_Pater Cœlestis._ Thou shalt not say so, for I have given thee grace, Eloquence and age, to speak in desert place. Thou must do therefore as I shall thee advise, My appointed pleasure forth utter in any wise; My strong mighty words put I into thy mouth, Spare not, but speak them to east, west, north and south. [_God stretching out his hand, touches John's lips with his finger and confers upon him a golden tongue._ Go now thy way forth, I shall thee never fail, The spir't of Elijah have I given thee already. Persuade the people, that they their sins bewail; And if they repent their customable folly, Long shall it not be ere they have remedy. Open thou their hearts: tell them their health is coming As a voice in a desert; see thou declare the thing. I promise thee sure, thou shalt wash him among them In Jordan, a flood not far from Jerusalem. _John the Baptist._ Shew me yet, good Lord, whereby shall I know that man, In the multitude which will resort to Jordan. _Pater Cœlestis._ In thy mother's womb of him hadst thou cognition. Have thou no fear John, him shalt thou know full well, And one special token afore will I thee tell. _Super quem videris spiritum descendentem et manentem Super eum, hic est qui baptizat spiritu sancto:_ Among all other whom thou shalt baptise there Upon whom thou seest the Holy Ghost descend In shape of a dove, resting upon his shoulder, Hold him for the same, that shall the world amend, By baptism of spirit, and also to man extend Most special grace. For he must repair his fall, Restoring again the justice original. Take now thy journey, and do as I thee advise, First preach repentance, and then the people baptise.