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Delit the Lombe for to devise With much mervayle in mynde went. Best was he, blythest, and moste to pryse, That ever I herde of speche spent; So worthly whyt wern wedes hys, His lokes symple, hymself so gent. Bot a wounde ful wyde and weete con wyse Anende hys hert, thurgh hyde torente. Of his quyte syde his blod outsprent. Alas, thoght I, who did that spyt ? Ani breste for bale aght haf forbrent Er he therto hade had delyt. 'The Lombe delyt non lyste to wene. 'Thagh he were hurt and woundes hade, In his sembelaunt was never sene, So wern his glentes gloryous glade. I loked among his meyny schene How thay wyth lyf wern laste and lade; Then saw I ther my lyttel quene 'That I wenden had standen by me in sclade. Lorde, much of mirthe was that ho made, Among her feres that was so quyt ! That syght me gart to thenk to wade For luf-longyng in gret delyt.
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With great delight I gazed upon The Lamb, and marvelled in my mind; The best and gentlest paragon For words, however well designed. So wondrous white his raiment shone, His look so clear, himself so kind; But sorely wounded was he on His breast, so that all eyes could find On his white breast blood ran entwined. Alas, thought I, what man in spite Within his breast shouid be inclined To take in such cause some delight? The Lamb's delight none could gainsay Though he was hurt, and wounded sore; His joyful look was such as they Had never seen on earth before. I looked and saw in that array That everlasting joy they wore. Then saw I there my daughter gay, Who once stood near me long before. Lord, how she revelled more and more Among that flock who were so white ! To cross that water then I swore For love of her in my delight.
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My delight in gazing on the Lamb caused great wonder in my mind. He was the noblest, the gentlest, and the most worthy of praise that I ever heard of. So gloriously white were his garments, his looks innocent, himself so gracious. But a wound most wide and wet showed close to his heart, his skin cruelly torn; on his white side his blood was spread. Alas, thought I, who could have committed this outrage? Any breast would have burned with sorrow to take delight in such a thing. None wished to doubt the Lamb's delight, though he was hurt and had a wound. No such demeanour was ever seen, so wonderfully happy were his looks. I gazed upon the shining retinue and saw how they were charged and laden with eternal life; then I saw there my little queen that I thought had stood near me in the valley. Lord, how greatly she rejoiced among her companions who were so white. That sight decide me to wade (across the river) because of my longing, in great delight.
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