THE CHARMED LIFE.
By Edmund Shaftesbury.
I.
When o'er the world the midnight hour was high
And heavy shadows joined the earth and sky, From starless realms the solemn
Reaper stalked; Across the plains in tireless journey walked, And searched to
find mid Life's young harvest field A sweet-faced child, a flower that
earth might yield. But angel fingers, luring Death away, Released the
child that in its peril lay.
II.
A youth went forth in life's fair
roseate morn
To win a name that should his age adorn. A
dazzling prospect lay before his sight Of gilded skies, rich fields and
landscape bright. In doubt he paused where two roads came in view The path
of right—and sin's broad avenue;
But angel fingers pointed him the way
That led to God and Life's
eternal day.
III.
A soldier fighting for his country's cause,
Whose body bore the scars of many wars,
At last in desperate encounter fell
Before the foe whose aim had marked him well.
The vengeful fiend, in doubt if he were dead,
A second bullet at the hero sped;
But angel fingers drew aside the aim And spared
the life to glory and to fame.
IV.
A blackened heart, of hideous
crippled shape
Consort of criminals, and caste of ape, A shaft
of malice wretchedly conceived, Prepared of lies that only fools believed,—
Composite falsehood, libel, slander, fraud,— And hurled at one who earnestly
served God.
But angel fingers caught the poisoned dart,
Recoiled its course, and slew
the bastard heart.
V.
Two roads there are in every human life;
The one leads downward to the vale of strife;
The other straight ascends the mountain height, Upon whose summit gleams the
promised light. When toiling on this path a soul seeks God The courts
of Heaven acclaim with one accord;
And through the spheres the glorious music rings,
When angel fingers touch the
tuneful strings.
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