The Jews accuse Me with despitefulness; Was ever grief like Mine? I answer nothing, but with patience prove 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, Was ever grief like Mine? Yet still they shout, and cry, and stop their ears, See how spite cankers things. These words aright Used, and wished, are the whole world's delight: But honey is their gall, brightness their night: Was ever grief like Mine? They choose a murderer, and all agree In him to do themselves a courtesy ; 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 pass All understanding, more than heaven doth glass: Was ever grief like Mine? Why, Cæsar is their only King, not I: Ah, how they scourge Me! yet My tenderness Doubles each lash. and yet their bitterness Winds up My grief to a mysteriousness: Was ever grief like Mine? They buffet Me, and box Me as they list, Behold, they spit on Me in scornful wise; Was ever grief like Mine? My face they cover, though it be divine. Lest on their double-dark souls either shine: Was ever grief like Mine? Servants and abjects flout Me; they are witty: Was ever grief like Mine? And now I am delivered unto death, Which each one calls for so with utmost breath, Was ever grief like Mine? Weep not, dear friends, since I for both have wept, When all My tears were blood, the while you slept: Your tears for your own fortunes should be kept: Was ever grief like Mine? The soldiers lead Me to the common hall; Then with a scarlet robe they Me array; Was ever grief like Mine? Then on My head a crown of thorns I wear; So sits the earth's great curse in Adam's fall From the earth unto My brows, and bear the thrall: Then with the reed they gave to Me before, Was ever grief like Mine? They bow their knees to Me, and cry, Hail, King: I am the floor, the sink, where they it fling: Yet since man's sceptres are as frail as reeds, And thorny all their crowns, bloody their weeds; I, who am Truth, turn into truth their deeds: Was ever grief like Mine? The soldiers also spit upon that face Thus trimmed forth they bring Me to the rout, Who Crucify Him, cry with one strong shout. God holds His peace at man, and man cries out: Was ever grief like Mine? They lead Me in once more, and putting then And now weary of sport, glad to engross Was ever grief like Mine? My cross I bear Myself, until I faint: Was ever grief like Mine ? O all ye who pass by, behold and see: Was ever grief like Mine? Lo, here I hang, charged with a world of sin, Was ever grief like Mine? Such sorrow, as if sinful man could feel, But, O My God, My God! why leav'st Thou Me, Never was grief like Mine. Shame tears My soul, My body many a wound ; Sharp nails pierce this, but sharper that confound; Reproaches, which are free, while I am bound : Was ever grief like Mine? Now heal Thyself, Physician; now come down. And Father's smile for you, to feel His frown : Was ever grief like Mine? |