Poems of Letitia Elizabeth Landon (L. E. L.) in The Keepsake, 1832/Good Angels
GOOD ANGELS
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GOOD ANGELS.
BY L. E. L.
THE ANGEL OF EARTH.
Triumph, for my task is done—
Triumph, for my prize is won.
Angel! who dost keep the gate
Where the rescued souls await
For the speaking of that word
Which doth sheath the fiery sword,
And reveals to human eyes
Hope's long promised paradise,
Bend thine head, and stretch thine hand:
Place! in thy immortal band,
For the child I bear above,
In the strength of faith and love.
Vanquish'd at my feet, behold
He the serpent king of old.
Round us is the burning coil—
Who may 'scape from such a toil?
Flashes yet his fiery eye—
Who may its fierce light defy?
Who might aid? for vain were here
Human sword, or human spear.
Death is on each forked tongue,
Lightning round each neck is hung:
But I triumph'd, for I came
In the Saviour's blessed name.
Victory o'er the soil and snare,
O'er earth's crime, and o'er earth's care;
Over hopes which lead astray,
Wishes yet more wild than they;
Over each delusive sin
Which the heart takes pleasure in.
Red ambition, which doth ask
Kingdoms for its glorious task;
Avarice, which hath cast its lot
'Mid the gold it uses not;
Pleasures, which like opiates steep
Higher aims in idle sleep;
Vain affections which control
All too much the heaven-bound soul:
These are vanquish'd 'neath my tread.
See the serpent's bruised head:—
Angel! take the child I bring.
Oh, death! where is now thy sting?