Edmund Spenser addresses these verses directly to Christ, calling him the “Lord of Lyfe” on Easter morning. The speaker is full of gratitude and wonder, picturing the resurrection as a triumphant victory over death and sin. There’s a real sense of release and rescue in the image of Christ “harrowing” hell and leading captivity away—like a conqueror freeing prisoners. That act, the speaker believes, was done to win over all of humanity. The mood is both joyful and tender. There’s a quiet plea woven through the praise: washed clean by this sacrifice, the speaker asks that we might live in lasting happiness and learn to love in response. That final couplet simplifies everything into a single, heartfelt lesson—love is what Christ taught, so loving each other is the truest way to honor him. The whole poem feels like a gentle, earnest prayer rising out of genuine thankfulness.
Easter — Summary
MOST glorious Lord of Lyfe! that, on this day, Didst make Thy triumph over death and sin; And, having harrowd hell, didst bring away Captivity thence captive, us to win: This joyous day, deare Lord, with joy begin; And grant that we, for whom thou diddest dye, Being with Thy deare blood clene washt from sin, May live for ever in felicity!
And that Thy love we weighing worthily, May likewise love Thee for the same againe; And for Thy sake, that all lyke deare didst buy, With love may one another entertayne! So let us love, deare Love, lyke as we ought, --Love is the lesson which the Lord us taught.