Miser. Wherein appeareth the graciousness of God
More than, infinitely to exceed man's goodness,
But that He keepeth back the sharp stroke of His rod
When man would rage in most furious woodness?
Scarce any amends may man's eagerness appease;
Yea, and though he forgive, he will not soon forget;
Towards true penitence God's wrath forthwith doth cease,
And He, their past sins, behind His back doth set.
Of long sufferance He is with weakness to bear,
While any hope of amendment doth remain;
And though He plague sinners, to call them home by fear,
Yet His mercy and grace are aye ready again.
His grievous displeasure dureth not for ever.
And why? quia miserationes ejus;
Which to show He chiefly delighteth ever,
Manent super omnia opera ejus.
It grieveth Him sore when He must needs take vengeance;
His delight and glory is mercy to practise;
His tender compassion, on true repentance,
He hath still, from the beginni[n]g, sought t' exercise.
The mass of this world in His mercy did He frame:
The sky, earth, and sea His mercy replenished;
In His mercy did He after redeem the same,
When else, remediless, it must have perished.
In His mercy was Israel delivered
From the 'gyptian thraldom and captivity;
In His mercy the same through the Red Sea was led;
And through wilderness to a land of liberty.
Sith that time all commonwealths He hath protected;
And to such as, with earnest prayer, have made moan,
Me, Compassion, He hath amically directed
To revive and recover them every one.
Now, lastly, hath he heard the most doleful lament
Of woeful Respublica, his darling most dear!
Therefore me, Compassion, with speed he hath sent,
Her most sorrowful heart to recomfort and cheer.
I tarry her coming that I may her salute:
And lo! methinketh I see her appear in place;
Of friendship devoid, and of succour destitute—
I will hear her, and then give words of solace.