Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-12-29
POETRY.
THE ANGEL OF SLEEP.

ny MIS- ". A. BROWNE.
Silence, oh Earth. lie silent IN the presence
or the fair form who coues on noiseless wing
Bearing upon its downy planes an essence
From Quiet's purest sprins
Silence. oh Earth, angel fonts aaave thee
Not with the sounding pnicns that upbear
Dread se,aphs through The ar, -,
Whose advent makes thine innost pulse move tnce,
Awe-sucken their power,-hn with the ms.t
or hottest cain, that ILLS those pulses III ue"s"''
Lo. from the deepest sapphire OF the blue
And rloudess twilight say, she siie,h down:
And folded how'rets, baihsd in early dew,
Her sliadowy tfcsses csown
One large pale s,r TIER forehead gis,ens:
And such elcinenty tender smile
Pare,h her lips, the wtiic,
That far A gentle voice the rapt heart listens:
Just now il hrcathes,-tlc music OF her breast ,
Will by tile couch where the tired eiid uo'n resi-
This is the m:-c, al unIieari by those
Who watch HI, sIn,nI'rrs, TINT doth brin@ tue trace
or golden smiles, that rise through his repose
Unto the infants face
Like the bright sudden flashing of a stream,
When some wind It'll feshened sweep doth breathe,
And from gems beneath
There into The wave wond 'rorS Gleam
Angel nf sircp, wli'l makes The child rejoice,
Like The s;il mriody Of ~; cciestial volre.
She hovers DER a weary mourne.'s conch
And her SIN shadow, Ike : iHight maze,
FAM on the swollen eyes w,ih highest touch,
And The Wild current stays,
When FIRM Tie Mohndrh heat, IKE le.a."fs' pour
Toth- quick heart and bran,
Stunned i helpless apaht before:
The lone shah awaken, sltil fi!lo'n -
But feeling eahs g.i>, though heuvy may be hofhe'
Ru, now the angel t,oats abov. the bed
Where Irth one, across whose ample brow
Thoughts eh,nings hivc through ieIuen, burrows speu
And cary scat;rrcd snoFT
Sprnklcs the raven tresses. Welcome mere.
Here. Angel, are thy v.si.- bltst indeed:
lie doth thy presence need
Not n weak soul or drDnp!a: heart 10 cheer,
fFor WIN: so lnl.,f,ii n Tie P3sf's hraFt:i
But his best nunisterilis wort.;ie>. ad--thou 1't
Call t,r. thv st;et -. tIry eo.ac--ihey come
TN. GLORIOUS nresa>, whn o. lily bidding watt
Som. fiuni the fdrst's twilila, pades, and some
Who idly ln.sred late
On lie bells. aud thence nave brought the light
Tina: clat;lrs each wavtn. WING ~ sivery rfidc,
Like The small clouds thai Glide
Midst upn,tlit .ki-- n?u; 4 .Eirii-r night:
Now bid them whisper ~ The siGinhcrer'S ear
Fanci-s whereof the woii ~ aitrt da.- shall hear.
Once more ihoi hendcst DER tranquil form,
Scarce sticr the Watchers gathered round,
As The deep hush thai follows the storm,
The silence Is profound.
Not lacr-not lan: Thy SpJonrn hrre may be-
Not long 4 calm : umin"is may last;
Thy spell will soon if past,
And from tiny guardianship thou wilt be free:
For, lo. n shadow cones 81 thou not know
Who often tracks thy steps upon this world below:
Another angel, but with saddcr eyes,
And express wlraih-d hair, and ,aler brow,
Aud solemn beauty, doth ailsc,
Aud iinscI> near tlte nos"
No more, oh Sleep. >ha, isan ih'sc cscids close,
Or raiu, ihi> ipt.r.uG pnl>- mish,icr power
Than thy .rpdc dover
Hath sealed ;hcin dr"a;iilrs>, chill r"pnSe.
AWAY, tlnu " a .iest IRE Thy iealin. btath,-
Give place unto thy mialtior brother, Death.