Henry Alford

Sonnet XCI. Passion-week 1845

Again the solemn season--and again That bleeding Brow, those wounded Hands and Feet-- Again that piercèd Side my vision meet; Afresh that holy Form is bowed with pain. O Thou, the all--sufficing Victim, slain For man's transgression; by Thy mercy sweet, From God's right hand of power, Thy glory--seat, To look upon Thy sorrowing people deign. Unworthy, Lord, unworthy of Thy name, Behold Thy sinful Church; by hatred rent, In the vain world, and not in Thee, content: Cast us not off, O Lord! in deepest shame, On bended knees, we utter our lament, Up to Thy throne in daily sighing sent.