MARY: Ever I cried full piteously: "Lordings, what have ye i-brought? It is my Son I love so much: For God's sake bury Him nought." They would not stop though that I swooned, Till that He in the grave were brought. Rich clothes they around him wound: And ever mercy I them besought. * * * * * They said there was no better way But take and bury him full snel. They looked on my cousin John For sorrow both a-down we fell-- * * * * * By Him we fell that was My Child. His sweet mouth well full oft I kissed. John saw I was in point to spill, That nigh mine heart did come to break. He held his sorrow in his heart still And mildly then to me did speak: "Mary, if it be thy will Go we hence; the Maudeleyn eke." He led me to a chamber then Where my Son was used to be,-- John and the Maudeleyn also; For nothing would they from me flee. I looked about me everywhere: I could nowhere my Sonè see. We sat us down in sorrow and woe And 'gan to weep all three. From St. Bernard's Lamentation on Christ's Passion. Engl. version, probably 13th Cent, by Richard Maydestone. PART TWO CHAPTER XVIII THE CRUCIFIXION And they crucified him. S. Matt. XXVII, 35. In as much as we have no confidence because of our many sins, do thou, O Virgin Mother of God, beseech him who was born of thee; for a Mother's supplication availeth much to gain the benignity of the Master. Despise not the prayers of sinners, O all-august, for merciful and mighty to save is he, who vouchsafed to suffer for us. BYZANTINE.