16th Century Sonnet.

 A Sonnet: To Christ, Crucified.

Anonymous, 16th Century.

I am not moved to love You when I hear,
My God, Your promises of paradise
Nor can the dreadful fear of hell suffice
To move this stubborn soul to obey and fear

Yet You have moved me by your love shown clear
In agony you suffered as the price
Of taking on yourself my sin and vice;
In undeservéd death; in anguished tears.

This love has moved me, Lord, to such extent
That, paradise denied, yet still I will
Love you, and if to hell my soul be sent
Yet would I long your precepts to fulfill,
And more: though all my hopes be from me rent,
Yet as I love you now, I’ll love you still.