This Crosstree
By Robert Herrick
Thiscrosstreehere
DothJesusbear,
Whosweet'nedfirst
Thedeathaccurs'd.
Hereallthingsreadyare,makehaste,makehasteaway;
Forlongthisworkwillbe,andveryshortthisday.
Whythen,goontoact:here'swonderstobedone
BeforethelastleastsandofThyninthhourberun;
Oreredarkcloudsdodullordeadthemid-day'ssun.
ActwhenThouwilt,
Bloodwillbespilt;
Purebalm,thatshall
Bringhealthtoall.
Whythen,begin
Topourfirstin
Somedropsofwine,
Insteadofbrine,
Tosearchthewound
Solongunsound:
And,whenthat'sdone,
Letoilnextrun
Tocurethesore
Sinmadebefore.
AndO!dearChrist,
E'enasThoudi'st,
Lookdown,andsee
UsweepforThee.
Andtho',loveknows,
Thydreadfulwoes
Wecannotease,
YetdoThouplease,
Whomercyart,
T'accepteachheart
Thatgladlywould
Helpifitcould.
Meanwhileletme,
Beneaththistree,
Thishonourhave,
Tomakemygrave.