ANGELUS.

Softly drops the crimson sun:

Softly down from overhead,

Drop the bell-notes, one by one,

Melting in the melting red;

Sign to angel bands unsleeping,—

“Day is done, the dark is dread,

Take the world in care and keeping.

“Set the white-robed sentries close,

Wrap our want and weariness

In the surety of repose;

Let the shining presences,

Bearing fragrance on their wings,

Stand about our beds to bless,

Fright away all evil things.

“Rays of Him whose shadow pours

Through all lives a brimming glory,

Float o'er darksome woods and moors,

Float above the billows hoary;

Shine, through night and storm and sin,

Tangled fate and bitter story,

Guide the lost and wandering in!”

Now the last red ray is gone;

Now the twilight shadows hie;

Still the bell-notes, one by one,

Send their soft voice to the sky,

Praying, as with human lip,—

“Angels, hasten, night is nigh,

Take us to thy guardianship.”