REDEMPTION. 291
Forgetful of his own in other's woes,
The Friend of sinners felt his pity move ;
For these he yearns, and longs their grief to suage,
And turn from him their weeping on themselves.
With look of love, ineffable and mild,
His face divine he meekly tow'rds them turns,
And words of admonition thus address'd :
" daughters of Jerusalem, forebear ; Weep not for me, nor more my griefs deplore. The burden of the cross I free assume, With the whole penalty which it entails. Nor deem the sign, opprobrious though it be, Utter devoid of well borne suff'rings meed; For though it seems so contumelious now, Erelong your glory' and crown it shall become. Weep for yourselves, your little ones deplore ; For lo, the day retributive is near, The day of famine, pestilence and war, When every barren blessed shall be deem'd ; When every womb that bears not shall rejoice, And paps, which give not suck, be fill'd with joy; When those, who triumph now, shall loud bewail, On mountains call, to hide them from my face, And vainly wish that they had ne'er been born; For, if such fire doth in the green wood burn, How fierce the flame which shall consume the dry ! daughters of Jerusalem, forbear; Weep not for me, nor aught my griefs deplore;"
His feet the base of Golgotha commence What aileth thee, rock ? why tremblest thou ? Why cloud thy sh;iggy brow with low'ring gloom, And h-ave thy grizzly sides as though in pain ?
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