6.
“I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of His wrath.”
But not so was Thine own departing bed,
When they of Thine acquaintance stood aloof,
Their love in fear forgotten, and reproof
Had broke Thine heart, when in that hour so dread
All was out-poured on Thine unsheltered Head,
Which stood the impetuous storm in our behoof;
When terrors throng'd the sky's o'er-arching roof,
And evil spirits were around Thee shed.
Then as the nails Thy tender hands did strain,
When cruelty sought out each place of pain
So did the sinews of Thine heart give way
Beneath the arrows of the Almighty's wrath,
When Thou didst stand in our descending path
To take on Thee our load in sad dismay.
