9a
1 How I seduce you with my word and try
To change my voice, get your attention,
And like a shepherd call and tame thereby,
I rejoice to win your retention.
More bitterly than those who weep their dead,
Than mothers crying for children outspread,
I sorrow for your dead condition.
2 And what reward have I from you received,
And how do you repay my sorrow?
When I call you to me, I am deceived,
You drag your feet and wait tomorrow.
Your heart is like a stone unbroken, hard.
Your spirit cold, thankless, without regard,
And filled with vain inspired intentions.
3 Were all my troubles spent in uselessness,
And shall I get naught for my callous
But your soul’s loss in perdition’s darkness
Where Satan snatched you from my chalice?
No! I’ve been granted now the judgment seat,
The Father reconciled gives me the treat
Of the earth’s ends for my possession.
4 O Father, mind that Your promise appear,
And behold how great my travailing,
Draw to me in mourning those given dear,
Cling to the foot of my cross wailing,
Flee watching to find in me a redoubt,
As poor in spirit praying round about
For grace and faith and peace unfailing.
5 Get moving then, O sinners, quickly flee
Away from the paths of perdition,
And I’ll give you righteous fidelity,
From sin instead a pure condition,
And dress you in your beauty as a bride,
And give you strength after vigils to bide,
Set on your head a crown of glory.
6 But if you continue to close your hearts,
And dissipate your lifetime vainly,
You only have yourselves to blame the darts
Of death assail you while you plainly
Go without any protection to keep.
I still forgive, you still have time to weep,
If to all of my words you harken.
