Easter Morning

By Edmund Spenser (1552?–1599)

Easter is a movable feast in the Church Calendar, but April 9 has been accepted as the date of the Resurrection.

MOST glorious Lord of life, that on this day

Didst make thy triumph over death and sin,

And, having harrowed hell, didst bring away

Captivity thence captive, us to win;

This joyous day, dear Lord, with joy begin,

And grant that we, for whom thou didst die,

Being with thy dear blood clean washed from sin,

May live for ever in felicity:

And that thy love we weighing worthily

May likewise love Thee for the same again:

And for thy sake, that all like dear didst buy,

With love may one another entertain.

So let us love, dear Love, like as we ought;

Love is the lesson which the Lord us taught.