Poems (Sharpless)/A Vigil
For works with similar titles, see A Vigil.
A VIGIL
One night while keeping watch o'er the sleeping,
While Death's cold Presence loomed dark above,
She, gently coming, like shades at gloaming,
Brought comfort to me, she whom I love.
While Death's cold Presence loomed dark above,
She, gently coming, like shades at gloaming,
Brought comfort to me, she whom I love.
Tho' Death has claimed her, Love still retained her;
When I wept no Heaven could hold her then;
But angels leaving, to soothe my grieving,
She came, love-lighted, to earth again.
When I wept no Heaven could hold her then;
But angels leaving, to soothe my grieving,
She came, love-lighted, to earth again.
No word was spoken, the hush, unbroken,
Fell o'er the head where the fever throbbed;
But her look of gladness softened my sadness,
I sighed more gently where erst I sobbed.
Fell o'er the head where the fever throbbed;
But her look of gladness softened my sadness,
I sighed more gently where erst I sobbed.
If such joy be given, like hers, in Heaven,
'Tis smiles for weeping, 'tis life for Death;
With joy, not grieving, we should be leaving
The graves that holdeth our loves beneath.
'Tis smiles for weeping, 'tis life for Death;
With joy, not grieving, we should be leaving
The graves that holdeth our loves beneath.
So thro' the dreariness I felt her nearness,
I felt the Peace she had brought from Heaven;
And, bowing slowly to spell so holy,
I yielded fully what He had given.
I felt the Peace she had brought from Heaven;
And, bowing slowly to spell so holy,
I yielded fully what He had given.
Oh! early taken! I felt forsaken
When God thus called thee, "Sweet, come above";
Yet in that vision I know thy mission
Stretched far beyond my blind human love.
When God thus called thee, "Sweet, come above";
Yet in that vision I know thy mission
Stretched far beyond my blind human love.