Page:Language of the Eye.djvu/114

94 CHAPTER XIII. HOPE.

has elevated eye-brows, and opens the eye-lids more than usual; the iris is soft, turgescent; the pupil large; the lustre of the eye-ball mild, though increased in degree; the motions of the eye are easy, free, performed within a large space, and curved; the look is very agreeable, contemplative, expressive of a wish which is felt. This is one of the angels sent down from heaven to bear a cup of kindness and consolation to man in his pilgrimage. She raises the fallen lid, and revives, with her inspired look, those sinking and about to die.

Hope with its golden radiance opens its burning wings, and sheds on all powers the return of the love of life. All passions may be resolved into the simple system of love and hate; the various modes of affection being caused by accident. Hope is (speaking abstractedly) an anticipation of some enjoyment, and generally running parallel to an antagonistic feeling, called fear. This angel is sent into this world of reality to awaken joy and excitement, and to drive fear, anguish, and monotony far away. If the organ of sight were deprived of this power, there would be many a dark and cloudy path, which is now illumined by the waving of the wand of this holy one. The generous sympathy of this lovely spirit is not found in palaces and the domains of luxury; but, where there is a cry of woe, and where the echo of sorrow wanders about the streets, there she glides along; in many a wretched cottage, and by many