Invocation

F MAN'S FIRST BRIGHT OBEDIENCE AND TH’FRUIT

Of righteous quests for th’Tree of Life whose death

Brought life to all, again, to execute

The worm in hearts of men which culled their breath,

Which snake had ages past gained leave to plant

By early man and wife in paradise

And stole them from that sacred covenant

So all the world to follow fell to vice

Until the valiant King took cross for sword

And went to win imprisoned bride from worm 

And, mounting donkey, proved Himself the Lord

By snatching bride from dragons holding firm,

Now, of the followed fight by holy knights

Who travel 'cross the way of dying land

To bear the Conqu’rer’s banner, name, and light

To fin'lly bear to Rome the King’s command,

Sing, Holy Ghost, ablaze within my core

And breathe through me that body’s sacred lore.

The Underworld

ITHIN the deadly dank and putrid place

Of punishment, the dark abyss so base

That, farther fallen than its lodgers lied,

The tyrant serpent raised his head in pride, 

As though the king in fallen land within 

The heart of earth. With lively gale broke in 

The Truly Royal Conquering King whose bright 

Illumination razed the noxious night.

The Royal’s fair and frightful light exposed

The trampled head of self-crowned snake, deposed,

Who turned away to shield accustomed eyes

To darkness guarding self until Son rise.

The serpent hissed ’gainst mighty mettle whole:

“Had I but known!” laments the snake, the sole

Repentance he would give: of cruel abuse

He wished had not been turned to heaven’s use,

“Had I but known your plan to win

This way, would not I’d urged to sin

The Pharisees; I, Judas gain, 

While You, through life, all realms attain!” 

He grieved of death’s defeat by cross and spear

Which worked but backward ’gainst their volunteer,

Alive, too bright to blind hell’s harrowed head

Which sheltered shades, where fast the demons fled

From present shine to shadows recognized.

(The throng called Legion feared His knowing eyes.)

They staggered as He let His breath alight

In words which quaked their hollowed shells with spite,

“I come for th’men you wrongly claim who walked 

My way in life.” To Him that flurry flocked,

The souls which knew the King, the single peace

In pit of woe. Yet, Satan’s hiss ne’er ceased:

“I’ll wipe this from the tongues of all

The lands! Those few who trust will fall

For men are short of strength to fight:

They gain no vict‘ry by Your might.” 

The serpent hissed but turmoil, so lost

On him was th'vital virtue of th’Cross.

Christ left the place of darkness dark again,

With souls of saved men safely borne from sin.

Christ's Last Sermon on Earth

HEN Christ had risen from below and men

Had seen the scars still marked upon His skin, 

They then presumed that mortal vict’ry borne

Would be succeeded by the crown as sworn 

To Israel, whose King was this same Seed

Whom they had hoped would conquer and would lead.

And yet, to their dismay, He seemed content 

To teach of naught but Kingdom heav’nward bent

Instead of forge anew with piercing steel 

A kingdom which their grasping hands could feel. 

Christ Jesus saw their minds did still confuse

His goal in preaching hidden-gloried news.

He taught all which they’d need to know upon

His imminent departure, trusting Dawn

Would shine the mental nightfall out of them,

“Remain within this town, Jerusalem:

The Father’s Gift which I have promiséd

Comes here to baptize you for works ahead.”

But Peter (Ah! that pilgrim’s tongue performed 

With haste opposing mind) employed in form,

“Do you now plan the tyrannies to fell

And raise the nation, blessed Israel?

The throne and scepter shall belong to Thee,

And we shall help Thee gain this victory.

Not long remains, my Lord, ’til you're enthroned,

Jerusalem fells Rome, and death's atoned!"

The world's true King looked friendly at his friend

So senseless of won crown and battle's end.

Christ Jesus said, “This carnal speech does lay 

Aside your sense. I know you know not way

Nor when nor where the victory was won;

To hidden things, soon Spirit shall seem sun

To lighten true the truth you cannot spy

Now I, Your King, compel you far to cry:

Of peace and th'Godman sing — who drove out fate;

Who was the first to flee th'Deadly gate.

Flood lifeblood all the Way from Lord to Rome,

To capital from knightly catacomb.

The might which held this world in chains is done.

And darkness flees before the dazzling Son.

The King who rose from east remains to cast

A light upon the world. Of kingdom last,

You shall not know the time and day. Sincere,

I urge you wind-soaked knights to blaze from here

And spread the news of righteous rule restored,

Away and near, bear th'banner of the Lord.

I've pulled the sword, now in your hand, whose blade

Can score the heart of stone and offer aid

For wounds inscribed in darkened ages, past.

Return men to their King: those lost at last

Shall be recovered by this flashing sword.

Where’er the Spirit leads, announce your Lord.”

The Ascension

ROCLAIMING parting words to serve as guide,

The Christ, their King who, though impassible, died

And came again from harrowing Hell’s inside

Now rose unto the air, and left the bride.

No breeze did bear their King, no natural chance

Could e’er explain the rising Lord’s advance.

He rose till scarréd feet were full in view,

Then, looking with compassion on those few,

With whom He lived, for whom he lived again,

Divinest joy beamed forth in knowledge plain:

The Father waited His return. Yet, fear

And sudden shock which lit the faces near

Led Him to send a prayer ascending fore.

The masses and the men He chose before

Stood gaping, startled by their rising King

Until their sight was blocked by cloudy ring.

But though their eyes, aligned with hearts, declined

Descent, their ears returned them to mankind:

Among them breathéd two new men who spoke,

“Your eyes still flit the heavens, royal folk?

Why do you stand in such a way? The Lord

Returns as He has left, thus be assured:

But as for ye eleven who have heard

The King’s commission, now live out His Word.

Now, walk the Way to Rome, the heart of all:

Bring everyone the light before nightfall.

Your King's return, don’t idly await.”

Then, men of heaven and of earth vacate,

(Although by different means.) And day and night,

Th’apostles prayed, e’er wondering what might 

Become of plans for their own place and day

Since now their King was raised as nature may

To heaven, where His holy nature lay. 

A New Apostle

HE angel’s words in Peter painful delve,

“Eleven” named, who had been christened Twelve,

So, leaderless and in their union flawed

By that betraying Judas, (proud when God

Descended low to wash the traitor’s feet;

What ought to lower vainly gluts conceit,

Until he raised the Lord to death, alone,

And lowered self unto his own tombstone.)

But, Peter’s heart would fault no further find

With Jude; his own betrayal fresh in mind

Barred tethered pride from tearing down his soul.

He spoke of Judas to restore the whole,

“The role of Judas, dropped with cruelty

For his and our eternal luminary

Archaic David knew and said, ‘His post

Deserted, may another rise from host

Of God’s own way.’ Our duty from th’King

Begins in naming one among our ring

Who journeyed joyful after Christ, to stay

From baptism of John to recent day

Of His ascent: the faithful folk whose face

Beheld our living Lord. Whoe’er replace

The traitor’s role will ne’er reflect his feat

When God rebuild position past conceit.”

The listening lot then gave their full consent.

No doubt that King’s command this surely meant.

Matthias, young, and Joseph heed invite

From crowd. In prayer, the people plead the sight

Of God, who sees through skin and bone

Surpassing judgments forged by sense, alone.

They realize that God will choose by lot.

Two faithful men stood waiting verdict sought,

Until the christening was called aloud:

Matthias heard his name and, humble, bowed.

IN WHICH THE HOLY SPIRIT POURS OUT UPON THE EARTH

Pentecost Flames

UT, further shall this song of Spirit go

Curtailing triumph, favoring heaven’s blow

Of wind which tore across the land one morn

In haste to come. Our fainting host, more worn

Than joyed, felt purpose pour away. Their King

Had vowed and vanished, partly vanquishing

Their hopes, or so they thought. Alone, they pray

In dark inside a house. Then, blazing day

Outpours across the land to bless the realms.

Both pagans and the faithful it o'erwhelms

Though nowhere more than knightly grieving hearts:

The Holy Ghost they sense from day’s brave start

And, though they thought they’d prayed to no avail,

That single breeze now builds a sudden gale.

At first, they try to shelter eyes from dust

So often flung by like tempestuous gusts,

But, stopping effort, learn with wondering

The gale is pure of any earthly thing.

The house is shook. A fully pondered smile 

O'ertakes the Virgin's lips, her soul fertile

With familiarity. The wind 'gan lift

Up men to stand afoot: 

Th’promised gift,

The Comforter, has come. 

WITH zeal, the door

Blows open, crashing off its hinge to pour

Disciples forth unto the new-born day.

The joyous saints blaze out unto the way

And flames still crackle on the wind, and sparks

Alight to rest above their heads, a mark

External; yet, within (ah, deeply felt!)

Burnéd the fiercer fire. The promise dealt

Now dwelt within their hearts, and words did flow

From each unknowing tongue to match the blow

Of Holy Ghostly gale. Both wind and fire

And elemental ways must awe inspire

In crowds who, fearful, gaze at blaze and breeze.

Revealing gospel, truth, and Christ who sees

Into the seat of what men know and feel.

Disciples testified with fiery zeal,

In clearest tongue to nations each, so all

Could know the Word and heed the holy call.

Some asked, “Are not these men of Galilee, 

Proclaiming, in my tongue, sincerity 

Of thought, linguistically precise in form?

No foreign tongue can so conform!”

A reverent shudder shook the crowd, as though 

The wind had chilled between the joint and bone. 

Yet, some there laughed who, nervous, grasped a cause

Within their own experience, “Don’t pause

To give your awe to awful self-conceit.

These men are drunk; this is no heav’nly feat.”

St. Peter's Sermon Flames

UCH words and winds provoke St. Peter forth:

“If you would taste the wine that Christ does pour,

Your mocking laughs would cease to soil the wind,

But joyful ring as truths lain deep within

The grace and goodness God enthroned has sent.

Such wine restores when hearts of men repent.

Today our drink is only wind and fire,

A tale foretold in ancient books, entire:

The Holy Spirit fills our hopeful hearts

So men may prophesy. Your heed impart:

Our Jesus Christ is King of all. Your eyes

Saw miracles, yet Christ you still despised 

Unto the cross. But know: we saw Him rise.”

The Spirit’s proclamation burns each one

To see their sins in mounting up the Son

Of God unto His death which seemed to damn 

Men dripping with the blood of God's dear Lamb. 

Thus, human hands were bloody covered, gross,

Eyes fell downcast in shame throughout the host.

They pry at Peter, “Let us be advised!”

And Peter breathes, “Repent, and be baptized.

Forgiveness of each sickening sin comes through

Our living Christ, awaiting prayer from you

At Father’s hand in heaven’s royal court.”

Now, Peter, pause with peace, before report

Which Spirit prompts: “The Lord has sent support

By way of Holy Ghost, the vow fulfill’d

To those who know our King, and ages still 

To come. The Spirit will forever stay

Alongside all who follow God's own  way.” 

At this, the Spirit turned the hearts of all 

Those from as far as Rome. They sensed the call 

Without a doubt, and sharply took the way.

Three thousand men commit and give away

Or sell corporeal estates entire 

So all belonged to each who might require,

That men, heav’n-turned, might fearless earth-bound live.

The promise come, which promised more to give,

Brought blessings more when Spirit poured that morn:

The gift bestowed, and life robust newborn.

OF THE MARVELOUS EVENTS WHICH TOOK PLACE
WHEN THE APOSTLES APPROACHED THE TEMPLE

Gentle St. John the Beloved

H, Days —Arrive! Fill up, and overflow!

For long have you usurpéd been to woe

And weeping, bound to wait so long

For blessed few the Holy Ghost came on.

But, now, the days and hearts are filled, divine,

And both, now clear and bright, for nothing pine.

Our heartened John awakes with sunrise new,

And, loving, listens to the Spirit’s cue.

Oh, John who cherished Words of Christ and knew

What knowledge he had gained was good and right,

But, more than this, in love he took delight.

This John with quiet, humble heart now kneels

And thanks his loving Lord for Spirit’s seal. 

St. John, depart your cloistered, cozy room

And find your Christian brother to assume

The way the Lord has set for you to walk

And, in His charge, match Word in deed and talk.

Active St. Peter

ES, John, meet Peter who is vocal more

Who, all this morning, tossed and woke and wore

His sleepful time away with waking thoughts

Which, eager, yearned to teach the waiting lots

Of matter new, now come by wind and fire.

The elements which ancients thought entire

Made up the world, and all untamable,

Which fuller Ancient One in time made full

The Spirit harnessed them as steed to bear

The banner of His Kinghood everywhere.

All this, saint Peter finally understands

When Spirit comes, emblazoning their bands.

So, all saint Peter’s mind and heart fought night

For chance to preach when sun ’gain came to sight

And show each lost man that fair King, adored.

So unalike in their like love for Lord,

Beloved, humble John, the Kingly friend

And eager, vocal Peter, keys’ reverend,

With comradeship past blood in truth converse,

While th'way to holy temple they traverse.

Of The Miracle at the Beautiful Gate

HAT day, their path to th'temple intertwined

With crippled man conveyed abroad by kind,

Congenial companions, where the gate

Called Beautiful allowed a place to wait

And beg the less judgmental who would pass.

He quiet calls for alms from seething mass

And hears their cruelest scoffs which lay the blame

Upon his sin; unknowingly, they maim

His heart and name their own gross fault, alike.

Yet, God had purposed His pursuit to strike

Their frozen souls that day, and mend the man

Both soul and flesh, to show His healing hand.

Th’Apostles John and Peter go to pray

Within the temple, hearing on their way

The man’s appeal, “Whatever you can spare

For th’poor and wretched?” Some give but piteous care

While some give pence, but many pass, their eyes

By work of will stay unaware. He lies

Laborious to view, a thing unclean

Which pricks the conscience which prefers unseen

Disease above such clear and troubling truths.

He knew himself a plague since early youth,

And blames himself for all, condemned, ashamed.

No eye he meets with his, but sits, unnamed, 

Unknown by those who pass. Some sandals stop.

A kinder voice breaths down, “Good sir, look up.”

Unlovely beggar lends them his regard,

And Peter says, “My treasure vast is far

From physicality. I have no gold 

Or silver, rapid lost to moth and mold,

But greater I will give, all given me:

In th’name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene,

Now, walk.” And Peter takes his hand and tows

The man up strong. He eye-to-eye was posed.

A moment stands he, faith forbidding fall.

In joy, untrained, he thrice steps, nimble all.

Now, eye-to-eye, he stands, born low and base

But lifted in Christ’s name, sees face to face

What he has been made straight enough to see

Abashéd not, a smile beams his glee.

The miracle breaths life to hope, long dead;

He tears the wind with eager jog and tred

And leaps into the air and, unashamed,

Shouts praise and vents one blessed and joyful name.

Questions for the Apostles

ONSPICUOUS by choice, he draws the stare

Of many men who’d feigned being unaware.

They thought the temple’s walls would separate

Themselves and he, who broken showed so late

Their faults as men. Now blazed example strong

In body and in word, his present song

Did fill the temple full with Christ’s sweet name.

Unable ignorance to falsely claim,

Men lend regard to Peter, and to John,

And cripple healed, to ask what came upon

The man by name they’d heard him cry and sing

To which he breathed the truth about his King,

And matched his acts and words of chivalry:

“Do you all have such fleeting memory

That Israel’s true God has been forgot?

This Jesus Christ, the King, a name which ought

To sound familiar rolling from the palate

From shouting it with ‘crucify’ to Pilate

Not long ago. But we with you those days

Knew not full nature, all our ignorant ways

Were used by God to act His very will

And make the promises He gave fulfilled.

You heard the prophet’s words from ancient books

That God would send to suffer One who took

The wickedness away from penitents.

Let your true King so make your souls content.

Now, pray the God of Jacob end your ill:

Let Jesus heal you and faith fulfill.”

The priests and temple guard, on this report,

Seized and jailed the men, without retort.

Responses Reveal Hearts

UT, many who had listened breathed it in.

“The God of Israel shall heal within.”

The whispered words take flight among the host

And, turning out their pride, in God they boast.

They blaze with joy. Far less those far from Way:

The judges summon saints at next sunrise,

To ask, “What name replaced with weakness strength?”

The cripple, John, and Peter stood at length.

Unceasing joy now beamed from mended face.

The men who stand upon the strength’ning base

Unfettered breathe, while wind impels their chains,

“Messiah’s name we spoke, who now remains

By Father’s hand, whose Godhood you denied —

The Lord and Son of God you crucified.

Our risen Lord whose name spreads far and wide.”

What way allowed the high priests to deny?

The man, a cripple forty years, stood nigh,

Afoot amidst their masses. Caiaphas

Did turn the group to whisper, granting this

Brief moment for the crippled man to touch

The arm of Peter, breathing, “Howe’er much

You know about th’Way, please tell me all:

Of Beautiful Messiah, I shall call

The King and Treasure of the heart He made

From first, and on it, then, worth laid.”

And Peter, John, and th’healed of freedom speak,

While bound Sanhedrin crooked paths do seek.

“Jerusalem has heard this thing divine

And we cannot a crime in these men find

For healing. Can we quiet these without

Them bringing a rebellious riot about?”

Confused and blind by brilliant light, they say,

“We’ll bid them speak no more of this strange way.”

So, John and Peter they turned again to see

Commanding them ne’er name their deity,

Again. But Peter breathed, “If it is right

To follow God or man, now judge. The might 

And wonder of our Christ we now proclaim.”

The priest arose upon the spoken name,

“We’ll jail you as surely as you stand!”

Th’apostles were not swayed by reprimand,

“As surely as this healed cripple stands,

God’s words and works will famously reveal

The message iron bars cannot conceal.

And, thus, we’ll not be silent in this Way.”

A chilly quiet quick the place pervades,

And sounds of worship echo from the town.

Th'Sanhedrin feel their empty threatening drown.

IN WHICH THE FIRST SHADOWS ENTER THE WAY OF THE CHURCH

The Church Shares All

 ETURNING home unto their blesséd church

They tell the tale of healing and the search

Of crippled man for God, and Judge for flaw.

The threats and danger from the men of law

Brought men to bowing knees in pleas to God

That He should flare a fire where’er they trod

To light the way for all men’s eyes to see.

The body lit with coupled ministry:

Evangelizing outward, thriving in,

With bonds of love, all things they share as kin.

United they, that none are needy, starved,

Or homeless in their holy body, carved

Away from stinginess or seeking wealth,

They pray and sell their lands for others’ health.

In trust, they trade their tangibles away

To clothe and comfort neighbors in th’Way,

Adopting children men exposed street-side, 

Erupting adoration Kingdom-wide. 

The soul of every man was God’s foremost,

And all of his possessions were the host’s.

Sing minds not carnal, incarnational,

And hearts reworked by liberation. All

Give greater gifts than meager hands can hold:

Recalling crowns of thorns and not of gold.

A Dark Thought

UT Ananias thought ’twas naught but boast,

And turns his spirit in without the host.

And quiet, ponders praise and pride they glean

From giving all, pretending it unseen.

(For so suspect imaginations vile

That no one else is raised above such guile.)

In agony, his greed combats his pride,

And vice on vice, his selfish search decides.

What praise would ring for th’purse at Peter’s feet

And hand that placed it — piously complete!

He fretted to his wife, “Barabbas sold

And emptied purse to make all call him bold.

And now, if any all his land will sell,

Our company will think on him so well.”

Sapphira, quick to understand, designed,

“That field of ours could some small fortune find.”


But, tempting her to tempt him, he objects,

“Too valuable! Consider not prospects!”

But words of haughty hearts make will undone.

They scheme a darkened route for their possession.

“The land is worth so much, a meager part

Withheld not even God would take to heart.”

Before the sun had set, he sold the field

And sought the preaching Peter, some to yield.

Within the church, th’Apostle raised the feast

And brought the host to host, in Christ increased,

When in a small but near o'erflowing purse,

Ananais bore his jingling coins

And, showing passing piety, rejoins,

“I have sold my land for God’s good will

And here I lay its whole worth, in works fulfilled.”

He lays the purse at humble Peter’s feet.

The Wages of Sin

But, Holy Ghost would not allow deceit,

And blazed the truth inside St. Peter’s mind.

“How grievous our young group’s first sin to find

Disguised as righteousness! Has Satan so

Beguiled you, you did not doubt or know

The Holy Spirit would discover you? 

The money you withheld was yours to do

Whate’er you would, yet out of Way you went

Ne’er folly fooled our God omniscient.”

And Ananias paled as lifeblood fled

After he fell within an instant, dead.

He had impressed the watching crowd, indeed,

And yet, with fear of God instead of deed.

Some men came forth to bear the lying man

From midst of them to lay him in the land.

They worked in silence, God’s just wrath impressed

Upon their hearts. When he was laid to rest,

To the house, the men again regressed,

And hear a lady's voice, “That was the price.”

The men consider to themselves concise,

“She does not know the price she shall pay yet.”

Pronounces Peter searingly, “Who set

You down this path to test the Lord most High?”

The men push doorway open, casting light

Upon Sapphira’s face. “These men have lain

Within the earth your husband and again

Shall dig a grave today to bury you.”

She falls down dead, and Godly words prove true. 

IN WHICH CHRIST'S GOOD KNIGHTS ARE CLAPPED IN CHAINS

The Health of the Church

HESE deaths so kindled fright among the men

Naught tempts to test the Holy Ghost again.

More miracles moved hearts unto the Lord;

The name of Christ both soul and flesh restored.

With Pentecost within them, Christians pine

To carry out their quest, and prayers entwine:

Oh, Lord, flood lifeblood all the Way to Rome,

To kingdom heart from knightly catacomb.

And, trav’ling far in faith, came many weak

And broken bodies, Peter’s shade to seek

That he, in light, might cast on them new life

And end through Jesus’ name two sorts of strife.

Free in Chains

IRACULOUS events too rich do prove

For Sadducees, whose hearts refuse to move.

While Peter walked among the faithful crowd

Across his hea’n-turned face fall shadows proud

And mocking. Th’priests vile troupe bind ropes around

His hands and those of John and drag them, bound,

From gracious host; they graceless boast their might

(Though Peter finds it fitting ne’er to fight.)

Into the prison cell the two were cast

For morning’s waiting trial. Still, steadfast,

There blew that wind of hope, through cell and stone

And soul. And John applied the word, “Alone

Shall not our good Lord leave us here.

And comfort like did Peter speak sincere,

“While buffeted, we'll never be consumed.”

A sudden, blist’ring force the breeze assumed

Within the stony walls, and brilliance blazed

As noonday sun, though lacking pain they gazed.

“O, men of God, disciples of the Way.”

Announced an angel, clothed in bright array.

“This is no time to lie in dark: go out

And spread the light.” The door had shook about

Its hinges by the natural wind, but now

Was rent from broken socket by some how

Unseen, for angel vanished as he’d come.

Disciples went their Way, unwearisome,

Proclaiming gospel truth at dead of night.

Finding the Unchained

RISE, dear sun, in morning sky and light

The dark Sanhedrin, who awake with you,

Yet set upon the trial of righteous two.

But reaching cell, they find the jail, locked,

Lain empty. The guards and guides are shocked,

And tell the high priest Caiaphas the news,

While he is praying, and the man does choose

To stand and stomp away to jail cells

Instead of keeping eyes on truth, he yells,

 “Seek out the two!” A timid guard asks him,

“Where shall we search in all Jerusalem?”

And Cai’phas cold replies, “Just seek the sound

Of preaching and proclaiming in the town.

If they were such that they could not be found,

Obedient and quiet slunk around,

No call to find these two would we retain.”

Just so they find the duo who sustain

Their Godly call within the temple yard.

With fear and fleeting hearts approach the guard,

Remembering that battered cell (too weak

To hold these two who outside look so meek).

But more than fear of godly men, the crowd

Which clung about the spoken word allowed

No safety, even for the guard, who stood

And gazed at those who spoke and understood

The need to follow. Both men volunteered

To meet with Caiaphas, allowing feared

And fearful guards to lead them to their trial.

So, saints arrive, who th'darkened crowd revile.

Judgment from the Pharisees

E told you ne’er again to preach this name,”

The high priest Caiaphas in rage proclaims.

“Now cease accusing us of deicide!”

“We told you who we would obey,” replied

Disciple knight, “We made no silence vow.

We preach the God of Abraham and now.

The God who hung upon a tree, accurst,

And by His Ghost have we preached from th’first.”

At this, a fury froze Sanhedrin through

And they proposed to kill these upright two.

“But wait,” remarked Gamaliel, who knew

And taught the ancient Law t’unlearned youth,

Whose highest grads were known for grasping truth.

“Each act of treachery by mightless man

Opposing God has never forced His hand.

If these men fight our Holy God, they’ll break;

If not, will we be spared? For no man’s ache

And effort lasts, not ours nor theirs, unless 

It comes from God. With mouth and mind confess:

These men are feeble or they’re fortified.

Our punishment no good can here provide.”

They flog the men, commanding as before,

Releasing them onto their way, and for

The trial they rejoice and praise the King

That wounds should liken them in everything.