Being wholly filled with the love * of the seeking of higher things, * venerable ones, ye counted all the delights * of this life to be but filth and dung, * and had but one single aim; * and ye kept vigil and prayer * in your yearning through snowy cold * and in burning heat. * And having dwelt in unity together, * by grace were ye shown forth to be * co-citizens with the Angels' hosts.
Having been smitten down with clubs * and having been assailed with stones * and beaten with fists, ye broke not the unity * and singleness of your purpose, but * ye were bound by common love * and a brotherly desire. * Yet as ye were then put to death * and sundered in twain, * ye did set forth yourselves in all your suff'rings * as unblemished sacrifices * upon the holy altar of God.
Ye were smothered and choked to death; * ye were burnt up, consumed by fire. * Thus, O glorious Martyrs, did ye commend your souls * into the hands of the King of all, * an unblemished sacrifice; * thereby did ye join yourselves * to the Bodiless Powers' choir, * and ye did receive * an inheritance in eternal glory. * Without ceasing, intercede ye * that we may also partake thereof.
The noble saving remedy * of repentance grant unto me, * thou that didst bear God my Saviour within thy womb; * and grant unto me a flood of tears, * and keep thou within my thoughts * that impartial judgment-hour * which inspireth quaking and fear; * and grant unto me * that by thine intercessions, O thou Virgin, * I may flee that fearsome torment, * and that I may receive grace divine.