Out through yon trance' together we maun2 go: The gait is low, remember for to lout,3 Gif this were past we have not mony mo." XXIX. I held Him fast as He did give command, And through that trance together then we went; Where in the mids great pricks of iron did stand, Wherewith my feet was all betorn and rent. This stately stair it is not made for thee, Hold thou that course, thou shall be thrust aback." "Alas!" said I, "lang wandering wearied me, Whilk made me run the nearest way to tak." XXXII. Then He began to comfort me again, And said, "My friend, thou mon not enter there : Lift up thy heart, thou yet mon suffer pain; The last assault, perforce, it mon be sair. "Take courage now," said He, "and be This godly way, although it seem sae fair, content To suffer this; the pleasure comes at last." I answered not, but ran incontinent Out oure them all, and so the pain was past. XXX. When this was done, my heart did dance for joy, I was so near, I thought my voyage ended; I ran before and sought not his convoy, Nor speired the way, because I thought I kend it; On stately steps most stoutly I ascended, Without his help, I thought to enter there; He followed fast, and was right sair offended, And hastily did draw me down the stair. XXXI. "What haste," said He, "why ran thou so before? Without my help, thinks thou to climb so high? Come down again, thou yet mon suffer more, Gif thou desires that dwelling-place to see: I Passage. 2 Must. 3 Bend. 4 Inquired. It is too high, thou cannot climb so stay; ' But look below beneath that stately stair, And thou shall see ane other kind of way." XXXIII. I looked down, and saw ane pit most black, Most full of smoke, and flaming fire most fell; That ugly sight made me to fly aback, "Is this," said I, "the papist's purging place, Where they affirm that silly souls do dwell, To purge their sin, before they rest in peace?" XXXIV. XXXV. "This pit is Hell, where through thou mon now go, There is thy way that leads thee to the land: Now play the man, thou needs not tremble so! For I shall help and hold thee by the hand." Courage!" said He, "play not ane coward's part; Though thou be weak, yet in my strength confide." I thought me blest to have sae good a guide, Though I was weak, I knew that He was strong; Under His wings I thought me for to hide, "Alas!" said I, "I have nae force to Gifany there should press to do me wrong. LVIII. The joy of Heaven is worth ane moment's pain; Triumph for joy your enemies are killed; The Lord of Hosts, that is your strength and shield, The Serpent's head has stoutly tramped Take courage, then, lift up your hearts on down, high; Trust in His strength, pass fordwart in To judge the earth when Christ shall the field, come again, Overcome in fecht, and ye shall wear the Above the clouds ye shall exalted be: crown. LVI. The King of kings, gif He be on our side, We need not fear what dare agains1 us stand; Into the field may we not boldly bide, When He shall help us with his mighty hand, Who sits above and rules both sea and land, Who with His breath doth make the hills to shake : for fear, Christ is your guide, ye shall not go astray; The time is near, be sober, watch and pray; The hosts of heaven are armed at his He sees your tears, and He has laid in command To fight the field, when we appear most wake.2 LVII. Pluck up your heart, ye are not left alone, The Lamb of God shall lead you in the way; store Ane rich reward, whilk in that joyful day LX. Now to the King that create all of nought, And Lord of lords, that rules both land and sea, The Lord of Hosts that rings 3 on royal That saved our souls, and with his blood |
