Edward Farr, ed. Select Poetry of the Reign of King James the First. 1847. Christ’s Mercy XXXV. Augustine Taylor
I ROSE 1 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, 5 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; 10 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; 15 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. 20
Note 1. back ]
