The Poetry Corner

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.