Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AN ANGEL CAME, by WILLIAM ALFRED QUAYLE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AN ANGEL CAME, by                    
First Line: One noon I met an angel by the way
Last Line: But left an angel at my heart with me.
Subject(s): Angels


One noon I met an angel by the way,
And giving hand of welcome, bade him stay
Beneath my roof and rest.
He looked aweary, having traveled far;
From heaven he came, in that remoter star
Than men have mapped on the celestial sphere.
With grave, sweet face, he stood. His voice was clear
As silver bells. He dressed
In mystic, seamless garment, dyed with blood;
And round him, glory whitened like a flood
Of morning light. My home with many a guest,
Brave men and pure, had oftentime been blessed;
But now,—an angel stood
Tall and compassionate, beneath my roof!
At heart, I thought, "How shall I give him proof
That he is welcome?" "This home," I said,
"Is thine. Wait thou until the heat be fled,
And by the stream and wood
Cool shadows gather. Angel, be my guest,
Sit thou in quietude and take thy rest."

"My name is—" "Nay," the gracious angel said,
"Thy name is known in heaven;" and then he fled
Swift like the light across the ample sea,
But left an angel at my heart with me.




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