Romanos the Melodist

When in Babylon an image had been made,
And everyone against his will worshiped the lifeless things as though it were alive,
Then, as Scripture tells, three youths,
Having received in their hearts divine guidance, did not leave the straight path,
For they considered the madness of many as a path that leads astray.
And so the steadfast young men did not follow it.
But, advancing on the straight road, always toward the truth,
They mocked the trickery of the Persians,
Or rather, the sainted boys mourned and lamented,
For a righteous person does not rejoice over the destruction of another but with groans prays:
“Hasten, Merciful One; and in compassion come quickly
To our aid, since you are able to do what you will.”

When they heard these words, the young people Laughed at the great vanity of the king.
However, lest he consider himself to be very wise, The wise youths raised their eyes and said:
“O Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon,
We have no need to talk this over with them,
For no one answers you if you say foolish things, For thus it is written in the Scripture:
‘Do not give reply to a fool that is of similar kind.’
Therefore, we have chosen to keep silent, and we pray in silence:
‘Hasten, Merciful One, and in compassion come quickly
To our aid, since you are able to do what you will.’ ”

“In spite of myself, then, I revere the God of the Hebrews,
And I command all the people in my land to join in praising him.
‘Come, then, holy children, come forth from the furnace,
For I am convinced that your God is in truth God.’ ” (Nebuchadnezzar)
These things happened in Babylon as the Scriptures says,
At a time when those who had provoked God’s anger were in captivity.
Therefore, my brothers, see to it that you do not grieve
The Master and be given over to the enemy,
For we make him sad if we deny him,
And if we do not hasten to his temples,
and if we do not sing to him everywhere,
“Hasten, Merciful One, and in compassion come quickly
To our aid, since you are able to do what you will.”