Page - 102 - in JRFM - Journal Religion Film Media, Volume 07/01

102 | Daria Pezzoli-Olgiati www.jrfm.eu 2021, 7/1, 95–122 herself with the tempted Jesus, she understands her desire for suicide as an ordeal she must endure. In this text, the narrator describes a multifaceted image of God, as both strong judge and merciful father: I pray whenever my thoughts do from the stray And lead me Lord to thy blest fold That I thy [39] glory may behold Grant Lord that I soon may behold the not as my Judge to condemn and punish me but as my Father to pity and restore me For I know with the O Lord no- [40] thing is impossible thou can if thou wilt restore my bodily health And set me free from sin and misery In line 41, Elizabeth addresses Jesus for the first time: I put my trust O blessed Jesus grant that I may never more offend the or provoke the to cast me of in thy displeasure All these thoughts are interlaced and not always easy to follow. The text breaks off in the middle of line 46 with a desperate sentence: For with shame I own I returned to thee O God because I had nowhere else to go How can such repentance as mine be sincere What will become of my soul Intertextual References Alongside the composition are several references to devotion characteristic of the Victorian revival within British Protestantism. The embroidery contains a compilation of quotations from biblical books and hymns and possibly from educational books as well. For example, the golden rule is echoed across lines 4–5: wishing us to do unto others as we would they should do unto us Furthermore, line 16 contains a quote from Matthew 25:41, inserted into the direct speech of Dr W. Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting Fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels