Page:Ludus Coventriae (1841).djvu/349

XXXIII. THE DESCENT INTO HELL.

Anima Christi. Now alle mankende, in herte be glad,
Withe alle merthis that may be had,
ffor mannys sowle that was be-stad
            In the logge of helle.
Now xal I ryse to lyve agayn,
From peyn to pleys of paradyse pleyn;
Therfore, man, in hert be fayn.
            In merthe now xalt thou dwelle!

I am the sowle of Cryst Jhesu,
The whiche is kynge of alle vertu;
My body is ded, the Jewys it slew,
            That hangyth ȝitt on the rode!
Rent and torn, al blody red,
ffor mannys sake my body is deed,
ffor mannys helpe my body is bred,
            And sowle drynke my bodyes blode.

Thow my body be now sclayn,
The thrydde day, this is certayn,
I xal reyse my body agayn,
            To lyve as I ȝow say!
Now wole I go streyth to helle,
And feche ffrom the fendys felle,
Alle my frendys that therin dwelle,
            To blysse that lestyth ay.