Scenes and Hymns of Life, with Other Religious Poems/Mary Magdalene at the Sepulchre

by Felicia Hemans

For other versions of this work, see Female Characters of Scripture. XIV. Mary Magdalene at the Sepulchre.

XIV.

MARY MAGDALENE AT THE SEPULCHRE.

Weeper! to thee how bright a morn was given
    After thy long, long vigil of despair,
When that high voice which burial rocks had riven,
    Thrilled with immortal tones the silent air!
    Never did clarion's royal blast declare
Such tale of victory to a breathless crowd,
    As the deep sweetness of one word could bear
Into thy heart of hearts, O woman! bowed
By strong affection's anguish!—one low word—
"Mary!"—and all the triumph wrung from death
Was thus revealed! and thou, that so hadst err'd,
    So wept, and been forgiven, in trembling faith
Didst cast thee down before th' all conquering Son,

Awed by the mighty gift thy tears and love had won!