"LAZARUS COME FORTH!" "Lazarus come forth!"-The dead arose, The sunken orbs their thraldom broke :Through the chill'd limbs warm life-blood flows, And the pale slumberer awoke! "Lazarus come forth!"-Oh, words of power! "Lazarus come forth!"-The fluttering spirit, From Hades heard the call divine, Once more earth's trials to inherit, Once more a denizen of time. Question not wherefore this could be; Cease, doubter cease, thy cavils vainFor He who gave that breath to thee, Could call it back to life again. From Thee are all things,-Heavenly King! Before Thy footstool we would bow; Shield us with Thy Almighty wing, The Life and Resurrection Thou! THE RESURRECTION. "So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch."-ST. MATTHEW, xxvii. 66. The watch is set, the stone is seal'd, And through the dewy night, Wan stars their lustre have reveal'd, Shining above earth's misery, No sound breaks on the tranquil hour, But in that garden lone, All dimly on each tree and flower, The hue of night is thrown; And silence reigns, the watch is set And the wild crowd are gone! And they, with measured step, before, They tread the dusky path-way o'er, Gloomily,-silently, For still they see the sealed stone, Why do the strong ones turn so pale, With awe and fear their spirits quail, And, all too bright, to gaze upon, Is one beside the stone. His face, as heaven's own lightning gleams, And whiter far than snow, The floating robe around him seems ; No form of earth they know, Is the all-radiant being there, And to the earth they bow. THE RESURRECTION. Away!—and tell your fearful tale, Ere the first streak of morning pale, Is breaking on the air; And watches for you there! 103 "Oh grave, where is thy victory!" The first fruits of a countless throng; And death has now no sting! |