"Can There Be Any Day But This?"

Our house church has had numerous Easter sunrise
services at this caverns entrance.

George Herbert, one of my favorite English poets, wrote this great piece not long before his death in 1633:

EASTER

Rise heart; your Lord is risen. Sing his praise

                                        Without delays,

Who takes you by the hand, that you likewise

                                        With him may rise:

That, as his death fire burnt you to dust,

His life may make you gold, and much more, just.

     

Awake, my lute, and struggle for thy part

                                        With all your art.

The cross taught all wood to resound his name,

                                        Who bore the same.

His stretched sinews taught all strings, what key

Is best to celebrate this most high day.

     

Consort both heart and lute, and twist a song

                                        Pleasant and long:

Or, since all music is but three parts vied

                                        And multiplied,

O let your blessed Spirit bear a part,

And make up our defects with his sweet art.

     

I got me flowers to strew your way; 

I got me boughs off many a tree:

But you were up by break of day,

And brought your sweets along with thee.

     

The Sun arising in the East,

Though he give light, & th' East perfume;

If they should offer to contest

With your arising, they presume.

Can there be any day but this,

Though many suns to shine endeavor?

We count three hundred, but we miss:

There is but one, and that one ever.