[65]

...of running feet; wood [given] in place of the wood of the bitter fruit, exchanging life for death. Between two lawless ones stood stripped the Giver of the Law, whom the nation of the blind did not recognize, save for one of the robbers. The momentary sun made the daytime like night; it cast a veil of shadow over [His] nakedness, lest an unworthy eye should look [upon it]. At midday it darkened, when Adam died through sin; at the ninth [hour] it returned to light, when by [His] death, death was undone. The Mother of the Lord, who stood near the Cross, shed sorrowful tears when she heard her Only-Begotten utter the cry of thirst. They gave vinegar mingled with gall to Him who made the river gush forth in Eden, and from the rock gave a goodly stream to drink to the embittering race. The serpent having beguiled the mind of the primal mother Eve at the third hour, the first man fell at the sixth by her persuasive word; at this very hour the Lord [hung] upon the Cross, that He might atone for their sins; and when the old Adam went forth, He placed the robber inside Paradise. A voice embracing [mercy] on my behalf: "Eli, Eli" unto...