Ascention

Salute the last, and everlasting day,
Joy at the uprising of this Sunne and Sonne,
Yee whose just teares, or tribulation,
Have purely washt, or burnt your drossy clay:
Behold the Highest, parting hence away,
Lightens the darke clouds, which hee treads upon;
Nor doth hee by ascending show alone, 
But first hee, and hee first enters the way.
O strong Ramme, which hast batter'd heaven for mee;
Mild Lambe, which by thy blood hast mark'd the path;
Bright Torch, which shin'st, that I the way may see;
Oh, with thy owne blood quench thy owne just wrath:
And if thy Holy Spirit my muse did raise,
Deigne at my hands this crown of prayer and praise.

John Donne (1572–1631)

This anthem was first performed by the Choir of St Marylebone Parish Church, conducted by the composer, as part of the sixteenth London Festival of Contemporary Church Music.