[Jacopone da Todi, Plagne, dolente alma predata, “Laude”, LII, 13th century.]
Weep, sorrowful Soul, despoiled of thine Adored,
Widowed of Christ, thy Lover and thy Lord.
Lament and mourn, and shed full many a tear,
For thou hast lost thy Lord, so fair, so dear;
Perchance such bitter sighs may bring Him near,
Back to my mourning heart disconsolate.
Deep cause is mine to mourn, and sore my cost,
Father and Husband both my soul hath lost;
Christ, gracious flowering Lily, Christ my Trust,
Hath left me, for my sins that are so great.
O Jesus Christ, why hast Thou left me so?
Disconsolate, beset by many a foe,
Besieged by sins that fain would bring me low!
I am too weak to strive against my fate.
O Jesus Christ, how canst Thou suffer me
By such a cruel death destroyed to be?
Grant me to wound myself, and so be free,
Quenching in Death my thirst insatiate.
O Jesus Christ, hast Thou no other death,
Less harsh, less dreadful for my failing breath?
Vain is my cry,—in vain it clamoureth,
For Thou hast left me, and hast locked the gate.
O wretched heart, who hath imprisoned thee,
Surrounded thee with pain and misery?
Thy cup's too full:—present thy piteous plea,
And let thy clamour be intemperate!
O eyes of mine, how can ye cease to weep,
To mourn the vanished light ye could not keep?
Your birthright have ye lost, in darkness deep,
—Of gazing on the Splendour Uncreate.
O ears of mine, and can ye listen so
To these my sad complaints of bitter woe?
Have ye forgot that Voice that lovers know,
That once did make me sing and jubilate?
O grief! O cruel pangs of memory!
Fierce death devcurs and gnaws me steadily,
So tortured, I can neither live nor die,
While from my Saviour I am separate.
Now in no comrade's heart will I confide,
My life shall be a desert wild and wide;
Lonely I dwell, with crowds on every side;
I have lost my Lord, and I am desolate!
