Our first, our last, by heavenly fates impelled;
We again meet; warned by the Spirit progressive, learn,
Not man’s design, mere compromise of good
With ill, nor ill’s, infeasible most, approves
Celestial polity. Reason’s plea, here shown
Of gravity less than virtue’s; virtue’s, there,
Convictive less than reason’s. What the twain,
Unversant in fate’s ultimate laws, reject,
Grace gratulative enjoins. Not separate life,
But oned, perfection’s source.
An Oratory. Daybreak.
Clara and Angela.
Clara. I have erred, not sinned. My soul in faith assured,
Feels conscious of acceptance, and of prayer,
Night long companion of the stars, fulfilled.
Relief and surety come on day’s broad wing.
My spirit, fountainlike, of the present full,
O’erflowing with the future, life hath all
I ever asked. God shriven then, be it mine
What once I failed in to amend; to undo
The wrong and do the right. Thee thank I, Lord!
For this repose of spirit, this sense of peace
By thine approof made holy. Hear I not,–
Fanning the calm of morn with sensible beat,
The musical movement of an angel’s wing,
Vibrant with spheral airs? Nay, on my heart
I feel the hint of a bodiless hand, as rose
Wind–ruffled, might some pitying finger feel
Its leaflets smoothening. Sweetened by seraph’s breath,
And scent of saintly garments seems the air.
Speak, spirit! for sure I am, one circleth me
In narrowing ring, and swiftening folds, as erst
Rounded the worshipping priest, of primal faith,
His arrowy rock, sun–sainted. Voice thyself,
Angel!
Angela. The spirit of her, thine earliest friend
Am I.
Clara. Thy best–belov
(Philip James Bailey)
More Poetry from Philip James Bailey:
Philip James Bailey Poems based on Topics: God, Life, Angels, War & Peace, Belief & Faith, Night, Law & Regulation, Fate & Destiny, Future, Vice & Virtue, Perfection- Festus - XLV (Philip James Bailey Poems)
- Festus - VII (Philip James Bailey Poems)
- Festus - XLII (Philip James Bailey Poems)
- Festus - II (Philip James Bailey Poems)
- Festus - XXXIII (Philip James Bailey Poems)
- Festus - XIV (Philip James Bailey Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: God Poems, Life Poems, Night Poems, War & Peace Poems, Fate & Destiny Poems, Belief & Faith Poems, Prayers Poems, Education Poems, Law & Regulation Poems, Speaking Poems, Angels PoemsBased on Keywords: spheral, enjoins, angela, best-belov, polity, approof, swiftening, convictive, infeasible, circleth, oned