By the path the wise men trod, Seek we, too, th’ incarnate God; Blessed goal, where ends all strife: Christ, the Way, the Truth, the Life. Kneeling where the Magi knelt, Feeling what the Magi felt,-- Of all nations the Desire, Lord, to thee our souls aspire. Hasten, heart of mine, to bring From thy store fit offering; Be a royal worshiper: _Gold, and frankincense, and myrrh_! GOOD FRIDAY. O outcast Christ, rejected King! O Man of sorrows, slain for me, Accept a sinner’s offering-- A thankful heart that clings to thee. The purple robe, the taunt, the sneer, The crown of thorns, the scourge, the cross! Remembering these, O Saviour dear, I gladly reckon all things loss. Could grief of mine make meet redress For those dark hours of deepest woe, O Lamb of God! O Prince of Peace! My tears for evermore should flow. On thee, the sinless One, was laid The guilt of all mankind, _and mine_; Thy grace the ransom doubly paid In human agony divine. O Son of Mary! Son of God! Thou King of saints, enthroned above, Thy glorious name the world shall laud, And crown thy cross with wreaths of love. THE RESURRECTION. Relentless as the council is the cross; The Nazarene is bruised and torn;-- Mourn! ye despised disciples, mourn! Priest, scribe, and elder triumph in your loss. The watch is set,--the sepulcher is sure; Death and the grave and Rome unite-- Triumvirate of matchless might-- To make Sin’s vaunted victory secure. Secure? With sudden awe the aged earth _Feels him alive within the tomb_; And lo! emerging from the gloom, The brightest morning since creation’s birth! The nations see the Dayspring from on high, And greet the mighty miracle With songs that shake the gates of hell, And animate the anthems of the sky. EASTER-TIDE. Easter bells are ringing, Easter anthems rise, Age and Childhood singing Strains that seek the skies: Seek their source, ascending Where, in rapture sweet, Song and service blending, Saint and seraph meet. “Christ, the Lord, is risen!” Wondering angels cry; “Broken, Death’s dread prison!” Sons of men reply. Blessed song and story! Doubt and fear depart,-- Resurrection glory Floods the faithful heart. Purest, purest pleasure In each bosom wells; Happy, happy measure-- How the choral swells! By that song supplanted, Wrath and wrong shall cease; From this hour undaunted Reigns the Prince of Peace. Easter lilies, blowing, Breathe his praise abroad,-- All their grace bestowing On the Son of God. Lo! his brow adorning, Kings their homage pay; Hark! the stars of morning Hail his boundless sway.