The Stone Unrolled

Now all is silent in the tomb;
He rests at last, the gauntlet o'er,
The bloody flesh pains Him no more;
Respite at last; first since the womb.

Quiet disturbed by a cough without,
The measured tread of soldier feet;
The guards pacing their assigned beat,
This grave protect, to keep men out.

Hear the rustle of angel wing
Softly stirring the stagnant air;
Their unseen tears fall many there,
As they hover around the King.

They know to whence His Spirit's gone,
In harm's grim way, to hell's dread cave;
They know as well, this vault's no grave;
Death can't keep Him, nor hell disown!

Yet, they still mourn in sorrow rapt,
At the body He wore in life;
So bruised and bloody from the strife,
Lying so still, in shroud yet wrapped.

Look! The stains fade; the wounds repair;
Color returns to His pale face;
Eyelids flutter, open, and gaze
Upon the friends around Him there!

All hail the King! He lives again!
Death o'ercome! And so is hell!
The angels sing, no mournful knell;
It wafts to God, a sweet refrain!

"It's done! It's done!" the angels cry!
"Death defeated! Sin's wages paid!
Hail to the Christ! Satan's unmade!
All power His! No throne as high!"

The cloth unwound, then cast aside;
Christ stands upright, flesh unriven*,
Both arms outstretched; saints forgiven;
"Come all to Me, and all abide!"

The stone unrolled at His command;
Out walked the Christ; the tomb left bare;
Heaven revels; let hell despair---
Earth re-taken from Satan's hand!

*untorn