Within the rock-bound sepulchre, the gloom This day be grateful homage paid, Of deepest midnight brooded o'er the dead, Upon that face, clothed in a smile benign, griefs Unclose, and look around with conscious joy. At man's redemption, now complete; at And loud hosannas sung; Let gladness dwell on every heart, Ten thousand differing lips shall join CHRIST ON THE WAY TO EMMAUS. COWPER. Ir happened on a solemn even-tide, Disarmed; the grave transformed into the Two bosom friends, each pensively inclined, couch Of faith; the resurrection and the life. sunk Into invisibility, while forth The Saviour of the world walked, and stood BARBAULD. AGAIN the Lord of life and light O what a night was that which wrapt O what a sun which broke this day The scene of all their sorrows left behind, went In musings worthy of the great event: life Though blameless had incurred perpetual Whose deeds had left in spite of hostile arts, more; They thought him, and they justly thought him, one Sent to do more than he appeared t' have To exalt a people, and to place them high Informed, he gathered up the broken thread, | See thy faithful servants, see! And truth, and wisdom gracing all he said, Ever gazing up to thee! Grant, though parted from our sight, That reaching home, the night, they said, is Seeking thee beyond the skies. near, We must not now be parted, sojourn here- Ever upward may we move, And left them both exclaiming, 'Twas the Partners of thine endless reign; Lord! Did not our hearts feel all he deigned to say, There thy face unclouded see, Find our Heaven of Heavens in thee! THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST. DRUMMOND. BRIGHT portals of the sky, Scarf'd in a rosy cloud, He doth ascend the air; Straight doth the moon him shroud The next encrystall'd light Of that fair lamp which flowers of beauty streams. He towers those golden bounds That robed in glory, Heaven's King may Sounding their silver trumpets out so loud, | At his right hand with golden harps, That the shrill noise broke through the starry cloud, And all the virgin souls in pure array, Came dancing forth and making joyous play; So him they led along into the courts of day. So him they led into the courts of day, more, But in that house eternal peace doth play, But now, estranged from all misery, They offer songs divine. Hail! Prince, they cry, for ever hail! Mov'd thee to quit these glorious robes Whilst, here, our gracious Lord vouchsaf'd They cast their honours at his feet, In all his toils and conflicts here, Here let my Lord hang up his conquering When all the powers of hell combin'd lance, To fill his cup of wo, And bloody armour with late slaughter Their wond'ring eyes beheld his tears |