Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Edward Farr, ed. Select Poetry of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1845.

Christ’s Mercy

XXXV. Augustine Taylor

I ROSE more earely to prepare thy way,

For I saw sun-rise before he saw day:

I’ll bring thee home, adorn’d with better things,

The power and honor of all earthly kings;

And, let their powers together lincked bee,

All cannot make one worthy t’ waite on thee.

I spent my dayes in sorrow for thy good,

I sayl’d to th’ cradle in teares, to the graue in blood;

And more than this I was content to doo.

My middle time had mickle sorrowes too;

I liu’d releeuing poore, healing and feeding,

I wipt those eyes that wept, wounds that were bleeding;

I cur’d and cur’d for all that were in woe;

None can complaine that they away did goe

Without a pardon for the greatest transgression;

All those that brought repentance found compassion.

I haue been thine, thine both in word and deede;

My tongue did preach and pray, my flesh did bleede;

From my fresh wounds the smallest drop that fell

Is price sufficient to saue Israell.