Part 27 (1/2)

_1st Torturer._ Up with the timber.

_2nd Torturer._ Ah, it holds!

For him, that all this world wields, Put from thee, with thy hand.

_3rd Torturer._ Hold even! amongst us all.

_4th Torturer._ Yea, and let it into the mortise fall, For then will it best stand.

_1st Torturer._ Go we to it, and be we strong, And raise it, be it never so long, Since that it is fast bound.

_2nd Torturer._ Up with the timber fast on ende.

_3rd Torturer._ Ah fellows, fair fall now your hende.

_4th Torturer._ So, sir, gape against the sun!

[_To Christ._

_1st Torturer._ Ah, fellow, wear thy crown!

_2nd Torturer._ Trowest thou this timber will come down?

_3rd Torturer._ Yet help, to make it fast.

_4th Torturer._ Bind him well, and let us lift.

_1st Torturer._ Full short shall be his thrift.

_2nd Torturer._ Ah, it stands up like a mast.

_Jesus._ I pray you, people, that pa.s.s me by, That lead your life so lykandly[304]

Raise up your heart on high; Behold if ever ye saw body Buffet[305] and beaten thus b.l.o.o.d.y, Or dight thus dolefully; In this world was never no wight That suffered half so sair.

My mayn,[306] my mode,[307] my might Is naught but sorrow to sight, And comfort--none but care!

My folk, what have I done to thee That thou all thus shall torment me?

Thy sin bear I full soon.

How have I grieved thee? answer me.

That thou thus nailest me to a tree, And all for thine error.

Where shalt thou seek succour?

This fault how shalt thou amende When that thou thy saviour Drivest to this dishonour And nail'st through feet and hende.[308]

All creatures whose kinds may be trest,[309]

Beasts and birds, they all have rest When they are woe begone.

But G.o.d's own son, that should be best, Has not whereon his head to rest, But on his shoulder bone: To whom now may I make my moan When they thus martyr me?

And sackless[310] will me slone,[311]

And beat me blood and bone, That should my brethren be?

What kindness should I kythe[312] them to?

Have I not done what I ought to do, Made thee in my likeness?

And thou thus rives my rest and ro[313]

And thinkest lightly on me, lo, Such is thy caitifness.

I have shown thee kindness, unkindly thou me 'quitest,[314]

See thus thy wickedness, look how thou me despitest.

Guiltless thus am I put to pine, Not for my sin, man, but for thine.