Classic and Contemporary Poetry
EASTER HYMN, by GEORGE SANTAYANA Poet's Biography First Line: I love the pious candle-light Last Line: For christ arisen, and hope dead. Subject(s): Easter; Holidays; The Resurrection | ||||||||
I love the pious candle-light, The boy's fresh voices, void of thought, The woman's eager, inward sight Of what in vain her heart had sought. I love the violets at the feet Of Jesus, red with some blood-stain; I love the cross, and it is sweet To make a sacrifice of pain. Some offer bullocks to the skies; Some, incense, with their drowsy praise; He brings the gods what most they prize Who sorrow on the altar lays. I love the Virgin's flowering shrine, Her golden crown, her jewelled stole, The seven dolorous swords that shine Around her heart, an aureole. Thou Mother of a suffering race, Whose pangs console us for our birth, Reign thou for ever, by the grace Of sorrow, Queen of all the earth! Perchance when Carnival is done, And sun and moon go out for me, Christ will be God, and I the one That in my youth I used to be. Things all are shadows, shadows all, And ghosts within an idiot's brain. A little while, they fade and fall; A little while, they come again. Sing softly, choristers; ye sing Not faith alone, but doubt and dread. Ring wildly, Easter bells; ye ring For Christ arisen, and hope dead. | Other Poems of Interest...EASTER by LOUISA SARAH BEVINGTON EASTER EVE by FRANCIS WILLIAM BOURDILLON EASTER SUNDAY by LUCILLE CLIFTON GOD SEND EASTER by LUCILLE CLIFTON NOT THE CUCKOLD'S DREAM; FOR SAM PEREIRA by NORMAN DUBIE I DEFINE THE DARKNESS CORRECT: THE FESTIVAL OF THE FRERES LUMIERES by ELENI SIKELIANOS SPANISH EASTER: 1926 by CONRAD AIKEN |
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