The Complete Works of Richard Crashaw Volume II Part 25

_Nisi digitum immisero, &c._ Joan. xx. 25.

Impius ergo iterum clavos? iterum impius hastam?

Et totum digitus triste revolvet opus?

Tune igitur Christum, Thoma, quo vivere credas, In Christum faceres, ah truculente! mori?

CHRIST TO THOMAS.

_Except I shall put my finger, &c._

Thy impious finger, would it, then, re-borrow The nails, the spear, each circ.u.mstance of sorrow?

That on a living Christ thou mayst rely, Cruel, wouldst thou thy Christ re-crucify? G.

Lx.x.xIX.

_Ad Judaeos mactatores S. Stephani._ Act. vi. 9-12.

Quid datis, ah miseri! saxis nolentibus iras?

Quid nimis in tragic.u.m praecipitatis opus?

In mortem Stephani se dant invita: sed illi Occiso faciunt sponte sua tumulum.

_To the Jews stoning St. Stephen._

Wretches, do ye put rage into cold stones?

Why rush so eagerly to work so vile?

Your stones unwilling add to Stephen's moans, But gladly heap a tomb for him the while. G.

XC.

_Sancto Joanni dilecto discipulo._

Tu fruere, augustoque sinu caput abde, quod o tum Nollet in aeterna se posuisse rosa.

Tu fruere; et sacro dum te sic pectore portat, O sat erit tergo me potuisse vehi.

_To St. John the beloved disciple._

Upon His breast thy happy head reposes, Nor would that pillow change for Heaven's own roses: While thus His bosom bears up happy thee, To press His shoulders were enough for me. G.

XCI.

_In lactentes martyres._ Matt. ii. 16, 17.

Vulnera natorum qui vidit et ubera matrum, Per pueros fluviis, ah! simul ire suis: Sic pueros quisquis vidit, dubitavit an illos Lilia coelorum diceret, anne rosas.

_Upon the infant martyrs._

To see both blended in one flood, The mothers' milk, the childrens' blood, Makes me doubt if Heaven will gather Roses hence, or lillies rather. CR.

ANOTHER RENDERING.

Who saw the infants' blood and milk of mother Flowing, alas, in a commingl'd tide, Doubtingly ask'd, and gaz'd from one to other, Whether Heav'n's rose or lily they espy'd. G.

XCII.

_Deus n.o.bisc.u.m._ Matt. i. 23.

n.o.bisc.u.m Deus est? vestrum hoc est, hei mihi! vestrum: Vobisc.u.m Deus est, o asini atque boves.

n.o.bisc.u.m non est; nam nos domus aurea sumit: n.o.bisc.u.m Deus est, et jacet in stabulo?

Hoc igitur nostrum ut fiat, dulcissime Jesu, Nos dandi stabulis, vel tibi danda domus.

_G.o.d with us._

Is G.o.d with us? Woe's me, G.o.d is with you, ye beasts, I see.

G.o.d is with you, ye beasts; G.o.d comes not to our golden feasts.

That G.o.d may be with us, We must provide a lowly house.

G.o.d comes to the humble manger, While to the great house a stranger. G.

XCIII.

_Christus circ.u.mcisus ad Patrem._

Has en primitias nostrae, Pater, accipe mortis; Vitam ex quo sumpsi, vivere dedidici.

Ira, Pater, tua de pluvia gustaverit ista: Olim ibit fluviis hoc latus omne suis.

Tunc sitiat licet et sitiat, bibet et bibet usque: Tunc poterit toto fonte superba frui.

Nunc hastae interea possit praeludere culter: Indolis in poenas spes erit ista meae.[59]

XCIV.

_In Epiphaniam Domini._ Matt. ii. 2.

Non solita contenta dies face lucis Eoae, Ecce micat radiis caesariata novis.

Persa sagax, propera: discurre per ardua regum Tecta, per auratas marmoreasque domus: Quaere o, quae intepuit Reginae purpura partu; Principe vagitu quae domus insonuit.

Audin' Persa sagax? Qui tanta negotia coelo Fecit, Bethlemiis vagiit in stabulis.

_The Epiphany of our Lord._

Scorning her wonted herald, lo, the Day Now decks her forehead with a brighter ray.

Sage Persian, haste; ask where high roofs unfold Their royal wealth of marble and of gold; In what rich couch an Empress-mother lies; What halls have heard a new-born Prince's cries.

Wouldst know, sage Persian? He for whom Heaven keeps Such festival, in Bethlehem's manger weeps. CL.

XCV.