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

The Choruses of the Ascension

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832)

Translated by Sir Theodore Martin

Chorus of Angels
CHRIST is ascended!

Hail the glad token,

True was it spoken,

Sin’s fetters are broken,

Man’s bondage is ended!

Chorus of Women
With myrrh and with aloes

We balmed and we bathed Him,

Loyally, lovingly,

Tenderly swathed Him;

With cerecloth and band

For the grave we arrayed Him;

But oh, He is gone

From the place where we laid Him!

Chorus of Angels
Christ is ascended!

The love that possess’d Him,

The pangs that oppress’d Him,

To prove and to test Him,

In triumph have ended!

Chorus of Disciples
He that was buried

On high has ascended;

There lives in glory,

Sublimely attended.

In heaven whilst He reigneth,

For us Who was slain here,

On earth we, His chosen,

To suffer remain here,—

To suffer and languish

Midst pain and annoy;

Lord, in our anguish,

We envy Thy joy.

Chorus of Angels
From the lap of corruption,

Lo! Christ has ascended!

Rejoice, for the fetters

That bound you are rended!

Praise Him unceasingly,

Love one another,

Break bread together, like

Sister and brother!

Preach the glad tidings

To all who will hear you,

So will the Master be

Evermore near you!