NINTH ANTIPHONE

In that hour thou shalt say to the night,

Come down and cover us;

To the cloud on thy left and thy right,

Be thou spread over us;

A snare shall be as thy mother,

And a curse thy bride;

Thou shalt put her away, and another

Shall lie by thy side.

Thou shalt neither rise up by day

Nor lie down by night;

Would God it were dark! thou shalt say;

Would God it were light!

And the sight of thine eyes shall be made

As the burning of fire;

And thy soul shall be sorely afraid

For thy soul's desire.

Ye whom your lords loved well,

Putting silver and gold on you,

The inevitable hell

Shall surely take hold on you;

Your gold shall be for a token,

Your staff for a rod;

With the breaking of bands ye are broken,

Saith the Lord God.