ALOFT a white-robed angel I beheld; His splendour the loud tempest's anger quelled And won to silence the far murmuring sea. "Why comest thou, angel, this dark night to me?" I asked him. He replied, "Thy soul to take." I trembled for in woman's guise he spake, And with my hands stretched orth to him, I said "What shall be left me when thou shalt be fled?" He answered not, but all the heaven grew dim, O'erwhelmed with shadow. Thereon I cried to him "Where wilt thou bear me? Show me in what place." Still was he silent. "O farer thro' blue space, Art Death or Life?" I cried. Thereon did roll All night's deep shadow o'er my ravished soul; The angel form grown dim said "Lo! I am Love." But his dark brow was fair as day's. Above, Thro' his wide wings, beyond his shadowy gaze, I saw the starry multitudes ablaze. |