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.
RESPUBLICA. MISERICORDIA. AVARICE. ADULATION.
_Resp._ O Lord! hast Thou for ever closed up Thine ear? Wilt Thou never more the desolate's prayer hear? Wilt Thou still turn away Thy face from my distress? Wilt Thou clean forsake me and leave me comfortless? The secret sighs, and sobs, and prayers of mine heart, Shall they not forever Thine eyes to me convert? I grant that mine offences have so much deserved; But for whom, save sinners, is this mercy reserved? [Thou reservst it] so, which hitherto hath been just; Despair, Lord! I will not; nor Thy goodness mistrust. Lo[ok] down on my distress! and for Thy glory sake, Though I be ill worthy it, mercy on me take!