Classic Poem

Christs Prophesie of the destruction of this Cittie and how it came to passe accordingly within Forty yeares after, shewing the cause that mooued the Emperour to come against it .

Ovr Sauiour Christ tracing the bordring hilles,
When he on this faire Cittie cast his eye
The teares along his rosiall cheekes distilles :
Mourning for their destruction drawing nie.
O Ierusalem Ierusalem (quoth hee)
My heart bewailes thy great calamitie.

The time shall come and neere it is at hand,
When furious foes shall trench thee round about,
And batter downe thy Towers that stately stand,
All thy strong holds within thee and without :
Thy golden buildings shall they quite confound,
And make thee equall with the lowly ground.

O woe to them that then giues sucke (he sayes)
And lulles their Infants on their tender knees,
More woe to them that be with child those dayes,
Wherein shalbe such extreame miseryes :
Thou mightst haue shund these plagues, hadst thou bin wise,
Which now for sinne is hidden from thy eyes.

This dreadfull Prophesie spoken by our Lord,
The stubborne people naught at all regarded,
Whose Adamantine heartes did still accord,
To follow sinne, which was with shame rewarded :
They flouted him for telling of this storie,
And crucifide in spite the Lord of glorie.

Reprochfully they fleered in his face,
That wept for them in tender true compassion,
They wrought his death and did him all disgrace,
That sought their life, and waild their desolation :
Their hardened heartes beleeu'd not what was said,
Vntill they saw the siege about them layd.

Full fortie yeares after Christes passion,
Did these proud people liue in peace and rest,
Whose wanton eyes seeing no alteration,
Christs words of truth, they turned to a iest :
But when they thought themselues the surest of all,
Lo then began their neuer raised fall.

Their mounting minds that towred past their strength
Scorning subiection to the Romaine state,
In boyling hatred loath'd their Lords at length,
Dispis'd the Emperour with a deadly hate :
Reiecting his authoritie each howre,
Sought to expell the pride of forraine power.

Which foule contempt the Emperours wrath inflam'd,
Mightie Vespatian hot reueng did threat,
But all in vaine they would not be reclaim'd;
Relying on their strength and courage great :
And hereupon began the deadly iarre,
And after followed bloody wofull warre.