Page:Poems of Sentiment and Imagination.djvu/104

100 "Peace, peace," the radiant being spoke;

And on my heart's tumultuous swell

The oil of holy stillness fell,

And calmed it with a sacred spell

Too sweet and reverent to be broke.

"Thy soul is dark," the angel said;

"A land of shadow round thee lies;

And shapes of fear thy soul surprise,

From which thou canst not turn thine eyes,

Lest thou shouldst be pursued with dread.

"But I will give to thee a light

Whose beams shall fright the shades away,

And make for thee a perfect day;

That light is love; and with its ray

Thy soul shall shine serenely bright.

"Love thou thy God—thy friend—the world—

And labor for thy love's true sake;

Then shall no gloom thy path o'ertake

Which thou hast not the power to break;

The wings of darkness shall be furled

"For evermore; and on thy heart

The freshness of new joys descend;

And with thy hopes a trust shall blend

That shall not fail thee to the end,

Though all life's pleasing dreams depart.

"Take thou the talisman, and go

Upon the path of life once more;

It can not fail thee;" and before

The music of his voice was o'er,

The angel melted in a glow

Of golden light along the floor.