Fixed on some mysterious vision, With a startled sweet surprise. For a radiant angel hovered Smiling o'er the little bed; White his raiment, from his shoulders While, with tender love, the angel, In his arms the sick child folding, So the angel, slowly rising, Spread his wings; and, through the air, Bore the child, and while he held him To his heart with loving care Placed a branch of crimson roses Tenderly beside him there. While the child, thus clinging, floated "Know, dear little one, that Heaven Love, on earth so feebly striving, "Once in that great town below us, In a poor and narrow street, Dwelt a little sickly orphan; Gentle aid, or pity sweet, Never in life's rugged pathway Guided his poor tottering feet. "All the striving anxious forethought, That should only come with age, Weighed upon his baby spirit, Showed him soon life's sternest page; Grim Want was his nurse, and Sorrow "All too weak for childish pastimes, On his hands so small and trembling "Dreaming strange and longing fancies Of cool forests far away; And of rosy happy children, Laughing merrily at play, Coming home through green lanes, bearing Trailing boughs of blooming May. "Scarce a glimpse of azure heaven Gleamed above that narrow street, And the sultry air of Summer (That you call so warm and sweet) Fevered the poor Orphan, dwelling In the crowded alley's heat. "One bright day, with feeble footsteps Slowly forth he tried to crawl, Through the crowded city's pathways, "There were trees with giant branches, Velvet glades where shadows hide; There were sparkling fountains glancing, Flowers, whose luxuriant pride Even wafted breaths of perfume To the child who stood outside. "He against the gate of iron Pressed his wan and wistful face, Gazing with an awe-struck pleasure At the glories of the place; Never had his brightest day-dream Shone with half such wondrous grace. "You were playing in that garden, Throwing blossoms in the air, Laughing when the petals floated Downwards on your golden hair; And the fond eyes watching o'er you, And the splendour spread before you, Told, a House's Hope was there. "When your servants, tired of seeing Such a face of want and woe, Turning to the ragged Orphan, Gave him coin, and bade him go, Down his cheeks so thin and wasted, "But that look of childish sorrow 6 "Dazzled by the fragrant treasure In his heart the loving word. |