Part 11 (1/2)

3 An inn provided with its fare, In clear light a table spread Expectantly, And laden with a double share Of torments rare That the Son of G.o.d, His life-blood shed, Bought on the Tree.

4 Since by the covenant of His death He gave, to give us Paradise, Even His life, Unwavering He rendereth For us His breath, Paying the full required price Free from all strife.

5 His work as man was to enable Our Mother Church thus to console, Innkeeper lowly, And minister at this very table, Most serviceable, Unto every wayfaring soul, With the Father Holy 6 And its Guardian Angel's care.

The soul to her protection given If, weak with sin And yielding almost to despair, It onward fare And to reach this inn have striven, Finds health within.

(_The Guardian Angel comes with the Soul and says:_)

7 _Angel._ Human soul, by G.o.d created Out of nothingness yet wrought As of great price, From corruption separated, Sublimated, To glorious perfection brought By skilled device; 8 Plant that in this valley growest Flowers celestial for to give Of fairest scent, Hence to that high hill thou goest Where thou knowest Even than roses graces thrive More excellent.

9 Plant wayfaring, since thy spirit, Scarce staying, to its first origin Must still begone, Thy true country is to inherit By thy merit That glory that thou mayest win: O hasten on.

10 Soul that art thus trebly blest By such angels' love attended, Sink not asleep, Nor one instant pause nor rest, Thou journeyest On a way that soon is ended If watch thou keep.

11 _Soul._ Guardian angel, o'er me still Keep thy ward that am so frail And of the earth, On all sides thy watch fulfil That nothing kill My true wealth nor e'er prevail O'er its high worth.

12 Ever encompa.s.s me and s.h.i.+eld, For this conflict with great fear Fills all my sense, n.o.ble protector in this field, Lest I should yield, Let thy gleaming sword be near For my defence.

13 Still uphold me and sustain For I fear lest I may stumble, Fail and fall.

_Angel._ Therefore came I, nor in vain, Yet amain Must thou help me too, and humble Resist all: 14 Even all the world's debate Of riches and of vanity, Seek thou for grace, Since pomp and honour, high estate Vainly elate, Are but a stumbling-block to thee, No resting-place.

15 Power uncontrolled is thine, And an independent will Unbound by fate: Even so in His might divine Did G.o.d design That thou in glory mightst fulfil Thy heavenly state.

16 He gave thee understanding pure, Imparted to thee memory, Free will is thine, That so thou mayest e'er endure With purpose sure, Knowing that He has fas.h.i.+oned thee To be divine.

17 And since G.o.d knew the mortal frame Wherein He placed thee to distil, (So to win His praise) Was metal weak and p.r.o.ne to shame, Therefore I came Thee to protect--it was His will-- And to upraise.

18 Let us go forth upon our way.

Turn not thou back, for then indeed The enemy Upon thy glorious life straightway Will make a.s.say.

But unto Satan pay no heed Who lurks for thee.

19 And still the goal seek thou to win Carefully at thy journey's end.

And be it clear That the spirit e'er at watch within Against all sin Upon salvation's path may wend Without a fear.

20 In snares of h.e.l.l that shall waylay, Dark and awful wiles among, Thee to molest, As thou advancest on thy way Fall not nor stray, But let thy beauty join the throng Of spirits blest.

(_The Angel goes forward and the Devil comes to the Soul and says:_)

21 _Devil._ Whither so swift thy flight, Delicate dove most white?

Who thus deceives thee?

And weary still doth goad Along this road, Yea and of human sense, Even, bereaves thee?

22 Seek not to hasten hence Since thou hast life and youth For further growth.

There is a time for haste, A time for leisure: Live at thy will and rest, Taking thy pleasure.

23 Enjoy, enjoy the goods of Earth, And great estates seek to possess And worldly treasures.

Who to the hills, exiled from mirth, Thus sends thee forth?

Who speaks to thee of foolishness Instead of pleasures?

24 This life is all a pleasaunce fair, Soft, debonair, Look for no other paradise: Who bids thee seek, with false advice, Refuge elsewhere?

25 _Soul._ Hinder me not here nor stay, For far other thoughts are mine.

_Devil._ To worldly ease thy thought incline Since all men incline this way.

26 And not for nothing are delights, And not in vain possessions sent And fortune's prize, And not for nought are pleasure's rites And banquet-nights: All these are for man's ornament And galliardize; 27 For mortal men is their array.

So let delight thy woes a.s.suage, Henceforth recline And rest, since rest likewise had they Who went this way, Even this very pilgrimage That now is thine.

28 And whatsoe'er thy body crave, Even as thy will desire, So let it be; And laugh thou at the censors grave, Whoso would have Thee tortured by sufferings dire So uselessly.

29 I would not, being thou, go forth, So sad and troubled lies the way, 'Tis cruelty, And thou art of imperial worth And royal birth, To none thou needest homage pay, Then be thou free.

30 _Angel._ O who thus hinders thee? On, on!

How loiterest thou on glory's path So slowly!

O G.o.d, sole consolation!