Poems (Hoffman)/Angelus
ANGELUS
Angels are singing, angels of light!Angels are winging their homeward flight,Lo, while we grope in the darkness to-dayGuardian angels are leading the way!
Had we but visions like Jacob of oldIn dreams Elysian their forms to behold,Would we not see them seraphic and fairTreading the steeps of the sun-gilded air?
Lightly descending, or rising above,Each one attending an errand of love;Each on a mission of mercy intent;Each on a wonderful pilgrimage sent.
What are they noting, of hearts and of homes?What message floating to yonder bright domes?What through those gates will their entering bring?What are they bearing aloft to their King?
Some may be telling of souls clad in whitePatiently dwelling in sorrow and night,Some may be telling of evil and wrongSaddening the strains of their beautiful song.
(Long years ago with his wonderful skillMichael Angelo sought to fulfill All his high thoughts of the angels of light Thronging our pathway in daytime and night.
In the cathedral where grandly he wrought,Toiling on, faithful and true to his thought, Angels look down from their stations to-day Though the great artist has long passed away.
Angels encamping around and on high,Angels adorning the miniature sky, Legions of angels in fanciful air Lovingly guarding the worshipers there.
Beautiful thought, may our life-work be crownedBy troops of angels encamping around, Guardian hosts that their vigil shall keep Through the long years while from labor we sleep.)
Oh, are we treading the beautiful way?Angels encamping around us to-day Gladly will bear up the message to-night Souls have been walking in garments of white.
What though the road seemeth tedious and long,What though no word of their beautiful song Floats from the heavens our pathway to cheer, Angels are singing and angels are near.
Far, far, above us their glad songs ariseOh, do they love us at home in the skies? Sometime our harps to their choir we will bring, Learn their glad anthem and sing as they sing.