Poems (Kimball)/"Christ is risen! Christ is risen!"

by Harriet McEwen Kimball

EASTER CAROLS.

I.

CHRIST is risen! Christ is risen!
 Conquered Death and all His foes!
Crucified and dead and buried,
 Very Man as Man He rose.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
 He for us the Cross endured,
And the bitter shame despising
 Life, immortal Life secured.

Very God He stooped to suffer
 Keenest sorrows, sharpest pains;
Very Man enthroned in glory
 Now as King of Kings lie reigns.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
 Blessed they who follow on;
Who by rack or sword or prison
 Share the crown that lie hath won.

Blessed they the saints and martyrs
 Foremost in the Church's van,
Virgin souls of maid and matron,
 Babe and youth and hoary man.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
 Blessed all the faithful throng,
Strong in Him to fight and conquer
 Pressing still His way along.

Lift the Cross to-day in triumph,
 Lift His wondrous symbol high;
Standard that hath led its legions
 On to holy victory!
Alleluia! Alleluia !
 Once of death and shame the sign,
Now of glory never equalled
 See the Cross of Jesus shine!

Backward, forward, o'er the ages,
 How its rays unearthly stream!
From eternity its splendors
 To eternity shall gleam!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
 Lift the matchless symbol high
With the Resurrection's glory
 Kindling earth and sea and sky!