The Complete Works of Richard Crashaw Volume II Part 23

LXXVI.

_Beati oculi qui vident._ Luc. x. 23.

c.u.m Christus nostris ibat mitissimus oris, Atque novum caecos jussit habere diem, Felices, oculos qui tunc habuere, vocantur?

Felices, et qui non habuere, voco.

_Blessed are the eyes which see._

When Christ with us on Earth did sympathize, And to the poor blind men restor'd their eyes, Happy they who had eyes. Not they alone; I call them also happy who had none. B.

ANOTHER VERSION.

When Christ on earth moved on His pitying way, And bade the blind look up and find new day, Was eyesight then such bliss to every one?

Yet I will deem them happy who had none. G.

LXXVII.

_Filius e feretro matri redditur._ Luc. vii. 15.

Ergone tam subita potuit vice flebilis horror In natalitia candidus ire toga?

Quos vidi, matris gemitus hos esse dolentis Credideram; gemitus parturientis erant.

_Her son is delivered to his mother from the bier._

With such quick change could tear-bedew'd Dismay Give birthday smiles, and walk in white array?

Heard I bereaved mother's wailings wild?

No; the blest cries of one who bears a child! R. WI.

LXXVIII.

_In seculi sapientes._ Matt. xi. 25.

Ergone delicias facit, et sibi plaudit ab alto Stult.i.tia, ut velit hac ambitione peti?

Difficilisne adeo facta est, et seria tandem?

Ergo et in hanc etiam quis sapuisse potest?

Tantum erat, ut possit tibi doctior esse ruina?

Tanti igitur cerebri res, periisse, fuit?

Nil opus ingenio; nihil hac opus arte furoris: Simplicius poteris scilicet esse miser.

_On the wise of this world._

With such complacent joys is Folly fraught, That with this trouble she must needs be sought?

So difficult and grave is she turn'd now, Can any one for her be wise enow?

Must Ruin to be deeper taught aspire?

To perish, does it so much brain require?

Genius and skill in madness who would see?

Forsooth, more simply you may wretched be! R. WI.

LXXIX.

_In Judaeos Christum praecipitare conantes._ Luc. iv. 29.

Dicite, quae tanta est sceleris fiducia vestri, Quod nequiit daemon, id voluisse scelus?

Quod nequiit daemon scelus, id voluisse patrare: Hoc tentare ipsum daemona, credo, fuit.

_The Jews seeking to cast Christ headlong from a precipice._

What daring leads you on, unG.o.dly crew, To that which ev'n the Devil durst not do?

Ye dare what he dares not? If truth be told, Ye tempt the Devil's self to be more bold. G.

Lx.x.x.

_In draconem praecipitem._ Rev. xii. 9.

I, frustra truculente; tuas procul aurea rident Astra minas, coelo jam bene tuta suo.

Tune igitur coelum super ire atque astra parabas?

Ascensu tanto non opus ad barathrum.

_The casting-down of the dragon._

Go, Dragon! the fair stars smile at thy threat, Secure, serene, in native skies a-glow.

Thy throne o'er sky and stars thou fain would'st set; Thou need'st not vault so high to plunge so low. G.

Lx.x.xI.

_Beatae Virgini credenti._ Luc. ii. 19.

Miraris, quid enim faceres? sed et haec quoque credis: Haec uteri credis dulcia monstra tui.

En fidei, Regina, tuae dignissima merces: Fida Dei fueras filia; mater eris.

_The blessed Virgin believing._

Thou wondered'st! how else could'st thou so guarded?

Yet thou believ'dst the mighty coming birth; Queen! thy faith's working is full well rewarded; G.o.d's daughter, thou G.o.d's mother art on earth. G.

Lx.x.xII.

_Licetne Caesari censum dare?_ Marc. xii. 14.

Post tot Scribarum, Christe, in te proelia, tandem Ipse venit Caesar; Caesar in arma venit.

Pugnant terribiles non Caesaris ense, sed ense Caesare: quin Caesar vinceris ipse tamen.

Hoc quoque tu conscribe tuis, Auguste, triumphis.

Sic vinci dignus quis nisi Caesar erat?