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 REDEMPTION. 317

Some solace, it may be, my skill may yield, For I have much endured, though few my years, And much experience gain'd in sorrow's school."

So he, with tenderness ; Cleophas thus :

"Art thou a stranger in Jerusalem, And hast not known the things which have been done, Concerning Jesus, who a prophet was, Mighty in work and word fore God and man ? And how our priests and princes, him to death Condemn'd, and crucified? We had supposed 'Twas He, who would have Israel redeem'd, But lo ! 'tis now the third day since he died. This doth our sorrow and discourse invoke, And, so far true, thou hast divined aright ; But now prepare a marv'lous thing to hear. Some women of our band, ere it was light, Did to his grave repair, but found him not, Though Pilate seal'd the stone and set a guard, Lest some should steal his poor remains, and say 1 He hath arisen from the dead.' This stone Was roll'd away; but He was gone; and naught Remain'd, so they report, save his grave clothes. Then two bright spirits, clad in white, appear' d, And said 'The Lord hath risen from the dead; Go tell the rest, that what he said is done.' This may to thee, as it to us doth seem, An idle tale, or phantasm of the brain ; For, howsoe'er the pow'r of God hath some, From death to life restored, through faith of man, 'Tis yet unheard, and hard to be believed, The dead themselves should innate force exert, Revivify their clay, and rising, spurn

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