A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations / Consisting of Choice Passages from the Sacred Poetry of All Ages and Countries, Classified and Arranged, for Facility of Reference, Under Subject Headings; Illustrated by Striking Passages from Scripture, and Forming Altogether a Complete Book of Devotional Poetry.

by Unknown

From the Italian of Vittoria Colonna.

Hast Thou not planted with Thy hands

A lovely vine in heathen lands?

Did not Thy pow’r defend it round,

And heav’nly dews enrich the ground?

How did the spreading branches shoot,

And bless the nations with the fruit!

But now, dear Lord, look down and see

Thy mourning vine, that lovely tree.

Why is its beauty thus defac’d?