Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, EASTER EVEN (2), by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

EASTER EVEN (2), by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: There is nothing more that they can do
Last Line: And with him bring his sheaves.
Alternate Author Name(s): Alleyne, Ellen; Rossetti, Christina
Subject(s): Easter; Holidays; Jesus Christ; The Resurrection


There is nothing more that they can do
For all their rage and boast;
Caiaphas with his blaspheming crew,
Herod with his host,

Pontius Pilate in his judgment hall
Judging their Judge and his,
Or he who led them all and passed them all
Arch-Judas with his kiss.

The sepulchre made sure with ponderous stone
Seal that same stone, O priest;
It may be thou shalt block the Holy One
From rising in the east:

Set a watch above the sepulchre
To watch on pain of death;
They must hold fast the stone if One should stir
And shake it from beneath.

God Almighty He can break a seal,
And roll away a stone;
Can grind the proud in dust who not kneel,
And crush the mighty one.

There is nothing more that they can do
For all their passionate care,
Those who sit in dust, the blessed few,
And weep and rend their hair.

Peter, Thomas, Mary Magdalen,
The Virgin unreproved,
Joseph with Nicodemus foremost men,
And John the well-beloved.

Bring your finest linen and your spice,
Swathe the Sacred Dead,
Bind with careful hands and piteous eyes
The napkin round his Head;

Lay Him in the garden rock to rest;
Rest you the Sabbath length:
The Sun That went down crimson in the west
Shall rise renewed in strength.

God Almighty shall give joy for pain,
Shall comfort him who grieves:
Lo, He with joy shall doubtless come again
And with Him bring His sheaves.





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