The Complete Works of Richard Crashaw Volume II Part 13

_The descent of the Holy Spirit._

Bear, O bosoms, bear ye what Heaven's vintage showers, Sacred cl.u.s.ters pouring from ethereal bowers.

Too happy, surely, ye who drink of wine so good; It comes into your bosoms a sparkling, cooling flood.

Behold, with nectar'd star each head is shining, shining; Around your purpl'd locks a crown of life entwining.

O Spirit of all flesh, to drink who'd be denied, Since Thou, lest they should falter, mak'st wine a torch to guide? G.

XIV.

_Congestis omnibus peregre profectus est._ Luc. xv. 13.

Dic mihi, quo tantos properas, puer auree, nummos?

Quorsum festinae conglomerantur opes?

Cur tibi tota vagos ructans patrimonia census?

Non poterunt siliquae nempe minoris emi?

ON THE PRODIGALL.

_The younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country._

Tell me, bright boy, tell me, my golden lad, Whither away so frolick? why so glad?

What all thy wealth in counsile? all thy state?

Are husks so deare? troth, 'tis a mighty rate. CR.

XV.

_Non solum vinciri, sed et mori paratus sum._ Act. xxi. 13.

Non modo vinc'la, sed et mortem tibi, Christe, subibo, Paulus ait, docti callidus arte doli.

Diceret hoc aliter: Tibi non modo velle ligari, Christe, sed et solvi[46] nempe paratus ero.

_I am ready not to be bound only, but to dye._

Come death, come bonds, nor do you shrink, my eares, At those hard words man's cowardize calls feares.

Save those of feare, no other bands feare I; Nor other death than this--the feare to die. CR.

ANOTHER VERSION.

Not bonds for Thee, Lord, but death too I'll brave, Says Paul, adept in double-meanings grave.

The words meant more: his wish was to be bound For Christ; but loosed too, and with Him found. G.

XVI.

_In Herodem_ s????????t??. Act. xii. 23.

Ille Deus, Deus! haec populi vox unica: tantum, Vile genus, vermes credere velle negant.

At cito se miseri, cito nunc erra.s.se fatentur; Carnes degustant, ambrosiamque putant.

_On Herod worshipped as a G.o.d, eaten of worms._

A G.o.d! a G.o.d! one-mouth'd the people cry; Only the worms, vile tribe, his claim deny.

Yet they, too, soon confess themselves astray, For in his flesh they find ambrosia. CL.

XVII.

_Videns ventum magnum timuit, et c.u.m coep.i.s.set demergi, clamavit, &c._ Matt. xiv.

Petre, cades, o, si dubitas: o, fide: nec ipsum, Petre, negat fidis aequor habere fidem.

Pondere pressa suo subsidunt caetera: solum, Petre, tuae mergit te levitatis onus.[47]

_When he saw the wind boisterous he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, &c._

Peter! doubt, and thou sinkest! O, believe; The sea will not thy faith, Peter, deceive.

Things by their weight subside into the wave; Thy lightness, Peter, threats a wat'ry grave. G.

XVIII.

_Obtulit eis pecunias._ Act. viii. 18.

Quorsum hos hic nummos profers? quorsum, impie Simon?

Non ille hic Judas, sed tibi Petrus adest.

Vis emisse Deum? potius, precor, hoc age, Simon, Si potes, ipse prius daemona vende tuum.

_He offered them money._

Money! what wouldst thou, impious? Look and see, 'Tis Peter, not Iscariot, speaks to thee.

Wouldst thou buy G.o.d? Nay, Simon, change thy tone, And try to sell that demon of thine own. CL.

XIX.

_Umbra S. Petri medetur aegrotis._ Act. v. 15.

Conveniunt alacres, sic, sic juvat ire sub umbras, Atque umbras fieri, creditis? umbra vetat.

O Petri umbra potens, quae non miracula praestat?

Nunc quoque, Papa, tuum sustinet illa decus.

_The shadow of St. Peter heals the sick._

Beneath that shadow they delight to crowd; To turn to shades by that shade not allow'd.

From Peter's shadow what may we not hope, Now all thy glory it sustains, O Pope! G.