PRINCE HENRY. 
This is the day, when from the dead
Our Lord arose; and everywhere,
Out of their darkness and despair,
Triumphant over fears and foes,
The hearts of his disciples rose,
When to the women, standing near,
The Angel in shining vesture said,
“The Lord is risen; he is not here!”
And, mindful that the day is come,
On all the hearths in Christendom
The fires are quenched, to be again
Rekindled from the sun, that high
Is dancing in the cloudless sky. 
The churches are all decked with flowers,
The salutations among men
Are but the Angel’s words divine,
“Christ is arisen!” and the bells
Catch the glad murmur, as it swells,
And chant together in their towers. 
All hearts are glad; and free from care
The faces of the people shine. 
See what a crowd is in the square,
Gayly and gallantly arrayed!

ELSIE. 
Let us go back; I am afraid!

PRINCE HENRY. 
Nay, let us mount the church-steps here,
Under the doorway’s sacred shadow;
We can see all things, and be freer
From the crowd that madly heaves and presses!

ELSIE. 
What a gay pageant! what bright dresses! 
It looks like a flower-besprinkled meadow. 
What is that yonder on the square?

PRINCE HENRY. 
A pulpit in the open air,
And a Friar, who is preaching to the crowd
In a voice so deep and clear and loud,
That, if we listen, and give heed,
His lowest words will reach the ear.

FRIAR CUTHBERT, gesticulating and cracking a postilion’s whip. 
What ho! good people! do you not hear? 
Dashing along at the top of his speed,
Booted and spurred, on his jaded steed,
A courier comes with words of cheer. 
Courier! what is the news, I pray? 
“Christ is arisen!” Whence come you?  “From court.” 
Then I do not believe it; you say it in sport.

Cracks his whip again.

Ah, here comes another, riding this way;
We soon shall know what he has to say. 
Courier! what are the tidings to-day? 
“Christ is arisen!” Whence come you?  “From town.” 
Then I do not believe it; away with you, clown.

Cracks his whip more violently.

And here comes a third, who is spurring amain;
What news do you bring, with your loose-hanging rein,
Your spurs wet with blood, and your bridle with foam? 
“Christ is arisen!” Whence come you?  “From Rome.” 
Ah, now I believe.  He is risen, indeed. 
Ride on with the news, at the top of your speed!

Great applause among the crowd.

To come back to my text!  When the news was first spread
That Christ was arisen indeed from the dead,
Very great was the joy of the angels in heaven;
And as great the dispute as to who should carry
The tidings thereof to the Virgin Mary,
Pierced to the heart with sorrows seven. 
Old Father Adam was first to propose,