Dives And Lazarus

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’ 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’ 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; There 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; There 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 an half hour: Oh! that I’d made my peace secure, Then the devil should have no power.’