our fears are gone;
Joy fills the souls that erstwhile had been sad,
Hope fills the tomb, where hope had never shone.
V
Sleepers, awake! The Christ from death awoke,
Break into song, and let the silence sing,
Speak to the world what language never spoke,
Bring from a tomb what mourners cannot bring.
VI
Glory to God! The Christ hath left the tomb,
Hope in our souls is shining as the sun;
Clouds bring no fear, for in the deepest gloom,
Rest we in faith,--the Victory is won.
I
Rise, O glorious orb of day,--
Christ no longer fills the grave,
He hath risen with power to save,--
Rise, and clear our night away.
II
Day, by seer and psalmist sung,
Gladdest day for earth and heaven,
For the Christ, Whom God had given,
Hath the power from hades wrung.
III
Clouds of darkness, bow the head,
Weep in raindrops in the night!
Sorrow now is chased from sight,
For the living Christ was dead.
IV
Heaven above, and earth below,--
Men and angels raise the strain,
Death could not the Christ retain,--
Let your praises endless flow.
V
Ah, the spear, the thorns, the nails,
Ah, the dying and the death,
And the slow expiring breath,--
But the suffering Christ prevails.
VI
Where can death bestow his prey?
Can he hold the Lord of life?
Better he had shirked the strife,
Than have lost his power for aye.
VII
Rise, O glorious orb of day!
Christ no longer fills the grave,
He hath risen with power to save,--
Rise, and clear our night away.
ASCENSION
{anabas eis hypsos.}
Ascension.
I
Borne on the clouds the Christ arose
To where the light celestial glows,
Till, farther than the eye could view,
He passed the heavenly portals through.
II
Ended the weary life below
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