Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895.

An Easter Ode

Henry Alford (1810–1871)

THE CALM of blessed night

Is on Judæa’s hills;

The full-orbed moon with cloudless light

Is sparkling on their rills:

One spot above the rest

Is still and tranquil seen,

The chamber as of something blest,

Amidst its bowers of green.

Around that spot each way

The figures ye may trace

Of men-at-arms in grim array,

Girding the solemn place:

But other bands are there—

And, glistening through the gloom,

Legions of angels bright and fair

Throng to that wondrous tomb.

“Praise be to God on high!

The triumph-hour is near:

The Lord hath won the victory,

The foe is vanquished here!

Dark grave, yield up the dead;

Give up thy prey, thou earth:

In death he bowed his sacred head—

He springs anew to birth!

“Sharp was the wreath of thorns

Around his suffering brow;

But glory rich his head adorns,

And angels crown him now.

Roll yonder rock away

That bars the marble-gate;

And gather we in bright array

To swell the Victor’s state!

“Hail, hail, hail!

The Lord is risen indeed!

The curse is made of none avail;

The sons of men are freed!”