Classic Poem

Ye who, clad in shining raiment,
Watch within the empty tomb
Where the dear Lord's sacred Body
Lay in death through yester's gloom,
Tell us, guests from realms of glory,
All the Resurrection's story!

How the tide of life returning
Flushed the pierced hands and feet;
How the Heart so lately broken
Once again began to beat;
How the Head by thorns so wounded
Victory's aureole surrounded!

Tell us, glorious one whose garment
Gleameth whiter than the snow,
And whose countenance as lightning
Laid the watch, like dead men, low;
Mightiest one, from Heaven descended,
Tell us how the tomb was rended!

How the seal secure was broken
Ere the dawning of the day;
How the solid earth was shaken
When the stone was rolled away;
While the world unconscious slumbered
And the hours of death were numbered.

Tell — but oh, no tongue can utter
What transcendeth speech and thought!
Passeth angels' comprehension
How the miracle was wrought.
He was dead; and lo! He liveth;
Yea, and Life Eternal giveth!

Forth He came! the Human Body
He for man the fallen wore,
And the Human Soul united,
Glorified forevermore;
That in wondrous re-creation
Man might share His exaltation.

While He fasted in the desert,
Tempted long and sorely tried,
Prayed in anguish in the Garden,
On the Cross in anguish died,
Watching with her Lord and weeping,
Solemn fast the Church was keeping.

Feast of Feasts the Fast succeedeth!
Once again the strain is poured:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glory to the risen Lord!
Song of songs, in endless gladness
Drowning pain and doubt and sadness.

Alleluia! " He is risen! "
" Risen indeed! " the shouts resound.
Holy greeting answers greeting;
Joy at last on earth is found.
Shore to shore the salutations
Bind as one redeemed nations.

Alleluia! Choirs of angels
To the choirs of earth respond;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Rolleth seas and skies beyond.
Heaven and earth at last shall sever,
But the song shall peal forever!