The Poetry Corner

Angelus.

By Susan Coolidge (Sarah Chauncey Woolsey)

Softly drops the crimson sun: Softly down from overhead, Drop the bell-notes, one by one, Melting in the melting red; Sign to angel bands unsleeping,-- "Day is done, the dark is dread, Take the world in care and keeping. "Set the white-robed sentries close, Wrap our want and weariness In the surety of repose; Let the shining presences, Bearing fragrance on their wings, Stand about our beds to bless, Fright away all evil things. "Rays of Him whose shadow pours Through all lives a brimming glory, Float o'er darksome woods and moors, Float above the billows hoary; Shine, through night and storm and sin, Tangled fate and bitter story, Guide the lost and wandering in!" Now the last red ray is gone; Now the twilight shadows hie; Still the bell-notes, one by one, Send their soft voice to the sky, Praying, as with human lip,-- "Angels, hasten, night is nigh, Take us to thy guardianship."