But God Himself hath them elect, Hath them elect, in heaven to dwell: For they were bathèd in their blood, For their Baptism forsooth it stood In Israel. XVIII Alace! again what hearts had they, What hearts had they those babes to kill! With swords when they them caught, In cradles they lay and laught, And never thought ill. FOOTNOTES: [632] wode = mad. [633] ure = practice. [634] ying = young. [635] skill = reason. _109. Dives and Lazarus_ I As it fell out upon a day, Rich Dives he made a feast, And he invited all his friends And gentry of the best. II Then Lazarus laid him down and down, And down at Dives’ door; ‘Some meat, some drink, brother Dives, Bestow upon the poor!’-- III ‘Thou art none of my brother, Lazarus, That lies begging at my door; No meat nor drink will I give thee, Nor bestow upon the poor.’ IV Then Lazarus laid him down and down. And down at Dives’ wall, ‘Some meat, some drink, brother Dives, Or with hunger starve I shall!’-- V ‘Thou art none of my brother, Lazarus, That lies begging at my wall; No meat nor drink will I give thee, But with hunger starve you shall.’ VI Then Lazarus laid him down and down, And down at Dives’ gate: ‘Some meat, some drink, brother Dives, For Jesus Christ his sake!’-- VII ‘Thou art none of my brother, Lazarus, That lies begging at my gate; No meat nor drink will I give thee, For Jesus Christ his sake.’ VIII Then Dives sent out his merry men, To whip poor Lazarus away; They had no power to strike a stroke, But flung their whips away. IX Then Dives sent out his hungry dogs, To bite him as he lay; They had no power to bite at all, But lickèd his sores away. X As it fell out upon a day, Poor Lazarus sicken’d and died; Then came two angels out of heaven His soul therein to guide. XI ‘Rise up, rise up, brother Lazarus, And go along with me; For you’ve a place prepared in heaven, To sit on an angel’s knee.’ XII As it fell out upon a day, Rich Dives sicken’d and died; Then came two serpents out of hell, His soul therein to guide. XIII ‘Rise up, rise up, brother Dives, And go with us to see A dismal place, prepared in hell, To sit on a serpent’s knee.’ XIV Then Dives look’d up with his eyes, And saw poor Lazarus blest: ‘Give me one drop of water, brother Lazarus, To quench my flaming thirst. XV ‘Oh had I as many years to abide As there are blades of grass, Then there would be an end, but now Hell’s pains will ne’er be past! XVI