Washed in Tears

'The Crucifixion', 1475-1485, Maestro de la Leyenda de Santa Catalina, Museo del Prado, Madrid

What mist hath dimmed that glorious face?
What seas of grief my sun doth toss?
The golden rays of heavenly grace
lie now eclipsèd on the cross.

Jesus! my Love, my Son, my God,
behold thy mother washed in tears;
Thy bloody wounds be made a rod
to chasten these my latter years.

Thou messenger that didst impart
his first descent into my womb,
Come help me now to cleave my heart,
that I may there my Son intomb.

Ye angels all, that present were,
to show his birth in harmony;
Why are you not now ready here,
to make a mourning symphony?

But wail, my soul, thy comfort dies,
my woeful womb lament thy fruit;
My heart, give tears unto my eyes,
let sorrow string my heavy lute.

St Robert Southwell, ​c.1561-1595