Adagio

From painting by J. C. Herterich

Nature draws near once more

And knocks at the world's door:

She walks, within her wild harmonious maze, Weaving her melodies from doubt and haze, And leaves us free from care

Like children standing there.

Annie Adams Fields.

BEETHOVEN'S SEVENTH

SYMPHONY

(Poco Sostenuto)

The dead Christ starts, the shadows lift, the light

Lengthens across the Galilean's face;

Death flees before impetuous hosts that chase

With swords of sunshine and white spears to smite

Grim wraiths of agonies and lingering sight Of scarred Golgotha in divine disgrace. The light beats swift and swifter, and the space

Stirs with the passion of immortal might.

(Allegretto)

The dead Christ arises; the grave is defeated; the stone

Is rolled away by the angels. An Easter pæan!

The air is a tumult of tremulous wonderings.

The sweet winds are weighted with spirits from Paradise flown.

On one mighty billow of song the strong Galilean

Moves into the light and the rapture and flutter of wings.

(Presto)

Waking Easter lilies lift their eyes
To the weeping eyes of Magdalene;
Sounds, bewildering, agitate between
Earth and sky, and all things seem to rise.

Mystery casts off its dark disguise,

Life and power leap from the Nazarene; Earth and sky are filled with radiant sheen,

Flash of wings and surge of Paradise.