Edward Farr, ed. Select Poetry of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1845.
Christs MercyXXXV. Augustine Taylor
I
For I saw sun-rise before he saw day:
I’ll bring thee home, adorn’d with better things,
The power and honor of all earthly kings;
And, let their powers together lincked bee,
All cannot make one worthy t’ waite on thee.
I spent my dayes in sorrow for thy good,
I sayl’d to th’ cradle in teares, to the graue in blood;
And more than this I was content to doo.
My middle time had mickle sorrowes too;
I liu’d releeuing poore, healing and feeding,
I wipt those eyes that wept, wounds that were bleeding;
I cur’d and cur’d for all that were in woe;
None can complaine that they away did goe
Without a pardon for the greatest transgression;
All those that brought repentance found compassion.
I haue been thine, thine both in word and deede;
My tongue did preach and pray, my flesh did bleede;
From my fresh wounds the smallest drop that fell
Is price sufficient to saue Israell.