A Christ-Cross Rhyme

Christ His Cross shall be my speed,
Teach me, Father John, to read :
That in church on holy day,
I may chant the psalm and pray.

Let me learn, that I may know
What the shining windows show :
Where the lovely Lady stands,
With that bright Child in her hands,

Teach me letters, A, B, C,
Till that I shall able be
Signs to know and words to frame,
And to spell sweet Jesus' Name.

Then, dear Master, will I look,
Day and night in that fair book,
Where the tales of saints are told,
With their pictures, all in gold.

Teach me, Father John, to say
Vesper-verse and matin-lay :
So when I to God shall plead,
Christ His Cross shall be my speed.