REDEMPTION. 21
So on they walk'd, in sweet communion join'd ; His sorrows this, the consolation that, Advanced. Meanwhile, Joachim felt his heart With heat unwonted burn ; celestial fire The angel kindled there, fann'd the soft flame, And bid the embers plow. " What sort of man Is this," he inwardly inquired, " who, fraught With honied words, my drooping spirits cheers ? Or man ? or angel ? likeliest seems the last, And some have angels harbor' d unawares. His manly port, his stately mien, and garb, Of Israel him bespeak ; much me' I fear, And dread, yet feel my heart with love inflamed, Such comfort he inspires." The Angel knew His thoughts, but silent hasten'd on, nor turn'd To right or left, attent his mission high Swift to fulfill. The desert soon o'erpass'd, A fertile path his feet directs, with flow'rs Thick strown ; carnation, daisy, lily, rose, With od'rous shrub, fragrant beneath his step, (And by his gentle crushing sweeter grown,) Their dews distil ; more fragrant than the dews Which soft on Hermon's fruitful hill descend, Sweeter than Sharon's plain, or Araby, Or perfumed zephyrs of the spicy isles.
The sun hesperian now declined the day; When, issuing from the glen, his humble cot, Joyful the saint espied. Anne, just then Eeturn'd from fruitless search, tearful, within The door rested awhile, rack'd with suspense. Beside her, consciousless, the archangel Gabriel stood, whilst armed legions camp'd
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