FOR EASTER DAY

THIS is the Easter! Day of rejoicing! Day of renewing! See how the roseate, Delicate, virginal Feet of the Morning Haste o’er the mountains Joyful to meet her!

Welcome the Easter! Day of renewing! Day of rejoicing! The snow has departed, The rain is assuaged, The winter is gone! Lo! on Earth’s bosom The rainbow of promise, The rainbow of springtime, The rainbow of flowers!

This is the Easter! Day of uprising! Day of renewing! Heart, take new courage! Look no more downward! See, the sun rising! Hark, the bird singing! See, the grass springing! The brook floweth free! Hand to the plough, man! Cut deep the furrow, Cast thy seed strongly! Think not of sorrow! Of death or of sin! To-day, let thy future Burst from its cerements,— Roll back the Grave stone! To-day, Life immortal! Oh, mortal! begin!