em lagrymas da culpa vossa
& bem lauada
& aueisuos de chegar
alimpar
a hũa toalha fermosa
bem laurada
106 co sirgo das veas puras
da Virgem sem magoa nacido
& apurado,
torcido com amarguras
aas escuras,
com grande dor guarnecido
& acabado.
¶ Nam que os olhos alimpeis,
que a nam consentirão
os tristes laços
que taes pontos achareis
da face & enues,
que se rompe o coração
em pedaços.
108 Vereis*, triste, laurado
[com rosto de fermosura]*
natural,
com tormentos pespontado
e figurado,
Deos criador, em figura
de mortal.
¶ Esta toalha que aqui se falla he a varonica, a qual Sancto Agostinho
tira dantre os bacios & a mostra à Alma, & a madre ygreja con os
doutores lhe fazem adoração de joelhos, cantando Salue sancta facies, &
acabando diz a madre ygreja.
¶ Venha a primeyra yguaria.
GERO. Esta yguaria primeyra
foy, senhora,
guisada sem alegria
em triste dia,
a crueldade cozinheyra
& matadora.
110 Gostala eis com salsa & sal
de choros de muyta dor,
porque os costados
do Messias diuinal,
sancto sem mal,
forão pollo vosso amor
açoutados.
¶ Esta yguaria em ̃q aqui se falla sam os açoutes, & em este passo os
tirã dos bacios & os presentam a alma & todos de joelhos adoram cantãdo
Aue flagellum, & despois diz Geronymo.
¶ Estoutro manjar segundo
he yguaria
que aueis de mastigar
em contemplar
a dor que o senhor do mundo
padecia
pera vos remediar.
112 foi hum tromento improuiso
que aos miolos lhe chegou
& consentio,
por remediar o siso
que a vosso siso faltou,
e pera ganhardes parayso
a sofrio.
¶ Esta yguaria segunda de que aqui se fala he a coroa de espinhos, e em
este passo a tiram dos bacios & de joelhos os sanctos doutores cantam
Aue corona espinearum, & acabando diz a madre ygreja.
113 Venha outra do teor.
GERO. Estoutro manjar terceyro
foy guisado
em tres lugares de dor,
a qual maior,
com a lenha do madeyro
mais prezado.
114 Comese com gram tristeza*
porque a virgem gloriosa
o vio guisar:
vio crauar com gram crueza
a sua riqueza
& sua perla preciosa
vio furar.
¶ E a este passo tira sancto Agostinho os crauos, & todos de joelhos os
adorão, cantando Dulce lignum, dulcis clauus, & acabada a adoraçam diz o
anjo à alma.
¶ Leixay ora esses arreos,
que estoutra nam se come assi
como cuydais:
pera as almas sam mui feos
e sam meos
con que nam andam em si
os mortais.
¶ Despe a alma o vestido & joyas que lho imigo deu & diz Agostinho.
¶ Oo alma bem aconselhada,
que dais o seu a cujo he,
o da terra ha terra:
agora yreis despejada
polla estrada,
porque vencestes com fee
forte guerra.
117 YGREJA. ¶ Venha estoutra yguaria.
GERO. A quarta yguaria he tal,
tam esmerada,
de tam infinda valia
& contia
que na mente diuinal
foy guisada,
118 por mysterio preparada
no sacrario virginal
muy cuberta,
da diuindade cercada
& consagrada,
despois ao padre eternal
dada em oferta.
¶ Apresenta sam Geronymo à alma hum crucificio que tira dantre os
pratos, & os doutores o adoram cantando Domine Jesu Christe, & acabando
diz a alma.
¶ Cõ que forças, com ̃q spirito
te darey, triste, louuores
que sou nada,
vendote, Deos infinito,
tam afflito,
padecendo tu as dores
& eu culpada?
120 Como estaas tam quebrantado,
filho de Deos immortal!
quem te matou?
Senhor per cujo mandado
es justiçado
sendo Deos vniuersal
que nos criou?
121 AGOST. ¶ A fruyta deste jantar,
que neste altar vos foy dado
com amor,
yremos todos buscar
ao pomar
adonde estaa sepultado
o redemptor.
¶ E todos com a alma, cantando Te Deum laudamus, foram adorar ho
muymento.
LAVS DEO.
NOTES:
1. _pera mui p'rigosos p'rigos_ C. _imigos_ C.
2. _pensada_ A, B; _pousada_ C. _passada_? cf. infra 73 and J. Ruiz
_Cantar de Ciegos_. De los bienes deste siglo No tiuemos nos _pasada_.
3. _Pousada com alimentos_?
4. _apressada_ C.
6. _em chegando_?
13. _a resistir_ A, B, C; _e resistir_ D.
18. _atras_ B. _imigo_ B.
20. _trestura_ B. _vem o Diabo e diz_ C.
22. _E havei prazer_ C.
23. _& auereis_? B. _cue da vida vos desterra_ B.
26. _nam som em balde os deleytes_ B. _fortunas_ A, B, C, D, E.
_criaturas_ C.
27. _possagem_ A, B; _passagem_ C.
35. _Huns chapins aueis mister De Valença, eylos aqui_ A, B, C, D, E.
36. _de la pera ca_ C.
38. _marcante_ A, B; _mercante_ C, D. _querês_ C, D.
41. _poder_ A; _puder_ B, C. _Todas cousas com razão Tem sazão_ C.
42. _poder_ A, B; _puder_ C.
43. _naceo_ A, B; _nasceo_ C (cf. infra 102 _nascido_ A; 106 _nacido_
A).
44. _dadas_ A, B; _dados_ C.
45. _esmaltados_ B. _neste espelho & sabereis_ B. _Neste espelho bem
lavrado Vos vereis_? (omitting _& sabereis--enganar_).
46. _em cada orelha o seu_ B.
47. _despiedosa_ C.
49. _á derradeira_ C.
50. _van_ C.
52. _mim_ C.
54. _muito certo? tudo tendes_ A, B, C, D, E.
56. _Siprito_ B.
58. _como se quer_ C.
59. _escripturas_ C.
61. _estrouares_ B. _hereos_ C.
62. _damnaste_ C.
65. _como o raio_ C.
66. _violentas_ A. _& tromentas_ B.
67. _mezinha_ B. _obstinada_ C. _a todo o mal_ C; _e todo o mal_ D.
68. _arreos_, _feos_ C; _c'os trajos_ C.
69. _logar_ C. _damnada_ C.
71. _soccorey_ C.
74. _devagar_ C.
75. _Jeronimo, Ambrosio e Thomaz_ C, D. _e qual_ D. _melhor_ C, D.
76. _troxe_ B. _passeia_ C. _vem outro Diabo_ C.
77. _dessocegado_ C, D.
79. _Tinha outra alma vencida_ B.
80. _fê-la_ C, D.
81. _asi_ B.
82. _affogar_ A; _affagar_ C. _Entra a Alma, con o Anjo_ C, D.
84. _Vexilla_ C. _pro Deum_ A, B; _prodeunt_ C.
88. _até 'gora_ C, D.
90. _pela nossa_ C, D.
91. _polo homem_ C, E. B omits 90 and 91.
92. _O quão chorosa Quando o seu Deos padecia_ A, B, C, D, E.
93. _com os_ A, B; _c'os olhos_ C, D.
94. _podera ver_ A, B; _podera haver_ C, D.
96. _vermos_ B.
97. _cravar_ C.
100. _morta debruçada_ C. _de nossa vida_ A, B; _da nossa vida_ C, D.
_pecadora_? or _e senhora_? or _nesta hora_?
101. _Mesias_ B.
102. _choraua sem_ B.
103. _cospido_ B.
105. _Vso aveysuos_ B.
105. _a limpar_ A [but cf. 107. _alimpeis_ (A)]; _alimpar_ B; _A
alimpar_ C.
107. _de face_ C.
108. _Vereis seu triste laurado Natural_ A, B, C, D, E. _Esta toalha de
que C. Veronica C. a mostra_ A; _amostra_ B, C. _santa facias_ B.
110. _em ̃q se falla_ B. _açotes_ B.
112. _tormento_ C. _fala_ A; _falla_ B. _espiniarum_ C. _acabado_ B.
113. _theor_ C.
114. _gran_ C. _tristura_ A, B, C, D, E.
114. _clausos_ B. _acabada a oração_ C.
115. _inimigo_ C.
116. _o seu a cujo he_ A, B; _o seu cujo he_ C, D.
118. _oferta_ A; _offerta_ B _crucifixo_ B, C.
119. _spirito_ A, B; _sprito_ C. _tristes louvores_ C, D, E. _dios_ B.
121. _fruta_ B. _a onde_ C. _redemtor_ B. _moymento_ B; _moimento_ C.
FOOTNOTES:
[151] _MDXVIII_. A. Braamcamp Freire.
[152] _pera eterna morada_ B.
[153] _prefiguraçã_ B.
ENGLISH TRANSLATION:
_The Soul's Journey._
_This play was written for the very devout Queen Lianor and played
before the very powerful and noble King Manuel, her brother, by his
command, in the city of Lisbon at the Ribeira palace on the night of
Good Friday in the year 1508._
_Argument._
_As it was very necessary that there should be inns upon the roads for
the repose and refreshment of weary wayfarers, so it was fitting that in
this transitory life there should be an innkeeper for the refreshment
and rest of the souls that go journeying to the everlasting abode of
God. This innkeeper of souls is the Holy Mother Church, the table is the
altar, the fare the emblems of the Passion. And this allegory is the
theme of the following play._
(_A table laid, with a chair. The Holy Mother Church comes with her four
doctors, St Thomas, St Jerome, St Ambrose and St Augustine, who says:_)
1 _St Aug._ Friends, 'twas of necessity
That upon the gloomy way
Of this our life
Some sure refuge there should be
From the enemy
And dread dangers that alway
Therein are rife.
2 Since man's spirit migratory
In the journey to its goal
Is oft oppressed,
Weary in this transitory
Path to glory,
An inn was needed for the soul
To stay and rest.
3 An inn provided with its fare,
In clear light a table spread
Expectantly,
And laden with a double share
Of torments rare
That the Son of God, His life-blood shed,
Bought on the Tree.
4 Since by the covenant of His death
He gave, to give us Paradise,
Even His life,
Unwavering He rendereth
For us His breath,
Paying the full required price
Free from all strife.
5 His work as man was to enable
Our Mother Church thus to console,
Innkeeper lowly,
And minister at this very table,
Most serviceable,
Unto every wayfaring soul,
With the Father Holy
6 And its Guardian Angel's care.
The soul to her protection given
If, weak with sin
And yielding almost to despair,
It onward fare
And to reach this inn have striven,
Finds health within.
(_The Guardian Angel comes with the Soul and says:_)
7 _Angel._ Human soul, by God created
Out of nothingness yet wrought
As of great price,
From corruption separated,
Sublimated,
To glorious perfection brought
By skilled device;
8 Plant that in this valley growest
Flowers celestial for to give
Of fairest scent,
Hence to that high hill thou goest
Where thou knowest
Even than roses graces thrive
More excellent.
9 Plant wayfaring, since thy spirit,
Scarce staying, to its first origin
Must still begone,
Thy true country is to inherit
By thy merit
That glory that thou mayest win:
O hasten on.
10 Soul that art thus trebly blest
By such angels' love attended,
Sink not asleep,
Nor one instant pause nor rest,
Thou journeyest
On a way that soon is ended
If watch thou keep.
11 _Soul._ Guardian angel, o'er me still
Keep thy ward that am so frail
And of the earth,
On all sides thy watch fulfil
That nothing kill
My true wealth nor e'er prevail
O'er its high worth.
12 Ever encompass me and shield,
For this conflict with great fear
Fills all my sense,
Noble protector in this field,
Lest I should yield,
Let thy gleaming sword be near
For my defence.
13 Still uphold me and sustain
For I fear lest I may stumble,
Fail and fall.
_Angel._ Therefore came I, nor in vain,
Yet amain
Must thou help me too, and humble
Resist all:
14 Even all the world's debate
Of riches and of vanity,
Seek thou for grace,
Since pomp and honour, high estate
Vainly elate,
Are but a stumbling-block to thee,
No resting-place.
15 Power uncontrolled is thine,
And an independent will
Unbound by fate:
Even so in His might divine
Did God design
That thou in glory mightst fulfil
Thy heavenly state.
16 He gave thee understanding pure,
Imparted to thee memory,
Free will is thine,
That so thou mayest e'er endure
With purpose sure,
Knowing that He has fashioned thee
To be divine.
17 And since God knew the mortal frame
Wherein He placed thee to distil,
(So to win His praise)
Was metal weak and prone to shame,
Therefore I came
Thee to protect--it was His will--
And to upraise.
18 Let us go forth upon our way.
Turn not thou back, for then indeed
The enemy
Upon thy glorious life straightway
Will make assay.
But unto Satan pay no heed
Who lurks for thee.
19 And still the goal seek thou to win
Carefully at thy journey's end.
And be it clear
That the spirit e'er at watch within
Against all sin
Upon salvation's path may wend
Without a fear.
20 In snares of Hell that shall waylay,
Dark and awful wiles among,
Thee to molest,
As thou advancest on thy way
Fall not nor stray,
But let thy beauty join the throng
Of spirits blest.
(_The Angel goes forward and the Devil comes to the Soul and says:_)
21 _Devil._ Whither so swift thy flight,
Delicate dove most white?
Who thus deceives thee?
And weary still doth goad
Along this road,
Yea and of human sense,
Even, bereaves thee?
22 Seek not to hasten hence
Since thou hast life and youth
For further growth.
There is a time for haste,
A time for leisure:
Live at thy will and rest,
Taking thy pleasure.
23 Enjoy, enjoy the goods of Earth,
And great estates seek to possess
And worldly treasures.
Who to the hills, exiled from mirth,
Thus sends thee forth?
Who speaks to thee of foolishness
Instead of pleasures?
24 This life is all a pleasaunce fair,
Soft, debonair,
Look for no other paradise:
Who bids thee seek, with false advice,
Refuge elsewhere?
25 _Soul._ Hinder me not here nor stay,
For far other thoughts are mine.
_Devil._ To worldly ease thy thought incline
Since all men incline this way.
26 And not for nothing are delights,
And not in vain possessions sent
And fortune's prize,
And not for nought are pleasure's rites
And banquet-nights:
All these are for man's ornament
And galliardize;
27 For mortal men is their array.
So let delight thy woes assuage,
Henceforth recline
And rest, since rest likewise had they
Who went this way,
Even this very pilgrimage
That now is thine.
28 And whatsoe'er thy body crave,
Even as thy will desire,
So let it be;
And laugh thou at the censors grave,
Whoso would have
Thee torturèd by sufferings dire
So uselessly.
29 I would not, being thou, go forth,
So sad and troubled lies the way,
'Tis cruelty,
And thou art of imperial worth
And royal birth,
To none thou needest homage pay,
Then be thou free.
30 _Angel._ O who thus hinders thee? On, on!
How loiterest thou on glory's path
So slowly!
O God, sole consolation!
Now is there none
Who of that victory honour hath
That is most holy.
31 Soul, already dost thou tire
Sinking so soon beneath thy burden?
Nay, soul, take heart!
Ah, with what a glowing fire
Of desire
Cam'st thou couldst thou see what guerdon
Were then thy part.
32 Forward, forward let us go:
Be of good cheer, O soul made holy
By this thy strife.
(_The Angel goes forward and Satan returns._)
_Devil._ But what is all this coil and woe?
Why to and fro
Flutterest thou in haste and folly?
Nay, live thy life.
33 For very piteous is thy plight,
Poor, barefoot, ruined utterly,
In bitterness,
Carrying nothing to delight
As thine by right,
And all thy life is thus to thee
A thing senseless.
34 But don this dress, thy arm goes there,
Put it through now, even thus, now stay
Awhile. What grace,
What finery! I do declare
It pleases me. Now walk away
A little space.
35 So: I trow shoes are now thy need
With a pair from Valencia, fair to see,
I thee endow.
Now beautiful, as I decreed,
Art thou indeed;
Now fold thy arms presumptuously:
Ev'n so; and now
36 Strut airily, show off thy power,
This way and that and up and down
Just as thou please;
Fair now as fairest rose in flower
Thy beauty's dower,
And all becomes thee as thine own:
Now take thine ease.
(_The Angel returns to the Soul, saying:_)
37 _Angel._ What is this that thou art doing?
_Soul._ In the world's mirror ev'n as I see
I do in this.
_Angel._ O soul, thou compassest thy ruin
And rushest forward foolishly
To the abyss.
38 For every step that onward fares
One step back, one step aside
Thou takest still,
And buyest eagerly the wares
That pirate bears,
Even Satan, by thee glorified
Of thy free will.
39 O journey onward still with care
For the Virgin with the elect
Doth thee await:
Thou leavest desolate and bare
Thy kingdom rare,
And thine own glory dost reject
And true estate.
40 But cast these slippers now aside,
This gaudy dress and its long train,
Thou art all bowed,
Lest Death come on thee unespied
And in thy pride
These thy desires and trappings vain
Prove but thy shroud.
41 _Soul._ Go forward, stretch thy hand
to save,
Go forward, I will follow thee
As best I may.
(_The Angel goes forward and the Devil returns._)
_Devil._ All things in light of reason grave
Their seasons have.
And I to thee will, O lady,
My counsel say:
42 There is a time here for delight
And an age is given for growth,
Another age
To tread in lordly triumph's might
In the world's despite,
Gaining ease and riches both
On life's full stage.
43 It is too early yet to die,
Time later to repent on earth
And to seek Heaven.
Then cease with fashion's rule to vie,
And quietly
Enjoy the nature that at birth
To thee was given.
44 What, think'st thou, is the use for gold
And what the use for precious stones
And for brocade,
And all these silks so manifold?
Ah surely hold
That for the souls, the blessed ones,
They were all made.
45 See here a necklace in its pride
Of skilfully enamelled gold,
Here are rings ten:
Now mayst thou win the hearts of men,
Fit for a bride.
In this mirror thou mayst behold
Thyself and see
That I am not deceiving thee.
46 And here are ear-rings, put them on
One in each ear duly now:
Even so;
For things thus diligently done
Prove wisdom won,
And now I may to thee avow
That right well pleased I hence shall go.
47 _Soul._ O how lovely is my state,
How is it for service meet,
And for holy adoration!
_Angel._ Cruel soul and obstinate,
Rather thereat
Should I shun thee than still treat
Of thy salvation.
48 Earth upon earth is this thy store,
Since but earth is all this gold.
O God most high,
Wherefore permittest thou such war
That, as of yore,
To Babel's kingdom from thy fold
Thy creatures hie?
49 Was it not easier journeying
At first, more free than that thou hast
With all this train,
Hampered and bowed with many a thing
That now doth cling
About thee, but which at the last
Must here remain?
50 All is disgorged and left behind
At the entrance to the tomb.
Who, holy soul, doth thee thus blind
Thyself to bind
With such vain misfortune's doom?
51 _Soul._ Nay, this doth scarcely on me weigh:
It is my poor weak mortal nature
That bows me down.
So weary am I, I must stay
Nor go my way,
So void of grace, so frail a creature
Am I now grown.
52 Sir, go thy way: I cannot strive
Nor hope now further to advance,
So fallen I.
_Angel._ But two steps more to where doth live
She who will give
To thee celestial sustenance
Charitably.
53 Thither shalt thou go and rest,
And shalt taste there of that fare
New strength to borrow:
Unrivalled is that hostess blest
To give of the best
To those who weeping come to her,
Laden with sorrow.
54 _Soul._ Is it far off?
_Angel._ Nay, very near.
Be not downcast, but now be brave,
And let us go,
For every remedy and cheer
Is certain here.
And whatsoever thou wouldst have
We can bestow.
55 Such grace is hers that nought can smirch,
Such favours will she show to thee,
That innkeeper.
_Soul._ Her name?
_Angel._ The Holy Mother Church.
And holy doctors thou shalt see
Are there with her.
56 Joyful thence shall thy going be,
Filled then with the Holy Spirit
And beautified:
O soul, take heart, courageously
One step for thee,
Nay, scarce one step, and thou shalt merit
To be a bride.
57 _Devil._ Stay, whither art thou going now?
Such haste is mere unseemly rage
And foolishness:
What, thou so puffed with pride, canst thou
Thus meekly bow
To go on churchward e'er old age
Doth on thee press?
58 Let pleasure, pleasure rule thy ways,
For many hours in years to roll
To thee are given,
And when death comes to end thy days,
If prayer thou raise,
Then all sins that can vex a soul
Shall be forgiven.
59 Look to thy wealth and property:
There is a group of houses should
Be thine by right,
Great source of income would they be,
Unhappily
At thy parents' death the matter stood
In no clear light.
60 The case is simple, 'tis averred
Such lawsuits in a trice are won
At laughter's spell:
Next Tuesday let the case be heard
And, in a word,
Finish thou well what is begun.
Be sensible.
61 _Soul._ O silence, for the love of God,
Persecute me no more: thy hate
Doth it not suffice
High Heaven's heirs that it hinder should
From their abode?
My life to thee early and late
I sacrifice.
62 But leave me: so I may efface
The cruel wrong that shamelessly
Thou hast thus wrought;
For now I have scarce breathing-space
To reach that place
Where for this poison there may be
Some antidote.
63 _Angel._ See the inn: a sure retreat,
Even for all those a true home
Who would have life.
_Church._ O laden with sore toil and heat!
O tired feet!
_Soul._ Yea, for I destined was to come
Weary of strife.
64 _Church._ Who art thou? whither wouldst thou win?
_Soul._ I know not whither, outcast, fated
At fortune's whim,
A soul unholy, steepèd in
Its mortal sin,
Against the God who had created
Me like to Him.
65 I am that soul ill-starred, unblest,
That by nature shone in gleaming
Robe of white,
Of angel's beauty once possessed,
Yea, loveliest,
Like a ray refulgent streaming
Filled with light.
66 And by my ill-omened fate,
My atrocious devilries,
Sins treasonous,
More dead than death is now my state
Bowed with this weight
That nought can lighten, vanities
Most poisonous.
67 I am a sinner obstinate,
Perverse, that know no remedy
For this my plight,
Oppressed by guilt most obdurate,
And profligate,
Inclined to evil constantly
And all delight.
68 And I banished from my lore
All my perfect ornaments
And natural graces,
By prudence I set no store
But evermore
Rejoiced in all these vile vestments
And worldly places.
69 At each step taken in earthly cares
I further sank away from praise,
Earning but blame:
Have mercy upon one who fares
Lost unawares:
For, innocence lost, I might not raise
Myself from shame.
70 And, for my greater evil, I
Can no more repent me fully,
Since in new mood
My thoughts are mutinous and cry
For liberty,
Unwilling to obey me duly
As once they would.
71 O help me, lady innkeeper,
For Satan even now his hand
Doth on me lay,
And so grievously I err
In my despair
That I know not if I go or stand
Or backward stray.
72 Succour thou my helplessness
And strengthen me with holy fare,
For I perish,
Of thy noble saintliness
Liberal to bless,
For knowing my deserts I dare
No hope to cherish.
73 I acknowledge all my sin
And before thee meekly thus
Forgiveness crave.
O Lady, let me now but win
Into thine inn,
Since One suffered even for us,
That He might save.
74 Bid me welcome, Mother holy,
Shield of all who are forsaken
Utterly.
_Church._ Enter to thy seat there lowly,
Yet come slowly,
For the viands thou seest were baken
By God most high.
75 Lo ye my pillars, doctor, saint,
Ambrose, Thomas and Jerome
And Augustine,
In my service wax not faint,
Nor show constraint,
And to thee, soul, shall be welcome
This fare of mine.
76 To the holy kitchen go:
Let us this frail soul restore,
That she find grace
To reach her journey's end and know
Her path, that so
By God brought hither she no more
Fail in life's race.
(_Meanwhile Satan goes to and fro, cutting many capers, and another
devil comes and says:_)
77 _2nd D._ You're like a lion in a cage.
_1st D._ I'm all afire, with anger blind.
_2nd D._ Why, what's the matter?
_1st D._ To be so taken in, my rage
Can nought assuage
Nor any rest be to my mind;
For, as I flatter
78 Myself, I had by honeyed word
Deceived a certain soul, all quick
For fires of Hell.
_2nd D._ Who made you throw it overboard?
_1st D._ He of the sword.
_2nd D._ He played just such another trick
On me as well.
79 For I had overcome a soul,
Ready to hang itself, unsteady
In its despair;
Yes, it was given to us whole
And I myself was making ready
To drag't down there.
80 And lo he made it weep and weep
So that the tears ran down along
The very ground:
You might have heard my curses deep
And cries of rage echo among
The hills around.
81 But I have hopes that what I've lost
Some other day I shall regain,
So will we all.
_1st D._ I, brother, cannot share your trust,
But I will tempt this soul again
Whate'er befall.
82 With new promises will I woo her
When from the Church she shall have come
Forth to the street
Upon her journey: I will to her,
And beshrew her
If I turn not all their triumph
To defeat.
(_The Soul enters with the Angel._)
83 _Soul._ O let not thy protection fail me,
Guardian angel, help thy child.
O foes most base,
Infidels, why would you assail me
Who to my God am reconciled
And in His grace?
84 Leave me, O ye tempters, leave
Unto this most precious feast
Of Him who died,
Served to sinners for reprieve
Of those who grieve
For their Redeemer Lord, the Christ
And crucified.
(_While the Soul is seated at the table and the Angel standing by her
side, the Doctors come with four covered kitchen dishes, singing
_Vexilla regis prodeunt_, and after placing them on the table, St
Augustine says:_)
85 _St Aug._ Lady, thou that to this feast,
Supper of celestial fare
Nobly divine,
Comest as a bidden guest,
Must now divest
Thyself of worldly thought and care
That once were thine.
86 Thou thy body's eyes must close
And in fetters sure be tied
Fierce appetite,
Treacherous guides, infernal foes:
Thy ways are those
That are a safe support and guide
For the contrite.
87 _Church._ Sir, by thee be the table blest:
In thy benedictory prayer,
To bring relief
And new strength to this our guest,
Be there expressed
The Passion's glory in despair
And all its grief.
88 Thou, O soul, with orisons,
The Virgin's sorrows contemplating
Abide even there,
And ye others make response
Since for this have you been waiting
Wrapped in prayer.
(_St Augustine's prayer:_)