Richard Watson Gilder

The Celestial Passion. Part 2. 2. Easter

I

When in the starry gloom
They sought the Lord Christ's tomb,
Two angels stood in sight,
All drest in burning white,
Who unto the women said:
"Why seek ye the living among the dead?"

II

His life, his hope, his heart,
With death they had no part;
For this those words of scorn
First heard that holy morn,
When the waiting angels said:
"Why seek ye the living among the dead?"

III

O, ye of this latter day,
Who journey the selfsame way—
Through morning's twilight gloom
Back to the shadowy tomb;
To you, as to them, was it said:
"Why seek ye the living among the dead?"

IV

The Lord is risen indeed,
He is here for your love, for your need—
Not in the grave, nor the sky,
But here where men live and die;
And true the word that was said:
"Why seek ye the living among the dead?"

V

Wherever are tears and sighs,
Wherever are children's eyes,
Where man calls man his brother,
And loves as himself another,
Christ lives! The angels said:
"Why seek ye the living among the dead?"