The Betraying of Christ Ivdas in despaire. The seuen Words of our Sauior on the Crosse. With Other Poems on the Passion [by Samuel Rowlands] |
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Judas in despaire.
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 | The Betraying of Christ |  |
Judas in despaire.
Terrors torment my tortur'd soule perplexed,
Fell furies fright, and hale me on away,
To Cayphas and the rest vvith horrour vexed
Goes Simons sonne, Gods son did false bettay,
Such is my sinne against that guiltlesse blood,
No baulme in Israel left to doe me good.
Fell furies fright, and hale me on away,
To Cayphas and the rest vvith horrour vexed
Goes Simons sonne, Gods son did false bettay,
Such is my sinne against that guiltlesse blood,
No baulme in Israel left to doe me good.
They answer'd, carelesse of my vvretched state,
What's that to vs? Looke thou thy selfe vnto it,
Then vengeance I expect, grace comes too late,
Resolue no lesse, for that you brib'd me do it,
Sathan seduc'd, I acted the offence,
Despaire is come, there lies your thirty pence.
What's that to vs? Looke thou thy selfe vnto it,
Then vengeance I expect, grace comes too late,
Resolue no lesse, for that you brib'd me do it,
Sathan seduc'd, I acted the offence,
Despaire is come, there lies your thirty pence.
I am perditions child, outcast forlorne,
All haile in vvord, but in the heart all hatefull,
It had ben good, so bad had nere ben borne,
That of all creatures am the most ingratefull:
Oh had I neuer liu'd, suruiuing shame
Had vnreported hid my odious name.
All haile in vvord, but in the heart all hatefull,
It had ben good, so bad had nere ben borne,
That of all creatures am the most ingratefull:
Oh had I neuer liu'd, suruiuing shame
Had vnreported hid my odious name.
Base couetousnesse no more Gehezies sinne,
My intrest in that crime doth thine controule,
Thou vvast but leaper of polluted skinne,
My leprosie is a defiled soule:
Thou took'st a bribe against thy maisters vvill,
But I vvas brib'd to kisse, and kist to kill.
My intrest in that crime doth thine controule,
Thou vvast but leaper of polluted skinne,
My leprosie is a defiled soule:
Thou took'st a bribe against thy maisters vvill,
But I vvas brib'd to kisse, and kist to kill.
Maries good vvorke Christ promis'd to commend
Perpetually in euer-liuing praise,
But my vile act beyond all stinted end,
Shall euidence I trod the left hand vvaies,
My title thus the Scriptures shall record:
Judas Iscarioth, that betrayd the Lord.
Perpetually in euer-liuing praise,
But my vile act beyond all stinted end,
Shall euidence I trod the left hand vvaies,
My title thus the Scriptures shall record:
Judas Iscarioth, that betrayd the Lord.
Three euils in one I did commit, in this
That gainst the King of glory I haue done:
Deceit betray'd vvith shew of kind-ment kisse,
Couetousnesse incenst, that sinne begun,
Impudent boldnesse did intrude the deed,
Ere any mou'd or vvisht me to proceed.
That gainst the King of glory I haue done:
Deceit betray'd vvith shew of kind-ment kisse,
Couetousnesse incenst, that sinne begun,
Impudent boldnesse did intrude the deed,
Ere any mou'd or vvisht me to proceed.
I knew the choise, and gainefull happie vvay,
That heauens gate, vvas straightest dore to enter,
I taught the vvorld, take heed broad paths doe stray,
And yet my selfe the vvide-gate vvilfull venter,
Like Noahs vvorkemen, such my state is found
They built an arke for him, themselues vvere drownd.
That heauens gate, vvas straightest dore to enter,
I taught the vvorld, take heed broad paths doe stray,
And yet my selfe the vvide-gate vvilfull venter,
Like Noahs vvorkemen, such my state is found
They built an arke for him, themselues vvere drownd.
I haue excluded faiths resolued trust
In him by vvhom the true repentant liue,
Cain-like affirming nought but vengeance must
Reward my sinnes, mercy no such forgiue:
My heart's indurate, hardned, vnrelenting,
Past is the deed, the doer past repenting.
In him by vvhom the true repentant liue,
Cain-like affirming nought but vengeance must
Reward my sinnes, mercy no such forgiue:
My heart's indurate, hardned, vnrelenting,
Past is the deed, the doer past repenting.
Though Dauid found remorse to vvaile his sinne,
And Nathans comfort, eas'd his mournfull taske,
Distrust and horrour haue so hemd me in,
That might I haue, I hopelesse vvill not aske:
Feare, shame, and guilt do haunt me at the heeles,
Of iudgement, men, and vvhat my conscience feeles.
And Nathans comfort, eas'd his mournfull taske,
Distrust and horrour haue so hemd me in,
That might I haue, I hopelesse vvill not aske:
Feare, shame, and guilt do haunt me at the heeles,
Of iudgement, men, and vvhat my conscience feeles.
My dying soule, refusing liuing meane,
Denies vvith heav'nly Manna to be fed
A sea of teares can neuer rince it cleane,
Yet could one drop, that drop should ne're be shed.
What teares, vvhat praiers can his atonement make,
Whose portion is in vengeance fearefull lake?
Denies vvith heav'nly Manna to be fed
A sea of teares can neuer rince it cleane,
Yet could one drop, that drop should ne're be shed.
What teares, vvhat praiers can his atonement make,
Whose portion is in vengeance fearefull lake?
Mine inward conscience doth soules ruine tell,
Authenticke witnesse, and seuere accuser,
Where I abide, I feeling find a hell
Tormenting me, that am selfe torment chuser:
Sound conscience well is said like vvall of brasse;
Corrupted, fit compar'd to broken glasse.
Authenticke witnesse, and seuere accuser,
Where I abide, I feeling find a hell
Tormenting me, that am selfe torment chuser:
Sound conscience well is said like vvall of brasse;
Corrupted, fit compar'd to broken glasse.
More blind then those vvhose sight sight-giuer gaue,
More deaffe and dumbe then any that he cured,
More dead then Lazarus in his stincking graue,
When he deaths vaut till fift daies baile indured.
Not eies, eares, limmes, tongue, body, haue defect,
It is my soule, that saluing heauens reiect.
More deaffe and dumbe then any that he cured,
More dead then Lazarus in his stincking graue,
When he deaths vaut till fift daies baile indured.
Not eies, eares, limmes, tongue, body, haue defect,
It is my soule, that saluing heauens reiect.
If first borne man, the first of desp'rate mind,
By vvhom the first of guiltlesse blood vvas shed,
Did say, There vvas no grace for him to find,
But vengeance must be heaped on his head:
Let me (sinnes monster, masse of cursed euill)
Bid Sathan vvelcome, and imbrace the deuill.
By vvhom the first of guiltlesse blood vvas shed,
Did say, There vvas no grace for him to find,
But vengeance must be heaped on his head:
Let me (sinnes monster, masse of cursed euill)
Bid Sathan vvelcome, and imbrace the deuill.
When Christ shall come in clouds, and sinnes be scand,
All Adams sonnes expecting rightfull dome,
I vvretch amongst the goats shall trembling stand,
The right-hand sheepe, affoord no traitor roome,
To crie Lord, Lord, this answere shall be got,
Depart you cursed, hence I know you not.
All Adams sonnes expecting rightfull dome,
I vvretch amongst the goats shall trembling stand,
The right-hand sheepe, affoord no traitor roome,
To crie Lord, Lord, this answere shall be got,
Depart you cursed, hence I know you not.
The casting out of deuils then obiected,
Will cease no vvrath, extenuate no dangers:
Not vvords vvith God, vvell doing is respected,
His Citizens deeds difference from the strangers,
Me thinkes I heare the iudge, sterne, full of ire:
Pronounce my sentence to eternall fire.
Will cease no vvrath, extenuate no dangers:
Not vvords vvith God, vvell doing is respected,
His Citizens deeds difference from the strangers,
Me thinkes I heare the iudge, sterne, full of ire:
Pronounce my sentence to eternall fire.
Was I not cald to heav'ns roiall feast?
I vvas: but came as one that little cared,
How came I? brutish like vnreuerent beast,
Wanting a vvedding garment, vnprepared:
Bold daring vvretch in such a sacred place,
To presse in sinnes cast suite, rent, torne, and base.
I vvas: but came as one that little cared,
How came I? brutish like vnreuerent beast,
Wanting a vvedding garment, vnprepared:
Bold daring vvretch in such a sacred place,
To presse in sinnes cast suite, rent, torne, and base.
But fearefull guerdon for so foule attempt,
All-seeing eies beheld my rags bevvray'd,
And most seuerely thence he did exempt,
Bind him both hand and foot (his iustice said)
And cast him out, no such may here partake,
The Lambe vvith Sion, Sathan and the Lake.
All-seeing eies beheld my rags bevvray'd,
And most seuerely thence he did exempt,
Bind him both hand and foot (his iustice said)
And cast him out, no such may here partake,
The Lambe vvith Sion, Sathan and the Lake.
Would I had neuer knowne Apostles place,
Would I had ne're ben messenger of truth,
Would I had neuer preacht the vvay to grace,
Would I had ne're ben borne, or died in youth:
Who knowes his maisters vvill and doth neglect it,
Sore stripes and many shall seuere correct it.
Would I had ne're ben messenger of truth,
Would I had neuer preacht the vvay to grace,
Would I had ne're ben borne, or died in youth:
Who knowes his maisters vvill and doth neglect it,
Sore stripes and many shall seuere correct it.
I must salute Ashur and Elams traines,
To drinke vvith Tuball of the vvrathfull cup,
Edom inuites me to th' infernall paines
No time of grace, vvith Christ againe to sup,
Now feast vvhere teeeth are gnasht & hands are wrong,
Where Diues begs for drops to coole his tong.
To drinke vvith Tuball of the vvrathfull cup,
Edom inuites me to th' infernall paines
No time of grace, vvith Christ againe to sup,
Now feast vvhere teeeth are gnasht & hands are wrong,
Where Diues begs for drops to coole his tong.
Downe by the vvay that Corah vvent to hell,
Like Dathan and Abiram to descend
Where furies, fiends and damned ghosts do dwell,
And euer torments, neuer know an end,
Let earth deuide and opening swallow then,
The most accurs'd of all the sonnes of men.
Like Dathan and Abiram to descend
Where furies, fiends and damned ghosts do dwell,
And euer torments, neuer know an end,
Let earth deuide and opening swallow then,
The most accurs'd of all the sonnes of men.
The man that from Ierusalem descended,
And hapned in the hands of bloody theeues,
A pittifull Samaritane befriended
With mercy, and his hard distresse releeues:
Such holy loue, true charity suppli'd him,
Pitty vvas present and no grace deni'd-him.
And hapned in the hands of bloody theeues,
A pittifull Samaritane befriended
With mercy, and his hard distresse releeues:
Such holy loue, true charity suppli'd him,
Pitty vvas present and no grace deni'd-him.
But I from new Ierusalem retyr'd
The restfull Canaan, happinesse vnbounded,
For thirty pence hels iourny being hyr'd,
In Sathans snares I fell, that theefe hath vvounded:
And priest is past, Samaritane gone by,
Seeing me curelesse, carelesse let me lie.
The restfull Canaan, happinesse vnbounded,
For thirty pence hels iourny being hyr'd,
In Sathans snares I fell, that theefe hath vvounded:
And priest is past, Samaritane gone by,
Seeing me curelesse, carelesse let me lie.
Ah Magdalen sower sorrowes turn'd thy sweet,
Well didst thou vveepe to vvash, and vvashing gaine,
With hairie towell vviping Iesus feet,
Thy true repentant teares did grace obtaine:
While I thy vertues sought to haue disgrast,
Tearming that holy vvorke, A needlesse vvast.
Well didst thou vveepe to vvash, and vvashing gaine,
With hairie towell vviping Iesus feet,
Thy true repentant teares did grace obtaine:
While I thy vertues sought to haue disgrast,
Tearming that holy vvorke, A needlesse vvast.
But happy vvoman, guiltlesse vvast' controld,
How falsely did I vvish thy ointment spared?
How couetous said I, Better this been sold
And giu'n the poore, vvast for the poore I cared?
Ah no, my guilty conscience doth deny it.
I bare the purse, and vvould haue gained by it.
How falsely did I vvish thy ointment spared?
How couetous said I, Better this been sold
And giu'n the poore, vvast for the poore I cared?
Ah no, my guilty conscience doth deny it.
I bare the purse, and vvould haue gained by it.
Sampson, till Sathan fierce Philistine caught me,
And in his rage put out my sprituall eies,
Then blind in sinne, to Cayphas house he brought me,
Against the piller vvhere all mercy lies,
I bent my force to mooue the corner stone,
Destruction fell, my selfe destroy'd alone.
And in his rage put out my sprituall eies,
Then blind in sinne, to Cayphas house he brought me,
Against the piller vvhere all mercy lies,
I bent my force to mooue the corner stone,
Destruction fell, my selfe destroy'd alone.
Like Iezabels, so my corrupted thought,
When she complotted for good Naboths ground,
Cleare purchase tvvas, her vvile his vineyard bought;
Such seem'd my bribe, I held it money found:
But see how soone sweet sinnes conuert to sower,
I loath for euer, that I lou'd an hower.
When she complotted for good Naboths ground,
Cleare purchase tvvas, her vvile his vineyard bought;
Such seem'd my bribe, I held it money found:
But see how soone sweet sinnes conuert to sower,
I loath for euer, that I lou'd an hower.
These three deuide my soule, Fear, Thought, & Anguish,
Their intrest is the forfaits of my fall,
But vvhile in claime they striuing let me languish,
The roaring Lion comes and seazeth all:
Insatiable serpent pleas'd vvith nought but this,
Both soule and body must be graunted his.
Their intrest is the forfaits of my fall,
But vvhile in claime they striuing let me languish,
The roaring Lion comes and seazeth all:
Insatiable serpent pleas'd vvith nought but this,
Both soule and body must be graunted his.
If gracelesse outcasts in this vvorld begin
To tast of second death's tormenting power,
If soules surpriz'd by selfe-wrought murdring sinne,
Turne vengeance glasse to run a staylesse hower,
Then here in earnest of perpetuall care,
I vveare damnations liuery, blacke despaire.
To tast of second death's tormenting power,
If soules surpriz'd by selfe-wrought murdring sinne,
Turne vengeance glasse to run a staylesse hower,
Then here in earnest of perpetuall care,
I vveare damnations liuery, blacke despaire.
Deuorc'd from mercy, alienate from grace,
Reft of repentance, vvedded vnto euill,
From highest calling, downe to lowest place,
From chosen Twelue, a singled outcast deuill;
From th' holy city lou'd of God so vvell,
Within vvhose streets may no vncleanesse dwell.
Reft of repentance, vvedded vnto euill,
From highest calling, downe to lowest place,
From chosen Twelue, a singled outcast deuill;
From th' holy city lou'd of God so vvell,
Within vvhose streets may no vncleanesse dwell.
When Christ foretold intended treason nie,
By one of vs his guests to be betray'd
Each straight inquir'd, Lord is it I, or I?
But my demand had answer, Thou hast said.
I that was fed that night with loues regard,
Return'd the giuer treason for reward.
By one of vs his guests to be betray'd
Each straight inquir'd, Lord is it I, or I?
But my demand had answer, Thou hast said.
I that was fed that night with loues regard,
Return'd the giuer treason for reward.
Darke night, black deed, blind soule, and Sathans slaues
Did fit, defile, destroy it selfe, did further,
With shade, vvith sinne, vvith death, vvith clubs & staues,
T intrap, betray, condemne, assist to murder,
The Lambe of God, the rocke, the dore, the vine,
The Angels brightnesse, heav'ns eternall shine.
Did fit, defile, destroy it selfe, did further,
With shade, vvith sinne, vvith death, vvith clubs & staues,
T intrap, betray, condemne, assist to murder,
The Lambe of God, the rocke, the dore, the vine,
The Angels brightnesse, heav'ns eternall shine.
Much vvorse, though Ioab-like I gaue a kisse,
I pris'd my birth-right base, at Esawes gaine,
I putchas'd hell vvith losse of heauens blisse,
And in effect, exchanged ioy for paine.
Oh foolish sot, vile earthly drosse esteemer,
To sell true life, dead Adams sonnes redeemer.
I pris'd my birth-right base, at Esawes gaine,
I putchas'd hell vvith losse of heauens blisse,
And in effect, exchanged ioy for paine.
Oh foolish sot, vile earthly drosse esteemer,
To sell true life, dead Adams sonnes redeemer.
Thou partiall hand swai'd sword of Peters drawne,
I should ben mangled, and not Malcus eare,
Like currish dog, it vvas my flattering fawne,
Did bite my maister vvorse then any there,
Mistaken champion in thy valour swaruing,
To giue his eare my trecherous hearts deseruing.
I should ben mangled, and not Malcus eare,
Like currish dog, it vvas my flattering fawne,
Did bite my maister vvorse then any there,
Mistaken champion in thy valour swaruing,
To giue his eare my trecherous hearts deseruing.
I vvas cheefe actor in the Iewish spight,
I vvas a captaine to that rascall rout,
I vvrought the tumult of that guilty night,
I vvas blind guide, to that they vvent about,
They all expected notice come from me,
Till craft had kist, they knew not vvhich vvas he.
I vvas a captaine to that rascall rout,
I vvrought the tumult of that guilty night,
I vvas blind guide, to that they vvent about,
They all expected notice come from me,
Till craft had kist, they knew not vvhich vvas he.
False tongue, pronounc'd All haile to hurtfull end,
When hollow heart sequestred loues true zeale,
Heav'ns mildnesse asked, Why art thou come friend?
Straight violent hands, not vvords, our thoughts reueale.
Call him not friend, that sauors most of foe,
Tearme me thy hangman, for I merite so.
When hollow heart sequestred loues true zeale,
Heav'ns mildnesse asked, Why art thou come friend?
Straight violent hands, not vvords, our thoughts reueale.
Call him not friend, that sauors most of foe,
Tearme me thy hangman, for I merite so.
In death's pursute, insatiate thirsting blood,
We posted thence to Priests, vvith rudest throng,
Where purest lambe before his shearer stood,
Pleading not guilty, by truths silent tong,
Ther's craft accusing, hate helps to deuise,
And falshood forgeth, in a mint of lies.
We posted thence to Priests, vvith rudest throng,
Where purest lambe before his shearer stood,
Pleading not guilty, by truths silent tong,
Ther's craft accusing, hate helps to deuise,
And falshood forgeth, in a mint of lies.
My impious eies beheld vvithout remorse,
The gracelesse vsage of heau'ns gracious king,
Scornd, spit at, mocked, yet repentance force,
Sought not for shelter vnder mercies vving,
In all these euils I pitttied not his paine,
Til being condemn'd, then greeu'd my greeues in vain.
The gracelesse vsage of heau'ns gracious king,
Scornd, spit at, mocked, yet repentance force,
Sought not for shelter vnder mercies vving,
In all these euils I pitttied not his paine,
Til being condemn'd, then greeu'd my greeues in vain.
No true contrition had my faults defence,
Though I confess'd I sinn'd in his betraying,
Twas desp'rate satisfaction came from thence,
For faith vvas liuelesse, should ben vengeance staying,
Wrath is gone forth, vvas Moses admonition,
But lights on me, that am for vvraths perdition.
Though I confess'd I sinn'd in his betraying,
Twas desp'rate satisfaction came from thence,
For faith vvas liuelesse, should ben vengeance staying,
Wrath is gone forth, vvas Moses admonition,
But lights on me, that am for vvraths perdition.
VVhat vvondrous obiects haue mine eies beheld,
Deaffe, dumbe and lame, the blind and curelesse, cured;
The stubborne vvinds vvith checking calmely stild,
The dead reuiu'd, death's sleepe foure daies indured,
Fiue loaues, two fish, fiue thousands satisfied,
Yet more then much, spare crums vvere multiplied.
Deaffe, dumbe and lame, the blind and curelesse, cured;
The stubborne vvinds vvith checking calmely stild,
The dead reuiu'd, death's sleepe foure daies indured,
Fiue loaues, two fish, fiue thousands satisfied,
Yet more then much, spare crums vvere multiplied.
My tast did vvitnesse vvater turn'd to wine,
One cur'd that toucht my maisters vesture hemme,
Commanded deuils forth men, to enter swine,
And in the sea destruction plunging them,
Mine eares haue heard, and eies haue seene the sight
That Kings haue vvisht, and Prophets neuer might.
One cur'd that toucht my maisters vesture hemme,
Commanded deuils forth men, to enter swine,
And in the sea destruction plunging them,
Mine eares haue heard, and eies haue seene the sight
That Kings haue vvisht, and Prophets neuer might.
Yet he that's cal'd manslaier from beginning,
Deceiuer, dragon, serpent, father of lies,
God of this vvorld, author of humane sinning,
Hardner of hearts, blinder of spirituall eies,
Prince of the aire, malicious euill sprite,
Made me hels guest, vvhom heav'ns did kind inuite.
Deceiuer, dragon, serpent, father of lies,
God of this vvorld, author of humane sinning,
Hardner of hearts, blinder of spirituall eies,
Prince of the aire, malicious euill sprite,
Made me hels guest, vvhom heav'ns did kind inuite.
Like as the brauing greene, but barren tree
(That flourisht faire vvhen not a figge vvas found)
Christ curs'd vvith, Neuer fruit grow more on thee,
Because it did no good, but comber ground:
So fares the false deluding show of mine,
Greene leav'd beginning, vvithered fruitlesse fine.
(That flourisht faire vvhen not a figge vvas found)
Christ curs'd vvith, Neuer fruit grow more on thee,
Because it did no good, but comber ground:
So fares the false deluding show of mine,
Greene leav'd beginning, vvithered fruitlesse fine.
Could sinnes-besotted, hell-path vvrandrers, see
The horrours on an outcast vvretch imposed,
Or sence the inward vvorme that gnaweth me,
(Bondslaue to bondage neuer to be losed)
They vvould retire the flesh most fearefull race,
To auoid hels gaole, obtain'd vvith losse of grace.
The horrours on an outcast vvretch imposed,
Or sence the inward vvorme that gnaweth me,
(Bondslaue to bondage neuer to be losed)
They vvould retire the flesh most fearefull race,
To auoid hels gaole, obtain'd vvith losse of grace.
Me thinkes my conscience turnes a blacke leav'd booke,
Titl'd Distrust, dedicate to Despaire,
Where couetous eie and traitrous heart do looke
On vengeance lines, pointed this period, Care;
The argument is shame, the subiect sinne,
The index thus explaines the euils therein:
Titl'd Distrust, dedicate to Despaire,
Where couetous eie and traitrous heart do looke
On vengeance lines, pointed this period, Care;
The argument is shame, the subiect sinne,
The index thus explaines the euils therein:
A postle once, increasing Christs eleuen,
B agbearer, to the charge of purse assign'd,
C alled to preach saluations path to heauen,
D estructions heire, the vvorst of vvicked mind:
E nuying at good vvorke by others done,
F aithlesse to God, false hearted to his sonne.
B agbearer, to the charge of purse assign'd,
C alled to preach saluations path to heauen,
D estructions heire, the vvorst of vvicked mind:
E nuying at good vvorke by others done,
F aithlesse to God, false hearted to his sonne.
G reedy to gaine on earth. with heauens losse,
H opelesse of mercy, in sin's most distresse,
I udas vvhose kisse presag'd Christs dying crosse,
K nowledge contemner, errors foule successe.
L oitrer in holy haruest, place abuser,
M urdrer of life, mine owne damnation chuser.
H opelesse of mercy, in sin's most distresse,
I udas vvhose kisse presag'd Christs dying crosse,
K nowledge contemner, errors foule successe.
L oitrer in holy haruest, place abuser,
M urdrer of life, mine owne damnation chuser.
N aked of grace, the foulest ere defiled,
O ffences actor in the highest degree,
P rouoking vvrath, from mercies throne exiled,
Q uenching the sprite, that erst gaue light in me,
R enouncing glories race to gain the crowne,
S eruant to sinne, vvhose hire pale death laies downe.
O ffences actor in the highest degree,
P rouoking vvrath, from mercies throne exiled,
Q uenching the sprite, that erst gaue light in me,
R enouncing glories race to gain the crowne,
S eruant to sinne, vvhose hire pale death laies downe.
T raitor to God, that breathing earth deluded,
U nholy-thoughted, full of bitter gall,
W oes querrister, from Angels quires excluded,
X pian the outward, inward, not at all,
Y oaked by sinne perpetuall, Sathans slaue,
Z eale in his seruice lost, that none can saue.
U nholy-thoughted, full of bitter gall,
W oes querrister, from Angels quires excluded,
X pian the outward, inward, not at all,
Y oaked by sinne perpetuall, Sathans slaue,
Z eale in his seruice lost, that none can saue.
This register records the race I run,
By caracters spelling my future vvoe,
A tragedy by me must be begun,
On hels blacke stage, for there to act I goe,
Since eies of God, and all in heauen abhorre me,
I vvill descend, the pit hath consorts for me.
By caracters spelling my future vvoe,
A tragedy by me must be begun,
On hels blacke stage, for there to act I goe,
Since eies of God, and all in heauen abhorre me,
I vvill descend, the pit hath consorts for me.
Curs'd be the parents that ingendred me,
Curs'd be the wombe that bare, and paps that fed,
Curs'd be the day vvhen I vvorlds light did see,
Curs'd be the houre my soule from grace vvas led,
Curs'd be the time vvhen I did entertaine
Cursed affection, to accursed gaine.
Curs'd be the wombe that bare, and paps that fed,
Curs'd be the day vvhen I vvorlds light did see,
Curs'd be the houre my soule from grace vvas led,
Curs'd be the time vvhen I did entertaine
Cursed affection, to accursed gaine.
Retire for euer from the sweet society
Of Peter, Iames, and Iohn, true heires of grace;
Conuerse remaine of Time, vvith all impiety,
No eie henceforth shall view Christs traitors face,
End loathed daies, my fact abhorres your light,
Wrap me from eies cole-fac'd eternall night.
Of Peter, Iames, and Iohn, true heires of grace;
Conuerse remaine of Time, vvith all impiety,
No eie henceforth shall view Christs traitors face,
End loathed daies, my fact abhorres your light,
Wrap me from eies cole-fac'd eternall night.
Sauls frightfull guest, that sence depriuing sprite,
Outragious rauing fury vvhispers, Hang thee,
What Syon tunes, or Dauids harpe delight,
Can cease or ease the horrours that do pang me?
Then be my instrument one iarring string,
And treble vvoe, the houling note I sing.
Outragious rauing fury vvhispers, Hang thee,
What Syon tunes, or Dauids harpe delight,
Can cease or ease the horrours that do pang me?
Then be my instrument one iarring string,
And treble vvoe, the houling note I sing.
Bush-creeping Caine, beholding for thy end
More to an arrow, then the marke-mans aime;
I doe disdaine blind Lamech should befriend,
None in my tragedy shall action claime:
But I and Sathan vve haue both agreed,
To leaue the vvorld a desp'rate damned deed.
More to an arrow, then the marke-mans aime;
I doe disdaine blind Lamech should befriend,
None in my tragedy shall action claime:
But I and Sathan vve haue both agreed,
To leaue the vvorld a desp'rate damned deed.
Not to dismount a check-cloud earthy heape,
Or make soule passage by a poinard point,
Nor to bequeath the sea a drowning leape;
But fatall cord shall cracke my breathing ioint,
Absolons tree, prowd Hamans halter-knell,
And I the hangman, like Achitophell.
Or make soule passage by a poinard point,
Nor to bequeath the sea a drowning leape;
But fatall cord shall cracke my breathing ioint,
Absolons tree, prowd Hamans halter-knell,
And I the hangman, like Achitophell.
Lead on despaire, confounder of my sprite,
Direct vnto some nooke of hellish shade,
For shames sake, be it gloomier then that night
In vvhich by me heav'ns brightnesse was betraide:
Blacker then death, more sable hew'd then hell,
Where sulpher flames, vvith vtter darknesse dwell.
Direct vnto some nooke of hellish shade,
For shames sake, be it gloomier then that night
In vvhich by me heav'ns brightnesse was betraide:
Blacker then death, more sable hew'd then hell,
Where sulpher flames, vvith vtter darknesse dwell.
Harder then Pharoahs tenne times hardned heart,
Bloudier then Abels butcher, far inclin'd:
End traitors life, begin a hangmans part,
Let hangmans part performe thy desp'rate mind,
Thy desp'rate mind be vvitnesse th' art accurst,
Rent heart, drop blood, gush bowels, belly burst.
Bloudier then Abels butcher, far inclin'd:
End traitors life, begin a hangmans part,
Let hangmans part performe thy desp'rate mind,
Thy desp'rate mind be vvitnesse th' art accurst,
Rent heart, drop blood, gush bowels, belly burst.
| The Betraying of Christ | |