Page:Poems Sigourney 1827.pdf/227

Rh Like guardian angels hung. Serene thou bear'st Upon thy radiant wing the vivid trace Of years departed, weaving round those forms For whom this lay of filial love I breathe, The tissued robe of recollected joy.— —Bright o'er those mists and shadows which involve This vestibule of being, they dispensed Light, like that star which lifts her gentle lamp O'er dewy dawn, fair herald of the day. Amid the doubtful bliss of infancy, Its mingled smile and tear, its lisping tone, And faltering step, and claim on sleepless love, I see their ministry. Mid brighter scenes, The wild, loud laugh of childhood, the gay smile With which exulting youth hastes forth to prove The charms of nature, and the arts of man, Through every change when pain or pleasure breathed Its spirit too intensely o'er a heart Wayward and full of hope,—I mark them still Bending with tireless sympathy. The hand That labor 'd for my good,—the eye that wept My slight adversity,—the soul whose chord Vibrated to my touch,—the tuneful hymn, The holy prayer that bless'd our evening couch, Were theirs;—the uncancell'd, everlasting debt Of gratitude be mine.—Oh Guides revered! Though with too fond idolatry ye clung Around your only one,—too oft transform'd By love's most subtle alchymy, her faults To fancied virtues,—yet your faithful voice Has warn'd from error, and your dreaded glance Darted repentance to her heart, when vice