From the Cross (after dismissing His spirit) to the garden scene with Mary
Begging from a mortal power, secretly to love no more,
Standing boldly in that hour, pleading at a guilty door;
Hear the tender cry now spoken, recompense such awful loss,
Longing for His body, broken, bruised and hanging on the cross.
Called to be the one to take Him, freeing Him who set us free,
Prising out the nails that makes Him fall from the accursed tree;
Creation looks on Him, relying, in His hand all hope is found,
Yet the King of Life is lying, cold and silent on the ground.
Cleansing who could be no purer, holding Him who holds it all,
Never could man's heart be surer, of the measure of their fall;
He who gave the myrrh its savour, by whose hand the spice is grown,
Now the object of God's favour, takes their fragrance for His own.
He who rolled His fabric glowing, shining through an empty space,
Yields to wear the linen flowing o'er His precious holy face;
With the wicked did they slay Him, for the poor His life He gave,
As a rich man now they lay Him in a spotless, borrowed grave.
Greatly how man's heart would measure, prizing what they never sought,
Now in death they deeply treasure what in life they counted nought,
Guarding 'til a day appointed, keeping what they cannot keep,
Watching while the blessed Anointed lies a captive there asleep.
Can the evil one restrain Him, with his grasp, so firm and cold?
Would the gates of Hell detain Him, or can chains this prisoner hold?
Soon what men were there concealing, filled their hearts with deep dismay,
Just an empty tomb revealing…as God rolled the stone away.
With a garden scene surrounding, hosting she who loved Him best,
Caring eyes that had not found Him, where His head was laid to rest;
Standing still, alone in sorrow, dread and fear in union meet,
As the hopeless long tomorrow, rolls unbroken at her feet.
There with clouds so dark enclosing, stands defeated, face to face
With a man who she supposing took her Master from His place.
"Why dear maiden are you weeping? Are you searching here today?".
"I have come to where we keep Him, but you've taken Him away".
Then with love that cannot vary, and a care that does not fail,
Softly calls the name of, "Mary", casting off His human veil;
There as eyes are re-acquainted, Heaven's glory fills her sight,
Striding forth from death untainted, through a cloudless morning light.
