A little book of tribune verse A number of hitherto uncollected poems, grave and gay |
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THE ANGEL'S VISIT. |
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 | A little book of tribune verse |  |
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THE ANGEL'S VISIT.
Do I believe in Angels? Yes,
And in their prowlings to and fro—
I entertained one long ago,
In guise of age and sore distress.
And in their prowlings to and fro—
I entertained one long ago,
In guise of age and sore distress.
He clambered up the narrow stairs,
And by his heavenly smile I knew
He was a truant angel who
Had come to visit unawares.
And by his heavenly smile I knew
He was a truant angel who
Had come to visit unawares.
“Rest thee, old man,” I gaily cried,
“And share my humble couch and cheer—
Thou shalt not want for comfort here—
My home and heart are open wide.”
“And share my humble couch and cheer—
Thou shalt not want for comfort here—
My home and heart are open wide.”
Relieved of temporary cares,
The old man laid him down and slept;
And in my thankfulness I wept—
I'd entertained him unawares!
The old man laid him down and slept;
And in my thankfulness I wept—
I'd entertained him unawares!
I never shall forget that night,
My happy dreams, my slumbers sound,
And when I woke at noon I found
My angel vanished out of sight.
My happy dreams, my slumbers sound,
And when I woke at noon I found
My angel vanished out of sight.
Perhaps in years that are to be,
That angel will return, and yet
I sometimes fear he may forget
To bring my overcoat to me.
That angel will return, and yet
I sometimes fear he may forget
To bring my overcoat to me.
January 19th, 1882.
| A little book of tribune verse | |