The Poems of Goethe, Translated in the Original Metres · Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
I. DEDICATION.
His true followers sought. In pure cerements shrin'd, 'Twas placed in the bier But, alas! we now find That Christ is not here. Christ is arisen! Speechless His love. Who to Earth's prison Came from above, Trials to prove. Now is He risen! Death's gloomy portal Now hath He rended,-- Living, immortal, Heavenward ascended; Freed from His anguish, Sees He God's throne; We still must languish, Earthbound, alone. Now that He's reft us, Heart-sad we pine; Why hast Thou left us, Master divine? Christ is arisen, Death hath He slain; Burst ye your prison, Rend ye each chain! Songs of praise lead ye,-- Love to show, heed ye,-- Hungry ones feed ye,-- Preaching, on speed ye,-- Coming joys plead ye,-- Then is the Master near, Then is He here!
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.