As it fell out upon a day
Rich Dives, he made a feast
And he invited all his friends
And gentry of the best.
Then Lazarus laid him down and down
And down at Dives' door
"Some meat, some drink, brother Dives,
To bestow upon the poor".
"Thou art none of my brothers, Lazarus,
That lies begging at my door.
No meat nor drink will I give thee,
Nor bestow upon the poor."
Then Lazarus laid him down and down
And down at Dives' gate
"Some meat, some drink, brother Dives,
For Jesus Christ's sake"
"Thou art none of my brothers, Lazarus,
That lies begging at my gate.
No meat nor drink will I give thee
For Jesus Christ's sake".
Then Dives sent out two merry men
To whip poor Lazarus away.
They had no power to strike at all
But threw their whips away.
"Thou art none of my brothers, Lazarus,
That lies begging at my wall.
No meat nor drink will I give thee,
But with hunger, starve you shall".
Then Dives sent out two hungry dogs
To bite him as he lay.
They had no power to bite at all,
But licked his sores away.
|
As it fell our upon one day,
Poor Lazarus sickened and died.
There came two angels out of Heaven,
His soul therein to guide.
"Rise up, rise up, brother Lazarus,
And come along with me,
For there's a place prepared in Heaven
To sit on an angel's knee".
As it fell out upon a day,
Rich Dives he sickened and died.
There came two serpents out of hell,
His soul therein to guide.
"Rise up, rise up, brother Dives,
And come along with me
For there's a place prepared in Hell,
From which thou canst not flee".
Then Dives looked up with burning eyes,
And saw poor Lazarus blest;
"One drop of water, Lazarus,
To quench my flaming thirst!
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 never pass.
Oh! were I but alive again,
For the space of one half hour,
I would make my peace and so secure
That the Devil should have no power!
|