Easter Day by John Masefield - Part 2

I'm having a break from my blog for the Easter holidays, and so here is something I prepared earlier. It is the second of four parts of a transcript I have made of an Easter play by John Masefield (best known for "The Box of Delights"), published in 1929. Other parts will follow in the week. Like his Christmas play, this is quite non-traditional and imaginative.

Part 1 here:

http://tonymusings.blogspot.com/2018/04/easter-day-by-john-masefield-part-1.html

Easter Day by John Masefield - Part 2

THE SPIRIT OF THE PLACE

This is the habitation of the dead,

Here they are shut, until the wraith is free

From the bone prison of the ribs and head.

Listen : my shrouded shadows speak to me.

A DEAD MAN

I am bound within these rocks to my dead bones.

Dying, I prayed for Death with many groans,

Thinking that Death would end my agonies.

But Death began a Now that never dies.

THE WIND ABOVE

I am going on, going on ; why speak to me?

ANOTHER DEAD MAN

Slow dissolutions cell by cell decline

Atom by atom, all these bones of mine,

These dear familiar bones, that alone save

My sweet self from the nothing of the grave.

THE WIND ABOVE

I am going on, going on ; why speak to me?

THE FIRST DEAD MAN

Would that some Night of Nothing might descend

To give this nothingness of night an end.

THE SPIRIT OF THE PLACE

You are dust, you are dust ; lie still and sleep.

THE OTHER DEAD MAN

Would that this sweet self might but have again

Even Life's opportunity of pain.

THE SPIRIT OF THE PLACE

You are dust, you are dust ; lie still and sleep.

You are dust, you are dust ; lie still and sleep.

THE WIND ABOVE

I am going on, going on, from the hot lands ;

Under my swift feet's warmth the flowers quicken.

THE SPIRIT OF THE PLACE

The flowers quicken as the April stirs,

And here an April quickens in the grave ;

Those who find Death a blessing or a curse

Alike expect a coming that will save.

A  DEAD MAN

O Hope that thrills me, are you rest, sweet rest ?

ANOTHER

O Life that fills me, are you given again ?

A DEAD MAN

Someone is here who shatters our arrest.

ANOTHER

Friend, it is Life : what matter tears and pain ?

A DEAD MAN

The cocks are crowing for a night that ends,

ANOTHER

The dawn is breaking on another day.

A DEAD MAN

This granite grave is rent asunder, friends ;

ANOTHER

O Morning Star, O shining Eastern ray I