(Translation).
| Whoe’er to save his soul is fain, | |
| Must pay and render back again. | |
| His safety so shall he consult: | |
| Help us, good Lord, to this result. | |
| 5 | Ye that repent your crimes, draw nigh. |
| From the burning hell we fly, | |
| From Satan’s wicked company. | |
| Whom he leads | |
| With pitch he feeds. | |
| 10 | If we be wise we this shall flee. |
| Maria! Queen! we trust in thee, | |
| To move thy Son to sympathy. | |
| Jesus Christ was captive led, | |
| And to the cross was riveted. | |
| 15 | The cross was reddened with his gore |
| And we his martyrdom deplore. | |
| “Sinner, canst thou to me atone, | |
| “Three pointed nails, a thorny crown, | |
| “The holy cross, a spear, a wound, | |
| 20 | “These are the cruel pangs I found. |
| “What wilt thou, sinner, bear for me?” | |
| Lord, with loud voice we answer thee, | |
| Accept our service in return, | |
| And save us lest in hell we burn. | |
| 25 | We, through thy death, to thee have sued. |
| For God in heaven we shed our blood: | |
| This for our sins will work to good. | |
| Blessed Maria! Mother! Queen! | |
| Through thy loved Son’s redeeming mean | |
| 30 | Be all our wants to thee pourtrayed. |
| Aid us, Mother! spotless Maid! | |
| Trembles the earth, the rocks are rent,[196] | |
| Fond heart of mine, thou must relent. | |
| Tears from our sorrowing eyes we weep; | |
| 35 | Therefore so firm our faith we keep |
| With all our hearts—with all our senses. | |
| Christ bore his pangs for our offences. | |
| Ply well the scourge for Jesus’ sake, | |
| And God through Christ your sins shall take. | |
| 40 | For love of God abandon sin, |
| To mend your vicious lives begin, | |
| So shall we his mercy win. | |
| Direful was Maria’s pain | |
| When she beheld her dear One slain, | |
| 45 | Pierced was her soul as with a dart: |
| Sinner, let this affect thy heart. | |
| The time draws near | |
| When God in anger shall appear. | |
| Jesus was refreshed with gall: | |
| 50 | Prostrate crosswise let us fall, |
| Then with uplifted arms arise, | |
| That God with us may sympathise. | |
| Jesus, by thy titles three,[197] | |
| From our bondage set us free. | |
| 55 | Jesus, by thy precious blood, |
| Save us from the fiery flood. | |
| Lord, our helplessness defend, | |
| And to our aid thy spirit send. | |
| If man and wife their vows should break | |
| 60 | God will on such his vengeance wreak. |
| Brimstone and pitch, and mingled gall, | |
| Satan pours on such sinners all. | |
| Truly, the devil’s scorn are they: | |
| Therefore, O Lord, thine aid we pray. | |
| 65 | Wedlock’s an honorable tie |
| Which God himself doth sanctify. | |
| By this warning, man, abide, | |
| God shall surely punish pride. | |
| Let your precious soul entreat you, | |
| 70 | Lay down pride lest vengeance meet you. |
| I do beseech ye, pride forsake, | |
| So God on us shall pity take. | |
| Christ in heaven, where he commands, | |
| Thus addressed his angel bands:— | |
| 75 | “Christendom dishonors me, |
| “Therefore her ruin I decree.” | |
| Then Mary thus implored her son:— | |
| “Penance to thee, loved Child, be done; | |
| “That she repent be mine the care; | |
| 80 | Stay then thy wrath, and hear my prayer. |
| Ye liars! | |
| Ye that break your sacrament, | |
| Shrive ye throughly and repent. | |
| Your heinous sins sincerely rue, | |
| 85 | So shall the Lord your hearts renew. |
| Woe! usurer, though thy wealth abound, | |
| For every ounce thou mak’st a pound | |
| Shall sink thee to the hell profound. | |
| Ye murd’rers, and ye robbers all, | |
| 90 | The wrath of God on you shall fall. |
| Mercy ye ne’er to others shew, | |
| None shall ye find; but endless woe. | |
| Had it not been for our contrition, | |
| All Christendom had met perdition. | |
| 95 | Satan had bound her in his chain; |
| Mary hath loosed her bonds again. | |
| Glad news I bring thee, sinful mortal, | |
| In heaven Saint Peter keeps the portal, | |
| Apply to him with suppliant mien, | |
| 100 | He bringeth thee before thy Queen. |
| Benignant Michael, blessed saint, | |
| Guardian of souls, receive our plaint. | |
| Through thy Almighty Maker’s death, | |
| Preserve us from the hell beneath. |
II.
Examination of the Jews accused of poisoning the Wells.[198]
Answer from the Castellan of Chillon to the City of Strasburg, together with a Copy of the Inquisition and Confession of several Jews confined in the Castle of Chillon on suspicion of poison. Anno 1348.
To the Honorable the Mayor, Senate and Citizens of the City of Strasburg, the Castellan of Chillon, Deputy of the Bailiff of Chablais, sendeth greeting with all due submission and respect.