N.F.S. Grundtvig: 'Easter flower! What would you here?'

 

EASTER FLOWER! WHAT WOULD YOU HERE?

 

Easter flower! what would you here?

Common flower from village garden,

scentless, lustreless, austere!

Gift that no one e’er would pardon.

Who do you think fain had pressed

such as you to loving breast?

Dare a bird your praise send winging

when in Danish woods it’s singing?

 

Come alive in heart and mind

from your graves now be upstanding,

childhood days! And with me wind

your way out to father’s garden!

Let me during Easter song,

church bell’s ringing loud and long, 

to my heart the flower be pressing

breast and head with it be dressing!

 

Winter flower! You herald spring,

now unfold in quiet chamber!

Only fools would shame to sing

of God’s work, their lot not savour.

Though your humble garb’s yet mocked,

dull you are and poorly frocked,

on my bier my wish is fully

to be like an Easter lily.

 

Not in sweetest summer air

did your roots begin to settle,

nor the rose’s scent did share

nor the lily’s silver petal.

During winter’s storms and rain

you put forth in harsh terrain,

joy alone on hearts to lavish

who your inner meaning cherish.

 

Common flower! but is it true:

Is your meaning that of waking?

Is your sermon really new?

Can the dead grave’s hold be breaking?

Did he rise up, as they claim?

Will his word rise up again?

Does from winding sheet of mourning

life spring forth at Easter’s dawning?

 

If the dead can’t rise again,

then our meaning has no substance,

we’ll die quickly and in vain,

grace no garden with our presence,

’neath the ground forgotten be

and our wax won’t wondrously

melt, be formed in darkest lining

candle-like on graves be shining.

 

Easter flower! A drop most strong

from your cup my thirst has sated,

and I quicken before long

wondrously refreshed, elated:

From a swan’s song or its wing

it would seem that it did spring.

Now I see the dead reborn in

early flush of Easter Morning

 

Oh, how dear to me you are,

common flower from village garden!

Dearer than the rose by far,

Easter flower on graves of fathers!

True spring-tidings bringing me,

of a holy jubilee,

as from death each noble flower

you’re transfigured at this hour!

 

Yes, it’s true what you allege:

that from death our Saviour’s risen

It is each Good Friday’s pledge ­–

Easter Morning bursts death’s prison

What are sickle, shield and sword

’Gainst that master brave and bold?

Chaff his breath dispels for certain,

he who swore to bear our burden.