THE LEGEND OF ST CECILIA AND THE ANGEL.

By William Lisle Bowles

‘ Twas when, O meekest eve! thy shadows dim

Were slowly stealing round,

With more impassioned sound

Divine Cecilia sang her vesper hymn,

And swelled the solemn chord

In hallelujahs to thy name, O Lord!

And now I see her raise

Rapt adoration's gaze,

With lips just opening, and with humid eyes

Uplifted; whilst the strain

Now sinks, now swells again;

Now rising, seems to blend with heaven's own harmonies.

But who is that, divinely fair,

With more than mortal beauty in his mien;

With eyes of heavenly hue and glistening hair,

His white and ample wings half seen!

O radiant and immortal guest!

Why hast thou left thy seraph throng,

On earth the triumph to attest

Of Beauty, Piety, and Song!