Easter Even

By Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830–1894)

THE TEMPEST over and gone, the calm begun,

Lo, “it is finished,” and the Strong Man sleeps:

All stars keep vigil watching for the sun,

The moon her vigil keeps.

A garden full of silence and of dew,

Beside a virgin cave and entrance stone:

Surely a garden full of Angels too,

Wondering, on watch, alone.

They who cry “Holy, Holy, Holy,” still

Veiling their faces round God’s throne above,

May well keep vigil on this heavenly hill

And cry their cry of love.

Adoring God in His new mystery

Of Love more deep than hell, more strong than death;

Until the day break and the shadows flee,

The Shaking and the Breath.