Now is the time for evil power,
Now is the dark hour.

Tied to a stake, victim of king’s spite,
But before God stands in right.

He opens his mouth, and tells all
Of his accusers’ coming fall,
And that he will rather die
Than confirm a lie.

Mary’s church he faces;
She lifts him from these disgraces.

She did like in ancient time,
As told in sacred rhyme,
When at Rood’s stem, she in meek
Grief gave comfort to her Son when He was weak.