Poems (Angier)/Live Like the Angels

by Annie Lanman Angier

LIVE LIKE THE ANGELS.

Go, glide like a sunbeam through cottage and hall,
With heart-cheer for each, and a blessing for all;
And seek out the sad ones, when over Hope's tomb
Lean sorrow-bowed mourners in silence and gloom.

Clasp childhood's soft hand, teach the selfish and rude
That best of all lessons, the way to be good;
The footsteps of age in meek tenderness lead,
Prove friend to the friendless in time of their need.

Bid wayward youth penitent, tearfully turn
To Virtue, mild mentor, wise lessons to learn;
How the tempted and tried may in triumph defy
The soft syren Vice, with her basilisk eye.

Should sickness and want, twin daughters of woe,
A dwelling invade, with tread stealthy and slow,
O! there be thou found, like an angel of love,
To whisper sweet thoughts of a bright home above.

Let good-will to all be the theme of thy song,
For justice and truth be thou valiant and strong;
To aims high and holy each energy given,
This, this is to live like the angels in heaven.

Then seek out the sad ones, when over Hope's tomb
Lean sorrow-bowed mourners in silence and gloom;
And glide like a sunbeam through cottage and hall,
With heart-cheer for each, and a blessing for all.