Scottish Text Society publications > Third series > Works of Sir David Lindsay of the Mount, 1490-1555 > Volume 1, 1938

268
THE SECYND BVKE
The Sowtars sanct Crispaniane. 2310
All thir on altare staitly standis,
Preistis cryand for thare offrandis,
To quhome we Communnis, on our kneis,
Doith wyrschip all thir Ymagereis ;
In Kirk, in Queir, and in the closter, 2315
Prayand to thame our Pater noster.
In pylgramage frome town to toun,
With offrand and with orisoun,
To thame aye babland on our beidis.
That thay wald help ws in our neidis. 2320
Quhat diffem this, declare to me,
Frome the Gentilis Idolatrye ?
expedience]
CGyff that he trew that thow reportis,
It goith rycht neir thir samyn sortis.
Bot we, be counsall of Clargye, 2325
Hes lycence to mak Imagerye,
Quhilk of vnleirnit bene the buikis.
For, quhen lauid folk vpone thame luikis,
Itt bringith to rememberance
Off Sanctis lyuis the circumstance ; 2330
Quhow, the faith for to fortifye,
Thay sufferit pane rycht pacientlye.
Seand the Image of the Rude,
Men suld remember on the Blude
Ouhilk Christ, in tyll his Passioun, 2335
[H id] Did sched for our Saluatioun.
Or, quhen thow seis ane portrature
Off blyssit Marie, Uirgen pure,
One bony Babe vpone hir kne,
Than, in thy mynde, remember the 2340
The wordis quhilks the Propheit said,
Quhow sche suld be boith Mother and Maid.
C Bot quho that sittis doun on thare kneis,
Prayand tyll ony Imagereis,