University of Virginia Library

OF THE PICTURE.

The blessed virgins picture first hath place,
To whome thus Gabriel sayth, haile full of grace!
Next, she her cosen visits, at whose voice
The babe unborn did sensibly rejoice.
Thirdly, is Christe born of a maide unstayned,
And mother true a virgin true remayned.
Fowrthly, hees circumcisde by laws decree,
Those laws that no man ere fullfild but hee.
Moses, Elias, met him, after that
Which sight made Peeter speake he knewe not what.
Then followth th'agony and bloudy sweat,
Feeling the burden of our sins so great.
Seavnthly, for spite of clothes he was bestripped,
And, loving us, for us he then was whipped.
Then put they on his head a crown of thornes,
Themselves much fitter subjects for such scornes.
They forced him, in sight of lewde beeholders,
To carry his own cross on his own showlders:
They hangd him on each side a malefactor,
But he to th'one did prove a benefactor.
At three daies end he broute to full subjection
Both hell and death, and taught us resurrection.
Then playne in sight he did to heaven ascend,
And will return a judg this age to end.
Then was the comforter to com discerned,
And men spake with the tongues they never lerned.
And after all theise things, it is presumed
The blessed virgin was to heaven assumed.
God graunt me, when my life hath run the race,
To say to her, with saints,—Haile full of grace!