POSTHUMOUS POEMS
When the just are troubled for thee,
Who shall plead for me before thee,
Who shall stand up to implore thee?
Who shall plead for me before thee,
Who shall stand up to implore thee?
Lest my great sin overthrow me,
Let thy mercy, quickened thro' me,
As a fountain overflow me!
Let thy mercy, quickened thro' me,
As a fountain overflow me!
For my sake thy soul was movèd;
For my sake thy name reprovèd,
Lose me not whom thou hast lovèd!
For my sake thy name reprovèd,
Lose me not whom thou hast lovèd!
Yea, when shame and pain were sorest,
For my love the cross thou borest,
For my love the thorn-plait worest.
For my love the cross thou borest,
For my love the thorn-plait worest.
By that pain that overbore thee,
By those tears thou weptest for me,
Leave me strength to stand before thee.
By those tears thou weptest for me,
Leave me strength to stand before thee.
For the heart within me yearneth,
And for sin my whole face burneth;
Spare me when thy day returneth.
And for sin my whole face burneth;
Spare me when thy day returneth.
By the Magdalen forgiven,
By the thief made pure for heaven,
Even to me thy hope was given.
By the thief made pure for heaven,
Even to me thy hope was given.
Tho' great shame be heavy on me,
Grant thou, Lord, whose mercy won me,
That hell take not hold upon me.
Grant thou, Lord, whose mercy won me,
That hell take not hold upon me.
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