The Descent into Hell

Resolv'd ere dawn
the noble women
to prepare for journey :
th' assemblage knew
that the Noble's corse
was in its earth-house cover'd :
the weary women would
with weeping bewail
the Noble's death
a while,
sadly deplore.
His resting-place was chill ;
hard was his departure ;
the men were haughty,
whom they at the deserted
sepulchre found.
Came the mourning
Mary at dawn,
calls with her another
earl's daughter ;
sought the sad two
the victor Son of God
alone in that earth-house,
where they before knew
that him had hidden
the men of Judea :
they imagin'd that he in the tomb
would abide,
alone in the Easter night ;
but another thing than this
the women knew,
when away they turn'd ;
for there came ere dawn
a company of angels,
surrounded the joy of bands
the Saviour's tomb :
open was that earth-house ;
the Noble's corse
had receiv'd life's spirit ;
earth trembled,
laugh'd hell's inmates ;
men awoke
exulting from earth,
Majesty arose
triumphant and sagacious.
John said,
the man to hell's inhabitants
laughing spake,
boldly to the multitude,
of his * *
‘Me hath commanded
our Saviour,
when he me on this journey
would send,
that he me *
* * *
exhorteth of all
people the Prince
* * *
* * *
* * *
To-day the Lord will
* * seek,
the victor Child of God.’
Hasten'd then for journey
the Lord of mankind ;
heaven's chieftain would
hell's walls
break down and bow,
that city's pride
begin to spoil,
fiercest of all kings.
He reck'd not, for that strife,
of helm-bearing warriors,
nor he mail'd champions
to those city gates
would lead ;
for the locks fell,
th' enclosure from that city.
The King rode in,
the Origin of all people
hasten'd forth,
Glory-giver of hosts.
The exiles throng'd,
which of them that victor Child
might see :
Adam and Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob,
many a lofty earl,
Moses and David,
Isaiah,
and Zachariah,
patriarchs many :
so also a company of men,
a host of prophets,
a band of women,
many damsels,
people numberless.
Saw then John
the victor Child of God,
with that kingly pomp,
come to hell ;
perceiv'd then the sad in mind
God himself's journey :
he saw hell's door
serenely shine,
which long before
had been lock'd,
with darkness deck'd :
joyful was the thane.
Announced then boldly to
the city-dwellers' *
exulting before the multitude,
and to his kinsman spake,
and then the welcome guest
in words greeted :
‘To thee for this be thanks,
our Lord !
that thou us * *
would'st seek ;
now we in these bonds
brotherless
he shall not be thus closely
under * *
bitterly bound,
under dire chains,
that he therefore easily may not
courage have,
when he his Lord's
kindness believes,
that he him from those bonds
will buy.
So we all in thee
alone believe,
my dear Lord !
I much have suffer'd
since thou in to me
didst come ;
when thou me gavest
sword and corselet,
helm and martial vest,
(I that still always hold)
and thou to me declaredst,
Joy of kingly glories !
that thou my Protector
wouldest be.
Ah Gabriel !
how thou art skilful and keen,
mild and mindful,
and gentle,
wise in thy understanding,
and in thy word sagacious :
that thou didst manifest,
when thou the boy to us
broughtest in Bethlem.
We for this waited long,
sate in sorrows :
with peace delighted
joys and hopes,
when we God's word,
through his own mouth,
heard speak.
Ah Mary !
how thou for us a noble
King broughtest forth,
when thou that Child to us
broughtest in Bethlem ;
we for this trembling
under hell's door,
cruelly must
await in bonds.
The slayer joy'd in his work,
our old enemies were
all in delights,
when they heard
how we * *
We through rapacious mind
have deceiv'd ourselves,
we the sin therefore
bear in our breasts :
at the slayer's hand we must,
even from our foes,
desire peace.
Ah Jerusalem,
in Judea,
how thou in that place
tranquil didst remain !
May not thee traverse
earth's inhabitants,
all living,
who to thee praise sing.
Ah Jordan,
in Judea,
how thou in that place
tranquil didst remain !
Thou flowest not among
earth's inhabitants,
they might thy water
gladly enjoy.
Now I thee beseech,
our Saviour !
deeply in tribulations,
(thou art the Lord Christ,)
that thou us pity,
Creator of men !
Thou for love of men,
thy mother's bosom
didst thyself seek,
Lord God triumphant !
not for thy need,
Ruler of nations !
but for the mercies,
which thou to mankind
oft hast shown,
when to them was pity needful.
Thou mightest embrace
all abodes of nations,
so also thou mightest number,
powerful Lord !
the sea's sand-grains.
Best of all kings !
so I thee beseech,
our Saviour !
for thy childhood,
of kings most excellent !
and for thy wounds,
Lord of hosts !
and for thy resurrection,
Delight of the noble !
and for thy * *
that all hell's inmates
glorify and praise,
which around thee stand ;
those whom thou let'st sit
* * hand,
when thou us in this exile,
Lord of hosts !
through thine own power
wouldst seek.
And Jerusalem,
in Judea,
shall that city now
nath'less await,
beloved Lord !
thy return :
and as for Jordan,
in Judea,
we two in that brook
bathed together ;
thou didst besprinkle with that water,
Lord of hosts !
with kind spirit,
all the city's inmates ;
so also thou and John,
in Jordan,
with baptism,
happily excited
all this mid-earth ;
be therefore ever to the Creator thanks.