܘ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܦܟܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܫܬܐ‬ ‫ܣܥܪܘ ܗܘܘ ܒ‬ ‫ܗܘܘ ܰܟܕ ܰܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܺܢܝܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܽܕ� ܳ‬ ‫ܓ� ܢܺܝܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܽ ܳܶ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫�ܟܘܬ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܘܥܡܗܘܢ ܕ�ܘܚܢܐ �ܪܬܝܢ ܡ‬ ‫ܳ ̈ܶ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܕܝܢ ܶܠܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܬ� ܽܝܗܘܢ ܳ� ܺ‬ ‫�ܒܪ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ‬ ‫ܥ ܥ‬ ‫ܪܣܐ ܘܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܚܪ ܳܢܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܩܒܪ ܐܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܚܕ ܡܢ ܱܟ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܪܣܐ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫�ܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܡܢ ܰܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܥ ܳܫܐ‬ ‫�ܕ ܳܝܢܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܪ� ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰܚܕ ܳܥ ̇ ܰܒܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚܕ ܰܩ ̇ ܳܝܡ ܛܘܒ � ܳܝܢܐ ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܬܚ ܰܟܡ܀‬

246

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

17

[pe]

Righteousness has opened its mouth to lay accusation, while every (human) mouth there is guilty and closed: Righteousness, which has been wronged by me, and Grace which is spread over all, are (present at) the Resurrection at the retribution, but human beings pay no attention.

18

[ṣodhe] The ear bends (to hear) ideas and thoughts, adjudicating between the idea and the volition; it is not that it has thought evil but not carried it out, for there is no way that it does not think. It is up to us that it should not will concerning what it has guiltily thought.

19

[quph] The two sides stand facing each other, one on the right, the other on the left; both are a source of wonder: one rises up to the heights (of heaven), the other descends to the depths of Gehenna: for one, bliss that passes not away, for the other, woe that never expires.

20

[rish]

The cries of all ranks thunder out, (each) from its place: everyone who makes a bridge with his tongue – the blasphemers from within Gehenna, the abusive from within the Darkness, whereas those who sing ‘halleluiah’ shout out at the Bridegroom’s presence.

‫‪247‬‬ ‫‪17‬‬

‫‪18‬‬

‫‪19‬‬

‫‪20‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܡ ܳܟ ܽܣܘ‬ ‫ܦ ܦܬܚܬ ܦܘܡ ̇ܗ ܟܐܢ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܟܠ ܽܦܘܡ ܱܬ ܳܡܢ ܶܡܣܬ ܱܟܪ ܘܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܚ ܰܝܒ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܺ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܛ ܰ‬ ‫�ܡܬ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܽܢܝ ̱ܗܘ ܐ‬ ‫ܘܟܐܢ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܛܝܒܘܬ ܐ ܕܥܠ ܟܠ ܐܬܦܪܣܝܬ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳܶ ܰ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܡܬܢܚܡܝܢ ܠܬܒܥܬܐ ܘ� ܪ ܢܝܢ ܒܢܝ ܐ̱ܢܫܐ܀‬ ‫ܨ‬

‫�ܝܐ ܶܐ ܳܕܢܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܳܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܥ�ܢܶܐ ܽ‬ ‫�� ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫ ܶܒܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܕ ܐ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ ܶܒܝܬ ܶܪ ܳܢܝܐ �ܨܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ� ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܬܐ ܳܘ� ܶܣ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܪܬ‬ ‫ܘܠܘ ܕܪܢܬ ܒ‬ ‫ܘܪܣܐ ܳܕ� ܬܶܪܢܐܶ‬ ‫ܳܕ� ܻܐܝܬ ܽܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܺܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܠܢ ܳܕ� ܬܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܻܐܝܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܨܒܐ ܰܥܠ ܰܕ ܳܪܢܬ ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܒܬ܀‬

‫ܳ ܺ ܰ ̈ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܣ ܳܡ�‬ ‫ܩ ܩܝܡܝܢ ܓܒܐ ܕ�ܡܝܢܐ‬ ‫ܘܩܒܠ ܰܚܕ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܪܐܳ‬ ‫ܬܪ ܽܝܗܘܢ ܽܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܚܕ ܽܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܚܕ ܳܣ ̇ ܶܠܩ ܰ‬ ‫�ܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚܕ ܳܢܚ̇ ܶ ܬ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫�ܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܩܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܕܓ ܰܗ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܚܕ ܳܘ ܳ�ܐ ܕ� ܰܡ ܶ‬ ‫�ܚܕ ܛܘܒܐ ܕ� ܳܥ ̇ ܰܒܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܦܐ܀‬ ‫ܪ‬

‫ܥܡܝܢ ܳ ̈ܩ ܶ� ܽܕܟܠ�ܬܶ ̈ܓ ܺܡܝܢ ܶܡܢ ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܪ ܺ‬ ‫ܬܪܗ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܥܒܪܬ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫�ܡܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܽܟ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܥ ܶܒܕ ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܒ� ܳܫܢܶܗ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܡܓ ̈ܕ ܳܦܢܶܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܓܘ ܺܓ ܰܗ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܚ�ܢܶܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܓܘ ܶܚ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܨ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳܘܙ ܰ‬ ‫ܘ�� ܳܙ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܡ�ܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܩܕܡ ܰܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܩܝܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܢܐ܀‬

248

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

21

[shin]

Those on high and those below sing praise to Him who resurrects all creation when He arises to judge the generations, separating the good from the bad: at that moment in time, have pity on us by Your victorious Cross.

22

[taw]

May the shade of Your Grace shine out over me and may I be protected beneath Your wings, and not die, for I know that I am despicable in my person and my words are strangers to my actions. Accept, O Lord, the plea of my words, and be reconciled with my guilty state.

‫‪249‬‬ ‫‪21‬‬

‫‪22‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒܚܐ ܳܙ ܺ‬ ‫ܫ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܪܝܢ ܥܶܠ� ܴ ܝܶܐ ܘܬ ̈ܚܬ�ܶܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫��ܬܐ‬ ‫ܠܡܢܚܡܢܐ ܕܟ�ܗܝܢ ܒ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܢ ܕܩܐܡ ܠܡܕܢ ܫ�ܒܬܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܦ ܶܪܫ ܛ ̈ܒܐ ܶܡܢ ܺܒܝ̈ ܶܫܐ‬ ‫ܥܠܝܢ ܰܒ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܗ ̇ܘ ܶ� ܳܕܢ ܽܚܘܣ ܰ‬ ‫ܨܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܒܟ ܰܙ ܳܟ ܳܝܐ܀‬ ‫ܬ‬

‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܒܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܬ ܰܕܢܚ ܰܥ ܰܠܝ ܛ ܴ ܴܠ ̇ܗ ܕܛ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܚܝܬ ܶܟܢ̈ ܰܦܝܟ ܐܣܬܬܪ ܘ� ܐ ܽܡܘܬ‪.‬‬ ‫ܒܣܝܪ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܕ ̇ܝܳ ܰܕܥ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܩܢܘܡܝ‬ ‫ܽܘܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟ� ܳ�ܢ ܶܡܠ� ܱܝ ܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܒ ܰ ̈ܕܝ‬ ‫ܦܝܣ ̈ܶܡ ܰܠܝ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܩ ܶܒܠ ܳܡܪܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܬܪ ܳܥܐ ܰ‬ ‫�ܚ ܳܝ ܽܒܘܬܝ܀‬

22. sleq la-ṣlibo

The poem opens with the paradox of the forces of darkness crucifying the Daylight (Christ), but from stanza 4 onwards it turns into a lament by Mary over the fate of her Son; after rebuking the ingratitude of those who had crucified their benefactor, she appeals to the elements, and then finally (stanzas 18–21) she turns to Christ’s descent into Sheol and its effect. Source of text: Add. 14,506, ff.226r–228v. The poem is found in a number of old manuscripts with services for Holy Week, and in abbreviated form in the Mosul Fenqitho (V, 259–60), 1 with stanzas 1, 3, 4, 10, 14, 16). The attribution to Jacob is to be found in Add. 14,501, f.150v, and 17,156, f.24v. Metre: (4+6) + (4+6) + (3+5) + (3+5) + (6+6), set out as five lines. Qolo: aw tagore (according to the Mosul Fenqitho). ‘unoyo: provided in Add. 14,506.

The first line can also introduce a completely different poem in the Mosul Fenqitho (VII, 273–5) and Lamy IV, 773–6.

1

251

252

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

22. sleq la-ṣlibo. Translation. 1

There ascended the Cross the Lord of Glory: the crucifiers were in uproar over the death of the Innocent One; ravening wolves surrounded Him and they tore at the spotless Lamb. Of His own will He bore the pains, and He liberated all with His Cross.

2

The dark shadows clapped their hands as they raved against the mighty Light; Night threatened and crucified Day. The Sun willed it, and the shadows bound Him, the Mighty One gave Himself over and audacious men crucified Him.

3

The disciples, the children of Light, fled and were scattered; The Dark rose up and bound the Luminary: Audacious Caiaphas, Hannan and Judas, head of those on the left side, uttered threats and crucified out of envy the Lord of those on the right.

4

Mary, David’s daughter, saw her Darling standing all alone on the height of Golgotha; the Virgin beheld Him, her Only-Begotten, being abused and suffering on the Cross; with utterances of lamentation she wept for her Beloved.

‫‪253‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܬܘܒ ܒܪ ܩܠܗ ܕܙܩܝܦܘܬܐ‪ .‬ܥܘܢܝܐ ܘܝ ܠܟܝ ܨܗܝܘܢ ܕܨܠܒܬܝܗܝ ܠܡܫܝܚܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܛܘܒܝܟܝ ܥܕܬܐ ܕܪܡ ܩܠܟܝ ܒܬܫܒܘܚܬܐ‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ̇ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܒܘܚܬܐ‬ ‫ܣܠܩ ܠܨܠܝܒܐ ܗܘ ܡܪ ܐ ܕܬ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܽ ̈ܶ‬ ‫ܘܒܐ ܰܥܠ ܰܡܘܬܶܗ ܰܕܙ ܳܟܝܐܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܒܘ ܨܠ‬ ‫ܬܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܺܕܐ̈ ܶܒܐ ܳܣ ̈ܽܪܘܚܐܶ‬ ‫ܪܟ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܗܘܘ ܶ� ܳ‬ ‫ܡܪ ܐ ܳܕ� ܽܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܶ‬ ‫ܣܒܣܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܰܪܪ ܽܟܠ ܰܒ ܺ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܨܠ ܶ‬ ‫ܛܥܝܢ ܚܱ ̈ܶܫܐ ܒܨܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ�ܢܶܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܒܗ܀‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܢܩܫܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܘ ܰܟ ܳܦܐ ܷܛ ܳ� ܷ� ܰܥ ̈ܡܘܛܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܬܢܶܝܢ ܰܥܠ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ܰ� ܺܙ ܳܝܙ ܐ‬ ‫ܟܕ ܡ‬ ‫ܝܡܡܐܳ‬ ‫�ܒܗ ܻ� ܳ‬ ‫ܘܨ ܶ‬ ‫ܓܙܡ ܻܠ� ܳܝܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ̈‬ ‫ܨܒܐ ܶܫ ܳ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܷܛ� ܷ�‬ ‫ܡܫܐ ܘܦܟܪ ̱‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܦܫܗ ܰܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ� ̱ܗܒ ܰܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘܘ ܰܡ ܳ� ܶܚܐ܀‬ ‫ܢܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܘܙܩܦ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰܰ ܰ ܺ ̈ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܢ̈ܝ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܒܕܪܘ ܬ�ܡ�ܕ ܐ‬ ‫ܥܪܩܘ ܘ‬ ‫ܶ ̈ܽ‬ ‫ܫܘ ܳܟܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܦܟܪܽ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫�ܢ ܺܗܝܪ ܐܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܩܡܘ ܚ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܰܩ ܳܝ ܳܦܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳܢܢ ܰܡ ܳ� ܶܚܐ‬ ‫ܺ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܝܗܘܕ ܐ ܪܝܫܐ ܕܣܡ�‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰܒܚܣܡܐ �ܗܘ ܡܪ ܐ ܕ�ܡܝܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܓܙܡܘ ܰܙܩܦ ̱‬ ‫ܪܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܚܙܬ ܰܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡ ̇ܗ ܳܗ ̇ܝ ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܪ�ܡ ܰܒ ̱ܪܬ ܳܕ ܺܘܝܕ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰܥܠ ܪ ܳ‬ ‫�ܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܳܕܩܡ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܕܓ ܽܓܘܠܬܐ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ̇‬ ‫ܘܕ ̱‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܰܪܬ ܶܒܗ ܒܬܘܠܬܐ ܺܒ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܕ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚ ̇ܐܫ ܰܒ ܺܙܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܝܦܐ‬ ‫ܕܡ�ܛ ܰܥܪ ܳ ܷ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ̈ ܽ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫�ܚ ܺܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܒ ̇ܗ܀‬ ‫ܘܒܩ� ܕܐܘ�ܝܬܐ ܒܟ‬

254

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

5

‘My Lord, who became my Son, who has crucified You out of spite? O Son of the Most High, why have those below hated You? You were doing good to all of them, providing healing for them all. Why have they turned round and paid you back with all the insults on the Cross?

6

‘O men of Judaea, what has He done wrong to be stripped bare? O audacious men, what evil has He done that He is mocked? He has healed your sick, so why is He suffering? He has raised your dead, so why is He being put to death? Because He did good, He is enduring evil!

7

‘O Daughters of Jerusalem, what wrong has the Only-Begotten done? He was performing all sorts of good deeds for your menfolk: with His spittle He was opening the eyes of the blind, at His utterance He was cleansing the lepers. Avenge yourselves on your husbands and sons for His mistreatment!

8

‘Alas, Jerusalem, for your retribution is coming, for He will uproot you, chastise and destroy you; with His Cross He will bring your foundations to ruin, for it was with a wicked judgement that you condemned Him. See how your King is reviled – and (as a result) your honour will pass away.

‫‪255‬‬ ‫‪5‬‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫‪7‬‬

‫‪8‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܗܘܐ ܶܒܪܝ ܰܡܢ ܰܙ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܡܪܝ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܦܟ ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܣ ܳܡܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܪܘܟ ܬܚܬ�̈ܶܐ‬ ‫ܒܪܗ ܕܥ�ܝܐ �ܡܢ ܣ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܽ‬ ‫�ܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܗܘܢ ܳܣ ̇ܥܪ ܗܘܝܬ‬ ‫ܛܒ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ̈ ܶ ܽ ܽ ܳ ̇ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚܘ�ܡܢܐ �ܟ�ܗܘܢ �ܗܒ ܗܘܝܬ‬ ‫ܦܟܐܝܬ ܽܟܠ ܰ�ܨ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫�ܡܢ ܰܦ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܥ�ܝܢ ܒܙܩܝܦܐ܀‬ ‫ܪܥܘܟ ܶܗ ܳ ܻ‬ ‫ܣܟܠ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܕ�ܶܐ ܳܡܢ ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܐܘ ܽ� ̱ܗ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܡܦ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܣܝ‬ ‫ܳܐܘ ܰܡ ܳ� ܶܚܐ ܳܡܢ ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܘܠ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܒ ܰܙܚ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܗ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܟܘܢ ܐܱ ܺܣܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܟ� ܰ‬ ‫�ܡܢ ܳܚ ܷ ̇ܐܫ‬ ‫ܺ ̈ ܰ‬ ‫ܬ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܟܘܢ ܰܐ ܺܚܝ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܢ ܳܡ ܷ ̇ܐܬ‬ ‫ܡܝ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܳ ̇ ܶ ܺ ̈݀ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܠ ܕܣܥܪ ܛܒܬܐ ܗܐ ܣܒܠ ܒܝܫܬܐ܀‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒܢ̈ܬ ܽܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܠܡ ܳܡܢ ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܣܟܠ ܺ� ܺܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܕ ܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܰ‬ ‫ܒ� ܶ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܳܣ ̇ ܰܥܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܟܝܢ‬ ‫ܽܕܟܠ ܛܒ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܡ ܳܝܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܠ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܬܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ‬ ‫ܘܩܗ ܡܦ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܕ ܶܟܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ‬ ‫ܘܠܓ�ܒܐ ܒܡ‬ ‫ܰ ̈ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒܓ ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒ� ܶ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܟܝܢ ܘܒܒܢܝܟܝܢ ܬܬܬܒܥܢ ܩܘܦܚܗ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܽ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܛܐ ܶܠܗ ܽܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܶܠܟܝ‬ ‫ܘܝ ܐܘܪܫܠܡ ܕ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܕ̇ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽܕܗܘ ܳܥ ̇ܩܪ ܶܠܟܝ ܡܚܪܒ ܠܟܝ ܪ ܐ ܠܟܝ‬ ‫ܶ̈‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܦܗ ܳܥ ̇ܩܪ ܶܫܬܐ ܰܣܝܟܝ‬ ‫ܒܙܩ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܕܒܕܝܢܐ ܕܥܘ� ܚܝ ܰܒܬ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܳ ̇ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܰܡ ܶ‬ ‫�ܟܟܝ ܶܡ�ܛ ܰܥܪ ܻܘܐܝܩܪܟܝ ܥܒܪ ܠܟܝ܀‬

256

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

9

‘My Son, my Lord, how can I weep for You? Show me, (who am) without any companions or groups of chaste women. The murderers are all around Your Cross, evil men are menacing at Your death. Give a voice to the elements of voiceless nature so that they may weep for You.

10

‘Bid the sky to be covered in black for it will instruct us how bitter is the lamentation for You; let darkness hide Your Cross, so that the people may not see Your naked state. Flee away, O sun, do not give any light for the crucifiers, allowing them to look upon Him.

11

‘Why are You silent, O earth, for innocent blood has trickled down on you; stir, and cause the circumcised to quake. Give voice, O mighty rocks, O stones, rebuke the crucifiers, for He is Son of the Lord of the elements: O elements, tremble, for He is stripped naked.

12

‘O daytime, give place to darkness, for they do not allow me to approach the Luminary. Let it be for me like night in the midst of the daytime, so that I may clasp His corpse, for they show me ill will, and if they see me, they will grab at me without mercy.

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‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܝܟܢ ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܪܝ ܰܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܶܒܪܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܟܝܟ ܰܚ ܳܘܐ ܺܠܝ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒ�ܬ ܐ ܘ� ܶܟܢ̈ ܶܫܐ ܰܕܢ ̈ܟ ܳܦܬܐ‬ ‫ܕ� ܚ‬ ‫ܳ̈ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܩܛܘ� ܟܪܝܟܝܢ ܠܙܩܝܦܟ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ̈ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ�ܘ � ܓܙ̇ܡܝܢ ܥܠ ܡܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ̈ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܟ�ܢܶܐ ܕ� ܳܩ� ܰܗܒ ܳܩ� ܢܶܒܟܘܢܟ܀‬ ‫ܠ‬ ‫ܬܟܣܐ ܽܐ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܦܩܘܕ ܶܠܗ ܳ� ܐܱܪ ܶܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܟ ܶܡܐ‬ ‫ܽܕܗܘ ܰܢ ܶܠܦ ܰܠܢ ܰܥܠ ܶܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܠܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܰܡ ܺܪܝܪ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ ܰܢܚ ܶܦܝܘܗܝ ܰܠ ܺܙܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܚ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܦܟ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܚܙ ܐ ܰܥ ܳܡܐ ܽܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܕ� ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܪܣ ܳܝܟ‬ ‫�ܙ ܽܩ ̈ܘ ܶܦܐ ܽܢܚ ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܡܫܐ ܳ� ܰܬ ܰܢܗܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܪܘܩ ܶܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܘܢ ܳܒܟ܀‬ ‫ܽ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܩܬܝ ܳܐܘ ܳܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܢܚܬ ܶܠܟܝ‬ ‫�ܡܘܢ ܫ‬ ‫ܓܙܝ� ܐܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕܡܐ ܰܙ ܳܟ ܳܝܐ ܽܙܘܥܝ ܘ ܺܐܙܝܥܝ ܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܗܒܘ ܳܩ ܳ� ܽܫ ̈ܘܥܶܐ ܰܬ ܺ̈ܩ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܦܐ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܒܣܘ�ܝ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܺܟܐ̈ ܶܦܐ ܳ‬ ‫�ܨ ܽ� ̈ܘ ܶܒܐ‬ ‫ܟ�ܢܶܐ ܽܙܘܥܘ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܦ ܰ‬ ‫ܟ�ܢܶܐ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܰܒܪ ܳܡ ܰܪ ܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܕ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܪܣܝ܀‬ ‫ܝܡ ܳܡܐ ܰܗܒ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫�ܚ ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܐܘ ܻܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܪ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܟܐ‬ ‫ܳܕ� ܳ� ̇ܗ ܺܒܝܢ ܺܠܝ ܶܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܩܪܘܒ ܶܠܗ ܒܢܱ ܺܗ ܳܝܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܒܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܐܝܟ ܺܠ� ܳܝܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܨܥܬ ܻܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡ ܳܡܐ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܺܠܝ ܶܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܥܦܘܩ ܰܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܫ� ܶܕܗ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܣ ̇ܒ ܺܟܝܢ ܺܒܝ ܕ� ܰ� ܶ‬ ‫ܘܚ ̇ܣ ܺܡܝܢ ܺܒܝ ܐܢ ܳܚ ̇ܙܶܝܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܚܡܐ܀‬

258

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

13

‘Arise, all that is created, handmaids of the Father’s house, make lamentation for the Father’s Son who is dying. He is the Only-Begotten: cause one another to shake, and at the sound of mighty groans, may the crucifiers be rebuked for they have abused His majesty.

14

‘Take flight, O luminaries, from the path of your courses for the Light is hung on the height of Golgotha, the Mighty Sun is there on the Cross; do not let your rays show forth: when He has descended, 2 do you ascend to Your allotted places.

15

‘O angels, zealous and mighty, why did you not act in zeal when you saw Him stripped bare? Two of you were abused in Sodom 3 and with your fire it was swallowed up and delivered (to its fate); 4 now your Lord is being abused, do not keep silent, O angels!

16

‘O Michael, commander of the supernal beings, why are you silent, not using your might and your zeal? Look how they have pierced the Beauteous One with a spear. 5 Cast your fire on the wicked men so that they are burnt up, for your Lord is on the Cross, while you, O fiery one, are (sitting) tranquil!

Reading dnḥt as da-nḥet, rhat is, ‘descended into Sheol’; the Syriac could also be taken as denḥat, ‘once it has dawned’. 3 Gen. 19:4–8. 4 Gen. 19:24. 5 Jn 19:34. 2

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‫‪15‬‬

‫‪16‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܳ̈ ܳ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܒܝܬ ܐ ܳܒܐ‬ ‫��ܬܐ ܐܱܡܗܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܽܩ ̈ܘܡܝ ܒ‬ ‫̈ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫�ܒܪ ܐ ܳܒܐ ܳܕܗܐ ܳܡ ܷܐܬ‬ ‫ܥܒܕܝ ܠܗ ܐܒ�‬ ‫ܚܕ ܕ ܐܶ‬ ‫ܝܕ ܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܐ ܺܙ̈ܝܥܝ ܰܠ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܺ� ܺܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܒܩ ܷ� ܽ‬ ‫ܕܓܘܢ̈ ܶܚܐ ܰ� ܺܙ ̈� ܶܙ ܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܰܛ ܽ‬ ‫ܣܪܘܢ ܳܨ ܽ� ̈ܘ ܶܒܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫�ܡ ̇‬ ‫�ܪ ܽܒܘܬܗ܀‬ ‫ܘܗ‬ ‫ܰܺ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܛ ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܝܟܘܢ‬ ‫ܥܪܘܩܘ ܢܗܝ� ܐ ܡܢ ܐܘܪܚܐ ܕ�‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳܕܗܐ ܬ� ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܪ ܐ ܰܥܠ ܰܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܓ ܽܓܘܠܬܐ‬ ‫ܷ‬ ‫ܡܫܐ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ܰܒ ܺܙܩܝܦܐܳ‬ ‫ܳܕܗܐ ܶܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܚ ܽܘܘܢ ܰܐܢ ܽܬܘܢ ܶܕ ܢ ̈ ܰܚ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫ܝܟܘܢ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܥܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܬܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܰܕܘ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܢܚܬ ܰܣܩܘ ܰܐܢ ̱ ܽܬܘܢ ܰܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܕܡܐ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܟܘܢ܀‬ ‫̈ ̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܰܡ ܱ� ܶܟܐ ܱܛ ܳ�ܢܶܐ ܰ� ܺܙ ̈� ܶܙ ܐ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܬܘܢ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܦ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܣܝ‬ ‫�ܡܘܢ � ܛܢܬܘܢ ܕܚܙ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܬܪܝܢ ܡܢܟܘܢ ܒܣܕܘܡ ܐ�ܛܥܪܘ‬ ‫ܒܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܬܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪܟܘܢ ܶܒ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܽ‬ ‫�ܥܬ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܪܬ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ ܰ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܳܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܫ�ܘܢ ̈ܡ ܱ� ܶܟܐ܀‬ ‫ܪܟܘܢ ܶܡ�ܛ ܰܥܪ � ܬ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܻܐܝܢ ܺܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܟܐ�ܶܠ ܰܪܒ ܰܚܝ� ܕܥܶ ܳ�ܝ̈ܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܬܝܩ ܰܐܢܬ ܶܡܢ ܺܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܦܟ ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܛ� ܳܢܟ‬ ‫�ܡܢ ܫ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܩܪܘܗܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫�ܫ ܺܦܝܪ ܐܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܚܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܰܕ ̱‬ ‫ܺ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܰ ̈ܳ‬ ‫ܫܕܝ ܢܘܪܟ ܣܝ̇ܦܝܢ �ܘ ܷ�‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܳܡ ܳܪܟ ܰܒ ܺܙܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܦܐ ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒܗܝܠ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܢܘܪ ܢܐ܀‬

260

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

17

‘O supernal beings, cast the fire of your zeal upon the audacious men who are surrounding the Cross; with your wings cause flames to drop upon the people who have crucified the Saviour. Has your zeal grown cold, O angels? Or is it His bidding that has silenced you?

18

‘Come forth, O dead, from the gates of perdition, for the Luminous One has turned His face to your graves; the Sun of the supernal beings is descending to you, to the deep recesses; come forth to meet the Luminary for He is entering to you.

19

‘Wretched Sheol, see how the Living One is descending to you, see if your palace is sufficient for Him to reside in it; either give a place to Him, the Valiant, or empty yourself and flee from His presence; for when He enters, He will uproot you, for you are too small for Him to reside in you.

20

‘O Resurrection, who has stretched You out on the Cross, for look how the dead have heard Your voice and been astounded. As for Jerusalem, who shows hate for the Beautiful One she will be ruined, while Sheol will thunder at You. Let the dead rejoice at You instead of the wicked who hate You.

‫‪261‬‬ ‫‪17‬‬

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‫‪20‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܫܕܘ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܐܘ ܥܶ ܳ�ܝ̈ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܛ� ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܝܟܝܢ ܰܠ ܺܙܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܪ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܥܠ ܰܡ ܳ� ܶܚܐ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܦܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܽ ܰܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܟܘܢ ܐܬܪܘ ܰܓ ܰܘܙܠܬܐ‬ ‫ܒܐܒ�‬ ‫ܰܥܠ ܰ�ܥ ܳܡܐ ܰܕ ܰܙܩܦܘ ܳܦ ܽܪܘܩܐܳ‬ ‫ܡܙܗ ܰܫ ܺܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܛܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܢܟܘܢ ܰܩܪ ܰ ̈ܡ ܱ� ܶܟܐ ܰܐܘ ܶܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܟܘܢ܀‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܬܪܥܶܗ ܶܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܒܕ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܬܘ ܽܦܘܩܘ ܡܝ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳܕܗܐ ܠܩ ܰ‬ ‫ܒ� ܽ‬ ‫ܝܟܘܢ ܳܣܡ ܐ ܰܦܘ ̈ ̱ܗܝ ܰܢ ܺܗ ܳܝܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܱ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ ̈ܶ‬ ‫ܗܐ ܢܚܬ ܠܗ ܫܡܫܐ ܕܥ�ܝܐ‬ ‫ܶܶ‬ ‫ܶ� ܰܐܕ ܽ‬ ‫�ܚܙ̈ ܐ ܰܥ ܺܡܝ̈ ܶܩܐ‬ ‫ܝܟܘܢ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽܦܘܩܘ �ܘܪܥܶܗ ܰܕܢ ܺܗ ܳܝܪ ܐ ܳܕܗܐ ܳܥ ܷ ̇ܐܠ ܶ� ܰܐܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܟܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܳܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܝܬܐ ܳܗܐ ܰܚ ܳܝܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܢܚܬ ܶܠܟܝ‬ ‫ܫܝܘܠ ܕ ܘ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܚܙܝ ܐܢ ̇ܣ ܶܦܩ ܐ ܰܦܕܢܶܟܝ ܕܫ̇ ܳ ܶܪ ܐ ܶܒܗ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܰܗܒܝ ܶܠܗ ܐܬܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܒ ܳܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܰܣ ܶܦܩܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܥܪܘܩܝ ܶܡܢ ܽܩ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܘܕܡ ̱‬ ‫ܬܝ ܗܘ ܕܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܡܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܥ ܷ ̇ܐܠ ܳ�ܥ ̇ ܰܩܪ ܶܠܟܝ ܽܙܥ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܪ ܐ ܶܒܟܝ܀‬ ‫ܘܪ� ܽ ̱‬ ‫ܬܚܟ ܰܒ ܺܙܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳܡܐ ܰܡܢ ܰܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܐܘ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܦܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܒ ܺ‬ ‫ܳܕܗܐ ܰܥ ܺ� ̈� ܶܕ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡܥܘ ܳܩ ܳܠܟ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫�ܗܝܘ‬ ‫ܽܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܠܡ ܳܣ ܰܢܝܬ ܰܫ ܺܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܺܗܝ ܬܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܝܘܠ�ܬܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܪܒ ܰܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܪܥܡ ܳܒܟ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰܺ ̈ܶ ܳ ܺ̈ܶ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܣ ̇ܢܝܢ ܳܠܟ܀‬ ‫ܢܚܕܘܢ ܒܟ ܥ��ܕ ܐ ܚܠܦ ܒܝܫܐ‬

262 21

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

‘Wretched Jerusalem did not accept You, Sheol will thunder out at You at the shadow of Your resurrection. See how the dark recesses of Sheol watch out for You to descend to them. Because the crucifiers were not worthy of You, visit the dead who are worthy of You!’

‫‪263‬‬ ‫‪21‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬܟ ܽܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܠܡ ܳܕ ܺܘܝܬܐ‬ ‫� ܩܒ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܫܝܘܠ�ܬܪܥܡ ܒܟ ܡܢ ܛ ܷܠܗ ܕܢܘܚܡܟ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܽ� ̈ܘ ܶܒܐ ܰܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܝܘܠ ܶܚ ܽܫ ̈ܘ ܶܟܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳܚܝ̇ ܺܪܝܢ ܳܠܟ ܕܬ ܽܚܘܬ ܶ� ܰܐܕ ܽܝܗܘܢ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܫܘܘ ܳܠܟ ܳܨ ܽ� ̈ܘ ܶܒܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܳܕ� ܰ‬ ‫ܣܥܘܪ ܺܡܝ̈ܬܐ ܕܫ̇ ܳ ܶܘܝܢ ܳܠܟ܀‬

23. ‘al hwo la-šyul

On the Descent into Sheol and the Resurrection. With Christ dead and in the tomb ‘straw’ rejoices that it had put out ‘Fire’. Whereas the Disciples had fled, women bring spices to the tomb, and among them is Mary, his mother. She addresses both the tomb and the guards ‘Where is my Lord?’. Angels descend and on seeing the women ask ‘Why are you weeping?’ Mary then encounters the risen Christ, taking him to be the gardener, whom accordingly she questions, until finally he reveals his true identity. Source of text: Add. 14,614, f.123v–126v. An abbreviated form of the poem (with stanzas 1–2, 3a+5b, 6–7, 12, 15–16) is to be found in Sinai Syr. 233, of the ninth century. 1 Many other early manuscripts stop at the end of stanza 16 and the remaining stanzas sometimes feature as a separate poem concerning Mary and the risen Jesus appearing to her as a Gardener; this may then be provided with further verses to fill it out. Stanzas 17ff feature in the Pampakuda Fenqitho (II, p. 6), with 17, 19, 21, 23); similarly in the Sheḥimo (Pampakuda, 1977, pp. 49–50), with 17, 21, 12, 19, 20, and poem 20 1 and 7. Although the first line of stanza 17 is the same as the first line of Lamy, IV,773 (taken from Mosul Fenqitho VII, 273–5), the rest of that poem is different. Metre: (4+6) + (4+6) + (3+5) + (3+5) + (6+6), set out as five lines.

Edited in P. Géhin and S.P. Brock, “Vestiges of a Syrian Orthodox liturgical Collection”, Le Muséon 131 (2018), pp. 337–79, here pp. 370– 75.

1

265

266

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

23. ‘al hwo la-shyul. Translation. Sughitho on our Lord’s entry into Sheol 1

The Lord of the dead has entered Sheol and the crucifiers were relieved at the death of the Warrior. Straw laid the Fire in the tomb, proud that they had buried the Flame. He resided amongst the dead, and at Him the departed were full of joy.

2

Perdition shook at the Warrior’s entry, the palaces of Destruction tottered and were overthrown, the gates of Haman of the buried quaked, and the mighty bars were shattered. Its walls clashed against each other as He enters to reside in there.

3

The Lion slept in the cave of the buried, the feeble stood there, crazy beside His tomb. Foxes barked at the Lion’s Cub, the Warrior, in His sleep they mocked Him and jeered. O wretches, He is going to arise: flee from the Mighty One!

4

Caiaphas stood by, jeering and saying, The Lion who roared and gave us a fright is confined; He who holds our riddles is in the tomb, he who insulted us on Sabbaths and feasts; come, let us mock and jeer at him who used to cause us trouble and confusion.

‫‪267‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܣܘܓܝܬܐ ܕܥܠ ܡܥܠܬܗ ܕܡܪܢ ܠܫܝܘܠ‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫ܫܝܘܠ ܰܗܘ ܳܡ ܳܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܥܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܰܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܕ� ܺܢ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܕ ܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܕܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܘܢܚܘ ܳܨ ܽ� ̈ܘ ܶܒܐ ܰܥܠ ܰܡܘܬܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܒ ܳܪ ܐ‬ ‫�ܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܓܘ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܣܡܘ ܶܓ �� ܷ� ܽ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬ ܺܝܪܝܢ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܩܒܪܘ ܰܓ ܰܘܙܠܬܐ‬ ‫ܘܚ‬ ‫ܺ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܫܪ ܐ ܚܝܐ ܒܝܬ ܡܝܬܐ ܘܪܘܙܘ ܒܗ �ܢܝܕ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܳܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܒ ܳܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܙܥ ܐܒܕ ܢܐ ܒܡܥ‬ ‫ܰ ܳܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܰܰ ܳܰ ܰ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܕܚܒ�‬ ‫ܘܢܕܘ ܘ ܰܐܣܬܚܦܘ ܐܦܕܢ ̱‬ ‫ܩܒܝ� ܐܶ‬ ‫ܪܥܶ�ܘ ܬ �ܥܶܐ ܳܕܗ ܳܡܢ ܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܱ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܬܬ ܰܒܪܘ ܽܣ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܟ� ܐ ܰܥ ܺܫ ̈�ܢܐܶ‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܢܩܫܘ ܐܣ ̇‬ ‫ܝܗ ܠܚܕ ܕ ܐ ܟܕ ܥ ܷܐܠ ܢܫܪ ܐ ܒܗ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܒ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܪܬ ܐ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܝ� ܐ‬ ‫ܕܡܟ ܗܘܐ ܐܪ�ܐ ܒܡܥ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܩܡܘ ܰ ̈ܚ ܳ� ܶܫܐ ܶܡܫܬܢܶܝܢ ܰܥܠ ܰܩ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪܗ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪ�ܐ ܰܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܒܚܘ ܬܥ̈ ܷ� ܽ‬ ‫ܢܒ ܳܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܣܪܘ ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܢܬܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܗܠܘ ܶܒܗ‬ ‫ܘܒܫ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳܩܐܡ ܠܗ ܕ ܘ�ܐ ܥܪܘܩܘ ܡܢܗ ܕ�ܙܝܙ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܩܡ ܰܩ ܳܝ ܳܦܐ ܰܟܕ ܰܡ ܶܗܠ ܳܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ‬ ‫ܚܒܝܫ ܰܐ ܳܪ�ܐ ܳܕܢ ܶܗܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܕܗܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܪܥܶܠ ܰ�ܠܢ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ̈ܳܰ‬ ‫ܒܩ ܰ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ̱ܗܘ ܴܐܚ̇ ܕ ܐܘܚܕܬܢ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܒܫ ܶܒܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܘܥܐ ܶܕ ܐ ܰܩ ܰܦܚ ܰܠܢ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܬܘ ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܣܘܪ ܰܘܢ ܶܗܠ ܶܒܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܘܕ̇ ܰܠܚ ܰܠܢ܀‬ ‫ܕܫܚ̇ ܶ ܩ‬

268

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

5

The crucifiers left and brought out the guards who stood by His tomb with strict instructions. Who can hold back the wind from blowing? Who can stop the sun from rising? Do not be deceived, O guards, at the instructions of the Jews.

6

The disciples fled from the beloved Master, but the guards remained by the luminous tomb; the women disciples brought spices, fragrant herbs, to the tomb of the Fair One, – chaste women with their fragrancies, along with the tears of their eyes.

7

The chaste women came carrying fragrant herbs as a wedding gift for the Bridal Chamber of Him who was slain. The Bridegroom came forth in glory from the tomb, and the guards were put to shame, – but Mary did not realise that her Beloved had arisen.

8

She came to the tomb with the band of her companions: they trembled in dismay that He had been taken from the tomb. ‘Where is the Light of all creation, where is humanity’s Sun? Who has taken the Luminary, where is he hiding Him?

‫‪269‬‬ ‫‪5‬‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫‪7‬‬

‫‪8‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܒܪܘ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܢܘ ܳܨ ܽ� ̈ܘ ܶܒܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܢܦܩܘ ܳܢܛܘ� ܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗ� ܐ‬ ‫ܘܩܡܘ ܥܠ ܩܒܪܗ ܟܕ ܡܣܓܝܢ ܙ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܡܢ ܳܢܛܪ ܽܪܘܚܐ ܕ� ܬ ܰܫܒ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܫܐ ܕ� ܢܶ ܰܕܢܚ‬ ‫ܰܡܢ ܳܟ ܷ� �ܫ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗ ܳܪ ܐ ܽܕ� ̱ܗ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܒܙ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܕ�ܶܐ܀‬ ‫� ܬܛܥܘܢ ܢܛ‬ ‫ܥܪܩܘ ܰܬ ܺ̈‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܕ ܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܪ ܳܒܐ ܰܚ ܺܒ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܒܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܘ� ܐ ܶܨܝܕ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ܰܢ ܺܗ ܳܝܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܘܦܫܘ ܢܛ‬ ‫ܶܽ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ ̈ܳܳ‬ ‫ܗ�ܘܡܐ ܛܥܢܝ ܬ�ܡ�ܕܬ ܐ‬ ‫�ܩ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܒ ܽ ̈‬ ‫ܕܫ ܺܦܝܪ ܐܳ‬ ‫ܣܡܘܢܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܪܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ̈ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܒܥܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܥ ܰܝܢ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܗܝܢ ܰܥܡ ܶܕ ̈ܡܥܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܛ� ܶ‬ ‫ܝܗܝܢ܀‬ ‫ܢܟܦ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ̈ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܛܥ ܳܝܢܢ ܶܒ ܽ ̈‬ ‫ܣܡܘܢܶܐ‬ ‫ܐܬܝ ܢܟܦ‬ ‫̱ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ܪܘܡ�ܢܐ ܠܓܢܘܢܗ ܕܩܛܝ�‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܢܦܩ ܗܘܐ ܠܗ ܚܬܢܐ ܒܬܫܒܘܚܬܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܢ ܩܒܪ ܐ ܘܒܗܬܘ ܢܛܘ� ܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܡ ܶܕܝܢ ܳ� ܶܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܓܫܬ ܳܕܩܡ ܗܘܐ ܠܗ ܰܚܒܝܒ ̇ܗ܀‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒ�ܬ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܐ̱ܬܬ ܶܨܝܕ ܱܩܒܪ ܐ ܥܡ ܓܘܕ ܐ ܕܚ‬ ‫ܐܬܕ ܰܘܕܝ ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܫܩܝܠ ܽܗܘ ܶܡܢ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܘܙܥܝ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫��ܬܐ‬ ‫ܐܝܟܐ ܗܘ ܢܘܗܪ ܐ ܕܒ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܳܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܟܐ ܗܘ ܫܡܫܐ ܕܐ̱ܢܫܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܰܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܡܢ ܰܫ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܩܠܗ �ܢܗܝܪ ܐ ܐܘ ܐܝܟܐ ܡܣܬܪ ܠܗ܀‬

270

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

9

‘Tell me, O tomb, where is my Lord who came to you? Who has dared to steal away the very Flame? Has heaven snatched away the Son of its Lord? Or has the earth taken Him, or the sea? O all creation, handmaids, search with me for the OnlyBegotten.

10

‘O guards, who has taken the Beloved O guards, where is my Beauteous One laid? If His Father has taken Him to heaven, then do you reveal this fair mystery: it would be right for Him not to have left His Beloved among the dead’.

11

The Freeborn One has slept among the dead of His own free will, and His Father did not want to leave His Beloved to see corruption in the tomb. 2 He has arisen, and his guards are put to shame – while the blessed woman asks who has taken her Beloved.

12

The angels came down from the heights above and stood beside the tomb in raiment white; the tomb became a beauteous Bridal Chamber for the spiritual beings who came down and beheld it. The guards were put to confusion at the descent of the angels.

2

Acts 2:27.

‫‪271‬‬ ‫‪9‬‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫‪11‬‬

‫‪12‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐ̱ ܰܡܪ ܺܠܝ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ܳܡܪܝ ܰܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܟܐ ̱ܗܘ ܶܕܐܬ ܐ ܳܠܟ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰܡܢ ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܪܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܓ ̇ܢܶܒ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܰܘܙܠܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܦܬܗ ܰ‬ ‫�ܒܪ ܳܡ ܳܪ ̇ܗ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܫܡܝܐ ܚܛ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܐܘ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܥܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܩܠܬܗ ܐܘ ܰ� ܳܡܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܗ ܳܬ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܰܐ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܝܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ� ܶܝܝܢ ܰܥܡܝ ܺܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܕ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܒ��‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܘ� ܐ ܰܡܢ ܰܫ ܶ‬ ‫�ܚ ܺܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܠܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܒܐ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܢܛ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܟܐ ܺܣܝܡ ܰܫ ܺܦܝܪ ܐܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ܐ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܢܛ‬ ‫ܶܐܢ ܰܐ ܽܒܘܗܝ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܪܗ ܰܠ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡܝܐܳ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܓ�ܘ ܰܐܢ ̱ ܽܬܘܢ ܐ̱ ܳܪ ܳܙ ܐ ܰܫ ܺܦܝܪ ܐܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ� ܷܐܐ ܶܠܗ ܕ� ܰܫ ܶ‬ ‫�ܚ ܺܒ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܒܗ܀‬ ‫ܒܩܗ ܶܒܝܬ ܡܝ‬ ‫ܺ ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܰܒܪ ܺܚ ܶܐ� ܐ ܒܨܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ�ܢܶܗ‬ ‫ܕܡܟ ܶܒܝܬ ܡܝ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫�ܚ ܺܒ ܶ‬ ‫ܫܒܘܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܒܗ‬ ‫ܘ�‬ ‫ܨܒܐ ܐ ܽܒ ̱ܳ‬ ‫ܒܓܘ ܰܩܒܪ ܐܳ‬ ‫ܚܙ ܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܢܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܒ� ܰ‬ ‫ܽ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܰܘ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܕܩܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܒܗܬܘ ܳܢܛܘ� ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡܢ ܰܫ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܬܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܩܠܗ ܰܠ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܡ ̇ܗ܀‬ ‫ܘܡܫܐ� ܡܒܪ‬ ‫ܢܚܬܘ ܰ ̈ܡ ܱ� ܶܟܐ ܶܡܢ ܰ� ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܥܶܠ� ܴ ܝܶܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܩܡܘ ܶܨܝܕ ܰܩ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪܗ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫�ܒ ̈ܘ ܶܫܐ ܶܚ ܳܘ� ܐ‬ ‫ܘܢܐ ܰܫ ܺܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܓܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫�ܥܠ� ܴ ܝܐ ܕܢܚܬܘ ܘܚܙ ܐ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܘܐܬܟ ܱܐܪܘ ܢܛܘ� ܐ ܒܡܚܬܬ ܐ ܕܡ ܱ�ܟܐ܀‬

272

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

13

The angels entered that tomb of wonder and looked in amazement at the Warrior’s bier: He had been lain there of His own will – yet the heavens are filled with His praises. Here the Watchful One slept, while His ministers do not sleep!

14

The angels stood at His head and feet – but these supernal beings did not dare to tread on that place where the Warrior had reclined, for they trembled at it, holding it in honour, so as not to desecrate the bed of Him who measured out their ranks.

15

The angels saw as the chaste women wept, they replied to their questions with zeal, ‘O women, why do you weep? Whom are you looking for here? This is the place of the departed, whereas your Master is the Resurrection.

16

‘Why is the Living One enquired for among the dead? Why should the Luminary be sought out in the place of darkness? The Word, He who resurrects, is not here; He has visited the dead and returned to His Father’s house. O Mary, do not weep over the Living One who resurrects all’.

‫‪273‬‬ ‫‪13‬‬

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‫‪15‬‬

‫‪16‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫�ܗ ̇ܘ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ܽܕܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܥ�ܘ ܰ ̈ܡ ܱ� ܶܟܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܳܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܕܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܬܕ ܰܡܪܘ ܶܨܝܕ ܰܥ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܚܪܘ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܪܣܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܒ ܳܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܳܗ ܳܪܟܐ ܺܣܝܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܒܨܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ�ܢܶܗ‬ ‫ܰ̇ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ̈ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܗܘ ܕܡ�ܝܢ ܫܡܝܐ ܬܫܒܚܬܗ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ̇ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܘܗܝ܀‬ ‫ܗܪܟܐ ܕܡܟ ܗܘ ܥܝܪ ܐ ܕ� ܕܡܟܝܢ ܫܡܫ ̱‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܘ� ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܓ� ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܳܩܡܘ ̈ܡ ܱ� ܶܟܐ ܐ ܳܣ ̈ܕ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫� ܶܕܝܢ ܰܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܪܚܘ ܰܕ ܽܢܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܫܘܢ ܥܶ ܳ�ܝ̈ܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒܗܝ ܽܕܘܟܬܐ ܕ ܓܢܶܐ ܰܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܒ ܳܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܱ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳܕܙܥܘ ܶܡ ܳܢ ̇ܗ ܰܘܢܛܪܘ ܻܐ ܳܝܩ ܳܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܺ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܬܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܗ ̇ܘ ܰܕܡܬܚ ܶܣ ܰܕ� ܽܝܗܘܢ܀‬ ‫ܕ� ܢܨܥܪܘܢ ܬܫܘ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܙܘ ̈ܡ ܱ� ܶܟܐ ̈ ܰܟܕ ܳܒ ̈ܟ ܳܝܢ ܰܢ ̈ܟ ܳܦܬܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܗܝܢ ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ̱ܗܒܘ ܽܫܘܐ � ܶܨ ܰܝܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܛ� ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳܐܘ ܢܶ ̈ܫܐ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡ ܳܢܐ ܳܒ ̈ܟ ܳܝܢ ܐܢ̱ܬܝܢ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫�ܡ ܽܢܘ ܳܗ ܳܪܟܐ ܳܒ ̈� ܳܝܢ ܐܢ̱ܬܝܢ‬ ‫ܳܗܢ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܥ ܺ� ̈� ܶܕ ܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܟܝܢ ܶܓܝܪ ܽܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܰܡܐ ̱ܗܘ܀‬ ‫ܺ ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܶܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬܥ ܰܩܒ‬ ‫�ܡܢ ܰܗ ̇ܘ ܰܚ ܳܝܐ ܶܒܝܬ ܡܝ‬ ‫ܒܓܘ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܬܪ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫�ܡܢ ܰܢ ܺܗ ܳܝܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܽܫ ̈ܘ ܶܟܐ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܡ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܰܠܘ ܳܗ ܰܪܟܐ ̱ܗܘ ܡ‬ ‫ܽܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ̈ ܶ‬ ‫ܦܢܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܣܥܪ ܡܝ‬ ‫�ܒܝܬ ܐܒ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳܐܘ ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܪ�ܡ � ܬܒܟܝܢ ܥܠ ܰܚܝܐ ܡܢܚܡ ܟܠ܀‬

274

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

17

The Lord of Paradise has arisen from the tomb, and she who saw Him likened Him to a gardener. He is the Gardener who planted the (two) Trees and surrounded Paradise with a sword. It was appropriate, Mary, that you should have thought that He was the gardener! 3

18

‘Come, O gardener, come, let us look at Your trees; let us search in your garden for the Fruit which I have lost. If you have taken it from the tomb, show me where in your garden it is laid; the Jews are not worthy: give it to me so that I may rejoice at it.

19

‘O gardener, how fair is your orchard, for in it is a tomb that is like the king of the trees: that Fruit, which yesterday was hanging on the Cross, is the true Dawn. It is here: come, let us seek for it, for with its taste it will give us delight.

20

‘O gardener, if you have desired it and taken it away, come and show me where the Beauteous One is laid: give it to me, so that I may take it from there, from your garden full of treasures. Do not hold me back, O gardener, give it to me for it is mine by right’.

3

Jn 20:25.

‫‪275‬‬ ‫‪17‬‬

‫‪18‬‬

‫‪19‬‬

‫‪20‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܒܪ ܐ ܰܗ ̇ܘ ܳܡ ܶܪܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܳܩܡ ܶܡܢ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܦ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܣܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܳܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܳ� ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܘܗ ̇ܝ ܕܚܙܬܗ ܕܡܝ‬ ‫ܰܓ ܳ� ܰܢܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰܕ ܰܢܨܒ ܻܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܝ�ܢܐܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܚܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܦ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܚܕܪ ܶܠܗ ܽܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܣܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܚܫܒܬܗ ܰܓ ܳ� ܳܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܘ� ܷܐܐ ܶܠܟܝ ܐܘ ܡܪ�ܡ ܕ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܳܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܝ�ܢ̈ܝܟ‬ ‫ܬ ܐ ܓ�ܢܐ ܬ ܐ ܢܚܙ ܐ ܻܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳܬ ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܒܥܝ ܺܦ ܳܐܪ ܐ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܓܢܬܟ ܰܕܐܒܝܕ ܡܢܝ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬܝܗܝ ܶܡܢ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪܐ‬ ‫ܐܢ ܐܢ̱ܬ ̱ܗܘ ܫܩ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܓܢܬܟ ܰܚ ܳܘܐ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܝܟܐ ܺܣܝܡ‬ ‫ܳ� ܳܫ ܶܘܝܢ ܽ� ̱ܗ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܘܕ�ܶܐ ܺܠܝ ܰܗ ܳܒܝ ̱ܗܝ ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܕ ܐ ܶܒܗ܀‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܪܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܓ ܳ� ܳܢܐ ܳܡܐ ܰܫ ܺܦܝܪ ܰܦ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܣܟ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܱ‬ ‫ܺܕܐܝܬ ܶܒܗ ܰܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ܰܕܐܝܟ ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܝ�ܢܶܐ‬ ‫�ܟܐ ̱ܗܘ ܺܕ � ܴ‬ ‫ܽܗܘ ܺܦ ܳܐܪ ܐ ܶܕ ܳܢܚܐ ܰܫ ܺܪ ܳܝܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܬܡܠܝ ܰܒ ܺܙܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܷܬ� ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܦܐ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܒܛ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܡܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܒ ܶܣܡ ܰܠܢ܀‬ ‫ܝܘܗܝ ܕ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܳܗ ܰܪܟܐ ̱ܗܘ ܬ ܐ ܢܶܒܥ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܫܩܠܬܝ ̱ܗܝ‬ ‫ܐܘ ܰܓ ܳ� ܳܢܐ ܐܢ ܱܪ ܓܬܝ ̱ܗܝ ܘ‬ ‫ܝܟܐ ܺܣܝܡ ܰܫ ܺܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܬ ܐ ܰܚ ܳܘܐ ܺܠܝ ܰܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺܠܝ ܰܗ ܳܒܝ ̱ܗܝ ܶܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܘܗܝ ܶܡܢ ܬ ܳܡܢ‬ ‫ܣܒ ̱‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܢ ܓܢܬܟ ܡ�ܝܬ ܣ‬ ‫ܝܡܬܐ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ� ܬܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܟܠܝܢܝ ܰܓ ܳ� ܳܢܐ ܰܗ ܳܒܝ ̱ܗܝ ܠܝ ܕܠܝ ܙ ܕܩ܀‬

276

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

21

Our Lord himself wished to be likened to a gardener, for it is He who opened the gate to Paradise for people to enter; it is He who has broken the sword of the guardian (cherub), and so Adam, who had been driven out, has entered into his (intended) heritage. Thus it was natural that Christ should resemble a gardener at His resurrection.

22

Just as it pleased Him to resemble a gardener, when it was His will to grant to her, she recognised Him as the Saviour. His voice served as the sage key that opened her eyes and she saw that He was Jesus, who on His Cross had opened up the gate to Paradise.

23

He called out to her ‘Mary’, and at the voice of the Luminous One her understanding was illumined, as she yearned for the Daylight: the darkness of (her) sufferings vanished at the sight of the luminous Sun. At His resurrection her face, that had been so downcast at His death, became lit up.

‫‪277‬‬ ‫‪21‬‬

‫‪22‬‬

‫‪23‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܽܗܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܨܒܐ ܳܡ ܰܪܢ ܕܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܕ ܶܡܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܳ� ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܦܬܚ ܰܬܪܥܶܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܣܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܦ ܰܪܕ ܳ‬ ‫�ܥ ܽ� ̈ܘ ܷ�‬ ‫ܽܕܗܘ‬ ‫ܘܡܚܗ ܳܕܢ ܽܛ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪ ̇ܗ ܽ‬ ‫ܽܗܘ ܰܬ ܳ‬ ‫�ܪ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܝܪܬܘܬܗ‬ ‫ܘܥܠ ܴܐܕܡ ܛܪܝܕ ܐ‬ ‫ܺܟ ܳܐܢ ܻܐܝܬ ܳܕ ̇ ܶܡܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܶܡܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܳ� ܳܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܫܦܪ ܶܠܗ ܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܕ ܺܡܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܓ ܳ� ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܳ ̇ ܺ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܥܬܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܦ ܽܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩܐ ̱ܗܘ‬ ‫ܨܒܐ ܰ� ̱ܗܒ ܠܗ ܘܝܕ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܳܩ ܶܠܗ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܕ ܐ ܰܚ ܺܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܩܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘܦܬܚ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܙܬܗ ܕ�ܶ ܽܫܘܥ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕܒ ܺܙܩ ܶ‬ ‫ܦܬܚ ܬܪܥܶܗ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܦ ܳܪܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܗ ̇ܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܣܐ܀‬ ‫ܝܦܗ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܪ�ܡ ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܪ ̇ܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܩ ܶܠܗ ܰܕܢ ܺܗ ܳܝܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܰܢܗܪ ܽܣ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܬ ܶܠܗ ܻ� ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܣ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܡ ܳܡܐ‬ ‫ܶܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܚ ̈ܫܐ ܐܬܛ ܰܠܩ‬ ‫ܚܫܘܟܐ‬ ‫ܡܫܐ ܰܢ ܺܗܝܪ ܐܳ‬ ‫ܕܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܙܬܶܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܡܘܬܗ ܺ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܟܡ ܳܝ�ܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚ ܳܡܐ ܰܢܗܪܝ ܐ ܶܦܝ̈ ̇ܗ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܝ܀‬

24. ber(y) ḥabibo

A mother’s lament over her departed child. The entire poem, apart from the final stanza, is in the voice of the mother, who is torn between her grief and her faith that her child is now a guest at the heavenly Banquet. Although she describes the child at first as ‘my son’, the manuscript curiously has a feminine suffix in ‫‘ ܐܒܟܝܟܝ‬I will weep for you (f.)’ twice later on (1:4. 6:2), evidently suggesting that the poet had in mind either a boy or a girl. While a correction to ‫ܐܒܟܝܟ‬, for the sake of uniformity, would be easy, I have nevertheless preferred to leave the anomaly. Source of text and attribution: Add, 14592, f.88rv, as the last of a group of three poems ‘On the departed’. The first stanza is also to be found in the Burial Service for children (Pampakuda 1979), p. 378. Stanzas 1–3 feature in Assemani III, 293. Metre: set out as 5 lines: (4+6+4) + (4+6+4) + (4+4+4) + (4+5) + (5+8), set out as five lines. Qala: Kalat malko.

279

280

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

24. bery ḥabibo. Translation. Another, on departed infants; to the qolo kalat malko; by the same Jacob the Teacher. 1

O my beloved son, who has been fashioned by grace in your mother’s womb; compassion formed you, and you appeared in the world of suffering like a flower. Death proved more scorching than the midday sun, causing your blossom to wilt and fall, so as to be no more: I am moved to weep for you, for I have learnt that the Royal Son has taken you off to His luminous abode.

2

Human nature with its love moves me to weep greatly at separation from you, but when I recollect that you have been conveyed to the Region of Light, I am full of fear lest that regal abode be held in contempt because of (my) ugly weeping, and I incur blame for despising the Region of Joys through (my) tears of grief: May I rejoice (instead) at your fair offering.

3

The sound of your cries shatters and dismays me as it echoes in my ears: my memory hears (it) and is stirred by the sounds and utterances of your lovely self. And when I lament because of this, my mind in turn listens and hears in amazement the thunderous sound of the fiery beings on high as they cry out ‘Hosanna’ at your wedding feast!

‫‪281‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܬܘܒ ܐܚܪܢܐ ܕܥܠ�ܥܢܝ̈ܕܐ ܫܒ�ܐ‪ .‬ܥܠ ܩ� ܕܟܠܬ ܡܠܟܐ‪ .‬ܕܝܠܗ ܕܡܪܝ ܝܥܩܘܒ‬ ‫ܡ�ܦܢܐ‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܣܐ ܶܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܗ‬ ‫ܒܪܝ ܚܒܝܒܐ ܕܐܬܬܨܝܪ ܡܢ ܛܝܒ‬ ‫ܰ ̈ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ̈ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܪܚܡܐ ܘܐܬܚܙܝ ܒܥܠܡ ܚܫܐ ܐܝܟ ܗܒܒܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܘܓܒ� ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܢܕ ܳܢܐ ܛܒ ܶܡܢ ܛ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܗܪ ܐ ܘܐܬܪ ܰܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܨܚ ܽܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܚܗ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܶܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܐܒܟܝܟܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܙ ܳܥܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܰܘܐܚܡܝܗ‬ ‫ܘܠܝܬ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܕ�ܶ ܶ‬ ‫�ܟܐ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܒܪ ܰܡ ܳ‬ ‫�ܦܬ ܰ‬ ‫�ܩܝܛܘܢܶܗ ܰܢ ܺܗ ܳܝܪ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܒܪܟ‬ ‫ܡܙܝܥ ܺܠܝ ܶܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܚ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܒܗ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܒܟܐ ܰܪ ܰܒܬ ܰܥܠ ܽܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܟ� ܳܢܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܫ ܳܢܟ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐܬܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܱܘ�ܬܪ ܐ ܽܕܢܘܗܪ ܐ ܰܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܘܒ�ܘܟ ܳܡܐ ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܟܪܬ ܰܩ ܺܢܝܛܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܝܛܘܢ ܰܡ ܳ‬ ‫�ܟܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܝܐ ܰܣ ܳܢܝܐ‪.‬‬ ‫ܕ� ܢ�ܛܥܪ ܩ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ̈ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܐܬܪܫܐ ܕܫܛܬ ܱ�ܬܪ ܐ ܕܚܕ ܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܶ ̈ ܶ ܳ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܚܕ ܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܩܘܪ ܳܒܢܟ ܫܦܝܪ ܐ܀‬ ‫ܒܕܡܥܐ ܕܥܩ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܫ ̈ܚ ܳܩܢ ܺܠܝ ܳܕܢ ̇ ܶܩܫ ܶܒ ̈‬ ‫ܡܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܕ ܢܰܝ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܟ ܰ‬ ‫�ܗܐ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܩܠ ܢܥܡ‬ ‫ܳܶ‬ ‫ܳ ̈ ̈ܶ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘ� ܐܬ ܽܥܘܗܕܢܝ ܘܡܬܬܙܝܥ �ܩ ܷ� ܘܡ ܷ� ܕܪܚܝܡܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܳܡܐ ܳܕܗܐ ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܝܠܠ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܰܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܕܪ ܰܡ ܰܕܥܝ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܨܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܡܐ ܕܥ̈ ܳ�ܝܶܐ‬ ‫ܫܡܥ ܒܬܗܪ ܐ ܪ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩ ܳ� ܽܕܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬܟ ܽܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܥܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܘ� ܢܶܐ ܳܕܩܥܶܝܢ ܒܡܫܬ‬

282

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

4

The Bridegroom has desired you, and brought you along to be a guest at His wedding banquet, why should I feel suffering, crazed (mother) that I am, at the joy of the heavenly beings? Let me rejoice with them for your sake, so that, as a result of my joy, I may be held worthy of mercy. O offering of mine that is greater than I (can bear), become for your mother who bore you a cause of (her) forgiveness by your purity.

5

Let the vine rejoice that the sweet bunch of grapes has been taken from its branches, for it is the Lord of the vineyard who has plucked and taken it, according to His will – and who can gainsay Him? Has any vine ever felt suffering when it proffers its bunch to its grower? Vines and trees rejoice at the labourer as their fruit comes into his hands.

6

I was the branch for you, and you, my son, were the fruit that hung from me: Death plucked you, leaving me bereft. If I weep for you, I will be reproved. seeing that it is Eden’s great Gardener who has stretched out in love to take you to Himself, so that in Paradise you might become an early fruit, along with [e.g. those who conquer] in the contest.

‫‪283‬‬ ‫‪4‬‬

‫‪5‬‬

‫‪6‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܢܐ ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܥܠܟ ܬܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܪ ܳܓܟ ܰܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܚܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܓܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܓܘ ܶܡܫܬܘܬܗ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ̈ ܰ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܫܡ ܳ�ܢܶܐ ܐܝܟ ܳܫܛܝܬܐ‪.‬‬ ‫�ܡܘܢ ܐ ܰܚܫ ܒܚܕܘܬ ܐ ܕ‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܥܡܗܘܢ ܐܚܕ ܐ ܡܛܠܬܟ ܕܡܛܠ ܚܕܘܬܝ‬ ‫ܫܬܘܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܡܐ ܽ‬ ‫�� ܶ‬ ‫ܶܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܩ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܪܒܢܝ ܰܕܪ ܽܒ ̱ܗܘ ܶܡܢܝ‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫�ܝ ܶܠܕܬܟ܀‬ ‫ܗܘܝ ܰܠ ̇ܗ ܒܕܟܝܘܬܟ ܥܠܬܐ ܕܚܘܣܝܐ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܟܬ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܐܫܬܩܠ ܣܓܘ� ܚ�ܝܐ ܡܢ ܣ‬ ‫ܚܕ ܐ ܰܣܬܐ ܶܕ‬ ‫ܬ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡܪ ܐ ܱܟܪܡܐ ܩܛܦ ܫܩܠ ܐܝܟܢ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܨܒܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܥ ܶ� ܐ ܠܗ‬ ‫ܳ ܱ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܰܫܬ ܶܡܡܬܘܡ ܳܡܐ ܕ� ܳܟ ܳܪ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܺܢ ̱ܗܝ ܰܣ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܽ ̈ ܶ ܺ ܳ ̈ܶ‬ ‫ܡܘܫܛܐ ܣܓܘ� ܓܘܦܢܐ ܘܐܝ�ܢܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳܚ ܶܕܝܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܒܦ ܳ� ܳܚܐ ܳܡܐ ܳܖܩ ܺ‬ ‫ܪܒܝܢ ܻ� ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܦܐ�ܝܗܘܢ܀‬ ‫ܝܕ ̱‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܶܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܟܬܐ ܰܘܐܢ ̱ܬ ܶܒܪܝ ܺܦ ܳܐܪ ܐ ܰܕ ܷܬ� ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܺܒܝ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ ܠܟ ܐܢܐ ܣ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܣܪ ܐ ܐ̱ܢܐܳ‬ ‫ܘܓ ܰܙ�ܢܝ ܘܐ ܽܢ ̱ܗܘ ܕܐܒܟܝܟܝ ܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܩܛܦܟ ܡ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܕܗܘ ܰܓ ܳ� ܳܢܐ ܪܒܐ ܕܥܕܝܢ ܘܐܘܫܛ ܫܩܠܟ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫�ܘܬܗ ܕܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܪܚܡܬܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܪܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܦ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܣܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺܦ ܳܐܪ ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܟ ܳ‬ ‫[ܐ ܽܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܝܪ ܳ�ܐ ܰܥܡ ܰܪܘܪ]‬

284

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

7

The home that has lost you lies desolate: it had hoped you would be its heir, but the King has taken you off to a greater inheritance; and who would presume to suffer in grief because of this house of illnesses which you did not acquire? Let everyone who has love for you rejoice at your inheritance, seeing that it is the worlds of light that you are inheriting.

8

My breasts and my bowels burn to weep for you bitterly, but I am in fear of the Judge of (the two) worlds, lest He tell me ‘I gave the bidding, I fashioned, and I led off: no one constrained me when I gave him; who will constrain me now that I wish to take away what is my own? O unfortunate women, do not be upset by your strong emotion’. 1

1

Lit. ‘forwardness’.

‫‪285‬‬ ‫‪7‬‬

‫‪8‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܳܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܒܪ ܕܬܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ‬ ‫�ܕ ܐ ܥܘܡܪ ܐ ܕܐܘܒܕܟ ܕܐܦ �ܪ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܬܐ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܪܟ ܰܡ�ܟܐ ܘܡܢܘ ܡܡܪܚ‬ ‫ܘ�ܝܪܬܘܬ ܐ ܪ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ ܳܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ̈ܶ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡܛܠ ܗܢܐ ܒܝܬܐ ܕܟܐܒܐ � ܩܕܝܬܝ ̱ܗܝ‬ ‫ܢܶ ܺ‬ ‫ܬܬܥܝܩ ܘܢܶ ܰܚܫ ܽܟܠ ܰܡܢ ܳܕܪ ̇ ܶܚܡ ܳܠܟ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ̈ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܚܕ ܐ ܒܝܘܪܬ�ܟ ܕܥܡ ܥ�ܡܝ ܢܘܗܪܐ ̇ܝܪܬ ܐܢ ̱ܬ܀‬ ‫ܬܕ ܳ�ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ̈‬ ‫ܘ� ܶ‬ ‫ܢܒ ܽܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܚܝܢ ܰܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܡܐ ܳܪ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܢܟ ܰܡ ܺܪ ܳܝܪ ܻܐܝܬ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ̈ܶ‬ ‫ܕܚܝ� ܶܐ ܳܢܐ ܕ� ܢܻ ܰ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܡܪ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܕ�ܢܐ ܕܥ‬ ‫ܩܕܬ ܶܘ ܳܐܢܐ ܳ� ܶܪܬ‪ܶ .‬ܘ ܳܐܢܐ ܰܕܒܪܬܶ‬ ‫ܶܕ ܳܐܢܐ ܶܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰܽ ܳܶ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܥܨܢܝ ܘ�ܗܒܬܗ ܡܢܘ‬ ‫ܕܥ ̇�ܐ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܳܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܨܒܝܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܩܠܬ ܺܕܝܠܝ � ܢܫܬܓܫ ܚܘܨܦܟܝ ܕ ܘܝܬܐ ܀‬

25. aw ‘olmo šabro

The poet addresses ‘the infant World’ and recounts how it has entangled him in profitless labours, setting cunning snares so as to lead him astray; he ends, however, with a final thanksgiving to the One who has overcome the world. Source of text and attribution: Add. 14,592, ff. 47r–48r. The last half (stanzas 15b – end) is also attested in Sinai Syr 31. Several stanzas are poorly preserved in Add. 14,592, and for the second half of stanza 3 the text in the Beth Gazo Rabo, edited by Mor Julius Çiçek (1992; p. 478, no. 27) has largely been substituted. Metre: set out in 6 lines: (5+5) + (5 +5) + (5+5) + 7 + (5+5) + (5+5), with alphabetic acrostic. Qala: Pardaysa.

287

288

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

25. aw ‘olmo shabro. Translation. To the qolo ‘Paradise’. A madrosho of Mar Jacob. The first, On the World. 1

[olaph] O infant World that enslaves its inhabitants, allow me to tell your story, for you are transient. You entangle my mind quite enough with your affairs, and now my days are completed without achieving anything: what is it that you will give me as wages, seeing that (effectively) you have slain me, (leaving) only a bad reputation, such as makes ashamed those who possess it?

2

[beth] With profitless toil you have tied me down, seeing that I have loved you, (you have) made me labour over things that are empty and only produce regret, and at the end I shall leave you, empty handed – if only it was completely empty-handed and without this load of sins which you have caused me to carry. I would have been better off I had not [e.g. entered the world.] rather than [e.g. wallowing] in it, seeing that you have caused me the loss.

‫‪289‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܥܠ ܩ� ܕܦܪܕܝܣܐ ܡܕ�ܫܐ ܕܡܪܝ ܝܥܩܘܒ‪ .‬ܩܕܡܝܐ ܥܠ�ܥܠܡܐ‪.‬‬ ‫‪1‬‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫ܐ‬

‫ܥܒܕ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܰܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܫ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܐܘ ܳܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫�ܥ ܽܡܘ� ̱‬ ‫ܕܥ ܽܒ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܪܒܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܐܡ ܶܠܠ ܰܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩܘܢܝ ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪ ܐ ܐܢ̱ܬ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܡܥ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܟ ܽܕܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܩܠ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܶܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܥܝܢܝ ܒܨܒܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܘܗܐ ܳܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܪܝܢ ܰ� ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܝ ܳܕ� ܳ‬ ‫ܥܒܕ‬ ‫ܶܶ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܰܢܐ ̱ܗܘ ܕܬܬܠ�ܠܝ ܐܓܪ ܐ ܕܩܛܠܬܢܝ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܐ ܳ� ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܡܐ ܺܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ܀‬ ‫ܒܗܬ‬ ‫�ܩ ܳ�ܝ̈ ̱‬

‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܚܒܬܟ‬ ‫ܒ ܒܥܡ� ܕ� �ܘܬܪܢ ܟܕܢܬܢܝ ܕ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܕܡ ̈ܩ ܳܢܝܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܘܬ ܰܢܦܫܐܳ‬ ‫ܐܦ�ܘܚ ܣ�ܝܩ‬ ‫ܶܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܐܦܘܩ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܣܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܩ ܻܐܝܬ ܶܡ ܳܢܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܘ� ܳܡܐ‬ ‫�ܘܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܩ ܻܐܝܬ ܽ‬ ‫ܣܦ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ̈ ܶ ܳܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ܡܘܒ� ܕܚܘܒܐ ܗܕ ܐ ܕܐܛܥܢܬܢܝ‬ ‫ܽ ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫[ ܳܒ ̇ܗ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܚܣܪܬ ܠܝ܀‬ ‫ܘܛܘܒ � ܳܝܢܐ ]‬

290

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

3

[gomal] The waves are lifted up in you, O wicked World, Each one draws me on, and sends me on to its companion; however much I embraced them, so as to ride up upon them, yet I failed to surmount them, and they caused me to sink, as if into the depth; as a result I called out ‘Lord, Lord’, after the example of Peter, 1 and ‘Raise up my sunken state’.

4

[dolath] I have judged you and condemned you in my thoughts, O World, seeing that I have made trial of you, how there is none who comes out victorious in you. Allow me to disclose how your love is false and to proclaim in the wide open how the person who gains your friendship acquires with it also woes. Blessed is the person who has felt loathing for you, seeing that you are a deceiver.

5

[he]

1

See how the days run by, chasing their companions, the End presses on to enter and cause us dismay. Times march on, transmitting the periods, one quietly pushing aside the other, and like a shadow they move on, leaving no trace. Blessed is the person who has run in his (allotted) time without blemish.

Mt. 14:30.

‫‪291‬‬ ‫‪3‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܓ ܰ ̈ܓ�� ܺܙܩ ܺ‬ ‫ܝܦܝܢ ܳܒܟ ܳܐܘ ܳܥ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܺܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܐ‬ ‫ܷ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚܕ ܚܕ ܡܢܬܦ ܠܝ �ܚܒܪܗ ܡܫܕܪ ܠܝ‬ ‫ܐܣܩ ܳܘ� ܶܣ ܶ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܥܶ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܦܩܬ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫�ܩܬ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܛ ܽ‬ ‫ܕܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܬܗ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܟ ̱ܗܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܥܘܢܝ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܳ ܽ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܦܣܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܛ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܗܘ ܶܦ ̇‬ ‫ܛܪܘܣ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܺܟܝܠ ܩܥܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ‬ ‫ܛܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܕ ܳܠ ̇ܗ ܰܠ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡܪܝ ܳܡܪܝ ܰ� ܰܕ ܰܪܝܢܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܥܘܬܝ܀‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫ܕ‬

‫‪5‬‬

‫ܗ‬

‫ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܬܟ ܳܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܚ ܳ ̈‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܫ ܰܒܝ‬ ‫ܕܢܬܟ ܘܚܝ‬ ‫ܳܶ ܰܺ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ̇ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܒܗܕ ܐ ܕܢܣܝܬܟ ܕ� ܻܐܝܬ ܕܙܟܐ ܒܟ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܩܝܢܝ ܶܕ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܒ ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫�ܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܦ ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܝܘܗܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܒܟ ܕܙ ܐܦܢܐ ̱ܗܘ‬ ‫ܪܣ ̱‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܓ�ܝ̈ܬܐ ܶܪܚܡܬܟ‬ ‫ܘܐܟܪܙ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ̇ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܐܝܢܐ ܕܩܢܐ ܠ ̇ܗ ܘ�ܐ ܗܘ ܡܩܕ ܐ ܒ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫�ܡ ̇ܢ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܽܛ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܣܢܟ ܶܡܛܠ ܰܕܕ ܓܠ ܐܢ̱ܬ܀‬ ‫ܘܒ ̱‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫�ܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܛܝܢ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܶܡܐ ܰܕܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܕܪܟܘܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܒ� ܽܝܗܘܢ‪.‬‬ ‫ܗܐ ܪ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܪܗܝܒ ܫܘ�ܡܐ ܕ�ܥܘܠ ܘܢܬܘܗ ܠܢ‬ ‫ܒܠܝܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܡܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܳܗܐ ܳܦ ܺ‬ ‫ܣܥܝܢ ܰܙ ̈ܒܢܶܐ ܰ‬ ‫�� ܳ ̈ܕ ܢܶܐ‬ ‫ܘܗ ܳܢܐ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܫ�‬ ‫�ܗ ̇ܘ ܳܕܚ̇ ܩ ܰܟܕ ܷ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽܶ‬ ‫ܕܡܘܬ ܛ ܳ�� ܰܡ ܺ‬ ‫ܫܩܠܝܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܠܝܬ ܐܢܘܢ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܢ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܙܒܢܶܗ ܕ� ܽܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܽܛ ܰ‬ ‫ܪܗܛ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ܀‬ ‫ܘܒ ̱‬

292

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

6

[waw] Alas for the slack, people who resemble myself, who are (fully) awake in (their) idleness which gives birth to hateful actions, but they do not run (in the race) to overcome the world in wakefulness. Because of transient delights they forget to labour and acquire a good name. Give vigour, Lord, to my slackness under the reins of Your teaching.

7

[zayn] The World is too small for our greed in sinning there, though it may be extensive, our wickedness is more extensive by far; our inclination is not held back from wicked deeds, and had our Guide not [ ] who would have contained (it)? [ ] our wicked deeds [ ] in death.

8

[ḥeth] You show us a dream with visions [ ] whereas there is nothing in it: it puffs us up with pride and diverts us, but once the sleeper is awakened, it visions flit away. The world too is a dream in every respect, for I have found nothing in it, nor is anything in it assured, for its wealth passes away and it is as if it had never existed.

‫‪293‬‬ ‫‪6‬‬

‫ܘ‬

‫‪7‬‬

‫ܙ‬

‫‪8‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܳܘ ܳ�ܐ ܶܓܝܪ ܰ‬ ‫�ܫ ̈ܦ ܷ� ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܳܕܕ ܶܡܝܢ ܺܠܝ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܕܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܥ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܪܝܢ ܶ‬ ‫ܛ� ܳܢܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܠܕ ܰܣ ̈� ܳܝܬܐ‬ ‫ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܪܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܘ� ܳܪܗܛܝܢ ܕܢܶ ܽܙܟܘܢ �ܥ�ܡܐ ܒܥ‬ ‫ܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܒ�ܢ‬ ‫ܘܡܛܠ �ܓܝܓ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܛ ̇ܥܶܝܢ ܳܕ� ܢܻ�ܽܘܢ ܘܢܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܡܐ ܛ ܳܒܐ‬ ‫ܩܢܘܢ‬ ‫�ܩܐ ܽܕ� ܳ‬ ‫ܒܥ ܶ‬ ‫ܦܝܘܬܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܽܚܘܨ ܳܡܪܝ ܰ‬ ‫�ܪ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܠܦ ܳܢܟ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܽ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽܙܥ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܬܢ ܳܥ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܕܢܶܚܛܐ ܶܒܗ‬ ‫ܘܪ ̱ܗܘ �ܝܥܢ‬ ‫ܘܟܕ ܳܛܒ ܺܪܘܝܚ ܰܣ ܺܓܝ ܰܥ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܠܢ ܺܪܘܝܚ ܶܡܢܶܗ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܺ̈ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ܡܬܟ� ��ܪܢ ܡܢܗܝܢ ܕܒܝܫܬܐ‬ ‫ܶܘ ܽܐܠܘ ܳܕ ܽܒ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܪܢ ܳ� ܰ‬ ‫]ܚ[ܫ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ̈ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܫܬܢ‬ ‫ܡܣܝܶܟ‪[ ] .‬ܐ ܠܥ ܕܒ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫[ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܢܕ ܳܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܕܡܘܬ ܐ ܡ ] [ ܛܠ�ܠܗ ܠܥ]‬

‫ܰܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܚ ܶܚ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܚ ̈ܙܘ]ܢܶܐ [ܐܝܬ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ̱ܗܘ ܡܚܘܐ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܠܢ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟܕ ܰܠܝܬ ܶܒܗ ܶܡ ܶܕܡ ܰܡܚܬܪ ܰ‬ ‫ܦܗܐ ܰܠܢ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܶܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܬܥܝܪ ܶܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܡܟܐ ܳܦ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ‬ ‫ܪܕܝܢ ܶܚ ̈ܙܘ ܢܰ ̱‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܗܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܳܐܦ ܳܥ ܳ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܶܚ ܰ ̱ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܚܬܗ ܶܡ ܶܕܡ ܘ� ܳܡܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܒܗ ܰܫ ܺܪܝܪ‬ ‫ܕ� ܫܟ‬ ‫ܽ ܶ ܳ ̇ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ܀‬ ‫ܕܥܘܬܪܗ ܥܒܪ ܠܗ ܘܐܝܟ ܡܐ ܕ� ܻܐܝܬ ̱‬

294

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

9

[ṭeth]

I have tasted how sweet you are, O World, for a short while, but I went astray through your error, so that I tasted your savouries [lit. tastes], but when I spent a little time on them, a bitter taste issued from you: that sweetness of yours is a poison and he who tastes it vomits it up to get rid of it: a hidden poison is concealed in your sweet taste.

10

[yudh] O World, You have stolen away my days in idleness: one by one I have let them go, to reach (their) conclusion. The measure of our (days) races like a wheel to pass on, while you (just) laugh at us in everything. My days are shorter than yours, but my sins are more numerous than yours; I renounce you on both counts as someone who brings shame on those who love it.

11

[kaph] You have yoked me in servitude to you, O World, so that you may work on me. Though I ran away, I did not escape from you: you entangled me with your snares and bound me up in your traps: it is not just a single net that you have, but your snares are numerous, while I am feeble and weak, and when I have escaped from one, another is hidden away in front of me.

‫‪295‬‬ ‫‪9‬‬

‫ܛ‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫ܝ‬

‫‪11‬‬

‫ܟ‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܡܬ ܳܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܡ� ܰܙ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒ ܺܣ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܬܟ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܢܐ‬ ‫ܛܥ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܷ‬ ‫ܳ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰܘܛܥܝܬ ܒܛܥܝܘܬܟ ܕܐܛܥܡ ܛܥܡܬܟ‬ ‫ܘܟܕ ܰܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܓܪܬ ܰܩ ܺܠܝܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܡܪ ܳܪ ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܒܥ ܶܡ ܳܢܟ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܝ ܓܝܪ ܚ�ܝܘܬܟ ܡܪܬ ܐ ̱ܗܝ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐܝܢܐ ܕܛ ̇ܥܡ ܳܠ ̇ܗ‪ܳ .‬ܓ ̇ܥܡ ܘܫ̇ ܳ ܶܕ ܐ ܠ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܘ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܡܪܬ ܐ ܟܣܝܬܐ ܓܝܪ ܛܡܝܪ ܐ ܒܚ�ܝܘܬܟ܀‬ ‫ܒܒ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ� ܰ ̈‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܓܢܒܬ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܳܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܛ� ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶܽ ܶ ܽ‬ ‫�ܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܛܘܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܘ� ܳܡܐ‬ ‫ܘܚܕ ܚܕ ܫܪܝܬ ܐܢܘܢ ܕܢ‬ ‫ܽ ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘܐܝܟ ܺܓܝܓ� ܶܪܗܛܬ ܡܫܘܚܬܢ ܕܬܥܒܪ ܠ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܘܗܐ ܰܓ ܶܚܟܬ ܰܥ ܰܠܝܢ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ‬ ‫ܰ� ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܘܚ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܘܡܝ ܰܙܥܪܘ ܶܡ ܳܢܟ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܒܝ ܺ‬ ‫ܣܓܝܘ ܶܡ ܳܢܟ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܝܗܝܢ ܰܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܬ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܗܬ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ܀‬ ‫ܟܦܝܪ ܳܒܟ ܒܬ‬ ‫�ܚ ܺܒܝ̈ ܰܒ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܕܬܶ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܥܒ ܳܕܟ ܳܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܬܢܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܦ�ܘܚ ܺܒܝ‬ ‫ܟܕ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܟܕ ܛܒ ܥܪܩܬ ܗܘܝܬ � ܐܡܕܬ ܡܢܟ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܠܬܢܝ ܒܢܶ ܰ ̈‬ ‫ܫܒܝܟ ܰܦ ܰܟܪܬܢܝ‬ ‫ܒܦ ܰ ̈ܚܝܟ ܥܪܩ‬ ‫ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܚܕ ܐ ̱ܗܝ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܰܠܘ ܶܓܝܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܨܝܕܬܟ‬ ‫�ܚܘܕ‬ ‫ܰܦ ܰ ̈ܚܝܟ ܰܣ ܺܓܝ̈ܐܝܢ ܶܘ ܳܐܢܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܦܐ ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܚܝܠ‬ ‫ܻ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܐ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܐܡܕܬ ܶܡܢ ܚܕ ܐ̱ܚܪ ܢܐ ܛܡܝܪ ܩܘܕܡܝ܀‬

296

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

12

[lomadh] For those who enter you, you are a harbour full of griefs, O World; anyone who travels in you is running over (sharp) spears: sins are the spikes, (all) set out, one by one, in you; your highway is one of stumbling blocks that are everywhere, the path of your course is completely filled with sharp stakes. Blessed is the person who has be able to tread you down in his manner of life.

13

[mim] Who is there who will not be afraid of you, seeing that you are so bad? You do not (even) give joy to the full to those whom you love, for once they have fallen in love with you and supposed that they had acquired you, caught up with desire for you they go astray openly, and in a hidden way bring destruction (to themselves). Blessed is the person who hates you, false friend!.

14

[nun]

Your have deceived me with your enticements so that I become continually out of my mind; you then turned round and made me confident, as though I would repent: today is for sins, tomorrow for repayment, – but in the night death is assured. (Thus) I acquire sins, and there no repentance, for fate will annul the agreement (made over) your promises.

‫‪297‬‬ ‫‪12‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܳ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܳܥ ܳ‬ ‫�ܥ ܽ� ̈ܘ ܰܠܝܟ‬ ‫�ܡ ܰܐܢܐ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܕܥܩ‬ ‫ܠ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ̈ ܶ ܳܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫̇‬ ‫ܘܥܠ �ܝܙܟܐ ܪ ̇ܗܛ ܐܝܢܐ ܕܪ ܕܐ ܒܟ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܚܛ ̈ܶܗܐ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܚܕ ܰܚܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܫܦܝܶܐ ܐ̱ ܽܢܘܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܕܝܪܝܢ ܒܟ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܽ ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܐ ܗܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܟ ܶ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ‬ ‫ܐ‬ ‫ܘܪܚ ܳܟ ܕܬܘܩ ܳܠ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܡ� ܟܠܗ‬ ‫ܽܫܒܝ� ܕܡܪܕܝܬܟ ܥܘܩܣܐ ܷ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܛ ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ܀‬ ‫�ܡܢ ܰܕܣܦܩ ܳܘܕ ܳܫܟ ܒܕܘܒ� ̱‬ ‫ܘܒ ̱‬

‫‪13‬‬

‫ܡ‬

‫‪14‬‬

‫ܢܢ‬

‫ܕܚܠ ܶܡ ܳܢܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܺܒ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܳܕ� ܢܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܫܬ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܓܡ ܳ‬ ‫ܕ�ܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܚ ܰ‬ ‫�ܚ ܺܒܝ̈ ܰܒܝܟ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܦ� ܰ‬ ‫ܝܪܐܻܝܬ‬ ‫ܕ‬ ‫ܳ ̇ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܕܡܐ ܕܐܚܒܘܟ ܗܢܘܢ ܘܣܒܪܘ ܕܩܢܝܢ ܠܟ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ̇ܳ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܪܚܡܬܟ‬ ‫ܐܚܕܝܢ‬ ‫ܘܒܗܝ ܕܡ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ ̇ ܶ ܰ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܛܥܝܢ ܒܓ�ܝܬܐ ܘܡܘܒܕܝܢ ܒܟܣܝܬܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܽܛ ܰ‬ ‫ܚܡܐ ܕ� ܰܫ ܺܪܝܪ܀‬ ‫ܘܗܝ �ܡܢ ܕܣܢܟ ܪ‬ ‫ܘܒ ̱‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܽ̈ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܬܚܬܝܟ ܶܕܐܫܛܐ ܐ̱ ܺܡ ܳܝܢ ܻܐܝܬ‬ ‫ܰܢܟܠܬܢܝ ܒܚܘ‬ ‫ܳܶ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܬܟܠܬܢܝ ܐ ܽܝܟ ̱ܗܘ ܕܬ ܐܒ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‬ ‫ܗܦܟܬ ܘ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ� ܳ‬ ‫ܬܒܥܬܐ‬ ‫ܚܛܗܐ ܘܠܡܚܪ ܠ‬ ‫ܘܡܢ ܰܠ‬ ‫ܴ‬ ‫ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܘܬ ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܡܢ ܩܛܝܪ‬ ‫ܘܒܠ�ܝܐ ܡ‬ ‫ܳܽ ܳ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܚܛ ܶܗܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܡܩ ܶܕ ܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܘܠܝܬ ̇ܝܗ ܬ�ܒܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܴ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܕܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬ ܰܢܘܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܕ ܰ�̈ܝܟ܀‬ ‫ܡܒܛܠ ܳ�ܠ ̇ܗ‬ ‫ܕܩ ܰ� ܐ ̱ܗܘ‬

298

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

15

[semkath] Your (mode of) combat and fighting is very cunning, O World, and you cut off the strength of the warriors in the contest; you wheedle those in high places and they are cast down; you do not fight in an open way, but you cunningly win by means of blandishments. Blessed is the person who has escaped from your cunning tricks.

16

[‘e]

I entered the fight with you imagining I would win, but through your delights you seduced me into not fighting. You sprinkled your ease on me in the fight and cooled me down so that I was skilfully defeated in everything: you took the victory whereas (my lot was) compunction. I was expecting mercy so that I might overcome you by (my) being forgiven.

17

[pe]

You bound me (tight), having carried me away with your transient beauties. Had I wished to untie my bonds, it would have been easy for me, but because they were pleasant and comfortable, I preferred to neglect this, and to (remain) in bonds: for this you are laughing at my ‘freedom’: how contemptible it has been, not wishing to untie my bonds, when it had the authority (to do so).

‫‪299‬‬ ‫‪15‬‬

‫‪16‬‬

‫‪17‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܰ ܺ ܺ ܰܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܟܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫܟ‬ ‫ܣ ܣܓܝ ܨܢܝܥ ܕ ܪܟ ܥ�ܡܐ ܘܬ‬ ‫ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܢܒ ܶ� ܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܓܘܢܐܳ‬ ‫ܡܦ ܰ‬ ‫ܫܚܬ ܰܒ ܽ‬ ‫ܝ� ܰ‬ ‫ܘܚ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ ܰܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܒܫܕ� ܡܫܕܠ ܐܢ̱ܬ ��ܡܐ ܘܡܣܬܚܦܝܢ‬ ‫�ܝ ܻܐܝܬ ܰܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܰܠܘ ܶܓܝܪ ܰܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܪܒܬ‬ ‫ܒܫ ̈ܘ ܳܓ ܶܫܐ ܳܙ ̇ܟ ܰܝܬ ܺܨܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܶܐ ܳ� ܽ‬ ‫ܝܥ ܻܐܝܬ‬ ‫ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܐܡܕ ܶܡ ܶ‬ ‫�ܡܢ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܽܛ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܗܝܢ ܶܕܨܢܥ̈ܬܟ܀‬ ‫ܘܒ ̱‬ ‫ܰ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܣ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܪܬ ܳܕܙ ̇ ܶܟܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܫܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܟܬ ܳ‬ ‫ܗܘܝܬ‬ ‫ܥ ܥܶ ܶܠܬ ܠܬ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܝܓܬܟ ܰܫ ܶܕܠܬܝ ܕ� ܐ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫�ܓ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܝܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܩܪܒ‬ ‫ܰܳ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܫ ܺܗܝܬܢܝ‬ ‫ܳܢܝ ܰ ̈ܚܝܟ ܰܪܣܬ ܰܥ ܰܠܝ ܒܕ ܪ ܐ‬ ‫ܡܗ ܰܝܪܐܻܝܬ ܽ‬ ‫ܒܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܕ ܽܐܚܘܒ ܺ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܫܩܠܬ ܰܐܢ̱ܬ ܳܙ ܽܟܘܬ ܐ ܶܘ ܳܐܢܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܘܬ ܰܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܫܐ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܡܣ ܶܟܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ‪ܶ .‬ܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܒܫ ܳ‬ ‫�� ܶ‬ ‫ܐܙܟܝܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܚܡܐ ̱ܗܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܒܩ ܳܢܐ܀‬ ‫ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܒܫ ܰ‬ ‫ܠܬܢܝ ܽ‬ ‫ܘܦ�ܝܟ ܳܥ ܽܒܘ� ܐ‬ ‫ܦ ܦܟܪܬܢܝ ܕܫܩ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶܘ ܽܐܠܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܨܒܝܬ ܕܐܫܪ ܐ ܦܟ�ܝ ܦܫܝܩ ܗܘܐ ܠܝ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܽܛܘܠ ܰܕ� ܺܟ ܺ‬ ‫ܕܒ ܺܣ ܺ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܝܟܝܢ ܰܘ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܗ ̇ܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܝܡܝܢ‬ ‫ܐܗܡܐ ܶܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܨܒܝܬ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܶܐ ܳܢܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܬܦܟܪ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܒܚ ܽܐܪܘܬܝ ܳ‬ ‫ܡܓ ܶܚܟ ܰܐܢ̱ܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܘܥܠ ܳܗ ̇ܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܰܙ ܰܠܬ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܶ ܳܰ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܳܕ� ܳܨ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܫ ܺܠܝܛܐ ̱ܗܝ܀‬ ‫ܒܝܐ ܕܬܫܪ ܐ ܦܟ�ܝ‬

300

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

18

[ṣodhe] Cunningly you cleverly laid a snare to catch people easily in (your) diligent way. Although I could see your snares and I knew of them, I was unable to escape from them. Your bait was cunning and deceptive, your prey was lax and simple, but your impudence was continually at the ready. Let the person who hates you rejoice!

19

[quph] I stood at your crossing point, O World, and you caused me astonishment, for I saw your tumultuousness, and how confused is the abode you (provide). There is nothing at all in you which is true: your beauty is utterly false, your wealth passes away, your ease comes to an end. Blessed the person who has hated you, because you are a liar.

20

[rish]

Your ‘peace’ is full of uproar, and the abode you (provide) is full of confusion; in your sleep there are dreams, but in your waking there are judgements; I went to bed, but failed to settle down, I tossed about and found no rest: in dreams and in my waking you have worn me out. Where is it that you are preparing to give me rest, having brought me so low? Blessed the person who has hated your comforts which are nothing!

‫‪301‬‬ ‫‪18‬‬

‫‪19‬‬

‫‪20‬‬

‫ܨ‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫ܰܨ ܺܠܝܬ ܺܨܢ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܥ ܻܐܝܬ ܰܦ ܳܚܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܡܗ ܳܝܪܐܻܝܬ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܳܳ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܽ‬ ‫ܚܦܝܛ ܻܐܝܬ‬ ‫ܝ�ܝܬ ܐ̱ܢܫܐ‬ ‫ܬܨܘܕ ܰܕ ܺܠ ܻ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܚܙܝܬ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܟܕ ܛܒ ܺ‬ ‫ܠܦ ̈ܚܝܟ ܒܐܝܕܥܬܐ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܢܗܘܢ ܰܕ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܡܨܝܬ ܶܡ ܽ‬ ‫ܳ� ܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܐܡܕ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܩܛܟ ܺܨܢܝܥ ܰܘ ܺܢܟܝܠ� ܰܨ ܳܝܕܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܪܦܐ ܰܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܦܫܝܛ‬ ‫ܠ‬ ‫ܽ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܶ ̇ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܘܚܘܨܦܟ ܢܩܐ ܘܐܡܝܢ‪ .‬ܢܚܕ ܐ ܕܣܢܐ ܠܟ܀‬

‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫�ܗܝܬܢܝ‬ ‫ܩ ܳܩ ܶܡܬ ܒܡܥܒܪܬܟ ܥ�ܡܐ ܘܒ‬ ‫ܺ ܺ ܳ‬ ‫ܟܡܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܠܝܠ ܽ�ܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܬܟ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܕ ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܡܪܟ‬ ‫ܚܙܝܬ ܫܓܝܫ‬ ‫ܳܘ� ܻܐܝܬ ܳܒܟ ܰܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܓܡܪ ܶܡ ܶܕܡ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܫ ܺܪ ܽܝܪ ̱ܗܘ‬ ‫ܘܦܪܟ ܰܕ ܳܓ ܰ� ܗܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܽܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܒܟ ܶ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ‬ ‫̱‬ ‫ܽܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡ ܶ‬ ‫ܘܬܪܟ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܥ ̇ ܰܒܪ ܶܠܗ‪ܳ .‬ܢܝ ܳܚܟ ܰ‬ ‫ܘܦܐ ܶܠܗ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܽ‬ ‫�ܡܢ ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܗܝ ܰ‬ ‫ܽܛ ܰ‬ ‫ܣܢܟ ܶܡܛܠ ܰܕܕ ܳܓܠ ܐܢ̱ܬ܀‬ ‫ܘܒ ̱‬ ‫ܪ‬

‫ܡ� ܰܫ ܳܝܢܟ ܰܘ ܽ‬ ‫ܡ� ܽܥ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܪ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܠ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܡܪܟ‬ ‫ܘܚܝܐ ܷ‬ ‫ܘܒܐ ܷ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳ ܶ ̈ܶ ܺ ̈ ܶ ܺ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܪܘܬܟ‬ ‫ܒܓܘ ܫܢܬܟ ܚ�ܡܐ ܘܕ�ܢܐ ܒܥ‬ ‫ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ‬ ‫ܘ� ܶܕܬ ܘ� ܳܢ ܶܚܬ‬ ‫ܕܡܟܬ ܘ� ܫܟܬܬ‬ ‫ܶ ̈ܶ‬ ‫�ܡܐ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܥ ܰ‬ ‫ܶ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫�ܘܝ ܫܚܩܬ‬ ‫ܒܚ‬ ‫ܰܶ ܰ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܺ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܰܘܐܝܟܐ ܡܛܝܒ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܬ�ܝܚܢܝ ܕܫܦܠܬܢܝ‬ ‫ܰ ̇ܳ‬ ‫ܢܝ ܰܚܝܟ ܰ‬ ‫ܽܛ ܰ‬ ‫ܕܣܢܶܐ ܰܠ ܳ ̈‬ ‫ܕܠܝܬ ܐ̱ ܽܢܘܢ܀‬ ‫ܘܗܝ �ܡܢ‬ ‫ܘܒ ̱‬

302

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

21

[shin]

I sought to acquire from you stillness, but I failed: you deceived me with all sorts of excuses, and tied me up with all kinds of affairs. You coaxed me as you brought me in (to the world), but you turned round and reviled me: You want to laugh at me in everything. Instead of calm, in came confusion. May the mercy which has pity on me overcome your cunning plots!

22

[taw]

Thanksgiving be to Him who overcame you, O World, with His victory and has given assistance to the athletes who go down to the contest with you. He has placed in you a medicine for healing, (in the form of) forgiveness, and if a person slips, falls down and is (badly) assailed, he (can) apply to his debts the medicine which remits everything, and acquire healing through the power of grace.

‫‪303‬‬ ‫‪21‬‬

‫‪22‬‬

‫‪TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS‬‬

‫�ܝܐ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܥܝܬ ܶܕܐܩܢܶܐ ܶܡ ܳܢܟ ܳܘ� ܶܣ ܶ‬ ‫ܫ ܶܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܦܩܬ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫̈ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܐܣܪܬܢܝ ܒܨܶ ̈ܒ ܳܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܰܢܟܠܬܢܝ ܒܥ ܴܠܬܐ ܘ‬ ‫ܳ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܳ‬ ‫ܠܬܢܝ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܗܦܟܬ ܰܨ ܺܚܝܬܢܝ‬ ‫ܰܫ ܶܓܫܬ ܘܐܥ‬ ‫ܥܠܝ ܳܒܥܶܝܬ ܽ‬ ‫ܓܚܟ ܰ‬ ‫ܒܟ ܶ‬ ‫ܕܬܶ ܰ‬ ‫�ܗܝܢ‬ ‫ܺ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܺ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫ܰܕ ܳ‬ ‫ܝܫܘܬ ܐ‬ ‫ܝ�ܘܬ ܐ ܥܶ ܰܠܬ ܫܓ‬ ‫ܚܠܦ ܒܗ‬ ‫ܶ ܳ̈ ܳ‬ ‫ܬܟ ܰ� ܶ‬ ‫ܚܡܐ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܺܢܝܢ ܺܠܝ܀‬ ‫ܢܶ ܽܙܟܘܢ �ܨܢܥ‬ ‫ܬ‬

‫ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܰܬ ܺ‬ ‫ܒܙ ܽܟܘܬܗ‬ ‫ܘܕܝ �ܡܢ ܕܙܟܟ ܥ�ܡܐ‬ ‫ܰ ܰ ܰ ܺ ̈ ܶ ܳ ܺ‬ ‫ܬܝܢ ܰ� ܽܓ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܢܟ‬ ‫ܘ�ܕܪ �ܬ�ܝܛܐ ܕܢܚ̇‬ ‫�ܫ ܳ‬ ‫ܕܚ ܳ‬ ‫ܘܒܩܢܐܳ‬ ‫ܘ�ܡ ܳܢܐ ܳܣܡ ܳܒܟ ܽ‬ ‫ܰ‬ ‫ܘܣ ܳܡܐ ܽ‬ ‫ܫܪܥ ܰܘ ܰ‬ ‫ܢܦܠ ܶܘ ܺ‬ ‫ܶܘܐܢ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ ܰ‬ ‫ܐܬܛܪܝ‬ ‫ܰ ܶ ܰ̈ܳ ܶ‬ ‫ܬܗ ܰܣ ܳܡܐ ܰ‬ ‫ܡܚ ܶܣܐ ܽܟܠ‬ ‫ܡܛܦܐ �ܚܘܒ‬ ‫ܳܶ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ‬ ‫̇‬ ‫ܘܩܢܐ ܚܠܝܡܘܬ ܐ ܒܚܝ� ܕܛܝܒܘܬ ܐ܀‬

APPENDIX: TEXTUAL NOTES ms = source manuscript for each particular poem. Variant readings in the other manuscripts mentioned in this edition are only rarely recorded here, but they will be provided in the critical edition, in preparation. In the vocalisation, where the metre implies the extension ܳ of a semi-vowel to a full vowel, this has been ̈ܳ ܶ ܰܰ ܳ ܶ duly marked, e.g. ‫ ܪ ܶܚܡܬܐ ܥܠܝ ܰܣܟ�ܘܬ ܐ‬etc. 1.

1:2 ms ‫ ܒܓܘ‬.

3:1 ms ‫‘ ܟܦܝܦܐ‬I was doubly (laid waste)’; but the acrostic requires ‫‘ ܓܦܝܦܬܐ‬bent ’.

3:2 ms ‫ ܘܐܬܓܪܝܬܝ‬with redundant yudh; the following ‫ ܒܝ‬goes against the metre and is thus probably secondary. 4:2 ms ‫‘ ܦܟܝܪ‬bound’; text corrected to ‫(‘ ܦܥܝܪ‬mouth) open wide’, i.e. ‘avid’. 5:1 ms ‫ܗܘܐ‬

‫ ܫܪܐ‬against the metre.

6:2 there is an extra syllable; the metre could be restored by deleting the ‫ ܕ‬before the verb.

̈

7:3 ms ‫ܨܘܠܦܬ‬

9:1 ms ‫ܘܒܙܡܝ�ܬܐ‬, but against the metre. 15:3 ms

‫ܫܝܢܢ‬

20:1–3, 25:2–3 and 26:2 all have an extra syllable. 305

306

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

̈ܶ

21:2 The metre indicates that the olaph in ‫ ܰܕ � ܕܢܐ‬is treated as consonantal; other examples can be found at 16:4:3, 7:3, 8:3; 18:11:1, 21:1; 20:7:5. 22:2 ms ‫ܒܥܘܒܐ ܕܡܣܬܐ‬, but against the metre (which is anomalously 4+4 here). 23:3 ms ‫ܢܗܘܐ‬, but against the metre.

24:2 the verb is the quadriliteral ‫ܬܡܚܝ‬.

The several anomalies in the final stanzas may well suggest that some of the taw stanzas are later expansions. 2. 3:3 The first vowel of ‫ ܐܡܝܢܘܬܗ‬is treated as elided.

4:2 is a syllable too long; the construct ‫ ܢܚܬ‬would resolve this, but it appears not to be attested elsewhere. 5:2 the unusual 4+4 could be avoided by adding syomem thus:

̈ ‫ܐ̱ ܽܚܘܕ ܺܒ‬ ‫ܐܝ ܰܕܝ‬

7:3 is a syllable too long. 6:1 ms ‫�ܗܐ‬, but against the metre. In the next line the ms has ‫ܒܙܟܝܘܬܐ‬, against the metre. 8:2 ms seems to have ‫ܒܢ‬, but ‫ ܒܟ‬is required.

13:3 ‫ ܠܝ‬is probably a later addition (against the metre) for the sake of clarity.

̇ 14:2 ms ‫ܕܡܢ‬

‫ܕܐܝܢܐ‬, but against the metre. 15:3 ms ‫ܘܢܩܕܘܢ ܡܢܗ‬, but the ‫ܡܢܗ‬, against the metre, was then

deleted by the original scribe. 18:2 ms

‫ܢܛܥܝܢ‬ 22: 3 ms ‫!ܕܢܙܟܘܢܝ‬ 3.

2:1 Instead of the rather surprising ‫( ܫܒܝܩܐ‬which is also in Add. 17,173 and Anton’s quotation), the Mosul and Pampakuda Fenqithos have ‫ܫܒܝܚܐ‬.

TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS

307

7:2 The sense of ‫ ܛܒܝܥܐ‬is unclear: it could be either ‘imprinted’, that is, with the King’s seal; or ‘immersed, sunken’, that is, in the necklace. Add. 17,173 and the printed editions of the Fenqitho substitute ‫ܛܥܝܢܐ‬. ‘you wore (lit. carried)’.

4.

2:3 ‫ = ܫܪܝ‬Sinai 10] ms

‫ܫܪ‬

5:3 ‫ = ܥܢܝܢܝ‬Sinai 10] ms

‫ ܘܥܢܝܢܝ‬against the metre. ̇ ̇ 9:2 Instead of ‫ܦܩܘܕܝܗ‬ Sinai 10 has ‫ܦܘܪܩܢܗ‬ ‘for it has lost its sal-

vation’, which avoids the abruptness of the imperative. 15:2 ‫ܥܪܩܬ‬ 5.

�‫ ] ܘ‬Sinai 10 has �‫‘ ܘ� ܫ‬and he does not cease’.

2:2 The metre indicates that ‫ ܥܠܝ‬is treated as two syllables (as is the case several times elsewhere, e.g. 11:19:2, 21:22:, 25:16:3). 3:1 ‫ = ܡܛܒܥ‬Add. 17,141] metre.

‫ ܘܡܛܒܥ‬Add. 14,623, against the

̈

3:2 ms ‫ܕܣܟ�ܘܬܐ‬. Here and in 6:7:2 & 18:2, the metre implies the presence of mhaggyana, which is here vocalised as a full syllable ܳ ܶ ( -‫) ܰܣܟ�ܘܬ‬. 5:1 ms

‫ܐܘ‬ 6:1 ms ‫ܐܫܦܥ‬ 6:3 ‫ = ܚܠܨ‬Add. 17,141] ‫ ܚܠܝ�ܐ‬Add 14,623 10:3 ms ‫ܐܬܕܟܪܝܢ‬ 11:2 ms ‫ܡܬܟܡܪܢ‬ 14:1 ‫ = ܘܐܬܥܝܪܝ‬17,141] ‫ ܘܐܬܥܝܪ‬Add. 14,623 18:2 ‫ = ܕܣܓܝ‬17,141] ‫ ܕܣܓܝܘ‬Add 14,623 ̈ ̈ 18:3 ‫ܡܡܚܝܐ‬ ‫ = ܡܐܣܐ‬17,141] ‫ܠܡܡܚܝܐ‬ ‫ ܡܣܐ‬Add 14,623 20:1 ms ‫ܐܫܬܓܫ‬

308

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

6. 1:3 ms ‫ܒܣܘܓܐ‬

4:2 ms

‫ܐܫܬܥܒܕ‬ 5:1 ms ‫ܡܛܝܒܢ‬ 6:2 ms ‫ܕܐܘܠܕ‬ 12:3 ms ‫ܝܘܠܦܝ‬ 15:2 ms ̣‫ܕܡܕܘܕܝܢ‬, against the metre. 21:1 ms ‫ܒܝܫܘܬ‬ 7.

2:2 extra syllable. 4:1 ms ‫ܠܘܩܒܠ‬ 4:3 ms ‫ܙܟܘܬ‬

6:3 ms ‫ܠܡܝ�ܐ‬ 9:1 ms ‫ܕܝܢ‬

‫ ܒܓܘܓܝ‬against the metre. 18:3 ms ‫ܫܦܢ‬ 9:3 ms ‫ܦ�ܘܚ‬ 8.

3:3 ms ‫ܣܘܢܩܢ‬

9:2 ‫ = ܬܣܝܒܪ‬Add. 17,173; ms ‫( ܕܬܣܝܒܪ‬against the metre) 15:2

‫ = ܡܢܝ‬Add. 17,173] ms ‫ܕܡܝ‬ 21:3 ms ‫ܐܡܬ‬ 23:1 ‫ ܝܗܒܢܝ‬... ‫ = ܙܒܢܢܝ‬Add. 17,173] ms ‫ ܝܗܒܢ‬... ‫ܙܒܢܢ‬ 27:3 ‫ = ܐܘܪܒ‬Add. 17,173; ms omits. 28:1 ‫‘ ܕܪܟ‬your fight’; perhaps a corruption of ‫‘ ܕܪܥܟ‬your arm’. ̇ should be emended to ‫ܕܕܡܝܢ‬ ̇ , which would 28:3 Perhaps ‫ܕܡܝܢ‬ ease the syntax.

12:2 = 25:3

TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS

309

9. 1:2 ms ‫�ܝܠ‬

7:1 ms ‫ܥܡ‬

14:1 ‫ܥܒܕܐ‬ ܼ (so Add. 14,623), but ms 15:2 ms ‫ܘܒܕܝܠ‬

‫̇ܥܒܕܐ‬

18:1 ‫ = ܥܠ‬Add. 14,623, 17,173; ms omits. 10.

1:1 ms ‫ܩܘܡ‬ 12:2 ms

‫ܗܘ‬ 14:3 ‫ =ܠܡܫܬܘܬܐ‬Add. 17,173, Sinai 10] ms ‫ܠܡܠܟܘܬܐ‬ 16:2 ‫ = ܠܫܘܚܢܐ‬Add. 17,173] ms ‫ܠܚܫܟܐ‬ 23:2 ms ‫ܒܥܘܬ‬ 20:3 ms ‫ܢܩܒܠܢ‬ 21:1 ms ‫ܐܘ ܚܛܝܐ‬, against the metre. 11.

15:3 ms

‫ܕܫܒܝ‬

20:2 3+4 syllables instead of 3+5. 20:3 ms 21:2 12.

‫ܘܫܡܫܩ‬ ‫ ܥܠܝ‬is treated as two syllables (as in 5 stanza 2).

5:2 ms ‫ܦܪܫܝܢ‬

17:2 ms ‫ ܕܨܒܐ‬against the metre.

21:1 ms ‫‘ ܕܢܚܬ‬who descended’, which has been emended here to

‫ܕܕܢܚ‬ 13.

There are a number of metrical anomalies, for example: 1:2 ms

̇ , against the metre. ‫ܒܟܐ‬

310

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

3:2 5+7 instead of 5+6 19:3 In the first element ‫ ܠܡ‬is probably a later addition; and the second element has seven, not five syllables: here one might delete ‫ ܗܘܐ‬and treat ‫ ܐܡܪ‬as a single syllable. 24:2 ‫ܗܘܘ‬

‫ = ܘܐܠܘ � ܥܪܩܘ‬Add. 14,506 ] ms ‫ܘܐܢܗܘ ܕܟܦܪܘ ܒܗ‬

26:2 The line has 5+5 instead of 5+6. 31:5 ‫ ] ܘܚܢܢܝ‬ms ‫ܘܚܢܢ‬ 14.

ܶ

8:3 ‫ ܳܨܒܝܢ‬is a rare abbreviation form of

‫̇ܨܒܐ ܐܢܐ‬

13:3 ‫ܥܒܪ‬: corresponds to ‫ ܥܒ�ܝ‬in later West Syriac orthography (other instances will be found in poems 19 and 20). 21:3 ms ‫ ;ܥܠ‬evidently to be read as

ܶ ‫ܬܚܘܣ ܰܥ ܰܠܝ‬

22:2–3 The first element of these two lines has an extra syllable; in 22:2 the metre could be restored by restoring a singular, but the sense is less good. 15. 4:4 ms ‫ ;ܢܒܙܥܘܢ‬I take ‫ ܢܒܙܥܘܢܝ‬as a shortened form of (which would go against the metre).

‫ܢܒܙܥܘܢܢܝ‬

9:1 ms omits ‫ܡܪܝ‬, which is required by the metre and is present in Assemani’s text; 9:3 has an extra syllable. 10:3 ‫ = ܡܢܝ‬Assemani] ms

‫ܡܪܝ‬

19:3–4 The caesura bhaw | ‘olmo is very awkward, unless one treats the line as 6+8 syllables, against the norm. 20:1 is a syllable too short. 22:1 ‫ = ܕܦܪܩܬܝܗܝ‬Assemani] ms ‫‘ ܕܦܪܩܬܢܝ‬You have saved me’ 22:3 ‫ = ܙܝܚܬܝܗܝ‬Assemani] ms ‫)ܐܢܝܚܬܝܗܝ‬ 16.

1:1 ms ‫ܘܢܢܗܪܗ‬

‫( ܐܢܚܬܝܗܝ‬sic; perhaps for

TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS

311

4:3 olaph retains its consonantal value in ‫ ;ܘܫܐܠܬܗ‬likewise in 7:3 and 8:3 ‫ܕܡܐܐ‬

5:1 ms

‫ܡܒܪܟܐ‬ 11:1 ‫ ܡܢ‬is omitted by the ms, but is required by both metre and

sense. 17.

2:3 ms ‫( ܥܐܠ‬against metre) and

‫( ܚܫܘܟܬܐ‬against syntax).

7:3 and 12:3 have 7+7, instead of 7+8 syllables.

14 Although the ms does not indicate any loss, both sense and metre indicate that quite a number of words must have dropped out. 16: ‫ ܟܕ ܗܫܐ‬is awkward; perhaps this should be corrected to ‫‘ ܗܫܐ‬up to now’ (and linked with the previous words).

‫ܥܕ‬

18.

1:1 ms ‫ܚܘܒܬܐ‬, but the metre requires the plural. 1:3 ‫ܚܬܡܗ‬

‫ ܟܬܒ‬adopting Lamy’s better text. 11:1 ms ‫ܐܬܓܒܝܬ‬ 13:3 ms ‫ܠܒܝܪܬܐ‬ 16:2 ms ‫ܕܢܚܬ‬ ܼ

18:3 and 19:1, 3 The second element has only seven syllables; in 9:3 the metre could easily be restored by emending ‫ ܓܒܝܠܬܗ‬to

‫ܠܓܒܝܠܬ‬ ̇ ‫ ܡܢܗ‬is required by the sense; ms ‫ܡܢ ܗܢܐ‬ 28:2 ‫ܕܗܘ‬ 30:3 ‫ ܒܪܚܡܬܗ‬is treated as three syllables (alternatively, ‫ܥܠܝܗܘܢ‬ is treated as two).

32:1 The ‘blessed Garden’ is Mary (cf. 33). 19. 4:1 ms ‫ܒܒܗܬܐ‬

16: a half line is evidently missing.

312

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

20. 2:5 ‫ ܪܟܢܘ‬has been restored; ms omits.

5:1 At the end of the line the ms adds and evidently a gloss.

‫ܠܒ�ܝܬܐ‬, against the metre,

6:4 ‫ ;ܘܩܒܠܬܗ‬ms adds ‫ܒܡܘܠܕܗ‬, clearly a gloss since it goes against the metre. 7:4 ‫ ܐܝܟ‬has been supplied, being required by the metre; ms omits. 8:3 ‫ ܓܝܪ‬is supplied, since the metre requires an extra syllable. 9:3 is evidently treated as three syllables. 9:4 three syllables are missing. 11:3 ‫ ܡܢܗܝܢ‬is evidently treated as three syllables. 12:5 ms

‫ܫܒܩܘܗܝ‬ 13:4 ‫ ] ܛܥܝܢܢ‬ms ‫ ܘܛܥܝܢܢ‬against the metre; alternatively the syome on ‫ ܣܒ�ܬܐ‬should be deleted. 13:5 ms ‫ܥܩܬܐ‬ 15:5 a syllable is lacking; perhaps read ‫ܐܬܡܠܝ‬ 21.

6:3 ‫ ] ܗܘܝ‬ms 9:2 ms

‫ܗܘܐ‬

̇ , against the metre. ‫ܥܡܪ‬

19:3 Three syllables missing.

22:1 ‫ ܥܠܝ‬treated as two syllables (as elsewhere) 22:4 Three syllables missing. 22.

̈

7:5 ms ‫ܬܬܒܥܢ‬

8:4 ‫ = ܕܒܕܝܢܐ‬several manuscripts] ms 13:2 ms ‫ܐܙܝܥ‬ 19:3 ms ‫ܗܒ‬

‫ܕܒܙܝܢܐ‬

TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS

313

22:3 ms ‫ܫܦܝ�ܐ‬

23.

1:5 ‫ =ܚܝܐ‬several manuscripts] ms ‫ܚܘܝ‬ 3:5 ms

‫ܩܡ‬ 8 ms ‫ܐܝܟܘ‬, but the metre requires this to be treated as ‫ܐܝܟܐ ܗܘ‬. 16:3 ms ‫ܡܝܬܐ‬ 16:4 ms ‫ܡܠܬܐ‬ 17:5 ‫ ܕܚܫܒܬܗ‬: as if 3rd fem. sing, rather that 2nd fem. sing. as the

syntax suggests. 24.

1:4 and 6:2 ‫ ;ܐܒܟܝܟܝ‬one would expect ‫ ;ܐܒܟܝܟ‬the feminine suffix, however, has been retained (see the Introduction to the poem).

̈ : the reading of the first word is uncertain; in any 3:1 ‫ܡܫܚܩܢ ܠܝ‬ case there is an extra syllable in the line. 3:3 ms ‫ܡܕܥ‬

ܳ

ܰ two, rather than three, syllables: the original conso4:2 ‫ܒܚܕܘܬ ܐ‬ nantal value of the waw is evidently preserved here. 7:3 The 4+5+4 goes against the norm. 25. 11:2 ms ‫ܘܒܕܛܒ‬

13:1 ms ‫ܒܝܫܬܝ‬

14:2 ms ‫ܐܬܟܠܬܢ‬

‫‪INDEX OF INCIPITS‬‬ ‫‪12‬‬

‫ܐܒܐ ܡܪܚܡܢܐ‬ ‫‪5‬‬ ‫ܐܘ ܐܣܝܐ ܕܖܬܐ‬ ‫‪2‬‬ ‫ܐܘ ܕܐܬܐ ܘܥܬܝܕ ܬܘܒ ܕܢܐܬܐ‬ ‫‪15‬‬ ‫ܐܘ ܕܝ̇ܢܐ ܕܕܝܢܗ ܬܪܝܨ‬ ‫‪4‬‬ ‫ܐܘ ܕܝ̇ܢܝ ܣܓܝ ܛܠܝܡܐ ܐܢܐ‬ ‫‪6‬‬ ‫ܐܘ ܕܩܪܢܝ ܘܙܡܢܢܝ‬ ‫‪1‬‬ ‫ܐܘ ܡܠܟܐ ܕܒܢܢܝ‬ ‫‪3‬‬ ‫ܐܘ ܢܦܫܐ ܨܘܪܬܐ ܕܡܠܟܘܬܐ‬ ‫‪14‬‬ ‫ܐܘ ܥܘܡܪܐ ܕܙܒܢܐ‬ ‫‪25‬‬ ‫ܐܘ ܥܠܡܐ ܫܒܪܐ‬ ‫‪21‬‬ ‫ܐܘ ܬܓ�ܐ ܐܙܕܗܪܘ ܒܓܙ�̈ܟܘܢ‬ ‫‪16‬‬ ‫ܐܘܪܗܝ ܫܠܚܬ ܠܡܫܝܚܐ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫̈‬ ‫‪13‬‬ ‫ܒܟܬܒܐ ܚܪܬ‬ ‫ܐܚܝ‬ ‫‪19‬‬ ‫ܒܗܢܐ ܝܘܡܐ ܗܐ ܦܨ�̈ܚܢ‬ ‫‪9‬‬ ‫ܒܥܠܕܪܐ ܨܢܝܥܐ ܡܢܬܦ ܠܝ‬ ‫‪17‬‬ ‫ܒܪܗܛܐ ܪܒܐ ܕܒ�ܝܬܐ‬ ‫ܒܪܝ ܚܒܝܒܐ ܕܐܬܬܨܝܪ ܡܢ ܛܝܒܘܬܐ‬ ‫‪8‬‬ ‫ܕܘܝܬܐ ܗܝ ܢܦܫܐ ܕܚܛܝܐ‬ ‫‪18‬‬ ‫ܚܘܐ ܒܥܕܝܢ‬ ‫‪7‬‬ ‫ܡܢ ܗܘ ܟܝ ܗܢܐ ܕܕܐܪ ܒܝ‬

‫‪24‬‬

‫‪315‬‬

‫‪JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO‬‬ ‫‪22‬‬

‫ܣܠܩ ܠܨܠܝܒܐ‬ ‫‪11‬‬ ‫ܥܘܗܕܢܐ ܢܒܗ ܒܝ‬ ‫‪23‬‬ ‫ܥܠ ܗܘܐ ܠܫܝܘܠ‬ ‫̈‬ ‫ܩܘܡܝ ܢܦܫܝ ܕܢܦܠܬ ܒܒܝܫܬܐ‬ ‫ܩܡ ܡܢ ܩܒܪܐ ܝܗܘܒܐ ܕܢܘܚܡܐ‬

‫‪10‬‬

‫‪20‬‬

‫‪316‬‬

INDEX OF BIBLICAL REFERENCES Genesis 1:26 2:9 2:15 2:16 3:1–7 3:3 3:6 3:7 3:13 3:17 3:18–19 3:24 13:12 19:4–8 19:24 I Samuel 17:49 Psalms 14:7 18:29 23:2 51:1 51:7 72:16 74:14 86:1

3:6 18:26 3:14 3:10 18:20, 22 18:27 3:13 3:7–8 3:9 3:3 3:6, 10 3:19; 18:34 21:9 22:15 22:15 2:20 19:16 2:11 4:13 5:2 2:4; 12:1; 15:15 18:16 3:18; 18:18 15:18

317

107:14 143(142):2 Job 5:26 Song of Songs 1:2 1:3 1:5 Isaiah 51:7 Ezekiel 18:23 Daniel 3 7:13 Zechariah 13:9 Matthew 7:7 7:26 10:23 14:19 14:30 14:31 16:16 16:18 16:23 17:26 18:12

19:16 15:16 18:15 16:5–6, 9 3:3 16:11 12:1 10:23 14:7 18:11 15:17 13:32 13:2 13:7 13:4 25:3 15:21 13:3 13:2, 35 13:19 13:4 16:7

318

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

20:1–16 20:6 22:11–12 25:5 25:8 25:10 25:33 26:13 26:15 26:31 26:57 27:5 Mark 14:9 14:30 Luke 1:26 1:28 1:34 1:35 1:38 7:38, 44 7:47 11:10 12:19 15:3, 5

5:6 14:21; 2:4; 10:7 10:5 10:6 10:6, 14; 16:4, 11; 19:9 15:20 8:19 13:8 13:22 13:2 13:8 8:19 25:3 18:7 18:8, 10, 13 18:14; 20:6 18:18 18:19 15:2 13:15 13:32 14:6 16:8

15:5 16:24 22:32 22:44 John 11:2 12:3 13:23 18:10 19:29 19:34 20:17 20:25 Acts 2:27 Romans 5:20 I Corinthians 1:12 II Corinthians 8:9 Ephesians 6:14 Colossians 2:14

4:12; 15:22; 16:8 5:9 8:24 8:26 19:18 8:19; 19:18 13:9 13:5 19:11 13:39; 19:11; 22:16 19:18; 20:12 23:17 23:11 18:6 13:38 3:3 2:7 8:11; 12:20; 15:2; 18:1

INDEX OF NAMES AND SELECTED TOPICS Gehenna 12:13; 21:6–7, 19–20 Genesis 18:17 Golgotha 3:20; 22:4, 14 Goliath 2:20 Hannan 22:3 Jerusalem 22:7, 8, 20, 21 Jews 18:34; 19:6, 19; 22:6; 23:5 John 13:9 Joseph 18:34 Judas 13:13; 19:6; 22:3 Kephas 13:1, 35, 38 Kingdom 3:1; 5:7; 6:1, 7; 10:13–14; 12:9, 12, 19; 13:30; 14:22; 21:15 Lot 21:9 Martha 19:5 Mary 18:3–4, 21, 23–5, 30, 33; 20:6; 22:4; 23:7, 17 Mary (Magdalen) 8:19; 19:5, 18; 20:12; 23:23 Michael 22:16 Nisan 19:14

Abgar 16:10 Adam 2:16, 15:22; 18:2, 10, 12, 17, 22–4, 26 28, 32; 20:2, 10; 21:9; 23:21. Apollos 13:38 Bridal Chamber 18:23; 19:9; 23:7, 12 Caesar 13:4 Caiaphas 19:6; 22:3; 23:4 Cherub 18:34–5 Cross 2:11; 13:39; 14:9; 15:12; 22:1, 4–5, 7–10, 14, 16, 17, 20; 23:19, 22 Daughter of Light 3:19; 10:4 Daughter of the Peoples 16:3 David 18:23; 22:4 Eden 3:17–18, 21; 18:1, 26, 30–31, 33: 24:6 Edessa 16:1 Eve (15:5); 18:1, 3–4, 17, 21, 25, 27; 20:10 Gabriel 16:8; 18:20–21, 25 319

320

JACOB OF SERUGH’S MADROSHE AND SUGHYOTHO

Paradise 3:2, 4, 14, 19; 22:17, 21–2 Paul 13:38 Peter 20:13 Resurrection 13:23; 19:1, 11, 13, 15; 20:1; 21:2, 17; 23:16, 23 Sabbath 23:4 Satan 2:10, 13, 22; 7:12; 13:19, 27; 18:25 Sheol 3:12; 5:19; 14:13; 18:21; 19:12, 17; 20:1,

3, 11; 21:14; 22:19–21; 23:1 Simon (Peter) 15:21; 20:7–8 Sion 16:1 Sodom 22:15 Tree(s) of Paradise 3:16; 18:26, 28, 32–4; 23:17 Watcher(s) 6:7 Zodiac 17:1