Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1833-12-05
ANGEL OF THE LEAVES,
BY II. r. GOULD

my beautiful robe is gone! 1t has been
torn from me. FITS faded pieces whirl
upon The wind; they rustic beneath the
squirrels foot, as he searches for his
nut. They float upon the passing stream
and or, the quivering lake. Wo is mc!
for my fair green vesture is gone,
1t was the gift Of the angel Of the leaves!
l have lost it, and my glory has vanish
ed; my beauty has disappeared. My
summer hours have passed away. NY
bright and comely garment, alas! it is
rent in a thousand parts. Who will
weave me such another' Piece by
piece, it has been stripped from me.
Scarcely did sigh for the loss Of one,
ere another wandered off on air. The
sound Of music cheers me no more.---I
The birds that sang in my bosom: were
dismayed at my desolation. They have
flown away with their song.
Il stood in my pride. The sun bright
ened my robe with his smile. The
zePhyrs breathed softly among them.
My shadow was wide upon the earth.
My arms spread far on the gentle air;
my head was lifted high; my forehead
was fair to the heavens. But ROW, Oh
how changed' Sadness is upon me !;
my head is shorn, my arms are stripped; ;
l cannot throw a shadow on the ground.
Beauty has departed; gladness has gone
out Of my bosom; the blood has retired
from my heart, it has sunk into the earth.
l am thirsty, am cold. My naked
limbs shiver in the chilly air. The
keen blast comes piiiless among them.
The winter is coming; am destitute.
Sorrow is my portion. Mourning must
wear me away. How shall acco unit to
the angel who clothed me, for the loss of
his beautiful gift"
The angel had been listening. In
soothing accents he answered the lam
entation.
'My beloved tree,' said he, be COM
forted! lam by thee still, though every
leaf has forsaken thee. The voice of
Sladness is hushea among thy boughs,
but let my whisper console thee. Thy
sorrow is but for season. Trust in me
keep my promise in thy heart. BE pa
tient and full Of hope. Let the words
leave with thee, abide and cheer thee
through the coming winter Then will
return and clothe thee anew.
The storm will drive over thee, the
snow will silt through thy naked limbs.
Butthese are light and passing Affections.
The ice will weigh heavily on thy help
less arms; but it shall soon dissolve in
tears. 1t shall pass into the ground and
be drunken by thy roots. Then it will
creep up in secret beneath thy bark. 1t
will spread into the branches it has op-
pressed, and help me to adorn them. For
| shall be here 10 use it.
'Thy blood has now oH4y retired for
safety. The frost would chill and de-
stroy it. 1t has gone into thy mothers
bosom for her to keep it warm. Earth
will not rob her offspring. She is q care.
ful parent. She knows the wants of all
her children, and forge:s not to provide
for the least Of them.
! 'The sap that has for while gone
down, will make thy roots strike deeper
and spread wider. 1t will then return to
nourish thy heart. 1t will be renewed
and strengthened. Then, if thou has
remembered and trusted in my promise
l will fulfil it. Buds shall shoot forth or
every side Of thy boughs. will unfold
thee another robe. will paint it and fl
Il in every part. 1t shall be comely
raiment. Thou shalt forget thy present
sorrow. Sadness shall be swallowed ur
IN Joy: Now, my beloved tree fare thee
: well for season."
The angel was gone. The mutterina
winter drew near. The wild blast whist
led for the storm. The storm came ant
howlcd around the tree. But the wore
of the angel was hidden in her heart, i
soothed her amid the threate nings of the
- tempest. The ice cakes ratified upor
her limbs; they loaded and weighed then
down. "My slender branches" sal,
: she, ''let not this burden overcome you
Break not beneath this heavy afliiciion
break not, but bend till you can sprin!
, back to your places. Let not twig o
3 you be lost! Hope must prop you for
, while, and the angel will reward you
= patience. You will move upon softe
t air. Grace shall be again in your motion
e and beauty hanging around you!"
: The scowling face Of winter began I
: lose its features. The raging storu
4 grew faint and breathed its last. TIL
o restless fretted themselves to atoms; the
}, scattered upon the sky, and brushe
s away. The sun threw down bunch Q
# golden arrows. They fell upon the tree
9 the ice cakes glittcred as they came
J, Every one was shattered by shaft, an
unlocked itself upon the limb. They wer
Q melted and gone.