Gi bichten reyne und lan de sunde uch ruwen So wil sich god in uch vor nuwen 85 Owe du arme wokerere Du bringest en lod up en punt Dat senket din an der helle grunt Ir morder und ir straten rouere Ir sint dem leuen gode un mere 90 Ir ne wilt uch ouer nemende barmen Des sin gy eweliken vor loren Were dusse bote nicht ge worden De cristenheit wer gar vorsunden De leyde duuel had se ge bunden 95 Maria had lost unsen bant Sunder ich saghe di leue mere Sunte peter is portenere Wende dich an en he letset dich in He bringhet dich vor de koninghin 100 Leue herre sunte Michahel Du bist en plegher aller sel Be hode uns vor der helle nod Dat do dor dines sceppers dod. The Ancient Song of the Flagellants. ACCORDING TO MASSMANN’S EDITION COMPARED WITH THE MS. BY PROFESSOR LACHMANN. (_Translation._) Whoe’er to save his soul is fain, Must pay and render back again. His safety so shall he consult: Help us, good Lord, to this result. Ye that repent your crimes, draw nigh. 5 From the burning hell we fly, From Satan’s wicked company. Whom he leads With pitch he feeds. If we be wise we this shall flee. 10 Maria! Queen! we trust in thee, To move thy Son to sympathy. Jesus Christ was captive led, And to the cross was riveted. The cross was reddened with his gore 15 And we his martyrdom deplore. “Sinner, canst thou to me atone. Three pointed nails, a thorny crown, The holy cross, a spear, a wound, These are the cruel pangs I found. 20 What wilt thou, sinner, bear for me?” Lord, with loud voice we answer thee, Accept our service in return, And save us lest in hell we burn. We, through thy death, to thee have sued. 25 For God in heaven we shed our blood: This for our sins will work to good. Blessed Maria! Mother! Queen! Through thy loved Son’s redeeming mean Be all our wants to thee portrayed. 30 Aid us, Mother! spotless maid! Trembles the earth, the rocks are rent[200], Fond heart of mine, thou must relent. Tears from our sorrowing eyes we weep; Therefore so firm our faith we keep 35 With all our hearts—with all our senses. Christ bore his pangs for our offences. Ply well the scourge for Jesus’ sake, And God through Christ your sins shall take. For love of God abandon sin, 40 To mend your vicious lives begin, So shall we his mercy win. Direful was Maria’s pain When she beheld her dear One slain. Pierced was her soul as with a dart: 45 Sinner, let this affect thy heart. The time draws near When God in anger shall appear. Jesus was refreshed with gall: