THE MISSION OF THE ANGEL OF DEATH. "Go forth," said the Heavenly Father, To one of his seraph train; "Go forth on an errand of mercy To the world of trouble and pain, "And away from earth's noxious Some buds of beauty bring, vapours To bloom in the heavenly gardens, And the angel, with wing resplendent, 'Midst a chorus of joyful voices, 96 MISSION OF THE ANGEL OF DEATH. Slowly night's gathering shadows Fevered, and restless, and moaning, On his little bed he lay, When the bright-winged angel drew near him, And kissed his last breath away. So softly the chain was severed, For she knew that the soul of her darling Than even her fondest love. THRENODIA. GONE, gone from us! and shall we see Those calm eyes, nevermore, Those deep, dark eyes so warm and bright, The stars of those two gentle eyes Will shine no more on earth: Quenched are the hopes that had their birth, As we watched them slowly rise, Stars of a mother's fate; And she would read them o'er and o'er, Pondering, as she sate, Over their dear astrology, Which she had conned and conned before, Deeming she needs must read aright What was writ so passing bright. And yet, alas! she knew not why Her voice would falter in its song, And tears would slide from out her eye, Her heart was like a windflower, bent (That filled with tears its eyes of blue, Into a load too great for it to bear. O stern word, - Nevermore! The tongue that scarce had learned to claim An entrance to a mother's heart By that dear talisman, a mother's name, Sleeps all forgetful of its art. I loved to see the infant soul Fluttering with half-fledged words, That more than words expressed, And snatched him to her breast! O, thoughts were brooding in those eyes, That would have soared, like strong-winged birds, Far, far into the skies, Gladdening the earth with song And gushing harmonies, Had he but tarried with us long! How peacefully they rest, Upon his little breast, Those small, white hands that ne'er were still before, But ever sported with his mother's hair, Or the plain cross that on her breast she wore! 163316 |