Poems (Emma M. Ballard Bell)/Guardian Angels
For works with similar titles, see Guardian Angels.
Πρὸς τον φιλὸν μου ὰγαθώτον.GUARDIAN ANGELS.
Twilight hovered o'er a mountain, Morning's twilight dim and gray;At the mountain's foot an angel Waited for the dawn of day.From the mountain's side and summit Slowly rolled the mists away,And the crimson light was gleaming Where a child in slumbers lay.In the sleeper's ear the angel Whispered, "Wake, behold the light,Little child, I come to lead thee Up Life's steep, lone mountain height."While the child hand clasped he gently, Upward in the dawning light,Onward went the child and angel, While in stature and in mightGrew the child, and Wisdom, Virtue, Crowned him with a regal crown,Till behind Life's mountain summit Sank the sun in glory down. In the dying light of sunset Passed they from that mountain heightTo that far-off Land of Beauty Where there never cometh night.
Ah! how oft when Life-gates open Comes a guardian angel bright,Comes to lead the spirit onward Through the shadows and the light,—Comes to cheer and guide and guard it, Never fainting by the way,Never, never, never leaves it, If the guarded do not say,Not in words, perchance, but actions, "I go elsewhere: do not stay."On the guardian angel's spirit Awful weights of sorrow fall,While the guided hand unclasping, Sadly murm'ring, "Lost is all."But whenever loved and trusted, Happy, happy is the soulLed by such celestial guidance Onward to the spirit's goal.
Guardian angels! how they love us With a love that cannot tire,Glowing in those holy beings With a pure seraphic fire. Elder brothers, elder sisters, Sent to us while here below,Like us loving one great Father, From whom all our spirits flow.