Poems (Angier)/Saint Agnes

by Annie Lanman Angier

SAINT AGNES.

In spotless robe, with folded hands,
And heavenward gaze, Saint Agnes stands;
Her feet in sandals firmly shod,
From earth she turns to walk with God.

A snow-white lamb is by her side,
Fit emblem of the Crucified;
The patience, meekness in its face,
Teach lessons to our erring race.

A voice steals on the hallowed air—
The lips of Agnes move in prayer,
In murmurs soft as zephyr's breath,
That lightly fans the couch of death.

"Father, Thy child would know Thy will,
She waits Thy purpose to fulfil;
Unchained from sense, she fain would be,
In holiest bonds now joined to Thee."

All conflicts in her breast here cease,
The vestal's soul is hushed to peace;
While o'er her head, a shining form
Bends like the bow, when passed the storm.

Whom Heaven would bless He calls to mourn—
Hence scourge and crown, by angel borne;
And well each suffering saint doth know,
'Tis Love's own hand deals every blow.

Whence come the shadow, whence the ray
That blending 'mid those tresses stray?
From scourge and crown, unseen by her,
The pure and saint-like worshipper.

"Maiden, on thee are doomed to fall
Woes that the stoutest might appall;
See, scourge and crown—the last they lose,
Whose faithless hearts the first refuse."

Thus spoke the angel with a smile,
But naught heard Agnes, all the while,
Save Duty's voice—the voice of God,
Which calls his own to wreath and rod.

Vouchsafe me. Father, strength divine,
To make the choice of Agnes mine;
Thy scourge with Christ-like heart to bear,
While shining ones my crown prepare.

Unrivalled, among womankind
This Roman maiden's name we find;
Agnes means Lamb—and lamb-like she
In meekness, patience, purity.

Long be it hung on memory's walls,
This pictured scene the pen recalls;
So bid thy heart the lesson trace
That naught its moral may erase.

Like Agnes live, and thou shalt know
Rest, calm and saint-like, here below;
While to thy soul will peace be given,
True peace, like that which reigns in heaven.