"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.
