POEMS.
85
I saw a vision wondrous bright
Of silver wings within the air!
Of silver wings within the air!
A heavenly visitant, I thought,
To rouse me from despair and gloom
And as I gazed I faintly caught
A radiant form within the room.
To rouse me from despair and gloom
And as I gazed I faintly caught
A radiant form within the room.
And then a voice so purely sweet
Fell on mine ear as music's strain,
Or, like the melody of wheat
That rustles softly after rain.
Fell on mine ear as music's strain,
Or, like the melody of wheat
That rustles softly after rain.
I felt a hand upon my head
And shadowy eyes looked into mine
I gazed as one upon the dead
Who sees the human yet divine!
And shadowy eyes looked into mine
I gazed as one upon the dead
Who sees the human yet divine!
And then the voice so beautiful
Said lovingly, "Look up and trust:
No heart for ever should be dull
And, worm-like, grovel in the dust.
Said lovingly, "Look up and trust:
No heart for ever should be dull
And, worm-like, grovel in the dust.
"Look up and hope, the twilight hour
Will pass away and morning rise
With love and gladness, for the flower
Of loving kindness never dies.
Will pass away and morning rise
With love and gladness, for the flower
Of loving kindness never dies.
"The heaviness that presses close
About you at the death of day
Will, like the beauty of a rose,
Burst into joy with morning's ray.
About you at the death of day
Will, like the beauty of a rose,
Burst into joy with morning's ray.