Chapter 78
_Nisi digitum immisero, &c._ Joan. xx. 25.
Impius ergo iterum clavos? iterum impius hastam?
Et totum digitus triste revolvet opus?
Tune igitur Christum, Thoma, quo vivere credas, In Christum faceres, ah truculente! mori?
CHRIST TO THOMAS.
_Except I shall put my finger, &c._
Thy impious finger, would it, then, re-borrow The nails, the spear, each circ.u.mstance of sorrow?
That on a living Christ thou mayst rely, Cruel, wouldst thou thy Christ re-crucify? G.
Lx.x.xIX.
_Ad Judaeos mactatores S. Stephani._ Act. vi. 9-12.
Quid datis, ah miseri! saxis nolentibus iras?
Quid nimis in tragic.u.m praecipitatis opus?
In mortem Stephani se dant invita: sed illi Occiso faciunt sponte sua tumulum.
_To the Jews stoning St. Stephen._
Wretches, do ye put rage into cold stones?
Why rush so eagerly to work so vile?
Your stones unwilling add to Stephen's moans, But gladly heap a tomb for him the while. G.
XC.
_Sancto Joanni dilecto discipulo._
Tu fruere, augustoque sinu caput abde, quod o tum Nollet in aeterna se posuisse rosa.
Tu fruere; et sacro dum te sic pectore portat, O sat erit tergo me potuisse vehi.
_To St. John the beloved disciple._
Upon His breast thy happy head reposes, Nor would that pillow change for Heaven's own roses: While thus His bosom bears up happy thee, To press His shoulders were enough for me. G.
XCI.
_In lactentes martyres._ Matt. ii. 16, 17.
Vulnera natorum qui vidit et ubera matrum, Per pueros fluviis, ah! simul ire suis: Sic pueros quisquis vidit, dubitavit an illos Lilia coelorum diceret, anne rosas.
_Upon the infant martyrs._
To see both blended in one flood, The mothers' milk, the childrens' blood, Makes
ANOTHER RENDERING.
Who saw the infants' blood and milk of mother Flowing, alas, in a commingl'd tide, Doubtingly ask'd, and gaz'd from one to other, Whether Heav'n's rose or lily they espy'd. G.
XCII.
_Deus n.o.bisc.u.m._ Matt. i. 23.
n.o.bisc.u.m Deus est? vestrum hoc est, hei mihi! vestrum: Vobisc.u.m Deus est, o asini atque boves.
n.o.bisc.u.m non est; nam nos domus aurea sumit: n.o.bisc.u.m Deus est, et jacet in stabulo?
Hoc igitur nostrum ut fiat, dulcissime Jesu, Nos dandi stabulis, vel tibi danda domus.
_G.o.d with us._
Is G.o.d with us? Woe's me, G.o.d is with you, ye beasts, I see.
G.o.d is with you, ye beasts; G.o.d comes not to our golden feasts.
That G.o.d may be with us, We must provide a lowly house.
G.o.d comes to the humble manger, While to the great house a stranger. G.
XCIII.
_Christus circ.u.mcisus ad Patrem._
Has en primitias nostrae, Pater, accipe mortis; Vitam ex quo sumpsi, vivere dedidici.
Ira, Pater, tua de pluvia gustaverit ista: Olim ibit fluviis hoc latus omne suis.
Tunc sitiat licet et sitiat, bibet et bibet usque: Tunc poterit toto fonte superba frui.
Nunc hastae interea possit praeludere culter: Indolis in poenas spes erit ista meae.[59]
XCIV.
_In Epiphaniam Domini._ Matt. ii. 2.
Non solita contenta dies face lucis Eoae, Ecce micat radiis caesariata novis.
Persa sagax, propera: discurre per ardua regum Tecta, per auratas marmoreasque domus: Quaere o, quae intepuit Reginae purpura partu; Principe vagitu quae domus insonuit.
Audin' Persa sagax? Qui tanta negotia coelo Fecit, Bethlemiis vagiit in stabulis.
_The Epiphany of our Lord._
Scorning her wonted herald, lo, the Day Now decks her forehead with a brighter ray.
Sage Persian, haste; ask where high roofs unfold Their royal wealth of marble and of gold; In what rich couch an Empress-mother lies; What halls have heard a new-born Prince's cries.
Wouldst know, sage Persian? He for whom Heaven keeps Such festival, in Bethlehem's manger weeps. CL.
XCV.