Bid her be patient, loving, meek, When most her heart is riven;
Wipe thou the heart-tears from her cheek, Give her a glimpse of heaven.
Give each his Cross, his thorny crown ;
The Saviour suffered death;
But when the spirit is bow'd down,
Heal, heal it with thy breath.
Go, do thine errand through all lands;
Surpassing angel, prove
The glory of thy God's commands,
The might of Saving Love.
ANGEL OF DEATH.
Mother, mother wert thou speaking, In the solemn hour of night?
Was thy spirit for mine seeking? For an angel, robed in white.
Hung about my pillow gently; Press'd soft kisses on mine eyes; Look'd upon me most intently,
Bade me hush my troubl'd sighs.
"Then she stroked my long damp tresses, With a kind and tender touch; Mingling tears with her caresses, As tho' she loved me much.
"Kiss'd I her for her caressings,
With a love almost as fond:
Then she gave me heavenly blessings, Show'd me there were worlds beyond ;
"Softly touch'd my heaving bosom, Laying something on my heart; Saying it would one day blossom, Long to bloom, and not depart.
“I fainted then with joyful weeping ; I was weak, and could not bear So much of bliss; and when sleeping, Rock'd she me with loving care."
"Die she must, O, gentle creature ! Her fair cheek must loose its bloom; Touch must I her every feature, Το prepare her for the tomb.
"Tenderly, tenderly still her fond breast, Tenderly stop the heart's motion; Tenderly, tenderly put her to rest, Spare her from human emotion.
"Die she must-hush! all is over- Her spirit now hath taken flight ; Pity father, mother, lover—
Not her-her soul hath reach'd the light!
"She is dead, now she is holy :
Around the lips I'll wreathe a smile, To soothe, if not to comfort wholly Dwellers on the earth awhile.
"Holiness, Peacefulness, stamp on the brow, Like stars of the morning to shine; Tenderly, noiselessly, love will avow, The Angel of Death is Divine.
"O, God, I need thy consolation, When my scythe is edg'd and sharp; Bare-brow'd I traverse every nation : Play loud ye angels on the harp!
"When nearing earth, tho' superhuman, I can scarcely bear to break
The living links, so sweetly human,
Bruise them, wound them, make them ache.
"I have heard such low soft singing- Harmonious numbers rise and fall; I have watch'd the soul upspringing To the Mighty One of all.
"I have seen the clear eyes telling Holy truths, without a word; Watch'd emotions rising, swelling, Tho' no murmur could be heard.
"Seen resignation, bright in sorrow, Give her darling to the skies, Preparing for that bless'd to-morrow, Shining round the Great All Wise.
"Seen penury, in rags and tatters, Clinging to immortal food; To the glory nature scatters,
Loving all things pure and good.
"I have seen the bold man cherish Tender loves and noble aims; I have seen the meek heart perish, Strong in love, mid burning flames. "I have seen the sea's commotion, Mountains high the waves have tost; Witness'd struggling, fond devotion, Beaten, conquer'd, seeming lost.
"I have seen the hideous earthquake Open wide its yearning jaws; Regarded long the silent heartbreak, Tho' the spirit's brave, and soars.
"I have watch'd the proud, the daring, Play with life, as if mere death Was all and everything impairing, By the fanning of its breath.
"I have seen the tearful maiden Holding love unto her breast, Shining like a star tho' laden
With a load of dark unrest.
"I have watch'd the crippl'd mother Toiling, labouring, day by day; Blind men working for each other, Tho' darkness all about them lay.
“I have watched laughing childhood Serious grow, at sight of death ; I have mark'd the lone, the widow'd, Praying with their latest breath.
"Mark'd the fond clasp of the lover, Even wept at the embrace; Seen her die; when all was over, Seen the lover hide his face.
"Felt the tremor that then shook him, Mourn'd the courage beaten down :
Every earthly hope forsook him, Tho' she gain'd a saintly crown.
"I have seen true friends, long parted, Clasp again each other's hand; I, my brand of death have darted, Seen them drop like grains of sand.
"I have mark'd the old, white headed, Sorrow-stricken, and yet brave;
Children dead, and she, the wedded, Side by side in one huge grave.
"Tho' angelic, I ne'er falter,
And my aim is sure on earth : I kill the world to give God's altar In all its purity and worth.
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