Classic Poem

1.

As it fell out upon a day,
Rich Dives he made a feast,
And he invited all his friends,
And gentry of the best.

2.

Then Lazarus laid him down and down,
And down at Dives' door:
" Some meat, some drink, brother Dives,
Bestow upon the poor. "

3.

" Thou art none of my brother, Lazarus,
That lies begging at my door;
No meat nor drink will I give thee,
Nor bestow upon the poor. "

4.

Then Lazarus laid him down and down,
And down at Dives's wall:
" Some meat, some drink, brother Dives,
Or with hunger starve I shall. "

5.

" Thou art none of my brother, Lazarus,
That lies begging at my wall;
No meat nor drink will I give thee,
But with hunger starve you shall. "

6.

Then Lazarus laid him down and down,
And down at Dives's gate:
" Some meat, some drink, brother Dives,
For Jesus Christ his sake. "

7.

" Thou art none of my brother, Lazarus,
That lies begging at my gate;
No meat nor drink will I give thee,
For Jesus Christ his sake. "

8.

Then Dives sent out his merry men,
To whip poor Lazarus away;
They had no power to strike a stroke,
But flung their whips away.

9.

Then Dives sent out his hungry dogs,
To bite him as he lay;
They had no power to bite at all,
But licked his sores away.

10.

As it fell out upon a day,
Poor Lazarus sickened and died;
Then came two angels out of heaven
His soul therein to guide.

11.

" Rise up, rise up, brother Lazarus,
And go along with me;
For you've a place prepared in heaven,
To sit on an angel's knee. "

12.

As it fell out upon a day,
Rich Dives sickened and died;
Then came two serpents out of hell,
His soul therein to guide.

13.

" Rise up, rise up, brother Dives,
And go with us to see
A dismal place, prepared in hell,
From which thou canst not flee. "

14.

Then Dives looked up with his eyes,
And saw poor Lazarus blest:
" Give me one drop of water, brother Lazarus,
To quench my flaming thirst.

15.

" Oh had I as many years to abide
As there are blades of grass,
Then there would be an end, but now
Hell's pains will ne'er be past.

16.

" Oh was I now but alive again,
The space of one half hour!
Oh that I had my peace secure!
Then the devil should have no power. "