W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895.

The Unthankful Lepers

Richard Crashaw (G.) (c. 1613–1649)

LUKE XVII. 11–19.

THE LORD commands the lepers

far off from men to stay;

But cleansed by the Lord,

why went the Nine away?

The leprosy remaineth,

chang’d only in its seat:

Expelléd from the body,

to the soul it makes retreat.

Now by fit retribution

a change is brought about:

Before shut out from men,

from God they’re now shut out.