THE CRUCIFIXION
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Rhys, Ernest
1st Torturer. It is better, as I hope Each by himself to draw this rope, And then may we see Who it is that erewhile All his fellows can beguile Of this company.
2nd Torturer. Since thou wilt so have, here's for me! How draw I?--as might thou the!296
3rd Torturer. Men drew right well! Have here for me, half a foot.
4th Torturer. Wema,297 man! thou came not to't. Men drew it never a deal But have for me here that I may!
1st Torturer. Well drawnën, son, by this day! Thou goes well to thy work.
2nd Torturer. Yet after, whilst thy hand is in Pull thereat with some engine.
3rd Torturer. Yea, and bring it to the mark.
4th Torturer. Pull, pull!
1st Torturer. Have now!
2nd Torturer. Let see!
3rd Torturer. Aha!
4th Torturer. Yet, a draught!
1st Torturer. Thereto with all my might.
2nd Torturer. Aha, hold still thore.298
3rd Torturer. So, fellows, look now alive, Which of you can best drive, And I shall take the bore.
4th Torturer. Let me go to it, if I shall I hope that I be the best marshal299 For to clink300 it right. Do raise him up now when we may, For I hope he and his palfrey Shall not twine301 this night.
1st Torturer. Come hither, fellows, and have done, And help that this tree soon Be lift with all your sleight.
2nd Torturer. Yet let us work awhile, And no man now the other beguile Till it be brought on height.
3rd Torturer. Fellows, lay on all your hende302 For to raise this tree on ende And lets see who is last.
4th Torturer. I rede we do as he says, Set we the tree on the mortase,303 And there, will it stand fast.
1st Torturer. Up with the timber.
2nd Torturer. Ah, it holds! For him, that all this world wields, Put from thee, with thy hand.
3rd Torturer. Hold even! amongst us all.
4th Torturer. Yea, and let it into the mortise fall, For then will it best stand.
1st Torturer. Go we to it, and be we strong, And raise it, be it never so long, Since that it is fast bound.
2nd Torturer. Up with the timber fast on ende.
3rd Torturer. Ah fellows, fair fall now your hende.
4th Torturer. So, sir, gape against the sun!
[To Christ.
1st Torturer. Ah, fellow, wear thy crown!
2nd Torturer. Trowest thou this timber will come down?
3rd Torturer. Yet help, to make it fast.
4th Torturer. Bind him well, and let us lift.
1st Torturer. Full short shall be his thrift.
2nd Torturer. Ah, it stands up like a mast.
Jesus. I pray you, people, that pass me by, That lead your life so lykandly304 Raise up your heart on high; Behold if ever ye saw body Buffet305 and beaten thus bloody, Or dight thus dolefully; In this world was never no wight That suffered half so sair. My mayn,306 my mode,307 my might Is naught but sorrow to sight, And comfort--none but care! My folk, what have I done to thee That thou all thus shall torment me? Thy sin bear I full soon. How have I grieved thee? answer me. That thou thus nailest me to a tree, And all for thine error. Where shalt thou seek succour? This fault how shalt thou amende When that thou thy saviour Drivest to this dishonour And nail'st through feet and hende.308 All creatures whose kinds may be trest,309 Beasts and birds, they all have rest When they are woe begone. But God's own son, that should be best, Has not whereon his head to rest, But on his shoulder bone: To whom now may I make my moan When they thus martyr me? And sackless310 will me slone,311 And beat me blood and bone, That should my brethren be? What kindness should I kythe312 them to? Have I not done what I ought to do, Made thee in my likeness? And thou thus rives my rest and ro313 And
thinkest lightly on me, lo, Such is thy caitifness. I have shown thee kindness, unkindly thou me 'quitest,314 See thus thy wickedness, look how thou me despitest. Guiltless thus am I put to pine, Not for my sin, man, but for thine. Thus am I rent on rood; For I that treasure would not tyne315 That I marked and made for mine. Thus buy I Adam's blood, That sunken was in sin, With none earthly good, But with my flesh and blood That loath was for to wyn.316 My brother, that I came for to buy, Has hanged me here, thus hideously, Friends find I few or none; Thus have they dight me drearily, And all be-spit me piteously, A helpless man in wone.317 But, Father, that sittest on throne, Forgive thou them this guilt. I pray to thee this boon-- They know not what they doon, Nor whom they thus have spoilt!318
1st Torturer. Yes, what we do full well we know.
2nd Torturer. Yes, that shall he find within a throw.
3rd Torturer. Now, with a mischance to his corse! Wenys319 he that we give any force320 What evil so ever he ail?