Poems (Hooper)/Job, Chap. XVI., Verse 2
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JOB, CHAP. XVI., VERSE 2.
I saw two angels sitting by my dead,
One at the feet, the other at the head.
One at the feet, the other at the head.
One spake: "Lo, I am Resignation: see—
Comfort and Peace shall enter in with me.
Comfort and Peace shall enter in with me.
"Drive thou rebellious sorrow from thy breast,
And let me enter there a welcome guest."
And let me enter there a welcome guest."
Then spake the other: "I am Faith, I hold
The shining keys of heaven's gate of gold.
The shining keys of heaven's gate of gold.
"Thy loved one liveth still. Weep not so sore,
He waits thee where farewells are heard no more."
He waits thee where farewells are heard no more."
"Hence! ye vain visitants!" I wildly cried,
"Mock not my grief, yon hallowed dust beside!
"Mock not my grief, yon hallowed dust beside!
"Give me again the manly shelt'ring breast,
The warm, fond lips on mine so often pressed;
The warm, fond lips on mine so often pressed;
"Give me the strong, true arm on which I leant,
The loving eyes on mine in fondness bent;
The loving eyes on mine in fondness bent;
"Then speak of consolation; but not here,
While yon dear clay lies cold upon the bier.
While yon dear clay lies cold upon the bier.
"Though we may meet again (ah! where and how?)
Long years of anguish lie 'twixt then and now.
Long years of anguish lie 'twixt then and now.
"I shall behold him. O thou mocking Fate!
There is a lifetime of despair to wait.
There is a lifetime of despair to wait.
"Can grief like mine be slain by empty breath?
Give to my dead love life, or give me death!
Give to my dead love life, or give me death!
"No consolation have ye brought to me.
Hence! miserable comforters are ye."
Hence! miserable comforters are ye."
A rush of white wings stirred the startled air,
And I was left alone with my despair.
And I was left alone with my despair.