(ll. 441-454) Then the Eternal Lord let all that host mount
upward unto glory. But on the fiends He fastened bonds of
torment, and thrust them down into the depths of darkness,
bitterly abashed, where darkly Satan rules, a woeful wretch, and
with him the foul fiends, forspent with pain. Never may they see
the light of glory, but only bell's abyss, nor ever hope for
their return, because the Lord God was incensed against them, and
gave them bonds of torment for their portion, and gruesome
horror, death-shadows dark and dim, the burning pit of hell, and
fear of death.
(ll. 455-467) Then was there gladness when the host returned unto
their native home, and with them the Eternal Lord of men, unto
His glorious city. With their hands the race of Abraham, the
holy prophets, bore Him up unto His home. Even as the prophets
had foretold in days of old, the Lord had conquered death, and
overcome the Fiend. All this befell at dawn before the blush of
day, when thunder came, loud crashing from the heavens, and God
bowed down and brake the doors of hell. The fiends' strength
lessened when they saw the radiant light.
(ll. 468-478) And the Son of God was sitting with His host, and
spake with words of truth: "Wise spirits! By My might I wrought
you--first Adam and this noble woman. And they begat, by God's
will, forty children, so that a multitude were born thereafter on
the earth, and many a winter men dwelt in their home, until it
came to pass the fiend by deeds of evil brought God's mercy to an
end. Now sin has spread through all the world!
(ll. 479-486) "For in the new Paradise I placed a tree with
spreading branches, whose boughs bore apples, and ye two ate the
gleaming fruit according as the fiend, the thane of hell, gave
bidding. Wherefore ye journeyed to the burning depths of hell,
because ye disobeyed the word of God, and tasted of this horror.
The foul fiend stood beside you, and gave you evil thoughts.
(ll. 487-498) "But My heart repented that My handiwork should
suffer prison-bondage! There was no power of men, nor might of
angels, no work of the prophets, nor wisdom of mortal men, that
could bring you help, but only God, the Saviour, who had ordained
that punishment in vengeance. And from His home on high He came
to earth, being born of a virgin, and suffered many tortures in
the world, and much affliction. And many men, the rulers of the
state, conspired against Me night and day, how they might slay
Me.
(ll. 499-511) "Then was the time fulfilled, and I had lived for
three-and-thirty winters in the world before My passion. Long
was I mindful of this multitude and of My home, that I might lead
them up from bondage to their native land, where they may have
God's judgments, and the glory of the heavenly hosts, dwelling in
joy and knowing bliss of heaven, a thousand fold. Upon the
cross, when sharp spears pierced Me, and the young man smote Me,
hanging on the tree, yea! even then I interceded for you; and I
came again unto eternal joys, and to the presence of the Holy
Lord."
X
(ll. 512-523) Thus spake the Lord of glory, Maker of mankind,
early in the morning when the Lord God rose from death. There
was no stone so firmly fastened, though it were bound about with
iron, that might withstand His wondrous might; but the Lord of
angels went forth from His prison, and bade bright angels tell
His eleven disciples, and say especially to Simon Peter that he
might see God, Steadfast and Eternal, in Galilee, as he had done
aforetime.
(ll. 524-534) Then the disciples, as I have heard, were filled
with the Spirit, and went together into Galilee unto the Holy Son
of God, beholding where the Son of the Creator, the Eternal Lord,
was risen. And the disciples ran and came where the Eternal Lord
was standing, and fell upon the ground, and knelt before His
feet, giving thanks to God because once more, as it was come to
pass, they might behold the Prince of angels. And straightway
Simon Peter spake:
(ll. 535-539) "Is it Thou, O Lord God, crowned with glory? A
little while ago we saw how heathen men laid grievous bonds upon
Thee! And bitterly shall they repent, when they behold their
end."
(ll. 540-556) But some could not believe it in their hearts. And
one, called Didymus, was dear before he laid his hand upon his
Saviour's side wherefrom His blood had fallen to the ground, a
bath of baptism. That was a glorious deed, the passion of the
Lord our God. He mounted up upon the tree, and with His great
heart shed His blood upon the cross. Wherefore at all times men
should thank their Lord by words and works, because He led us out
of bondage to our home and native land, where we may have God's
judgments and the glory of the heavenly host, and dwell in joy.
To us the radiant light of glory is revealed, to such as have
good thoughts.