ANGEL. (KNEELING, AND HOLDING THE MANTLE.) BURNING with delight, I haste As the sign of Martyrdom. III. JESUS AND JOHN CONTENDING FOR THE CROSS. BY SIMEONE DA PESARO; IN THE COLLECTION OF THE SEMINARY AT VENICE. (TRYING TO TAKE THE CROSS OUT OF THE HAND OF JESUS.) GIVE me the Cross, I pray you, dearest Jesus! Terrible things, I cannot bear to think of, Must fall upon you; show me that you love me : Follow your steps and wait upon your wishes? Somewhere about this mystery be hidden, THE CHILD JESUS. (HOLDING THE CROSS FIRMLY.) Ask me not, my gentle brother, -ask no more, it must not be: In the heart of this poor trifle lies the secret unre vealed Which has brought me to this world, and sent you to prepare my way. In the long and weary woodland, where your path of life will lead, Thousand, myriad, other Crosses you will find on every side; And the same eternal Law that bids me take this chiefest one, Will be there to give you many, grievous as your strength can bear; But in vain would you and others sink beneath the holy load, Were I not with mine before you, Captain of the Crucified; I must be your elder Brother in the heritage of Pain; I must give you to our Father,—I must fall for you to rise. THE VIRGIN. (WITH HER HAND ON THE CROSS.) My soul is weak with doubt,— What can I think or do? To which of these dear children shall I yield Ah me! I see within That artless wooden form, A meaning of exceeding misery, Oh! give it up, my child! I see your bright eyes close, Your soft fair fingers spattered all with blood, He grasps it firmer still! I dare not thwart his hand; For what he does, he does not of himself, And I, who labour blind In this abysmal work, Must bear the weight of dumb expectancy, IV. CHRIST'S DESCENT INTO PURGATORY. BY GIORGIONE, AT VENICE. THE saving work for man is finished, The kingdoms of the Earth and Air o'erthrown; Conscious their suffering never could atone |