Alternating with deepest night. From out the gulf against the rock, In spreading billows foams the ocean,-- And cliff and sea with mighty shock, The spheres whirl round in endless motion. MICHAEL. And storms in emulation growl From land to sea, from sea to land, And fashion, as they wildly howl, A circling, wonder-working band. Destructive flames in mad career Precede Thy thunders on their way; Yet, Lord, Thy messengers revere The soft mutations of Thy day. THE THREE. Strength find the angels in Thy sight, Though none may hope to fathom Thee; Still glorious are Thy works of might, As when first form'd in majesty. III. CHORUS OF ANGELS. CHRIST is arisen! Mortal, all hail! Thou, of Earth's prison Dreary and frail, Bursting the veil, Proudly hast risen! CHORUS OF WOMEN. Rich spices and myrrh, To embalm Him we brought; His corpse to inter His true followers sought. In pure cerements shrin'd, 'Twas placed in the bier But, alas! we now find That Christ is not here. CHORUS OF ANGELS. Christ is arisen! Speechless His love. Who to Earth's prison Came from above, Trials to prove. Now is He risen! CHORUS OF YOUTHS. Death's gloomy portal Now hath He rended,-- Living, immortal, Heavenward ascended; Freed from His anguish, Sees He God's throne; We still must languish, Earthbound, alone. Now that He's reft us, Heart-sad we pine; Why hast Thou left us, Master divine? CHORUS OF ANGELS. Christ is arisen, Death hath He slain; Burst ye your prison, Rend ye each chain! Songs of praise lead ye,-- Love to show, heed ye,-- Hungry ones feed ye,-- Preaching, on speed ye,-- Coming joys plead ye,-- Then is the Master near, Then is He here! IV. CHORUS OF SPIRITS. VANISH, dark clouds on high, Offspring of night! Let a more radiant beam Through the blue ether gleam, Charming the sight! Would the dark clouds on high Melt into air! Stars glimmer tenderly, Planets more fair Shed their soft light. Spirits of heav'nly birth, Fairer than sons of earth, Quivering emotions true Hover above; Yearning affections, too, In their train move. See how the spirit-band, By the soft breezes fann'd, Covers the smiling land,-- Covers the leafy grove, Where happy lovers rove, Deep in a dream of love, True love that never dies! Bowers on bowers rise, Soft tendrils twine; While from the press escapes, Born of the juicy grapes, Foaming, the wine; And as the current flows O'er the bright stones it goes,-- Leaving the hilly lands Far, far behind,-- Into a sea expands, Loving to wind Round the green mountain's base; And the glad-winged race, Rapture sip in, As they the sunny light, And the fair islands bright, Hasten to win, That on the billows play With sweet deceptive ray, Where in glad choral song Shout the exulting throng; Where on the verdant plain Dancers we see, Spreading themselves amain Over the lea. Some boldly climbing are O'er the steep brake, Others are floating far O'er the smooth lake. All for a purpose move,