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DIRGE FOR THE NINTH OF AB
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Dirge for the Ninth of Ab


O THOU afflicted, drunken not with wine!
Cast to the earth thy timbrel; strip thee bare;
Yea, make thee bald; let not thy beauty shine;
Despoil of comeliness thy presence fair;
Lift up a wailing on the mountain height;
Turn thee to all thy borders; seek thy flight.

And cry before the Lord
For thresholds waste,
For thresholds waste;
Cry for thy little ones
Slain of the sword;
Lift up thine hands to Him,
To Him implored.