Poems (Angier)/Venus

by Annie Lanman Angier

VENUS.

With eyes uplifted, heavenward turning,
With deep and tender, untold yearning;
With thoughts, like evening's crystal dew,
I gaze on yonder vault of blue.

What, O! what art thou, beautiful one,
That follows the radiant track of the sun?
Silent, and solemn, and grand, and sublime,
Through space is thy march to the rhythm of Time.

O! answer me—art thou the orb of night,
The herald, that guided the sages aright,
Whose feet, o'er the hills of Judea were led
In safety and peace, to that strange stable-bed?

And was it thy errand, to tell of his birth,
The Light of the world, and the Hope of the earth?
Speak, speak, ye fair dwellers in mansions afar,
And tell me the tale of yon beautiful star.

I pause, but no voice to my question replies,
The stillness is death-like, that reigns in the skies;
But in my soul's chambers, a sweet silver chime,
In joyous peals, rings in this glad Christmas time.

And so, I think thou art the star,
That led the wise ones from afar;
And still thy mission is, as then,
To lift from earth the thoughts of men.

O! star of mystery—still shine—
Since all true souls for true light pine;
Till every human heart shall be
Birth-i^lace and throne—O Christ! for Thee.