Edmund Spenser on Easter

In many Christian churches, Easter begins tonight with the Easter Vigil. And so I thought it would be appropriate to share one of the greatest Easter poems, written five hundred years ago by Edmund Spenser to his wife. To all who celebrate, a very joyous Easter. Christ is Risen.

Most glorious Lord of life, that on this day,

Didst make thy triumph over death and sin:

And having harrow’d hell, didst bring away

Captivity thence captive, us to win:

This joyous day, dear Lord, with joy begin,

And grant that we for whom thou diddest die,

Being with thy dear blood clean wash’d from sin,

May live for ever in felicity.

And that thy love we weighing worthily,

May likewise love thee for the same again:

And for thy sake, that all like dear didst buy,

With love may one another entertain.

So let us love, dear love, like as we ought,

Love is the lesson which the Lord us taught.