We talked together in the twilight gloom,
Her friend and mine of scenes and times long past;
And in the shadows of the quiet room,
It seemed to me an angel form was cast.
I saw, and yet my friend seemed not to see
The face familiar, with the gentle eyes,
Whose presence sanctified the past for me,
And made for him a glorious paradise.
I felt the pressure of a vanished hand
Upon my own, and heard a soft robe sweep--
The same has floated from the spirit-land,
And often trailed the chamber where I sleep.
I strove to break the spell that bound his heart,
That held his spirit as a bondsman tied,
When like a rose that shakes its leaves apart,
Her garments rustled close his chair beside.
And yet he knew it not. The angel face
Bent close above his own. So doth the moon
Sometimes, unseen, bend from her heavenly place,
To kiss a flower that falls asleep too soon.
“Awake, my friend,” I said, “too soon you sleep;
An angel figure stands beside your chair,
And I alone the sacred vigil keep.”
But as he woke, she vanished into air.
“O, friend of mine, and friend of hers,” I cried,
“A hallowed presence is so soon forgot.
She walked on earth an angel by your side,
The same as now, and yet you knew it not.”
Keep a Bright Face, Darling.
Keep a bright face, darling,
Though the task is hard,
Life holds up before you
Many a bright-faced card.
Though the clouds have gathered
And darkened all the way,
Rainbows o’er you arching
Tinge the skies of gray.
You have said what sunshine
Leaked in with the rain
Only brought new sorrow,
Brought but grief and pain.
Keep a bright face, darling,
Set your scales anew,
Weigh again the sunshine
And the raindrops, too.
And you’ll find your measure
Hitherto was wrong,
Keep a bright face, darling,
And on your lips a song.
Heaven decrees our burdens,
And our faith God tries;
But a broken spirit
He can not despise.
Keep a bright face, darling--
Even while I write,
In the fields of midnight
Blossom stars of light.
Though the morning cometh
With a streak of gray,
’Tis a hint of sunshine
And a perfect day.
Journey slow and patient
With a purpose strong.
Keep a bright face, darling,
On your lips a song.
My Neighbor’s Mill.