Canticles of Stendarr

Stendarr, my enemies are abundant.

Many are those who rise up against the just.

But our faith sustains us; we shall not fear the legion,

Should they set themselves against us.

In the long hours of the night

When hope was almost abandoned.

We shall look up to the stars and know.

Light remains.

Stendarr, though the darkness comes upon us,

We shall embrace the Light. We shall weather the storm.

We shall endure as you have taught.

What you have forged within us all, no one can tear asunder.

—Canticles of Stendarr, 1:1–3

Stendarr the Steadfast, defend us in battle

Stendarr the Steadfast, defend us in battle;

be our defense against the wickedness and snares of Oblivion.

May gods rebuke them all, we humbly pray;

and do thou, O God of Mercy and Justice,

by the power of Heaven,

thrust into Oblivion the Princes and other evil spirits

who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.

—Canticles of Stendarr, 1:4

The command that pleases me

This is the command that pleases me:

to break unjust fetters,

to let the oppressed go free,

to share my bread with the hungry

and shelter the homeless poor.

If we do away with the yoke,

the clenched fist, the wicked word,

if we give our bread to the hungry

and relief to the oppressed,

O Stendarr, your light will rise in the darkness.

—Canticles of Stendarr, 1:5

O Stendarr, Lord of Mercy

O Stendarr, Lord of Mercy,

Remember those who have not found warmth in your light;

Aid us in being ever mindful of those who despise our faith;

They do not understand the comfort and beauty your mercy has granted us.

Remember Thy mercy, and know that we remain faithful

As a balance to their idolatries and infidelities.

May these peoples be ignorant no longer of your grace, O Stendarr.

Let them find glory in your name throughout all ages.

—Canticles of Stendarr, 1:7

I dedicate this self to others

Stendarr, you surrendered all for us to live,

so it is best to give everything away.

My mind is set on your mercy,

so I dedicate this self to others.

May I be the healer and the light,

and may I be the nurse

for all sick beings in the world

until everyone is well.

May a rain of food and drink descend

to clear away the pain of thirst and hunger,

and during the season of famine,

may I be a fruit-bearing tree.

May I become an inexhaustible treasure

for those who are poor and destitute;

may I turn into all things they could need,

and may I be placed beside them.

May I be a protector for those without one,

a guide for all travelers on the way;

may I be a bridge, a boat, and a ship

for all who wish to cross.

May I be an island for those who seek one

and a lamp for those desiring to see,

may I be a bed for all who wish to rest

and a slave for all who want one.

May I be an enchantment, a magic sword,

powerful spells and great potions,

may I become your cup of mercy

and be filled with an ocean of blood.

For all who accuse me falsely

or cause me any other harm,

For those who mock and insult me,

may their thoughts of me bring them bliss.

—Canticles of Stendarr, 1:22

May I be like the sun and rain

May I be like the sun and rain for grace and mercy.

May I be like the night to cover others' faults.

May I be like running water for generosity.

May I be like death for rage and anger.

May I be like the earth for modesty.

May I appear as I am. May I be as I appear.

—Canticles of Stendarr, 1:24

Never give up hope

O penitent, unrighteous, forgetful children,

deaf to the manswarm murmurings of your brethren,

forgetting their need for comfort and wisdom,

never give up hope of Stendarr’s mercy.

Though He bears the heavy burden of Apology,

Stendarr, All-Forgiving, Ever-Merciful,

does not burden us with what we cannot bear

and grants victory to all who invoke His Name.

How long will you make a mockery of justice

and show favor to the wicked in your laws?

Defend instead the weak and the orphan;

uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed;

reach down to those who are afflicted and infirm

and save them from the clutches of despair.

Never turn your face from any Man in need,

and Stendarr will never turn His face from you.

—Canticles of Stendarr, 2:1–4

Blessed are those who fear Stendarr

Blessed are those who fear Stendarr,

who find great delight in His Command.

Their children will be mighty in the land;

the generation of the upright will be blessed.

Bliss and humility are in their spirit,

and their righteousness endures forever.

Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,

for those who are compassionate and righteous.

Good will come to those who are generous,

who conduct their affairs with justice.

The wicked will see and be vexed,

they will gnash their teeth and waste away;

their longings will come to nothing.

—Canticles of Stendarr, 4:1–3

Be not defeated