Chapter II: A Study of the Life and Poetry of Richard Crashaw (4)

_But men loved darkness rather than light._

The world's Light shines: shine as it will,
The world will love its darknesse still.
I doubt though, when the world's in hell,
It will not love its darknesse halfe so well. CR.

ANOTHER VERSION.

Behold the day of Christ! God comes with light;
Yet the world loves the darkness of the night.
Therefore the world to Stygian darkness will
Be damn'd: and doth the world love darkness still? B.

ANOTHER RENDERING.

Lo, God comes girt with light,
and all the world o'ershines:
The world abides in night,
nor watcheth for the signs.
To Stygian darkness hurl'd
on the great Day of Doom,
Shalt thou, night-loving world,
still love thy lightless gloom? G.

LXIV.

_Dives implorat guttam._ Luc. xvi. 24.

O mihi si digito tremat et tremat unica summo
Gutta! o si flammas mulceat una meas!
Currat opum quocunque volet levis unda mearum;
Una mihi haec detur gemmula, Dives ero.

_Dives asking a drop._

A drop, one drop! how sweetly one faire drop
Would tremble on my pearle-tipt finger's top!
My wealth is gone: O, goe it where it will,
Spare this one iewell, I'le be Dives still. CR.

LXV.

_Quomodo potest homo gigni qui est senex?_ Joan. iii. 4.

Dic, Phoenix unde in nitidos novus emicat annos,
Plaudit et elusos aurea penna rogos?
Quis colubrum dolus insinuat per secula retro,
Et jubet emeritum luxuriare latus?
Cur rostro pereunte suam praedata senectam
Torva ales, rapido plus legit ore diem?
Immo, sed ad nixus praestat Lucina secundos?
Natales seros unde senex habeat.
Ignoras, Pharisaee? sat est: jam credere disces:
Dimidium fidei, qui bene nescit, habet.

_How can a man be born when he is old?_

See how new Phoenix into bright life springs,
And fans the unhurting flames with golden wings.
O'er snake what subtle change creeps as months flow,
Bidding its faded frame with beauty glow.
Why, on itself with worn beak having prey'd,
Is raven old more youthful swift array'd?
O'er second birth-throes bears Lucina sway,
Whence an old man may have late natal day?
Pharisee, know'st not? Well, now faith thou'lt learn:
Wisely to know not, half faith's crown doth earn. R. WI.

LXVI.

_Arbor Christi jussu arescens._ Marc. xi. 13.

Ille jubet: procul ite mei, mea gloria, rami:
Nulla vocet nostras amplius aura comas.
Ite, nec o pigeat; nam vos neque fulminis ira,
Nec trucis ala Noti verberat: ille jubet.
O vox, o Zephyro vel sic quoque dulcior omni;
Non possum Autumno nobiliore frui.

_The tree dried up by the word of Christ._

He speaks: hence, leaves; my glory hence, away;
Thou Zephyr 'mid my leaves no longer play;
Begone: nor grieve: 'tis not the lightning's wrath,
Nor wing of the storm-wind that smites: HE saith.
O voice, than Zephyr sweeter far to me;
More noble autumn-fruit could never be. G.

LXVII.

_Zacharias minus credens._ Luc. i. 12.

Infantis fore te patrem, res mira videtur;
Infans interea factus es ipse pater.
Et dum promissi signum, nimis anxie, quaeris,
Jam nisi per signum quaerere nulla potes.

_Zacharias incredulous._

To have a child thou deem'st so strange a thing,
That thou art made a child for wondering.
Whilst for a sign too eagerly thou dost call,
Except by sign thou can'st not ask at all. CL.

LXVIII.

_In aquam baptismi Dominici._ Matt. iii. 13-16.

Felix o, sacros cui sic licet ire per artus;
Felix, dum lavat hunc, ipsa lavatur aqua.
Gutta quidem sacros quaecunque perambulat artus,
Dum manet hic, gemma est; dum cadit hinc, lacryma.

_On the water of our Lord's baptisme._

Each blest drop on each blest limme
Is washt itselfe in washing Him:
'Tis a gemme while it stayes here;
While it falls hence 'tis a teare. CR.

ANOTHER VERSION.

Happy the water washt His sacred side;
In washing Christ itself is purify'd.
Each drop that trickled down His body, there
Staying a gem, thence falling was a tear. B.

LXIX.

_Mulieri incurvatae medetur Dominus, indignante Archisynagogo._ Luc. xiii. 11.

In proprios replicata sinus quae repserat, et jam
Daemonis, infelix, nil nisi nodus erat,
Solvitur ad digitum Domini: sed strictior illo
Unicus est nodus; cor, Pharisaee, tuum.

_The bowed-down woman healed by the Lord, the Synagogue-ruler is displeased._

Creeping and doubled erewhile in her woe,
Lo, now she stands erect: Christ willed it so.
Daemonic knots are loos'd beneath His hands;
But thy heart, Pharisee, still rigid stands. G.

LXX.

_Neque ausus fuit quisquam ex illo die eum amplius interrogare._ Matt. xxii. 46.

Christe, malas fraudes, Pharisaica retia, fallis:
Et miseros sacro discutis ore dolos.
Ergo tacent tandem, atque invita silentia servant:
Tam bene non aliter te potuere loqui.[56]

_Neither durst any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions._

Nets, frauds of Pharisees, the Lord beguiles;
His sacred lips disperse the wretched wiles.
So they were silent--enforc'd so to be:
Such silence, Lord, their best address to Thee. G.

LXXI.

_S. Joannes matri suae._ Matt. xx. 20.

O mihi cur dextram, mater, cur, oro, sinistram
Poscis, ab officio mater iniqua tuo?
Nolo manum Christi dextram mihi, nolo sinistram:
Tam procul a sacro non libet esse sinu.

_St. John and his mother._

Mother, why ask you right or left for me?
The benefit would be an injury.
Nor right nor left for me convenient are:
From His sweet bosome either is too far. B.

LXXII.

_Si filius Dei es, dejice te._ Matt. iv. 6.

Ni se dejiciat Christus de vertice Templi,
Non credes quod sit Filius ille Dei?
At mox te humano de pectore dejicit: heus tu,
Non credes quod sit Filius ille Dei?

_If Thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down._

Cast Thyself from the pinacle whereon
I set Thee, or I think Thee not God's Son.
No; but He'l cast thee from the hearts of men,
Satan. Wilt not believe He's God's Son then? B.

LXXIII.

_Dominus flens ad Judaeos._ Luc. xix. 41.

Discite, vos miseri, venientes discite flammas;
Nec facite o lacrymas sic periisse meas.
Nec periisse tamen poterunt: mihi credite, vestras
Vel reprimet flammas haec aqua, vel faciet.

_The Lord weeping over the Jews._

Think on the coming flames I would prevent;
Let not My tears for you in vain be spent.
And yet they can't be spent in vain; for sure
This water flames will quench, or else procure. B.

LXXIV.

_Nec velut hic Publicanus._ Luc. xviii. 11.

Istum? vile caput! quantum mihi gratulor, inquis,
Istum quod novi tam mihi dissimilem!
Vilis at iste abiit sacris acceptior aris:
I nunc, et jactes hunc tibi dissimilem.

_Nor even as this publican._

Him, 'vile wretch!' Ah, myself how much I pride
That I am utterly unlike to him!
The 'vile wretch' leaves God's altar justified:
Now go and boast thou art unlike to him. G.

LXXV.

_In Saulum fulgore nimio excaecatum._ Act. ix. 3.

Quae lucis tenebrae? quae nox est ista dici?
Nox nova, quam nimii luminis umbra facit.
An Saulus fuerit caecus, vix dicere possum;
Hoc scio, quod captus lumine Saulus erat.[57]

_On Saul blinded with too much light._

What darken'd noon is here? what mid-day night?
It is the shadow cast by too much light.
Saul may be blind or not; all I can say,
Ta'en within Heaven's light earth's light fades away. R. WI.

LXXVI.

_Beati oculi qui vident._ Luc. x. 23.

Cum Christus nostris ibat mitissimus oris,
Atque novum caecos jussit habere diem,
Felices, oculos qui tunc habuere, vocantur?
Felices, et qui non habuere, voco.

_Blessed are the eyes which see._

When Christ with us on Earth did sympathize,
And to the poor blind men restor'd their eyes,
Happy they who had eyes. Not they alone;
I call them also happy who had none. B.

ANOTHER VERSION.

When Christ on earth moved on His pitying way,
And bade the blind look up and find new day,
Was eyesight then such bliss to every one?
Yet I will deem them happy who had none. G.

LXXVII.

_Filius e feretro matri redditur._ Luc. vii. 15.

Ergone tam subita potuit vice flebilis horror
In natalitia candidus ire toga?
Quos vidi, matris gemitus hos esse dolentis
Credideram; gemitus parturientis erant.

_Her son is delivered to his mother from the bier._

With such quick change could tear-bedew'd Dismay
Give birthday smiles, and walk in white array?
Heard I bereaved mother's wailings wild?
No; the blest cries of one who bears a child! R. WI.

LXXVIII.

_In seculi sapientes._ Matt. xi. 25.

Ergone delicias facit, et sibi plaudit ab alto
Stultitia, ut velit hac ambitione peti?
Difficilisne adeo facta est, et seria tandem?
Ergo et in hanc etiam quis sapuisse potest?
Tantum erat, ut possit tibi doctior esse ruina?
Tanti igitur cerebri res, periisse, fuit?
Nil opus ingenio; nihil hac opus arte furoris:
Simplicius poteris scilicet esse miser.

_On the wise of this world._

With such complacent joys is Folly fraught,
That with this trouble she must needs be sought?
So difficult and grave is she turn'd now,
Can any one for her be wise enow?
Must Ruin to be deeper taught aspire?
To perish, does it so much brain require?
Genius and skill in madness who would see?
Forsooth, more simply you may wretched be! R. WI.

LXXIX.

_In Judaeos Christum praecipitare conantes._ Luc. iv. 29.

Dicite, quae tanta est sceleris fiducia vestri,
Quod nequiit daemon, id voluisse scelus?
Quod nequiit daemon scelus, id voluisse patrare:
Hoc tentare ipsum daemona, credo, fuit.

_The Jews seeking to cast Christ headlong from a precipice._

What daring leads you on, ungodly crew,
To that which ev'n the Devil durst not do?
Ye dare what he dares not? If truth be told,
Ye tempt the Devil's self to be more bold. G.

LXXX.

_In draconem praecipitem._ Rev. xii. 9.

I, frustra truculente; tuas procul aurea rident
Astra minas, coelo jam bene tuta suo.
Tune igitur coelum super ire atque astra parabas?
Ascensu tanto non opus ad barathrum.

_The casting-down of the dragon._

Go, Dragon! the fair stars smile at thy threat,
Secure, serene, in native skies a-glow.
Thy throne o'er sky and stars thou fain would'st set;
Thou need'st not vault so high to plunge so low. G.

LXXXI.

_Beatae Virgini credenti._ Luc. ii. 19.

Miraris, quid enim faceres? sed et haec quoque credis:
Haec uteri credis dulcia monstra tui.
En fidei, Regina, tuae dignissima merces:
Fida Dei fueras filia; mater eris.

_The blessed Virgin believing._

Thou wondered'st! how else could'st thou so guarded?
Yet thou believ'dst the mighty coming birth;
Queen! thy faith's working is full well rewarded;
God's daughter, thou God's mother art on earth. G.

LXXXII.

_Licetne Caesari censum dare?_ Marc. xii. 14.

Post tot Scribarum, Christe, in te proelia, tandem
Ipse venit Caesar; Caesar in arma venit.
Pugnant terribiles non Caesaris ense, sed ense
Caesare: quin Caesar vinceris ipse tamen.
Hoc quoque tu conscribe tuis, Auguste, triumphis.
Sic vinci dignus quis nisi Caesar erat?

_Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar?_

After so many battles with the Scribes, O Lord,
Caesar himself comes; Caesar with his sword.
They fight not arm'd with Caesar's sword indeed;
But Caesar as their sword with craft they plead.
Conquer'd thyself, O Caesar, make it known--
Who save thee, worthy so to be o'erthrown. G.

LXXXIII.

_In tibicines et turbam tumultuantem circa defunctam._ Matt. ix. 23.

Vani, quid strepitis? nam quamvis dormiat illa,[58]
Non tamen e somno est sic revocanda suo.
Expectat solos Christi sopor iste susurros:
Dormit enim; sed non omnibus illa tamen.

_The minstrels and crowd making a noise about the dead._

Vain mourning this; why make ye such loud noise?
She sleeps indeed, but so will not awake.
Her sleep waits for the whisper of His voice
Who a great promise to her father spake. G.

LXXXIV.

_Piscatores vocati._ Matt. iv. 19.

Ludite jam, pisces, secura per aequora: pisces
Nos quoque, sed varia sub ratione, sumus.
Non potuisse capi, vobis spes una salutis:
Una salus nobis est, potuisse capi.

_The fishermen called._

Play, fishes, in your waters, safely play:
We become fishes too, another way.
Not to be taken, to you safety brought:
But we are then most safe when we are caught. B.

ANOTHER RENDERING.

Careless, aneath the waves, ye fishes, play:
We too are fishes, in a different way;
Ye die, we live, being caught; and that for aye. G.

ANOTHER.

Sport, fishes, now, within the secure sea:
Lo, fishes too, in different kind, are we.
In shunning nets your hope of safety lay;
Our safety is to be the netter's prey. A.

LXXXV.

_Date Caesari._ Marc. xii. 17.

Cuncta Deo debentur: habet tamen et sua Caesar;
Nec minus inde Deo est, si sua Caesar habet.
Non minus inde Deo est, solio si caetera dantur
Caesareo, Caesar cum datur ipse Deo.

_Give to Caesar ... and to God...._

All we have is God's, and yet
Caesar challenges a debt;
Nor hath God a thinner share,
Whatever Caesar's payments are.
All is God's; and yet 'tis true
All we have is Caesar's too.
All is Caesar's; and what ods,
So long as Caesar's selfe is God's? CR.

ANOTHER RENDERING.

All things belong to God, yet Caesar has his all;
Not due the less to God that they to Caesar fall.
Not less they're God's because they're giv'n to Caesar's throne;
For Caesar's throne itself belongs to God alone. G.

LXXXVI.

_Dominus asino vehitur._ Matt. xxi. 7.

Ille igitur vilem te, te dignatur asellum,
O non vectura non bene digne tua!
Heu, quibus haud pugnat Christi patientia monstris!
Hoc quod sic fertur, hoc quoque ferre fuit.

_The Lord borne on the ass._

Does He, base ass, thus deign to honour thee,
Unworthy thus to bear th' incarnate God?
Alas, Thy patience strangely tried I see,
Thee carried thus who bear'st sin's awful load! B.

ANOTHER RENDERING.

A common ass does the Lord dignify?
O, how unworthy such a burden high!
With the Lord's patience, ah, what can compare?
So to be borne, this also was to bear. R. WI.

LXXXVII.

_Videbunt Filium hominis venientem in nube._ Luc. xxi. 27.

Immo, veni: aerios, o Christe, accingere currus,
Inque triumphali nube coruscus ades.
Nubem quaeris? erunt nostra, ah! suspiria nubes:
Aut sol in nubem se dabit ipse tuam.

_They shall see the Son of Man coming in a cloud._

Come, yoke Thy chariots of the air, O Lord;
Triumphal honours let bright clouds afford.
Dost seek a cloud? Our sighs a cloud will be,
Or the sun melt into a cloud for Thee. G.

LXXXVIII.

_Nisi digitum immisero, &c._ Joan. xx. 25.

Impius ergo iterum clavos? iterum impius hastam?
Et totum digitus triste revolvet opus?
Tune igitur Christum, Thoma, quo vivere credas,
In Christum faceres, ah truculente! mori?

CHRIST TO THOMAS.

_Except I shall put my finger, &c._

Thy impious finger, would it, then, re-borrow
The nails, the spear, each circumstance of sorrow?
That on a living Christ thou mayst rely,
Cruel, wouldst thou thy Christ re-crucify? G.

LXXXIX.

_Ad Judaeos mactatores S. Stephani._ Act. vi. 9-12.

Quid datis, ah miseri! saxis nolentibus iras?
Quid nimis in tragicum praecipitatis opus?
In mortem Stephani se dant invita: sed illi
Occiso faciunt sponte sua tumulum.

_To the Jews stoning St. Stephen._

Wretches, do ye put rage into cold stones?
Why rush so eagerly to work so vile?
Your stones unwilling add to Stephen's moans,
But gladly heap a tomb for him the while. G.

XC.

_Sancto Joanni dilecto discipulo._

Tu fruere, augustoque sinu caput abde, quod o tum
Nollet in aeterna se posuisse rosa.
Tu fruere; et sacro dum te sic pectore portat,
O sat erit tergo me potuisse vehi.

_To St. John the beloved disciple._

Upon His breast thy happy head reposes,
Nor would that pillow change for Heaven's own roses:
While thus His bosom bears up happy thee,
To press His shoulders were enough for me. G.

XCI.

_In lactentes martyres._ Matt. ii. 16, 17.

Vulnera natorum qui vidit et ubera matrum,
Per pueros fluviis, ah! simul ire suis:
Sic pueros quisquis vidit, dubitavit an illos
Lilia coelorum diceret, anne rosas.

_Upon the infant martyrs._

To see both blended in one flood,
The mothers' milk, the childrens' blood,
Makes me doubt if Heaven will gather
Roses hence, or lillies rather. CR.

ANOTHER RENDERING.

Who saw the infants' blood and milk of mother
Flowing, alas, in a commingl'd tide,
Doubtingly ask'd, and gaz'd from one to other,
Whether Heav'n's rose or lily they espy'd. G.

XCII.

_Deus nobiscum._ Matt. i. 23.

Nobiscum Deus est? vestrum hoc est, hei mihi! vestrum:
Vobiscum Deus est, o asini atque boves.
Nobiscum non est; nam nos domus aurea sumit:
Nobiscum Deus est, et jacet in stabulo?
Hoc igitur nostrum ut fiat, dulcissime Jesu,
Nos dandi stabulis, vel tibi danda domus.

_God with us._

Is God with us? Woe's me,
God is with you, ye beasts, I see.
God is with you, ye beasts;
God comes not to our golden feasts.
That God may be with us,
We must provide a lowly house.
God comes to the humble manger,
While to the great house a stranger. G.

XCIII.

_Christus circumcisus ad Patrem._

Has en primitias nostrae, Pater, accipe mortis;
Vitam ex quo sumpsi, vivere dedidici.
Ira, Pater, tua de pluvia gustaverit ista:
Olim ibit fluviis hoc latus omne suis.
Tunc sitiat licet et sitiat, bibet et bibet usque:
Tunc poterit toto fonte superba frui.
Nunc hastae interea possit praeludere culter:
Indolis in poenas spes erit ista meae.[59]

XCIV.

_In Epiphaniam Domini._ Matt. ii. 2.

Non solita contenta dies face lucis Eoae,
Ecce micat radiis caesariata novis.
Persa sagax, propera: discurre per ardua regum
Tecta, per auratas marmoreasque domus:
Quaere o, quae intepuit Reginae purpura partu;
Principe vagitu quae domus insonuit.
Audin' Persa sagax? Qui tanta negotia coelo
Fecit, Bethlemiis vagiit in stabulis.

_The Epiphany of our Lord._

Scorning her wonted herald, lo, the Day
Now decks her forehead with a brighter ray.
Sage Persian, haste; ask where high roofs unfold
Their royal wealth of marble and of gold;
In what rich couch an Empress-mother lies;
What halls have heard a new-born Prince's cries.
Wouldst know, sage Persian? He for whom Heaven keeps
Such festival, in Bethlehem's manger weeps. CL.

XCV.

_Ecce quaerebamus te, &c._ Luc. ii. 49.

Te quaero misera, et quaero: tu nunc quoque tractas
Res Patris; Pater est unica cura tibi.
Quippe quod ad poenas tantum et tot nomina mortis,
Ad luctum et lacrymas, hei mihi! mater ego.

_Lo, we have sought Thee, &c._

I seek Thee mourning, and I seek again:
Thou still Thy Father's business dost attend;
And me, alas, sad mother of all pain,
Of grief and tears, Thou surely wilt befriend. G.

XCVI.

_Aquae in vinum versae._ Joan. ii. 1-11.

Unde rubor vestris, et non sua purpura lymphis?
Quae rosa mirantes tam nova mutat aquas?
Numen, convivae, praesens agnoscite Numen:
Nympha pudica Deum vidit, et erubuit.[60]

_Water turned into wine._

Whence that blush upon thy brow,
Fair Nymph of the waters, now?
Mark the glow all rosy-red
Of the stream astonied.
All the guests in tumult rush'd:
The shy Nymph saw her God, and blush'd. G.

ANOTHER VERSION.

Whence to your waters comes the glow of wine?
What strange new rose their mazed streams hath flush'd?
Haste, guests, and own your Visitant divine;
For the chaste Nymph hath seen her God, and blush'd. CL.

ANOTHER.

Whence comes this rose, this ruddy colour strange?
What blushes new the wondering water change?
Mark, mark, gay guests, a present Deity!
The conscious water blush'd its God to see. A.

XCVII.

_Absenti Centurionis filio Dominus absens medetur._ Matt. viii. 13.

Quam tacitis inopina salus illabitur alis!
Alis quas illi vox tua, Christe, dedit.
Quam longas vox ista manus habet! haec medicina
Absens et praesens haec medicina fuit.

_The Lord at a distance heals the absent servant of the Centurion._

Safety unlook'd-for! silent 'light the wings
Wherewith Thy voice, O Christ, swift-healing brings:
Far-reaching hand Thy word has, and Thou healest
Absent and present, even as Thou willest. G.

XCVIII.

_Quid timidi estis?_ Marc. iv. 40.

Tanquam illi insanus faceret sua fulmina ventus;
Tanquam illi scopulos norit habere fretum.
Vos vestri scopuli, vos estis ventus et unda:
Naufragium cum illo qui metuit, meruit.

_Why are ye so fearful?_

As if to Him the winds their thunder threw;
As if to Him hard rocks the water knew.
Ye are your rocks, ye are your wind and wave:
Shiprack with Him who fear, deserve to have. B.

XCIX.

_Nunc dimittis._ Luc. ii. 29.

Ite mei, quid enim ulterius, quid vultis, ocelli?
Leniter obductis ite superciliis.
Immo et adhuc et adhuc, iterumque iterumque videte;
Accipite haec totis lumina luminibus.
Jamque ite; et tutis o vos bene claudite vallis:
Servate haec totis lumina luminibus.
Primum est, quod potui te, Christe, videre: secundum,
Te viso, recta jam potuisse mori.[61]

_Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace._

Begone, mine eyes; what would ye see beside?
Go now in peace 'neath darkening brows to hide.
Once and again, and yet again; behold;
With one long gaze His beams in yours enfold.
Then go, and guard your treasure safe from foes,
And fast in yours those beams of His enclose.
To look on Thee, O Christ, this first have I;
Then, having look'd on Thee, straightway to die. CL.

C.

_In segetem sacram._ Matt. xiii. 24.

Ecce suam implorat, demisso vertice, falcem:
Tu segeti falcem da, Pater alme, suam.
Tu falcem non das? messem tu, Christe, moraris?
Hoc ipsum falx est; haec mora messis erit.

_Good seed in the field._

Its sickle it implores with head bow'd low;
Its sickle on the corn-field, Lord, bestow.
Refusest Thou? The harvest dost delay?
The sickle this--hence fuller harvest-day. G.

CI.

_Coepit lacrymis rigare pedes ejus, et capillis extergebat._ Luc. vii. 37.

Unda sacras sordes lambit placidissima: flavae
Lambit et hanc undam lucida flamma comae.
Illa per has sordes it purior unda; simulque
Ille per has lucet purior ignis aquas.

_She began to wash His feet with teares, and wipe them with the haires of her head._

Her eyes' flood lickes His feets' faire staine;
Her hair's flame lickes up that againe.
This flame thus quencht hath brighter beames;
This flood thus stained fairer streames. CR.

ANOTHER RENDERING.

With placid force the gentle wave
That consecrated dust doth lave,
And a bright flame of golden hair
Doth lave in light those waters fair.
Purer the trickling waters shine
Through contact with that dust divine;
And purer through the waters' flow
That flame of lucent fire doth glow. CL.

CII.

_Quid vis tibi faciam?_ Luc. xviii. 41.

Quid volo, Christe, rogas? quippe ah volo, Christe, videre:
Quippe ad te, dulcis Christe, videre volo.
At video, fideique oculis te nunc quoque figo:
Est mihi, quae nunquam est non oculata, fides.
Sed quamvis videam, tamen ah volo, Christe, videre:
Sed quoniam video, Christe, videre volo.

_What seekest that I do to thee?_

Askest, O Christ, my wish? My Christ I wish to see:
To see Thee, O my sweet Christ, to see Thee.
But, lo, I see; for now on Thee I fix faith's eye,
And gazing so, dimness and darkness fly.
But though I see, yet, ah, my Christ I wish to see;
And since I see, O Christ, I would see Thee. G.

CIII.

_Christus mulieri Canaaneae difficilior._ Matt. xv. 21.

Ut pretium facias dono, donare recusas:
Usque rogat supplex, tutamen usque negas.
Hoc etiam donare fuit, donare negare.
Saepe dedit quisquis saepe negata dedit.

_The silence of Christ to the woman of Canaan._

That He a gift more precious might bestow,
While she implor'd, discouragements He used.
This was to give thus not to give; for, lo,
He giveth oft who gives what's oft refused.[62] G.

CIV.

_Beatus venter et ubera, &c._ Luc. ii. 27.

Et quid si biberet Jesus vel ab ubere vestro?
Quid facit ad vestram, quod bibit ille, sitim?
Ubera mox sua et hic, o quam non lactea! pandet;
E nato mater tum bibet ipsa suo.

_Blessed be the paps which Thou hast sucked._

Suppose He had been tabled at thy teates,
Thy hunger feeles not what He eates:
He'l have His teat ere long--a bloody one;
The mother then must suck the Son. CR.

CV.

_In Christum vitem._ Joan. xv. 1.

Ulmum vitis amat, quippe est et in arbore flamma,
Quam fovet in viridi pectore blandus amor:
Illam ex arboribus cunctis tu, vitis, amasti;
Illam, quaecunque est, quae crucis arbor erat.

_Christ the true Vine (including the branches)._

The vine clings lovingly unto the elm;
Love's flame draws thus a tree within its realm:
But most, O vine, thou lov'st, whate'er its name,
That tree from which the cross of Calvary came. G.

CVI.

_Vos flebitis et lamentabimini._ Joan. xvi. 20.

Ergo mihi salvete mei, mea gaudia, luctus:
Quam charum, o Deus, est hoc mihi flere meum!
Flerem, ni flerem: solus tu, dulcis Jesu,
Laetitiam donas tunc quoque quando negas.

_Verily I say unto you, Yee shall weep and lament._

Welcome, my griefe, my joy; how deare's
To me my legacy of teares!
I'll weepe and weepe, and will therefore
Weepe 'cause I can weepe no more.
Thou, Thou, deare Lord, even Thou alone,
Giv'st joy, even when Thou givest none. CR.

CVII.

_In gregem Christi Pastoris._ Joan. x. 11.

O grex, o nimium tanto Pastore beatus;
O ubi sunt tanto pascua digna grege?
Ne non digna forent tanto grege pascua, Christus
Ipse suo est Pastor, pascuum et ipse gregi.

_Christ the good Shepherd._

O flock, O too much in thy Sheepherd blest,
Where are fields worthy thee to feed and rest?
Lest worthy pastures nowhere should be found,
Christ is to thee the Sheepherd and the ground. B.

ANOTHER VERSION.

O flock, in your great Shepherd all too blest,
Where shall fit pasturage be found for you?
That His fair flock may ne'er want food or rest,
Christ is the Pastor and the pasture too. CL.

CVIII.

_In vulnera pendentis Domini._ Matt. xxviii. 26-53.

Sive oculos, sive ora vocem tua vulnera; certe
Undique sunt ora, heu, undique sunt oculi.
Ecce ora, o nimium roseis florentia labris!
Ecce oculi, saevis ah madidi lacrymis!
Magdala, quae lacrymas solita es, quae basia sacro
Ferre pedi, sacro de pede sume vices.
Ora pedi sua sunt, tua quo tibi basia reddat:
Quo reddat lacrymas scilicet est oculus.[63]

_On the wounds of the crucified Lord._

Thy wounds, O Lord, are mouths and eyes--
Let not the strange words breed surprise:
Where'er I look, wounds seem to speak;
Where'er I look, wounds in tears break;
Mouths with ruddy lips disparted,
Eyes as of the broken-hearted.
Thou, Mary, on His sacred feet
Rainedst thy tears and kisses sweet.
Now retake thy kisses, tears;
Cling thee there, there hush thy fears.
See, mouths and eyes are here also;
Swift they'll pay back thy loving woe. G.

CIX.

_Paralyticus convalescens._ Marc. ii. 1-13.

Christum, quod misero facilis peccata remittit,
Scribae blasphemum dicere non dubitant.
Hoc scelus ut primum Paralyticus audiit: ira
Impatiens, lectum sustulit atque abiit.

_The paralytic healed._

The Scribes audaciously blaspheme the Lord,
That He a poor man pardon'd with a word.
The Paralytic hears all that they say;
Indignant takes his bed, and walks away. G.

CX.

_Tunc sustulerunt lapides._ Joan. viii. 59.

Saxa? illi? quid tam foedi voluere furores?
Quid sibi de saxis hi voluere suis?
Indolem, et antiqui agnosco vestigia patris:
Panem de saxis hi voluere suis.

_Then took they up stones._

'They took up stones:' What meant they by such rage?
What wanted they with them? Their meaning's plain:
'Tis their old father's way--O sad presage!
He too took up the stones for bread amain.[64] G.

CXI.

_In resurrectionem Domini._ Matt. xxviii. 6.

Nasceris, en, tecumque tuus, Rex auree, mundus,
Tecum[65] virgineo nascitur e tumulo.
Tecum in natales properat natura secundos,
Atque novam vitam te novus orbis habet.
Ex vita, Sol alme, tua vitam omnia sumunt:
Nil certe, nisi mors, cogitur inde mori.
At certe neque mors: nempe ut queat illa sepulchro,
Christe, tuo condi, mors volet ipsa mori.

_On the Resurrection of the Lord._

Thou'rt born, and, lo, bright King, Thy world is born,
Is born with Thee from virgin tomb this morn.
Hastes Nature to its second day of birth,
And a new life in Thee crowns a new earth.
Dear Sun, from Thy life all things draw life's breath;
Nought thence is forced to die, save only Death.
Nor is Death forced--since in Thy grave to lie,
Death will itself, O Christ, be glad to die. R. WI.

CXII.

_Aliqui vero dubitabant._ Matt. xxviii. 17.

Scilicet et tellus dubitat,[66] tremebunda: sed ipsum hoc,
Quod tellus dubitat, vos dubitare vetat.
Ipsi custodes vobis, si quaeritis, illud
Hoc ipse dicunt,[67] dicere quod nequeunt.

_But some doubted._

Earth, quaking, wavers: if that fact be true,
The wavering earth forbids you waver too.
The very keepers, if their voice you seek,
Though speechless, even by their silence speak. R. WI.

CXIII.

_In vulnerum vestigia quae ostendit Dominus, ad firmandam suorum fidem._ Joan. xx. 20.

His oculis, nec adhuc clausis coiere fenestris,
Invigilans nobis est tuus usus amor.
His oculis nos cernit amor tuus: his et amorem,
Christe, tuum gaudet cernere nostra fides.

_The scars of the wounds which the Lord showed to the strengthening of His disciples' faith._

Thy love these eyes did open;
They're watching for us still:
These eyes, of love the token,
Our faith with love do fill. G.

CXIV.

_Mittit Joannes qui quaerant a Christo, an is sit._ Luc. vii. 19.

Tu qui adeo impatiens properasti agnoscere Christum,
Tunc cum claustra uteri te tenuere tui,
Tu, quis sit Christus, rogitas? et quaeris ab ipso?
Hoc tibi vel mutus dicere quisque potest.[68]

_John sends to Jesus ... saying, Art Thou He that should come? or look we for another?_

And dost _thou_ ask, who in thy mother's womb
So eager wast to hail Messiah come?
Thou ask, and of Himself, if Christ He be?
Why, even the very dumb can answer thee. CL.

CXV.

_In Petrum auricidam._ Joan. xviii. 10.

Quantumcunque ferox tuus hic, Petre, fulminat ensis,
Tu tibi jam pugnas, o bone, non Domino.
Scilicet in miseram furis implacidissimus aurem,
Perfidiae testis ne queat esse tuae.

_On St. Peter cutting off Malchus his eare._

Well, Peter, dost thou wield thy active sword;
Well for thyselfe, I meane, not for thy Lord.
To strike at eares is to take heed there bee
No witnesse, Peter, of thy perjury. CR.

CXVI.

_Manus arefacta sanatur._ Marc. iii. 1-5.

Felix, ergo tuae spectas natalia dextrae,
Quae modo spectanti flebile funus erat!
Quae nec in externos modo dextera profuit usus,
Certe erit illa tuae jam manus et fidei.[69]

_The withered hand healed._

O happy man, thy right-hand's birth beholding,
Erewhile a sad funereal sight enfolding!
The hand of no use, by the word Christ saith,
Restor'd, is now become the hand of faith. G. & B.

CXVII.

_In Pontium male lautum._ Matt. xxvii. 24.

Illa manus lavat unda tuas, vanissime judex:
Ah tamen illa scelus non lavat unda tuum!
Nulla scelus lavet unda tuum: vel si lavet ulla,
O volet ex oculis illa venire tuis.

_To Pontius washing his hands._

Thy hands are washt; but, O, the water's spilt
That labour'd to have washt thy guilt:
The flood, if any can, that can suffice,
Must have its fountaine in thine eyes. CR.

ANOTHER VERSION.

The unjust judge washt his hands at the time:
Ah, but no water can wash out thy crime.
No water washt it out: if any will,
'Tis that which must from thy owne eyes distil. B.

CXVIII.

_In piscem dotatum._ Matt. xvii. 27.

Tu piscem si, Christe, velis, venit ecce, suumque
Fert pretium: tanti est vel periisse tibi.
Christe, foro tibi non opus est; addicere nummos
Non opus est: ipsum se tibi piscis emet.

_The stater-giving fish._

A fish Thou wishest, Lord;
And without e'er a word,
Behold, it swims to Thee,
Fetching its own cost, free.
Thou needest not to go
In markets to and fro;
Nor need'st Thou price to bring--
The fish owns Thee its king. G.

CXIX.

_Ego vici mundum._ Joan. xvi. 33.

Tu contra mundum dux es meus, optime Jesu?
At tu, me miserum! dux meus ipse jaces.
Si tu, dux meus, ipse jaces, spes ulla salutis?
Immo, ni jaceas tu, mihi nulla salus.

_I have overcome the world._

Jesus, my Captain, give me victories!
Alas, Jesus Himself, my Captain, dies.
And if my Captain fall, what hope have I?
No hope at all, unless my Captain die. B.

ANOTHER VERSION.

Art Thou my Chief, best Lord, against the foe?
But Thou, my Chief, me wretched! liest low.
If Thou, my Chief, liest low, what help for me?
Nay, if Thou liest not low, no help can be. A.

CXX.

_In ascensionem Dominicam._ Act. i. 10.

Vadit, io, per aperta sui penetralia coeli:
It coelo, et coelum fundit ab ore novum.
Spargitur ante pedes, et toto sidere pronus
Jam propius solis sol bibit ora sui.
At fratri debere negans sua lumina Phoebe,
Aurea de Phoebo jam meliore redit.
Hos, de te victo, tu das, Pater, ipse triumphos:
Unde triumphares, quis satis alter erat?

_On the ascension of our Lord._

Through open'd depths of His own heaven He soars,
And from His face in heaven a new heaven pours.
Scatter'd before Him down the welkin sinks
The sun, and its own sun's near glory drinks.
Moon unto sun for light no more beholden,
Now from more lustrous sun returns all golden.
These triumphs o'er Thyself Thou grantest, Lord;
Triumphs no other could suffice to 'accord. R. WI.

CXXI.

_In descensum Spiritus Sancti._ Act. ii.

Jam coeli circum tonuit fragor: arma minasque
Turbida cum flammis mista ferebat hiems.
Exclamat Judaeus atrox: Venit ecce nefandis,
Ecce venit meriti fulminis ira memor.
Verum ubi composito sedit fax blandior astro,
Flammaque non laesas lambit amica comas;
Judaeis, fulmen quia falsum apparuit esse,
Hoc ipso verum nomine fulmen erat.

{Ouranou ektypese bromos; polemon kai apeilas
Ege trechon anemos syn phlogi smerdalee.
Auen Ioudaios; miara stygeron ta karena
Ephthase tes orges to prepon ouranies.
Alla galenaio hote keitai hesychon astro
Phlegma, kai abletous leiche philon plokamous,
Hekthambei. hoti gar keinois ouk een alethes,
Nyn eteon dioti tode keraunos een.}

_The descent of the Holy Spirit._

Booms the thunder through the sky,
Flash the lightnings, threats the storm;
Cries the Jew with vengeful eye:
See SIN doom'd in fitting form!
But, lo, the lightning, paled to light
Mild and calm as ev'ning's star,
Binds their brows with nimbus bright,
Playing softly i' their hair.
To the Jews it is not lightning,
Yet the more the name's enlightening.[70] G.

CXXII.

_Sic dilexit mundum Deus, ut Filium morti traderet._ Joan. iii. 16.

Ah nimis est, illum nostrae vel tradere vitae:
Guttula quod faceret, cur facit oceanus?
Unde et luxuriare potest, habet hinc mea vita:
Ample et magnifice mors habet unde mori.

_God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son...._

Ah, 'tis too much to give Him for our sake:
A drop might serve, why then an ocean take?
Here may my life expatiate gloriously--
Amply, magnificently, Death may die. R. WI.

CXXIII.

_Juga boum emi._ Luc. xiv. 19.

Ad coenam voco te, domini quod jussa volebant;
Tu mihi, nescio quos, dicis, inepte, boves.
Imo vale, nobis nec digne nec utilis hospes;
Coena tuos, credo, malit habere boves.

_I have bought five yoke of oxen._

I call thee to His Supper,
for so The Master spake:
Thou sayest 'No,' pretending
thou must thy oxen take.
Farewell, O thou unworthy
and wholly useless guest;
Thy oxen for the Supper
in truth were better prest. G.

CXXIV.

_D. Paulum, verbo sanantem claudum, pro Mercurio Lystres adorant._ Act. xiv. 8-18.

Quis Tagus hic, quae Pactoli nova volvitur unda?
Non hominis vox est haec: Deus ille, Deus.
Salve, mortales nimium dignate penates:
Digna Deo soboles, digna tonante Deo.
O salve, quid enim, alme, tuos latuisse volebas?
Te dicit certe vel tua lingua Deum.
Laudem hanc haud miror: meruit facundus haberi,
Qui claudo promptos suasit habere pedes.

_St. Paul, healing the lame man with a word, is worshipped by the Lystrians as Mercury._

What Tagus, what Pactolus here is rolled?
'Tis not man's voice: a God, a God behold.
Hail, too much honour thou to men hast done,
Of Jove, of thundering Jove the worthy son.
Hail, Lord, for why wouldst hide thee from thine own?
A God e'en by thy tongue assuredly art known.
The praise of eloquence for him was meet
Who could persuade the lame to use swift feet. R. WI.

CXXV.

_In S. Columbam ad Christi caput sedentem._

Cui sacra siderea volueris suspenditur ala?
Hunc nive plus niveum cui dabit illa pedem?
Christe, tuo capiti totis se destinat auris,
Qua ludit densae blandior umbra comae.
Illic arcano quid non tibi murmure narrat,
Murmure mortales non imitante sonos?
Sola avis haec nido hoc non est indigna cubare:
Solus nidus hic est hac bene dignus ave.[71]

{Pe tachyergos agei pteryg' asteroessan eretmos?
E tini keina pherei ten poda chioneen?
Christe, tee kephale pasais pterygessin epeigei;
Pe skia toi dasiois paize mala plokamois.
Poia soi arrheto psithyrismati kein' agoreuei?
Arret', ouk eches isa men andromees.
Mouna men hed' ornis kalias est' axia tautes.
Axia d' ornithos mouna men he kalia.}

_To the sacred Dove alighting on the head of Christ._

On whom doth this blest Bird its wings outspread?
Where will it suffer its white feet to rest?
O Jesus, hovering o'er Thy hallow'd head,
Within Thy hair's sweet shade it seeks a nest.
There does it breathe a mystic song to Thee,
A melody unlike all earthly sound:
That Bird alone to this pure nest may flee;
This nest alone worthy the Bird is found. W.

CXXVI.

_In fores divo Petro sponte apertas._ Act. xii. 10.

Quid juvit clausisse fores, bone janitor, istas?
Et Petro claves jam liquet esse suas.
Dices, sponte patent: Petri ergo hoc scilicet ipsum
Est clavis, Petro clave quod haud opus est.

_The doors of the prison self-opening to Peter._

Good jailor, how is this,
These doors thou lockest here?
That Peter has the keys
'Tis now to all men clear.
Thou say'st the doors self-open,
And well thou sayest indeed;
For by this very token
He no other key doth need. G.

CXXVII.

_Murmurabant Pharisaei, dicentes, Recipit peccatores, et comedit cum illis._ Luc. xv. 2.

Ah male, quisquis is est, pereat, qui scilicet istis
Convivam, saevus, non sinit esse suum!
Istis cum Christus conviva adjungitur, istis
O non conviva est Christus, at ipse cibus.[72]

_The Pharisees murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them._

Ah, let him perish in his harsh protests
Who sinners checks to be the Saviour's guests!
Sinners do entertain Christ as a guest:
They spread the table, but He is the feast. G. & B.

CXXVIII.

_In trabem Pharisaicam._ Matt. vii. 3.

Cedant, quae, rerum si quid tenue atque minutum est,
Posse acie certa figere, vitra dabunt.
Artis opus mirae! Pharisaeo en optica trabs est,
Ipsum, vera loquor, qua videt ille nihil.

_On the beam of the Pharisee._

Grant you can fix upon a needle's end
Each smallest object microscopes will lend.
Rare beam to look through has the Pharisee,
Whereby, in sooth, nothing itself sees he! R. WI.

CXXIX.

_Constituerunt ut si quis confiteretur eum esse Christum, synagoga moveretur._ Joan. ix. 22.

Infelix, Christum reus es quicunque colendi;
O reus infelix, quam tua culpa gravis!
Tu summis igitur, summis damnabere coelis:
O reus infelix, quam tua poena gravis!

_They determined that if any man should confess Him to be Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue._

Alas, unhappy, own the Christ thou wilt;
Unhappy culprit, fearful is thy guilt.
The gates of heaven for aye should keep thee close:
Unhappy culprit, fearful are thy woes. A.

CXXX.

_De voto filiorum Zebedaei._ Matt. xx. 20.

Sit tibi, Joannes, tibi sit, Jacobe, quod optas;
Sit tibi dextra manus; sit tibi laeva manus.
Spero alia in coelo est, et non incommoda, sedes;
Si neque laeva manus, si neque dextra manus.
Coeli hanc aut illam nolo mihi quaerere partem;
O coelum, coelum da, Pater alme, mihi.

_Concerning the prayer of the sons of Zebedee._

O brothers twain, may it be yours to fill
At right and left your places as ye will!
A seat remains, I trust--a fair one too--
Besides those high ones that were sought for you.
I pray not that to me some part be given,
But heaven itself, kind Father, grant me heaven. CL.

ANOTHER VERSION.

John and James, take your place at God's command:
One at the right, th' other at the left hand.
I ask not to be placed so, or so:
To heaven, to heaven, good Father, let me go. B.

CXXXI.

_Ad hospites coenae miraculosae quinque panum._ Joan. vi. 9-13.

Vescere pane tuo, sed et, hospes, vescere Christo;
Et panis pani scilicet ille tuo.
Tunc pane hoc Christi recte satur, hospes, abibis,
Panem ipsum Christum si magis esurias.[73]

_To the guests at the miraculous supper of the five loaves._

Feed on thy bread, on Christ too feed, O guest;
With Bread on bread forsooth thou shalt be blest.
Then shalt thou go, with Christ's bread satisfied,
If hungering for the living Bread beside. R. WI.

CXXXII.

_De Christi contra mundum pugna._ Joan. xvi. 33.

Tune, miser, tu, mundus ait, mea fulmina contra
Ferre manus, armis cum tibi nuda manus?
I, lictor, manibusque audacibus injice vinc'la:
Injecit lictor vincula, et arma dedit.

_Christ overcoming the world._

O wretched! the world mutters. I do wonder
Thou dar'st lift unarm'd hands against my thunder.
Go, tyrant; put thy chains upon these hands:
'Tis done; and now full-arm'd the prisoner stands. G.

CXXXIII.

_Graeci disputatores divo Paulo mortem machinantur._ Act. ix. 29.

Euge, argumentum! sic disputat: euge, sophista!
Sic pugnum Logices stringere, sic decuit.
Hoc argumentum in causam quid, Graecule, dicit?
Dicit, te in causam dicere posse nihil.[74]

_The Grecian disputants go about to kill St. Paul._

O noble argument, Sophister rare!
Thus Logic's fist to double be your care.
This argument, poor Greek, what does it weigh?
It says that you have nought at all to say. R. WI.

CXXXIV.

_Qui maximus est inter vos, esto sicut qui minimus._ Luc. xxii. 26.

O bone, discipulus Christi vis maximus esse?
At vero fies hac ratione minor.
Hoc sanctae ambitionis iter, mihi crede, tenendum est,
Haec ratio: Tu, ne sis minor, esse velis.

_He that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger._

The greatest of disciples wouldst thou be?
Whoever's so ambitious, less is he.
That thou mai'st not go less, to every one
Submit: this, this is Christ's ambition. B.

CXXXV.

_In lacrymantem Dominum._ Luc. xix. 41.

Vobis, Judaei, vobis haec volvitur unda;
Quae vobis, quoniam spernitis, ignis erit.
Eia faces, Romane, faces! seges illa furoris,
Non nisi ab his undis, ignea messis erit.

_He beheld the city, and wept over it._

For you, O Jews, is roll'd this tearful tide,
Which as a flame shall glow, since ye deride.
Torches, Rome's torches--those wild-waving ears
A fiery crop shall prove, fed by these tears. R. WI.

CXXXVI.

_Christus in Aegypto._ Matt. ii. 19-21.

Hunc tu, Nile, tuis majori flumine monstra;
Hunc, nimis ignotum, dic caput esse tibi.
Jam tibi, Nile, tumes; jam te quoque multus inunda:
Ipse tuae jam sis laetitiae fluvius.

_Christ in Egypt._

With prouder stream, Nile, show Him to thine own;
Call Him thy fountain-head, too little known:
Now swelling for thyself, thyself o'erflow;
And with its own joy let thy current glow. R. WI.

CXXXVII.

_In caecos Christum confitentes, Pharisaeos abnegantes._ Matt. ix. 27-31.

Ne mihi tu, Pharisaee ferox, tua lumina jactes:
En caecus! Christum caecus at ille videt.
Tu, Pharisaee, nequis in Christo cernere Christum:
Ille videt caecus; caecus es ipse videns.[75]

_The blind confessing Christ, the Pharisees denying._

Cast not thine eyes on me, proud Pharisee,
Lo, this blind man, though blind, yet Christ can see.
Thou, Pharisee, canst not in Christ Christ find;
The blind man sees Him, and the seer's blind. G. & B.

CXXXVIII.

_Si quis pone me veniet, tollat crucem et sequatur me._ Matt. xvi. 24.

Ergo sequor, sequor, en, quippe et mihi crux mea, Christe, est:
Parva quidem; sed quam non satis, ecce, rego.
Non rego? non parvam hanc? ideo neque parva putanda est.
Crux magna est, parvam non bene ferre crucem.

_If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me._

Therefore I follow, lo, I follow on;
My cross is with me, yet not rightly worn.
It little is compar'd with Thine, I own;
Yet little is not being wrongly borne. G.

CXXXIX.

_Relictis omnibus sequutus est eum._ Luc. v. 28.

Quas Matthaeus opes, ad Christi jussa, reliquit;
Tum primum vere coepit habere suas.[76]
Iste malarum est usus opum bonus, unicus iste;
Esse malas homini, quas bene perdat, opes.

_And he left all ... and followed Him._

To be rich, truly rich, Matthew did take
The right way, when he left all for Christ's sake.
This is the one good use of ill-got wealth;
For ill-got 'tis which, leaving, bringeth health. B. & G.

CXL.

_Aedificatis sepulchra Prophetarum._ Matt. xxiii. 29.

Sanctorum in tumulis quid vult labor ille colendis?
Sanctorum mortem non sinit ille mori.
Vane, Prophetarum quot ponis saxa sepulchris,
Tot testes lapidum, queis periere, facis.

_Ye build the sepulchres of the Prophets._

Thou trim'st a Prophet's tombe, and dost bequeath
The life thou took'st from him unto his death.
Vain man! the stones that on his tombe doe lye
Keepe but the score[77] of them that made him dye. CR.

ANOTHER VERSION.

What means this labour on the tombs of saints,
Causing their holy memory be cherish'd?
Vain men! each stone which consecrates their plaints
Doth tell us of the stones by which they perish'd. G.

CXLI.

_In manum aridam qua Christo mota est miseratio._ Marc. iii. 3-5.

Prende, miser, Christum; et cum Christo prende salutem:
At manca est, dices, dextera: prende tamen.
Ipsum hoc, in Christum, manus est: hoc prendere Christum est,
Qua Christum prendas, non habuisse manum.

_The man with the withered hand, who excited Christ's compassion._

Take hold of Christ, O wretched one,
And with Christ take salvation.
But thy right hand, thou say'st, is dead;
Yet take thee hold: His word is said.
Take hold of Christ e'en without hand;
Then safe in Christ, and well, thou'lt stand:
Take hold of Christ in simple faith;
This will be hand to thee, He saith. G.

CXLII.

_Ad D. Lucam medicum._ Coloss. iv. 14.

Nulla mihi, Luca, de te medicamina posco,
Ipse licet medicus sis, licet aeger ego:
Quippe ego in exemplum fidei dum te mihi pono,
Tu, medice, ipse mihi es tu medicina mea.

{Ouden ego, Louka, para sou moi pharmakon aito,
Kan sy d' iatros ees, kan men ego noseros.
All' en hoso paradeigma peleis moi pistios, autos,
Autos iatros emoi g' essi akestorie.}

_Luke the beloved physician._

No medicine of thee, O Luke, I seek,
Though thou art a physician, and I sick:
Th' example of thy faith before my eyen,
To me, physician, is the medicine. B.

ANOTHER VERSION.

_To St. Luke as a physician._

No medicine will I crave, Saint Luke, of thee,
Though I be sick, though thou physician be:
Pattern of faith, I plant thee in my soul,
And thou thyself the medicine makest me whole. A.

CXLIII.

_Hydropicus sanatus, Christum jam sitiens._ Luc. xiv. 4.

Pellitur inde sitis, sed et hinc sitis altera surgit;
Hinc sitit ille magis, quo sitit inde minus.
Felix o, et mortem poterit qui temnere morbus;
Cui vitae ex ipso fonte sititur aqua.

_The dropsical man thirsting now for Christ._

Thy dropsy's quench'd, but other thirst now rises,
Which craves the more, the less the former thirsts.
O happy malady, which death despises:
Thirst for the stream which from life's fountain bursts. G.

CXLIV.

_In coetum coelestem omnium Sanctorum._

Felices animae, quas coelo debita virtus
Jam potuit vestris inseruisse polis:
Hoc dedit egregii non parcus sanguinis usus,
Spesque per obstantes expatiata vias.
O ver, o longae semper seges aurea lucis;
Nocte nec alterna dimidiata dies;
O quae palma manu ridet, quae fronte corona;
O nix virgineae non temeranda togae;
Pacis inocciduae vos illic ora videtis;
Vos Agni dulcis lumina; vos--quid ago?

_To the assembly of all the Saints._

Thrice-happy souls, to whom the prize is given,
Whom faith and truth have lifted into heaven:
Gift of the heavenly Martyrs' dying breath,
Gift of a Faith that burst the gates of Death.
O Spring, O golden harvest of glad light;
Sweet day, whose beauty never fades in night;
The palm blooms in each hand, the garland on each brow,
The raiment glitters in its undimm'd snow;
The regions of unfading peace ye see,
And the meek brightness of the Lamb: how different from me![78] W.

ANOTHER VERSION.

Thrice-happy, happy souls, to you heaven's debt
Is paid; you in your heavenly spheres are set.
Whence this to you? ah, noble blood ye shed,
And your strong faith the strong world buffeted.
O ever-ripening harvest of long light;
O Spring, O day not halved with lingering night;
O hands with laughing palms, O crowned brows;
O spotless robes, whiter than virgin snows!
The beauteous eyes of fadeless Peace ye see--
The eyes of the sweet Lamb; yea--woe is me! A.

CXLV.

_Christus absenti medetur._ Matt. viii. 13.

Vox jam missa suas potuit jam tangere metas?
O superi, non hoc ire sed isse fuit.
Mirac'lum fuit ipsa salus, bene credere possis,
Ipsum, mirac'lum est, quando salutis iter.

_Christ heals in absence._

Came, then, His voice with power, Himself unseen?
Heavens! this, though not to go, was to have been.
The cure miraculous we can credit well,
When the mere going was a miracle. CL.

CXLVI.

_Caecus natus._ Joan. ix. 1, 2.

Felix, qui potuit tantae post nubila noctis,
O dignum tanta nocte, videre diem:
Felix ille oculus, felix utrinque putandus,
Quod videt, et primum quod videt ille Deum.

_The man born blind._

Happy the man who was endu'd with sight,
And saw a day well worth so long a night:
Happy the eye, twice happy is the eye,
That sees, and at first look, a Deity. B.

ANOTHER VERSION.

Thrice-happy eye, that after such dark night--
Day worthy night so dark--couldst see the light:
O happy eye, eye thrice and four times blest,
At once to ope, and upon God to rest. A.

CXLVII.

_Et ridebant illum._ Matt. ix. 24.

Luctibus in tantis, Christum ridere vacabat?
Vanior iste fuit risus, an iste dolor?
Luctibus in tantis hic vester risus inepti,
Credite mi, meruit maximus esse dolor.

_And they laughed at Him._

Laughter at Christ the Saviour--
Laughter 'mid falling tears!
O, which show'd greater folly,
Vain laughter or vain fears?
Such laughter 'mid such sorrow,
O fools, ye may believe:
Such laughter in such Presence
Gave greatest cause to grieve. G.

CXLVIII.

_In sapientiam seculi._ Matt. xi. 25.

Noli altum sapere, hoc veteres voluere magistri,
Ne retrahat lassos alta ruina gradus.
Immo mihi dico, Noli sapuisse profundum:
Non ego ad infernum me sapuisse velim.

_The wisdom of the world._

'Aim not at things too high,' 'twas said of old,
'Lest ruin thence o'ertake thee, over-bold.'
For me to dive too deep I think not well:
I would not have my knowledge deep as hell. CL.

CXLIX.

_In stabulum ubi natus est Dominus._

Illa domus stabulum? non est, Puer auree, non est:
Illa domus, qua tu nasceris, est stabulum?
Illa domus toto domus est pulcherrima mundo;
Vix coelo dici vult minor illa tuo.[79]
Cernis ut illa suo passim domus ardeat auro?
Cernis ut effusis rideat illa rosis?
Sive aurum non est, nec quae rosa rideat illic;
Ex oculis facile est esse probare tuis.

{Oikos hod' est' aule? ou me. teos oikos, Iesou,
En th' o ty tikte aulion ou peletai.
Oikon men panton mala de kallistos ekeinos;
Ouranou oude teou mikroteros peletai.
Enide keino neo dom' empyrizeto chryso,
Enide keino neois doma rhodoisi gela.
En rhodon ouchi gela, en oude te chrysos ekeithen;
Ek sou d' ophthalmon estin elenchemenai.}

_On the stable where our Lord was born._

That house a stable? nay, bright Infant, nay:
Where Thou art born--a stable do we say?
Of mansions in this world fairest of all,
That house but little less than heaven we call.
Seest thou that house with golden splendour flush?
Seest thou that house with scatter'd roses blush?
There is no gold, no rose there laughing lies:
It is the light that falls from His fair eyes. A.

CL.

_S. Stephanus amicis suis, funus sibi curantibus._ Act. vii. 57-60.

Nulla, precor, busto surgant mihi marmora: bustum
Haec mihi sint mortis conscia saxa meae.
Sic nec opus fuerit, notet ut quis carmine bustum,
Pro Domino, dicens, occidit ille suo.
Hic mihi sit tumulus, quem mors dedit ipsa; meique
Ipse hic martyrii sit mihi martyrium.

_St. Stephen to his friends, to raise no monument._

I pray you, raise, my friends, no tomb for me,
But let these conscious stones my record be;
Nor will there then be need of verse to tell
That here for his dear Lord a martyr fell.
That which brought death, a tomb shall also bring,
And be the witness of my witnessing. CL.

CLI.

_In D. Joannem, quem Domitianus ferventi oleo illaesum indidit._

Illum qui, toto currens vaga flammula mundo,
Non quidem Joannes, ipse sed audit amor--
Illum ignem extingui, bone Domitiane, laboras?
Hoc non est oleum, Domitiane, dare.[80]

_On St. John, whom Domitian cast into a caldron of boiling oil, he unhurt._

That fire--which o'er the world a wandering flame,
Bears not the name of John, but Love's own name--
To quench, my good Domitian, dost thou toil?
Fire scarce is quench'd, methinks, by adding oil. CL.

CLII.

_In tenellos martyres._

Ah, qui tam propero cecidit sic funere, vitae
Hoc habuit tantum, possit ut ille mori.
At cujus Deus est sic usus funere, mortis
Hoc tantum, ut possit vivere semper, habet.

_The infant-martyrs._

Fallen, alas, in life's most tender dawn,
With only so much life as die they may.
But they 'gainst whom Death's arrows thus are drawn,
Only taste death that they may live for aye. G.

CLIII.