THE CHURCH. SUPERLIMINARE. THOU, whom the former precepts have Avoid profaneness; come not here : THE ALTAR. A BROKEN ALTAR, Lord, thy servant rears, Is such a stone, That, if I chance to hold my peace, These stones to praise thee may not cease. O let thy blessed SACRIFICE be mine, And sanctify this ALTAR to be thine. THE SACRIFICE. O all The Princes of my people make a head Without me each one, who doth now me brave, Was ever grief like mine? Mine own Apostle, who the bag did bear, Was ever grief like mine? For thirty pence he did my death devise, Not half so sweet as my sweet sacrifice : Was ever grief like mine? Therefore my soul melts, and my heart's dear treasure Drops blood (the only beads) my words to measure: O let this cup pass, if it be thy pleasure: Was ever grief like mine? L These drops being temper'd with a sinner's tears, Curing all wounds, but mine; all, but my fears. Was ever grief like mine? Yet my Disciples sleep: I cannot gain Arise, arise, they come! Look how they run! With clubs and staves they seek me, as a thief, Judas, dost thou betray me with a kiss? Was ever grief like mine? See, they lay hold on me, not with the hands All my Disciples fly; fear puts a bar Betwixt my friends and me. They leave the star, That brought the wise men of the East from far: Was ever grief like mine? Then from one ruler to another bound They lead me urging, that it was not sound Comments would the text confound. The Priests and Rulers all false witness seek Was ever grief like mine? Then they accuse me of great blasphemy, Who never thought that any robbery Was ever grief like mine? Some said, that I the Temple to the floor In three days razed, and raised as before. Was ever grief like mine? Then they condemn me all with that same breath, Thus Adam my first breathing rendereth : Was ever grief like mine? They bind, and lead me unto Herod he Was ever grief like mine? Herod and all his bands do set me light, Was ever grief like mine? Herod in judgment sits, while I do stand; Was ever grief like mine? The Jews accuse me with despitefulness; Was ever grief like mine? I answer nothing, but with patience prove Was ever grief like mine? My silence rather doth augment their cry; Was ever grief like mine? Hark how they cry aloud still, Crucify: Was ever grief like mine? Pilate a stranger holdeth off; but they, With noises confused frighting the day: Was ever grief like mine? Yet still they shout, and cry, and stop their ears, And therefore with my blood on them and theirs : |