Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.

I. The Divine Element—(God, Christ, the Holy Spirit)

Stabat Mater Dolorosa

Jacopone da Todi (c. 1230–1306)

STOOD the afflicted mother weeping,

Near the cross her station keeping

Whereon hung her Son and Lord;

Through whose spirit sympathizing,

Sorrowing and agonizing,

Also passed the cruel sword.

Oh! how mournful and distressèd

Was that favored and most blessèd

Mother of the only Son,

Trembling, grieving, bosom heaving,

While perceiving, scarce believing,

Pains of that Illustrious One!

Who the man, who, called a brother,

Would not weep, saw he Christ’s mother

In such deep distress and wild?

Who could not sad tribute render

Witnessing that mother tender

Agonizing with her child?

For his people’s sins atoning,

Him she saw in torments groaning,

Given to the scourger’s rod;

Saw her darling offspring dying,

Desolate, forsaken, crying,

Yield his spirit up to God.

Make me feel thy sorrow’s power,

That with thee I tears may shower,

Tender mother, fount of love!

Make my heart with love unceasing

Burn toward Christ the Lord, that pleasing

I may be to him above.

Holy mother, this be granted,

That the slain one’s wounds be planted

Firmly in my heart to bide.

Of him wounded, all astounded—

Depths unbounded for me sounded—

All the pangs with me divide.

Make me weep with thee in union;

With the Crucified, communion

In his grief and suffering give;

Near the cross, with tears unfailing,

I would join thee in thy wailing

Here as long as I shall live.

Maid of maidens, all excelling!

Be not bitter, me repelling;

Make thou me a mourner too;

Make me bear about Christ’s dying,

Share his passion, shame defying;

All his wounds in me renew.

Wound for wound be there created;

With the cross intoxicated

For thy Son’s dear sake, I pray—

May I, fired with pure affection,

Virgin, have through thee protection

In the solemn Judgment Day.

Let me by the cross be warded,

By the death of Christ be guarded,

Nourished by divine supplies.

When the body death hath riven,

Grant that to the soul be given

Glories bright of Paradise.