University of Virginia Library

Epigr. 27. In cultum reliquiarum.

To seeke thee in thy Tombe sweete Iesu when,
The women with their oyntment hastened:
Two Angels did appeare, forbidding them
To seeke thee liuing there among the dead.
Did Rome by diuing in the tombes of saintes,
But seeke the liuing whence they now are sled,
Yet might they heare the Angels making plaint.
Seeke not the liuing Rome among the dead.
But to tye holy worshipp to dead bones.
To bowe religion to the wicked trust
Of crosses, reliques, ashes, flickes and stones.

95

To throwe downe liuing men to honour dust:
Is not to seeke, but like Mezentius rather,
To ioyne the liuing and the dead together.