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O'er all the scene, its vivid light was cast,
And ev'ry hideous phantom shrunk aghast.
Soft in the air delicious accents stole,
And sooth'd to gentle Peace the tortur'd soul.—
And now, in glitt'ring armour bright array'd,
A Form Celestial glided through the shade!
An orient beam illum'd her beauteous face,
And deck'd her charms with more than mortal grace:
So sweetly awful—so serenely bright—
No form terrestrial ever blest the sight!
Her Sacred Charge—a bloody Cross she press'd,
With conscious ardour to her spotless breast!
A chrystal shield, of adamantine force,
From foes malignant still preserv'd her course;
Immortal Faith a flaming banner spread,
And way'd triumphant o'er her graceful head!
—Fair blooming Hope, and Patience, ever calm,
And gentle Mercy, with her healing balm,
And ev'ry hideous phantom shrunk aghast.
Soft in the air delicious accents stole,
And sooth'd to gentle Peace the tortur'd soul.—
And now, in glitt'ring armour bright array'd,
A Form Celestial glided through the shade!
An orient beam illum'd her beauteous face,
And deck'd her charms with more than mortal grace:
So sweetly awful—so serenely bright—
No form terrestrial ever blest the sight!
Her Sacred Charge—a bloody Cross she press'd,
With conscious ardour to her spotless breast!
A chrystal shield, of adamantine force,
From foes malignant still preserv'd her course;
Immortal Faith a flaming banner spread,
And way'd triumphant o'er her graceful head!
—Fair blooming Hope, and Patience, ever calm,
And gentle Mercy, with her healing balm,
