Rain down, ye heav’ns, eternal bliss!

The Cherub-cloud today

Bears JESUS where His Father is,

Along the starry way!

Sundered of old were Heaven and Earth:

But Thou, Incarnate King!

Hast made them one by that Thy Birth,

And this Thy triumphing.

‘Thy victor-raiment, wherefore red?

What mean the marks of pain

That print Thy form?’—the Angels said,

The ascending Monarch’s train.

Very Oblation, by the scourges torn!

Nailed to the bitter Cross, O Virgin-born!

As once the Prophet from the monster’s maw,

So now Thy love, accomplishing the Law,

Adam from utter death to perfect Life would draw.

Vanities earthly²²²²1st ed.: Things of the earth in earth will we lay,

Ashes with ashes, the dust with the clay:

Lift up the heart, and the eye, and the love,

Lift up thyself, to the regions above:

Since the Immortal hath entered of late,

Mortals may pass at the heavenly gate.

Stand we on Olivet: mark Him ascend,

Whose is the glory and might without end;

There, with His own ones, the Giver of Good

Blessing them once more, a little while stood.

“Nothing can part us,—nor distance, nor foes,

Lo! I am for you, and who can oppose?”