These drops being temper'd with a sinner's tears, Was ever grief like mine? Yet my Disciples sleep: I cannot gain One houre of watching; but their drowsie brain Was ever grief like mine? Arise, arise; they come. Look how they runne! Alas! what haste they make to be undone ! With clubs and staves they seek me, as a thief, Judas, dost thou betray me with a kisse? Was ever grief like mine? See, they lay hold on me, not with the hands All my Disciples flie; fear puts a barre Betwixt my friends and me. They leave the starre, That brought the wise men of the East from farre : Was ever grief like mine? Then from one ruler to another bound They leade me urging, that it was not found What I taught: Comments would the text confound. The Priests and rulers all false witnesse seek Then they accuse me of great blasphemie, Who never thought that any robberie : Was ever grief like mine? Some said, that I the Temple to the floore In three days raz'd, and raised as before. Why, he that built the world can do much more: Then they condemne me all with that same breath, Was ever grief like mine? They binde, and leade me unto Herod: he Was ever grief like mine? Herod and all his bands do set me light, And onely am the Lord of hosts and might. Was ever grief like mine? Herod in judgment sits, while I do stand; Was ever grief like mine? The Jews accuse me with despitefulnesse ; I answer nothing, but with patience prove My silence rather doth augment their crie; Was ever grief like mine? Hark how they cry aloud still, Crucifie: Was ever grief like mine? Pilate a stranger holdeth off; but they, Was ever grief like mine? Yet still they shout, and crie, and stop their eares, See how spite cankers things. These words aright They choose a murderer, and all agree For it was their own cause who killed me : Was ever grief like mine? And a seditious murderer he was: But I the Prince of Peace; peace that doth passe All understanding, more than heav'n doth glasse: Was ever grief like mine? Why, Cesar is their onely king, not I: He clave the stonie rock, when they were drie; But surely not their hearts, as I will trie : Was ever grief like mine? Ah! how they scourge me! yet my tendernesse They buffet me, and box me as they list, Behold, they spit on me in scornfull wise; Was ever grief like mine? 76 My face they cover, though it be divine. Lest on their double-dark souls either shine: Servants and abjects flout me; they are wittie : So they in me denie themselves all pitie : Was ever grief like mine? And now I am deliver'd unto death, Which each one cals for so with utmost breath, That he before me well-nigh suffereth : Was ever grief like mine? Weep not, deare friends, since I for both have wept The souldiers lead me to the common hall; Then with a scarlet robe they me aray; Was ever grief like mine? Then on my head a crown of thorns I wear; |