Weeping Mary

I

Mary to her Saviour’s tomb
Hasted at the early dawn;
Spice she brought, and sweet perfume;
But the Lord she loved was gone.
For awhile she weeping stood,
Struck with sorrow and surprise,
Shedding tears, a plenteous flood,
For her heart supplied her eyes.

II

Jesus, who is always near,
Though too often unperceived,
Came, his drooping child to cheer,
Kindly asking, “Why she grieved?”
Though at first she knew him not,
When he call’d her by her name
Then her griefs were all forgot,
For she found he was the same.

III

Grief and sighing quickly fled
When she heard his welcome voice:
Just before she thought him dead,
Now he bids her heart rejoice.
What a change his word can make,
Turning darkness into day!
You who weep for Jesu’s sake,
He will wipe your tears away.

IV

He who came to comfort her,
When she thought her all was lost,
Will for your relief appear,
Though you now are tempest-toss’d:
On his word your burden cast,
On his love your thoughts employ;
Weeping for awhile may last,
But the morning brings the joy.