1The

cockatrice1

, as

vulgarly2

received,

2Is, against nature, by a

cock3

conceived,

3Whose eggs a toad doth to perfection bring,

4Whence comes the

basilisk4

, the serpent’s king.

5If this fierce animal doth first see you,

6Prepare, my friend, to bid this world

adieu5

.

7But if you see him first, you are secure,

8If with this

crystal6

you yourself

immure7

.

9The visual beams which issue from his eyes

10

Reverberates8

his poison, so he dies.

11So Perseus with his sister’s shining shield

12

Made proud Medusa and the Gorgons yield9

.

13Sin is this curséd, killing cockatrice;

14If you discover its deceits, it dies,

15But if you don’t, nought but the splendent shield

16

Of faith10

will make this hellish monster yield.

17Then with the Christian armor arm you,

18And all the powers of Hell shall never harm you.

19But, O, let me dispose my thoughts so well

20That I may crush this

embryon11

in the shell;

21Yet if I do to sinful motions yield,

22Be Thou to me, dear God,

a sun and shield12

,

23Then as enslaved to sin and death I lie,

24I’ll on the

brazen13

serpent cast mine eye:

25

Who14

conquered Death and Hell on

Calvary15

.