Poems (Argent)/The Angel of Hope
THE ANGEL OF HOPE.
"Hope is the third blossom of the flower of Love, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness."
I HEARD a footstep in the night, A spirit footstep low and fair, I saw a vision wondrous bright Of silver wings within the air!
A heavenly visitant, I thought, To rouse me from despair and gloomAnd 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.
I felt a hand upon my head And shadowy eyes looked into mineI 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.
"Look up and hope, the twilight hour Will pass away and morning riseWith love and gladness, for the flower Of loving kindness never dies.
"The heaviness that presses close About you at the death of dayWill, like the beauty of a rose, Burst into joy with morning's ray.
"Forget your griefs, the frets that rend (Or, seem to rend) your heart in twain,The bruised reed may weakly bend, God makes it strong and straight again;
"And somewhere in this earthly sphere Are happy souls and psalms of praise,And somewhere falls the burning tear As men go mourning all their days.
"Go smile with them who smile to-day, Add to their joy your widow's mite,And with the sorrowing weep and pray, Oh! be a star upon their night!"
The spirit voice that seemed to cope With all my selfish griefs and gloomCeased suddenly,—the Angel Hope Had lifted into peace my room.
I knew her by the lotus leaf She dropped, as heavenwards in her flightShe winged her way, and lo! my grief Was touched as by a rainbow light!