Francis Quarles: Hosanna or divine poems on the passion of Christ and Threnodes Edited by John Horden |
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Crucified between two Theeves. |
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 | Francis Quarles: Hosanna or divine poems on the passion of Christ and Threnodes |  |
Crucified between two Theeves.
What, reckon'd amongst rogues? mixt with the rabbleDisvalu'd like the jewell in the fable
Cast in the count 'mongst theeves? what coine is he
In Jury stamp'd, yet there not currant be?
They should not for inscription sake refuse
Iesus of Nazareth King of the Iewes;
A Peece so rich, no Angell that could make it
So good, the Devill was content to take it.
When mans arreareages for sinne were paid,
And the whole ransome of the world defraid
Those Moralists who anciently did dreame
Vertue was not a meane, but an extreame,
If they had seene him placed thus, would sweare
Vertue was in the midst, for he was there,
And by his presence made it plaine to try
How Vertue look'd set by her contrary.
And yet his glory had not an addition
Of lustre lent it by this opposition;
To set him off, he stood in need of none
No foile was needfull for so rich a Stone.
| Francis Quarles: Hosanna or divine poems on the passion of Christ and Threnodes | |