was ever grief like mine?

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit. — John 19:30

Behold, they spit on me in scornful wise,
Who by my spittle gave the blind man eyes,
Leaving his blindness to my enemies:
‍ ‍Was ever grief like mine?

My face they cover, thought it be divine.
As Moses' face was veiled, so is mine,
Lest on their double-dark souls either shine:
‍ ‍Was ever grief like mine?

Servants and cast offs mock me; they are witty:
Now prophesy who strikes thee, is their ditty.
So they in me deny themselves all pity:
‍ ‍Was ever grief like mine?

And now I am delivered unto death,
Which each one calls for so with utmost breath,
That he before me well nigh suffereth:
‍ ‍Was ever grief like mine?

Weep not, dear friends, since I for both have wept
When all my tears were blood, the while you slept:
Your tears for your own fortunes should be kept:
‍ ‍Was ever grief like mine?

The soldiers lead me to the Common Hall;
There they deride me, they abuse me all:
Yet for twelve heavenly legions I could call:
‍ ‍Was ever grief like mine?

Then with a scarlet robe they me array;
Which shows my blood to be the only way
And cordial left to repair man's decay:
‍ ‍Was ever grief like mine?

Then on my head a crown of thorns I wear:
For these are all the grapes Zion does bear,
Though I my vine planted and watered there:
‍ ‍Was ever grief like mine?

So sits the earth's great curse in Adam's fall
Upon my head: so I remove it all
From th'earth unto my brows, and bear the thrall:
‍ ‍Was ever grief like mine?

Then with the reed they gave to me before,
They strike my head, the rock from thence all store
Of heavenly blessings issue evermore:
‍ ‍Was ever grief like mine?

George Herbert

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